luv2bingo07

I am just saying that I am taking a week's vacation down south and I have kinda already mentioned that, but nothing is solid right now. All I got was why would you want to go there(meaning Mexico), and I just said that I wanted to go somewhere different for vacation. LOL Good Luck and remember, it is your business and you know your co-workers better than anyone, so it's up to you how you handle the situation. Peace, Judy

Hi all, I just got off the phone with Dr. Romero, who is a doctor/surgeon with Dr. Huacuz and must be desperate for patients because he was offering me a great deal if I decided to have surgery with them. Well, that got blown out of the Water when he asked my weight. I said around 390. He said I should definitely not have the LBS because my BMI was too high and I was high risk for within a couple years would have erosion and have to have it removed and between that time be in need of frequent fills. :omg: PLEASE tell me this is bunk! PLEEEEEAASSSEEE! I was planning to go to Dr. Ortiz, but now I don't know what to do! :cry :huggie: I think I saw someone on here that had surgery with Dr. Ortiz and they weighed over 400 lbs. He suggested a Duodenal Switch...ewww! Judy

Hi loozerkbo, Thanks so much for your awesome story! Also, for the encouraging words about being too heavy for lap band surgery. I kinda figured that was bunk! I have been told that Dr. Ortiz is very experienced with higher BMI's and I have no problem in having to lose some pounds and shrinking my liver prior for surgery. Hey, at least I will know what to look forward to. I will keep in touch and you take care and keep up the good work! You are doing great! Peace, Judy

Thanks so much again Julie and Audree. I feel more and more confident and ready to be banded each time I read your replies. I hope when I need a fill, I will only need it one time and that will be it, but i understand that everyone is different. I really want to lose 45 pounds by my 45th birthday in June. I can't thank you enough. You both are blessings to me! Audree, since you were banded on the 5th, please keep in touch and let me know when you will be getting your fill and how Dr. Ortiz went about it and the cost, ok? Thanks! Judy

Hi all again, I was just wondering about certain airlines and what their rules are about obese people and their seating arrangements? I know Southwest requires you to buy an extra seat if you are too big, but what about American or other airlines? The last time I flew Southwest, I had to ask for a seatbelt extender, but that was before their new rules. I have no problem asking for a seatbelt extender, but would rather not if didn't have too. But, I usually ask the flight attendant when I board so I don't have to later and risk complete embarrassment, ya know? I am 6'1, and weigh around 385, so I really don't look so much that weight(as told by a doctor recently), but people see you differently than others. Thanks again for any replies. Peace, Judy

Hi 2boys2cute, I am looking to be banded in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz around mid March. The gas pains are something that has been worrying me also. I had that problem after my hysterectomy that was also laparoscopically done. It got better in a few days thank goodness. I also get gas really easily and I really hope I can get out of me quick...lol Peace, Judy p.s. almost forgot to ask, where are you getting banded?

Hi Dawn, Thank you so much for making me feel so much better and knowing I can and will be able to sleep well while I am there before and after surgery. I hope to become banded in March with Dr. Ortiz. Peace, Judy

Hi All, I have been thinking alot about all my posts on the journey to becoming banded and asking all kinds of questions and getting great replies from everyone. THANKS!! I am so grateful for the help and support here. One thing that has been on my mind recently is my Sleep Apnea. Does Mexico have the same electricity as we do, and has anyone with sleep apnea needed or was allowed to use their CPAP machine there before and after surgery? This is really important to me because I know that a big part of recovery is that you need to get good, restful sleep. I can't get that if I cannot use my CPAP machine.:tired Peace, Judy

Thank you all so very much for your supportive replies! You all are awesome and congrats on your wonderful success! I ma in the process of going with Dr. Ortiz, but need to get approved for financing first. I want to be a March bandster! That doc Romero called me again last night and right when he called, someone from Surgeryloans.com called and I never even tried to get financed from them. SO, Yeah! pushy and wanting money bigtime. Also, I chave gotten several emails from Huacuz, which is where Dr. Romero is from and to correct his recommendation, he wants to do the Gastric Sleeve on me. Not gonna happen dude! I did talk to Lori at Ortiz office and she wants me to talk to the nutritionest there to see if I need to start my pre-op diet earlier to lose some weight before surgery. That bummed me out some, but I can do it, it's not that hard to lose 5% I think, which would only be 20 lbs. Peace, Judy

I have decided to go with Dr. Ortiz. I do not have a passport yet, and I also have to get financed with a co-signer. Should I get my passport ready or on the way before making final plans and scheduling LBS? Thank you for any and all replies in advance. :lost1.5lbs: Peace, Judy

I have not been banded yet, but reading up alot about docs, problems, food, etc. I was reading some of the Protein posts here and was thinking, hmmm...I love chicken, but I read that that is difficult to pass. What if I kinda blenderize it with or puree it(yes, I am willing to eat it that way if necessary), to get the protein needed? When I started diets in the past...most recent a few years ago was Atkins, I had the book and was super strict with it and myself to a T along with what the book said. Well, I had to quit because it made me eat foods I usually or rarely ever eat, plus made me really constipated...:huggie: I love Starbucks, milk!, and chicken and cheese and rice(ok gotta leave that alone mostly). Peace all, Judy

I am also worried about problems with constipation. I have had problems with it for years and every once in a while, I will take Enulose-a prescribed syrup that put moisture into your colon and help you pass unwanted backups. Will I still be able to take that after surgery? Thanks, Judy

Firstly is completely deciding which doctor/surgeon in Mexico...More leaning towards Dr. Ortiz. The other is I take several meds and use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. And finally, worried about constipation which unfortunately is a frequent problem, no thanks to my meds. So far Lori from Dr. Ortiz office sounded really super nice and also Shelby from Dr. Rodriguez's office. Jessie from Dr. Rumbaut's office called and was pushy and wanted me to set a date right then and there...grrr! That scared me...lol Peace, Judy

Hey all, I was getting so excited about having my surgery done by Dr. Ortiz(nothing final yet), but now I got several emails from Dr. Haucuz and they charge only $7550 and it includes airfare, hotel, surgery, transportation to and from the San Diego airport, etc... The only part that made me a tad nervous, was that they said the day after surgery, Dr. Haucuz comes to pick you up and take you to a clinic in oldtown Tijuana to get a flouroscopy done. :nervous Has anyone had the whole experience with Dr. Huacuz. sounds like a great deal but rather different that some others. Peace, Judy

Hello all, I found a website that includes hotel, airfare, hospital, etc etc...in Monterey Mexico and the cost is $7900. My question is, I noticed that they have financing if you can't pay the total up front...So has anyone done this? Gotten financed I mean. Thanks, Judy

I thought burping is a good thing because it relieves pressure in your tummy? Not banded yet, but been reading alot. At least now I know what PBing is...LOL

It is interesting about how these celebs really lost their major poundage, but I know that Star had GBP for sure. Roseanne even had it done, but didn't have much luck with it. Wynnona should consider something for sure. I don't believe Oprah had anything but diet and exercise, cuz every time you see her, sometimes she looks so slim, and other times she looks like she gained 5 or 10 pounds...lol I wonder about Delta Burke too from Designing Women...she slimmed down alot.

Hi all, I went to the Ready4Achange website and was saddened by finding out that Dr. Sanchez passed away. Now, I guess Dr. Zapata is taking over. Peace, Judy

I think the view needs to go away all together...Star was a diva with a real nasty side to herself, and Rosie shoots off from her mouth every day. People need to look at themselves and not to others because of how bad they feel inside. There is my two cents...LOL

I have found a couple websites for Mexico banding and there are two doctors that seem to be very qualified and sound really familiar from all the posts I have read in the past. I was just wondering if someone could tell me their experiences with either of them. The reason why I ask is I want to submit my info to them for more information about their services. Thanks all. Peace, Judy

Hi again, I was wondering what happens if you take medications for GERD, diabetes, etc. when you are supposed to have surgery or after? I take several meds every day. Can you still take them after surgery, or have to wait some time to take them? I hope you don't have to dissolve them to be able to take them...ummm...yuck! LOL Peace, Judy

I mentioned to my friend about wanting to make a goal for the new year and become a bandster. She told me that a girl from her work was all out determined to get banded and had the money to go to Mexico to get it done. Well, she was told that she had a heart murmur and they didn't want to do the surgery. She insisted on having it done cuz she said that she never had heart problems before. Well, they started to go ahead with it, and she was prepped and about to fall asleep, when the head doctor rushed in and said, no way! we are not going to do this surgery until she is fully evaluated from her doctor. They told the woman that they would cover her airfare if and when she was given the ok to have the surgery. I am still waiting to here how things went with her because my friend told me she was heading back about a week ago to have the surgery. My friend is quite concerned about her because she did not go through the complete process before having the surgery. So, does this mean that if you self pay to have the surgery in Mexico, you don't have to go through all the steps before getting banded? That is what it sounded like to me. No pre-qualifying tests etc...? That can be dangerous I would think. Peace, Judy

I have been researching this site and reading alot about insurance and exclusions(which my company has), pertaining to WLS. One of the posts I read was that someone had gotten their own insurance through Mutual of Omaha and got approved. That sounds so promising, but is it the thing I should consider to avoid appealing and other hoops to jump through. I started taking growth hormone shots over a month ago and at first my insurance said no way. It was only covered for children. Well, my endo said it was very weird that the insurance called her and said no, then a few minutes later called again and said yes...what is up with that? lol I was thinking or hoping they would do the same thing for the Lap Band surgery, but then since it is an exclusion, probably not. Thanks for any and all replies. I made the mistake and told my mom about thinking of trying again for this surgery, and she didn't like the idea and tried to talk me out of it, saying that I am just not active enough, but I am usually fairly active when off from work running errands...so not much support there. :think I am not saying another word to anybody until I get the final go ahead! darnit! LOL Judy

Hey all, I have been reading alot of posts since I am once again seriously considering trying to get banded. One post I read was about smoking. Some say they quit for two month or even two weeks before their surgery and that confused me because being a smoker, I was told by the idiot psychiatrist that the surgeon would require me to have not smoked for a year to be considered for banding. That sounded really way out there to me. I will quit if it means I can be banded, but not to wait a whole year! That's absurd. hugs, Judy

Hi all, It has been a couple years since I posted about becoming and starting the process to be banded. Never happened because of several reasons, which the worst of it is my insurance had a definite exclusion for any kind of weight loss surgery or help for that matter. :angry Another problem was that I was in the process at the point of having to see the psychiatrist and pardon my french or whatever, but she was a biotch. Did not like her at all. Anyways, I also found out that my pituitary tumor came back, so had to deal with another surgery for that. Well, here I am again and am considering it again, but the same situation is bothering me. The insurance exclusion, etc. My credit is so horrific, that there is no way in heckimagosh that I would get a loan. I guess I could use some kind of encouragement here. My doctors are always talking about that it would benefit me big time to get this surgery, but the insurance if tough. Hugs to all, Judy