KarenCI

My husband and I started researching lap band after lifetime(s) of being overweight, losing weight and gaining more, etc. Went for consultation and he qualifies but insurance won't cover me since my BMI is "only" 37 without any comorbidity. I have been considering going to Mexico or Costa Rica - but I am concerned about getting quality follow up care after I return to the US. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced (ie self-pay) surgeon in the US who would accept me as a patient?

It's funny - maybe more experienced bandsters can weigh in and confirm or refute - but as the weight loss becomes more noticeable it seems that my thin(ner) friends are very supportive and the overweight ones are becoming ambushers!! Those who are naturally thin, or work hard to keep the weight off, ask a few questions, understand the band is just another tool in the weight loss war, and are positive. Those who have 20+ pounds to lose are almost snotty - like 'well, sure, you're losing weight, you took the easy way out and got lap band. . . ' Be prepared for jealousy!!

Absolutely no regrets, it was awesome! I did a lot of research and selected the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. Dr Ortiz has been doing lap band surgery since before it was even approved in the US and proctored for Allergan to teach US surgeons when it was approved here - so he is admitted to practive in the US. Authored the book "Lap Band For Life." The facility is state of the art, and the staff to patient ratio is far better than I have seen anywhere here. I had a smooth surgery, easy recovery, and while doing the surgery he found a hiatial hernia that he repaired gratis. It cost about $7500 including air fare, there are others cheaper but I was willing to pay more for peace of mind. Also included 3 nights at the Marriott and I could bring a friend (hubby) Would recommend it to anyone. Lost 10 lbs on pre-op diet and another 14 in the 5 weeks since surgery, have my first fill scheduled for 5/1 - I am going to spend the $$ to go back there, they give free fills for life but you have to get there - so with American offering $99 air fare to San Diego I am going that route

If you choose to tell just a few people, be sure to ask them to keep it confidential! I told ONE person in my (very small) town, and now everyone I know knows about it and probably some folks I don't. Luckily most are supportive, but there is always that one overweight person who will walk up to you at a social function and in front of a dozen people squeal "I heard about your surgery, now all that weight is just going to fall off in no time!" and you will want to kill her. At least I did :-) But I'm learning to develop a sense of humor about it, and one thing about having the whole world know, at least it's powerful motivation to stay on track!!

I was banded 3/18 also and on 3 weeks of liquid diet, no mushies or anything until 22 days out! Was ravenous right after surgery, must not have had much swelling, but now that I am past the clear liquids and into the "full liquid" stage it's getting much easier. I'm not doing "meals" - I've been drinking about 600 calories and sipping on chicken broth whenever I feel hungry and the hot liquid works well at soothing the hunger pangs. I don't get any fill until 5/1, which feels like forever away. But I've lost the post-op IV weight and have been dropping about a half a pound a day, which is plenty of motivation to stick with it until I can find the sweet spot!!

ABSOLUTELY! I was banded 3/18, lost 10 lbs on pre-op diet and have lost 6 more since the surgery. I'm on 3 weeks of liquid diet before I can eat anything mushy or solid, and don't get my first fill until 5/1. The hunger is there but not bad, I don't feel much restriction. Was up and walking an hour after surgery, my Dr says walk walk walk, helps with the gas. Pretty much 100% now except for a little tenderness at the port incision. Stepped on the scale this morning and saw a number that begins with a "1" for the first time in about 5 years - that felt so good!!!!!

Was banded March 18th and seem to be following the pattern - up and walking an hour after surgery, released that afternoon. Told to walk, walk, walk to help with the gas. Gas has mostly subsided but I do still get those burp/hiccups that seem to get stuck and not happen! Pretty much 100% now except the port incision is still a little tender and seems to poke when I try to bend all the way over - can do everything except tie my shoes! Lost 10 lbs on pre-surgery diet, gained a couple back right afterward but am now down 6 more. On liquids for 3 weeks post-surgery: 4 days of clear, then added yogurt, then can add Protein shakes and cream Soups day 10-21. Never realized how good cream of broccoli can be! No fill until 5/1, not feeling much of any restriction, but getting used to the liquids. . .it felt so good to see that first number on the scale change from a "2" to a "1" this morning!!! http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wpf0CfF/

I'm excited, two weeks from now the surgery will be over and my new life will be started - but right now, I'm hungry! My pre-op diet is slim fast type shake for breakfast, same for lunch, and a lean cuisine and salad greens w/spray dressing for dinner. I know I can do this, it's only two weeks, and I'm OK during the day, but the evenings are tough!

Just an update for those who are a week or more further out than me - it DOES get easier! I've been on pre-op 2 weeks and it's gotten better. Even went out to friends' houses for dinner a couple of times, just brought my own little frozen dinner, explained I am on a diet, asked to use their microwave, and having gone through all of that made it easier to stick to it (although not having a glass of wine was the hardest part :-) Have learned to sub steamed broccoli or spinach for the salad and use it to stretch the mini-meals. Lost 10 lbs, 2 more days of pre-op diet to go and then Thursday is the big day. Took a long walk on the beach yesterday and found a seahorse, the first in 40 yrs of beachcombing, so that's got to be a good omen! Then saw a shooting star last night. So all of the weight loss Gods are smiling on me, it's going to be an awesome journey! :wub: url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wiauoXe/] [/url]

Keeping it to a small close group has been tough. At first I was just going to tell my hubby and parents. Then hubby decided since we were traveling from NC to Tijuana and he is from SoCal he would organize a small family reunion 'as long as we're going to be there' Of course, everyone wants to know why you're not eating anything, and not real active, so THEY have to know. Then decided I had better let the cat sitter in on it in case there were any complications and had to be gone longer. . .and SHE told just a few people, confidentially of course :-) so pretty soon everyone who was interested knew, and had an opinion - everything from 'you go girl!' to 'if you would just stick to a diet you wouldn't need it' to "Mexico? are you crazy? You're going to get mugged or something! (this is rural NC, after all)' So be confident that you are doing what is best for you, accept the support when it's offered, and let the negative just wash away unheeded. Save the energy spent wondering about who knows and what they think to concentrate on your exercise plan!

Oh, I am jealous of those of you with no pre-op diet! I am on shakes right now, but surgery is Thursday and I can't wait. Have lost 12 lbs on pre-op diet...but had gained 4 before going on it in my last meal binges! Mexican! Margaritas! Pizza! Now I have a new mantra: NOTHING tastes as good as being skinny is going to feel!!!!

Thanks so much for the encouragement, I was so worried that I would be starving after surgery and dreading the 3 weeks of liquid diet, but if this is as bad as it gets I know I can hang in there. I just want the growling hungry monster in my tummy to go away!

I am on an almost identical time frame! Started in mid-Dec when my PCP said 'no, you are not "overweight", you are obese!' Went to local info seminars, started program, got rejected by insurance, decided to go to Mexico - scheduled for 3/18 at OCC. Starving my way through pre-op diet now, can't wait until I have banished the growling tummy monster!

You have NO IDEA how thrilled I am to hear that!! I am getting banded in Mexico on 3/18, 3000 miles from home, worried about complications. . . sounds like yours went perfect, hope mine is as uneventful! Hope you continue to do well - R U hungry now??

I have scheduled my surgery for March 18 in Mexico - I live in NE North Carolina, not too far from Virginia Beach, so returning to TJ for frequent fills is not a good option - not to mention the need for quality after care to monitor for other potential complications. I dont mind driving a few hours for good care - does anyone know of a good after care facility in the area between D.C. and Raleigh, NC ??

I am getting banded 3/18, starting pre-op diet in a few days, and I have a new mantra: NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING THIN IS GOING TO FEEL!!!

I have scheduled my surgery for March 18 in Mexico - I live in NE North Carolina, not too far from Virginia Beach, so returning to TJ for frequent fills is not a good option - not to mention the need for quality after care to monitor for other potential complications. I dont mind driving a few hours for good care - does anyone know of a good after care facility in the area between D.C. and Raleigh??

If you feel like you don't have enough info, check out the web site at obesitycontrolcenter.com There is alot of great info on there, I am getting my surgery done there after mega research and can't wait!:tongue_smilie:

I am scheduled for March 18th in Mexico, can't wait! I applied in the US but insurance wouldn't cover it since I have a BMI under 40 (37.?) without co-morbidity, so I started checking out medical tourism. Had a hard time locating after care, was worried about follow up care until I found OCC and Dr Ortiz and Fill Center, now I'm confident that all will be fine. My husband is on the program here in VA, but it is going to take him several more months before his surgery is scheduled, he has to jump through alot of hoops to get insurance to pay. We look forward to making the lifestyle change together, hoping that we will find it easier being able to support one another. I am SO ready to do it!!

I looked into lap-band here but because my BMI is under 40 insurance won't cover it, so am seriously considering going to Mexico or Costa Rica. I am concerned about complications and getting follow up care/fills after the surgery. Please share your experiences with follow up back in the US after foreign surgery - or should I do gastric bypass instead?

It's the lack of comorbidity - I went to your Dr's website and completed the contact form - wondering if he would qualify me based on orthopedics problems - constant low back ache from carrying all this weight around!

no comorbidity, so insurance won't cover it - when you start looking into medical tourism there is so much info available on the internet but hard to get good advice