I've been researching the lap band for a few months and know I need to do something about my weight, so I finally convinced my hubby and went ahead and started figuring out a date that would work for me. So I booked with Dr. Rodrigeuz in Del Rio, then I got a call from a different patiant co. and she was telling me the lap band isn't the way to go that i wouldn't be able to drink alcohol or eat spicy food, which I will never give up!! So she suggested the mini gastric sleeve, it really bugs me that I would have 60 % of my stomach removed and besides I cannot afford the price difference. So then I phone Dr Rodrigeuz in Monterrey and spoke to him directly, I liked this, no middle man to deal with. He suggested the band would be the best. Any comments on the lap band or Dr Rodriguez?

I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Kuri from his patients but I also chose Dr. Ortiz because of my research, conversations with him prior to surgery and then very high on my list was talking to his anestiologist (i shoud learn how to spell that word!) - they use a revolutionary type of anestesia and you don't have to be intebated. I think the more research you do before hand on all types of wls is great - this is a big big step and you want to be sure. Good luck.

I love spicy foods and can eat them no problem as long as i 'm not already irritated for some reason. I do drink occassionally and Sunta I am jealous you mentioned you had two glasses a wine a night and have lost all that weight. I gave up drinking (which i do soooo minimally cuz my tolerance is nil) for 2 1/2 months to see if it would help me lose and nada - no difference - so i put it back in. lol

mary

Mary, My Dear...

The tragic truth is that what I eat isn't nearly as important as how much I exercise. Sucks, Huh?

Good Luck, and enjoy your drinks!

Cheers!

ReneBean:

Yes it sucks lol but you are so right. I just signed up for a 'boot camp' three days a week at my gym. I do snow ski several times a week and it FEELS strenuous but it just isn't enough. I know from my past I have to do cardio regularly (and that is my problem - consistency) at least 5 preferably 6 days a week. Diet alone just won't work for me - i've tried every one and several after banding. I just gotta do it and quit complaining. mary

thanks ReneBean, all you need to drive across the border is a phota ID and a birth certificate.

Groovy! Go for it!

nd she was telling me the lap band isn't the way to go that i wouldn't be able to drink alcohol or eat spicy food,

I drank alcohol and ate spicy foods my entire banding experience and lost over 100 lbs..I am proof you do not have to give up these two things. Go with your heart!

Thank you for clarifying that and for the correct spelling of anesthesia - I will try to commit it to memory! I do remember Dr. Ortiz telling me something about the type of anesthesia and all I can remember now is it was related to use with heart patients/heart surgeries. I'm going back to Tijuana at the end of March and will try to ask a few more questions. I was intubated once when I had my jaw surgically broke (and gosh darn it even after 6 weeks of having my jaws wired shut and dreaming about food every night i only lost 5 dang pounds - it wasn't done for WL though even though I was heavy) and it was positively awful. I want to avoid that at all costs in the future.

anyhow - thanks again. mary

can anyone tell me who their patient facilitor was for Dr ortiz, I was assigned a PF named Renae and he is really slow at reponding.

Hey there - go to www.lapbandforum.com and leave an email for LoriBecky - I used Carolyn who was wonderful and LoriBecky is the newest member of the team and kind of overseas his website - she will respond immediately. Rene is the office manager (i thought) and he is quite helpful with administrative stuff but both LoriBecky and Carolyn are bandsters (I know Carolyn has been at goal weight for quite some time and is on his website) and LoriBecky is newly banded and I believe quite successful at her weight loss.

don't give up - I really think Ortiz is outstanding lapband surgeon . good luck.

marys

hey - i went to the website and got this info on lori.. Call her today - I know she will respond quickly to you!

Lori

Patient Care Coordinator

Obesity Control Center

Lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com

www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

1-866-376-7849 ext. 81