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DanR

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Posts posted by DanR

  2. Obtaining New Health Insurance

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    Yesterday, I celebrated my 1-year bandiversary. So far, I have lost a total of 85 lbs. and I feel great!

    I have a high-deductible, individual health insurance policy which provides minimal coverage and my monthly premiums recently increased. I decided to shop around for new health insurance and I received quotes for lower premiums and better coverage. However, underwriting denied coverage due to bariatric surgery (instead of excluding related conditions).

    My primary reason for having bariatric surgery was to improve my health and to avoid weight related co-morbidities. My insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, so I paid for it myself. As a result, I am healthier and I am a lower risk. I think it is ridiculous for insurance companies to deny coverage due to bariatric surgery!

    Apparently, I would not be able to get health insurance if I did not already have it. Say what you will about the healthcare bill, but everyone should have access to affordable healthcare. The healthcare bill is supposed to eliminate pre-existing conditions exclusions by 2014.

    Has anyone else had similar experiences while trying to obtain new health insurance?

  3. What can I expect post-op?

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    I made it through the post-op diet without much hunger. I think hot liquids helped me feel full (coffee, broth, etc.). I really enjoyed adding drinkable yogurt and cream soups to the diet! It's only three weeks and you can do just about anything for three weeks :)

    I had a little bit of restriction when I started eating solid foods, but it went away as I continued to heal. I thought the first fill would make a big difference, but I was wrong. The first fill provided minimal restriction for about one week. The band initially has some air in it and the air slowly escapes from the band after the first fill. Don't be discouraged if you need a second fill a month later.

  6. Directions to OCC

    in Dental Services

    Posted

    If your coming into San Diego airport and going to take the bus and trolley to the border,, you can ask for and buy the $5 all day pass right on the bus. It's good all day long and good for the trolley too. If your going to spend the night in TJ and fly out the next day, $9 gets you a 2 day mass transit pass,, you can save a buck. LOL.

    I didn't mention other Day Pass options, but you can buy them for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days. The last time I went, I bought one for 4-days and stayed in the Gaslamp Quarter. I can usually get a 4-star hotel in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter for $79/night on Priceline.

  8. Sliming, Puking, PBing, Oh my

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    Red,

    I haven't had much trouble with sliming, PBing, and puking, but here's what I've experienced:

    Sliming: If I eat something that isn't going down very well (like bread), my nose starts running and I tend to salivate. If this happens, don't eat anymore and don't try to wash it down with a drink (it doesn't work).

    PBing: This seems to be the next level after sliming and it has only happened to me once (I understand that it should not be a regular occurrence). After sliming for about five minutes, I began feeling like I had to puke. Suddenly, I spit-up some liquid - presumably the slime (luckily I was standing at the kitchen sink).

    Puking: I haven't puked since I got my band. However, I understand it should be avoided at all costs because it can cause band slippage. If I get sick and think I'm going to puke, I will take some anti-nausea medication.

    This is my experience, but other bandsters may be able to elaborate further.

    Dan

  12. Advise needed on fills

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    ZipTied,

    I understand your frustration. I had my surgery in Mexico on April 27th. I returned to Mexico for my first fill on June 8th (3.8cc's total with fluoroscopy). Within a few weeks, I had no restriction. I had my surgery and first fill with a friend and she has experienced the same thing. We paid for the fill, plane tickets, hotel, etc.

    I went to Fill Centers USA on July 7th for my second fill (4.8cc's total without fluoroscopy). I can feel liquids "hang" for a moment before they go through the pouch, so I hope I will finally have restriction.

    Another thing... The band and tubing has some air in it after surgery. I have a 10cc band, so there was considerable room for air. After your first fill, the saline slowly pushes the air out of the band. By the time you have your second fill, the air should be gone.

    I like Smiley's analogy... The band is the foundation. The fills are the floors. We can make it to the top :)

  13. Fill Centers USA

    in Fill Doctors & Fill Trips to Tijuana

    Posted

    Fill Centers USA is a network of aftercare providers. The locations appear to be existing medical facilities which have agreed to provide aftercare as part of Fill Centers USA.

    Yesterday, I went to the Fill Centers USA location in Irvington, IL. I drove over four hours and I was a little nervous when I pulled into a town with only 750 residents. The medical facility was easy to find and it appeared to be a thriving practice. I signed in and the receptionist asked me to complete some paperwork, but she seemed a little confused about what paperwork I needed to complete. I arrived about 25 minutes before my appointment and I was called back at about my appointment time. They took my height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. They led me to an exam room and they asked me to initial and sign some more paperwork. They also gave me a "Members Lifestyle Welcome Packet." After about 5-10 minutes, Denise came into the exam room. We discussed my surgery, fills, restriction, etc. She had me lie down on an exam table to access my port. She inserted the needle through my skin which felt like a pinch. It took her several minutes to find the exact center of the port. She withdrew the saline from my band and then she began to fill my band with saline as I stood up and drank ice water. The water seemed to go down okay until I had 5cc's of saline in my band. At that point, the water seemed to "hang" in the middle of my chest. I also began to feel dizzy and have cold sweats (which she attributed to the vagus nerve). She withdrew the saline and I sat down. When I felt better, she began filling my band again as I drank ice water. She stopped at 4.8cc's of saline, because I began to feel the water "linger" in my chest before it entered my stomach. Denise was pleasant and professional. She took her time and she seemed genuinely interested in giving me the best possible fill. I hope to experience good restriction when I start eating soft foods tomorrow and solid foods on Friday.

    I went to OCC for my first fill and spent a considerable amount of money on a plane ticket and hotel. They used a fluoroscope and I have almost no restriction, so I'm not "sold" on the necessity of a fluoroscope.

    I looked into getting a another fill in the Chicago area. Most places don't use a fluoroscope and most places won't accept patients from Mexico. If they do, most of them want a $500 fee "join the practice." I move frequently and I don't want to pay a $500 fee every time I need to join a new practice.

    Since I move frequently and it is difficult to find an aftercare provider, I wanted to be part of a Network. Today, I'm going to the Fill Centers USA location in Irvington, IL. It is an 8-hour round-trip drive (I wish they had a location in the Chicago area, but they add new locations all the time). Most of the Fill Centers USA locations do not use a fluoroscope, but they have a 72-hour Overfill Readjustment Policy.

    I paid a lot of money out-of-pocket for this band and I want it to work! I'll let you know how it goes.

  14. Fill Centers USA

    in Fill Doctors & Fill Trips to Tijuana

    Posted

    I went to OCC for my first fill and spent a considerable amount of money on a plane ticket and hotel. They used a fluoroscope and I have almost no restriction, so I'm not "sold" on the necessity of a fluoroscope.

    I looked into getting a another fill in the Chicago area. Most places don't use a fluoroscope and most places won't accept patients from Mexico. If they do, most of them want a $500 fee "join the practice." I move frequently and I don't want to pay a $500 fee every time I need to join a new practice.

    Since I move frequently and it is difficult to find an aftercare provider, I wanted to be part of a Network. Today, I'm going to the Fill Centers USA location in Irvington, IL. It is an 8-hour round-trip drive (I wish they had a location in the Chicago area, but they add new locations all the time). Most of the Fill Centers USA locations do not use a fluoroscope, but they have a 72-hour Overfill Readjustment Policy.

    I paid a lot of money out-of-pocket for this band and I want it to work! I'll let you know how it goes.

  15. I have a question for those banded

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    I used a email that a friend has sent to his family and customized it for my own. (Plagiarized ;) )

    Here is my original email which Angie customized for her own use (with my permission) and everyone is welcome to use it :D

    Dear Name,

    I am going to have Lap-Band surgery at the Obesity Control Center in Mexico. My surgery will be performed by Dr. Ariel Ortiz and he will be assisted by Dr. Arturo Martinez.

    I have three primary concerns about having Lap-Band surgery at Obesity Control Center in Mexico:

    1. Risk of Surgery

    With over 400,000 Lap-Band surgeries performed worldwide, the Lap-Band is a proven safe, viable alternative offering excellent weight loss results. This minimally invasive surgical procedure eliminates the need for drastic stomach stapling and gastrointestinal bypass of normal digestion.

    2. Quality of Care

    Dr. Ortiz is a world-renowned expert on Lap-Band surgery. He has performed over 6,000 bariatric procedures and he is designated by Allergan, the manufacturer of the Lap-Band, as one of their proctor (trainer) surgeons. The Obesity Control Center is designed specifically for Lap-Band surgery and it is dedicated to offering the Lap-Band procedure with the highest level of safety, exceeding all US standards for surgery.

    3. Personal Safety

    More Americans will visit Mexico by noon tomorrow than will visit London in a year. Most foreign destinations, with the exclusion of Canada, are more dangerous for Americans to visit than is Mexico on an incident per visit ratio. Most homicides in Mexican border areas have been inter drug cartel exclusively. If you deduct the gangland related murders from the statistics, visiting Mexico is safer than visiting most US cities. The Obesity Control Center is located near the border in prestigious Zona Rio.

    Initially, I considered the Obesity Control Center because my insurance does not cover any type of weight loss surgery and it is very expensive in the US. Now, I would choose the Obesity Control Center over US hospitals because I believe I have found the best available surgeon and facilities. I joined the Lap-Band Forum and everyone praises Dr. Ortiz and the Obesity Control Center.

    My dad struggled with his weight all of his life and he died from obesity related comorbidities at the age of 72. My oldest brother has struggled with his weight all of his life and he has type 2 diabetes and wears a CPAP machine to bed for sleep apnea. So far, I do not have any obesity related comorbidities and I want to keep it that way. I want to live a long, healthy life for myself - and for my loved ones.

    Watch a Lap-Band commercial. I am scheduled for surgery one month from today.

    Love,

    Name

  17. OCC Info Sheet

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    Just a reminder,, those of you that give your old bigger clothes away need to keep an itemized record. You can write off your surgery, transportation, etc, and those clothing donations on next years income tax. Most places that receive donated clothes have a printed guideline you can use to come up with a value on your donated clothes. Everything helps when it comes to taxes.

    I always get receipts for my donations, but I didn't think about deducting my surgery. Thanks for the tip!

  18. OCC Info Sheet

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    Dan.. how is your recovery going? I'm on day 6 post op and better than I thought. Would love an update.

    ~laura

    Laura,

    I'm doing great! It's been 17 days since my surgery and I couldn't be better. Any mild discomfort I had from the surgery was mostly gone within a few days and completely gone after a week. I have followed the post-op diet to the letter. It hasn't been too bad... especially after the addition of cream soups. I'm looking forward to solid foods again on Monday. I don't like to weigh myself everyday because the ups and downs can be discouraging, but I'll weigh myself at the end of the post-op diet and I'll weigh myself when I go for my first fill. After that, I'll probably weigh once a week.

    I'm already wearing new, smaller clothes and giving away old, bigger clothes!

    How are things going for you?

    Dan

  19. OCC Info Sheet

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    It has been a while since I mentioned this...

    I created an info sheet to give to family and friends. It contains a map which shows the location and contact information for OCC, Hotel Lucerna, and Marriott. It also contains US Consulate information.

    The OCC Info Sheet is a PDF and you can download it from:

    http://www.fathomservices.com/occinfo.pdf

    It might also be a good idea to register your trip with the US Department of State at:

    https://travelregistration.state.gov

  21. Flu Outbreak in Mexio

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    I returned from Tijuana this morning. I had absolutely no problems crossing the border. The OCC van goes through a special "express" lane. The van stopped and I went in to present myself to customs. They asked if I had anything to declare and then waved me through. It took five seconds. Since the customs area was the only crowded place I encountered while I was in Mexico, I wore a face mask (which I removed briefly for the customs agent to compare me with my passport).

    I had a wonderful experience at OCC and I am returning on June 8th for my first fill, teeth cleaning, and Zoom whitening. I am planning to take the trolley to the border and walk to the clinic... and I have no reservations about doing so.

    Here is a message Dr. Ortiz posted on Facebook yesterday:

    Ariel Ortiz Lagardere wants everyone to know that the OCC clinic is safe! We are a full contained private surgery center... NOT a hospital, so you won't be around potentially sick patients. If you have questions about what is going on in Mexico please call 1-866-376-7849 to get the real story and don't let the media hype scare you!

  22. Flu Outbreak in Mexio

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    Hi - Dan

    would you take an of those gas x - for that gas pain? Hows your incissions? sore?

    I don't really notice the incisions much. I'm not sure if Gas-X would help... I think it might be the residual CO2 from the laparoscopic surgery near my diaphram. But maybe I'll try it if I still feel it in another day or two.

  24. Flu Outbreak in Mexio

    in Gastric Band Support & Discussion

    Posted

    I just received the following updated email message from the U.S. Consulate General Tijuana regarding a recent flu outbreak.

    PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO

    AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE

    Warden Message

    Flu Outbreak in Mexico

    April 28, 2009

    Update on Flu Outbreak in Mexico – Center for Disease Control Issues Travel Notice for Mexico; All Schools Closed and Nonessential Consular and Visa Services in Mexico Suspended until May 6

    The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended on April 27, 2009 that U.S. citizens defer all nonessential travel to Mexico because of the outbreak of H1N1 “swine” influenza. The CDC Travel Notice which advises U.S. citizens of the health risks that may be involved with travel to Mexico and provides a list of precautions travelers and U.S. citizen residents in Mexico can take to reduce their risk of infection can be found at the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert that can be found at http://travel.state.gov.

    On April 27, the Government of Mexico announced that as a precautionary measure, all schools throughout the country from kindergarten through university level will remain closed until May 6. All government-sponsored events involving large crowds in Mexico City have also been canceled, and museums and most tourist attractions are closed.

    The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. Consulates throughout the country have suspended all non-essential services to the public until May 6. Consular services for U.S. citizens will be limited to emergency assistance and to citizenship applications (passports and consular reports of birth abroad, or CRBA). Notarial and other routine services will not be available; anyone with passport or CRBA appointments is encouraged but not required to reschedule to a later date. Additionally, Federal Benefits Units are requesting all persons to postpone interviews on Social Security claims. The Consular Agency in Cabo San Lucas will remain open for emergency services only. The Consulate will monitor this situation continuously during the week and advise before May 6 if this suspension needs to be extended.

    Consulate General Tijuana’s visa unit has suspended all nonimmigrant visa appointments until May 6. The Consulate will reschedule all nonimmigrant visa appointments which have been made between April 27 and May 5. Our scheduling center will call or e-mail applicants to reschedule appointments. Alternatively, applicants may re-schedule visa appointments without being charged by calling 01-800-719-2525. If there is an emergency visa issue please email TijuanaInfo@state.gov. If visa operations need to be suspended beyond May 6, we will inform the public as soon as possible.

    A separate notice about immigrant visa appointments at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez will be issued on April 28, 2009.

    The Benjamin Franklin Library will be closed to the public.

    The Consulate reminds U.S. citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not “swine flu”; any specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Medical authorities urge people to avoid hospitals and clinics unless they have a medical emergency, since hospitals are centers of infection; instead, those with health concerns are encouraged to stay home and call their physicians to avoid potential exposure. Although the Consulate cannot give medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at the following links: http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/phys_and_dentist_acs.html http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/hospital_list_acs.html

    For additional information, please consult the State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov, the CDC website at www.cdc.gov, or the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int. The U.S.-based call center for U.S. citizens can be reached from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy will post additional information as it becomes available at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov, as will Consulate General Tijuana at http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov.

    U.S. Consulate General Tijuana

    American Citizen Services

    Tapachula #96

    Colonia Hipodromo, 22420

    Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

    Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

    For after-hours emergencies only: From Mexico dial 001 (619) 692-2154, From the U.S., dial (619) 692-2154.

    To contact U.S. Consulate General Tijuana

    Call (52) (664) 622-74-00

    To contact the U.S. Consular Agency in Cabo San Lucas

    Call (52) (624) 143-35-66

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