Banded a month ago in Mexico

[shayb 0]

Hi, my name is Shay and my husband and I were both banded on May 28, 2009 in Mexicalli, Mexico.

First of all I want to say that the trip and experience in Mexico exceeded our expectations and all the fear that was put into me by my family was totally unneccessary. I know it sounds scary, but it was the best hospital experience I have ever had and I have had 4 c-sections and two other surgeries myself and a lot of hospital experiences with my 15 year old daughter who has renal/kidney disease.

I lost 23 lbs and my husband 18 lbs in the first 2-3 weeks, BUT now have not lost anymore in the last 2 weeks. It seems a little soon to feel like I need a fill/adjustment already, but that is what I am thinking. I was hoping to make it longer than this and am a little disappointed that my weight loss has stopped already and my husbands too. I feel like we are able to eat too much at one sitting currently.

I am trying to find a doctor that will do adjustments on Mexican lapbands in Brevard County (near Melbourne), does anyone know of any and if not, where would the closest place be? I did some checking before getting my band and the was able to find a doctor in Miami and I think one in Tampa, but was hoping there was some place closer and if so, what are the costs?

Does this stop in weight loss mean we may have a lapband that will fail us?

[FailureIsntAnOption 0]

Hello,

I had my lap band surgery in Mexicali also. My surgeon was Alberto Aceves. The care in Mexicali also exceeded my expectations.

I stopped loosing at about 2 weeks post op too. You will begin loosing again but it is not uncommon to stop loosing at this point. My surgery was 4/17/09 and I have lost 48 pounds. Make sure you are drinking enough Water and eating around 65 grams of Protein daily. I got my first fill at 6 weeks in Mexicali. After my fill I began loosing again. Be sure to exercise at least 30 minutes each day too. You may need to increase your calorie intake just a little. I began to loose once I increased to 1200 calories.

Remember, the lap band is only a tool that will help you to eat less during dieting. It is not going to make you loose the weight. You will still have to eat less and move more to make the weight come off.

Good luck to you.

Edited June 29, 2009 by FailureIsntAnOption

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

I think the place I'm thinking of is called Fill USA (try Googling that). They offer fills but not the surgery so they don't really care who did your surgery. I've seen their website before -- You put in your zip code and they tell you where their closest office is. Hope that helps.

My surgeon, and many, many others, do the first fill at 4 weeks post-op, so in that regard you probably are "due". I have had 5 fills, 1 month apart and am at my sweet spot now.

[kgloverii 0]

You might want to try Fill Centers USA. There is a location in Deland, which is not terribly far from you. You can also go to Lap-Band's website and find some local surgeons and call around and ask... Lastly, you might call your mexican surgeon. I called mine before my surgery and they made some local recommendations. I had my aftercare lined up before I even went for my surgery. Make sure you ask whomever you call for all pricing details, because some doctors want a 1st time consult fee, etc. Fill prices vary widely by provider.

It is not too early to be wanting a fill. I got my first fill at my 4 week mark, exactly. It didn't take a lot of the cravings away, but I counted calories diligently until I got to my sweet spot so my weight loss continued until I got to that point.

Good luck on your band journey.

[jeannielove 0]

Hello, my name is Jeannie and I'm also looking into the lap band procedure in Mexico, it seems like a good option especially when you are on a budget. I see so many different doctors offering the lap band package at very low prices, even the sleeve at what seems to be cheap compared to the prices here in the U.S. I am still trying to get as much information as possible to decide on one procedure or the other so hopefully I can get some feedback from forum members that have had the experience. Have any of you lap band patients had second thoughts or wished you had gotten the sleeve surgery instead?:tongue2:

[kgloverii 0]

Jeannie,

Yes... I wish I would have had the sleeve. The band is outdated, compared to the sleeve. But, when I had surgery, the sleeve was not well-known. I will ride my band till the wheels fall off, and it has been very good for me, but I'll bet the sleeve would be a bit better. Easier maintenance long term.

But you must do your homework and find someone VERY reputable to do your surgery. Price is NOT the name of the game on this. Do your research. Wasabubblebutt has a good guide on where to start.

[shayb 0]

That is sooo cool. Dr. Aceves also did my surgery. He was awesome. Thank you for all the info. and advise. I did loose another 2 lbs this week, but I went ahead and scheduled a fill for my husband and I and through this forum was able to find a Doctor closer to home than 1 I found in Miami and 1 in Tampa. I have scheduled our fills at the Riverside Surgical Center in Sebastian, Florida and the price was better too.

[melissadale 0]

I was banded in mexico in april 07. and everything was fine up until 2 months ago and I have had frequent vomiting and alot of saliva build up. Has anyone experience this??? please help

[shayb 0]

I just got my band a month ago, so not sure I should be given advise about band vs. sleeve, but I do think it is really a personal choice. After researching for months I made the decision to go with the band, primarily because it is reversible if there are any complications and I was worried about that. But I have had lots of thoughts that I should have went with the sleeve. The main thing I wanted to share though was that no matter which one you choose, I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Alberto Aceves and his parter Dr.Campose. He does the bypass, the sleeve and the band. He was not the cheapest of everyone in Mexico. Tijuana was cheaper, BUT Mexicalli is much safer and the Doctors were absolutely wonderful. I did my homework and research before making a very infomed decision. We could not have asked for better care than we received. The only downside I can see at all for going to Mexico was traveling by air on a long flight 2 days after surgery. I would recommend staying an extra day or two if you can. At least if you are very far away from Mexicali.

Shay Blowers

[FailureIsntAnOption 0]

I was banded in Mexico in april 07. and everything was fine up until 2 months ago and I have had frequent vomiting and alot of saliva build up. Has anyone experience this??? please help

I have experienced a greater amount of saliva but only when food gets stuck and right before I vomit. Did you recently have a fill? Perhaps your band is too tight.

[jeannielove 0]

Jeannie,

Yes... I wish I would have had the sleeve. The band is outdated, compared to the sleeve. But, when I had surgery, the sleeve was not well-known. I will ride my band till the wheels fall off, and it has been very good for me, but I'll bet the sleeve would be a bit better. Easier maintenance long term.

But you must do your homework and find someone VERY reputable to do your surgery. Price is NOT the name of the game on this. Do your research. Wasabubblebutt has a good guide on where to start.

Thanks K...I will definitely research more now that you mention the "outdated" lap band due to more maintenance. However having 2/3 of your stomach permanently removed makes me a little nervous, but if that's what it takes...:redface: