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Hi Debbie, I too would want to know more of your experience. I am at my wits end and am totally ready to have this done. I have looked at many doctors offering this service in Mexico and it sounds very tempting. Although I have my concerns, I have read testimonials but would love some reassurance from someone like you who has recently experienced. I also will be a self pay since my insurance does not cover "ANY" weight loss surgery. So if you dont mind me asking as well about costs. If not, I surely understand. Thanks!

Hey Rubyjade,

I'm also from your side of the woods! Bellingham Washinton (about an hour and a half north of seattle). I was wondering where you got banded? I'm going to be banded at North West Weight Loss Surgery on May 20th. I figured since you are from Everett there is a chance you were banded there as well! I'ed love to hear about your expearence! Thanks so much,

Marine

I read you have had some hard times loosing. I am only 3 weeks post in the first 2 weeks I lost 10 but in the 3rd week I am eating solid foods and I have gained 2 back. I wanted to ask did you have problems like this or are your problems different? I hope after a fill I do better.

Aww thanks! Yeah people have been telling me to get a breast reduction forever, but hopefully if I loose weight they might decrease a little on their own lol. Ugh I start my liquid diet May 19th, 10 days before surgery, so not looking forward to it but I know I have to do it. When is yours starting??? Keep me posted and good luck with everything!!!

Her Loss...you Don't Need Someone That Is Going To Be Upset Over You Loosing Weight Fast...keep Up The Good Work. I Am Going To Be Banded On May 19th And I Am Starting To Want To Date Soon. I Hope That I Won't Find Someone As Shallow As The One That You Met. Good Luck

I actually have been banded for 13 months now. I decided to get banded after my younger sister did it first in December 06. She lost about 30 pounds her first 3 months so that was enough convincing for me. I got banded on March 15, 2007. During the first few months after the surgery I would ask my sister do you ever feel nausea or pains in your stomach. She would tell me she would never feel anything like that. Well for a few days in August of 07 I wasn't feeling good. I was getting a pain in my chest so I decided one night to go in to the hospital thinking something was wrong with my band. Come to find out on August 14, 2007 that I was 4 months pregnant to my surprise. That now explains the nausea...LOL! I had already lost 40 pounds since being banded. So I actually lost 40 pounds my first 4 months of pregnancy. She is my miracle baby because my husband and I have been togeather 12 years and I didn't think I could have kids cause I have PCOS. So even if I don't loose more weight it was worth paying the $$$ to end up with my baby! I have gotten 2 fills since having her but I'm still at the same weight. I am scheduled to go back on Tuesday for another fill. Hopefully now I will start loosing again. Anyway, when are you having surgery?

Hi Dananah,

I did not have a problem getting approved for the surgery, but I was a cash patient. I also had a BMI of 35. Insurance claims usually have to have atleast 2 morbid obese symptoms like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc.... most require 6 months documented dr. assisted weight loss a dietian a pychatrist elvaluation and most only let you try twice for insurance if you get denied both times you can't try again. Good Luck and I will answer any questions you may have.

Lisa

Hi, I don't mean to be nosy, but you look like you are about my weight (in pics) and I'm looking into getting banded. My BMI is just at 35 but I have cholesterol probs, metabolic syndrome, etc. Did you have a hard time getting approved? I'd appreciate any info you could share...

Hi Texas,

Good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliment on my page. I did try to match my page to my 'duckiness' haha. Just wanted to let you know my final paperwork will be submitted to surgeon on Monday and then comes my wait for insurance approval. I can't imagine they would refuse me for any reason. I have several weight related health issues and a bmi of 59 [yuk].

I also looked at your page - very nice - and your photos were so good. How much excercise do you do per week? I hope to become more active very soon. I used to walk 4 mi. per day but not since the fibro/weight gain.

Hang in there !

Hi, :biggrin2:

I called his office and went in for a consultation, he talked about the band and answered my questions. He was very nice and so is his staff. When I left his office they gave me a paper that told me what my insurance would possibly pay and the testing they required. I have United Health Care PPO Plus and all I had to do was get a EKG, blood work, and give them 5 years of past weight recordings from my other doctors. That was it. I was approved in about 2 weeks. Dr Mckeen has no pre op diet, just nothing but liquids the day before surgery. On my day, while the hospital was getting me ready, he came in to say hi, and reassure me, I was very nervous!! Good Sam has a bariatic nurse who came in and gave my husband and I a nice size folder will all kinds of reading material. She was very nice and informative, again answered any questions I had. Everyone was very nice and I was out of there by 11 am, my surgery was at 9 am. He had pre-prescribed me nausia medicine which I was so glad I had when I got home, I got nausiated off and on. He told me to get liquid motrin and tylenol which I had ready too, and needed it. I was in quite alot of pain, and mostly slept. My worst day was day 2 and 3, I called him at home, they give out his home number which I found very assuring. And he called me back right away. After I healed up I noticed I had good restriction, and did not go in right away for my post op visit. I called the office and let them know I was doing well and would make a appt later. My first appointment was in March. I still had good restriction, he put some saline in at surgery and it was working fine for me. They weighed me and was happy with my loss, 17 lbs, with no pre op diet, my number was only weight loss after surgery. He tried to give me a little fill, and he was awesome, he got the port easily and I had no pain other then the little poke when he gave me my numbing shot. The fill was too much, so he took it out, told me no charge and he would see me in a month. That is this month and I have not been in as of yet. I don't know how he charges for fills for sure, I have not been billed for one yet, but my insurance covers $150 so I was told I have to pay $50, we will see! Oh, he also has an office in Utah, so he is gone alot. Just to let you know, I have a hard time getting in to his office because of MY job, but the girls in his office are great and work very well with me. They call and check on me and I really like that.:tt2:

He is very nice and knows what he is doing, you will be taken care of very well! Keep me posted on your progress, I would LOVE To hear how things go for you.

Good Luck~

Cathy:smile:

Shootz.. weight goal by my bday, April 28... check in with me.. we gotta see if you made goal.

nothing i'm not banded yet i get banded on may5th i need to lose 90lbs but thanks for the compliment..my face never seems to show the weight as much..

Hi Denise,

No candy here! Just sugar-free jello and such as that!

Of course I wouldn't mind answering your question although I don't know how accurate I can be with only email type contact, so I will just take a common sense approach.

Anybody can find another person to love and be loved by, but the key to that is loving yourself first. Maybe the weight has given you a poor self image and you feel that you cannot be loved and that nobody will find you attractive. Nothing could be further from the truth! Work on loving yourself and somebody will come along when you least expect it!

I would like to say this though. "Attractive" is one thing to one person and another to someone else. To me attractive used to be physically beautiful. Now it is kindness, a nice smile, someone who gives freely of herself, someone who shows me love in ways like doing the dishes when I am tired or taking care of something I don't particularily enjoy doing. You don't have to have a gorgeous "shell" to be beautiful.

I hope this helps! You are welcome to talk to me anytime you want!

Hi Shannon, I had the band done march 25th in mexico with dr. ortiz, very good experience, I finally got to start eating real food this week as he is pretty conservative and we stay on full liquids for 3 weeks post op, since starting my pre op diet, I have lost 25lbs but figure I will hover around here at my current weight till I get my fills, I had also lost some weight prior to the preop diet, so I am actually down 59 so far. The part I am finding the most difficult is not being able to drink with my meals.

Anna,

I just wanted to thank you for posting your story on the "weight problems as a child?" thread. It really touched me. I wish you the best of luck in your journey...and if you ever need to talk/rant to anyone, I am also just starting out so feel free to message me. I wish you the best!

Marine

you know im trying to get the hang of the site.. with the diffrent ways u can send messages and things.. so plz forgive me for the late response.. I have done extensive research on the weight loss... the saftey level and such.. and one thing I want is something that is going to assist me I know im going to have to put forth a great deal of effort as well...

I just wanted you to know that I have read some of your blogs and you are really an inspiration to me. I am starting out at approximately the same weight you did and I know that with what all you have accomplished for yourself that I too can reach the goals I have set for myself.

Thank you,

Amy

Well, I went to the seminar on Saturday and was very excited to be getting started. But, they called me today to let me know my insurance has an "exclusion" for any type of weight loss surgery

They provided me w/the total cost if I decide to pay out-of-pocket. I'm discouraged and very dis appointed.

You and I are in the same boat :-)... except you're a few steps ahead of me. I'm 230 and I so badly want to be 125 again. I'm befriending you... it'll be fun and helpful to follow someones progress who has almost the same start weight and goal.

Hey Lora, I'm notreal sure how a buddy list works but we can be buddies & find out. Dr.de la Torre doesn't require a pre-op diet but I'm watching what I eat to a degree. I figure I'll have the rest of my life to lose the weight so there's no big hurry. Where is Mo. Bariatrics located? Keep in touch.

Hi Cheryl

OK what's more important to you?? Your health or some flabby skin ??

The whole skin issue is about your DNA - how much fat you have and how long the skin has been stretched. Ya I have some - I got a little flap on my tummy - thighs look like they belong to an 80 yr old and my arms really bug me. But most of my imperfections can be covered up with a good bra - spanks and shirts will sleeves. I am not walking around naked - so who really cares

I love the way I feel - I love buying size 10 clothes. I feel ten yrs young - so ya I will take the flabby skin - cuz I hopefully going to live a few extra years now that I have lost almost all my weight.

That's what is important to me and heck I am 53 yrs old

I am NEVER going to have the body of a 20 yr old again.

Also, that what plastic surgeons are for - Tummy tuck - breast augmentations etc...

Good Luck...

hey meshell, congratulations. i have a question to ask, i recently got banded and my doc is extremely conservative with the fill. i had the band 4 mths and klost 1 lb. i have a 10cc band and only 1cc fill. how did you lose the weight

hey, this might be weird but i just really need someone around my age as a support system to lose this weight. all my friends are super skinny and as much as they say they understand i know they don't. if this is totally weird no worries lol .

no harm in asking right?!!? lol

-Heather

Hi I started out at 278.6 on my surgery date of July 2007

I am currently 230. When did you have your surgery?

How much weight have you lost? Thanks for your time.

Anna ~ pjhgirl San Antonio

Belated Happy Birthday, Aziz! Good job on your weight loss!!!! Keep it up!! Cute family pic, too!