Hello everyone! My name is Rhonda. I am 41 years old and live in Ga. I have

been investigating having lap band surgery since Oct 2004. I did the insurance

dance with BCBS of Il up until two weeks ago when dr essentially advised I would probably not get approved. (I am 5'3" 213 lbs). At that point I began

checking into Mexico. I am now scheduled for surgery with Dr Lopez on

Friday, March 11th. I am a bit apprehensive as I am going on vacation

with the family 1 week after surgery. I have been a lurker on this web site

for the last two weeks and it has been very helpful in getting ready for the

surgery. Thanks to everyone who posts. It is a godsend to those of us

just starting the process. I hope to have much to share in the future!

Rhonda

Rhonda: Good luck with your impending surgery. I was banded by Lopez as well as were several others of us.

Please make sure you have after care set up prior to being banded. Find a local band surgeon that will take you as a patient for fills and follow up.

I am going to be in Atlanta in April 20th through the 25th. Would love to get together for dinner or something one night. I will be attending a conference there.

Thank you Penni! I originally started the process with Dr Ponce at

Hamilton Weight Management in Dalton GA. When they told me insurance

wouldn't pay, I asked about if they did the fills. They said yes, but you

have to sign a contract with them for 1 year ($2000) that includes fills

and follow up visits. This seems a bit pricey to me, although it is done

under fluoro. I have several other drs in the Atlanta area that are doing

lap bands, so I just need to check around to see who would take me.

I think I may go back to Dr Lopez for the first few fills. Other than fills,

do you need to see the dr for follow up visits after surgery (if you are

not having any problems) ?

I would love to get together when you are in town. Email me at

Rhonda,Spruill@Idealindustries.com and we can work out the details.

I had a question about fills 1-2 years later. I tried to search

the forum but I didn't really see anything on it. Once you have reached

your goal weight, do you just not get fills anymore or do the fills gradually

lose restriction? I am sure it is a personal thing, some people need several

fills, some very few, to lose weight initially. I just had never seen anything

about it after losing as much as you want to lose. (my,that sounds so nice!)

Thanks again for all of the excellent information you all supply!

Rhonda

Hi Rhonda,

Im sure you are so excited about your pending surgery!! I was in your position last week, and had my band placed by Dr. Ortiz Wed (5 days ago). It went much smoother than I expected, although the day of, and the day after surgery are quite a blur!! I travelled back to Texas on Friday, and everything was smooth. I am also travelling with family next week so I was worried about that also. I feel really good other than some slight pain around the port area, especially if I strain or move funny. I haven't really had any hunger to speak of , just a few rumbles that seem to go away with liquid intake!! I do have to say I am looking forward to getting out of the Clear liquids stage on Wed. so I can feel like I'm getting some more nutrients. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll be happy to answer them!

Monica

Surgery 3/2/05

-8 lbs.