SALEMKITTY

I was just banded June 2nd by Dr. Ortiz. I am extremely sore but do not seem to be bothered by gas too much. :hurt Everything else is fine though. We will see how the next few days go. Good luck to all the future bandsters.

Let me say what a trip this has been. My family and I arrived in San Diego in one piece which was a huge triumph. On my last trip on a plane to Mexico we had way too much turbulance . Several people on the plane were crying and praying. Everything was falling out of the cupboards on top. Since I was seated near the window and my daughter was on my lap (she was 6 mos) when the plan tilted abruptly, everyone's food and drink spilled all over us. Since that day I said I would never get on another flight. All this time I was setting up this surgery it never occurred to me I would have to fly again until the night before. Once I realized I would be on a plane again I started to panic a little but my husband assured me everything would be fine. It turns out he was right. The flight was beautiful. We went to retrieve the luggage and there was a man there with a sign showing my name. We went with him to another location where the doctor's mother picked us up. Unfotunately, she did not have enough room in her car for my family, another girl and all of our luggage. so my husband, son and daughter stayed behind with most of the luggage while we went to the clinic. At the clinic the asked me some questions and did some tests. As I was in the lobby thinking about this surgery, I started to wonder whether or not I was doing the right thing. What if something went wrong? Who would cover the hospital bills? I actually called my bank to see if they could stop the cashiers check but they said they couldn't for at least 30 days since the funds were guaranteed. When my husband finally arrived I told him of my reservations. He told me to think about it carefully. He said maybe I was just tired because I had not slept the night before. I thought he was right so I slept on it. In the morning, I decided to go through with it. The gentleman at the counter asked If I needed to speak to the doctor because my husband had called them earlier and told them I was having doubts. I told him not to worrry, I was fine. As for the surgery, everything went great. The clinic is beautiful and absolutely immaculate. I was pleased with the doctors, anesthesiologist and nurses and nutritionist. They were all great. Please bare in mind I am only a day out and anything can change. I am in now way saying this is the best way to go. You must do your research as I did and make the best informed decision you can. :girl_hug: I wish you all the best! I will keep you posted on my progress.

Hi Junebies, I am preparing now for my trip today to TJ, MX to see Dr. Ortiz. I will have my pre-op tomorrow and surgery on Friday. I am excited and nervous. I will let everyone know how it goes. Good luck and best wishes to all the junebies. I wish you well. Hi Janelle, Salem is the name of my cat. He is black.

Mary B Health o meter is the one I have. It is as you described. I got it about 7 years ago. It is the same one my doctors office has. My seems to work pretty good so far. When I have myself weighed at my doctors it seems to match my home scale.

We have the same type of scale they use in the doctors office. It's called a Health o meter and it is one of the tall ones. It is very accurate.

Hi Pat, I can understand your uncertainty as I am sure most of us can. I am due to be banded Friday and I am still scared. I keep telling myself I can do this but when I read some of the horror stories, I doubt my decision again. I finally decided I am not going to look back. If I don't go through with this, I know I will regret it. Also, with high blood pressure, who knows how long til I have serious complications. You have to do what is best for you and your family. Good luck with your decisions.

Hi Darrin, Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I too will be banded by Dr. Ortiz on June 2nd. I can't believe how the time is flying by. It will be here before we know it.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Good luck to all the future bandsters

Dear Misfortune, I am so sorry to hear about your ordeal. I cannot imagine how this affects a person physically, mentally, financially, etc.. I also was wondering who this doctor was. It is good for people who have had bad experiences both in Mexico and the U.S. to give this information to future bandsters like myself who may not know any better because this information is not available. I think a lot of us have used this forum to look for guidance and others experiences to help us make the most informed decision we can. I hope you are doing better and that everything works out for the best. I cannot imagine going through half of what you went through. Thank you for telling us. Dawn

Actually, I do not have to start mine until one week before which would be this Friday. I am still trying to figure out what is the best Meal Replacement shake. :eek: I am going to try to stick to this for a week. I do not know how some of you are able to do this for 2 weeks. It takes a lot of will power and determination. Good luck to all of you future bandsters! :clap2:

Finally, after 2 years, I will be banded June 2nd by Dr. Ortiz. :clap2: I started this journey near the end of 2004 at the University of Illinois hospital here in Chicago. I was close to getting a date in 2005 but my husband was laid off. We could have picked up COBRA insurance but this would have cost too much so I picked up my insurance at work. After all this time trying to get this procedure covered, I found out my policy from UHC did not cover this surgery. They specifically have an exclusion for surgery related to obesity including morbid obesity. I was so upset. I thought I would never get this done. My husband and I decided to just take out a home equity loan so I could pay for the procedure myself. This forum has been so great. I have been able to gain so many perspectives. The good, bad and the ugly. :evil: :angry I have been able to gain a realistic idea of what it is I am dealing with. It by no means is any miracle cure. It is going to take lots of work. I am willing and ready to do this. Sorry to go on and on.

My screen name is obvious too. I have a black kitty cat named Salem. To Be Banded:clap2: Dr. Ortiz 06/02/06

Hi June bandsters, I will be banded on June 2nd by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I am looking forward to this surgery. I have spent over 1 1/2 years trying to get this going. I can't believe the time is almost here. I am ready to start living life again. I just want to say good luck to all the future bandsters.

Hi everyone, My name is Dawn. I asked a few questions a few months back regarding insurance but I have not posted anything since. I am in the process of trying to have the lap band done. Unfortunately my insurance will not cover this so I am having to pay out of pocket. Most likely going to Mexico. I live in the Chicago area so I have contacted a few doctors about lap fills and have found a couple. I have learned so much from this forum. I appreciate everyone's comments, good and bad, because that is the only way to decide whether or not you are making the right choice. I would also like to say how great everyone looks who have posted before and after pictures. It is amazing. It gives me so much inspiration, you cannot imagine. I have been coming to this forum for several months, reading all the threads and I have to say I have :nervous :think :clap2: :angry . It is wonderful to hear the stories of great weight loss and also the struggles. We need to hear the good and the bad so those of us contemplating surgery are not living in some fantasy world. These posts help us to realize the struggles, pain and tears this surgery will cost. Surgery is serious and it takes a lot of work both physically and emotionally and I want to say everyone is an inspiration to me. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am hoping to have the surgery done in March or April once I get the moola. I will cross my fingers.

I am currently seeking the lap band procedure. I have been going to the doctor for over 6 months. My current insurance is Humana PPO, but my company is switching to United Health Care PPO in January 2006. I noticed they have an exclusion for surgery related to weight loss including surgery for the morbid. I contacted them and they said the surgery is excluded. Since I have already been under the doctor's care for 6 months isn't there some way to have this covered. My doctor is trying to get my blood pressure down before they submit the request for approval. My BMI is 40 and my blood pressure is hovering around 168 with medication. My doctor said it needs to be in the 130 range. So I think this is medically necessary. I am afraid I will have a heart attack before this gets approved. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I work for a very small company but I will wait and see what happens. I plan to keep pursuing this until I am approved or I have to pay for it myself.