dragonfly-wings

Well - first Dr. Miguel Alessandrini is a wonderful Family Phyisician -my surgeon was Dr. Corrbiou sp? - he too was excellent and competent - I was unable to have my band placed laproscopically so boy oh boy was I shocked to wake up with all the pain in my abd. 27 sutures on the outside and I WILL HAVE A SCAR - Plastic surgery was not their forte!! They told me my liver was very enlarged and prevented them from doing laproscopic - I was in surgery for 4.5 hours. The Nurses were nice - Olga has a little attitude - and is rather crass - she did not like having to help me out of bed or getting me water or broth - the other nurses were angels - Dr. Miguel Alesandrini stayed with me all night of my surgery and the next night as well - I had lost a lot of blood and it was very scary. I was intubated after the third try and two of my teeth were chipped. I woke up from anesthesia in mouth pain as well. They did send a dentist over to fix my teeth - but since home the area has chipped off. I was in hospital for Tuesday surgery done left Friday am to go home - Dr. Carlos is very unorganized - my sister and friend went with me to have this procedure - after the second night at Hotel Lucerna they were told they had to leave - Dr. Carlos "forgot" to make arrangements for the extra days we had planned on a month in advance and I reminded him of a week prior to surgery. After 2 hours of getting that sorted out they let my sister and friend stay at the Lucerna. Friday am the day we were to go home - Dr. Carlos came by at 9:00am he was going to get my sister and friend at hotel and drop them off - go to the States pick up another patient and drop her off then take up back to airport - our flight was scheduled to leave at 2:00p.m. By 11:30 Dr. Carlos had not called nor could he be reached so we had to demand that a taxi pick us up and take us to the airport - Olga informed us that it would be $60 - I said ABSOLUTELY NOT - so the decision was made that the clinic would pay for taxi but it would drop us off at the border we had to walk thru customs out the back door up a huge hill to a parking lot behind McDonald's WITH ALL OF OUR LUGGAGE - there was a lot - by the time we got up the hill - I thought I was going to pass out with pain!!! We get to airport - just in time we no longer got to our termial and the plane started boarding!!! BOY was I mad. I would not do business with Dr. Carlos again. So far though no complications with the band. I am having to follow up on the enflamed liver and my md here ran a liver function test and my enzymes are elevated - so next week we do a ultrasound - and possibly a biospy. I was not charged extra for anything - the tooth problem I understand perfectly - I have had experience with intubating and it is hard especially when you are afraid someone is crashing. So that is nothing - the call bell they gave me was one of those $20 door bell thingys and they laid it on the nightstand - and left my rail up - I could not get help - that was inexcusable. The surgeons and md were excellent though. I have requested my medical records so that I can take them with me to my appt. with the liver specialist and Dr. Carlos said he would send ASAP. So we'll see. As far as recommending anyone - I liked my acutal doctors - it was the travel arrangements I have problems with. OH yeah and Olga. We didn't mesh. I wish you the best and DO RESEARCH!!! The clinic is not as nice as the pictures - it was clean though!!

Hello - My name is Melissa - I live in Columbus, NC - going to Tijuana Mexico, April 17th for my lap band. Gong to Bajanor Obesity Clinic - I am 36yo, 5'2",262 pounds. I have a lot of health problems and have had numberous surgeries over the years. Lots of metabolism testing and my Rhuemotoid md thought this was one of the best things I could do. So we are using our Equity Loan and biting the bullet!!! Started my liquid diet last night and so far so good. Can anyone advise a good fill md in NC? I had planned on flying back and forth to Mexico - but don't think that is cost effective.

:clap2: I am soooo excited - Cannot pronounce the name of my actual surgeon but I have been corresponding with Dr. Carlos Alessedrini and he is very informative. I currently weight 262.5 with a BMI of 41 I think. My husband is so suportive of this - he's a tight wad so I was shocked he agreed to pay the money to have this done - but we have been researching for 2 years now. I was glad to find this forum so I can see what to expect. Can't wait to visit Mexico either. I'll keep all informed. sincerely, drangonfly-wings

Great - tell me what to expect - I land in TJ and they pick me up - my identical twin and a dear friend is going with me - we are staying 2 extra days. Will I feel like walking around a little and shopping for Sterling Silver or even going to look at the beach? Are we near the beach? Is the shopping good? Did you have a lot of pain? I love Dr. Carlos so far - he responds to my questions quickly - and seems genuine. I am so excited - I feel like a soda bottle that someone has shaken and can't wait to have the lid opened so I can spew everywhere.

OHHHHH - I am so glad to find this site - I am flying to Bajanor Obesity Clinic on April 17th, 07 for my band - Dr. Alessindrini has commiunicated with me like a dream. I live in North Carolina - Asheville Area - can anyone advise of a fill doc near me?

Hi - can anyone tell me what the cost of fills are in US an approx. is fine - I was planning on flying to Mexico each time I needed one but after reading this, I feel I should find a fill md here. That's one thing I did not research before setting my surgery date.

Hello - I am going to be banded on April 17th - may I ask where your discomfort is located? Inside or at the point of entry on the abdomen? Was your band laproscopically done? I will say a prayer for you - and I hope you start feeling better soon. Sincerely, dragonfly-wings

Thank you for the welcome - I do have a question about banding - will they put any saline in at the time of surgery? My md said cost of fills in Mexico are $175 what do they run stateside? Sincerely, drangonfly-wings

Have not been banded yet - going to TJ Mexico 4/16-4/20-2007 - How much does a fill in the USA generally run?