Any December '08 Bandsters?

[gabwillbethin 0]

Welcome back Bill! Glad to see you made it through ok! Congrats on getting your band! Can't wait to hear how everything went!

Hi Pete, whats the savings if you go to mexico vs here in U.S? Anyone know?:biggrin:

[Florida Pete 1]

I have to say that the savings is in the thousands of dollars.

If I were to have surgery done here at the local surgeon in the local hospital the surgery was "estimated" at $18,000. I quoted estimated because they would not give me a hard number so that tells me there was going to be hidden cots. Of course after that then I would be covered for 1 year on fills and follow ups. So that's $18000 the first year.

With my surgery in Mexico it costed $7,500. No more no less. I can go back there for follow ups and free files but there are travel costs involved in doing that not to mention taking time off of work etc etc. So I found a local place about 45 minutes away that will do my after care. It's $440 the first visit, which includes a fill, and fills after that are $150 each time. So if I get 1 fill every two months for 1 year that is the $440 plus 5 fills at $150 each comes out to $1,190 for after care and fills the first year. So between my surgery in Mexico ($7500) airfare and little spending money ($325) and then aftercare and fills ($1190) my total cost for Mexico surgery comes down too $9,015.

So I have to say that surgery in Mexico is a 50% savings compared to surgery at the local surgeon. I have seen surgery as low as $9500 here in the states but again that involves paying for your own after care since most people would have to travel to those locations to get the cheap surgeries.

[gabwillbethin 0]

I have to say that the savings is in the thousands of dollars.

If I were to have surgery done here at the local surgeon in the local hospital the surgery was "estimated" at $18,000. I quoted estimated because they would not give me a hard number so that tells me there was going to be hidden cots. Of course after that then I would be covered for 1 year on fills and follow ups. So that's $18000 the first year.

With my surgery in Mexico it costed $7,500. No more no less. I can go back there for follow ups and free files but there are travel costs involved in doing that not to mention taking time off of work etc etc. So I found a local place about 45 minutes away that will do my after care. It's $440 the first visit, which includes a fill, and fills after that are $150 each time. So if I get 1 fill every two months for 1 year that is the $440 plus 5 fills at $150 each comes out to $1,190 for after care and fills the first year. So between my surgery in Mexico ($7500) airfare and little spending money ($325) and then aftercare and fills ($1190) my total cost for Mexico surgery comes down too $9,015.

So I have to say that surgery in Mexico is a 50% savings compared to surgery at the local surgeon. I have seen surgery as low as $9500 here in the states but again that involves paying for your own after care since most people would have to travel to those locations to get the cheap surgeries.

WOW, thats a big savings. I live close to Tijuana so drive time would be 50 minutes, that would save on travel. I saw your pictures there in mexico, thanks for sharing. I will start to plan for my surgery, i cant wait to see your after pics, keep it up. Good luck!

[chuckandvicki 0]

Hi All, Ok I'm a bit down today. My surgery was scheduled for Dec 30th. I got a call yesterday saying my Doc had to have surgery himself !! So, my new date is January 20th. I started the pre-op diet early so I'm already sick of it haha !! What's ment to be happens I guess. Just a bit down. :biggrin:

[SweetZ 1]

I got banded yesterday and I'm soooo excited!

[Florida Pete 1]

Hi All, Ok I'm a bit down today. My surgery was scheduled for Dec 30th. I got a call yesterday saying my Doc had to have surgery himself !! So, my new date is January 20th. I started the pre-op diet early so I'm already sick of it haha !! What's ment to be happens I guess. Just a bit down. :biggrin:

Sorry to hear about your surgery date being moved. That sucks but atleast you have already started working on living a better life. I had started my pre-op diet actually 4 weeks early. I am glad I did actually since while on the diet I lost 23 lbs. That really helped to shrink my liver and got a good start on my weight loss. Maybe you can modify your diet for a couple of weeks and then go back full force before your surgery in January. Best of luck!

[Florida Pete 1]

I got banded yesterday and I'm soooo excited!

Congrats on being banded!!! Hope everything went great and for a quick recovery!!

[chuckandvicki 0]

Grats SweetZ !! Keep us posted how you're doing. Not sure why but it always amazes me how everyone is doing so well after surgery.

Thanks Pete I really appreciate it. The way I'm looking at it is HEY I get a glass of Champagne on New Years Eve !! :biggrin:

[JerseyLady 0]

I am getting my band on Monday, Dec 22,2008. I was not required to go on a liquid diet pre-op, but was required to do a low fat diet, which I confess I have not follwed. I hope there are no issues on Monday..:biggrin:

[HOWLUCKYAMI 0]

How long were and are some of you able to be up the day after?

I was banded n the 16th. Stayed overnight and in the hospital until 2 p.m. the next day.

I was pretty much couch-bound on the 17th. Yesterday, the 18th, we went to the mall and walked for a couple of hours. I felt much better after doing so. Rested a while after and was up and around relatively normally thereafter.

Today I woke up after a very good night's sleep. I was a bit light-headed which I attribute to taking pain med prior to bed. Shook it off with a shower and some Protein Shake. Then off to the mall again for another 2 hour trip. Came home and have been resting on the couch again. Will probably get up now and wrap some presents and just hang out.

All in all I feel tremendously better each day! I am truly amazed by how quickly our bodies recover!

Best of luck to you!

[lbhinch 0]

Hi, this is 2 days after surgery and I am feeling a little better, not up to taking a drive or going to the mall yet but have been walking around the house and trying to be more active, my Dr said to stay at home and relax but this gas is building up and I have got to get it out of me, moving around for sure helps with that. I have no hunger at all but have been taking small amounts just to keep up my strength. Protein Shake went down easy as does the Jello, I am feeling better by the hour pretty much which is great. It is so nice to read what other people are going through and I dont feel so alone in all this.

[chuckandvicki 0]

It's so nice to hear how good you guys are doing.

Can I ask a silly question? When you say the Protein Shakes go down well, are you drinking much of them at one time? Or just tiny sips all day?

[lbhinch 0]

I make a 4 oz Protein Shake and it takes me about 10 minutes or so to get it down, I did that 3 times today, I feel SO full after that. I just went to a Christmas party and there was tons of food and I wasnt even hungry at all and had no desire at all to eat anything! I also went for a nice long walk around the block and that too made me feel a lot better.

[mair 0]

My doctor wants me on clear fluids for one week until I see him. I am starving and I actually cant wait for the Protein Drinks.< /p>

[HOWLUCKYAMI 0]

My doctor wants me on clear fluids for one week until I see him. I am starving and I actually cant wait for the Protein drinks.< /div>

Hi Mair! Sorry to hear you're not on the protein drinks yet. I'm surprised, as I was told to start them right away upon discharge. They really help to keep that full feeling and I feel like they give me energy to get up and around.

Are you doing broth yet? I have found broth especially comforting, especially with the cold weather.

Best of luck to you!