lightnerbride

I had the same surgeon and can't remember how to spell his name either! But he was great top notch and Dr. Miguel assited him and he is just a great doc. As far as Olga I agree she has her attitude problems but I didn't need much of her help. The night nurse was the one who had to help me the most (1 time for the bathroom and 1 time for pain meds) and she was so sweet and at my every beck and call, if I even stirred in bed she was at my side to see if I needed anything. I did so well that I didn't need a bell for anything. I was up at 8am walking around, taking a shower, etc. I agree Dr. Carlos can get a bit flighty (he was late getting me to the airport for check in but there was no line and I just walked right onto my flight with no waiting) I emailed Dr. Carlos with probably 100 questions before going there and he answered every email very promptly. I also kept afirming and reaffirming all the details with him since they made up a seperate package deal for me, the mid-band, hotel, but no airfare. The Hotel Lucerna is so beautiful! As far as plastic surgery through Bajanor I have no experience except to assure anyone going that it is a seperate surgical team that comes in to do the plastic surgery. The doctor who placed my band did that as his specialty only, but my little scars healed up nicely. I'm glad that despite all my previous abdominal surgeries that they were able to do laporscopic surgery but I didn't have any liver issues (and I didn't do any pre-op diet except for the 12 hour fasting period.) Good Luck to all on your journeys!

Dr. Rumbaut is suppose to be a good one to go to. I know Dr. Zapata is like a guru, absolutely considered one of the best. Dr. Ortiz is highly regarded. It was cheaper for me to go to TJ so I picked Bajanor clinic and not including airfare it was $6,800 (I have a mid-band and love it) I was picked up by Dr. Carlos and he definetly did not expect a tip for the ride from and to the airport in San Diego. The first night I stayed in the Clinic/Hospital so no cost. The second night at beautiful Hotel Lucerna (or something like that) but the room was included in my total package. I had to tip the guy who took my bag to my room ($3 is good on average), then each time I ordered room service a tip was needed ($3 or so), my room had a coffee pot in it and 2 bottled waters complimentary which I used to make my own hot tea at night since I brought tea bags with me (soothing after surgery.) I'd also bought a couple of bottles of water when I got to the airport in San Diego and put them in my bag so I had them on hand too. I think I spent about $30 on soup, jello, beverages at the hotel. I didn't feel up to going shopping or out to do anything. I just watched TV (about 7 channels of English), slept, read, and all round took it easy.

Doesn't insurance suck! They would only cover to have mine removed not even to have it just repositioned. I ended up going to TJ, Mexico to have my second one put in. It sounds like you need to see how much the surgeon would charge you for the extra time, anesthesia, etc to just slip the new band in. The surgeon may be willing to do it if you pay for the time difference that adding a band would take. It's not only the surgeons time though, usually the surgical room, the surgical nurses, the anesthesiologist and so on. That being said I'd bring up to your surgeon that it should only take about 15 minutes to put the band on and secure the port. You'll already be preped for surgery, under anesthesia, cut open and so it's just one more small step to add in the band and then finish up just like he'd have to do anyway. It doesn't hurt to ask! Best of luck to you!

Hi, I had my second band done at Bajanor and Dr. Miguel Alessandri was one of my surgeons. If anyone ever has any questions about there feel free to contact me. I was a difficult case and they were able to place my second band laporscopically with no problems or complications. I'd already had a peniculectomy (sp?), several laporscopics for endometrosis, lap-band placed, gallbladder removed 1st attempt laporscopic 2nd open (so double the scaring), and a lap-band removal. My stomach is like all scar tissue so many doctors in TJ didn't want to even consider doing surgery laporscopic band placement on me without charging extra. At Bajanor they were only going to charge $500 more if they ended up going open which I'm happy to say they didn't have to. I feel confident recommending Bajanor but if I hadn't gone there it would have been Dr. Ortiz. His practice is well known, he's a great surgeon, a bit more modern facilities but a little more of a factory feel to it from what I've heard. Good luck to all who make this journey!

I've been banded since 2002 (had a slippage in 2005 and then rebanded in 2006) during all this time I made it clear that I was planning on having children in the future and I was told there would be no reason the band should slip during pregnancy unless you have heavy "morning" sickness that is putting a lot of pressure on the band. They recommend removing the fluid from your band during pregnancy just to reduce the chance of vomitting enough to cause it to slip and to also make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need while pregnant. I'm going to officially start trying to get pregnant this June and don't plan to do anything about my band unless I have heavy "morning" sickness.

Charissa, I'll be thinking of you and I'm sure all will go well! Are you staying at Hotel Lucerna? They've got computers just for emailing in the front lobby. Best Wishes, April

Charissa, Hope all is going well assuming today was still your surgery date. Let us know how you are doing! Best Wishes, April

One of you might consider starting a new thread that asks for Bajanor patients to respond. I know I am not the only one here that was happily banded there. You might look up my old postings and others in the archives too to help you find all the info needed. Dr. Carlos is not one of the surgeon but his brother Dr. Miguel is and he is not Inamed certified, however, Dr. Covarrubias is and if you are getting the Inamed and even if not he will most likely be your primary surgeon. Dr. Covarrubias was my primary surgeon but Dr. Miguel assisted and I got a mid-band. Good Luck to all, April

If anyone is wanting details on my experience I am still more than happy to share everything. I did great having my band replaced there despite it being my 6th abdominal surgery and I recommend Dr. Covarrubias and Bajanor Obesity Clinic. I know some people are still curious about there and my old posts I'm sure are in archives but feel free to PM me. April

Had to have mine out about three years after banding. The story is a bit scary in that it is what is most likely what lead to my band slipping, me gaining back 77lbs, having to be rebanded and still needing to lose 60lbs to get back to goal. I started having problems they associate with my gallbladder due to the weightloss. I had to have it out two days before Christmas and the normal staff surgeons in my small town where out on vacation. The fill in surgeon was suppose to be plenty qualified although he was clueless about what lap-bands were, so my mom brought in my x-rays from right after being banded that I was given for my records. Well I went into surgery, thinking it would all be done laporscopically and came out with a 5inch scar, a 10inch scar, and two different types of drainage tubings. He had trouble because I'd had previous abdominal surgery including lipo, etc and couldn't seem to handle the scar tissue and adhesions. He cut completely through my bile duct and had to sew that all back together and put in a drainage tubing like they use to do back in the 1960's! Then he went to open surgery, where I guess he had to move around my liver and some intestines during which the band must have been bumped loose of it's sutures. He removed the gallbladder, closed me up and put in the usual drainage tube. Well I had no fluid in my band (had it removed when I started feeling sick alot but wasn't sure if it was the gallbladder or something else) and I just couldn't handle much food. I got full real quick and sometimes liquid type things wouldn't sit right. I started vomiting and then almost instantly after that started I couldn't even keep fluids down some days, others I could handle little bits of water. Then it was nothing went down and I was hospitalized for dehydration and an x-ray showed that my band was resting on my esophagus and depending how it layed made a difference if I could take in fluids or not. My insurance wouldn't cover a cent if my hospitalization or anything showed my problems where bariatric related, so no hope to have it just repositioned. I had to have it removed. Then I waited to heal and knew I had to get rebanded because the weight was coming back on. I had lost 120lbs in less than a year with my first band and had maintained it for two years. I didn't want to end up back at my starting point. I was rebanded 4/3/06. I go tomorrow for my second fill. I hope the weightloss speeds up but with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Sleep Apnea, hypothyroid, etc things are more difficult this time around. Then my mother-in-law just got out of ICU yesterday from having brain surgery on 2 anuerisms and having a stroke following the procedure. She's still in the hospital and needing lots of help (hopefully going to a rehabilitation center soon) and then there is alot up in the air about her moving home alone. My father-in-law passed away four months ago. I am a big stress eater so hopefully the next fill will stop me in my tracks and the weightloss will speed up. Oh, yikes this was about gallbladders!!! April Dr. Frering 10/02 Dr. Covarrubias 4/06

Okay my ticker information is incorrect, now I've got to figure out how to change it. My starting weight is 277, I'm at 243.5, and my goal is 180. Also got to figure out how to get that other information incorporated! Thanks, April

What to see if my ticker works!

Jenn28, Thank you so much for being so motivational. I guess I have done pretty good considering my huge amounts of medical problems making washing the dishes or doing some laundry a full work out for me! I dream of being able to walk 10-15 minutes everyday until I can finally meet the goal of 30 minutes a day. The horrible thing about my medical problems is they are what are considered "Invisible diseases" I look pretty normal to everyone so they assume I must be okay. That is making my fight for SS disability all the harder. But you've given me a good reason to smile today, Thanks! April:) Oh, NewSho I so relate to the clothing issues, I love fashion even though I can't afford the designer labels I'd like to be wearing even when at goal, but at least when a size 10/12 then I can go in and find something cute that fits and looks good even at Old Navy and occasionally make it to the GAP and Macy's. It seems like when I'm so overweight the only real enjoyment I get is out of my handbags! I love my one new Juicy Couture daydreamer handbag. Then I've got two that I picked out used from ebay for Christmas and a Birthday that I love too. I'm young at heart so I love their bright colors. If I could afford it I'd get into designer sunglasses while still trying to loose weight! Great to meet everyone! I remember when the thirtysomething show was on and I was in H.S. I think? I for some reason always liked that show so the title of this thread got me interested immediately. The first time I didn't dread to have to admit I was in my 30's! I'll donate some TP for the twentysomething group TPing but not sure I have the energy to help out!!!:notagree Best Wishes to All, April (got to get my ticker going!) 298/277/243.5/180 highest/banding/now/future