Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I'm a 60yo mother of two, and grandmother of 4 1/3 from Albuquerque, NM. I had a Realize Lap-Band placed on 12/3/07 by Robin Blackstone, MD at Scottsdale Healthcare. She also repaired a huge hiatal hernia at the same time.

Until retiring on disability due to Fibromyalgia in July, 2006, I was an RN, Certified Diabetes Educator. Now I keep myself busy with beading and counted cross-stitch.

I had my second fill on 2/8, and have lost 21lbs so far, plus another 11lbs of water from the surgery. I think I finally am having better restriction now, but it's still nothing like the first 3 weeks post-op.

Hope to meet more of you!

Hi Jean, and welcome. It sounds like you are doing great with the band. We look forward to getting to know you, as well.

just replied to your other message jeanie. I am from Farmington, NM. Coming down to Albuquerque this weekend as a matter of fact. Maybe we can meet sometime. There are a couple of banders up here that I know of and I met a couple of ppl from Albuquerque at the seminar I attended. I am not banded yet. Do the insurance paperwork dance.

Hi Jean, I am also from NM, just banded 2/15 in PHX. I feel a bit out in left field due to so far away from surgeons. Guess there are no support groups here in NM as of yet. Perhaps we should start one? I go in for my post-op appointment this friday in PHX 2/29. My doctor was Michael Orris at WLIAZ in Tempe. When did you get your first fill? I also live in ABQ.

At WLIAZ, Patients normally get their first fill about six weeks out. After that is based on how you feel and your weight is responding. If you are from New Mexico make sure that you tell the office this so they know that you can't reschedule.

If you need any additional literature on band fills please let me know and I will make sure that you get them.

I think that starting a NM support group would be a great idea. Maybe I can help with some of the planning.

Thanks,

Clay

Hi Jean,

I am from Carlsbad NM and saw your post on the forum. I was recently banded in Mexico by Dr.Rumbaut. It has now been 2 weeks and I can start eating soft foods (yes! the liquid phase was getting very boring!) and am looking forward to textures! You just had your first fill, what was the experience like and did you have it done there in Albuquerque or somewhere else? Me and my twin sister are looking for someone close that can perform this procedure. Thanks for your input!

Chris Juarez

Banded 2/28/08

Hi Jean, I'm Katherine and I'm in Albuquerque as well. I just returned from Flagstaff where I met with my surgeon about the lapband process. Because of some health issues I have he is not 100% sold on the lapband for me... it is a toss up between the band and the sleeve. He is doing a little more research about what would be best for my particular health issues and should have an answer for me within the next couple of weeks. If I am able to go with the band I would love to be part of a support group and would be more than happy to help someone set that up.

Sure sounds like you are doing great with the band and I sure hope your Fibromyalgia doesn't give you too many fits. I have heard that is often times quite painful.

Be well and come on over on the west side and have a visit! :drool:

Katherine

Hey Stepoffaith! I'm back in ABQ after all my dr's appt in Flag. It went well but there is a concern over the lap band and my past health history (grrr!). They have me all set up for the various "visits" (psych, EKG, etc) so when I go back to Flagstaff around the 25th of this month I'll be in and out of the testing and make sure stage. I'll be home in ABQ this weekend so if you need a place to stay or want to drop by, give me a shout. I'm keeping all kinds of good thoughts pointed your direction, you're going to do great in TX!

Katherine

Hello , I just got banded on 03/04 so still kinda new to this. Im from Alb too. I went to Phoenix for my surgery. I wen to Bridges Baric. Center. I go back for my vist on 04/07. Good luck to you. I wish there was a group here. I know alot of people that have had it done. keep in touch.

Hello, all you from New Mexico! I live in Albuquerque and just starting to check into the lap band process. Would love to hear about your experiences . . . especially with insurance. I have Presbyterian HMO. Anyone out there with Pres???

A couple of questions: How many trips to Phoenix for the first year? How many overnigh stays in Phoenix?

hi, welcome to LBT.

congrats on your weight loss so far.

Hi, Sandiagirl,

I went to Dr. Blackstone in Scottsdale because of the quality of her program. It is a Bariatric Center of Excellence, not to be confused with what the ins. co. calls "their Center of Excellence."

She is not, as far as I know, on the Pres Network. Believe me, I tried, along with several others, to get her there in 2003-2005. I paid for my surgery myself because I wouldn't go to anyone else. Her program is very comprehensive, both pre- and post-op.

E-mail me if I can be of help.

Jeanie

Matthew here from Santa Fe, NM. I had my surgery done in Phoenix also on 2-14-08 with Dr. Michael Orris and Dr. John DeBarros. I am down 44lbs since consultation in November.

Hi all, there is a support meeting tonight 6/26/08 in Corrales at the office of Dr Alyson Thal. We will be meeting a 6:30pm - 8:00 pm. I understand that Dr Thal is certified to do fills and this is the first meeting to hopefully start an ABQ support group. The address is 3841 Corrales Rd, Corrales 792-3065. Hope that some of you can make the meeting.