luv2bingo07

Hi, I have been researching to get banded in MX and ran into a screeching halt snag due to trying to finance. Then I was told about Dr. Carlos or that particular clinic taking payments. Is this true? I really need more input and experiences before I go ahead with requesting information and starting any part of the process. I hope you can help with this. Thank you, Judy

Hi all, I would like to know if anyone here has had lapband surgery with Dr. Carlos or another surgeon at his hospital in Tijuana? I found out about their DOCPAY payment plan and feel like there might be hope after all for me getting banded after all. Their prices are somewhat better than some others and I really hope this works out for me. Peace, Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_8088--><!-- THE POST -->

Hi Joan, I won't be banded anytime soon because of financial problems. I was denied financing from two companies, even w/a co-signer, and my Uncle(who has alot of money), is completely against it as is my Mom and brother. So, no support there. Some day I hope to be banded. thanks, Judy

Hi Joan, I am also diabetic and taking Glucophage/Metformin every night. My endo told me about Byetta but since I am giving myself a shot every night of growth hormone, she didn't want to overwhelm me. She said that Byetta has something in it that makes people lose weight. I am not afraid of needles, so I would like to try it. I am not banded yet and probably won't be, so I have to find some way to lose weight. Peace, Judy I am not banded

Nope...Sorry Teresa, I haven't gotten anywhere with financing. I tried with MedProva and got denied even with my Mom having decent credit, but she is retired and widowed, so with her social security and pension, she doesn't make enough. I wrote a nice long letter to my Uncle who has quite a bit of money stored away and so on and I was called last night and he is totally against this surgery because of my past and present health problems. He thinks that I would fail Healthwise even more with the lap band. Ugh! Not sure what to do next. Will keep you posted. Peace, Judy

WOW! I am sorry I missed that one. I weigh around 385, but am 6'1, and large framed like my Dad. I never counted calories but I know for a fact that I do not eat any where near a man's daily caloric allowed intake. I am not banded yet, but working on the financial part of it and hope to be this year. Peace all, Judy

Hey all, I was just wondering that if and when I am able to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz, what, other than heart problems would prevent me or anyone else from having surgery and/or him doing the surgery? I don't have heart problems and in pretty good health otherwise, but I don't want to pay all that money only to find out he won't do it or I can't have it done. My friend knows someone at her work that has gone to Mexico once for surgery and was sent home even after being on the operating table because of a heart problem. She went back with the all clear and was sent home again. What is up with that? I hope she didn't have to pay twice! I haven't heard yet why she couldn't have it done the second time. I also don't know who her surgeon was supposed to be. Thanks for any replies. Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_7760--> <!-- THE POST -->

<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> Has anyone had any luck in turning around an exlcusion for WLS in their employers benefits package? I think it is important that it should be able to happen, but really unsure if it is even possible. I have Regence BC/BS and their has been an exclusion for any kind of WLS and aftercare. If any of you have read my numerous posts on struggling to get the money to have surgery done in MX, then you can probable tell how desperate I am to have this done. I am waiting to hear back from the company handling our medical insurance and for sure let you all know what I found out. Judy <!-- / message -->

Has anyone had any luck in turning around an exlcusion for WLS in their employers benefits package? I think it is important that it should be able to happen, but really unsure if it is even possible. I have Regence BC/BS and their has been an exclusion for any kind of WLS and aftercare. If any of you have read my numerous posts on struggling to get the money to have surgery done in MX, then you can probable tell how desperate I am to have this done. I am waiting to hear back from the company handling our medical insurance and for sure let you all know what I found out. Judy

Hi Audree, Were you able to do that and still keep your job? I had to take money out once for bills and they made it sound like I could lose my job because of it. Not sure why, but it really upset me. Now we are with a different company that keeps out 401k funds and the rules are as strict as they were from what I understand. I will check into it. Thanks, Judy

Well, I started a couple years ago with THE doctor that does lapband surgeries and had to go to a seminar to basically learn all about the lap band and gastric bypass, then get blood work done, see a nutritionist, then a biotch of a psychiatrist that said the doctor requires a year of non-smoking(that is BS)!. I am sure it isn't quite that long but long enough for other doctors. I know that doctors have rules for a reason, but sometimes it seems way too strict. Yes, I am ready to follow the rules to be successful with a future band, but AFTER I am banded should be the real challenge, not before. I know I am healthy enough to be able to be banded now. Thanks, Judy

I am so depressed and ANGRY at money and my situation! :angry I refuse to believe that I can't have the band this year! I also refuse to believe that it could be saving me from some kind of complications or other problems. I can accept saving me from financial problems, but saving my life seems to be far more important to me. I tried one more time with my mom's good credit to get financed and hit a brick wall...AGAIN! That's it! I am so freakin' p o'd, that I want punch a wall or cry blood. The only thing that is keeping me from doing all that is that I am hoping somehow I can talk to my big boss(president of my company), into changing out insurance policy to approve WLS to save my life. A life of pain and suffering that will some day soon end up in a wheelchair or dead. I know I would not be able to take out all my saved up 401(k) earnings and still have a job....I know, I know...everyone says it's your money, but the money I have in their is put there tax free and whatever. They wouldn't let me borrow it either. I couldn't pay it back. So, thanks all for letting me vent again...this really hurts alot and I thought this year was the year that I would be able to do something for me. Big question though...even if my insurance was changed...I really don't want to go to the doctor in my area because of the non-smoking, dieting, etc. hoops I have to go through, so any suggestions? Thanks, Judy

Thank you all for all the support and kind words...they made me teary eyed when reading each and every one. I know I shouldn't give up, but I want this sooo bad I dream about being in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz and staff. My credit is severly awful. I owe mega taxes every year for the past few years because I have had no federal taxes taken out because of claiming more just to keep up with garnishments and car payments. I am almost done paying off my car, but don't dare sell it since I would never get another one. It's a KIA, so it wouldn't be worth much anyways...LOL I love it though. You all are so wonderful here and I so thank you very much for your love and support! What really put me over the edge is the lapbandforum.com(Dr. Ortiz) forum that had pics from a member that showed her arriving there with her friend, and going through the tests and right into the operating room and showed a beautiful view from her hotel room. It is wonderful and I WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT!!! I would go alone if I had to. Someday! Thanks again everyone...I will never forget you or this board! HUGS! Judy

Hi all, Thanks so much for all your replies and support from all my posts in the past weeks. This is my last post because I was not able to get a loan or be financed w/a co-signer to have surgery in Mexico. My credit is so bad that I wouldn't be able to get a loan for 10 bucks, much less $8500. I do not have credit cards or rich family members, etc. I will not ever be able to save up for this since I want it this year or better... NOW! I can't sell my car, cuz it has a low resale value. It is almost paid off too. Nothing is out there for me financially. I wanted so badly to eventually get off my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea and get off some of my medications etc. I REFUSE to jump through the hoops to go through trying to get surgery with my insurance(which has an exclusion). All of the freakin' appts. with this and that doctor...FORGET IT! Started that once and stopped because of another health issue that I needed surgery for. Anyways, I will never forget any of you. Keep up the good work and maybe all those thoughts of dying in the last year is haunting me already. :phanvan :think Peace, Judy

Hi all, I would really like to know if any one on these boards have gotten financed totally for their LBS by one of the Mexican finance companies? Not by CC or refinancing their homes, etc. I need an uplift to my stressing about it. I am waiting to hear back from Citerra Financial(Geramin) on getting financed for surgery with Dr. Ortiz with a co-signer. My credit is horrible, but my co-signer's is good, so I hope they take into consideration the income. I emailed Lori from Dr. Ortiz office and she said if anyone can get you financed then Geramin can, but then she said most of the time. Not very comforting...ya know? I am so ready for this surgery and have learned so much about Dr. Ortiz and Lap banding. I just want to be good to go! :rose: Thanks to all who reply, Judy

I am so sorry you ran into such an crushing snag with the financing. I am trying to get financed too right now with my mom as a co-signer, who is retired and her income is only SS and pension from my stepdad. My credit is obscenely bad. But I have a good job that I have been at for over ten years. May I ask who you were trying to get financed through? I am trying to get banded in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz, and one of his coordinators, Lori told me to call Geramin at Citerra Financial to get financed. I was told she was great and so now I am hoping and praying I get financed. I don't care about the high interest b/c it will be sooo worth it down the road. Take care, Judy

Hello all, I was recently told that if I am having surgery in Mexico, but only flying to San Diego before being driven into Mexico, I don't need a passport. Only needing a US ID and that would be ok. It's not that I don't trust the information, but I just need to know for sure because that could mean my possibly getting the lap band surgery sooner than I would like. Thanks, Judy

I am just saying that I am taking a week's vacation down south and I have kinda already mentioned that, but nothing is solid right now. All I got was why would you want to go there(meaning Mexico), and I just said that I wanted to go somewhere different for vacation. LOL Good Luck and remember, it is your business and you know your co-workers better than anyone, so it's up to you how you handle the situation. Peace, Judy

Hi loozerkbo, Thanks so much for your awesome story! Also, for the encouraging words about being too heavy for lap band surgery. I kinda figured that was bunk! I have been told that Dr. Ortiz is very experienced with higher BMI's and I have no problem in having to lose some pounds and shrinking my liver prior for surgery. Hey, at least I will know what to look forward to. I will keep in touch and you take care and keep up the good work! You are doing great! Peace, Judy

Thanks so much again Julie and Audree. I feel more and more confident and ready to be banded each time I read your replies. I hope when I need a fill, I will only need it one time and that will be it, but i understand that everyone is different. I really want to lose 45 pounds by my 45th birthday in June. I can't thank you enough. You both are blessings to me! Audree, since you were banded on the 5th, please keep in touch and let me know when you will be getting your fill and how Dr. Ortiz went about it and the cost, ok? Thanks! Judy

Hi 2boys2cute, I am looking to be banded in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz around mid March. The gas pains are something that has been worrying me also. I had that problem after my hysterectomy that was also laparoscopically done. It got better in a few days thank goodness. I also get gas really easily and I really hope I can get out of me quick...lol Peace, Judy p.s. almost forgot to ask, where are you getting banded?

Hi all again, I was just wondering about certain airlines and what their rules are about obese people and their seating arrangements? I know Southwest requires you to buy an extra seat if you are too big, but what about American or other airlines? The last time I flew Southwest, I had to ask for a seatbelt extender, but that was before their new rules. I have no problem asking for a seatbelt extender, but would rather not if didn't have too. But, I usually ask the flight attendant when I board so I don't have to later and risk complete embarrassment, ya know? I am 6'1, and weigh around 385, so I really don't look so much that weight(as told by a doctor recently), but people see you differently than others. Thanks again for any replies. Peace, Judy

Hi Dawn, Thank you so much for making me feel so much better and knowing I can and will be able to sleep well while I am there before and after surgery. I hope to become banded in March with Dr. Ortiz. Peace, Judy

Hi All, I have been thinking alot about all my posts on the journey to becoming banded and asking all kinds of questions and getting great replies from everyone. THANKS!! I am so grateful for the help and support here. One thing that has been on my mind recently is my Sleep Apnea. Does Mexico have the same electricity as we do, and has anyone with sleep apnea needed or was allowed to use their CPAP machine there before and after surgery? This is really important to me because I know that a big part of recovery is that you need to get good, restful sleep. I can't get that if I cannot use my CPAP machine.:tired Peace, Judy

Thank you all so very much for your supportive replies! You all are awesome and congrats on your wonderful success! I ma in the process of going with Dr. Ortiz, but need to get approved for financing first. I want to be a March bandster! That doc Romero called me again last night and right when he called, someone from Surgeryloans.com called and I never even tried to get financed from them. SO, Yeah! pushy and wanting money bigtime. Also, I chave gotten several emails from Huacuz, which is where Dr. Romero is from and to correct his recommendation, he wants to do the Gastric Sleeve on me. Not gonna happen dude! I did talk to Lori at Ortiz office and she wants me to talk to the nutritionest there to see if I need to start my pre-op diet earlier to lose some weight before surgery. That bummed me out some, but I can do it, it's not that hard to lose 5% I think, which would only be 20 lbs. Peace, Judy