luv2bingo07

Wow, some really cruel people in this world that put on us their unhappiness in their own lives. Feel bad for all of us having to go through the awful cruelty in our young and some adult lives. Myself, has become pretty much numb when people say things at me or about me and yes even my family. They are unhappy in their lives and decide to lash out at someone they feel aren't suffering. I guess we are supposed to be "jolly" or something like santa...NOT!!! I think one of the things that really got to me for awhile and that I remember the most since it was most recent, was early last year from a doctor other than my reg. doc(she was booked). This doctor, ho I had seen before years earlier, was stick thin since I last saw her. I saw her this time for alot of extra pain in my legs and swelling. I could not believe what came out of her mouth right off the bat! She said, "I think your body is finally starting to kill you." If she was trying to shock me into losing weight, it didn't work. I was rather stunned by that comment. Was of course dwelling on it for a long time. Got my pain resolved, but was really thinking about that comment. Probably why it is still so vivid in my mind. Well, of course, now I am definitely believing that comment and therefore going after having Lap Band done this year! No more freakin' diets for me! Peace, Judy

Thanks so much Kat and big congrats on your weight loss and how it all worked out for you! I really hope that is all I need is the letter, but not totally sure how my doctor would write it up and what to put into it without getting too personal. Take care and keep up the good work! Judy

How did you go about getting your money from your 401k? I was told I need a letter from my doctor stating what it says about medical hardship in my 401k rules and why I need this money for the surgery. I am looking to having surgery with Dr. Ortiz also. THe 401k money is my only hope and I really hope it doesn't cost me my job or I am severely taxed on it. Peace, Judy

Hi all, I was wondering what everyone felt like right after they woke up from surgery. I have had these strange visions and feelings like something inside me is strangling my esophagus from where the band was placed on my upper stomach. Weird huh? I hope that is not the way it feels. I know I may feel some pain from the incisions, but really don't want to have the other feeling. Gulp! Thanks for any replies. Peace, Judy

Thanks so much eveyone for your replies. I am learning alot of what to possibly expect after surgery. When some of you mentioned back pain, well, that really bothers me because I have a bad back and when most surgeons do the surgery with your legs apart so they can get between them, I hope they don't overstretch because I don't want to be in so much pain from my back and hips cuz they are bad also with arthritis. I have had some big surgeries too and I wake up from them usually not wanting the oxygen mask on me. I have severe sleep apnea so I hope they take that into consideration as well. Speaking of which, would the pressure from the CPAP mask cause more gas pains?? Hmmm. Also, I read about a few of you having a hiatal hernia and had it repaired at the same time. Will the Mexico docs do that for you with no extra charge. I am planning on going to Dr. Ortiz in TJ. Thanks again everyone and keep them coming! ) Peace, Judy

Hi all, I hope someone gets this post because it is rather old. I am looking into withdrawing most of what I have in my 401k for surgery in MX with Dr. Ortiz. I have completely ran out of options for financing(denied twice even with a co-signer), and my credit is so bad that every time I turn around, I am being garnished by someone. What I am wondering about is, if I can take that money out of my 401k account without penalty by just saying I will be responsible with paying the taxes next year. I was told by my employer that I would have a financial hardship to do this, but if it is taxed for penalties, then I am stuck again by coming up short for having the surgery. I am to get a letter from my doctor stating my medical financial hardship and then give it to my employer to review with the board and make a decision about getting that money. I hope and pray it will work out. Peace, Judy

Hi Audrey, I hope you can help me with this. I just found out that I can withdraw the money I need from my 401(k). It has to be a medical financial hardship and I need a detailed letter from my doctor for it. I don't have the full $8500 for surgery with Dr. Ortiz, but most of it...I will save up the rest with airfare, etc. How did you go about getting yours? Did your doctor have to print up a letter for your company and so on? I will not have surgery with anyone else. Dr. Ortiz is my #1 choice and that's it. Thanks so much for any advice and suggestions you can give. Peace, Judy PS...how are you doing with your weight and I think I read that you had your first fill recently?

I was just wondering if anyone has been banded in Mexico with Dr. Huacuz? I received several emails from his office explaining package prices with/without airfare and it sounds to me to be a great deal. I was originally going to go with Dr. Ortiz, but they both sound wonderful with care and all. :tired Thanks, Judy

Well, I found out that my company's insurance is through Regence BC/BS. They are the ones that have the exclusion for any kind of WLS. So, it cannot be changed at all. It is their crappy policy. So, now back to square one....still fighting and looking to get financed for surgery in Mexico. Peace, Judy

Has anyone had any luck in turning around an exlcusion for WLS in their employers benefits package? I think it is important that it should be able to happen, but really unsure if it is even possible. I have Regence BC/BS and their has been an exclusion for any kind of WLS and aftercare. If any of you have read my numerous posts on struggling to get the money to have surgery done in MX, then you can probable tell how desperate I am to have this done. I am waiting to hear back from the company handling our medical insurance and for sure let you all know what I found out. Judy

Hi, I have been researching to get banded in MX and ran into a screeching halt snag due to trying to finance. Then I was told about Dr. Carlos or that particular clinic taking payments. Is this true? I really need more input and experiences before I go ahead with requesting information and starting any part of the process. I hope you can help with this. Thank you, Judy

Hi all, I would like to know if anyone here has had lapband surgery with Dr. Carlos or another surgeon at his hospital in Tijuana? I found out about their DOCPAY payment plan and feel like there might be hope after all for me getting banded after all. Their prices are somewhat better than some others and I really hope this works out for me. Peace, Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_8088--><!-- THE POST -->

Hi Joan, I won't be banded anytime soon because of financial problems. I was denied financing from two companies, even w/a co-signer, and my Uncle(who has alot of money), is completely against it as is my Mom and brother. So, no support there. Some day I hope to be banded. thanks, Judy

Hi Joan, I am also diabetic and taking Glucophage/Metformin every night. My endo told me about Byetta but since I am giving myself a shot every night of growth hormone, she didn't want to overwhelm me. She said that Byetta has something in it that makes people lose weight. I am not afraid of needles, so I would like to try it. I am not banded yet and probably won't be, so I have to find some way to lose weight. Peace, Judy I am not banded

Nope...Sorry Teresa, I haven't gotten anywhere with financing. I tried with MedProva and got denied even with my Mom having decent credit, but she is retired and widowed, so with her social security and pension, she doesn't make enough. I wrote a nice long letter to my Uncle who has quite a bit of money stored away and so on and I was called last night and he is totally against this surgery because of my past and present health problems. He thinks that I would fail Healthwise even more with the lap band. Ugh! Not sure what to do next. Will keep you posted. Peace, Judy

WOW! I am sorry I missed that one. I weigh around 385, but am 6'1, and large framed like my Dad. I never counted calories but I know for a fact that I do not eat any where near a man's daily caloric allowed intake. I am not banded yet, but working on the financial part of it and hope to be this year. Peace all, Judy

Hey all, I was just wondering that if and when I am able to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz, what, other than heart problems would prevent me or anyone else from having surgery and/or him doing the surgery? I don't have heart problems and in pretty good health otherwise, but I don't want to pay all that money only to find out he won't do it or I can't have it done. My friend knows someone at her work that has gone to Mexico once for surgery and was sent home even after being on the operating table because of a heart problem. She went back with the all clear and was sent home again. What is up with that? I hope she didn't have to pay twice! I haven't heard yet why she couldn't have it done the second time. I also don't know who her surgeon was supposed to be. Thanks for any replies. Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_7760--> <!-- THE POST -->

<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> Has anyone had any luck in turning around an exlcusion for WLS in their employers benefits package? I think it is important that it should be able to happen, but really unsure if it is even possible. I have Regence BC/BS and their has been an exclusion for any kind of WLS and aftercare. If any of you have read my numerous posts on struggling to get the money to have surgery done in MX, then you can probable tell how desperate I am to have this done. I am waiting to hear back from the company handling our medical insurance and for sure let you all know what I found out. Judy <!-- / message -->

I am so depressed and ANGRY at money and my situation! :angry I refuse to believe that I can't have the band this year! I also refuse to believe that it could be saving me from some kind of complications or other problems. I can accept saving me from financial problems, but saving my life seems to be far more important to me. I tried one more time with my mom's good credit to get financed and hit a brick wall...AGAIN! That's it! I am so freakin' p o'd, that I want punch a wall or cry blood. The only thing that is keeping me from doing all that is that I am hoping somehow I can talk to my big boss(president of my company), into changing out insurance policy to approve WLS to save my life. A life of pain and suffering that will some day soon end up in a wheelchair or dead. I know I would not be able to take out all my saved up 401(k) earnings and still have a job....I know, I know...everyone says it's your money, but the money I have in their is put there tax free and whatever. They wouldn't let me borrow it either. I couldn't pay it back. So, thanks all for letting me vent again...this really hurts alot and I thought this year was the year that I would be able to do something for me. Big question though...even if my insurance was changed...I really don't want to go to the doctor in my area because of the non-smoking, dieting, etc. hoops I have to go through, so any suggestions? Thanks, Judy

Hi Audree, Were you able to do that and still keep your job? I had to take money out once for bills and they made it sound like I could lose my job because of it. Not sure why, but it really upset me. Now we are with a different company that keeps out 401k funds and the rules are as strict as they were from what I understand. I will check into it. Thanks, Judy

Well, I started a couple years ago with THE doctor that does lapband surgeries and had to go to a seminar to basically learn all about the lap band and gastric bypass, then get blood work done, see a nutritionist, then a biotch of a psychiatrist that said the doctor requires a year of non-smoking(that is BS)!. I am sure it isn't quite that long but long enough for other doctors. I know that doctors have rules for a reason, but sometimes it seems way too strict. Yes, I am ready to follow the rules to be successful with a future band, but AFTER I am banded should be the real challenge, not before. I know I am healthy enough to be able to be banded now. Thanks, Judy

Hi all, Thanks so much for all your replies and support from all my posts in the past weeks. This is my last post because I was not able to get a loan or be financed w/a co-signer to have surgery in Mexico. My credit is so bad that I wouldn't be able to get a loan for 10 bucks, much less $8500. I do not have credit cards or rich family members, etc. I will not ever be able to save up for this since I want it this year or better... NOW! I can't sell my car, cuz it has a low resale value. It is almost paid off too. Nothing is out there for me financially. I wanted so badly to eventually get off my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea and get off some of my medications etc. I REFUSE to jump through the hoops to go through trying to get surgery with my insurance(which has an exclusion). All of the freakin' appts. with this and that doctor...FORGET IT! Started that once and stopped because of another health issue that I needed surgery for. Anyways, I will never forget any of you. Keep up the good work and maybe all those thoughts of dying in the last year is haunting me already. :phanvan :think Peace, Judy

Thank you all for all the support and kind words...they made me teary eyed when reading each and every one. I know I shouldn't give up, but I want this sooo bad I dream about being in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz and staff. My credit is severly awful. I owe mega taxes every year for the past few years because I have had no federal taxes taken out because of claiming more just to keep up with garnishments and car payments. I am almost done paying off my car, but don't dare sell it since I would never get another one. It's a KIA, so it wouldn't be worth much anyways...LOL I love it though. You all are so wonderful here and I so thank you very much for your love and support! What really put me over the edge is the lapbandforum.com(Dr. Ortiz) forum that had pics from a member that showed her arriving there with her friend, and going through the tests and right into the operating room and showed a beautiful view from her hotel room. It is wonderful and I WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT!!! I would go alone if I had to. Someday! Thanks again everyone...I will never forget you or this board! HUGS! Judy

I am so sorry you ran into such an crushing snag with the financing. I am trying to get financed too right now with my mom as a co-signer, who is retired and her income is only SS and pension from my stepdad. My credit is obscenely bad. But I have a good job that I have been at for over ten years. May I ask who you were trying to get financed through? I am trying to get banded in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz, and one of his coordinators, Lori told me to call Geramin at Citerra Financial to get financed. I was told she was great and so now I am hoping and praying I get financed. I don't care about the high interest b/c it will be sooo worth it down the road. Take care, Judy

Hello all, I was recently told that if I am having surgery in Mexico, but only flying to San Diego before being driven into Mexico, I don't need a passport. Only needing a US ID and that would be ok. It's not that I don't trust the information, but I just need to know for sure because that could mean my possibly getting the lap band surgery sooner than I would like. Thanks, Judy