Constance

Hi all! I banded! still at the hotel in TJ. It was a great experience and I woudl reccomend Dr. Ortiz to anyone. There are 5 other women here so it has been nice to compare notes. I'm just a little sore - not even sore - just kind of an awareness. But overall I feel really good. I had a little beef broth and I feel some faint tightness in my chest. I think that is fullness? I was so terrified the night before. I was so close to just concelling the fear was so bad. But as soon as Mrs. Ortiz picked us up I felt totally at ease. Thanks for the support from all of you!

Trish I'm right there with you! I read these posts and think, 'mmm, yes, interesting'. Then it hits me ... I WILL BE DOING THIS ON THURSDAY! We can do it. Deep breaths, happy thoughts, and it be over before we know it!

I was thinking I would drink from one of the little skinny stir-straw, swizzle stick things post-op to keep me from chugging water. I will ask the doc if that is a bad idea. I'm with QUEEN, straws make me drink slower, personally.

I think you have an agenda here and I'm not sure why. There is already a thread about why people go to Mexico. Sure it is partially financial, but not my only motivation. Honestly, when I first read about Drs. Sanchez and Rumbaut in Monterrey while I was still pursuing insurance coverage, I thought "wow, it's too bad I can't go to these guys, they are ten times more experienced than a local surgeon." So yes, for me, money was a factor. Anyone who is self-pay will probably agree with that. But there is a doctor here in Denver who does the band for $9950 -- and I STILL opted to go to Mexico. That is the SAME price (with airfare) that my surgeon charges. I cared more about experience than location.

I'm currently on pre-op liquids and I use the GNC brand soy Protein. It tastes SO SO much better than the whey. It has 25 gr of protein per scoop and it 15$ for a med/lg tub. They have a buy 1 get one half off deal going pretty much all the time. There is a long standing debate on which is better, soy or whey. But personally, if I have to drink it 3-4 times a day, I'm going for taste. For mixing, I have this: http://blenderbottle.com/ It is THE BEST because it has a little whisk ball inside so you don't get the clumps on the bottom or have to shake until your arm breaks. I love it!

Yeah, it sucks, but you usually CAN find someone in your area. Here in Denver, there is even a radiologist who does fills -- and he's very popular. But I've often wondered if you were FROM another country if it would be different? Like if you were Mexican and banded in Mx or Italian and banded in Italy, and you moved to the US would it be different? Would they see you?

I'm not totally sure. But I think if you can get insurance to cover surgery after the fact, the surgeon would need to be "in network". So probably a Mexican doctor wouldn't be on that list. Although sometimes insurance will cover partial costs if you have a procedure out-of-network. But like I said, I'm not positive. You could certainly try submit a claim. For me Cigna denied me twice and I could have used someone locally (and paid out of pocket). But the experience and price in Mexico totally surpassed what I could find here. I have read about some bandsters having the procedure covered in the US but deciding to go to Mx. for more experienced surgeons.

I told my step-daughter who is 14. She is very mature and understands much more than I give her credit for. Ultimately keeping it from her would be acting like it is something I am ashamed about. I want her to understand that there is nothing WRONG with being heavy, and that I have made a decison to change my body. Getting surgery doesn't mean I have 'given up' or 'taken the easy way'. It is hard either way - to diet OR to get the band. I know, it is kind of awkward - even she said "Yeah, I bet it is hard for some people to tell their kids because they are someone the kids look up to, and then they go and do this drastic thing when the kids probably don't notice there is anything wrong" See! She is so smart! Anyway, I think it is better to be honest if you think your kids can handle it and understand. Probabaly if she were under 10 I would think twice, only because "surgery" can sound so scary to smaller kids.

I really feel for you! I wish I had words of wisdom...but I hope whatever it is passes and you feel better soon. That is really rough -- take care of yourself.

Do you mean you try some water firstto see if you're thirsty? Just checking if the "water test" was some new fullness measuring tool. ?

I have had the same fear/realization. I recognize that there is something internally that is soothed by totally stuffing myself. Terrible, but true. I try to imagine all the things in life that I *learned* that soothe me. Knitting, gardening, snowboarding...all of these I never knew aout, then I discovered them and they gave me joy/peace/something to do. So I guess I hope that with the vacancy food leaves, it can be replaced with something, or many things, that are also soothing. I'm nervous about it too! But I figure if so many foodies here on LBT have made it, we can do it too!

Just because Penni had a bad experience with specific surgeon does not mean one should assume every other surgeon in the entire country of Mexico is bad. I feel for anyone who has had a complication. But let's face it, if someone in Oregon said "oh my doctor is the worst". Would you say "Well screw Oregon, I will NEVER go there for surgery!" And that is just a state, Mexico is a huge country! Of course there are unskilled surgeons with shady ethics. You'll find that right here in the US too. I researched for literally hundreds of hours. The level of expertise and care from the top doctors in Mexico is very compelling. If you have to pay out of pocket you want the very best care your money can buy. For me, that means Mexico -- A surgeon with 10 times the experience and happy patients and at nearly half the price than my local doc.

Oh you guys that is so cool! I spoke with Kelly and she seems SO on the ball. I have a tinge of regret for not pursuing their services -- but I just couldn't take the possible 3 months wait and then another denial. Congrats you guys!!

I totally recc. trying SOY based protein powder as opposed to whey. It tastes so much better. Not bitter and chalky. Specifically, the GNC brand protein powder. It's 15$ for a pretty big canister. My only complaint is that it is a little sweet -- not fake sweet - just sweet.

Chrissie no need to beat yourself up! I think everybody feels this way. If we could just diet and say no to everything we wouldn't need to band right? After surgery you'll have some swelling and that should keep your hunger away, right? And you'll have the extra motivation of actuallu HAVING a band -- not just waiting for a band with an empty stomach. You're gonna rock!! No worries!

After two denials I decided to go to Mexico for sugery. Specifically, Dr. Ortiz. Of course he has a pre-op diet. Yep, I just HAD to pick the doc with a pre-op diet. So tonight was the Last Supper. Mexican with ice cream for dessert. I bought some protein powder from GNC and hopefully it isn't super gross. I can't believe surgery is just a little over a week away. Wow. I'm excited but scared. The life changes ahead of me are huge. But that would be true no matter which weight loss path I chose. The fact is, I have had an unhealthy relationship with food and eating and I need help to change. I just want to make it through the next 7 days without food. It is both a mental and ohysical challenge. I know I can do it!

After two denials I decided to go to Mexico for sugery. Specifically, Dr. Ortiz. Of course he has a pre-op diet. Yep, I just HAD to pick the doc with a pre-op diet. So tonight was the Last Supper. Mexican with ice cream for dessert. I bought some protein powder from GNC and hopefully it isn't super gross. I can't believe surgery is just a little over a week away. Wow. I'm excited but scared. The life changes ahead of me are huge. But that would be true no matter which weight loss path I chose. The fact is, I have had an unhealthy relationship with food and eating and I need help to change. I just want to make it through the next 7 days without food. It is both a mental and ohysical challenge. I know I can do it!

Yay! Good for you! Uneventful is a GOOD thing when it comes to surgery.

This is a topic that has been brought up many times. I think I even started a similar thread at some point! It is a very personal decision. Read all about it and think long and hard. In some ways it is a huge releif for people to have that restricted intake. The flipside is that you can suffer the consequences of restrcition with spitting up your food or having pain in your chest. You just have to gather info and ask yourself if it is right for you. Can you diet and maintain your weight on your own? Or will this tool help you KEEP off what you could never maintain? I have taken 8 months of research to get there. Here is another great thread on the subject http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15765 Good Luck!

I will be sending good vibes and prayers for you! You have been such a trooper and had a great attitude with everything you endured. I have the same band-day as you! Good luck, and see you on ColoBandsters!

Hi Vickums. I had looked into Dr. Joya, along with a bunch of other Mexican surgeons. I ultimately decided with Dr. Ortiz. Here is another thread about Dr. Joya. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20942

What kind of protein drink are you having? I need to start my pre-op in...WOW...in one more day! I haven't gotten any protein powder yet.

I've been practicing small bites this week and it is tougher that I thought! I do find that when the bite is really small it's like I can't really tatse the food fully. I will try the medium sized bite/partial swallows method.

Hey there! My stepdaughter starts her first day of high school tomorrow and it is WEEEIIIRD! Ok, so she is my STEPdaughter. But I have known and loved and cared for her since she was in 3rd grade! And here she is with boobs and MySpace and her own opinions...it is crazy how fast it goes. I am only 30 -- my husband is 37, but sometimes I feel so old with a teenager under my care. We have made our share of sacrifices for her. I think that can be hard when you are younger and you see your friends out there living it up. But watching her grow' into a woman is just as special as teaching her to ride a bike. Granted, she is FILLED with attitude most of the time. But I just feel blessed to have her in my life. I can imagine it must be hard for you right now. Hang in there! You did what you ha to do. No parent is perfect. We do our best -- and you're doing your best!