WASaBubbleButt

Lap band incision scars are exactly the same as a hiatal hernia repair and recovery (post op diet excluded) is the same. You are sore the same way as you are for banding. :mad:

I'm glad you found the problem with fatigue but there is still another issue. You say you are not getting your Protein in. If you don't get protein in you can lose huge amounts of muscle mass and that is not good for you and your weight loss will stall. Do you have a plan to increase your protein?

Here is a good thread about Huacuz. A post by Catz just made me realize it needs to be over here too. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/dr-daniel-huacuz-he-inamed-certified-11940/

I thought these were pretty serious issues. I guess we don't all agree on that one. Fair enough.

I think I know why people like him so much. A few people that I have talked to (one posts here, one is on OH, one I know in real time) they all seem to say the same thing. Dr. Huacuz is very charismatic. He tells very large women with no self esteem how pretty they are, how beautiful they are. He tells them they are his very favorite patient, they are angels on earth, blah blah blah. When you take any person with zero self esteem and start giving her compliments, telling her how wonderful she is... suddenly skill is not an issue. It's trust. The problem is, it is trust based on charisma. If Dr. Haucuz was in sales he would likely do a very good job. One thing people have commented on is that they all say he really does seem to care about them. I would imagine he does, most doctors don't go into medicine because they are heartless. They aren't. I don't think Huacuz is any different. But that just doesn't mean someone is skilled as a surgeon. My neighbor is one of the nicest and most sincere guys around but I sure wouldn't want him operating on me. When Adrienne was talking to me about her experiences she said something others have expressed on various boards. He tends to get in over his head and doesn't know what to do. When Adrienne had a leak in her sleeve he tried to repair it and it kept getting worse. She started out with a very small leak and Dr. Huacuz did an endoscopy. When they do an endoscopy they blow air into the stomach so they can see what they are doing. The docs in San Diego that kept her in ICU while she was fighting for her life believe that when Huacuz did the endo he blew out the leak bigger than it started. Then he tried to fix it and was unable so he called US docs asking for suggestions. They suggested a special glue since her stomach could not be sutured, it was apparently like trying to sew up pudding and that is why he was unable to repair it. He tried the glue, that didn't work. He removed the drain when he attempted to glue her stomach together and that was a huge mistake. You would never remove a drain with an active infection such as what she had. He called a US surgeon... this is worthy of discussion as well. Why did he have to call the US to find someone to help him? I know the answer to that one, nobody in Mexico wants to be associated with Huacuz. They don't want to be seen at his clinic and they really don't want anything to do with him so when he needed help, he had to call the US. The original leak was not necessarily his fault. Leaks happen to the best of surgeons. It was not the leak that was a problem, it was the way he handled it. He was in over his head. Instead of transporting her to a hospital, or to a specialist, or someone a little more experienced he kept trying to fix the mess himself. This is what caused things to become so out of hand. When Adrienne honestly believed she was dying she wanted to leave and go to a US hospital. Dr. Huacuz did pretty much everything to talk her into staying with him. By this time she was critically ill and needing an ICU. Dr. Huacuz refers to the "hospital" his patients will be staying. It is not a hospital, it is his own clinic. They are not equipped as a hospital would be and to refer to it as a hospital is simply wrong and deceptive. I can refer to my house as a hospital but it does not make it so. Adrienne wanted to go to a real hospital, a fully equipped hospital and Dr. Huacuz did everything in his power to talk her into staying with him. She refused. He sent his staff in one by one to talk her into staying. She refused. He sent his wife in to talk to her, didn't work. Then he called her husband and asked him to talk Adrienne into staying, he refused. He felt his wife knew what she needed to do. So, she left. She went to a US hospital where she had emergency surgery by a doctor that did know what he was doing, had a few more skills, and a lot more experience. He removed 2 liters of pus from her gut. That's the same size as a 2L bottle of soda. That's a lot of pus. She was in ICU for 2-3 weeks with a machine to breathe for her. Everyone treating her was pretty clear that had she stayed with Dr. Huacuz one more day she would have died. Considering everything she told me, it sounds very likely considering she was septic. In the thread, "Researching Mexican Surgeons 101" I write that it is my preference that if I am having surgery in Mexico I want to be in a fully equipped hospital. Adrienne is a great example of why that is. She could have been in ICU much earlier, had other bariatric surgeons available to help Dr. Huacuz, she could have had the life support she required. She probably believed what is on his website (as of this writing) that he has his patients in a hospital. It's not, it's a clinic and he should not be referring to it as a hospital if it isn't. When Adrienne left his clinic she was in such a hurry to get to the US that she left many of her belongings at the clinic. While she was in ICU in San Diego her husband went to Tijuana to get her belongings and he talked to Dr. Huacuz. He told him what was going on and Dr. H downplayed everything he was saying. You don't downplay things like this to a man who may lose his wife because of medical errors and poor medical judgment. It's not wise. Her husband asked Dr. H for a refund. Long story short they negotiated back and forth and agreed on $3,000 refund. Dr. H agreed to refund $3K if Adrienne and her husband put it in writing that they would not tell what happened to her on public message boards. As you can see, that one never came through. She posted her story. I asked Adrienne if she was hateful or resentful over what happened. She said she isn't, she is a Christian and she forgave him some time ago. She said it wasn't easy, but she has forgiven him. I have to be honest, she has a lot more class than I do, I'm not so sure I could forgive as she did. She explained that she has forgiven, but she will never forget. She said that she is glad the $3K deal never came through because she believes people need to know what the scoop is, what happened, how it was dealt with, and what the outcome was. I do believe Dr. Haucuz has good intentions. I do not believe he sets out to be a bad doctor or harm people. But com'on... assuming I'm not lying through my teeth nor is Adrienne, you have to admit the business practices are not great. There was another person that he placed a band on and it was not placed appropriately. He offered that patient $1500 as a partial refund since she had to have the band removed upon returning to the US. After they made that deal I haven't been able to find her post again. Was part of the agreement for the refund to remove her post? I do push people to research, I push hard. I have written time and time again, go to the doctor of your choice. There are many great surgeons in Mexico that can do a very good job, many better than US docs. Mexico is a great alternative to those who can't/won't pay US prices for banding or other surgical procedures. But you have to do your research. Dr. Huacuz has a history of infections, misplaced bands, and a variety of other complications. He always blamed Andres Betancourt for past horrors, Betancourt blames Huacuz. The reality is that they were both there when people had severe complications. Huacuz was the surgeon, it is ultimately his responsibility to take care of patients. After the issues with Adrienne Dr. Huacuz did a seminar in Florida. He was talking to someone there and claimed he had no complications whatsoever. None. What about Adrienne? What about all the infections? What about his own (previous) coordinators erosion? What about the misplaced bands? He lied to this gal. I'll PM her and see if she will come over and tell you for herself what he told people at the seminar in FL. There is no such thing as a surgeon that has been in practice for any amount of time that doesn't have a complication somewhere. It doesn't happen. You can have a textbook surgical case in OR, do all the right things, take all the appropriate precautions and the patient can still throw a clot, get an infection, something. Sometimes it is the doctor's fault, sometimes it's the patient's fault. Sometimes stuff just happens. But ALL doctors have complications, it's the way it works. The key to a good doctor is to recognize and appropriately deal with the complications, not claim they do not exist. Then there are doctors who can handle the tricky stuff, the high risk patients. They are going to have more complications than a podiatrist, for example. It doesn't make them a bad doctor, their patient population is different. They will have more complications. Dr. Huacuz does the trickier procedures and according to history, I don't believe he has the skill to be doing these procedures. When a doc is in over his head it's time to get help, not make an existing mess bigger. I don't know what the answer is to Huacuz. More proctoring, more education, more experience, I don't know. I just know that he has more problems than most doctors. He does not have a good rep in Mexico. He has issues that need to be resolved before he will ever be considered a skilled surgeon. I know, his patients like him. Many of them do, I don't deny that. But nice does not mean the same as skilled in surgery, it just doesn't.

OMG! I LOL in real time after seeing that photo! Priceless!

It is very concerning. I looked it up a long time ago and Huacuz is not a plastic surgeon. He is not certified in Mexico for plastics. It's more along the lines of your podiatrist doing your plastics. One is qualified to do that type of surgery, the other is not. There is a reason some surgeons are not well respected by their colleagues in Mexico. I do believe we have another reason as to why that is.

Post #1 says: And then see post #3: The first post is decent English. The next post is clearly not someone who speaks English as their primary language, yet it's the same ID "supposedly" writing both posts. Kinda like two people from the same MD office is writing both posts, ya think? This is how we caught him doing the same thing on a yahoo group, "MexicanBandsters". Claimed he was Viky, a nurse but here on LBT he claimed he was Viky a teacher in FL. Tsk tsk tsk... you get caught when you do this. Newbies beware. If you the only way you can get someone to say something nice about you is to write it yourself... that's kinda spooky.

Very true. Another sure fire sign of a coordinator is when they push one doc and one doc only. There are many very good doctors in Mexico and when someone is pushing one and only one doc, that's a pretty good clue.

They are both pretty pro-bypass, aren't they? I would find MissMonaAZ, she had surgery in CO, had some problems and since she lives in AZ she went to Dr. Fang for emergency care. I think she liked him but did say that he's very pro-byass and not very pro-banding. But I might have that wrong.

I wouldn't go to him. Not a chance. Check this out, what she does not explain here is that Dr. Huacuz offered her $3,000 if she would not post this: ObesityHelp - Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND® System, DS and Other Surgical and Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options. - Profiles - Adrienne C's Profile Sometimes that link works, sometimes it doesn't. OH is weird software. If it does not work you can go to Obesity Help - Weight Loss, Surgery, Support Groups, Forums, Surgical Procedures, search for members, search for Adee_baby and read her blog.

Is that the same Dr. De Leon that also works out of Mexico?

This is a great clone recipe, really good. If you want to cut out most of the fat substitute ground turkey for the ground beef. If you want to make it vegetarian exchange the meat for boca burger meat. Wendy's Chili 2 lbs ground beef 1-29 oz can tomato sauce 1-29 oz can kidney Beans (with liquid) 1-29 oz can pinto beans (with liquid) 1 C diced onion (1 medium onion) 1/2 C diced green chili (2 chilis) 1/4 c diced celery (1 stalk) 3 medium tomatoes, chopped 2 tsp cumin powder 3 Tbls chili power 1.5 tsp black pepper 2 tsp salt 2 C Water Brown ground beef in skillet over medium heat, drain off fat. Using a fork crumble the cooked beef into pea size pieces. In a large pot combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes for 2-3 hours. Makes 12 servings. Leftovers may be frozen for several months.

There is no place to post this where newbies won't see it and newbies are likely to become annoyed, accuse me of being mean... whatever. So be it, go for it and say what you have to say. Cuz you know what? I don't care. I received a PM this morning regarding a thread where someone did as they do, cheated on the post op diet. Someone a little more experienced came back essentially saying that when s/he cheated an old timer came back throwing a fit. It was probably me that s/he was talking about. Okay. I probably did throw a fit. The more experienced bandster went on to say that they didn't believe anything I wrote and they had no problems from cheating on the post op diet. How stupid is that? Seriously, what kind of dumb ass does it take to say it's no biggie to go against the post op instructions? The claim is that the diet has changed and all these docs have different diets so it really doesn't seem to matter what you eat because (the way I read it anyway) regardless of what you eat post op you are following SOME doctor's diet SOMEWHERE. Yeah, this is true. Some docs don't even mention there IS a post op diet (Laurend's doc, for example). Others are too strict such as my own doc. Anyone know why the docs are changing the post op diet? They are dumbing it down for us. We don't follow the diet. My own doc did the same thing. His thinking was that people aren't doing what they are supposed to so to make it a little easier he essentially dumbed it down so that people wouldn't cheat. I can understand that, and to be honest I am the one that pushed him into changing the diet because people are not following it anyway. His was two weeks of clears, two weeks of fulls, two weeks of solids, and gradually reintroduce solids. That is too much, people couldn't do two weeks of clears so they eat fried chicken at 4 days post op. I think the thinking from patients is that if they are going to cheat anyway, they might as well go for it. When I approached him about changing the post op diet he was a little annoyed and basically said if I could do a better job with it to write it out and he'd consider it. He took most of my suggestions, not all but most. You know, the stats for slips are increasing. They have gone from 3% globally to now Inamed is hinting that it is up to 7%. Gee, I wonder why. When I saw that thread I had to restrain myself from suggesting all dumb asses eat taffy and steak right after surgery. I actually had to restrain myself from writing that. I'm to the point that I don't care, they can eat what they want. It's their band, their stupidity, their everything. I'm not talking someone who learns from their mistake but instead someone who changes their beliefs to fit their behaviors. Big, huge, mega difference. I am not talking someone who doesn't understand the reasoning behind the diet, I'm talking someone who knows full well why the diet is important, WHAT is healing (and it's not stomach swelling), someone who knows they are doing something wrong and instead of bloody well taking responsibility for their own actions they justify it by changing their beliefs to fit their behaviors and telling newbies that the old timers are wrong. You know what isn't wrong? Slips that have more than doubled since docs started changing the diet. At first I thought it was newbie docs that didn't have a clue what they were doing because they are not experienced. Everyone wants a piece of the $$$ bariatric pie. It's easy money for many docs. I thought it was their technique. But you know, it's since the docs started changing post op diets that slips have more than doubled. But those of us who have followed the diets, worked hard, and reached or are reaching goal... we don't know what we are talking about. I don't know how much longer I'm going to harp about post op diets. It might make a difference to a small few but I see posts whining about old timers and others whining that we don't know what we are talking about. I'm going to stick to pushing research BEFORE surgery. Let the dumb ass idiots eat steak and taffy if they are truly dumb asses. It's their band, their choice. AGAIN!!!! I am referring to those that know better but change their beliefs based on their own behaviors vs. reality. I honestly don't know if I am in a pissy mood today or if I actually mean what I am writing. How's that for distorted!

Having a LOW grade fever after surgery is completely normal. It is how the body is healing itself. Laying in bed declining to get fluids down is not normal and not acceptable, it's risky. A low grade fever after surgery is to be expected however dehydration can also cause a low grade fever, not walking after banding is risking blood clots, being tired after surgery is normal but not a reason not to get up and walk to another room every couple of hours or so. Call the doc, tell him what is going on and see what he suggests.

But Grace, PBing is really bad for banded folks. She isn't claiming sweets are her problem but eating too fast. She's already PBing, wouldn't it be extra calories, unneeded carbonation, and more vomiting? Probably the biggest cause of slips is PBing. Maybe Water loading before a meal so the OP isn't as hungry and doesn't feel a need to inhale food is a better bet, what do you think?

What the heck is your problem? I did not insult your doctor, quite the opposite. If you want to go to Dr. K or anyone else, why would I care? You'll understand if I don't go into a detailed response until I know if you are going to delete this post as well. I wouldn't want to quote a post if you are going to delete this one like that other one.

I merely disagree with your POV and I explained why. Is that a problem for you?

What is that? I realize we are not talking about my state but I like to understand various issues that will help get people banded in the US if they choose.

I don't have to fly anywhere for fills. I drive to my surgeon. If I did not want to do that there are two surgeons within 20 miles of me that see patients they did not band and they are not the only docs available either. If you were banded by Dr. K. you have mostly the same limitations I do in seeing local docs. With the exception of one that will only see US banded patients, all other docs I know of that don't see Mexican banded patients won't see patients banded by other US docs either. I am referring to Phoenix and surrounding areas. That's well over 1,000,000 people. So I'm not referring to a little tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I'm not knocking Dr. K by any stretch, actually if I wanted surgery in the US he is likely who I would go to. But I guess the point that I am making is that just because someone is not US trained does not mean US docs are superior in skill or ability. Who do you think trained the newbie US docs when the band was first FDA approved? It was mainly Mexican surgeons. THEY are the docs that perfected the band and the technique years before US docs ever did banding. I preferred to go to the Mexican teacher for $7800 vs. the local student for $16K (at that time).

Well, Dr. K is certainly one of the better US docs but look at it from my point of view. I could have had surgery by Dr. K, it's a 12 hour drive from Phoenix, out patient surgery, he's done 300 bands (he had done fewer than 100 at the time of my own surgery), no hospitalization, blind fills vs. fluoro, he uses a high profile port which will have to be changed out at the end of weight loss (or he will charge you an extra $600 for a low profile port at the time of surgery), and $10K (or an additional $600 for a low profile Inamed port) plus other expenses. Or... I could go to Mexico, a 3 hour drive, inpatient surgery, two nights of hospitalization in a private hospital following surgery, my surgeon has done 1700+ bands (was around 1400 at the time of my surgery), is also an FACS member, teaches others to do banding and has for many years, is not just a lap surgeon but an advanced lap surgeon, no fees for routine follow up care, appts, fills (hospital charges for fluoro) fills under fluoro always, he uses a low profile port so it never has to be changed out due to size now that I'm at goal, and it was $7800. Please know, I'm not knocking Dr. K. From what I have learned so far he's an excellent surgeon with a great rep and not only is he an excellent surgeon, he appears to be a good human being as well. But the thing is, so is my surgeon. In the US we have the attitude that to be good one must be US trained. We aren't the best of the best when it comes to everything. Actually, India has a much better training program than the US. Patient care, patient dignity, treating people with compassion is stressed a thousand times more than in the US. In places like India and Mexico doctors don't always have access to million dollar pieces of equipment. In the US our docs rely heavily upon diagnostics, in other countries they rely heavily on a quality clinical exam. Ever hear one doc refer to another as being a fantastic diagnostician? That is a compliment to his clinical exams, it's a big deal. That is not to say they don't have equipment in India and Mexico, obviously they do. But doctors are trained to do a clinical exam in ways our docs just aren't. So I guess I would ask you, why wouldn't many of us go to Mexico for surgery? Aren't you assuming the US medical care is superior to other countries? It isn't, not by a long shot.

If you PM me an email address I'll forward you the Phoenix bandster lunch details and a reminder email as well. It will be Sunday the 27th at 1PM. So far everyone is voting for Black Bear Diner on 61st Ave./Bell. We'd love to have you join us!

Fanny & Snowbird.... Hear hear~ I still maintain, there is little the non fat world can do to please us. They aren't fat, they don't get it, they don't understand, and we can be as insulted as we choose to be. The reality is that MO is not attractive and pointing out the features we do have that are nice IS supportive. The alternative is pretending we are not exactly what we are. We choose to take compliments as insults. Will we even recognize if we are insulted? We are armed with our (not) funny comebacks, we are ready to fight, we have our defenses up at all times. Relax, take things as intended vs. looking for insults around each and every darn corner! At least for me intent means everything in the world.

Wait until you lose more and your stretch marks tend to fan out with a ripple effect. Not pretty. It's okay, your boobs hanging down over the poking out ripple effect of stretch marks combined with a little breeze... who needs a fan? Think of a honeycomb. If you took honey out of every other hole in a honeycomb it would tend to collapse upon istself and honey would be squished and moved out. ;o) Same idea. Lovely, isn't it? Maybe the moral of this story is that when your boobs actually can fan your stomach stretch marks, that is a clue that it's growing near to have plastic surgery. ;o)

I'm still perplexed by your question. You actually consider going out of your way for fills to be worthy of having insurance pay to have your band removed? If your cancer doctor moved away would you consider giving up chemotherapy because you had to drive three hours? There are people who drive that distance three times weekly for dialysis. You are talking every few months. As I wrote in an earlier post, you have to want weight loss in order to get it and sometimes it's not convenient. And no, I don't think insurance will pay for band removal because you don't want to get fills if they are not convenient. You can obtain support here, or call your doctor if that is what you need.