stormy

Try surgeryloans.com. There is a link on the OCC website. I was denied by Certeria, but approved by them. I also have a bankruptcy.

If I get denied again, I will check them out. My concern is the whole bank situations right now. I heard on the news it is bad. The feds are bailing some banks out and then the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac iss, this may make it so no one can get a loan. I know the money will come to me, it is a question of timing. They should call me today with a decision. I am praying.

I LOVE roller coasters, and spent three days doing them about 6 weeks after my surgery. If you're going to do something to your band from the outside you're going to have to work at it. Just mind the exercise guidelines for post-op and you'll be fine.

Where do you get your fills, I am in Oregon.

June 1st weight 225

July 11 weight 210

You look so good, I am watching your progress. I cant wait to get mine. Keep the information coming!!

I applied at line at MymedicalLoan.com after I got a call that they are no longer doing home equity type loans at e-financial solutions. I guess the economy is too bad right now. Then why did they ask for my home info? (furious) So on the my medical it asked for an explanation of my credit history, so that was nice, I hope they read it. After this, I am going to wait awhile, you can't run your credit too much. I talked to the dr, I guess I dont have anything wrong with me, they thought I had diverdatictulitus (sp) guess I dont have that, they have no idea why my side hurts, CT was clear. They told me to quit the antibotics and my ankles should quit swelling. But lose the weight. Dah! Ok well keep praying for me. Something good has to happen for a change.

So I have been denied now twice. Now the e-financial solutions wants info on my house, looks like they want to secure the loan. That is so freaking scarry. I only have about $30,000 equity in house. What a mess. What is worse, I got home last night and my ankles were swollen. I am retaining water or something. Last week they told me I may have diverdaticulitis (sp?) but they are not sure, they put me on augmenton and told me that it will take two weeks to clear up. Now the swelling. I know that my cycle is going to start soon but I have not seen this before. When I called the dr and told him I was concerned, he said drink more water, remember you have gained some weight, this maybe normal and will go away. OH MY GOD. I got fat and now I am falling apart. This can not be happening to me. I am freaking out. I want to get this done!!! I dont want to freaking die. I weighed myself I am 242 pounds and I am 5'5. This is horrible. I might as well tell them my house information, wont do me any good if I am dead.

Absolutely...you can be Miss Poo-Fect!! LOL!!

Cathy

Not til I get my band, hold that thought

Congratulations. I am so happy to hear that, it makes me feel good about possibly doing it. I hope I get my financing. Keep me updated at how you are feeling. Thanks

Try National City Bank. They have a special financing plan for Lap Bands. They approved me when I was gonna have it here in MS.

I'm gonna pray about it, people are right, if it is meant to happen, it will.

you guys crack me up, I thought you were talking about POO. hahhhaa. Scarred me, I was thinking you all had a poo issue. hahahha. I like the banner. This place rocks, never have I found so many cool people. I will look forward to telling my Jenny Craig consultant to stop harrassing me. She wants me back. I did lose on there but I need something different. She told me she is tired of all the bill collectors calling her, I said "oh kinda like a Jenny Craig consultant calling all the time" I dont think she liked that to much, I laughed my head off. Maybe I will tell her I have a disease and I can't come in there anymore. They need to understand, not every program is for everyone. Anyhow, you guys rock. Can I be on team craptastic?

So I applied at one place and was denied. Seems my bankruptcy in 2002 is going to be an issue. So I applied somewhere else. They told me before I applied that it would not be a problem but now here we wait. I talked to Lori, they have an opening on the 22nd for both of us, but I can't committ with no money. This is horrible!! I found out at work that I get three days off in August for floating holiday that I can use. I found child care. I got hubby on board. I have a credit card I can use for airline tickets, if I can get seats, but no financing. They say I may know by tomorrow. I am going to pray. I can't see using my house as a resource to do this but geesh! Someone has got to give me some money. What is sad is three months ago I had $30,000 and remodeled the house. I should of thought of this then. What a mess. I am so afraid that I am going to be denied. We have a lot of debt but I have not missed a bill or been late since 2002. You would think they would consider that. Pray everyone that someone give me the money!!. I will let you know what I find out. I told Lori not to give up, I want that spot for hubby and I.

I found child care. The woman who runs the daycare said she would watch him all weekend. So we could leave on Thursday, have surgery on Friday and be back by Sunday. I am thinking August. But I am waiting for the financing to come through but I only applied for me, now I need to change that. WOW, I can't believe this is happening. If financing comes through and we can get the time off from work WE ARE GONNA DO IT!!! that is if he dont chicken out..... HA

I could not believe the conversation my husband and I had. I was telling him wonderful all of you are and that you are all giving me such good information. I told him about my phone call to (tammy) in Atlanta, and then out of his mouth he says, I think I am afraid that you will lose the weight and leave me. I almost cried. We talked about it and I explained to him this is not going to happen. Then this morning he talked about going with me. Has anyone done it together. Our only problem is who will take care of our 4 year old child while we are gone. He has mild autism so he can't be dragged around somewhere. It is going to be hard to find someone I trust. My family is not an option. Any ideas anyone? Has anyone gone together?

I was until I talked to someone in person. PM me and I can give you my number. I would be glad to talk to you about it.

I received better care there and I have in the hospitals here in Atlanta! I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

ok I sent you a message I hope I did it right.

Ok I called them I am very excited but have a few more questions, maybe you could answer.

1. How did you feel about the standard of care in Mexico?

2. How do you feel about follow up from them?

3. Do they make you sign waivers that they are not responsible for any complications regarding the surgery.

My friend does not want me to do this. She said if I get an infection, there will be no one to help me. Can you please tell me about these?

Hi Kim:

I too am from PDX and was banded at the OCC in Mexico. I checked out the programs locally and all of them had sooo many hoops to jump through as well as the cost (unless you have insurance that will cover) are just too much. This is a great place to find out many answers to all those questions. I to have a hemangioma on my liver, a small one, and there was no problem with it and having the surgery. The OCC really has no hoops to jump through. Yes you do a pre-op diet and should try to lose 5% of your total body weight. just pick up the phone and call right now to start yourself on the road to a new you...You won't regret it!!

Oh my god, your note made me cry. Thank god there is someone here in Portland like me who has this problem. How are you doing with it? What can you share with me? I'm scarred. Am I attempting to take the easy way out? She told me just to change my lifestyle. I just dont know how. That is what my friend told me. Where do you go for fills around here?

Ok so I am interested and I am checking my options. If I get it done in Oregon I have to go through a sleep study, meet to have a psychological evaluation, have EKG and blood work done. Meet with a physical therapist and if I dont pass the psychological eval they can deny me. Does OCC do this? How do you get started? How much does it all cost? What should I do to get the ball rolling. I am scarred about doing this, but I think this is what I have to do. Does OCC make you go on the diet first to lose weight. What about the hemangomia I have on my liver, will that be a problem? Can anyone tell me what they did to get started?

Kim

not banded yet

current weight 236 pounds

5'5

It's been a little over 8 weeks since my Lapband Surgery. I researched the Lapband option for several months before I made the decision to go with Dr. Ortiz. It was a decision in will NEVER regret. My entire experience was great. The pre-op diet was a little tough, but the thought of the upcoming procedure kept me motivated.

It was a long six weeks until my first fill. Initially the post surgical swelling restricted my eating, as well, I kept to the post-op diet of liquids, soft foods etc. It was challenging as there were periods when I was hungry, although I found that a cup of soup at hand made it managable.

As the six week period drew to a close I began to feel "normal" and was anxious to get the fill. I had stopped losing weight although I didn't gain. I think the 5th week as was worst, feeling able to eat most anything, and worried that I would not lose weight going forward. However…

My fill went very well, no pain and a very interesting experience. My doc put me on a liquid B Complex, made sure I could drink water okay and off I went !! I was on a liquid diet for a day, then soft foods, then "regular" foods with the admonisions to CHEW - CHEW - CHEW.

I was somewhat hesitant to try a solid, and started off with a very tender chicken - no problems and could only have a small amount. Tummy would growl, but I had no desire to eat more. As the days past I tried various other foods…I haven't found a food I can't eat yet - seems to be more a matter of EATING TOO FAST and/or not CHEWING enough. Yes, I have PB'd once. Ouch, Yikes, and never want to do that again. Getting food stuck hurts!

My issue at this point is the first eating of the day - unless it is liquid, I always feel a little "stuck" - I have a few mintues of attention getting pain - I walk and it's over. I think I'm still taking bites that are too big, not chewing enough and eating too fast. I have read about drinking a hot tea to "open the band" - I am going to try that today. I've also gone to using child size spoons and forks, it's harder to get a big bite with those.

Overall, I'm down 25 pounds in 8 weeks. I am very pleased with that !! No regrets, just looking forward to making new behaviors and better choices a daily habit. Although I already "knew" that this was a tool and not the magic bullet, I still have to remind myself to eat right, the old habits of eating for entertainment, comfort, boredom still remain - and yes, you can eat around the band (sometimes). So, I still am working on eating healthy - but overall this has been the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Singer

I live in Oregon, I am considering this as an option, not only for myself but for my husband and my friend. We are all over weight. Can I ask you some questions? Once the procedure is done, I understand that there are fills, but how long will this go on? I am concerned about cost. If I go down to TJ and get it done, I dont know if I could afford the time or money to go back. Especially for both my husband and I, since we have a 4 year old son. We would have to leave him with someone for both of us to go. Also, can you give me an idea of how much the whole thing costs and how much I can expect to pay per fill. My fear, is what is something goes wrong? Also, how would I find out if I can still go to my chiropractor, I would worry about that. I find this site great to read. I was wondering about taking my pills and I got the answer, great site. One thing you did say, chew chew chew. Boy that would be an eye opener for me, since I eat so fast. I would really have to slow down. Please any information you can give me to help me make the best decision, would be so much appreciated. Thanks

Hi there,

Since you are in Oregon, where do you get your fills done at?

Thanks!

Cindy

I am in oregon too, I was wondering that