HoustonHoney

He does the gastric sleeve also. Just call my friend, I sent you here information in private message. Vic

Well, I have heard some rumors about Dr. Huacuz. I will tell you my experience. I had lapband with Dr. H in Oct 2007. Very easy experience. Good care. Lots of attention. I have lost 65 lbs. No problems. I have been to my Dr. here and to another Dr. in Houston for fills. they said very good job. Not sure why people are saying bad things about him. You need to talk to one of my best friends to has lost over 100 lbs with her band put in by him. That's how I found out about Dr. H. Email me and I will give you her name and email. She can tell you more., Vickie

hi Leslie, If you are just starting low carb, stay away from dairy and fruits. Fruits later can be strawberrys and blueberrys, but not for first couple of weeks. I eat mostly meat, really chicken and fish, some light cheeses, veggies. Nothing white, except cauliflower. No rice, no bread, no flour. Sounds boring, but I can see my weight moving downward again. yeaaa

Hi Lowcarbers There is a great low carb website online www.kimkins.com. It is rather radical but good information. I have gone back to it for help lowcarbing with band. Once you pay initiation fee there is never another charge. (I don't work for them). One receipe that I remembered is about low carb enchiladas or like soft tacos. They make the taco with egg whites. Egg whites in a small fry pay. Spray oil, dump egg whites,when cooked, fill with whatever you want. I just had one with turkey, cheese and a little picante sauce. It's great. I am a slow loser, so I am really trying to get back to low carb. It has always helped me lose before, but now the band will help keet it off. I am glad I found this thread.:biggrin2: Vickie

Hi April, I am going BACK to Dr Huacuz to have my "wings" removed. Had lapband in October. His clinic is great, staff is great. Nurses care. Dr. Huacuz is very professional, kind and attentive. He follows up. I went with another woman who also had lapband with Dr. H. She has lost 100 lbs so far and she goes back with other people. Email: EuretaGeorge@yahoo.com for more information. We will be there on Feb 24th through Mar 1st. Email me. Vickie

arealsweety You can't imagine how happy I am to read your post. I am having the wings removed by Dr. Huacuz on Feb 25. Eyes done too. I have been a little worried about the surgery, but I was banded by Dr. Huacuz also and it was also a good experience. That is why I am going back to him. Cost is a factor of course, but it is also good to know that I am in such good hands. Would love to know more about your friends experience on the wing removal.

Lis123, Just the thought of 2 cc's scares me. Can't even imagine it now. I hurt like crazy with just 1.6 in a 4cc.

Giblert I just noticed the amount of fills you have in a 4 cc band. On Jan 2nd I got a second fill of .6 cc making the fill 1.6 cc. I thought I was going to die every time I took a couple of bites of anything, including applesauce. I had an unfil about 10 days later because it hurt so bad. I asked him to take .2 cc's out and he took out .3. So I now have 1.3 cc's and I have NO restriction at all. I can't even imagine having the fill that you do in a 4 cc band no matter how much weight you have lost. I am going back to Dr. on Tuesday to get another fill. I would be happy to get the whole thing back and stay on liquids rather than this way. I have not gained anything back, but have not lost either. Very frustrated. also, I think the difference in the way the band feels is the air pressure in the cabin while flying. It must effect the stomach in some way. Just my guess.

I liked the chicken flavor unjury a lot. First warm protien that actully tasted good. Put some pepper in it or Ms. Dash. With strawberry, I mixed some real fruit with blender and maybe a little more splenda. In my chocolate protien of any brand, I put some instant coffee - and maybe a shot of sugar free hazelnut.

I was self-pay. No insurance. I paid $7500 for Surgery and $229. round trip to San Diego. Dr. gave me first fill on second day - 1cc. Got second fill in Houston two days ago $150 - .6cc. Found my current "sweet spot" Would do it over again. Great experience in TJ. Great Dr. Thank goodness no complications. Going back to him in March for further surgery.

Well, I am 61, self pay and I did go to Mexico. Easy, good experience. I am not a patient coordinator - only a past patient. Gastric Lap Band Surgery Surgery in Mexico Bariatric Surgical Clinic, Lap Band Surgeons This lady lost 98 pounds after survery with Dr. Huacuz. Dr. Huacuz in TJ is very professional, educated and experienced. I paid $7500 instead of $13,000 to $15,000 needed for Houston Dr. Everything was included. No extra charges. Everyone spoke English. There is a great Dr. in Houston who now does my fills for $150. Just got my second yesterday. "Sweet spots" come and go. I found mine again. Yeaaa. Mexico is always an option, but believe me - it is not a last resort. There is a good thread here about doing research on Mexico Drs. You have to be comfortable with your decision. I am going back there for more surgery hopefully in March.

I was banded by Dr. Daniel Huacuz in TJ, Mexico in Oct. Great experience. Very professional, lots of credentials. Talk to Eureta George. She is an RN who went with me. She had already lost 98 lbs with same Dr. This is her email. emurrell@houston.rr.com and website to check out. www.yourjourneytobelite.net

I am so glad I found this thread. I read every post. The information is invaluable. I can relate to so much that has been written here. Was banded on Oct 8th. Lost during Oct and Nov. Dec was a loss. I am getting another fill on Jan 2nd. I vacationed with my Florida family for two weeks and over Christmas. Back home in Texas. Now I am ready for another (2nd) fill. Thank you so much for this information. I wish I had found this thread a long time ago.

Please don't make yourself feel too badly. I had decided to enjoy the holidays, although also trying not to over endulge. Then I will get my second fill on January 2nd. So if I eat a little more than I should with my family who I have not seen in years - I am not going to beat myself up. But actually, I am really looking forward to second fill. Yeaaa. My band works well even with one fill. I see myself quiting where before I would not have even been close to stopping. Have a good Christmas.

I have bought some size 12's that I can't get into yet, and had my 14's taken up by my seamstress. She sometimes costs more than a new pair of pants would cost, but nothing else fits. Too bad there are no half sizes LOL. I like TJ Maxx a lot Before I became a bandita, I was a 2X going into a 3x and a 16W going into an 18. I LOVE to shop for smaller sizes. Yeaaa

I was told that if you don't need the money right away, you might donate your clothes and remember to get the receipt. My friends told me that it was better to deduct the donation amount from your taxes if you itemize.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I really don't mind the split on a consignment. You don't usually get very much from a yard sale either and with consignment, you also don't have people traipsing around your property. I have been donating my larger clothes to Citizens for Animal Protection Resale Shop in Houston. Everything they get goes to helping the homeless animals. And, I get the deduction. I tried shopping in resale shops and did not like it. I am going to try Steve and Barry's. Thanks for the info.

Hi Gene, I am from New Braunfels and I actually know where Shertz is!! Good luck on your surgery. I have been losing very slowly, but this is still the best thing that has ever happened to me. Going for another fill Jan. 2nd. Trying not to buy clothes. You will be happy you did it. What a way to start the New Year!!! Congrats!!

Add me too!! Banded 8th Vickie

Hey Holly I was banded on the 8th. Don't leave me out!!

Hi everyone, I was banded on Oct 8. Doing really well. Talking my cousin into doing the same. So glad I did this.

I am glad to hear you are not sore in port area anymore. I love to sleep on my left side and when I try, I can feel port and it is very uncompfortable. I have to move on my back or on right side. It has been a little frustrating. But maybe that will be more compfortable next week. I hope so.:whoo::clap2:

Griz Girl, you should get some gas X chewables or the strips that melt in your mouth. Did a great job. Gas was the only problem I had. Instead of taking something for the gas pain, take something to get rid of the gas!!! I was at a clinic. Small and very clean. Everyone was very attentive. Everyone spoke English except a night nurse. Even then I knew what she was saying. She pointed to one vile of medicine and said "no dolore". And boy did I know what she was saying.!! "No pain"!!! Dr. Huacuz was excellent. Very nice - very experienced. I met other people there who had driven in from Arizona for their first fill. Another girl who had come back to Dr Huacuz for an arm lift. My friend had her under eyes lifted by him and she never had one black or blue mark on her face. Also, she has lost 75 lbs with his band. I would recommend this Dr. highly. Huacuz Surgical Center Hope you feel better Vic

Only a little gas. They sent me home with liquid antibiotics and liquid pain medication. I went to my doc here and had stiches removed. He was very OK with everything. I told him price. He said in a lot of cases Mexico clinics were cleaner than here. Not married. Just had to do it alone. I here a lot about how supportive DH's are. Had to do it myself. I really want this to work.

Hi, I was banded October 8th. I am soooo glad I did this. Some problems in the beginning, but I am getting used to it. Losing is worth it.

All of Dr. Huacuz's nurses spoke English. I had no problem communicating. They were really nicer and more attentive than I had ever found in the US. And I have found NO US Dr.'s who have comparable pricing. As you said each to their own. I have lost 15 lbs and feel great and did not have to spend $15,000 to $20,000. A lady who had been banded by Dr. Huacuz flew there with me. I was the 19th person she had gone back with. I would recommend it to anyone who is self-pay and can't afford surgery in the US. Huacuz Surgical Center