I am anitaj from southeastern New Mexico. My twin 32 y/o daughters and I were all scheduled for banding in Monterrey, Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut in February. I developed pneumonia a week before surgery and was in the hospital when they went for theirs. I was worried and jealous and frightened. They had never been out of the US, spoke no spanish, were not well traveled...but they were 150-200# overweight and determined. They came back full of wonder and hope. After I recovered, I had mine done on April 17th. It was a very good experience. I am an RN and was prepared to nit-pick. There is nothing but positive to report. We have had absolutely no problems. One daughter is very nearly at the 50# down mark, and the other is at -38#s. I am at -18, and scheduled for my first fill next week. We are horse people, and the burden we put on our ponies was what was the final straw for us. I ride a mule, and she was strong enough, I guess, but every time I got on, the saddle pulled over unless I cinched it so tight I cut her in half, and that wasn't right. We had pretty much stopped trail riding...if you had to get off, you couldn't get back on without help, and it was embarassing. All of us have been riding since, and feel so much better it is unbelievable.

Getting our fills has been a little problem. One daughter went with me to Monterrey for my surgery and got her first fill there, and the other was able to get her local doctor to write an order for "fluroscopy for port location" at our local hospital, and I did her fill there. That left me...I wasn't as large to begin with, and can sort of feel my port, but no way am I going to stick myself blindly. There is no one around here. I contacted FillcenterUSA and found a doctor about 4 hours away, and that is where I am going in 2 weeks. Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Lewis in Albuquerque? I admit I am pretty nervous without the fluroscope...

Anyway, I am a very satisfied Bandi, and look forward to meeting you other Bandis out there!

Isn't it great to have your own little support group within the family! My daughter was banded October 2006, and my husband and I October 2007. Now our daughter has a new boyfriend who is banded too, as well as HIS mother. Our son is the only one who doesn't know what we are all talking about now.

I have heard of some of the RN's here doing their own emergency unfills, but I don't know about fills. We go back to Tijuana for ours, although I have thought if trying Mexicali if I don't feel like driving all the way to Tijuana. Good luck and welcome!

I was banded October 9, 2007 and have lost 55 lbs. I was just wondering how big your band is, and on a typical day what do you eat. I am at 9cc in a 10cc and and still haven't found my sweet spot. Do find you crave one certain thing more than others?

Thanks for your help:rolleyes: