Donna34

Hi Janice! We did have a ball didn't we? Now I know why everyone says that you have BAND sisters/brothers when you come back! LOL The massages from the nurses were great too! There are SO many great things about having surgery there. It truly was a great experience. You didn't happen to get Kathy and Melissa's e-mail address did you? I'd love to hear from them, and I totally forgot to get it. Donna

GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!! It was a wonderful experience!! E-mail me at sparks2n2@yahoo.com, and I'll tell you all about it! You'll love them!!! Donna

Someone else mentioned that your companion could not stay the night at the surgery center, and would be sent back to the hotel. Was this true for you, or were they permitted to stay? Just wondering if I will have to spend the night alone. Donna <-------Big Baby

Are any of you scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz on April 3rd? I'm very excited, but also getting a little nervous. Most nervous about the flight! LOL Donna

Hi, since you two were newly banded, could you elaborate on your trips/surgery experiences? I'm going in next Monday for pre-ops, and surgery on the 3rd. Gettin a little nervous. Since it's fresh on your mind, could you give any details? :-? Thanks, Donna

Passport not necessary! Drivers liscense is sufficient. My surgery is Apr 3rd. When is yours? Donna

Just an IDEA for the pre-op diet! You can buy Cambridge diet products which come in a variety of flavors, including shakes, soups, and bars! It is a high protein, low fat diet. Just like Medifast, but really cheap. I did it before deciding on the surgery. I lost 28 pounds in the first month, going from 247 to 219. I was SO thrilled. I continued until I lost 38 pounds, but then I cheated, and once I tasted REAL food again there was NO turning back!! I gained all the weight back plus some! Tried it a few more times after that with the same results, and gave up. HOWEVER, the soups and shakes are pretty good, and not that expensive. They come in nice little canisters, and you WILL lose weight fast if you do the shakes/soups only. Personally I am going to use it for my pre-op diet. Everytime I did Cambridge I lost 10-11 pounds the first week. Anyway, if you are interested, you can e-mail me or just check out the website! sparks2n2@yahoo.com or www.cambridgedietusa.com Hope this helps! Donna

Hi you two! I was born and raised in West TN. Halfway between Nashville and Memphis. We moved to Iowa 3 months ago! Anyway, I don't know about doctors in Knoxville, but I hear there is a good one in Nashville. I know that is a stretch, but if you find nothing else? I can get his name if you are interested. My cousins had hers done in Memphis, and was pleased with her doctor there. Honestly, I would seriously consider Dr. Ortiz in MX, unless your insurance is going to pay. I'm having mine in Tijuana, MX on April 3rd, by Dr. Ortiz! I'm so excited!!!! My insurance would not pay a penny! Donna

I know everyone is different, and everyone's rate of loss is different, but I was just curious.... What was your total weightloss 3 MONTHS after your band surgery? Anyone remember? :-? Thanks, Donna

Sorry, just noticed the post! I can't remember if this one was near Chicago, (Downers Grove), but he is in IL. His name is Dr. Vitello. The fee without fluoroscopy is $75, assuming he can get access to your port without xray. If he needs xray the fee is $150 plus the hospital bills you $125 for the use of xray. ($275) AND: Surburban Surgical Care (n.w. Illinois) 888-639-7353 $250 I don't know anything else about them. Donna

When you did the pre-op surgery and lost 10-20 pounds, did you gain any of that back when you started solid food after the band? Also, how much restriction did you have after the band was placed? Did you have any restriction at all before your first fill? If so, how much weight did you lose between suregery and first fill? I told you I had crazy questions. My cousin had her surgery here in the US, and she actually GAINED about 10 pounds after getting banded. I just do NOT want to gain before the loosing starts! LOL Is it true that a 1/2 cup of juice etc will make you feel stuffed? Thanks for reading my ramblings. hope it made sense! :-? Donna

Just an IDEA for the pre-op diet! You can buy Cambridge diet products which come in a variety of flavors, including shakes, soups, and bars! It is a high protein, low fat diet. Just like Medifast, but really cheap. I did it before deciding on the surgery. I lost 28 pounds in the first month, going from 247 to 219. I was SO thrilled. I continued until I lost 38 pounds, but then I cheated, and once I tasted REAL food again there was NO turning back!! I gained all the weight back plus some! Tried it a few more times after that with the same results, and gave up. HOWEVER, the soups and shakes are pretty good, and not that expensive. They come in nice little canisters, and you WILL lose weight fast if you do the shakes/soups only. Personally I am going to use it for my pre-op diet. Everytime I did Cambridge I lost 10-11 pounds the first week. Anyway, if you are interested, you can e-mail me or just check out the website! sparks2n2@yahoo.com or www.cambridgedietusa.com Hope this helps! Donna

Thanks for the info! I'm having my surgery in TJ too. Is the $390 with or without flouro? There are a couple of drs in Chicago that do fills too. One charges $275 for a fill with flouro. How do you like the band so far, and how was your experience in Tijauna? I'm excited, but nervous. Donna

GOOD LUCK TO YOU STACY!!!!! THINKING OF YOU! Donna

True Greg. Can't completely blame it on the ins company. In my case it is my employers fault. Wellmark BCBS does pay for lap bands, but Procter & Gamble PAYS to have a rider stating that is does NOT pay for it. Thanks for the info, I'll check out the exclusions again. Donna

My surgery date is April 3rd. I'll arrive on the 2nd for my pre-ops. Donna

Hi Kellie from Iowa. Sorry I can't help you out on the calorie thing. I'm from Iowa City, Iowa, and I'm getting banded April 3rd. Did you go to Mexico, and if so, who does your fills? Hope to hear from you soon! Donna

I have decided 100% that Dr. Ortiz is the doctor for me! I can't WAIT to get this surgery behind me though. I'm a BIG CHICKEN, and the thought of surgery is S-C-A-R-Y. PLUS, I've never been on a plane!!!! Can you imagine that? And I'm terrified to fly!! SO, I'll be conquering many fears on this trip! LOL Looks like the time spent there will be like a mini vacation with a surgery thrown in! Anybody got any advice on what to do while in the area?? Me and hubby don't drink, so bars are not something we would be interested in. Would love to see the ocean though. ANy nice beaches close? And how do you get around there, cabs? Thanks for any replies, I know i have a LOT of questions! LOL Donna

I have decided 100% that Dr. Ortiz is the doctor for me! I can't WAIT to get this surgery behind me though. I'm a BIG CHICKEN, and the thought of surgery is S-C-A-R-Y. PLUS, I've never been on a plane!!!! Can you imagine that? And I'm terrified to fly!! SO, I'll be conquering many fears on this trip! LOL Looks like the time spent there will be like a mini vacation with a surgery thrown in! Anybody got any advice on what to do while in the area?? Me and hubby don't drink, so bars are not something we would be interested in. Would love to see the ocean though. ANy nice beaches close? And how do you get around there, cabs? Thanks for any replies, I know i have a LOT of questions! LOL Donna

Greg, did your insurance cover your surgery, or were you selfpay? I'm assumming you were self pay since you went to MX. I'm just wondering if my Ins would cover it if it was an emergency type situation. Who knows? Insurance companies are the DEVIL. LOL Donna

If you get this surgery, and end up with a problem such as slippage, erosion, etc. Does Ortiz cover the cost of removal, or is that another surgery you have to pay for? I know my insurance won't cover it. They won't have ANYTHING to do with any kind of weightloss procedure. Anybody know anything about this? Thanks! Donna

I'm looking at April 2nd or 3rd right now. Anybody gonna be there then? Also, what choices of Pre-op diets do you have? Thanks, Donna

I was on a message board talking to other patients who had gone to MX for surgery, I could have SWORE it was this one! Anyway, it was right before Christmas, and whoever I was talking to sent me information, and it was about having the surgery in MX, and they had different packages, depending on the hospital you chose, and there were like 4-5 different hospitals. Lowest pkg was 7,000. Someone even called me about it. Anyway, hubby talked me out of it, but NOW I'm desperate, I'm so tired of being fat! I "thought" it was in Monterey, MX but that may be wrong too??? Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Donna

OK, well another newbie question here....what does sliming mean? Thanks, Donna

I can certainly understand your frustration with your hubby. It took 6 months of BEGGING, and PLEADING with my hubby to finally convince him that I really NEEDED this surgery. He finally agreed to it, probably just to shut me up! But OH well! I'm hoping to be banded sometime this month. I can't hardly wait! Donna