Kari

WOULD I DO THIS AGAIN??? IN A HEARTBEAT wOULD I DO IT AGAIN IN MEXICO?? IN A HEARTBEAT

I'm still waiting to see if my insurance company will reimburse me for my Mexico band, But I got an expaination of benefits and GUESS WHAT? They paid all but $20. of my fill.

I never would have mentioned the word bribe if I thought anyone would think it was serious. Of course he was joking. He probably has gotten a ton of requests for records since insurance companies have reimbursed some people here. IT WAS A JOKE, FOLKS. Kari

I just e-mailed Rene, giving him my name and date of banding and asked him for records so I could submit them to my insurance. He e-mailed me back with just a couple days and he sent all the records that were in my files. It took about three weeks. I think he has been getting a lot of requests for records because he told me he was accepting bribes. Kari banded 7-16-07 Dr. Ortiz 40 lbs lost so far.

I wish I had brought some boullion cubes with me. Not that the chicken broth in the restaurant isn't delicious (it was) but a bowl with a bottle of water is $6.50. Each room has a Mr. coffee so you can heat the water and then add your boullion. VOILA!!

As soon as I heard from the psychologist and found he wouldn't recommend the band for me at that time, I got on line, found Dr. Ortiz.....was banded two and a half weeks later. Do I regret it??????? NO!!

I just want to thanks for all the responses to my post. I did notice that they are gone today. Thanks. I understand more now how this happens and I appreciate the actions taken. Kari

Is there anyone here monitoring this forum? Maybe I am just an old prude, but I take offence to these porn and sex drug posts. They have no place on this forum. They have nothing to do with weight loss surgery.

I've yet to send my forms in to my insurance company. I have got to get moving. It took Rene about two to three weeks to mail my records. They were all in English and there is about 4- 5 pages. Hopefully I have all I need. I have BCBS through Teamsters but since Dr. Ortiz is out of network, I have to send my claim to Teamsters for reimbursement. I hope there isn't a problem. They are pretty lenient about preapproving lapband, but I flunk the psycho. evalu. due to depression.

I don't have a problem with anyone knowing I was banded. In fact, I will tell anyone who wants to know. I am 57 years old and proud of the fact that I am finally taking control of my life and doing something about my weight and the depression I have been living with the past few years. Being banded is a whole lot better than being dead (which is where I was headed)

HELP I just found out that the doctor I was going to use for fills here in Michigan is leaving and I'm unable to get fills there. Is there anyplace here in Michigan that will give fill without them having done the lapband?

I'll wish you luck, if you wish me luck. I got all my paperwork from Rene yesterday and plan to start first thing Monday morning, to submit a claim. Can you tell me how to get the forms you need to submit a claim?

I have to agree with Tom. Just relax. OCC is a first class organization, Do worry. I didn't have any of the aches and pains that a lot of people have had and I credit Dr,. Ortiz and his staff for that. I do have one suggestion though. You will be on a liquid diet basically broth and juice and water for the first week. After surgery, at the Lucerna.........there is a nice restaurant but to get a bowl of chicken broth and a bottle of water, costs $6.50. Each room is equiped with a coffee maker so you can heat water with it. Bring your own boullion cubes and make your own broth. It is a lot cheaper and you don't feel you have to eat the whole bowl so you don't waste money. Good Luck with your surgeries and enjoy your time in Mexico. Kari banded 7-16-07 Dr. Ortiz

Hi Brenda I am 57 and know exactly how you feel, because I have those same feelings. I was banded 7-16 by Dr. Ortiz and it was the smartest thing I have ever done. I agree with all that Pam has said here. The pre-op diet isn't too bad. I drank a glucerna shake for breakfast and lunch and then a lean cuisine for dinner and all the green I wanted with diet dressing. It was for two weeks and you lose about a pound a day. Each doctor has their own diet but I found this one worked for me. Right now, I just started solid foods last week and can't wait for a fill. I just can't wait to get down and romp with my grand kids,

Michelle I am from Michigan and I saw a post from Kristi and she goes to Dr Kam at Barix Clinc in Ypsilanti, Mi. That is a lot closer than 3 hours away. As for cost, have e mailed Kristi and am waiting for a response. Kari