Hello. I wanted to put something clever in my subject line so you'd want to click the post and read it...

Anyway, my name is, perhaps not surprisingly, Jonathan. I'm scheduled to have lab band surgery at the Molding Clinic in TJ on January 11th. I just found this site, and due to some (albeit unsupported) statements against the Molding Clinic, I have to admit I'm having some concerns.

I had a frustrating experience with Humana. I knew I had an obesity exclusion (excluding weight loss surgery or any other treatment for obesity) and when I called Humana to ask them about it, I quoted the part of my coverage document that stated it. They told me there was still hope, that I needed to go through preauthorization and then let the appropriate division in Humana make the decision. After receiving the preauthorization request, I was told that they were going to deny me, because I had an exclusion in my policy. I told them that I *knew* I had an exclusion, and that I'd pointed it out before, and the person told me that the customer service representitives have to tell patients what I was told, because they're not "qualified" to interpret a coverage document... or something to that effect. If you're thinking what I've typed here makes no sense, then you're at the same place I am.

Anyway, my understanding is that I'll have no luck appealing the decision, since the policy clearly states that WLS is an exclusion, so I've decided to go the Mexico way.

A couple of years ago I lost 100 lbs, and swore to myself I'd *never* gain it back. I went from 316 to 215. I'm now at 330 lbs. I'm sure my story isn't unique in this group, so I'll stop it there, and ask a couple of questions.

1) Does anyone here have good or bad experiences with the Molding Clinic they'd like to share? I did a search, and didn't really find much, other than what I mentioned at the start of this post.

2) When I was going to have surgery in the US, I was told I had to be on a strict, low carb 2 week pre-op diet, designed to shrink the size of my liver. I've read here that some people have been on a 1 week liquid diet before surgery. I was told by Andres at the Molding Clinic that no pre-op diet was necessary. Any thoughts or comments on the pre-op diet thing?

I look forward to the fellowship and support I'm sure I'll both find and give in this forum in the years to come.

Jonathan

Best of luck to you, Jonathan. Please be sure that you have your aftercare lined up before your banding to avoid any unpleasant surprises. (Like your U.S. fill dr. won't accept patients banded out of the country). Please call them direct and confirm. If you're going to be returning to the dr. that placed your band, be sure that you've figured in all expenses (time off work, travel costs, hotel, foods, etc.). Getting fills is vital for your band to function.

Some doctors require a pre-op diet and some don't. My US doc did not require one. It just makes the surgery easier if the liver is smaller. It also gives the doctor an idea if you can "stick to the program."

Good luck with your surgery and welcome to the board.

My Dr won't do the surgery unless you do the two week pre-op diet. He wants the liver reduced so the surgery can go without him having to worry about damage to the liver. Whats nice is that a side effect is you lose weight while on it. I was lucky and didn't have any of the trouble during the pre op diet that even I was expecting. It went very smooth.

Hope your surgery goes well. You are starting at the same weight I did when I had my surgery on Aug 10/04

I was given a 2 week low carb pre-diet that I didn't stick too very well. I figured they would have some test that figured this out and they would send me home from the surgery because of it. Obviously there were no issues and no problems due to it. I does help with the hunger after the surgery I felt. I didn't want to eat or drink anything my first week out. Everyone is different, just know that when they are operating it makes it easier to get the band around your stomach when there is less fat around your liver. The placement will be better and recovery easier.

I almost cancelled my surgery because I couldn't stick to my pre-surgery diet. I'm glad I didn't....

I'm glad you didn't either Kim cause now you on your journey to better health.

Although I do recommend to anyone having this surgery or any surgery for that matter that they do follow what the Dr's orders are. There are good reasons for why they do what they do.

Don't want this to sound like I'm scolding you Kim cause I'm not(not in my nature to do that). I'm happy things are working out for you and everyone else.

I was just asked to follow a low glycemic foods lists. It wasn't difficult to follow at all, plenty to eat, just healthy choices. There's a thread posted here with that list, (search "glycemic foods list"). Following that is supposed to shrink your liver. I didn't want any troubles during surgery!

In Mexico most of the Dcotors do not require a pre op diet unless your BMI is over 50 to shrink your liver my BMI was 42 so I did not have one.

As far as the molding clinic..I do not know personally anything about them but have read some negative things here on this site and other sites, who knows if it is true or not.. have you looked into other Dr.'s in Mexico? There are several very qualified and experienced Dr's in Mexico. Just becasue it is cheaper doesnt mean better. I went to Mexico and chose one of the most experienced band surgeons in the country, yes it was more money then other Dr's in Mexico but it was so worth it to know my Dr' has placed over 1500 bands and is a proctor for Inamed.

I have "heard" some of the other doctors in Mexico are not using the Inamed bands so please be sure to see the band you will be getting and make sure it is an Inamed band or else you will have a hell of a time finding a Dr. in the US to do your fills & aftercare on the Swedish or Mid band. Best of Luck to you..

I did ask, and I was told that I would get the INAMED band and that the doctor there is certified by INAMED. This was a really bargain deal. ($6800 total cost, including airfare for 2). I know cheaper doesn't mean better, but I suppose it's true that more expensive doesn't mean better either. I agree experience is the key, but I just can't afford anymore than the $6800 right now. (And save enough money for subsequent fills.)

I could get the surgery locally for $16,000. I have to admit that I feel rather tempted to secure a loan and have it done here. Maybe I'm just getting cold feet...

Jonathan be careful..This is a fact, there are other women who have been told they were getting an Inamed Band and that there Dr was certified by Inamed by a certain patient coordinator and when they got home from Mexico and went for aftercare they had a Swedish Band and this same patient coordinatoor who told them they were getting an Inamed band does work for the molding clinic. 6800 would make me leary..most of the very experienced band doctors in Mexico charge 8000-9000..if one was charging 6800 and others were charging 8000-9000 I would wonder why. That is a big difference

My doctor in Mexico has financing through Capital One which is a very reputible loan company with very very low interest rates

You say you can not afford more right now, but you need to think long term also , in my opinion using a more experienced Dr is cheaper in the long run. Did you read the posts here about the molding clinic? There are two other posts on this board about the molding clinic maybe you can send a private message to the member who started the post and get more info, that is what I would do and also on Yahoo groups there is MexicanBandsters which has info on the Molding Clinic you will just have to do a search on it in thearchives. Im not trying to deter you from the molding clinic but if it were me from what I have read abou there and on other boards I would be a little leary but that is just me and my opinion.

Hi Jonathan -- I was banded in Mexico, too, and didn't have any special pre-op diet; in fact, I ate barbecued ribs the night before surgery.

About the Molding Clinic: Most of the "doctor rating" comments here are posted according to the surgeon's name. Do you know the name(s) of the doctor(s) on staff at the clinic? If so, you might want to search the Doctors and Hospitals threads under "Main Lap-Band Forums" via the forum jump below. Good luck, and welcome.

I was banded in Mexico, and didn't have a preop diet either. I had a great last supper the night before surgery, and my surgery went great. I don't know about The Molding clinic so I'm no help there. Good Luck!

Maybe this reply is too late (?) but I wanted to chime in... I am scheduled for lapband surgery on Jan. 19 with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali (BTW $8200) and I've been instructed to do a high protein/low fat diet for 10 days prior so the liver will shrink. My BMI is over 50, so that may be the key factor. I have started the 'diet' early, however, just because I'm paranoid that the doctor might deny surgery (or have to do it open instead of laparascopic) if my liver isn't what it should be. So I'm being a good girl now - and I think it will be to my benefit to get a head start on new eating pattern anyway.

Jackie S

Oregon

5'6" - 320 / /160

Exactly. This is the best attitude to take too. Good for you! It won't hurt to begin walking daily either. Any strength you can add to your body will only make your surgery that much more simple and safe. Good luck to you!

Each doctor is different in what they have you do. I only had to do liquids the day before and nothing after midnight. I would follow exactly what my doctor told me to do.

Good luck and keep us posted on your banding.

My BMI wasn't 50, but they instructed me to go low cal for one week prior. But I blew it really bad. I was afraid they wouldn't do the surgery, but they were really nice about it. It all depends on the patient, doctor and the doctor's level of experience, I suppose.

As far as the Molding Clinic, couldn't they have at least given it a better name? I've never heard of the clinic or the doctor, but if you have concerns, why not go to another doctor in TJ for about 8 grand instead of the 16 grand you'd pay at home? Many people rave about at least two very popular doctors in Mexico. Maybe it would be worth the extra 2 grand for peace of mind, while still saving half the cost of getting it at home?