Hey any Cali-Bandsters out there!!

I just got banded yesterday. I'd love to give and recieve support. Anyone interested????

You may want to try Dr. Powell in Cardiff California (San Diego). He is one hour from Yorba Linda, CA ... I am not sure where you are in LA but I really like Dr. Powell. He is affiliated with Fill Centers USA... so in working with him you are entitled to all of the perks of Fill Centers USA... binder full of information just for the banded... web sites that track your calories and chart your progress. 24 hour a day support, etc. etc. If you need more information let me know.... Dr. Powell and his staff are incredible.

Hey Geller Girl... I just thought I would let you know that Dr.Powell in Cardiff, CA (Carlsbd Area) is filling Mexico banded patients.... I have been filled by Dr. Powell and they are all wonderful in his office. I live in Yorba Linda, CA and I am really pleased. Let me know if you have any other questions. For me.... going back and forth across the border was too much of a pain for me... I have two young kids to pick up everyday... so the trip to Cardiff is much easier for me (1 hour door to door). Anyway... just thought I would let you know.

Is there anyone out there that has LB ,that lives around Redding Ca.?

:clap2: HI, MY NAME IS KATHY AND I LIVE IN CHICO. I HAD LAPBAND SURGERY 7 WEEKS AGO IN SACRAMENTO AND AM DOING WELL.

Who did your Band ? I had Dr. Billy in Truckee. 3/10/06 all is well so far. My wife had him do hers in 2001 and I couldn't wait to have it done. She is on maintains now after 80 + pounds. I have lost 40 so far.

Smiling in Truckee,Ca.

Hi...dr. Laura Machado At Sacramento Mercy San Juan Hospital Did My Band In Feb. Slow Going But I Am Headed In The Right Direction !!!! I Have Had One Fill Of 1 Cc And Am Going Back In 2 Weeks For Another Fill. The First One Really Helped Decrease The Hunger Factor......i Am Hoping The Second Fill Will Also Make A Difference. So I Am Eating Right And Exercising, Imagine That !!!

Kathy In Chico

Hey there, I got my surgery March 20th and just started on solids this week and got on the scale and gained 3 pounds. Is this normal in the beg phase going back to solids from liquids? I live in Sonoma County but work in Pleasanton. Northern Cali girl as well.

Italian Girl

Italian Girl,

Very normal! It's very normal and totally up to you on what you want to do at this point. During this phase I was fine with just maintaining or gaining a little because I knew a fill would be in my future...

BUT if you continue gaining or would like to lose a little my only suggestion would be a traditional diet: protein with good carbs (fruits/veggies) and no bread or pasta. Eat slow and chew, chew, chew.

Before my first fill I was able to eat just as much as before surgery, too. Once you get a fill (or 2 or 3), it will be much easier.

Good luck!

Hey Shanna,

My name is Shawna and My dr was Dr. Ortiz in TJ. What is a unfill? and did you have your band removed?

Yeah I didn't think it was too big of a deal but wanted to ask because it kinda seems like it's a guessing game as to what is next. I went and got banned with two of my sisters and it was a awesome experience. Dr Ortiz and his staff was better than being in the hospital in the US. Great treatment! I bought some lean cusine and have been eating them for my lunch.

Shawna

:clap2: HI, MY NAME IS KATHY AND I LIVE IN CHICO. I HAD LAPBAND SURGERY 7 WEEKS AGO IN SACRAMENTO AND AM DOING WELL.

hi Kathy I got my 4 weeks ago and I live in Sonoma County.

Shawna:clap2:

I was banded - then unbanded 6 months later due to slippage - by Dr. Kuri in TJ. The hospital he works out of now (Hospital Angeles) is amazing. Much better than ANY US hospital I've ever seen. I had a private room with recliner & couch for my husband so he could stay with me.

An unfill is just the opposite of a fill. I would be fine for a few weeks after a fill and then suddenly be too tight and need to go back for some fluid to be taken out of the band. Each of the unfills listed were because I was unable to eat and get very little fluids in and some of the times it was causing acid reflux.

Be careful on your fills - you DON'T want to be too tight. I think it's far better to be a little loose.

Most people do just fine - don't let my experience scare you. I'm still glad that I had the band and I miss it constantly.

WHy did your band slip? Yeah I know I would rather lose my weight very slow than faster and be careful. Are you going to get reband?

Shawna

Why did your band slip? Are you going to get reband?

We don't know why it slipped. I personally think it happened gradually - during the last month or so. I kept going back and getting unfills and the fluoroscopy showed the fluid going down, but when I got back home I would continue to not be able to eat. I also kept having a lot of pain in the area of my band - on the inside. Hard to explain, but hindsight now tells me it was my band moving back and forth rubbing causing the pain.

That pain got MUCH worse when my stomach slipped into the band, completely blocking any food or liquids. Dr. Kuri tried for over an hour in the operating room to try to fix it - but there were too many adhesions. That's why I think it's been rubbing in there for some time now - not just an all of a sudden thing, at least not for me.

I don't know if I'll do it again. Dr. Kuri said he would reband me later, if I wanted but I've heard other doctors say they would never reband a slipped or eroded patient. The cost of all these surgeries is getting quite expensive - $9,000 for original surgery and $3,500 for removal. I couldn't take out another loan at this point any way and I want to give my body time to heal.

I'm just kind of floundering at this point. All I can seem to think about during the day is what I'm going to eat next. I'm taking diet pills and my NutriSystem program should be here tomorrow. We'll see how it goes...

I am sooo sorry to hear your story... If you need support I am here. I can't say that I have had any problems... but I remember the struggle I used to feel when I was on my own without the band... and it would be very scary for me.