Hello My name is Roxanna. I'm a nurse here in central Florida. I am looking to make some new Lap-Band friends here locally in Florida. I will be having the Lap-band surgery very soon. Have you had the lap-band surgery? Are you considering it? Let me know I would love to chat with all of you. Thanks.

I am a nurse at South Seminole Hospital in Altamonte Springs, about 20 minutes north of Orlando. I had the band done 3 weeks ago by Dr. Kim in Celebration's Florida Hospital. I've lost 28 pounds, including the 10 from the pre-op diet. Sugary things really make me feel sick. Do they bother you? A new friend, Debby.

Hi Cindy and Debby, glad that you all are doing well. Can you both please ask your doctors if they take Mexican banded patients and if they do, what the cost of fills is? And do they charge a consult fee? Get me all the info you can, please... Like I said, I use Dr. Gomez in Miami for fills ($300 a fill) and would love to know if there are less expensive options for me. Talk to you all later.

Hey ya'll. No one from south Florida huh? I am having my surgery through Cleveland Clinic in Weston with Dr. Szomstein!!!

I have met Dr. Szomstein and Dr. Rosenthal both last year for a consultation (before BCBS FL stopped paying for WLS) I thought they were great. I would love to go with them but the price was pretty high for a cash patient. Go luck to you! It's a wonderful place over there!

Dr Szomestein is the best!!! I hope he proves that to me tomorrow LOL

Hiya! I wil be moving to central Florida on August 1st...we are looking in the area of Altamonte Springs. I can't wait to move back ( lived in Kissimmee when i was younger )..Look forward to chatting with you! Michelle

I'm having my lap band on June 20th. I'm wondering if I'll be able to handle not having sweets any more. I can't imagine not having chocolate- HELP!

riverrat, who said you couldn't have chocolate anymore??? Cause I have a band, and I can eat tons of chocolate, I shouldn't ---but I can. With the band you can basically eat everything you want, just less of it. Of course there are certain things that each of us can't tolerate, but for the most part you can basically eat everything. I for example can't eat tortillas (corn or flour), but I can eat tortilla chips (isn't that weird) and I can't eat lettuce, and I used to have trouble w/ bread, but I ate half a sandwich last week w/ no problems, and I can eat cake and pie w/ no problem and I love and can eat reeses peanut butter cups, so you see, basically you can eat anything, just alot less of it. That is the beauty of the band.

Hiya, I'm Robin from Tampa and i'm going for my surgery on june 24th with Dr. Ortiz. I'm very excited but also nervous. I'm reading very mixed reviews on this procedure. Would love to talk to someone in my area. Email me at Robin2463@aol.com

thanks for the info on sweets. that makes me feel better. how is everyone handling not drinking 30min before and after eating?

I live in fort lauderdale Robin and my name is Robyn!!! I was just banded yesterday!!! Email me!! But I am off to bed now!!! Night

Anyone who had surgery in Mexico. Were you able to find a local DR. to do fills in Florida. I haven't had any luck finding one who will. I'm in Brevard County.

Anyone who had surgery in Mexico. Were you able to find a local DR. to do fills in Florida. I haven't had any luck finding one who will. I'm in Brevard County.

The only doctor I found out here that will take Mexican banded patients is Dr. Gomez in Miami, the cost for fills is $300 w/ out flouru $600 w/ flouru, I do without he is an excellent doctor and has tons of experience. My port is flipped so you would think it would be hard for him to hit my port, but he does, everytime. And on the first shot. So I really like him, and its a whole lot cheaper and less time than hopping on an airplane and going to Mx for a fill.

Let me know if you need his info.

Dr. Eddie Gomez

3661 S. Miami Avenue

Suite 708

Mercy Professional Building

Miami, FL 33133

305-285-5090

Hey Everyone! I'm In Sw Fl Between Sarasota & Ft Myers. I Have Had All My Tests And Am Waiting To Hear From The Insurance (my Packet Was Just Sent Out Yesterday). I Am Using Dr Jawad In Ocala Because My Mother-in-law Is An Admininstrator @ The Hospital There & He Came Highly Recommended.. Has Anyone Else Used Him?