Hi! I am new to the site and have not "been banded" as of yet. I went to an open seminar in Chattanooga, Tennessee with Dr. Jaime Ponce at the beginning of February. My husband and I have been researching this option for about 6 months but have been interested in it for about 2 years.

ROAD BLOCK:

I had my initial consultation today and found that I am too fat to do the surgery at a non-hospital medical facility. Our insurance doesn't cover it and we don't qualify for the payment plan, so we have had to come up with $14,000 for the cash pay option...okay, so we now finally have the $14,000. When I went today, I fully expected to leave with a surgery scheduled but found it will take losing 40-50 pounds or coming up with another $5,000.

I'm really having a hard time dealing here...the self-derision for letting myself get to this point is awful. Now I have to do what I've never been able to do before in order to have the surgery. The most I've ever lost with any single diet plan is about 35 pounds. I have about 200 pounds I need to lose...if I can lose the 50 on my own, do I even need the surgery?!?

Anyway, I thought I'd vent and see if anyone else has had the same problem...maybe there's some encouragement out there.:cry

Thanks for "listening,"

Christy

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i was just reading back over my post and want to apologize for whining...What I am specifically looking for is anyone who has been in a similar situation and has overcome it...i really need encouragement!!!

Thanks!

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I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I have yet to be banded but I know how it feels to have the wind knocked out of your sails. Stay Postivie!!

Personally, I would look into another doctor. Get a second opinion and price schedule. Seems weird to me they want another $5k if you don't lose 40-50lbs.

And YES...if you lose 50 on your own, you may still want to consider surgery. Many people, myself included, can lose weight with relative ease...it's losing it ALL and keeping it off that trips most of us up. The band lets us know when we're full and is a good tool for acheiving life long health. But it's only a tool. It's not a cure all.

I know it's frustrating. I was so mad at how much red tape there was to this and how long it's taking (I should get banded in May or June...insurance stuff). Then I realized...this time is being given to me for several reasons. #1 - am I serious about this enough to see it through for life? #2 - Start making changes to my diet NOW that I know I'm going to have to make after surgery anyway, so it's not so difficult post-op. #3 - prepare myself emotionally for a life long change in eating habits. #4 - begin excersizing so it becomes a habit prior to surgery...etc etc etc.

Keep your chin up...and don't just stick with the first doctor at the first seminar you attended. We have three docs in our area and I found the best through research and asking my pcp.

Best wishes for a healthy future

Christy

I would look at other options. Go to a different doctor, or many people on here have been successful with the Mexican route, although that is a personal preference...

Good luck in whatever you choose!

Sherry

Thanks so much for all the encouragement! After waking up this morning, I still have some of the negative thoughts, but I've been awake for 2 hours and have only had 220 healthy calories and am optimistic. My kids want to go walking with my husband and I this evening...maybe I can do it...

In regards to the extra $5000...it's a facility charge. It doesn't even go to Dr. Ponce. Looking at the breakdowna dn how much I have to pay him, it stays the same no matter where I have it done.

Christy

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roadblock.... I went to a DR. in Tijuana Mx. It was only $9000.00.Their hospital is very very clean and the surgery went very well. I was banded 1/30/07 & in 16 days I lost 40 lbs. Juan Lopez Carvala You can find his info @ Obesititycontrol.com. hope this will help you in some way.Good luck @ May GOD Bless You.

sorry you're having so much trouble..... when I had it done it was start to finish in 13 days with no red tape seminars or nothing

I made it through the day (with a lot of prayer) and consumed under 1000 healthy calories and walked just under a mile in 30 minutes (sad, huh??? - in junior high I could do an 8 minute mile).

The REALLY good news is that my Dad wants to chip in the extra $5000 for me to go ahead and get the surgery in the hospital facility (rather than the non-hospital facility).

Now it's time for nervousness and doubts...$18,000+ is SO MUCH MONEY!! I'm actually considering Mexico - if anyone wants to chime in on good or bad experiences there, please do..I'd like to examine both sides!

I agree with Jack.. you are only on this planet once and this is leading to a healthier new you.. probably extending your life!! 18,000 bucks in nothing! We think nothing of spending that on a car or an addition to a house and what not.. why not ourselves??!!

Good Luck and please stick around.. the advice you get here is wonderful and you also get a taste of tough love if you need it and it can really get you out of a funk!!

Regards,

~Donnamarie~

I agree with Jack.. you are only on this planet once and this is leading to a healthier new you.. probably extending your life!! 18,000 bucks in nothing! We think nothing of spending that on a car or an addition to a house and what not.. why not ourselves??!!

Good Luck and please stick around.. the advice you get here is wonderful and you also get a taste of tough love if you need it and it can really get you out of a funk!!

Regards,

~Donnamarie~

Wow...this is so true...I never thought of it this way. I was so worried about the $3000 or so hubby and I would have to shell out, that insurance won't cover...WOW...the guilt is GONE!!!! Thanks :scared:

roadblock.. there is also a Dr. in Topeka,KS that does it for $11,000 I don't know where you are from but it's another option you can look into. Tijuana,MX has Hospital Angeles & their hospital is cleaner than alot of hospitals in the states. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not putting any hospital down here . It's a brand new hospital of 4 yrs. God Bless You............... Have a Blessed Day............ .................... ....................................Fatty Acids

I agree that it will be money well spent---I also know money does not grow on trees (dammit anyway!). With that thought in mind, you might look into (might have to check the spelling here) Kirshenbaum in Denver, he is highly recommended around here, and is doing them for under $10,000.00 I understand, as well as the one mentioned above, although I haven't heard much about him...it might be worth checking out.

Personally I did make the decision and choice of going to Mexico. I had the cash available to do it her in the states, but it would have spent all I had set aside. I knew people personally (a friend and her husband and his Mom) who had all used this Dr. and were happy. So I began researching him, the facility, and continued to do so for about a month. Then I called them, and they began working with me to set up more local aftercare---something you HAVE to consider if you go much distance from home for surgery. Now I live in a rural area, and even my follow up Dr. is a 10 hour round trip---he would have been the closest for surgery as well. They have recently opened a fill center 3 1/2 hours away, but I feel established with this Dr. Anyway---once the Dr. in MX set up appointments for me to meet with the band Dr. in Colorado, and a local oncologist (they access ports, and he wanted me to meet him incase I needed an emergency unfill, or other surgical issues, someone would be aware of what I had). After I met with them we made the appointment, and my surgery was done within 2 weeks. he has a 10 day pre op diet, so it couldn't be done sooner, but that is the only reason. I was pleased with the Dr. and his staff, with the hospital, and their staff. They treated us VERY well. Provided transportation to and from a US airport, motels the night before and hospital stay for 2 days and 2 nights...all pre-op testing that was not done here prior and sent on...EKG, chest Xray and blood work, which all had to be done the morning of the surgery BY the hospital. They accepted my other records, but required these of their own. They had a place for my DH to stay with me the entire time, provided us with everything we could ask for. I would not hesitate to go back. I have gone so far as to say if my own Mom or daughter were to need this done, I would accompany them.

I understand this is not something everyone is comfortable doing. I also realize not all Dr.s are willing to take on a patient who has been banded in MX. But I would seriously look around, maybe see if another seminar is being held by another Dr. Since you have your financing in place, see what your other options are. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Best of luck to you---I will be watching to see what you opt to do! It is such a blessing this band of mine---You will be thrilled!!!

Kat

I think I'm okay with the Mexico option. I did some checking (not much - just one phone call thus far) and was told that the surgery in Mexico plus post-op care in the states would end up totaling the same as if I just went ahead and did it in the US. I think I'm going to continue with some research...can't hurt - only helps! My husband and my mom and dad aren't comfortable with me going to Mexico (that is probably why dad offered the $5000). I have searched all over the web for negative remarks on having it done in Mexico and I just haven't been able to find but one - and it was from a surgeon - not a patient! I am an eternal bargain hunter - yes, I even haggled on the cost of my brother's cremation. It's just so hard to justify spending $18,000 if I can get the same service, the same quality and the same results for $8000 less!!!

I am going to do some calling in the morning to the Topeka Kansas and Colorado docs...that seems like a decent option as well...

Thank you all SOOO much for your input! I will be sticking around! This seems like such a great group of like-minded folks! Everyone is so different, but we all have the same struggles!

Well, I'll check back in tomorrow...as for today, 1,100 calories, but couldn't walk because of the HORRIBLE storms!

Christy

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One of the things that totally convinced me, was that one of the Dr.'s I really considered using, out of Arizona, was trained by the Dr. that did my surgery---and the Dr. in the US charged more than double! Of course i MX there is no malpractice to pay---I am not slighting the Dr.s---we live in a very litigous society!

Kat

i'S MONEY WELL SPENT, BUT LOOK FOR A BETTER DEAL BEFOR EYOU SPEND IT...THEN GO FOR IT. There's one person here who came down to Houston and rented a house on the beach in Galveston. She's all by herself but had her surgery with Dr. Spivak, who makes it hassle free. Lots of folks here say good things about Ortiz in Mexico. Just do it!