Hi Amber, Welcome to the OH group and, specifically, to the New Mexico board. I hope you find all the support you need here at this site. If there is anything I can do for you or your parents, please let me know.  Be good to yourself!

HI. Im Amber. Im 22 years old. Im married and I have a crazy little boy who just turned 1. Right now im in Santa Fe, but I will be moving back to Rio Rancho in the next few months. Im also waiting on my approval for the surgery. Im going to be having the surgery in El Paso at Del sol with Dr. Lara. Also both of my parents will be taking this adventure with me and we couldnt be more excited! Hopefully I will hear back from the insurance soon. Just wanted to introduce myself and say hi! I hope to meet some people!

I'm new to Abq., I had RNY surgery 02/11/04 in Wyoming - would like to start attending Bariatric group meetings, could someone help me please? When & where are the meetings? I'm interested in the Post Op groups, but would enjoy meeting with pre-op and post op groups. I started the journey of investigating Gastric Bypass in 2002, had the surgery in 2004. I went from a size 28 down to a size 6, but have leveled out to a size 10 - perfect weight for my bones and age - I am very satisfied. Looking forward to hearing from you, Thanks, Carol

I wouldn't go to her.  Not because of skill issues but because she's with Betancourt Medical.  The patient coordinator pushing her right now claims she is a Mayo doctor.  Patti, the coordinator, told a friend of mine that she did her residency at Mayo.  This is not true, she was an unpaid visiting physician for a month at Mayo, that is not the same thing. Dr. Pompa was just Inamed certified in December, nowhere near long enough to get experienced.  I know she did one band and it took her three hours to place.  That procedure should take about 30 minutes.  There was no hernia involved, just placing the band.  That is concerning to me. I would do a search for the following terms here on OH and on www.lapbandtalk.com: Betancourt Huacuz (used to work for Betancourt) Molding Clinic (used to be where Betancourt worked) You'll find a wealth of information there. Be very careful, don't believe what coordinators tell you, they lie all the time.

I went to my first appt with Dr.Syn and was told I should hear from them soon to set up my surgery!!! The Nut told me about a Health Food store that works with them to keep supplements we need before and after the surgery. I checked it out and the prices were the lowest I have found....and anything I wanted the Asst. Mgr(Brett) told me to call and ask him and he would order it. The sales clerk(Karen) was knowledgeable as well and so helpful. They have samples and all of Dr. Syn's patients get 15% off of supplements. It was really a great find. Its in Lubbock, Tx where DR. Syn is so I can shop when I go for my appts. Its at Quaker and 82nd street called Natural Health Market....phone*806-788-1424... ***and theres a Bare Minerals store almost right next door