Hi Everyone,

I have decided to get banded. I am getting banded on Wed Feb 16. I am 5'6'' and 195 pounds. I have decided to have Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana do it. I have decided that this is my limit. The last time I weighed this amount was in my 9th month of pregnancy.

I just told my primary doctor that I am getting banded. He said that if I had the discipline to save 9500.00 that I should have the discipline to get a trainer. He also asked me what would I do if anything happens down in Mexico. So if anyone can help me answer these questions I would be grateful.

He suggested that I try phentaramine. I told him that it makes me agitated and jittery. He said that the dose could be reduced and coreg (beta-blocker) could be given to slow the heartbeat. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I am still trying to learn what threads are and how to use this site. I still don't know how to get the ticker or how to chat etc. I would be open to any suggestions on how to use this site.

Thank You,

Tammy

Tammy I am so excited for you. Please write as soon as you can and let us know how you are. best of luck.

Hey Tammy! I see you got your ticker! You are posting well, I just went to your User Profile (double clicked on your name) and clicked on "read all posts by Tammymaybeband" and went from there. Your doing fine! And you have introduced yourself by posting a new thread under introductions, And you have an avatar...woohooo! I'd say your getting the hang of things on LBT. One thing that has helped me is I go to "New Posts" on the bar across the top and it gives me just the newest posts, no matter what section it's in. That cuts down on my surfing when I just want to take a quick peek and catch up on everybody.

I also go to the "Search" on that bar and look up things, like a Dr's name, or a topic, whatever. You can find all kinds of old posts that probably answer lots of your questions.

When I was reading your old posts, I saw that you were asking about Dr Kuri and have scheduled with Ortiz, both in TJ. My plan is to see Kuri in April, so I was wondering what made you choose one over the other? Just curious, it helps alot to talk to others about their choices, just to be sure my thinking is in line. Thanks.

Also, I am 5'5" and weigh 220, a good little bit more than you. My goal weight is 140, kind of arbitrary, but based on the recommendation for my height and build, which I THINK is 125-140. So I picked 140 and we'll hope for the best. Do you know your BMI? That may be the thing that is causing your Dr to hold back his support of you having WLS. I took the Phenteramine and did not like the jittery feel it gave me, but it does suppress the appetite. Not a good long term solution for me, and I haven't heard of the coreg you mentioned.

My husband asked me this. He said, "if the Lap Band didn't exist and you had $5000.00 to spend however you wanted on weight loss, what would you do?" I said, I'd probably try Nutrisystem for a while, then go back to Jenny Craig, make sure my gym membership was paid up every month, get a personal trainer. You know, I may just be able to get this weight off without WLS, but 5 -10 years from now, will it still be gone? Will I be miserable? Will $5000.00 be enough to spend on the help I will need for the rest of my life? I see my 65 year old mother struggling to stay below 135lbs, having to spend her hard-earned money on Jenny Craig to keep it from spiraling up (her weight). My husband said, "Do it". Okaaaay...not that fast but I continue to research.

So your Dr wants you to try the old fashioned way, understandable. I can't give an answer for you, but you have made your decision and are scheduled next week! just do your research and be prepared for life after the band. Don't stray far from "home" here on LBT because you'll get your best advice and support from these nice folks. Keep us posted here...I want to hear about your trip!

Dear Kathy,

Thank you so much for responding. I really appreciate the feedback. By the way my BMI is 31 I think...and my doctor didn't even know what lap-banding was until I explained it to him. I decided to go with Dr. Ortiz because he is a proctor and trains American doctors, I am told that he has done over 1000 lap band surgeries, and I don't have to take an extra flight to Monterray. I live in Maryland. So I'd rather just take one flight to San Diego. I am not happy with having to pay 9500.00, but I looked at the big picture. I also talked to a nurse who had it done and she gave me a lot of feedback.

The only reason I told my primary doctor is so that he would be able to prescribe something more for pain in case I needed it. I am going to ask him to give me a prescription for lower dose phentaramine so I don't get hungry and let my tummy heal for the 1st 6 weeks. The coreg is a beta blocker used for high blood pressure it basically slows the heart rate down. I don't know if that is so safe.

So tell me why you chose Dr. Kuri? Where is he located? Let me know. I am still going through with the surgery, although I haven't told anyone.

Thanks again,

Tammy, I think both of these drs. have excellent reputations as experienced band drs. A "search" should give you tons of info. on either one. Best of luck to you! Just be sure that you know what to expect before and after banding. All of your dr's suggestions are temporary, we need something that will help us permanently. And the diet pills are very risky.

Do you have your after-care lined up NOW? What dr. will take care of you if you have complications, who will you get your fills from? Are you budgeting your time and $$ so you can get back to your band surgeon if you need to? Will someone be going w/you to Mexico? Will you have someone to help you when you get back home for awhile? If you have a little one, you need to avoid lifting for a few days.

Tammy, from what I have read here, I do NOT think you need to be taking any phenteramine after surgery. Do your reasearch on post-surgery diet, and get a feel from other bandsters what the eating is like after surgery, and certainly follow your Dr's eating instructions. Who is providing your after-care? Fills? Do you have a Band Dr. , not just a physician who knows nothing about the band, who can see you should you have problems? There are lots of threads about the importance of aftercare...just go to the bar at the top, click the search button, type in "after care", and click on any of the many post that will be available for you to read, especially after being banded in MX.

Dr Kuri in in TJ also. Do like Marie said and search your Dr's name and read old posts. Many here have been to Ortiz, and you are sure to find interesting reading.

Please post back your aftercare plans, so we won't worry, and you'd better post when you get back and let us know how everything is going, okay?

Tammy, I would say go for it! But why Mexico? For a few Thousand more you could do it in the USA. But it is definately worth it! I have only been banded for a month and have lost 20lbs!!!

Do you have your after-care lined up NOW? What dr. will take care of you if you have complications, who will you get your fills from?

Marie asks excellent questions. Please don't go to Mexico for surgery unless and until you have your after-care arranged. You might think that if you live in a large city it will be easy to find an experienced band doctor, but many American MDs won't take on patients banded outside the US. Talk to your surgeon of choice to find out if he has arrangements with an American colleague in your area for fills, follow-up care, and emergencies.

By the way, Tammy, your primary doc sounds like a jerk. Who is he to lecture you on "discipline"?

thanks for all the feedback I reallly really appreciated it. I called Dr. Susan Brinkley she is a bariatric doctor in Maryland. She has been banded by Dr. Sanchez in Monterray. Her nurse said that I should call them for a fill when I do not feel any restriction. The nurse said that it should be anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. I am going to Mexico alone. I haven't told anyone except my primary doctor. I was planning to have my first fill done by dr. ortiz because he uses flouroscopy. I am having the surgery wed the 16th of Feb and return friday the 18th and am taking the weekend to relax, I hope everything will go well. Still a bit worried though. By the way American doctors won't do the surgery because I don't meet the BMI standard. I don't want to have to gain weight to meet it either. Anyways thanks again. I feel better telling you all then telling my family..Thanks Tammy

You have a "Band family" now...I am so glad you have a local Dr for aftercare and I feel lots better. I also saw that you posted on the Ortiz thread and are armed with info, good, bad and ugly

(editing...little one hit the send button...how'd he do that?!!!!)

armed with info...anyway. I think you'll do great and be fine. Keep reading and posting and all the expert bandsters here will get you through. Yay, you!

Best wishes and keep us up to date.

Good Luck with your surgery, please post and let us know how you are doing when you are able.

Thats great only two days to go- way to take charge of your life!! Have you spoken or lined up a nutricianist? I was told that its very important both before & especially after to get the right amont of nutrients for your body to heal properly & also when your on solid food to maximze your weight lose. Hopefully there will be one for you to work with even if its only via fax & phone! Can't wait to see your progress.

Dr. Ortiz in my opinion is a wonderful, very caring and experienced Dr.

I had my surgery with him in April 2004 and as of this morning I have lost 80 lbs.

Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez and the entire staff have been there for me every step of the way. Best of luck to you

Good luck to you I am being BANDED on Friday!!! I am in a total dream like mind state.. I know thaT Im ready but still it's a tad nerve racking don't ya think!!! Anyway good luck from what I can tell I will be hitting this site A LOT!@!!!!!

Tara

Best of luck to you Tammy. Take care and get plenty of rest when you get back..

Today is Wed and your surgery date...way to go! Prayers today for you...update us upon you return. Congratulations!