MPJ

I was banded by him on November 28, 2006. I'm down 75 lbs and feel great.

You too??? I was banded on November 3, 2005 and have also lost 80 pounds! What a small world!

I was banded on Nov 28. I would recommend him. I'm down 43 lbs, no complications and feeling great.

Michael

Good to hear you are doing well. I put some anti itch cream with cortizone, and the itching stopped. I'm down 18 lbs and no hunger.

Michael

I agree 100% muscle milk does the job. I've started to add fresh banana as well.

Michael

banded 11/29 Dr. Huacuz

289/278/165

I was banded 6 days ago by Dr. Huacuz. My wife and were picked up at the airport. I was given a battery of tests and had surgery the same day.

I was dressed, and walking around at 10 AM the next morning. I was sore at the stiches, but that was it. I went back to work yesterday.

He has my recommendation.

Michael

Dr. Huacuz 11/29

289/278 today

I'm two days out and feeling very well. A little sore and ome gas are m only issues. I've lost 8 lb. since I started on liquid and had surgery. I was a self pay but, I don't know if my insurance covers regular doctor visits for aftercare?

Michael

Starting 289 Now 281 Goal 165

Dr. Huacuz, TJ 11/28

I'm getting banded in TJ on Tuesday. liquids his past week were a real pain. I'm nervous but hopefull

Michael

I am feeling great.. 4 days out and down 16 lbs!!! I know it is a combo of Water and the taylor hame, egg and cheese sandwiches I ate the week before... But holy crap... 16 lbs in 4 days!

I am still on semi liquid.. meaning Soup broth or opaque and applesause.. 2 protien shakes a day... It is all good as long as I do not go over 4 oz.. then HOLY COW does it hurt!

I went to Target and got 2 really cute dipping bowl (5oz) and 2 small plates, and wrote all over them with rainbow color glass paint... in the center of the plates I wrote... I BELIEVE IN ME... and LIVE!!!

Keeps me focused everytime I see them. I also made a really neat swirly design on my extra long ice tea spoon with polimer clay!

I feel like a queen when I use them.

All my best to everyone, I have homework and groceries to get before I go back to college tommorrow!

Misty

Hi Bandina

I will be banded in TJ on Tuesday. Good Luck

Michael

Hi November bandsters!

Let's keep this going to support our efforts though out the wonderful we are soon to begin. Let's start with the date we are being banded and where?

Our weight and goal weight...

My date will be November 7

Dr. Aceves

I weighed myself this morning and I have gained!!! :faint:

Starting weight 225 (highest ever!!! )

Goal 150

10/26 Jdru (Jessica) 215/215/125 Dr. Hansen (Honorary Nov Bandster)

11/1 melany72 Dr. Hargroder

11/2 DeniseC (Denise) 226/219/130 Dr. Carbonell

11/2 prbrooksie 252/252/150 Dr. Malley

11/2 Kym828 (Kim) 278/278/175 Dr. Ortiz

11/2 pebbles4388 249/249/150

11/3 Jess333 (Jessica ("Lil" Red)) Dr. Ortiz

11/7 AngelaT (Angela) 225/225/150 Dr. Aceves

11/7 Jackye 225/225/150-45 Dr. Rumbaut

11/8 L8BloomR (Karen) goal: -105 Dr. Francis

11/8 dpingl goal: -92 Dr. Hoehn

11/8 niecyrenee goal: -232, down 8 Dr. Pitt

11/9 Keekahari (Kee) 280/245/175 Dr. Moazzez

11/10 FullofGRACE Dr. Curry

11/10 alix_1 (Alix) 222/222/140 Dr. Garza

11/13 swilborn (Sherrie) Size 22/???/140 Dr. Rodriquez

11/14 ahaizlip (Amy) goal: -129 Dr. Liu

11/17 Asmallerchick (Kelly) goal: -200 Dr. Aceves

11/20 Diana_G 234/234/145 Dr. Huacuz

11/20 Veggestyle 275/?/150 Dr. M

11/20 Laurba

11/21 Jess02 (Jess) Dr. Rumbaut

11/24 aussie_bandit 153kg/153kg/75kg

11/30 Inner_me (Chris) 350/350/200 Dr. Cahill

My date is Nov 28 MPJ (Michael) 289/289/165 Dr. Huacuz TJ

Don'thold hack? Okay! Sorry, but this may turn into a book. Get comfy.

I was banded by Dr. Huacuz on 11/3/05. Yes it has almost been a year. I have lost 80# so far and am working on the second 80#.

At the time my surgery was in a small hospital not too far from the Camino Real hotel. It was as clean as or cleaner than any American hospital I have ever been in. Now the good Doctor has his own clinic. When I was in Tijuana last month, the staff wanted me to come and see their progress. I was blown away at how nice it was. According to Norma, the secretary, they have already opened it. I will probably drive down and take a look see this weekend. By the way I live in San Diego, CA - just 25 minutes from the border.

Anyway, Victor will probably pick you up at the airport and will transport you to where ever you are supposed to be in Tijuana. He speaks great English even though he denies it. Once I got to Tijuana I was taken to the hospital and was signed in. The nurses introduced themselves and started my IV. From the time the IV was started I was not allowe to eat or drink. I had an EKG by Dr. Gallegos, the cardiologist. My blood was drawn and sent to the lab. Dr. Romero the nutritionist came in and introduced himself and told me what to expect and what to do for a diet for the weeks after surgery. That was cool, even though it was in the paperwork sent to me, he took the time to go over it again. Louise Mattos, the psychiatrist, came in and had a chat to make sure I was mentally prepared for life with the band. Dr. Huacuz came in and explained the surgery and answered all the questions I had. He claims his English is not that great but I understood every word he had to say. Then the anesthesiologist, Dr. Nidome, came in and briefed me on the anesthesia and what to expect afterwards. I really like the staff because they treated me like a person not like a bed number. The Mexican doctors DO have a great bedside manner. It's not just this group of doctors either. I have a Mexican general practitioner. He diagnosed my high blood pressure long before my American doctor did.

I was so ready for the surgery I almost ran to the operating room. I think I was one of the few who was not nervous. It is normal to be nervous before surgery. They said I had to ride on the gurney, so I was a good patient and did as I was told. I had my surgery around 6 pm and was back in the room in less than 45 minutes with my INAMED band. I tell you, they are GOOD! They made my support person (my best friend) feel like a queen and made sure she was comfortable. A little after surgery I was allowed to have ice chips. The night nurses didn't speak English but they took good care of me anyway. LOL! Dr. Huacuz told me that in his clinic everyone will speak English - even the janitor. LOL! Some people report left shoulder pain for a few days but I didn't have any. My stomach was distended but I walked as much as I could and it went down after a few days. This is perfectly normal.

The next morning Dr. Huacuz came to the room and was there for my first banded "meal". That was the absolute BEST Jello, tea and apple juice I have ever tasted in my life. That is when he gave me my antibiotics and instructions on when to take them. He came back around noon and took me to the facility where they do fluoroscopies. That is a real time xray. It's pretty cool. You stand in front portion of the machine and are given barium to drink. You can watch it go down your throat and past your new friend, the band. You may have some restriction just from the fact you have a band. I did. Dr. Huacuz told me that my stomach had a huge layer of fat and the band compressed it so that it felt like there was already Fluid in the band. I didn't need a fill for almost 3 months. Normal people get a fill around 6 weeks.

I was then taken to the Camino Real Hotel where my support person and I stayed one night. The hotel is defintely a 5 star hotel! Dr. Huacuz left me with juices and Water when he took us to the hotel around 1 pm. Dr. Huacuz came back that night to make sure everything was okay. He said I could drink tea if I wanted to but I'm not a fan of hot liquids. If you feel like walking around (a lot of people do), there is a Mexican grocery store across the street called Calimax. A little farther down the street is a mall. I would say that I have never run into a store in Tijuana that would NOT accept dollars so you don't have to get pesos if you don't want to. To do a rough calculation just divide their prices by 10 and you have a rough approximation of what it will be in US dollars.

The next morning, Victor picked us up and took us back across the border. Just so you are prepared, the lines at the border can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic, so go to the bathroom before leaving the hotel. Some other ladies were there from out of town and needed to go to the airport, so Victor took them first.

Dr. Huacuz and Dr. Romero gave me their direct dial cell phone numbers and told me to call them if I had any questions or problems. What American doctor would do that?? They have excellent bedside manner. I can't say enough about how well I was treated. When I got home Norma kept in contact by email and by phone to make sure things were going smoothly. When I had questions, I called the doctors and they were able to answer them. I had them do my after care since I am so close. My suggestion, before you even go to Tijuana make sure you have arranged for after care and have found a fill doctor in the US. As I have said, Dr. Huacuz is just a few minutes away from me so he did my after care and my fills.

I have steadily lost weight and have not run into a problem yet. If you follow what Dr. Romero tells you, you WILL lose weight. I am at a plateau right now but I know if I increase my exercise, I can break it.

I started out in a size 34 and am now in 24s. My goal is a size 16. That is perfect for me because I am 5'10" want to keep some of my curves. If there is a "con" I would say that my breasts are deflating!! Shoot, they were the only part of my body that I liked!

There are so many things I can do now that I could not do. Breathing. Shopping. Reach my feet. Within 2 months after the surgery I was taken off my high blood pressure meds. My blood pressure is now perfectly normal. Did I say SHOPPING??? I have had to get rid of everything larger than a size 26. Believe me that was a LOT of clothes!

How was my experience overall? GREAT! Would I do it again? YES! Would I use Dr. Huacuz? OH HECK YES!!

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at arealsweety@yahoo.com :clap2:

Great play by play description. I have spoken with both Dr.'s and was very comfortabe, as well as research. I will be banded there in three weeks.

Hi Everyone,

I am having the surgery but just not sure where. My plan is to have it at Huacuz Surgical Center by Dr. Huacuz. Has anyone Lapband surgery from him? My husband, family and friends are worried about having it in Mexico yet I am not and it is half the price as USA. I don't have insurance that will cover it in the states. Please reply ASAP. Thank you.

Hi

I'm having surgery wih Dr.Huacuz on Nov28. I've spoken with some

of his patients and all were very happy with him

Michael

Hey there,

I'll be banded on November 20, 2006 in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Huacuz.... Let me know how it goes since you're getting it done first.

I'm getting banded with Dr. Huacuzon Nov28

Michael

I'm getting banded Nov 28 by Dr Huacuz. I've spoken with people who

were banded there and were very happy with their experience.

Michael

This is my first post. I am schedued to be banded on Nov 28 in Mexico.

Michael