My surgery is scheduled for 12/29, I am having it done by Dr. Martinez (co-surgeon of Dr. Ortiz) at the Obesity Control Center in Mexico. I am a little nervous about having it done out of country but so far every review I have found this clinic has been very positive. I have been on a liquid diet for 4 days now and am starving but have already lost 4 lbs. My twin sister is also getting banded with me so I at least have some company... :wink:

Edited December 11, 200817 yr by eswack

I live here in Gervais Oregon where are you? Do you have a follow up doctor for your fills and aftercare? I did the same thing I went to Mexico and when I got back home found it a little hard to get a doctor that would take a person banded in Mexico. If you need help let me know I will give you the information I have. Also if you need any extra support I can try to help you and your sister out. I was banded on 10-10-08 and have had no problems to date!! Good luck on your journey!! :wink:

Rae

We both live in Aurora (just south of Wilsonville). I was planning on getting my fills and aftercare at the Fill Center USA in Salem, where do you go? Did you get your surgery from the same clinic?

Congrats to you and your sister!!!!! HOW EXCITING!

My mom is currently IN SURGERY in Denver getting her band.. RIGHT NOW! which is why I'm perusing the general forumn!

I have an extended family member who went to Mexico for his band and he's had one fill so far! He said the hospital was as nice as a 5 star hotel.

GOOD LUCK!

Wow I work in Aurora, Gervais is 3 miles south of Woodburn off of Hwy99. Here is the link where I went to have my surgery the cost was $5500.00 very nice people great 2 day stay at the Marriott in TJ www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com

I too was going to use fill centers USA but found better doctors to go to. The lady in Salem is a nurse practioner and I wanted the best care, she can not help you if you have serious problems with band issues so just be aware. I was able to get in at OSHU Dr. Deveney for any major problems and I use Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick in Milwaukie for fills, she is great you would love her and she has I believe about 25 years experience, here is her website

Home

The first visit is $190.00 and the following visits are $170.00. Dr. Deveney charges $250.00 for the office visit and $250.00 for the fill under Floroscopy.

Rae

Wow, thank you for the doctor information! I hadn't been able to find anyone in Oregon so far except in Grants Pass. The funny thing is the Nurse Practioner in Salem charges more than the doctors you found. I will definitely be contacting them to get my aftercare set up. I really appreciate your help. I am surprised you work in Aurora, it is such a small town there are very few businesses there. :-)

I work at one of the nurseries here in Aurora, me & my husband have a house in Gervais. Do you plan on joining a gym after your surgery? I go to the gym in Woodburn called Diesel Fitness it is nice so if you want someone to work out with let me know.

Rae

Why do you need to see the doctor at OHSU? Do you need more than one type of doctor for aftercare? Also do you know if I should get in contact with both of these doctors before I have surgery? Sorry for all the questions!

Yes you do need more than one doctor. Dr. Deveney is a Biatraic doctor that specializes in the surgeries and Dr. Kelly is a fill doctor. If you have any major problems you will need the specialist.

You will want to wait until after your surgery to contact the doctors here in Oregon. Are you self pay or does your insurance pay for your care? I am self pay and have found that since I have insurance that covers my regular doctor but not any band related doctors I go to my regular MD for any tests are anything that he can take care of, but he is clueless when it come to band issues. When you get home from Mexico you will go threw alot of different stuff and each person reacts differently for example I had surgery on Friday and tried to go back to work on Monday not a good idea I had to take about a week off. The pain you will get in your shoulder and chest maybe mild or extreme I had to go to the doctor thought I was having a heart attack but wasn't just need to slow down and rest. I had called the fill center USA and talked to the lady in Salem she had me go to see my regular MD she really didn't want to see me unless it was for a fill. If you need any help or advise I have a great support group from a lady in California she used to the nurse for Dr. Kuri and she has helped me through all my little bumps in the road I will try to help you.

Rae

I am most definitely self pay. I had to beg, plead, threaten and bribe my husband to get him to agree for me to get this surgery. As soon as he agreed I immediately booked it before he could change his mind. :-) I have been on the protein shakes for breakfast & lunch and lean cuisine for dinner for 4 days. I hate the protein shakes so much I have so far only been able to choke one down a day so needless to say I am starving, but I am losing weight! I would like to join a gym next year. Thanks for the offer of support and all your advice I booked this surgery so quickly I feel like I am a little behind in getting all my research done.

I hate to say this but I felt I was ready when I went off for surgery and I didn't even have this site for support when I first started and I tell ya it was a rough time coming home not having anyone that had been through this. if you would like I will be getting holiday time off from work from 12-20-08 through 1-4-08 if you would like to meet maybe have lunch or something to get to know each other you can reach me at my personal e-mail dammfamily@hotmail.com if you e-mail me I will give you my phone # I don't want to give it out on this site ok.

Rae