bobdole

My very detailed review of my girlfriends banding experience with Dr. Ortiz in Tiajuana MX. The cost was 7500 including everything for the bander and an escort but the flight(s) and food at the hotel, http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/dr-ortiz-review-log-my-experience-74200/

I know that nonsteroid anti-inflamatories are a no-no, they can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding which can increase chances of errosions and other problems. But are Steroidal anti-inflamatory meds acceptable, such as prednasone(sp?).

My girlfriend was banded and never did stop smoking. She hasn't had anything adverse happen yet. Not that I'm telling you to keep smoking. Just providing you an honest answer.

I asked Dr. Ortiz about why he uses Inamed over Realize and brought up the "self anchoring" port of the realize band. He said that with the port and stapler tool you attach the port to the abdominal wall without seeing where you are attaching it. That you could possibly pierce a blood vessel or incorrectly attach it and not know it. With the Inamed port you suture it under direct observation which he prefers so he can see every aspect of attaching the port. Beyond that in the band itself, iirc the Realize band is much wider and I've read that is to reduce the chances of slippage. I'm not sure I believe that as both bands use a technique to suture the bottom of the stomach around the top of the band to the top of the stomach which is the main resolution of the problem of slippage. I'm not aware of any other major differences.

I know its different for different people, but you're doing this for yourself. Its your body, your mother has zero say in what you do with it. If shes against it - so what? Unless you're still supported by her financially or living with her she can't do anything to you except give you a mouth full to which you can just hang up the phone or leave. I love my mother, but if I was obese (I'm on here all the time for my gf who was just banded) and getting banded would improve my quality of life substantially and my mother was dead set against it, I'd ignore her. She wouldn't be happy but would have to deal with it.

insurance WOULD pay in 2.5 yrs (gf had 3 of 5 yrs obesity required and then 6mo diet), but self paid to get in now.

Hey everyone. I'm headed to tiajuana tomorrow with my gf to get her banded by Dr. Ortiz. I pulled out some cash today for tipping. I'm wondering what is a acceptable tipping amount for various things: Drivers? (dude that takes you from and to airport) Resteraunts waiters? Bellhops @ hotel? Any others that you can think of. Also We're staying 2 extra days in the hotel which we are paying ourselves (OOC pays for other days). I'm wondering if the hotel will accept a Visa debit card for payment of those 2 days. Thanks

My gf is getting banded there next monday. I've researched him a ton and have found very few negative comments: 1 or 2 complications (they admited were probably due to them not following the postop diet) and 1 or 2 about the facilities / transportation. The 90-95% of what I read is glowing reports from people who were banded by him.

I'm confused as well. Maybe they had some problem/malfunction with the old front page and are using the forum index until they can fix it.

I know you mean well but you don't have hardly any knowledge of who we are or of our relationship. I can't marry someone until I'm sure I'll be happy with her for the long run. There are aspects of our relationship that have to change before I can marry her (not personality or anything like that). This is one of the reasons I'm doing this, I want to marry her so I'm trying to make it happen.

read my thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f8/options-financing-lapband-self-pay-70735/

I haven't seen it written anywhere but I always thought they might be checking for a hiatel(sp?) hernia, where your stomach extends up into your diaphram to much.

Sheesh: When you are looking at a forum index of messages (like when you have "general Lap-Band support" forum open and are looking at the messages available, there is a button on the top left of the forum index. That button is "New Thread". Click it with your mouse :biggrin: Aubrie: When you are typing your message there is a button on the toolbar of the text box that looks kinda yellow and has a "mountain looking" thing on it (5 to the left on the bottom). Click it and it asks for the web location of the picture. You'll need to host your image and direct it to the picture. I generally use ImageShack® - Image Hosting. Read that website's FAQ and it should let you know how to load your image. Once loaded, use its link it provides in the box asking for the web location on this forum previously mentioned.