msbrookins

Okay...I'm really bad, but I do every day..no matter how much or little I eat. The funny thing is that I'm not uncomfortable at all, I just can't keep anything down.

This is a picture of my horse and I, a couple of months back..right before she passed. We were able to get in one last feaux-fox hunt.

Just some random pictures....

<p>I was banded on August 1st...down 40#s.....</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p></p>[/img]

Hey Everyone,

I'm now back home from being banded by Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey! I have to say, I don't know if I can handle the week of broth....I've already slipped and had oatmeal! =) I figure this, as long as I can suck it down and it's soft to watery...I'm going to eat it! I didn't get fat by eating broth and it's hard to just stop food to go to broth for a week!-Just my opinion. As far as pain, I have some port pain, luckly no gas pain, and slight bruising. Already, I'm down 10lbs from being banded on the 1st and I'm looking forward to what the future holds!

Good luck to eveyone who has yet to pass over...it's a mind blowing experience to know that you're actually going to loose weight!

Courtney

Okay, now that I'm here..I can say that from the time you step off the plane, you'll feel like family! It's hot, the room is nice (jetted tub), wonderful chinese down the street, and alma won't leave you alone until you leave-she's soo cute!

I'll tell you more tomorrow!

Tomorrow's the day. I just foiund out I have to be at the hospital by 8am and the surgery's at 10:30am. I'm so glad it's finally here so I can be glad it's over and all went well.

I didn't have to follow a pre-op diet/lose weight before surgery But I am on only clear liquids today. I have to do clear liquids for only one day after surgery then directly to thin purees.

Please keep me in your positive thoughts tomorrow at 10. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Kmwwmk...I'm on the same boat as you! I'm now down in Monterray, MX to be banded by Dr. Sanchez at 10A tomorrow morning. My last meal...a little bit of chinese food, I wasn't hungry at all...more tired!

Thankfully, the hospital has wireless in the rooms; so, I'm sure I'll be on later on tomorrow...after the drugs wear off!

Good Luck to all, especially Kmwwmk!

Gonna..(maybe you can post your real name if you're comfortable), I'm off to be banded by Dr. Sanchez this Monday! I stay in Seattle, WA, so I opted for the diamond package since it includes my airfare for the surgery and the follow-up. I feel you on the financial issue...I plan on taking another job to make sure that surgery loan bill is paid. I will have to side with Funny and Sherri...not only did I do my research on him and it proved positive, but everyone that has been banded by him has all good things to say about the experience.

Good luck and keep up posted.

Well, now that I've learned how to post pictures..I think I'll become a picture bandit! My surgery date is set for August 1st with Dr. Sanchez in Mexico..I head out of Seattle on the 31st!

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I took these pictures about 15 minutes ago in the bathroom at work!

Thank you PhotoNut,

What about when you'd like to post in your journal...all I see is the add image and you need a URL for that.....

Yeah...I did it!!!!! I feel soo special right now, and yet soo elementary!

Thank you PhotoNut

Thank you PhotoNut,

What about when you'd like to post in your journal...all I see is the add image and you need a URL for that.....

Okay, I'm sure that this question has been asked a million times;however, I'm not able to find the thread that addresses it...so, here's the million and one time...

How do I post pictures on here? I have pictures that are on my computer, but I don't know how to post them on LBT...

Can anyone of you picture posting geru's tell me how you do it???

Thank you.

OMG...I'm now down to one week before heading off to be banded!!! I'm now over the last supper syndrome and my nerves are kicking in so much that my appetite is now gone!!!! I think it's time to start taking my "before" pictures so that I can marvel at my sexiness coming through!

I'm not sure if I asked, but is there anyone being banded by Dr. Sanchez around the 1st? I'll be there on the 31st and departing on the 3rd.

I applied with CapOne; however, they only finance Dr.'s that have a US medical license...just something to be aware of..they don't tell you that when you apply with them, only when you've chosen your MX doctor do they tell you that they won't finance for outside the US.

As an alternative, I went through SurgeryLoans (surgeryloans.com) and there's another called medicredit.com.

Good luck!

I just applied for CapOne and they have Dr. Ortiz (from Mexico) on their list with a California address. Looks like maybe they found a loophole or something with a California office. I have to wait to confirm tomorrow, but I think Dr. Ortiz can receive CapOne payments. Does anyone else know about this?

My credit isn't the greatest and the 1.9% is only for the short term financing (no more than 24 months I think) and I wanted longer term. My rate isn't good but I expected that - payments about $240 and I can always pay it off early to aviod those interest charges

Hi Bird, they do have Dr. Ortiz in their system; however, they will verify his US Medical license..which he doesn't have. Even though he's in the system as California, which I think was my doing when I was trying to rig up financing, the fact of the matter is that their Dr.'s have to have a US medical license and Dr. Ortiz doesn't. If you want Dr. Ortiz, go through SurgeryLoans.com....the will provide you the flexibility to search for Dr.'s in Mexico and allow you to make a well informed, not as expensive as the US, decision. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to talk further....

Good Luck!

Thanks Everyone,

I just wanted to make sure that what I was told is what should happen. I still don't get the BMI issue since some with lower BMI's have had to do the pre-op diet. I think I'll just do liquids the day before, which I'm sure won't be a problem since I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck.

I just wanted to gauge how many of you had to do the pre-op diet before surgery and those that didn't. I was told yesterday, by my surgery consultant, that since my BMI was 45..I didn't have to worry about the pre-op diet..

Does that sound right to you?:help:

I need to make sure that this sounds right...has your doctor told you that you don't need to do a pre-op diet? Mine has and the reason was because my BMI was 45..not sure if that was good or bad.

Well...it's now official, they have purchased my ticket and I'm on my way on the 31st of July, banded on the 1st of August with Dr. Sanchez! :clap2:

FD...you had yours yesterday...how are you doing!!!! Tell me EVERYTHING....hopefully all went well and you're in good health.

I'm heading off to Monterrey on the 31st for banding on the 1st with Dr. Sanchez...YEAH!

The only bummer is that the financials took so long to get sorted out that I can't afford to have a companion! I have over 100k award miles with Alaska and can't use a single one since the award travel during that time is sold out...DAYUM! Have any of you went through the procedure alone? I'm really nervous since I'm leaving Washington state to head all the way south to Mexico...my boyfriend keeps on saying that I'm going to come home missing an organ! =)

Well,

It seems as though everyone's hopes and dreams are coming together, I'm happy for YOU ALL......

Me, I'm just peachy...I just got my plane ticket for my surgery with Dr. Sanchez (Monterrey, MX) on the 1st and it's now setting in that I'm actually going to get this done. The only thing is that it took soo long to get all the financials taken care of that I can't afford to have anyone travel with me...my award travel is all booked up...DAYUM! So, I'm excited and bummed at the same time since I have to travel by myself!

Good luck everyone!

I am going to be banded Aug. 1!! It's also my birthday! I figure that is about the safest day you can have surgery. lol

I'm also nervous but very, very excited. This 4th of July I sat on the sidelines at a BBQ watching everyone else play badminton and baseball. I vowed never to sit on the sidelines again. This surgery cannot come soon enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Kiana38,

I'm also on the 1st but with Dr. Sanchez in Mexico...who are you going to be banded by? Right now, I'm getting the final touches together regarding my financing and travel..by the end of the week, it will be smooth sailing!

Good Luck!

Courtney

msbrookins, I searched the poster's name in that forum and found that he had been banded by Dr. Sanchez. I think a lot of times people get really cautious on boards and do the "Dr. John Doe" type thing so they don't start a chat board riot. Personally, I would way rather know what happened and be able to make my own choice than have someone try tobe poilte and not mention the doctor's name. I think Sanchez is a great choice and this is the ONLY thing I could find that was negative. Seriously, I'm a google/search freak and I have spent hours researching doctors.

PeloRojo, I'm with you on the "need to know and not hold anything back" kick...it's when you hold back information that may cause someone else to make an all informed decision.

I feel that my decision to change from Ortiz to Sanchez was a decision that I'm comfortable and happy with....I don't feel those second guessing feelings!

Hello.

I'm a self pay via SurgeryLoans. I decided to do my banding through Dr. Sanchez with the Diamond Package for $10,150 which includes my airfare for the surgery and airfare for my next follow-up/fill. My repayments will be under $300 for 60 months.

My old band was an AMI-swedish band that was installed 8/14/03 by Dr. Sanchez. After about 6 months and 4 fills I had a flouro/X-ray check which revealed a kink in the tubing. Well I suspected a leak, then confirmed it over 4 months later in mex, cause Dr. Sanchez recomended I go see him. At that visit the tubing was repaired and I was given a 7cc fill (big band), a month later my doctor (McKeen) here in Calif. did a flouro fill and that's when we saw that the repair didn't work. Back to mex I went and Dr. Sanchez decided to reband me, free (the makers of the AMI band is paying for it). I was rebanded with the 9.75 (smaller) Inamed band, big difference. I felt restriction right away. I couldn't gulp anymore either.

I'm very happy with my new band. I've only had one fill in 8/05 of 1.3cc's and still feel restriction. I'm 3lbs. from goal.

I adore Dr. Sanchez and his staff. When my band was leaking and I was crying on the phone to him and he alway told me he'd take care of me and he did.

Being that I live in California, I could have easily went to TJ and had Ortiz or Kuri band me.

Dr. Sanchez is one of the best!

Thank you Vera for sharing...and congrats on being soo close to goal. That's really comforting to hear how he reacts when there's a problem/complications.

Hi all - I'm considering the lap band down in Mexico, self pay, as I can't afford the prices here. Can you suggest any places or dr. for after care and fills. Thank you.

Lesjabe....there are a couple of Dr.s that take Mexican bandings. For the most part, the Mexican Dr. will send you a list of all US doctors that he's worked with and that will see you post-op for fills/complications. Right off the top of my head, I believe that Dr. Fox takes Mexican banding and Fill Management Northwest does as well.

I"m headed into surgery on the 1st of August with Dr. Sanchez in Monterray, Mexico.

Do you have a Dr. in mind yet?