lucyxyz

I signed up here years ago but my surgery wasn't successful so I just got mad and never posted. I'm 5 years out now and am 50 lbs heavier than prior to surgery. I had a lap band for years that worked great, unfortunately I'd aquired scar tissue that required it be removed. Anyway, I'm seeing all these great success stories and unfortunately I can't relate. Looking for anyone else like me. Maybe bypass after sleeve if sleeve didn't work type of thing? Is it too late to start again? Is my stomach back to original size? Much of my problem I think was lack of knowledge as to diet and follow up around this surgery (my fault I know). thanks in advance

That's him!! thanks so much.

Sorry to post this. I actually went to this guy about 5 months ago and can't for the life of me remember his name etc. Anyway, I'm a patient of Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and this guy sees his patients for fills etc. I had an unfill and need now to be re-filled. Anyway know his name? I think he's affiliated with Good Samaritian hospital in Los Gatos? Thanks!

I am pregnant (about 8 weeks). We were IVF folks and I've been banded since 2003 with NO problems. Unfortunately my band reacted strangely to the IVF meds causing total restriction so I had an unfill. I go off the meds on 1/17, so on 1/18 I'll have a new fill

So I'm 7 years post op. I've never had any problems with my band. I've lost approx. 85 lbs, am now at a healthy 150 lbs. We're trying really hard to get pregnant right now. Not sure if anyone on here has gone through IVF treatments before but you're basically a walking pharmacy for a little over a month. Shots, pills etc. Anyway, last Monday I woke up and couldn't swallow water!! I knew what it was, so I called a US band doctor (I was a self pay in Mexico), and went into see him. My band was still full! I hadn't lost a drop since my last fill which was about 6 years ago. Anyway, I had him remove my fill for the first time since I was banded in '99. It's wierd how old habits can snap back really quickly. We decided to give my system a rest for a couple of weeks until I'm off the IVF meds, then I'll go back and be re-filled. I am enjoying eating all the things I haven't been able to in a long time however The doctor assured me that bands and pregnancies go together great, so I'm resting my system right now, and will get re-filled mid Nov.

I'm sorry if this has been posted a hundred times, but I'm new to this forum. I was banded in Mexico and am experiencing problems. Is there a list of doctors in the San Francisco Bay area who will see patients banded outside of the US? Thanks in advance!!

I just got back from Dr. McKeen. You're right, he's awesome. Seems my IVF meds were interacting with my band so I was sooo tight. He unfilled my band, so I'm eating alot right now to make up for 6 years Will get a grip tomorrow, heal for 2 weeks and get refilled. thanks so much

No, you're not wrong, you're absolutely right. I was banded in Mexico, so this is the first time I've had to go to my American doctor. She knows everything, and took my band into consideration when giving my referrals. When I see the gastro (can't spell the rest) I'll definetely ask for floroescpy (I know I mangled that word). I was actually able to eat tonight and it stayed down, so I'm thinking maybe my issue was around an IVF medication intolerance? Anyway, I'll definetely follow up with my referrals on Monday and see what happens. Thanks for all the great advice and for caring!!!

Again, nobody said anything about sanitary or professional. Again, we were asked for our opinions. Mine is such... I would have stayed in the US, and NOT gone to Mexico. My reasons are my own, not yours, and I don't appreciate you stating that my opinions are wrong. Again, they're mine, I own them, and I'm not asking for your input. Dr. Ortiz was great. Was my experience something that I would have experienced in the USA, ah NO., and again, that is MY opinion & my experience. What may or may not have bothered you, is NOT what may or may not have bothered me. I'm done with this thread. The US is a place where ALL opinions are welcome. Please remember that in your replies to requests for opinions in the future.

Just an update, went to the doctor today. She referred me for a barium swallow and to a gastro intestinal doctor. Until they call, I'm trying to get as much water down as possible. Thanks for the advice!!

oh come on, nobody is condemning an entire country. I think this is why some people are afraid to post. This person was asking for opinions. That was my opinion. Give me a break. Again, MY opinion, not yours. Doesn't make you wrong and me right, or the other way around. The world is about different people with different views. I (me) personally would have had my surgery in the US if I had it to do over again. You obvisouly wouldn't. How does that besmerch an entire country? Everyone has different opinions. I've had surgeries in the US and 1 in Mexico, for me there is no comparison. Again (for me).

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz about 7 years ago in Tijuana. If I had it to do again, I would have had it done in the US. Nothing against Dr. Ortiz, he was professional, speaks perfect English etc. For me, there was a difference between medical care in Mexico vs. the US. For instance, I had to tell the nurses and lab tech to please put gloves on when they were taking blood from me. At the time, that wasn't standard protocol in that clinic (it may be now). Also, the nurses would come in to give me a shot, when I would ask them what it was, they didn't know. Obviously I didn't take the shot until someone could come in and tell me what they were injecting. We're spoiled here in the US. Everything is very sanitary and professional, for me there definetely was a difference. ALso, fills are a hassle as I have to go back to him. Hence, I've only had 1 fill since my banding. Luckily I've always had good restriction. However, I'm experiencing complete restriction now. Just started on Monday, so I'm trying to work with Kaiser in hopes that they can correct whatever is wrong. So, if I had it to do over again, I would have had it done here. I was self pay as I was a low BMI patient, but I think it would have been worth the extra money. Just my two cents.

Hi there, This is my first post on this forum. I'm approx 7 years post op and have only needed 1 fill. I've always had a good deal of restriction. I've lost about 80 lbs. Last two years I've gained about 10 back. I probably haven't been the best patient the last few years. I still PB a lot as there's times that I just want to eat!! Anyway, we're currently scheduled for an IVF cycle so I'm taking alot of meds. Anyway, I woke up Monday literally not being able to swallow water! I cannot get anything down. I've lost just about 7 lbs in the last week. I'm getting scared. If I've had some sort of slip I would assume I'd need surgery to correct it, and that could jeopordize our upcoming IVF. Has anyone ever gone through just a random bout of complete restriction? Again, I'm so long post-op that I haven't kept current with the latest news on the band. Any advice would be most appreciated. Would a slip in my band cause total restriction? thanks in advance.:rain:

I'm 5'8" and on the day of surgery I weighed 215. I was a self pay in Mexico. I'm just now having my first problem Woke up Monday not even being able to swallow water. Complete restriction. Could this be due to a slip? I've PB'd pretty much the entire time since surgery as there's some times I eat badly. Any advice would be most welcome. Again, I haven't kept up on the latest with the band as I'm so far post-op so I can't remember what a slip causes... I now weigh between 140-145 so it worked really well. Took a little over a year.