mansaw

just an update - I am 13 days post op :tt2: Have lost 10. Feel pretty good so far! Feel free to pm if u have quesions - cuz I know how scary going for surgery is!! Yes - i was banded in Tijuana, Mexico :mad:

I know you probably want to hear from people who lost more - I was just banded on the 22nd - I have lost almost 10 lbs so far....plus the 13 from my pre-op diet :tt2:

Congratulations :tt2: I was banded dec 22 with dr.martinez (OCC DR.Ortiz). Personally - I suggest staying the night in San Diego then having your clinics transportation pick you up. You will be nervous. Plus Tijuana is a little intimidating your first time there - and this way you know you will be safe. Just please trust me :mad: I am so thankful I went that route instead of worrying about taking taxi's etc. Like the others said - make sure you prepare for aftercare BEFORE YOU GO. I have mine prepared - spoke to the actual surgeon and everything because I heard of so many nightmare stories of people not having aftercare. I actually met some great people in Tijuana though and decided to go back to the OCC so I can meet up with them again.

Oh that is horrible! I too am 10 days post-op. I feel great though - I just started creamy soups today. I had to do 7 days Clear liquids...I got to add drinkable yogurt two days ago. Today I had a cup of mushroom (no chunks) Soup. Thats all I get. I also had some Jello for a little extra sugar - needed a little yesturday. When I am feeling tired - I just down some chicken soup (no chunks) or jello. I had my surgery by dr.matinez (OCC dr.ortiz) on the 22nd so of course my instructions are different than yours though. I hope you feel better! sorry I am no real help

here is the forum for the OCC where dr.ortiz does surgery. that is where I went and am very satisfied.. Lap Band Forum - Lap Band Surgery (Powered by Invision Power Board)

I am just posting this because I had a MAJOR infection after my csection...so to prevent it...since yours is open a bit - otherwise it could happen! Watch it - if it gets redder or hot GO TO THE DOCTOR shower and use soap and Water to clean it I even had to blow dry it after the shower to make sure it was good and dry... fold your pants down so they DO NOT RUB on your incision at all. If you have to wear pj pants as much as possible. an open one is not something you want to mess with and they make very ugly scars...but as long as you are taking care of it it will be okay. my doctor told me to put polysporin on it too after it was completely dried. I actually had to wash it, dry it three times a day until the infection went away. mine was so bad though that I couldnt just use soap and water - I had to use a special wash but I cant remember what it was darn good luck :wink2:

I will pm you

I am only day 7 post - op. I am surprised by how easy everything was...I thought I would be way more sore....walk walk walk so you dont get as much gas! I am 7 lbs down from surgery day :frown: Im not sure if its harder or easier for us :S

just wanted to let you know - I went down to 31 bmi but that didnt seem to concern them...had the surgery dec 22 :frown: I was 189,9 at deciding to do surgery... 184.9 pre-op 177 surgery day dec 22 170 today dec 29:thumbup:

I had my band put in dec 22/08 by Dr. Martinez (works with Dr.Ortiz) in Tijuana, Mexico. I admit I was really worried about it at first - but they put me at ease. The clinic was cleaner than anything I have been to (Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie). My cordinator arranged everything for me, I just had to set up the flight which was only $480. From what I have been reading on here - the diet they put you on post op seems to make the most sense too - I cant believe what some doctors say you can do. Anyways - it all went perfectly. Alberta Health Care paid for $1700 of it, and my husbands health insurance through work paid for the rest (thought I would give it a shot and call to see if they would - they said as long as my family doctor gave a letter they would cover it) - the money was in my back by the time I came back. Also - I am lower bmi and they were great. They arrange for your hotel and everything. I really enjoyed it there so I am going to go back for my first fill. ALSO - before I went - I spoke with Dr.Beckham at the Grande Prairie hospital...as long as you get an order from your family doctor they will do the fills free for you

I just wanted to let you guys know I went to the OCC in Tijuana and had my band placed on Dec 22. I am now back home (long day of travelling wow) and feel way better than I thought. Dr.Martinez did mine (works with Dr.Ortiz). Everything went perfectly. Very clean. Staff very good. I have no regrets whats so ever. I have a fill doctor set up for her - but plan to go back to TJ early feb for my first fill because my friend and I had so much fun there :thumbup:

:tongue2: I chose lapband because my bmi was 32.77 and I liked that I can have the band taken out at any time if I have problems

I am getting mine done at the OCC in Mexico on Dec 22 by Dr. Martinez. I am able to get fills free at the Grande Prairie hospital with an order from my family doctor :shades_smile: I am sooooo excited ( and nervous of course! ) OH! Also - Alberta Health care said they would re-emburse me roughly $1700 - and my private health insurance will pay for the rest - I never thought they would but called to ask. They said as long as my doctor would give them a letter stating why - which is to hopefully assist in lowering myblood pressure after the weight is gone. She had no problem doing this and now will be getting the money back - yup, even from mexico. So you never know! The worst they can say is no! I would get it in Canada - but our health insurance is such that we have $2500 per family member and for the year we only have $5600 left so that is all I can get back. Plus, since its the end of the year I dont mind using it...if it were in January I wouldnt use it in case we needed it for kids dental or anything else! :confused:

ahhh - I just thought of something. I have gel nails - do I have to have them removed for surgery??? I hope not - I hate all that filing ick

phew - thanks guys. I thought it would be okay as they are clear...I had them when I had my gall bladder removed - but my mom asked me tonite and got me all worried!

I am getting mine on the 22nd :blushing: I am excited/nervous!

So - I just spoke to a doctor at the grande prairie hospital - he does fills! He said if u cant feel the spot u fill then they have a surgeon in radiology that does it under xray - I am so excited! Only a two hour drive for me! the hospital phone number he gave me is 780-538-7480 hope that helps u guys - oh and I told him I am getting it done in Mexico and he didnt seem to care...was just surprised by the price difference.

I am so glad I found this site! I made my call to Dr.O in Mexico - cant wait to hear back from them! I have some questions though for those of you who went to Mexico and had the surgery done as I have heard varying answers for some, and havent seen some of the questions yet.. First - Would I just have to get regular travel insurance in case something goes wrong while I am in Mexico having the surgery? Does AHC pay for complications that may occur once I am home if anything were to happen *knock on wood*? Where in Alberta can you get fills when you have had the surgery in Mexico? How long did it take you to get the surgery from the time of your first call? I will be asking the clinic the same questions - but of course I am impatient and am hoping some of you wonderful people know the answers! I have wanted to get this surgery for a very long time, and finally decided to just do it...my children are leaving for a month to australia and would love to get it while they are away but not sure I can get in that quickly (end of Dec - end of Jan) Thanks in advance! OH - another thing....I have been reading and reading on here - and I know some of you do not agree with going out of country - I completely understand your point! But I have decided to go to Mexico :wink: