christy

If you don't mind going another 2 hour east Dr. Aceves in Mexicali is WONDERFUL -- he'll actually have someone pick you up in San Diego at the airport. He offers free floroscopy fills for life (you pay the cost of the xray room.) The key to Mexico is really doing your research on your doctor -- there are bad doctors there, just as there are bad doctors here, and you don't want a bad one in either place.

Another slow mover here... takes a while to get up and sit down, and I'm walking a bit more slowly. I guess I'm pretty lucky, I'm not really having any pain -- I can sleep on both sides, and my port area isn't hurting. Of course, if I press on the area it's tender, but not painful in general.

I've read it here over and over again -- the band is really a tool that helps you lose weight, but losing weight is still hard work. The band is really helpful at helping you maintain the loss. If you're able to maintain without the band, then don't get it, but losing weight is no good if you just end up putting more than you started with back on!

2 weeks of clear liquids, 3 weeks of full liquids and some mushies. Then 2 weeks of solid foods before he'll do a fill.

I had my surgery Tuesday afternoon (I improve by the hour, so I think that the time is important) and I'm going to a meeting for work this evening, and I'll head into work for a few hours tomorrow. It won't be a problem -- I'm not really having pain from the incisions (haven't taken any pain killers), or any gas pains.

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you, and I hope that you decide to post the name of your doctor. I was just banded in Mexico and received all my tests, xrays, doctors notes. I was also sent home with a precautionary antibiotic. It was very professional and I felt very secure. I hope that your infection goes away soon and you can start enjoying your band experience!

My doctor checks the band under flouroscopy to see that liquid is moving through normally. You drink the barium so that you can see it moving through the pouch. I feel SO much better now that my IV is gone -- it's like, "Oh, i'm not supposed to be sick anymore!"

Hey everyone -- haven't caught up on all the posts, but I'm back and banded! I think that the worst part for me was getting the IV, she had to dig around in both hands to find my vein. I went in yesterday around 1 something, spent an hour in recovery, and have been chilling in my room, drinking Water, taking strolls, ever since. I haven't had any gas pain, but I sure can taste it when I burp it up! I'm very tender around my middle, but it isn't awful, just a bit uncomfortable. Going in for my barium in a bit, I can't wait to see my band!

Wow, Mom and baby are both beautiful! Congrats!

ItsGottaGo, hope that you find a way to stave off your hunger! I'm having a setback -- my husband found out today that they're going to do a bunch of layoffs at his job in the next few weeks. This makes me SO uneasy because I'm selfpay -- if I cancel surgery now I'll be out $500 (by just a freaking day, if only they'd been told yesterday), but at least I'll get the rest of my payment back. At the same time, I've so been looking forward to this, and I hate to lose that $500!

So glad to hear that your Dr. is able to fulfill his obligation to you!

Wow, that's pretty scary! Please keep us updated on what happens! I would think that you're insurable, but that your insurance wouldn't cover anything having to do with your band? Why isn't this a problem for plastic surgery patients?

My insurance also excludes any weight loss surgery -- and most insurance excludes the lap-band (but will cover gastric bypass). Lots of folks on this board self-pay for this reason... I can't even calculate how much I've spent on weight loss products over the course of my life, and hopefully this is the final expense (besides new clothes!)

I'm not crying at everything, but I am second guessing myself -- I'm totally excited, but... why can't just do it on my own? I just need to eat less, like if I had the band, right? But I know it's not true, I really need this tool to help keep me on track and give me the physical limits that I don't have right now.

A lot of people lose hair from the anesthesia -- I'm not banded yet, but I just started taking silicea (homeopathic version of silica) to help firm up my nails... it helps anything protein based grow stronger and quicker (hair and nails.) It takes about 3 weeks to start working, so don't get discouraged if you start taking it and it doesn't work right away.

Not banded yet, but I'm having a very similar experience -- my friends are always saying, "I can't imagine not drinking with meals," "I just like being able to eat more," and I'm self-pay... so any complications I'm going to have to go back and pay for. It's a huge decision, and I'll let you know if it was the right one after I get banded!

Oh no, Diane, I'm so sorry! They must honor your surgery date if you've already put money into it, right? Did you put a deposit down? That should run both ways (you agree to have them do it, they agree to do it.) At the very least you have to demand to be reimbursed for anything you've spent relating to the surgery.

Glad that you're doing so well, and that you're back at work! I have to go to work for at least a little while on the Thursday after my Tuesday surgery... good to know that others are similar!

Congrats! It's good to see something positive!

Wow, the month is flying by -- so many folks banded already! I can't wait to get mine! I wasn't assigned a pre-op diet, but I sure feel like I'm on one -- I've been sick all weekend and pretty much just drinking Soup and eating popcicles. Lost 5 pounds!

Medicare in the US covers seniors and retirees. We also have Medicaid which covers the low income -- although not very well. Thanks for the article!

Good luck in Mexico! That's too funny about your husband!

Time to get a new doctor!

I love it, and I love the story, too!

Did someone already suggest a forum for surgery abroad?