dreamhappy07

Hi Audrey, I hope you can help me with this. I just found out that I can withdraw the money I need from my 401(k). It has to be a medical financial hardship and I need a detailed letter from my doctor for it. I don't have the full $8500 for surgery with Dr. Ortiz, but most of it...I will save up the rest with airfare, etc. How did you go about getting yours? Did your doctor have to print up a letter for your company and so on? I will not have surgery with anyone else. Dr. Ortiz is my #1 choice and that's it. Thanks so much for any advice and suggestions you can give. Peace, Judy PS...how are you doing with your weight and I think I read that you had your first fill recently? :-?

Hi all, I was wondering what everyone felt like right after they woke up from surgery. I have had these strange visions and feelings like something inside me is strangling my esophagus from where the band was placed on my upper stomach. Weird huh? I hope that is not the way it feels. I know I may feel some pain from the incisions, but really don't want to have the other feeling. Gulp! Thanks for any replies. Peace, Judy

Hi Paint, I just read your wonderful and thorough step by step post about your experience with Dr. Ortiz. I am not sure when I will be banded but will only be banded by Dr. Ortiz. I am struggling with the financial part of it. My family are very concerned about after care if something would happen or go very wrong after I leave Mexico. I know I would have a fill Dr. here in Oregon and definitely would not have this surgery done out of the country until I get the all clear from my Dr. here. I need to have this surgery badly. So, do you have a plan for any problems that arrive after your trip to Mexico when you return home? Is it a good idea to get your first fill in TJ? I was reading alot of posts that said probably best. Take care and well wishes for great success! Judy

Hi Valerie, Good luck on your upcoming banding. I am in Portland, OR also, but my banding may never happen. I am in financial straits getting the money together, but I am so determined to have it done and only have it done with Dr. Ortiz. How did you pay for yours if I may ask? Take care, Judy

Hi Kaelin's G-Ma, I was wondering what kind of info you sent to Dahlia? I am very financially stuck as well getting financed and everything else is a no-go...my credit is horrible and even with a co-signer didn't work. Thank you, Judy

I thought the Dr.'s last name was Carlos, then I looked at the website again. It is Alessindro or similar to that.

Hi all, :-h I would like to know if anyone here has had lapband surgery with Dr. Carlos or another surgeon at his hospital in Tijuana? I found out about their DOCPAY payment plan and feel like there might be hope after all for me getting banded after all. Their prices are somewhat better than some others and I really hope this works out for me. Thanks, Judy

[Pardon my asking but do you have some sort of health problem you are concerned about and that is what prompted the question? If so, you should discuss it with one of the doctors as quickly as possible so the both of you can decide the best way to proceed. Thanks for replying to my post. No, I don't mind you asking at all. I don't have any serious health problems, just the usual health problems related to obesity. Sleep apnea, diabetes. I also have fibrolmyalgia and lymphedema which I feel would be greatly helped by weight loss. I am a smoker as well, but not very much.

Hey all, I was just wondering that if and when I am able to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz, what, other than heart problems would prevent you of having surgery and/or him doing the surgery? I don't hve heart problems and it pretty good health otherwise, but I don't want to pay all that money only to find out he won't do it or I can't have it done. My friend knows someone at her work that has gone to Mexico once for surgery and was sent home even after being on the operating table because of a heart problem. She went back with the all clear and was sent home again. What is up with that? I hope she didn't have to pay twice! I don't know why she couldn't have it done the second time. I also don't know who her surgeon was supposed to be. Thanks for any replies. Judy

Hi all, I have come to a dead end and have not way of coming up with the money to have Lap Band surgery. I have tried financing twice with and without a co-signer. My credit is obscenely bad and noone will touch me with a ten foot pole. I was even willing to go ahead with trying to get the surgery with my insurance through my employer. Well, that hit a brick wall. There is a strict exclusion and will never be allowed. I am desperate here. I want so badly to have this surgery THIS year! I want the experience that you all have had and traveling to a great place as well. Unless I have a rich relative that will loan it to me or win the lottery, I am so out of luck. Does anyone know of a place that will take payments over time or some kind of charity that would help someone that is in need of this surgery? Just a wild out there kinda thought... Thanks and happy health to all! Judy

Hi all, I want so badly to be banded by Dr. Ortiz. I have tried financing through Citerra Financial with a co-signer, and still got denied. I am soo bummed and stressed. I was wondering if, hopefully someone out there could please have some positive help for me to get financed from somewhere that would really help me. At this point, I don't care about high interest or payments. MY car is about paid off and that would release a big chunk every month for me to pay on something else. I have heard of MedProva, but was going to use my mom to get the loan since she has a credit line card. Unfortunately I read that they would probably approve it and then take it back because she isn't the one having the surgery. Don't know what to do. Thanks for any positive and uplifting help from anyone. Judy