Vangirl

Thank you for your reply flowers. This is very important information for me, as I will be travelling alone and want to make sure I'm ok to travel back. I've never had surgery before, so that's another unknown, in terms of how I will feel after. It sounds like your journey back home was quite the challenge; hope it didn't complicate your recovery.

Sounds like a great experience Coquitlamgirl. I have to say, I have been leaning towards Dr. Ortiz after doing a lot of reading and comparing the price. Even if I have to go to the U.S., or even Mexico for fills, it seems like it would still be cheaper than having the surgery in Canada. How were you able to travel after your surgery in Mexico? How is your pain/mobility now? I hope you don't mind the questions, this whole thing is new to me, and it really helps to hear others' experiences.

Hi all, I apologize in advance for a dual posting, but I am researching lap-band procedures in the Seattle area or Mexico. In this thread, I'm interested in hearing if anyone has had their surgery at the Puget Sound Surgical Center and what their experiences were like. Thanks in advance, Vangirl

This is very educational. I am in Vancouver and considering surgery in Mexico, so these posts are quite invaluable for someone who's basically doing this on her own.

To those who went to Mexico on their own, how did you come back? I'm curious about logistics such as moving around, hauling luggage, and sitting on an airplane for x number of hours, customs, etc.

To those who had surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico, how was the journey back home? After looking at his site, it seems that after the surgery, you have a day or two left at the hotel and then are on your own. If I do the surgery, it will be on my own, so I want to make sure that I'd be ok to travel back on my own a couple of days after the procedure.

When is the next group meeting? I'm new to the forum and would like to attend if I can. I tried sending an email to the address posted, but it didn't go through (mailbox unavailable or something)

Hello everyone, After reading this list for the past few days, I decided to join in. I have been considering lap band surgery for years, and have finally decided to go for it. I'm considering having the surgery in either the Seattle area or Mexico, but as I've been reading, finding a fill doctor can be challenging if you have surgery away from where you live. I'd be interested to hear other people's stories, particularly anyone who is from B.C. like me and those who have done their surgery in Mexico. I plan to post in the doctors forums to ask about experiences with specific doctors. This is definitely a big step and I'm excited to take it, but I also want to be very careful. I'm definitely mindful of patient coordinators and marketing people who pose as patients, so I'm being extra careful about evaluating what is said online. In any case, this looks like a great place to do my research. Vangirl

Thanks! That's even closer than Seattle.

That's why they interested me, as Bellingham is much closer. But it seems there is another place, Northwest Weight Loss that also has an office in Bellingham, but I don't know if they do the surgery there or just post-op follow-ups and fills.

I was looking at their website (the one in Everett) and it looks good as well. They're having an information seminar up here on the 18th but unfortunately I can't attend, as I have a conflicting event that day. :crying:

Bratty_Nicole- I guess it goes both ways...I am 5'2 and have the hardest time finding things to fit..I am short waisted too. I too have left stores crying before. Maybe designers should read our threads. Have you tried Lane Bryants "right fit" pants? They actually fit me. I think those were the first pair of pants that actually fit me in about 10 yrs. How pathetic is that??? Just one more reason for me to get this surgery done!

Yeah, I will be with my husband and 2 boys (4yrs and 7mo). I've already been told, very nicely I might add, that children are not allowed at the OCC so...I will be alone the day of sx. We will arrive in San Diego at 10:40pm on the 29th so they have scheduled my pre-ops and sx on the same day (30th). I will probably be last to get done since I am doing both the same day. I just wish it was time already!! I am nervous and just want it over with. I weighed in with Dr. Miranda today and was down 14.4 I didn't do as well this week-we had a family reunion with tons of food and I only walked 2 times this week. I am 5'2 and started at 295 so I have a ton to lose. My pre-op diet is a shake for bkfst and a lean cuisine for lunch and one for dinner. Is that what you're on? I feel bad about complaining about the pre-op diet when the post-op diet will be much worse.

Yeah, I will be with my husband and 2 boys (4yrs and 7mo). I've already been told, very nicely I might add, that children are not allowed at the OCC so...I will be alone the day of sx. We will arrive in San Diego at 10:40pm on the 29th so they have scheduled my pre-ops and sx on the same day (30th). I will probably be last to get done since I am doing both the same day. I just wish it was time already!! I am nervous and just want it over with. I weighed in with Dr. Miranda today and was down 14.4 I didn't do as well this week-we had a family reunion with tons of food and I only walked 2 times this week. I am 5'2 and started at 295 so I have a ton to lose. My pre-op diet is a shake for bkfst and a lean cuisine for lunch and one for dinner. Is that what you're on? I feel bad about complaining about the pre-op diet when the post-op diet will be much worse.

IDHmngBird- Well, let's see...I had 23 to lose and I think I've lost 14 (I weigh tomorrow officially so we'll see) I am well on my way. Since I started my pre-op diet 7 weeks before surgery it just seems to be dragging itself on and on! Did I mention I hate diets!!! In my next life I'm gonna be super skinny;) Who is your dr? Will I be seeing you at the OCC? I have basically begged someone on this site to be having surgery the same day and with the same dr..ha ha! Guess I need to know someone will be there to hold my hand!

Hey girls! I'm from Mt. Washington, KY. My surgery will be 10-30. I'm being banded in Mexico and my local dr here will be Jeffrey Allen. I hate to hear that he didn't give you a fill but I think it's great that you lost so much. Is it willpower or the band???

Yeah, the office in MX told me that Jeffrey Allen's office (University Surgical Assoc.) would take me but I called a few others since I HATE driving in downtown Louisville. I didn't have any luck though. Dr. Shina and Dr. Gellar would not take MX surgery patients so Dr. Allen it is. I called them and they were really nice. They have 5 dr's in the practice so she said I would never have problems getting in. They have other MX pt's. They require me to have a nutrition consult and a psych eval-don't know why the psych eval since it will be AFTER surgery.

Whoo hoo! My date is 10-30. Have you added your name to the Oct. 2008 Bandsters thread? Good luck to you!!

Whoops, got my date wrong..it's 10-30. And Snowbird I see your posts on here often and I love to read them. You've "been there and done that" and I have already learned a lot from you!!

I am going to Dr. Ortiz for my banding on 10-31. His cost is $7950.00 right now. They say it is on special but it seems to be the norm. I have researched my hind end off and I feel 1000% confident in my decision! Good luck to you! I am super excited!

Swalesfcc-that sounds great! Good luck and I will look fwd to hearing all about it!

Hmmm let's see: 1. Buy clothes that actually fit-not too long in the crotch or 5 inches too long in the legs (I always wonder if plus size designers think ALL fat people are extremely tall) 2. Put my seatbelt on in the car without it digging into my hip. 3. I would love to run and play with my kids while they are young. 4. Shop anywhere-or at least somewhere where the clothing offered doesn't resemble old lady gowns and aren't priced at 3x's the cost of regular size clothes. 4. Be able to take a bath without worrying if I am going to have to call the firefighters to pry me out! 5. Better sex positions. 6. Not being embarrassed to see people I went to highschool with. 7. Being able to buy cute shoes. 8. Feeling better 9. I would love to want to be in pictures and not to be embarrassed to see them after they're printed. 10. I want my confidence back!! These are just a drop in the bucket, I have a million things I can't wait for!!!

Swalesfcc- I am being banded at the occ on 10-30 so I would love for you to let me know about your experience with them. I hear nothing but good things...we'll see!

Congrats on your job offer! Hope that works out for you and you are probably right, it will make your time go by faster. I have two little ones that do that for me :confused: Right now I am trying to concentrate on my pre-op diet...yes, I am already on one. I have to lose 23 lbs before surgery on 10-30. Dieting is hard!!!

Hi Mellygirl! I'm from Mt. Washington so we're really close! I am getting banded on 10-30-08 but having to go to MX to get it done...no ins coverage but am super excited (and nervous)about the trip. I've done a lot of research and am confident in my decision. Maybe we can keep in touch since we are so close!