Hey all,

I'm new to the boards here and wanted to introduce myself. I was banded on 7/2/04 by Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico (I've already seen him mentioned here). To date I've lost 25 lbs. I have one fill and I'm at 2cc's in my band. After I got my fill I ended up in starvation mode. It hadn't even occurred to me that I might have TOO FEW calories. Holy crap! So, I eat more often in the day, and dropped 4 pounds in the last week.

I think I differ from a lot of bandsters in the sense that I don't have a goal weight/time. I figure if I lose like an 'average' bandster I'll probably be around 145 in about a year, but I don't have a date in mind, and the number 145 isn't anything magical to me. I guess I feel like I've beat myself up over so many diets in the past that I don't want to 'set myself up for failure'. Fortunately I haven't yet learned how to 'eat around' my band. So at this point the only way I can go is down, if I keep doing what I'm doing.

Anyway, just wanted to give a little background and say hi.

I'm just curious. When you have surgery done in Mexico, do you have any pre surgical testing to get done? I had to have a lot of tests before my surgery, cardio strees test and echo, sleep apnea testing (but I already knew I had sleep apnea), upper GI, abdominal sonogram and a pscyh consult.

When I had my surgery in Mexico they ran all kinds of tests the afternoon before surgery. I got an echocardiogram, x-rays, saw a nutricianist, got blood tests, etc.

I've kind of wondered about that too. I've heard they do bloodwork etc immediately before, but what happens if it ain't so good? Or, if you have undiagnosed sleep apnea that everyone claims to be a danger under anesthesia? I've often wondered how they handle this type of situation.

Dr. Rumbaut certainly has a great record, so whatever he's doing must be working for him.

Does he do any sort of questioning concerning prior historys before you arrive?

I didn't use Dr. Rumbuat though I certainly have heard good things about him. Before I scheduled a date for surgery I had to fill out a few pages of questions including questions concerning sleep apnea. I found everything to be professional. Best of luck and wishes, Teresa

My experience was very similar to Sarah's.

Chris and Leatha, as I recall, I filled out a general health questionnaire and e-mailed it to Dr. Rumbaut's team weeks before I made my appointment; it included questions about the usual morbidities (sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.). When I spoke with Dr. R on the phone two weeks before surgery, I asked him about other tests, and he said they were not necessary. The day before the surgery, I got some basic tests (blood work, EKG, blood pressure, upper torso x-ray) from Dr. Gonzalez (in a different office), who also asked about my family medical history.

I'm not sure what would have happened if any of my tests came back with questionable results. I think you can ask Dr. Rumbaut about this before surgery; he's very accessible, and great about returning calls. If you have an undiagnosed problem that won't be revealed by the tests -- say, sleep apnea -- it could pose a problem, since you won't be getting a full physical from the Mexico team. So if you have any doubts, you might want to get a more thorough examination before you leave. But I'm middle-aged, with a few of the usual suspects (joint pain, high blood pressure, mild apnea) and felt confident going into the surgery without a complete exam. I was running on nervous energy because I could barely sleep for about four days before I got banded, so the anesthesia was a welcome relief!

Dr. Rumbaut doesn't do, or require, a psych consult. I went to my own US shrink a couple weeks before I got banded just to do a reality check; he wanted to know all about the band because he wants to lose weight himself.

Once again what wonderful info. I am going to be reading this several times im sure. I am getting banded on wednesday. I am flying out Tuesday and scheduled to come back Friday. But if for any reason there is a problem of course I will stay longer. I just dont want to fly on Sept. 11 it brings up to many sad thoughts. I did fill out an evaluation that asked me question related to how I feel about myself. I also filled out a medical History. How do you know if you have sleep apnea? I really hope I dont vomit when I wake up that would be really really bad. I have dont that in the past after surgery. I really apprecite you zoe and Marimaru going through your experiences with me im sure you know how much that helps! I have huge hugs coming your way all of you !!!!

Once again what wonderful info. I am going to be reading this several times im sure. I am getting banded on wednesday. I am flying out Tuesday and scheduled to come back Friday. But if for any reason there is a problem of course I will stay longer. I just dont want to fly on Sept. 11 it brings up to many sad thoughts. I did fill out an evaluation that asked me question related to how I feel about myself. I also filled out a medical History. How do you know if you have sleep apnea? I really hope I dont vomit when I wake up that would be really really bad. I have dont that in the past after surgery. I really apprecite you zoe and Marimaru going through your experiences with me im sure you know how much that helps! I have huge hugs coming your way all of you !!!!

Hey Andrea, everyone here is such a big help to me, it seems the least I can do is try to pass it on somehow -- but all hugs gratefully received.

I don't blame you for not wanting to fly on Sept. 11. How about Sept. 12 if you think you'd like another day? Here's hoping you're feeling good to go on the 10th.