Camel_Cracker

My insurance wouldn't cover ANYTHING, so I was self-pay. I would take that test a hundred times over if it meant saving the huge monthly payment that I shell out. :redface: I hope everything goes well with your test.

Amen... I only told my best friend at work (my instructional assistant) and the school nurse (just in case) and my secretis safe with them. When they comment on my weight loss, I smile, thank them and don't offer any explanations. If they insist, I tell them that I have cut down my carb intake, increased my protein intake and am working out at Curves. No lies

I stayed overnight in the hospital after my surgery because it was in Mexico as a self-pay, but probably could have gone straight back to my hotel. The advantage for me was that nurses came in every hour and doped me up via IV :thumbup:.... or was that anti-nausea meds? All I know was that after they injected it, I slept easily

Please see ticker.... sigh.. I will try harder :wink_smile:

I think today's the 13,... I was probably being stitched up this time 3 months ago, Friday the 13th. I wish I could brag about all of my weight loss, but unfortunately I have not followed the exercise or diet plan, and have only lost 5-6 pounds post-op, plus 20 preop. As I mentioned in another post, I have rejoined WW on the COR plan, and have gone back to Curves to work out for the 3rd time since surgery. I owe it to myself to make this work.... ::wink_smile:: Congratulations to all of you for your success!

I was banded 6/13 and have had 2 fills now, the first was 5 cc one month post-op, the second was 2 more cc 2 weeks ago. I am now with great restriction at 7cc. I was PBing almost every time I ate because I was eating fast, too many big bites and choosing the wrong foods. I haven't PBed in a few days since I went back to Weight Watchers on the COR plan. I guess I need more accountability and I always felt that at WW.

Gooooood! I wish I hadn't read this thread. I was banded June 13th after losing over 20 lb on a 2 week preop diet. Since then I have only lost about 5-6 pounds. I went back for my 2nd fill 2 weeks ago and now hvae 7cc's. I will be brutally honest (please dont criticize me)... I have found easy foods to eat- crunchy tacos, nachos and while I dont eat them every day, I will say it's about 4 times a week. Thursday I snapped out of it and re-joined Weight Watchers on the COR plan. Friday afternoon I went back to Curves and did my 30 minute work out and I feel so proud of myself. I guess I thought that the band would stop me from eating, but it is all in my control. I am very happy with my latest fill, as it has become very difficult to eat bread and pork :wink_smile: So... my plan is: -No more fast food.... period -No drinking with food... have been good for a week now -Will go to Curves M-F, no matter how tired I am -Will suck it up and spend more time reading posts on LBT (have avoided for almost 2 months)

4 of us DFW bandsters should carpool and share cost of hotel and just get filled across the border :wink2:) I went for my first fill in Eagle Pass with my surgeon this month and had an AWESOME experience. He used fluroscopy, numbing the port area before the fill. It was awesome to see my port and stomach on the monitor....I saw my guts!

I had my surgery June 13th and my first fill July 19th, this past Saturday. I was hungry often, not losing weight and not feeling any restriction at all. Because I was banded in Mexico, local doctors are either unwilling to touch me or want me to wait 3 months, and pay nearly $400 for a fill... eff that! So, I drove back down to the border for my $100 fluroscopic fill. My doctor weighed me then had me stand between two circular arms on the endoscopy machine. He showed me my port, band and stomach on the monitor of the endoscopy machine, then injected my port region with lidocane, which was just a very slight stick. He gave it a few seconds to take effect, then filled the looooooooong needle with saline fluid from a glass bottle. I felt only a pulling sensation as the needle pierced my skin and popped into my port. It felt cool. . Then he had me drink a sip of barium (pink chalky water) and we watched the monitor as the dark fluid quickly slid down my stomach. The doctor injected some fluid into my band and had me take another sip of fluid. It was still flowing quickly into my stomach, past the band, so he repeated the step two more times until the fluid slowed down when it passed the band. Even though I was filled with 5cc, (9cc band) it was not an aggressive fill. I am 3 days out now and able to eat with no problem, but am going slower than normal and chewing well just in case. I am eating about 70% of what I was eating before the first fill, I'mnot sure if it's the fill working or my mind slowing me down and stopping me from stuffing.

Wow, thank you so much! Do you know if the first visit costs more than subsequent visits? I may just drive back to Mexico because I dont want to wait 3 months for my first fill. I have felt healed since the day of surgery.

My surgeon said it was ok to swim 2 weeks post op. My steristrips started falling off after 4 days and were totally off within 6 days. I think it's because I was sweating and walking a lot (TEXAS weather). They got itchy after a couple of days and my cuts were healed very quickly. Don't make the mistake of using Maderma too soon because it burns.

Wow... I called Dr. Maese and was told that because I had my band done in Mexico that I would have to wait 3 months to visit him, then my first appointment would be 375, 200 for subsequent fills.... grrrrr!!!!

This is 2 weeks late, but better late than never. I was banded by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico on Friday June 13th, 2008. This is the review I wrote for him, don't feel like retyping. Reading another positive review for Dr. Alvarez may seem redundant, but my was outstanding. Having found Dr. Alvarez online I was a little nervous, full of many "what if?" questions which were promptly answered by Susan and former patients. I was on a 2 week clear fluids diet, which helped me lose quite a bit of weight before surgery and I believe that prepared me mentally for the weeks following surgery. Honestly the worst part of my experience was the 7 hour drive from the Dallas area to Eagle Pass, but hey, anything to save money. When my husband and I arrived in Eagle Pass, we checked into the Holiday Inn Express, which was MUCH nicer than I'd expected. It was very clean and comfortable. I called the front office and was told that Rosie would pick me up at 8:15 the following morning. Of course I woke up hours earlier, like a kid excited about the first day of school. There was no line at the bridge and the drive to the clinic was very short. In the reception area, I sat with my husband, Rosie and Terry, another patient. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales came in and shook our hands, and my husband and I went in to Dr. Alvarez's office. There I was weighed and given the opportunity to clear up questions (I actually didn't have many). I was shown the Inamed and J&J band and went with J&J. It was cool to touch something that I will hopefully have inside me the rest of my life. After Terry's consultation, we were taken into the hospital and shown to our rooms. My surgery was to be 2nd. The hotel was what I expected and despite what I've read in other reviews, I didn't smell anything strange for a hospital. My room had two beds, a couch, TV, a computer with internet and access to a free phone to call the states. The bathroom was great, all ceramic tiles, a raised toilet and a shower. I was taken by a friendly nurse, can't remember her name since I waited 2 weeks to review, to get my blood drawn and to have chest x-rays. After returning to the room three nurses came in to help me change to my sexy hospital gown which was too small to cover my butt and to put an IV in my hand. They first tried to poke near my wrist near the thumb, but my vein was rolling. I got poked about 6 times on the wrist, then a different nurse poked me on the top of my hand and the needle went in fine. That was honestly the only pain I've felt before or since surgery. It wasn't excrutiating, but felt like being stung by bees over and over until it was in. I was connected to an IV drip and the nurses left. The reality of what was about to happen hit and I felt a little scared and emotional, my husband came over and I squeaked out about 10 tears, then with that out of my system, I started laughing and felt excited again. Several minutes later the nurses returned with a doctor in blue scrubs.. the anesthesiologist? I can't remember. I remember rambling nonsense in Spanish, anesthesia being put into my IV, struggling to heave myself onto another gurney in a drugged up state, then waking up post-op with 2 friends looking at me. They had driven 6 hours to come see how I was. I asked my husband when I had been put under because I really didn't remember anything. He said that he thought I was nervous and passed out because I was talking, then my eyes rolled back in my head ). I don't know what that drug was, but it was goooooooood. So back to post op because I have no clue what happened during surgery. I woke up about an hour after surgery, took off my oxygen mask, stayed awake for 5 minutes talking to hubby and friends, got up to pee, laid down and went to sleep for an hour.... that was my pattern for about 10 hours. I slept for several hours during the night and couldn't believe that I was sleeping on my back. I know nurses came in every so often to inject me in the IV.... blood thinners, antibiotics, pain meds? Whatever it was, I NEVER felt any pain. I took several walks in the hall, stopped to talk to Terry and met another lady who had had the Sleeve operation. She was frustrated because she was unable to communicate with the night nurses who speak Spanish. I told then what she wanted and went back to sleep. I felt pressure, like something was different inside and it felt weird cough but I honestly never had pain. My throat felt like I had swallowed a piece of sand paper, I think that was from the breathing tubes during surgery. The next morning I had ice chips, then later an apple flavored Jumex and grape Jello. Dr. Alvarez came in to check on me and Dr. Rosales stayed to explain post-op instructions. I was given the box that my band came in which had my pain meds and antibiotic inside. The antibiotic tasted like @$$. But I never gagged, so I guess it was palatable and most importantly I didn't get an infection, so kudos. The pain meds made me a little sleepy and I actually took naps in the afternoon while I was on it. So after the explanations, we hugged the doctors, and were asked to stay in touch. We got back in the big white minivan (with a picture of a woman pinching her rolls) and headed back across the border. The line at the bridge wasn't bad, but because my husband is a citizen of a blacklisted country, we were detained until the migra could run his passport. After that we were returned to the hotel, where we chose to stay an extra day, not thinking I would feel up to riding in the car for 7+ hours. I rested for a while, and my friends came over to say hi. We decided to go shopping, and I actually felt great to walk around. I still felt no pain. The next morning my husband and I drove home to Dallas, and stopped to shop in San Marcos for 3 hours. Because of the pain meds I felt no pain in my back as I had on the way down and decided to drive the final 2 hours on the way home. I turned the air vents away from my face to avoid the weird-feeling coughs, but again felt great. During the night I ended up sleeping on my stomach, but I didn't feel uncomfortable. The steristrips fell off within 4-5 days and my scars are very small and cute. I am now 2 weeks out. The week I couldn't eat much jello or drink much before I felt full but the swelling has gone down and I can't wait for an adjustment. This was supposed to be a review of the surgeon, but I wrote my entire experience. If you've read this far, I highly recommend that you talk with other patients of Dr. A and give Susan, the patient coordinator a call. I love my band!

This is 2 weeks late, but better late than never. I was banded by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico on Friday June 13th, 2008. This is the review I wrote for him, don't feel like retyping. Reading another positive review for Dr. Alvarez may seem redundant, but my was outstanding. Having found Dr. Alvarez online I was a little nervous, full of many "what if?" questions which were promptly answered by Susan and former patients. I was on a 2 week clear fluids diet, which helped me lose quite a bit of weight before surgery and I believe that prepared me mentally for the weeks following surgery. Honestly the worst part of my experience was the 7 hour drive from the Dallas area to Eagle Pass, but hey, anything to save money. When my husband and I arrived in Eagle Pass, we checked into the Holiday Inn Express, which was MUCH nicer than I'd expected. It was very clean and comfortable. I called the front office and was told that Rosie would pick me up at 8:15 the following morning. Of course I woke up hours earlier, like a kid excited about the first day of school. There was no line at the bridge and the drive to the clinic was very short. In the reception area, I sat with my husband, Rosie and Terry, another patient. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales came in and shook our hands, and my husband and I went in to Dr. Alvarez's office. There I was weighed and given the opportunity to clear up questions (I actually didn't have many). I was shown the Inamed and J&J band and went with J&J. It was cool to touch something that I will hopefully have inside me the rest of my life. After Terry's consultation, we were taken into the hospital and shown to our rooms. My surgery was to be 2nd. The hotel was what I expected and despite what I've read in other reviews, I didn't smell anything strange for a hospital. My room had two beds, a couch, TV, a computer with internet and access to a free phone to call the states. The bathroom was great, all ceramic tiles, a raised toilet and a shower. I was taken by a friendly nurse, can't remember her name since I waited 2 weeks to review, to get my blood drawn and to have chest x-rays. After returning to the room three nurses came in to help me change to my sexy hospital gown which was too small to cover my butt and to put an IV in my hand. They first tried to poke near my wrist near the thumb, but my vein was rolling. I got poked about 6 times on the wrist, then a different nurse poked me on the top of my hand and the needle went in fine. That was honestly the only pain I've felt before or since surgery. It wasn't excrutiating, but felt like being stung by bees over and over until it was in. I was connected to an IV drip and the nurses left. The reality of what was about to happen hit and I felt a little scared and emotional, my husband came over and I squeaked out about 10 tears, then with that out of my system, I started laughing and felt excited again. Several minutes later the nurses returned with a doctor in blue scrubs.. the anesthesiologist? I can't remember. I remember rambling nonsense in Spanish, anesthesia being put into my IV, struggling to heave myself onto another gurney in a drugged up state, then waking up post-op with 2 friends looking at me. They had driven 6 hours to come see how I was. I asked my husband when I had been put under because I really didn't remember anything. He said that he thought I was nervous and passed out because I was talking, then my eyes rolled back in my head :cool2:). I don't know what that drug was, but it was goooooooood. So back to post op because I have no clue what happened during surgery. I woke up about an hour after surgery, took off my oxygen mask, stayed awake for 5 minutes talking to hubby and friends, got up to pee, laid down and went to sleep for an hour.... that was my pattern for about 10 hours. I slept for several hours during the night and couldn't believe that I was sleeping on my back. I know nurses came in every so often to inject me in the IV.... blood thinners, antibiotics, pain meds? Whatever it was, I NEVER felt any pain. I took several walks in the hall, stopped to talk to Terry and met another lady who had had the Sleeve operation. She was frustrated because she was unable to communicate with the night nurses who speak Spanish. I told then what she wanted and went back to sleep. I felt pressure, like something was different inside and it felt weird cough but I honestly never had pain. My throat felt like I had swallowed a piece of sand paper, I think that was from the breathing tubes during surgery. The next morning I had ice chips, then later an apple flavored Jumex and grape Jello. Dr. Alvarez came in to check on me and Dr. Rosales stayed to explain post-op instructions. I was given the box that my band came in which had my pain meds and antibiotic inside. The antibiotic tasted like @$$. But I never gagged, so I guess it was palatable and most importantly I didn't get an infection, so kudos. The pain meds made me a little sleepy and I actually took naps in the afternoon while I was on it. So after the explanations, we hugged the doctors, and were asked to stay in touch. We got back in the big white minivan (with a picture of a woman pinching her rolls) and headed back across the border. The line at the bridge wasn't bad, but because my husband is a citizen of a blacklisted country, we were detained until the migra could run his passport. After that we were returned to the hotel, where we chose to stay an extra day, not thinking I would feel up to riding in the car for 7+ hours. I rested for a while, and my friends came over to say hi. We decided to go shopping, and I actually felt great to walk around. I still felt no pain. The next morning my husband and I drove home to Dallas, and stopped to shop in San Marcos for 3 hours. Because of the pain meds I felt no pain in my back as I had on the way down and decided to drive the final 2 hours on the way home. I turned the air vents away from my face to avoid the weird-feeling coughs, but again felt great. During the night I ended up sleeping on my stomach, but I didn't feel uncomfortable. The steristrips fell off within 4-5 days and my scars are very small and cute. I am now 2 weeks out. The week I couldn't eat much jello or drink much before I felt full but the swelling has gone down and I can't wait for an adjustment. This was supposed to be a review of the surgeon, but I wrote my entire experience. If you've read this far, I highly recommend that you talk with other patients of Dr. A and give Susan, the patient coordinator a call. I love my band!

So excited I could cry!!! Just ended my 3 weeks of clear liquid diet (2 weeks pre-op, 1 week post-op) and I'm down 29 pounds!!!!!!! That's more than a pound a day!!! I can't wait to start eating creamed soups today!!

I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience :rolleyes2: Hug

:scared2:STAPLES? WTF?!?!?!?!?!

After being repeatedly denied with my UHC insurance (BMI was 50 and hypertension) I caved in and selfpayed in Mexico.

The port scar is actually the bottom middle one. I only have 4 cuts!!!!

Want to trade? You saw how the strawberry flavor made me gag )

So this is the day after my surgery and I have no bruising. The yellow stuff on my skin is sticky iodine for surgery prep. I think my scars are going to heal really well. The doctor said I can start using maderma in 15 days.

My drive would have been 7 hours without traffic, but ended up being 11 hours with all of the traffic and side stops for shopping, walking and picture taking. I got sick of just sitting there, and demanded that my husband pull over the car. I drove the last 2 hours home and was more comfortable driving because I could predict all movements and adjust my body to prevent discomfort. If you aren't sleepy from the pain pills you should be ok.

They upgraded our tags to store information when we travel from enter to center, but the places I've visited only have only 8 machines. I took a sheet to my surgeon detailing all of the machines with pictures and he checked off the ones I can use.

My doctor said 2 weeks, but I'm not sure I'll risk it. I haven't seen my cuts yet becuse they're covered with guaze.

YAY for us! I was banded at 1pm yesterday. I'm in Mexico and have stayed the night in the hospital. The only pain I have had is from the insertion of the IV (apparently my veins were rolling around and not letting the nurses stick me). As far as the lap band cuts, the only thing I feel is a little pressure maybe from the liver holder or from the port site, but I'll take pressure over pain anyday. I hope I'll be sent home with some pills, yeah baby. In the 3-4 days before my surgery I was nervous that my allergy cold was going to delay me, but the dr. said to take claritin, and it worked.