CindyMinnesota

Hi, all!! I just wanted to point out one little thing.. I did self pay in Mexico, and someone on this thread said that sometimes there are issues when you get back to the states.. I just wanted to say that thankfully, insurance covers all of my aftercare..Thankfully!! I am sorry to those who are having band issues :wub: I can't even imagine how disappointing it must be for you to think you were making this great life change and then have so many problems...Yuck Good luck to all of you!!

Well, I am a newbie but a research nut :wub: I wouldn't worry about the band slippage. If you aren't throwing up a lot of having any other symptoms, I am sure things are fine. If you are going for your first fill, you don't have any restriction yet, and that won't come for a while..If your band is empty, you have nothing to stop you from eating or feeling hungry. People say here on this forum (and my doc says too) that it will probably take you 3 or 4 fills before you even feel any restriction. I understand your worry, though--I was freaking out too before I went to the doc last week. Talk to him about your concerns, but I am sure you will be fine

Hi, everyone!! I got banded on 7/3... I just wanted to offer a few words of encouragement to all of the newbies out there who feel miserable and don't feel like it will ever end.. I felt like this month would NEVER end. I was so hungry all the time, felt awful that I couldn't do my aerobics at the gym, and had a lot of port pain. I just went for my first post-op appt. on Thursday. He has finally cleared me to go back to the gym and resume all activities. Monday is day 30, when I will go back to eating solid foods again. I have no pain anymore (finally!!) I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel..Just hang in there!! You will get through it. If I can, so can you. Feel free to email me if you need anyone to vent to--I promise, it will get better.. :rolleyes2:

Hi Sooz, Well many of them don't perform fills on foreign bands because they didn't do the surgery and they don't want to take responsibility if something goes wrong.. Another reason is that there are something like 7 or 9 bands out there, and I think only 2 of them are FDA approved.. The Realize band, and the Allergan Band. Many times they won't fill a band that is not FDA approved.. Mexico is like any other place. :bolt: Gotta do your research..You will get what you pay for! Some places in Mexico are really cheap..But in return, that is the kind of quality you will receive. My doc has a network of doctors in almost every state in the USA for doctors that will do fills..(Dr. Kuri)... Some of the places I spoke with sounded shady, to say the least! :smile2:) Dr. Kuri was really great, though! So glad for that :sad:

Hi Tallgirl!!! ) You can ask me anything you want!! And I know the feeling of not being able to wrap your head around it..But you had better start practicing that frame of mind!! I know you can do it!! We can be each other's support. and it IS a journey!! I have no idea how to exchange emails on this site..But I'd love to keep in touch!! So where are you from? Tell me more about you!! It would be neat to have a pen pal! :thumbup:) Talk to you soon. Cindy P.S. How tall are you? I am 5'10"..So maybe we have that in common too :w00t:

Tallgirl, You will do GREAT!!! We are all here to support each other, and that's what's great about this forum... I was banded 3 weeks ago (actually, tomorrow will be 3 weeks!), so I will be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any kind of support you would like! This is all new to me, too, as I am just at the beginning of my journey..This website has been a great support from the beginning. Good luck with your surgeon's meeting tomorrow!! Keep us updated on your progress as you get closer to a surgery date!! :thumbup: Cindy

To HappyMom: That actually gives me hope, as well. My BMI is at 35 (or just under). It is helpful to hear that when you lost the weight you suddenly got pregnant--we aren't ready for a baby yet (well, actually, are you ever really ready for your first?? lol) but we are thinking maybe next year. Hopefully all will be well when the weight comes off... Anyway, congrats to usmcwife and toi HappyMom!! That is great. Gives the rest of us something to be hopeful for!

Hi!! Oh my gosh, don't apologize for venting!! :biggrin:) I do want to share with you my experience. I am 33 now, and also had PCOS. I don't know if I still do, because I have lost weight and haven't had a recent check. My doctor several years ago said that "with my PCOS, the chances of having a baby were remote, and the chances of having a healthy baby were slim to none". I remember his exact words when he told me this. Right after he dropped this bomb on me, he said that there is a big solution to this--and that is weight loss. Anyway, I just want you to be comforted that there will be a good chance that your problem might be solved with weight loss. Don't lose hope!!!!! Let me know if I can help you in any way (especially to vent!!) :thumbup:) Cindy P.S. I had mine done in Mexico 2.5 weeks ago--but I know the local hospital here requires 2 forms of birth control before they will put in the band, because people become fertile as heck afterwards...lol!

I got my band inserted in Mexico 2.5 weeks ago. Thankfully, the doc that I had (FABULOUS, by the way) has a network of doctors in every state. I was able to get a appointment through the county hospital. :biggrin:

Hi, Well, I can't advise you on US options, but I can tell you about my experience in Tijuana, Mexico. I am 2 weeks post op as of Saturday. I had a great experience (well...for surgery!!! lol). The surgeon I had was wonderful, as was their team. They set me up with lots of support, free fills for life if I needed them, and the hospital was great!! They are also very active in aftercare--they even have a network of doctors in each state for followup when you return. Not to mention..Much cheaper :biggrin: If you'd like more info, I'd be happy to provide it!! Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for

Hello! I had my surgery done by Dr. Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico on July 3rd. I was nervous as heck about going to another country to get it done, but I LOVED him and his staff.. Firstly they will set you up with a facilitator who is available day or night to help you and answer questions..And once you have the surgery, the patient facilitator stays in contact with you!! Mine is great. They also have a network of doctor in each state that can do the fills and follow up for you. Thankfully, I have found one close by. They also have an online forum similar to this one to support you. Every summer they also have what's called a "Bandster Bash", which is an event where all the patients get together and have a big party. I wish I was going this year..Oh well Just do lots of research before you make your decision! Anyway, I wish you luck. If you would like to know more info. feel free to respond. :biggrin: Cindy

Hi Mari!! :smile: Congrats!!! How exciting for you!! I am sure you are going through so many emotions. :scared2: It is going to be a life change but it will be a good one. :tt2: I am not sure about time off. With every doctor the requirements change--Dr. Kuri doesn't want us to lift any more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks. I would call the doctor's office there and see what his requirements are. Also, you might want to see if they have an online forum specifically for his patients. Dr. Kuri does, and it is very helpful. They have all kinds of tips for his patients, and people can post, just like they can here. Today marked 14 days, and I am not sore anymore and I am down 15 pounds so far (yay!!) The only thing I might suggest for you is to try to find a doctor before you leave that can give you follow up care. Sometimes it can be difficult. I am having issues, not so much because I got it done in Mexico, but because the docs here didn't do the operation itself...Guess they don't want to deal with liability, etc...If you find one before you go, you will have things lined up when you get back. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns, or if you just want to talk to get the nervousness out! I know it helps for me :tt2:) Cindy

Hi, I went to Hospital Angeles, too, but I had the Lap Band with r. Kuri. I am 11 days post op... We had to go the day before and get all the tests done, including the weigh in. I didn't get my gown until I went to sleep the night before. Their requirements were that the BMI was above 35, and according to thier testing thingy I was a bit below. I would not worry at all about that concern.. I would also like to reassure you about Hospital Angeles and staff..I had a very good experience. The hospital is very nice and clean and the staff are great, even if many of the nurses are Spanish speaking. I was nervous as heck about getting surgery done in another country, but thankfully my experience was a good one. I had heard horror stories about Tijuana itself, but the hospital is in a good location and there is a Friday's right across the street (kinda funny, the titles for the Entrees were in English but the descriptions are not!) and our waitress didn't speak English. That was okay, we didn't have any issues! They also rave about a great Mexican restaurant next to Friday's but we didn't go there... If you have any questions at all, feel free to respond and I will be happy to answer any questions you have! Good luck!!!!!!!!! You'll do great :sad: Cindy