christy

If you don't mind going another 2 hour east Dr. Aceves in Mexicali is WONDERFUL -- he'll actually have someone pick you up in San Diego at the airport. He offers free floroscopy fills for life (you pay the cost of the xray room.) The key to Mexico is really doing your research on your doctor -- there are bad doctors there, just as there are bad doctors here, and you don't want a bad one in either place.

I've read it here over and over again -- the band is really a tool that helps you lose weight, but losing weight is still hard work. The band is really helpful at helping you maintain the loss. If you're able to maintain without the band, then don't get it, but losing weight is no good if you just end up putting more than you started with back on!

2 weeks of clear liquids, 3 weeks of full liquids and some mushies. Then 2 weeks of solid foods before he'll do a fill.

I had my surgery Tuesday afternoon (I improve by the hour, so I think that the time is important) and I'm going to a meeting for work this evening, and I'll head into work for a few hours tomorrow. It won't be a problem -- I'm not really having pain from the incisions (haven't taken any pain killers), or any gas pains.

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you, and I hope that you decide to post the name of your doctor. I was just banded in Mexico and received all my tests, xrays, doctors notes. I was also sent home with a precautionary antibiotic. It was very professional and I felt very secure. I hope that your infection goes away soon and you can start enjoying your band experience!

Wow, Mom and baby are both beautiful! Congrats!

So glad to hear that your Dr. is able to fulfill his obligation to you!

Wow, that's pretty scary! Please keep us updated on what happens! I would think that you're insurable, but that your insurance wouldn't cover anything having to do with your band? Why isn't this a problem for plastic surgery patients?

My insurance also excludes any weight loss surgery -- and most insurance excludes the lap-band (but will cover gastric bypass). Lots of folks on this board self-pay for this reason... I can't even calculate how much I've spent on weight loss products over the course of my life, and hopefully this is the final expense (besides new clothes!)

I'm not crying at everything, but I am second guessing myself -- I'm totally excited, but... why can't just do it on my own? I just need to eat less, like if I had the band, right? But I know it's not true, I really need this tool to help keep me on track and give me the physical limits that I don't have right now.

A lot of people lose hair from the anesthesia -- I'm not banded yet, but I just started taking silicea (homeopathic version of silica) to help firm up my nails... it helps anything protein based grow stronger and quicker (hair and nails.) It takes about 3 weeks to start working, so don't get discouraged if you start taking it and it doesn't work right away.

Not banded yet, but I'm having a very similar experience -- my friends are always saying, "I can't imagine not drinking with meals," "I just like being able to eat more," and I'm self-pay... so any complications I'm going to have to go back and pay for. It's a huge decision, and I'll let you know if it was the right one after I get banded!

Congrats! It's good to see something positive!

Medicare in the US covers seniors and retirees. We also have Medicaid which covers the low income -- although not very well. Thanks for the article!

Time to get a new doctor!

I love it, and I love the story, too!

Did someone already suggest a forum for surgery abroad?

My mom actually died of melonoma -- which is the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer and can have NOTHING to do with overexposure to the sun. I myself had 4 spots removed earlier this summer as precancerous -- just have them removed and continually check yourself for new spots. You should be fine, and it's pretty normal.

I think that you can get away without telling everyone you know about your WLS -- and the recovery with the lapband is so short (you aren't in the hospital for 7 or 10 days like with other WLS) that nobody needs to know that you had it done. You will maybe get questions about your new eating habits though. I'm sorry that your husband isn't supportive -- send him over here! There is tons of research on this board about the benefits of WLS, and the success that people have with it as opposed to traditional methods of weight loss. I didn't go to a seminar, but my Dr. (in Mexico) did have me watch an EmmiSuccess series about the lapband which I found really helpful and informative. Good luck!

Congrats on your marriage! I just got married in March and it was just the best thing I've ever done! Take time to enjoy your wedding -- it really goes by SO fast!

:wave: I'm Christy, 25, from Los Angeles. I just made my appointment last week, and I'll be banded on September 26th! I've been overweight since I was 7, and have been actively trying to lose weight since I was about 13 (and all it's gotten me is a new heighest weight). I've finally had it -- I need :help:! My BMI is 35.7 (and I'm prediabeteic), and I hope to lose 80 pounds with the help of my new band! I'm loving looking around the board at everyone's different experience, and I can't wait to share my own!

If my insurance covered the procedure I would not be going to Mexico (because I'd only be paying the copay for the surgery in the US), that's true, but if I wasn't positive about the experience and training of the doctor I've chosen, I wouldn't be going to Mexico either.