Dolittle

I wanted to add to this post,,, I talked to the Cosmed Plastic Surgery Clinic and they told me that its not mandatory to have your band empty when having a lower lift/tummy tuck. It just so happened in a couple cases where the patient didn't want to be restricted while recuperating from the plastic surgery. I guess its one of those mental things where you want to eat like an oinker while in pain from the lower lift/tummy tuck. LOL.

I think the hotel that was on the American side of the border that was reasonable and had shuttle and etc, fell though or they didn't live up to their promise for Dr. Ortiz's patients. There were a lot of complaints. I know you can have the OCC clinic get you their rate at the Lucerna ($80 - $90?? a night, I think, check with the OCC ). I also know there are several other hotels near the Lucerna that are cheaper. I'd contact the OCC and see if they can find you a place that's more reasonable than the Lucerna. Or do a Web search for hotels in TJ. Most of those hotels are only 6 to 8 blocks walking distance to the OCC clinic. If you find some place on your own and stay there, please post your findings here at the forum.

The Obesity Control Clinic has quickly replied that there have been several patients that have had tummy tucks before they had been lapbanded and had no problems. Remember it's wize to list your tummy tuck in your medical history before any surgery.

That's kind of in reverse order,,, usually people have the lapband first,, lose weight and then have a tummy tuck. I'll have to check with Doctor Ortiz or Doctor Martinez and get their expert opinion. If your banded, I know at the Cosmed Plastic Surgery Clinic in Tijuana, they want you to have the band unfilled at the time of your Tuck or Lower body lift. For what reason,,, I don't know, but a couple weeks after plastic surgery you can have your band refilled. Just make sure you tell them your banded and where your port is located at the time of your first plastic surgery consultation. Also,, keep track of how much saline is removed from your band. All good bandsters always know how much saline is in their band. LOL. I'll check with the Cosmed clinic doctors and see what the reason is for the unfill and get back to the forum. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you let the lapband surgeon/plastic surgery surgeon and coordinators know up front your medical history and past surgeries.

A friend I know uses this place in Texas, She swears by this doctor. Its in Bryan, TX. right outside of College Station, TX. The doctors name is Dr. Stephanie Eijsink (pronounced: eye sink) She is wonderful! They only do fills on Saturdays and only by appointment. The cost for the fill is $200 CASH ONLY. Her number is: 903-520-8847.Her husband will answer the phone and make your appointment. They also have a new location in Tyler, TX. They alternate weekends so be sure to ask where they are at on your appointment date, so you don't go to the wrong place. Dr. Stephanie appreciates all the business but she is really busy so make your appointments in advance, probably about 2 weeks or so. Also, I think my friend mentioned this price includes the fluoro, but double check with the doctor to make sure.

go to this link and see a previous post about taking the Metro Transit system and walking across the border. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=725

Just got back from a fill trip to the OCC. My wife had her first fill (1.8cc's) and she did good, I had a tweaking fill, we added .5cc's to my 1.8cc's for a total of 2.3cc's. Dr. Romero did our fills. I've always had him as my fill doctor and I hope to continue using him as "our" fill doctor. I can't begin to write all the good things about Dr. Romero, his personality, his expertise, he just walks on water, HE ROCKS! Of course the service from the OCC personal was awesome, everyone from Fransisco (manager of transportation), Claudia, Rene, Dr. Martinez, the nurses in the recovery area, (I just got to get their names) and last, another girl that ROCKS, We all know her and love her,,,, Lori, OCC patient coordinator. If you ever have a problem, she's the go to girl. Carolyn rocks too, but I've never had the opportunity to get to know her. I just can't say enough, about the quality of service the OCC staff gives its patients. I didn't see Dr. Ortiz this trip, but he always gets all the glory, so we'll just leave him out of this post, this time, LOL. PS, I got to meet some of the newly banded patients at the clinic and at the hotel Lucerna. Everyone had good things to say about their banding experiance. So I want to see some of those newbe's start posting. OK, I bet you've had enough of this post, I hear you guys moaning. LOL.

Cappuccino's are bad,,bad,,,bad,,, lots of sugar and fat. I remember reading somewhere that one of those big Starbucks cappuccinos are in the 1000 + calorie range. I know the people that are hard core Atkins Dieters say that they're a big no-no. Remember what Dr. Miranda said about high cal drinks.

Everyone goes through this mental thing. Its a big lifestyle change, of course it makes you nervous. But when its all done you'll realize it wasn't that big of deal. How many times have you seen this same post?? And how many times have you seen the same person report back that the experiance was a good one??

I think arriving in Tijuana with an great attitude and new outlook on yourself is the only thing you need to bring. I think the biggest thing I hear when I'm down at the OCC clinic or hanging around the lobby of the Lucerna with the new patients is,,,,, "Boy, I'm just so nervous about having this surgery, I'm I making a big mistake"??? Stuff like that. But when the newly banded people come back to the hotel, they all say "what a piece of cake" or "that wasn't anything like I imagined it was going to be" or "this was a great experience, everyone at the clinic was so helpful". Then I run into those that have been banded for 6 months to a year, 60, 70, 80 lbs lighter, maybe in town for a fill, They say stuff like "I wish I would have done this years ago" or "This was the smartest thing I've ever done" and the best one is, "I love my band". As far as material things to bring,,, Gas x strips can be helpful,, some extra bottles water in your suitcase,, just pack light, you really don't need much. PS, remember this too,,, you've picked the best place and best surgeons to have your surgery. So rest easy at night, your going to be all right!

I was told by the Cosmed Clinic that you stay at the clinic over night after the surgery. The next 4 to 7 days you stay at the Lucerna, at your expense. They say if your going to have any complications its going to happen within the first 3 or 4 days. They do have an aftercare nurse and a home you can stay in if you want to pay for it. I can't remember how much more that would add to it. I think it was like $150 to $180 a day, compared to hanging at the Lucerna, which I think is around $89 a day. But they check on you if your at either. There are other hotels in TJ that are close to the Cosmed clinic that are cheaper, I think somewhere in the $50 a night range. I know after a lower body lift you have drainage tubes and bags. They stay in around 2 weeks. If you live far away, your in contact everyday with the clinic, reporting how much drainage you have. They will decide when the drainage tubes come out. From what I was told, you could go back to the clinic and have them remove the tubes or if you live far away, you can remove them yourself. I guess its not that big of a deal. I've heard from several OCC patients that have had their lifts at the Cosmed Clinic and did that on their own and didn't think anything about it. But you got to remember,, you chose Dr. Ortiz and the OCC clinic for your lapband and its in Mexico. So, WTF, if you want the guy who specializes in WLS plastic surgery, Dr. Quiroz is the guy. I'll keep the forum posted on what my local plastic surgeon comes up with as far as a price. I did find out one thing at my local consultation,,, insurance companies, if you get approved, only pay for a front tummy tuck. They won't pay for the complete lower lift, you have to make up the difference. We'll have to see what that will be,,, that could be scary. LOL

A lower body lift is more extensive than a tummy tuck. The prices depend on the individual. My lower body lift quote was close to $7000. I'll keep you posted on what my local American doctor hits me with. I think you can contact Dr. Quiroz and send in pictures of yourself and they can quote you that way. That is if your not going to be in TJ any time soon. But if your going to be at the OCC clinic for a fill or something else and have extra time, try getting a consult lined up while your there.

I'm in the same boat as you. When I was due for a fill/check up at the OCC I made a appointment with Dr. Quiroz at the Cosmed Clinic for a consultation. Dr. Quiroz's clinic is about two blocks away from the Hotel Lucerna. So while I was in Tijuana I got the scoop on a lower body lift and a got my fill/check up. A two for one trip. LOL. The consultation with Dr. Quiroz is free if your a patient of Dr. Ortiz's. Dr. Quiroz comes highly recommended by several of Dr. Ortiz's patients. Go to www.cosmedclinic.com and look his website over. He has a toll free number and you can call it to make your appointment. Ask for Jenny, his surgical coordinator, tell her your a patient of Dr. Ortiz's. As far as I go, I went to a local plastic surgeon last week and I'm waiting to see how much its going to cost me here. I'm trying to get my insurance to pay for the plastic surgery. But, if I have to pay out of my pocket, I'm heading to Mexico and Dr. Quiroz. They say he's the best at lower body lifts and stuff like that. Also, he's buds with Dr. Ortiz. As far as Dr. Ortiz starting to offer plastic surgery services at the OCC, I haven't heard anything about that. I know the Dr. Romero is going to be a plastic surgeon someday, maybe he'll be the OCC plastic surgeon in the future??? We could only hope that would be the case.

PBing,,,Aka,,productive burping. If you get something stuck, everytime you swallow your own saliva it will build up in your stomach, eventually you can't take anymore and you have to purge. What comes out looks like clear slim. If you do this to often you can end up with a slipped band. So try not to do this. Eventually you'll digest the blockage and be back to normal. I highly recommend getting a bottle of chewable Papaya enzyme at Walmart. This stuff is supposed to speed up the digestion process in your stomach, that is if you were to get something caught. They don't taste to bad either. So the golden rule is to CHEW, CHEW, CHEW!

Hi members, I need a little help. I'm looking for the insurance CPT codes that pertain to Lapband surgery, Fill Doctors and the hospital Fluoro. I'm in the process of filing a claim with my insurance provider and the form makes me do all the work. So I need to make sure all my i's are dotted and the t's crossed before I send in the claim. Thanks, Dave

Go to this link and it will tell you how to do the bus/trolly/taxi way. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=725 Or call the OCC clinic and have the clinic van service pick you up at the airport. I think that costs $130, but call the clinic to make sure.

What size band do you have? I'd call the doctors office and get some advice right away.

I got the Sam's club, Members Mark brand chewables. They're not as potent as adult vitamins, you may have to take two aday. But they taste like Sweet Tarts candy. That's why the kids like them. LOL

According to several female Lapbandforum members, that time of the month can effect your band restriction. I'd call your OCC coordinator for some advice "today".

I looked into lapbanding 5 years ago, I got cold feet back then, right at the last minute I chickened out. But I was banded by the OCC clinic in March 1st 2007 and I've kicked myself in the butt for not doing it 5 years ago. But its better late than never. Went down 20 lbs in the pre diet (started Jan 1st) and 50 lbs since being banded ( March 1st) for a total of 70 lbs. Just go for it and never look back.

The bus/trolley route is real easy. Buy a $5 all day pass and you can go anywhere all day. $9 gets you a 2 day pass. The only bad thing is going back over to the USA at the border. It can be PITA sometimes, lots of people go back and forth, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are the worst. So allow yourself a lot of extra time to get back into the USA and back to the airport. Thursdays shouldn't be as bad as the other days I mentioned. I've done it the walk across a half dozen times. I like doing the walk and think of it as an adventure. LOL, If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

When you go into the hospital in Downers Grove you have to go to patient registration. When your there you have to tell them up front if you have insurance. Your kind of in a dilemma at that moment. If you say you have insurance they will bill the insurance company $129. The minium for a half hour of Fluoro. If you tell them you don't have insurance, they will bill you as non insurured, with a discount, of $103, then at the bottom of that bill, it will say if you pay this bill by a certain date, the bill will only be $88. Either you find out ahead of your fill if your insurance will pay it or do the wait and see deal. If you do the wait and see deal your insurance may not pay, then you may end up paying the the whole $129 the first time. I know someone that did that and their insurance wouldn't pay, now she is trying to get the original bill dropped down to the $88 non insured deal. As of this time and date, I don't know if she has got that done. If she see's this post she may reply to it and update us on the insurance vs. non deal. So, I'd do some phone calling to the insurance company and try to get the scoop first.

Here's Dr. Vitello's email address, jvituic@comcast.net Sometimes it takes him a couple days to get back to you.

Also, You could probabley get by with a carry on bag. You really don't need much to justify a suitcase. Pack light.

I remember the days before I was banded and did a cruise. Holy crap, I remember putting on 10 to 15 lbs on one cruise. I feel for you... I have no suggestions that you already don't know. LOL