CJay

Dear rere50, You may want to try to email Dr. Huacuz on his contact tab at his web site or go thru info@huacuz.com It always works for me when I set up visits. The best of luck CJay

Welcome Cass, this site has always been a great support for me. You will find a nice mix of people. Remember tho, as my Grandmother told me. Anything worth doing, do it to the very best you can do it. And the results will follow. Some people will eat pizza a few days out of banding and not understand why the weight doesn't drop off. Some will stay on liquids for a few weeks until they heal. Everyone has a different road to walk. Find your commitment level, reason, and support system and do your own research before you do anything life impacting. And you should not have regrets.

Remember, we are on this path together. As you have a question please use us. We learn from each other. Welcome to the new journey!

I went with Dr. Huacuz in TJ. He charged me $7,000. It included all the pre-surgery test (including lab), 2 nights at the hospital for me and a support person, and transportation to and from San Diego Airport. I was very happy.

james2539, it sounds like you are considering going with an insurance company. If you can self pay either thru savings, pay advance, borrowing or taking a loan it is worth it. Tho you have some of the comorbids, it may help if you draw on the high propensity of family health issues. It may make your case clearer. But don't give up trying for the tool you know you need to improve the quality of your life. Good luck on your journey.

There are a lot of fine doctors in Mexico. I ended up going with Dr. Huacuz in TJ. He also offers financing if you need help with all or part. He may be worth the look on his web site.

You are about to start a wonderful journey! Stay true to your food plan post and pre and you will have amazing results. This is the tool you have been waiting for.

Hello everyone! I was banded on 11/2 in TJ with Dr. Huacuz and now its time for my fill. I have recontacted his office and they all have been great about being available for me to return there for my fill. I have looked around the Northern CA and haven't been happy with the options I have found. I am a little nervous about getting the first fill. It seems like a dream of a happy life. I am down 85+ pounds (pre/post) since I entered this journey. Thank you everyone for sharing your questions and all that answer. CJay

How encouraging this thread is! I am 8 weeks out pre and post and have dropped nearly 50 pounds. I am doing 600 to 800 calories a day (water is a hit or miss target on some days). and am swimming an hour 3 times a week. My best holiday wishes to you all. CJay

Hi everyone, Thank you all for the great insightful postings. I am not having luck finding a chewable vitamin for adults. The thought of Flintstones just isn't doing it for me. Any other recommendations?

Hello everyone, I was banded on 11/2/06 and since then i am down 48.5 pounds. Most of the success is due to fear of pain and going off of liquids and mushies. I hope to keep this eating plan for the next 2 months and be ready for the spring. My best wishes to you all for the holiday seasons. CJay

Anyone interested in meeting in TJ or San Diego, perhaps the first or second week of January for the first fill? I am planning to see Dr. Hurcuz then. What do you think? CJay

Day 13 . . I have been on the tired side for the last 36 hours. But my food and spirits are high. I can see my clothes are hanging just a little bit differently. There is extra room ! Life if good. I am thinking about traveling. Traveling someplace warm and nice. Pampering and nurturing. Yes, all my energy is slowly comming back to me. The lack of food doesn't seem like a deficit. But a rebalance of a good life to come.

Day 13 . . I have been on the tired side for the last 36 hours. But my food and spirits are high. I can see my clothes are hanging just a little bit differently. There is extra room ! Life if good. I am thinking about traveling. Traveling someplace warm and nice. Pampering and nurturing. Yes, all my energy is slowly comming back to me. The lack of food doesn't seem like a deficit. But a rebalance of a good life to come.

Well, I made it. Life has given me a second chance. Today I wanted to remember the dreams that have long clouded over with time. To paint, to travel, to laugh, to look pretty, to have confidence. I was the one who took them away. But lost my way back from a dark time. I am my mother. I lived as a marter and gave unselfishly of myself to others that did not appreciate it in the end. Lives cross each other. And may parellel for a time. But they never blend into one person. (Lessons learned by Vi? What are my thoughts?) I was banded on 11/2/06. Today is day 5. Tommorrow I go back to work an AM overtime. Will I be the same? Will I drive to exhaustion? I need to get a clear exit plan. An exit plan for work or an entrance plan for life?

Well, I made it. Life has given me a second chance. Today I wanted to remember the dreams that have long clouded over with time. To paint, to travel, to laugh, to look pretty, to have confidence. I was the one who took them away. But lost my way back from a dark time. I am my mother. I lived as a marter and gave unselfishly of myself to others that did not appreciate it in the end. Lives cross each other. And may parellel for a time. But they never blend into one person. (Lessons learned by Vi? What are my thoughts?) I was banded on 11/2/06. Today is day 5. Tommorrow I go back to work an AM overtime. Will I be the same? Will I drive to exhaustion? I need to get a clear exit plan. An exit plan for work or an entrance plan for life?

Christina C you and I share the same band date. I have mine done in TJ on 11/2/06. Each day I am feeling stronger, tho the road is unsteady under my feet. Each cup of broth seems like an adventure. Life is getting better by the day. Lets stay intouch. CJay

Hello Everyone! Just knowing all of you guys are on the forum gave me strength and encouragement. I have my band placed on 11/2 in TJ with Dr. Huacuz. My pre-op diet was not as disciplined as I could have been. I was having so many last suppers it was almost a spiritual moment. But I did get 4 days liquid and the last 24 hours water. The Dr. stated it really helped me from suffering from gas pains afterwards. The surgery was performed a few hours later due to the trouble they had getting an IV into me. Its was a rolling and collasping thing. The next morning I felt like I did 1000 sit-up in an upper ab tightness. They offered jello, juice, yogert and tea. None of which looked appetizing. But the second day was better. And the third was even better yet. I'm home and starting to learn how to eat (sip) again. Again, I want to thank everyone for all that I have read and learned by you going before me. I feel like I was given a second chance to dance, and live life. Life that I so long ago thought was lost to me. CJay

Hello everyone! My band day is scheduled for Nov. 2 with Dr. Huacuz. I live between San Francisco and Sacramento (Vacaville). Anyone near by?

I will be banded on Nov. 2 with Dr. Huacuz. The pre-diet isn't so bad compared to the pain of being large for soooo long. My start weight is around 345. Anything under 3 would be welcome. The confidence I'm getting by staying on the liquid is helping my mental state also. I quess it is distracting from the scarry procedure ahead.

I will be banded in TJ next week. Anyone have info for a fill location in the San Francisco (Central CA) area. Thanks for the reply.

Hello everyone, I am looking to pay cash for the Lap Band and the internet took me to TJ. Sites for Dr. Kuri and Dr. Romano keep appearing in my search. Anyone have good, bad or insights to share. My BMI is 45. Thanks CJay :biggrin1:

I am scheduled with Dr. Huacuz in TJ for the band procedure. He quoted $6800. with 2 night stay over, transpo from and to the US border, and pre-op test.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have lots of leads to check up on now. CJay