Doctorblue

This is the reason I DISLIKE Wellborn. He left me to flounder. I was a patient banded in Mexico. Had already lined up Wellborn as an aftercare doctor. Had seen Wellborn multiple times, post surgery. Then, one day, my band became too tight to the point Water couldn't get down. In other words, an emergency situation. Even though I had used Wellborn multiple times, when I called to schedule an unfill, for this emergency, I was told Wellborn no longer saw Mexican patients. So, I was left with a medical emergency where I had to drive to Texas to resolve it. Now, I wouldn't fault Wellborn for no longer taking in any NEW Mexican banded patients. However, I find it completely reprehensible that he would turn away a patient that he had a previous relationship with in their state of emergency. Not only was I turned away, I wasn't given any indication that he would no longer be assisting me until I called in my emergency. For that reason, I will NEVER recommend Wellborn as a lapband surgeon.

Well, I know for my fellow patient, she had a very sedentary job. She does surveilance for insurance fraud. So, she was sitting in a vehicle ten twelve hours a day. She also ate a ton of fast food, potatoes, and butter. She had diabetes as well. I think years of all high fat foods and lack of any kind of movement is what contributed to her very fatty and diseased liver. If you want to take no chances, I would still suggest going on some kind of high protein/low carb pre-op diet. I'm sure you will be just fine if not, but maybe for your ease of mind. (I am not a doctor though, so discuss this further with your doctor to find out why they don't think you need the pre-op diet, etc.) Thanks for the well wishes!

Well, I'm back from Mexico! I was originally scheduled for surgery Nov. 21. However, that didn't coincide well with the time I need off for work, so I rescheduled it for Dec. 9. Let me say, for me, it went about as uneventful as it could. Arrived at the hospital around 8am. Had the doctor's assistant show us the different bands to figure out which one we wanted. I liked the Midband and the largest Inamed band, so just said whichever the doctor felt was best for me. Had blood drawn for tests around 9am. Got some happy sleepy drugs soon after. Can't remember what time I got out of surgery, but know I was making telephone calls around 2pm. I haven't really had any pain so far. I've had a few aches, but nothing really serious. Everyone was very impressed. They said it didn't even look like I just had surgery! My surgeon was great! I highly recommend him to anyone who choses to go to Mexico for surgery! His website is www.joseband.com . Well, I ended up getting the Midband. He also placed my port in the center (usually places them to the left with the Midband). I also have one less scar than others (most people usually have five incisions, I only had four). The doctor and his assistant said my surgery went as textbook as it could go. So, I am so relieved and ecstatic. There was another lady that was to have lapband surgery that day. Unfortunately she was unable to get the band. Her liver was so huge and diseased and took up so much room in her abdomen that the doctor couldn't safely move it to place the band. I'm sure she is devasted! Just as a note of further recommendation for my doctor (and no, I am not getting paid to endorse him, my surgery just went so well that I endorse him for free, lol). The doctor did this other lady's surgery for free. He did have to charge her for the hospital fees, but as far as the cost of the doctor's time, he did not charge her for that! So, he really is a caring doctor who cares about his patients and their needs. So, if insurance keeps turning you down, I recommend checking across the border!

Yes, I plan on either going back to my surgeon or using a doctor in Texas named Dr. Snow. He will fill my Midband so that's good. Yes, she is going to go on a diet and is going to try again in March (as of now). Hopefully she will be able to do it. She did tell me she didn't really do the pre-op diet though. So, I hope she takes these next three or four months seriously and improves her health so it will be safe to get her banded. Thanks for the well wishes!

I was told by a bandster "expert" that you cannot eat mushy or crunchy foods, like chips and cookies. The reason she gave was because those kinds of mushy foods just pass right through the stoma. So, I have a question. Aren't you supposed to take small bites and chew really really well? Well, if you do that, when you swallow, what you are swallowing will be mush. So, according to her above statement, wouldn't that mean all food you eat would pass through the stoma. Of course I know that that is not the case. I'm just curious if anyone knows why she would say that. Would that be something she would have said to just scare people away from eating those foods, or am I just a little confused about the stoma and the textures of foods that pass through? P.S. No, I do not plan on eating chips and cookies anyway, but was just curious about the whole mush thing, when what you swallow will be mush anyway.

I have a website. It's www.helpmegetskinny.com. However, I am not getting the surgery until November (thanks to a miracle of actually getting a loan). So, you might not want to add my site until then. As right now, my site is strictly a cyberbeggar site. Will be details about my journey after it happens though.