wild_in97

I have a friend that has her PhD in Natural Health. I told her about your situation and she said it sounded like one of two or three problems. In natural health the diagnosis is not the most important thing. She said it sounds like your immune system has been compromised and needs to be corrected. If you would like to call her or get more information concerning natural ways to correct this, you can send me a private message letting me know. She does not want her information to be posted on the message boards, but said it was fine if I give individuals that really want the information her phone number. I know she has been very successful in helping others with diabetes, all of the auto-immune issues, cancer, heart disease etc.........Just let me know with a private message and I will be happy to give you her info. Wild

I will be doing the Mexico trip. I hate spending the money, but just don't want to wait for insurance to consider it. I will need someone to do fills for me once I return and can be filled. I understand they want you to wait 6-8 weeks for fills. Would you ask Dr. Wilkenfeld if he will do fills for someone that has gone to Dr. Ortiz? What will it cost? I am spending all my extra money in the world on the surgery and have no idea how I am going to afford the fills. I know I will do it, but sure would appreciate knowing who can and will do the fills and the cost of it. Thanks........Wild.

What is your BMI? Do you have any comorbidities??? If not, I was told I had to gain another 10 pounds. Well, that just does not sound right. So, I decided to go to Mexico for the surgery without going through that process. I don't care to compromise my integrity to gain weight so I can get them to pay. Plus, you never know, they may say no anyhow. So my husband and I talked about it and he agreed, the way the traditional medical world and insurance takes care of business is horrible. I wish you great luck. Wild

What the heck is an apron??? Somebody, PLEEEEAAASSSE tell me!!!! Do you get an apron with the lap band, in addition to the LB, after, what. I guess I just do not comprehend this. I am scheduled in Mexico to get Banded later in July, but can not afford one surgery after another.....or is it all at the same time???? I am confused. Please, every one answer. Thanks Wild

I have several books I read at. But the one I am reading through is, Cancer is Not a Disease, by Andreas Moritz. It is fascinating. It certainly makes you stop and think........

What are you getting your Ph.D. in??? What is your dissertation concerning? How long have you been working on it. What phase are you in??? I am very interested in furthering your education. Where are you getting this degree from????? Wild

I was talking to someone the other day about when I got in the habit of eating a lot. I have never been one to love to eat breakfast. So, growing up, I would not eat much of anything, if anything at all before school. It made me feel like I was going to throw up the first couple of hours. Then, our school lunches when I was growing up was horrible. I would eat the roll and throw most of the rest of it away. School was always hard for me. I had a hard time concentrating, I could not read well, especially out loud, and I was always afraid the teachers were going to compare me with my sisters. So, when I got home in the afternoon, I hit the house hungry and relieved from all of that pressure and anxiety. I would eat a huge amount of food. Mother was always running her own business, and she would tell me to get whatever I wanted. I would always eat at least one sandwich, coke, cupcakes and maybe a few kitchen sinks. Days that I had felt humiliated for one reason or the other, it was always worse. So now, when is my hungry time of the day. It hits around 3-4:30. And it is almost like a release of intense anxiety. I can feel it when I come home. And yes, Jack, it is comforting to be home and to eat at home away from the rest of the world. And you are right, because of my weight now, I still deal with the humiliation of others and feeling much worse about myself. Anyhow, just thought I would share how I got in the BAD habits that led me to this message board. Thanks. Wild.

It seems that most of us overweight seems to have some real serious underlying issues as to why we are over weight. I have underlying issues as to why I am overweight and as to why I want to lose the weight. To read some of your posts, I admire the honesty you share your lives to us. It seems that I have always hid my feelings to spare others feelings. I have hid my feelings to not let others know they have hurt me, scared they will only find that they can hurt me more and more. My husband is the only person in the world I share all my feelings with.........but even with him, I have never told him my weight. It is something I can not hide from anyone, but it is not something I want to admit my exact weight to anyone. I weigh 232 and am embarrassed and totally ashamed of it. I have two sisters that are thin and beautiful, and they have hurt me so much that it is hard for me to ever get around them at all. I think I have decided to go to Mexico to get this band. But I am so scared that I will be one of those that will lose a little, and stop. I do not want to waste my husbands good money to do something so selfish as to get this surgery and it not work. For all of you that have gone to Mexico for your banding, can you send me some good report as well as those that may not be so good. I want to hear it all. Please let me know all of it. Wild..........If you knew me, the name Wild does not describe me. I am very quiet and very self reserved. I am almost an introvert.

Hi, I read the co-morbidities that you listed above for the insurance to complete this LB procedure. I like to keep a sharp vocabulary, especially when it comes to medical terms. Here it goes: <form action="/script/main/search.asp?" method="post"></form> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="center" background="/images/bkgd_search.gif" height="44" valign="top"> [/url] </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> Definition of Pickwickian syndrome Pickwickian syndrome: The combination of obesity, somnolence (sleepiness), hypoventilation (underbreathing), and plethoric (red) face. The syndrome is so named because of the "fat and red-faced boy in a state of somnolency" that Charles Dickens described in his novel, The Pickwick Papers. (The same boy is thought by some experts possibly to have had the Prader-Willi syndrome). </td></tr></tbody></table> and the other one I looked up was this: Signs and Symptoms Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is encountered most frequently in young, overweight women between the ages of 20 and 45. Headache is the most common presenting complaint, occurring in more than 90 percent of cases. Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting may also be encountered, but typically there are no alterations of consciousness or higher cognitive function. Tinnitus, or a "rushing" sound in the ears, is another frequent complaint. Visual symptoms are present in up to 70 percent of all patients with PTC, and include transient visual obscurations, general blurriness, and intermittent horizontal diplopia. These symptoms tend to worsen in association with Valsalva maneuvers and changes in posture. Reports of ocular pain, particularly with extreme eye movements, have also been noted. We need to know what those doctors are talking about when we go in to talk with them. Wild

Hi, I am considering Mexico too. I have talked with Carolyn at least twice since the doctors office told me I would have to gain 10 pounds for my insurance to cover me. Can you tell me more about the Mexico trip? We weigh very close to our start out weight. I am 232 and very healthy. I don't want to wait until I have heart disease or until I can not walk because of knees and hips. I am still extremely active and love life......except I hate being fat. It is beginning to depress me. Is that a co-morbidity????? Anyhow, I need to know more about the Mexico trip. I have all the forms. I just have not filled anything out or paid anything, because there is a little voice saying, "wait, wait, wait." But I wish I had done this 6 months ago. Share your experience with me.....please. Wild

Hey, do you mind me asking what your health conditions are? I have UHC and when I called the doctors offices they said I would have to have two weight related health problems and/or be 100 + pounds overweight. They told me I would actually need to gain 10 more pounds for me to NOT have the health issues. Would you mind keeping me up on your situation. I did not think it sounded right to purposely gain 10 pounds to have a surgery. So, I am now looking at the Mexico cheaper route. Please let me know what your health care says and what doctor you are going to. Thanks Wild

I am cruising these message boards trying to figure out for sure if I am going to put out all this money. This group makes me wonder if it will be worth it at all. I am the kind that gains weight when I go on fasts, so the idea of doing this really scares me. Last August I went on a juice fast. I drank two glasses of vegetable juice like V8 or tomato juice and two glasses of fruit juice a day. I did this for 9 days. Then, for the next week or two I would drink 3-4 juices a day and eat a garden salad and have a cup of tomato basil Soup with low fat milk in it. That was all.........I gained 10 pounds with this!!!!!!! I know if I could have fasted for 30-40 days, I could have changed my metabolism and would have begun to lose the weight............but the above was all I could do. Now, I have a personal question, for those of you that have lost lots of weight, do you have a lot of sagging skin, wrinkles etc.....when you lose??? This concerns me very much. I need to lose 80-95 pounds depending on which chart you are looking at. I weigh right at 232 and want to weigh between 135-150. I know I look and feel good there. But if I am more embarrassed about lose skin at 135 than my fat at 232, should I do the lap band. Also, how many people never have any problems with them whatsoever? How many say that they never have to go back for any kind of removal or procedure to correct slippage???? OK, I have worn you guys out. Can you answer my questions???? Pleeeaasseee!!!!!! Wild!!!!!

Well, it cost over $300 for a round trip airline ticket to San Diego. So a free fill would not be possible. However, they told me about a line of businesses opening up throughout the country called "Fill center USA." I am not sure, but something I saw or read on it makes me think they are all owned or at least partially owned by Dr. Ortiz. I need to go back to their website and make sure of what I saw or read that made me think that........but I would think if they are free in Tj, they should be free if he has offices throughout the u.s.a. Right????? I need some encouragment right now, because some of the posts I have read recently makes it seem like this is similar to just another diet fad. I can not afford to spend $9000 on a diet fad. It will be worth the money if I lose 60-80 pounds, but if I lose 5-10, I will be devestated. Absolutely crushed!!!!! Wild_in97

Thanks so much for sharing that with me. I was going to try to get the insurance companies to pay for mine, but just reading about it, I decided to just do it in Mexico. I am talking with Dr. Ortiz's office. I truly can not afford to do this even once..............I surely can not afford to do 2-3-4 surgeries. How much does it cost you to get filled? They told me of a place in TX I can get filled the first time for $299 and $155 after that. I thought that was a high price for a little bit of saline. Anyhow, getting over the money part is really hard for me. It is very hard to spend this money on myself. I am really in very good health. I thank the Lord for that and would like to keep my good health.

I am reading and try to learn about this. I am only considering getting banded. Why would it be 8 months after your surgery and you have had no fills yet??? I thought they ask you to wait 6-8 weeks, so why 8+ months? This seems like a strange thing. You spend $8,000-$20,000 to get banded, then you don't get a fill and you lose weight that slow. What is different about you than the others that get their fills in a few weeks.......... I don't mean to sound dumb, but I guess I am. I am trying to find out all of the good, the bad and the ugly of getting banded. Paying all of that money for the band and not getting any fills and losing only 30 pounds in 8 months is definitely the ugly of this. Please explain this to me. Who banded you and why won't they fill you? This is just down right discouraging. It is going to take a lot of sacrifice for me to get banded...................... wild_97

On your message, it showed you were banded in 2004 and unbanded in 2004. What was the deal.........why????? I am not banded yet and if I do get banded, I certainly could not afford to go through 2 or 3 surgeries. So what happened and why???? Thanks

Yes vicki, I am there. My husband and I use to have an extremely active sex life. But just recently, I think the feeling of being overweight has just ruined it for us. He has been my one and only and out of 30 years of marriage, we have had 29.5 years of good sex, but just recently I have started shying away from it. He thinks something is wrong with him. But I promise you, there is nothing wrong with him.............he is 6'2'' and 195. He is adorable, outgoing and just as good as gold. I know he loves me, but I just do not feel like a sexual being any longer. I try to explain to him that it is all me and not him, but he takes it as rejecting him. Yes, I am tired of squeezing into places I probably should not be, as well as places I really don't fit any more. I have to go interview in the next few weeks, and I just hate trying to sell myself when I hate myself. Thanks for sharing..............I am not banded yet, but seriously considering it. God bless

I told you I travel often. I will be going to Spokane this next trip. That is in Washington state and it the state is not that big............so I guess I will be fairly close to your doctor. How long does it take to get in to see him??? How long will it take to see if insurance pays anything???? Well, it probably can not be done in that trip, but I do travel in that direction often. We have a home in Northern Idaho.............I love the GREAT Northwest. God bless

Lisa, who is your doctor? Where is he? I want one that will take every precaution possible. Thanks for your response. It makes some sense. I am just now in the research phase of this possibility. Tell me as much about your doctor as possible. I don't mind going out of my geographical location for a good doctor. Heck I just got back from a 2600 mile trip and will be taking two more trips similar in distance within the next few weeks. So, I don't mind traveling at all for the "right" doc. Thanks

Did you really read what I wrote? Because you did not answer my question. I am not even banded yet............ Thanks..........

Why don't the surgeons anchor the band to prevent common slippage. I have read that many times when the band slips, they go back in and anchor it, so why don't they do that the first time? It seems it would save a lot of pain, and money for those paying for the surgery. Can and will you answer this question? I am not banded yet and the reason is the money involved and the possibility of a second and third surgery due to slippage. I am not sure the insurance will pay for it. I am fairly healthy though I am overweight. The woman answering my questions at one doctors office said I needed to gain 10 more pounds if I don't have at least two serious health problems due to my obesity. Do I really want two serious health problems on my record for insurance purposes? Will they consider health issues in the family? My mother had diabetes II and heart disease.......but I don't yet. They are getting ready to grade us for health insurance just like they do for car insurance. I know my weight will be a factor in that grading.......... I can not afford a slippage for any reason if I get this surgery. Even if insurance pays for the majority of it, I can not miss that much work. Can they anchor the band the first time? What can I do to make sure they do this? Why don't they automatically do this? Thanks

Well, I am still in the decision mode. I can not bring myself to spend that kind of money..........or should I say put us in more debt for something that has a chance of being a total failure. I can not find anyone that will guarantee you lose, I am not sure my insurance will pay and I feel so totally alone in this. My husband of 30 years has never ever had a weight problem. He tries to understand, but just does not. He eats whatever he wants and as much as he wants and just never gains weight. He knows and sees me struggle with this and tries to be very sympathetic. He has told me to do the surgery, even if we have to go into more debt, but I am really struggling with this decision. I do not feel comfortable around people any more and I am so very embarrassed that I am going to run into my old friends. I have always struggled with weight problems, but it seems things are just out of hand. I just feel so guilty. I am scared to go to Mexico for the surgery, and hate to spend twice the money in the states. Then, I read about others that have to have a second or third surgery because of slippage. You would think the doctors would anchor the band while they were in there the first time. Anyhow, you guys give me some feedback if you can identify with where I am. I am not comfortable with my life right now........and all of it is due to my weight of 232. I am miserable. I really feel bad because my husband is really good looking and such a great guy. I feel like when people meet us, they wonder why he stays with someone like me. Am I just rambling and making no sense whatsoever???? I will shush now.

Hi, I have several questions for you. I really hope you don't mind. I have recently joined this group and need some questions answered. I noticed your BMI was only 35-36. Are you paying for this surgery out of your own pocket? Did you attempt to get your insurance to help you and got no assistance? Do you mind telling me how much this is costing you? Maybe you are just independently wealthy and money is not an issue at all. I have been looking at the prices of this surgery here in the U.S. and it is anywhere between $15,000 - $22,000. That is a lot of money to me!!!! Maybe I am looking at this all wrong, but the thought of spending that kind of money on myself makes me feel so guilty. Does anyone else here have any similar feelings? I have not even gone to a medical doctor for this procedure, because of this total feeling of guilt and lonliness in this entire matter. You ladies seem to be able to express yourself better than I do concerning this matter. I am just totally depressed and anxious about the entire ordeal........Please address some of these feelings and concerns. :help::help:

What is Apron surgery??? Does everyone have to do this in two stages? Are you concerned about doing this with Drs. from Mexico??? How much will these two procedures cost you? Do you mind me asking all of these questions. I have just started considering this and am scared of wasting my money and scared of hurting my health. Why do you feel confident in the MX doctors? Please, I am so new at this and have many concerns and questions. I don't mean to be nosey, just trying to get some answers to some difficult questions. I don't even know what questions I should be asking. How long does it take once you decide you are going to MX for the surgery for them to do the surgery??? Sorry for so many questions. Wild_in97

Thanks for the info..........I feel I am desperate for a information. The range of cost on this is huge and I feel I am in this all alone. Thanks