Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Congrats Traci on your decision – you will not regret it. I will try to answer a few of your questions, and I’m sure you will get lots of replies from others. First – I only told two people I was having the band – outside the U.S. – my mother and brother – he told his wife which was O.K. with me. They were supportive/non-committal and did not try to talk me out of it. I had planned to go alone (I live alone), buy my sister-in-law insisted that my brother drive down with me and drive me back. We live only 2 hrs. from Mexicali so driving was convenient for me. I still haven’t told too many of my friends/family, mainly because I don’t want the hassle. Now your questions – If you drive into Mexico – which you will do by flying into San Diego and Ernesto driving you, you do not need a passport until January 1, 2008. The hospital was very clean – there were people mopping the floors constantly. The people take care of you as if you were the only patient. The hotel you stay at for the first night is top notch. Look at the pictures posted and you will see the hotel, hospital and individual rooms. You are given a general exam and ex-ray, and the Dr. explain fully the expected results of the operation, what you as the patient are required to do, what you can and cannot eat (no carbonated sodas ever again). There is no psych evaluation. Nina will send you a pre-op diet to follow if you need one – its generally a low-fat diet to shrink the liver. I go back to Dr. A for fills and they cost about $80 there. I have heard in the states they can be $300 - $500 – you need to check your area for fill doctors and factor that into the total cost of the procedure. I have not heard of anyone who had complications from this surgery. In the posts here there are people who had problems after – mostly from fills by dr’s that don’t know how to do fills. Nina can tell you how long the waiting list is. I was able to get the date I wanted, and I asked for it 3 weeks in advance – so not a long wait at all. Hope this helps – and again good luck. Rhonda From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Traci Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 5:32 PM Subject: Need Input!!! Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have not yet been BANDED but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance so I will being paying it all myself. I have been approved for a loan but I have tons of questions for you all who have already began your new journey. First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a 28 year old mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married 9 years. I am going to graduate with my RN in August (can't wait). I have several ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who are extremely opposed of me traveling out of the country for this procedure. I am on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i hope to accomplish this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of being in this body. Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I weigh..... 261 lbs. I said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that I never tell anyone the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl on here that have felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, friendly person but i have noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh hold me back from being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack in the grocery store from a girl I went to highschool with. I really pisses me off that I have let myself get to this point and that my weight is slowly changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up with it. I started looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have attended 2 seminars and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. So, now that I have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I will have more but here is what i can think of right now. Do you have to have a passport to travel into Mexico for the surgery? Was the hospital clean? What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc had to be done before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation) Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? How did you know how to do this and are you under Dr supervision while doing it? Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills cost? How much are they in US ? Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious complications from this procedure? If I decided to have my procedure done, how long is the waiting list before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 week break in June and July and this would be a great time for me. Or after I graduate in August would be ok too. Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your input! TRACI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hi Traci, WELCOME A BOARD!!! I'm sure your going to get lots of replys but here is what I know...I'll answer your questions out beside them... We have all been where you are...But your taking control and taking the 1st step to change your life...Sounds like your very motivated which is a great thing...I can promise you the band is the best thing you'll ever do for yourself...EVER!...Your kids and your husband will benefit as well...I was banded Sept. 26, 2006 and I've lost 45 pounds...My journey began at 204, I'm now 159 my goal is 135...I'm 40 years old and decided that I didn't want to keep getting bigger (since obesity runs in my family big time there was no doubt that I would have)...So I took control and I'm loving it...I've went from a tight 18 to a comfotable size 10 in just 5-1/2 months...I'm not where I want to be but I'm much happier at this size...The band improves so much, not just our size, but our self asteem, our health, our personality, our family life style (we're able to do more)...I can understand why your husband would be nervous for you to leave the country (we've all been there) and we found out that our fears were unfounded...We were in perfect hands with Dr. Aceves and his entire staff...I hope this helps...Feel free to ask all your questions...There are lots of old timers who know so much more than I... Good Luck and keep us posted... Hugs Rena Traci <traci_7693@...> wrote: Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have not yet been BANDED but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance so I will being paying it all myself. I have been approved for a loan but I have tons of questions for you all who have already began your new journey. First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a 28 year old mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married 9 years. I am going to graduate with my RN in August (can't wait). I have several ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who are extremely opposed of me traveling out of the country for this procedure. I am on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i hope to accomplish this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of being in this body. Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I weigh..... 261 lbs. I said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that I never tell anyone the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl on here that have felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, friendly person but i have noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh hold me back from being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack in the grocery store from a girl I went to highschool with. I really pisses me off that I have let myself get to this point and that my weight is slowly changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up with it. I started looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have attended 2 seminars and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. So, now that I have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I will have more but here is what i can think of right now. Do you have to have a passport to travel into Mexico for the surgery? No, You only need a passport if you fly directly into MX. You will fly into San Diego, CA and they will drive you the rest of the way. Now come 2008 everyone will need a passport...Was the hospital clean? Very clean, I'm not lying when I tell you I bet they mopped 10 times a day...It smells like oranges...Very nice...What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc had to be done before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation)...Blood work, chest xrays, urine test...Nina is the patient coordinator, she will send you several online Emmi files (shows you what to exspect...If I've forgot something someone will let you know...Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? How did you know how to do this and are you under Dr supervision while doing it? Yes most people do but no all, Nina will tell you what to do. My BMI was 35 so I did not have to do the pre-op diet.Other than your plane ticket, how much do the fills cost? How much are they in US ? I pay $190.00 for my fills that is without fluoro (xray). If you can line up your doctor beforehand and see what they charge, you'll have a pretty good idea what to expect, that is if your not able to go back to MX for each fill. Some Dr.'s in the US are high, I asked one and he wanted $700.00 for the 1st visit and 400 from then on...Too high for my blood...Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious complications from this procedure? No, not from the procedure itself...It's very, very safe...If I decided to have my procedure done, how long is the waiting list before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 week break in June and July and this would be a great time for me. Or after I graduate in August would be ok too. Nina is the one who could tell you the waiting time...It's usually pretty fast, depends on you, how fast you can get her the info. I started my paperwork and was banded in less than 2 weeks from start to finish...Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your input! TRACI The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Search Marketing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Traci, No passport needed untill 1/08 The hospital was behond clean Test.. they will do blood test , an ekg, chest xray when you arrive for surgery Some are on pre-surgery diet I was not No psych eval I pay $160 for fills in NY They are $80 in mexicalli I know of NO ONE who has had comlications I have 2 sisters whom have had gastric bypass one had many complications and the other died after 6 months I didnt wait but maybe a week after I sent my approval papers in .... same with my 13 yr old I took last year. I went back to work in 6 days.. just no heavy lifting You could take a long weekend and be fine.. I too am 5" 2" I weighted 225 when I got banded Now weigh in at 150... 20 more to go..... Good luck, we are all here to help you.... Dr. Aceves is wonderful.... he is not a tiny mexican man sitting in a dirt floor room with rusty knifes with his assistant banging on an overhead light to keep it on.. Mexican hospitals are far much nicer then most US hospitals Ive been in. You will be in safe hands believe me.. Good luck Amy in NY Need Input!!! Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have not yet been BANDED but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance so I will being paying it all myself. I have been approved for a loan but I have tons of questions for you all who have already began your new journey. First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a 28 year old mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married 9 years. I am going to graduate with my RN in August (can't wait). I have several ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who are extremely opposed of me traveling out of the country for this procedure. I am on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i hope to accomplish this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of being in this body. Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I weigh..... 261 lbs. I said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that I never tell anyone the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl on here that have felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, friendly person but i have noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh hold me back from being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack in the grocery store from a girl I went to highschool with. I really pisses me off that I have let myself get to this point and that my weight is slowly changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up with it. I started looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have attended 2 seminars and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. So, now that I have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I will have more but here is what i can think of right now. Do you have to have a passport to travel into Mexico for the surgery?Was the hospital clean? What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc had to be done before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation)Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? How did you know how to do this and are you under Dr supervision while doing it?Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills cost? How much are they in US ?Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious complications from this procedure?If I decided to have my procedure done, how long is the waiting list before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 week break in June and July and this would be a great time for me. Or after I graduate in August would be ok too.Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your input! TRACI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 , Congratulations on your decision. The band is the best thing I ever did. My story is similar to yours. I was a happy and outgoing person before I began gaining weight. Well, I haven't hit my goal weight yet, but I'm 72 lbs lighter and I'm back to being the happy person I once was. I had my surgery done with Dr. Aceves on July 1, 2006 and he is the best! I did tons of research before I choose him. I'm so glad I did, his staff and himself are wonderful and you will have no regrets. The hospital is immaculate clean, they clean the floors about 10 times a day and I'm not exaggerating. You have your own little hospital room, with a bathroom, sofa and a recliner. Very nice hospital rooms, you can see pictures of the hospital on some of the bandsters postings. My husband went with me and he was very concern when I made this decision, but from the moment he met Yolanda and the Dr., he knew that I had made the right choice. Life is good, and yes you do have a few set backs, it's not always a piece of cake, but it's all worth it. I'm now wearing cute clothes, I can walk in heels again without feeling like my heels are going to break. The pre-op diet is a protein diet, when you arrive at the hospital they do your labs and EKG and I believe an x-ray, I don't remember too well. Then Dr. Aceves and Yolanda sit in a room with you and explain the procedure and they make sure that this is what you want. It's a life changing experience. Once you are done at the hospital Yolanda takes you to your Hotel and you can take a cab or drive to a restaurant for your last big meal. The next morning Yolanda and Ernesto come back to the hotel and take you to the hospital. They set you up in your room, make sure your are comfterable and then prepare you for surgery. The surgery was quick I believe it took about 40 minutes, and I wasn't in too much pain. I was sick from the anesthesia. I was sick for a few days, I didn't know that I was allergic to the anesthesia, but the same thing happen when I had my hysterectomy so now I know. I was a little sore for a day or two, but not what I expected. I expected to be laid out for a few days, no we were all up and walking the hospital that same dayor the next. I had surgery on Friday, left the hospital on Sunday and drove home for about 5 hours. Took an extra two days off work and return to work on Wednesday. If you are ready do it, Dr Aceves and his team are it, they are the best. You won't regret it. Good Luck on your decision. Michel Traci <traci_7693@...> wrote: Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have not yet been BANDED but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance so I will being paying it all myself. I have been approved for a loan but I have tons of questions for you all who have already began your new journey. First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a 28 year old mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married 9 years. I am going to graduate with my RN in August (can't wait). I have several ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who are extremely opposed of me traveling out of the country for this procedure. I am on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i hope to accomplish this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of being in this body. Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I weigh..... 261 lbs. I said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that I never tell anyone the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl on here that have felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, friendly person but i have noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh hold me back from being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack in the grocery store from a girl I went to highschool with. I really pisses me off that I have let myself get to this point and that my weight is slowly changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up with it. I started looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have attended 2 seminars and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. So, now that I have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I will have more but here is what i can think of right now. Do you have to have a passport to travel into Mexico for the surgery?Was the hospital clean? What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc had to be done before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation)Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? How did you know how to do this and are you under Dr supervision while doing it?Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills cost? How much are they in US ?Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious complications from this procedure?If I decided to have my procedure done, how long is the waiting list before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 week break in June and July and this would be a great time for me. Or after I graduate in August would be ok too.Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your input! TRACI Finding fabulous fares is fun.Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Welcome Traci,We are excited to get to know you and welcome any and all questions. Here are a couple of my answers....I believe all of us on this board - at least all that are Dr. Aceves pts are self pay. For one reason or another our insurance or lack of insurance wouldn't pay for our procedures. So we all know exactly what that feels like to save and save so this miracle can happen in our lives Congratulations on your RN, that is no small feat! I was also met with a lot of resistance from my family. My sister-in-law said, "well at least you know you are loved". And she was right, these people, at least most, wouldn't be discouraging you if they weren't afraid for you and loved you very much. My husband was out right saying NO, until I found a wonderful friend that would go with me, then he felt comfortable with the idea. My sister and SIL said they thought I would get kidnapped and that it was the worst idea ever. My mom told me I was burying my head in the sand and not listening to reason so that I didn't have to face the fact that I was going to do whatever I wanted no matter how unreasonable it was. Oh, yea, that was a LOT of fun!! No one believed me that it was safe, because they weren't the ones who have done the research, I was. I had to face that fact, that they wouldn't believe me, because they hadn't talked w/Dr. A.'s pts, they hadn't been on this board everyday, for a year. etc etcFYI- I'm 5'4 and was 240 when I started and wearing a size 20pant and 2x shirt It's not so hard to write it now that I'm no longer there It will get easier for you too!! My funny story of wanting to hide, but didn't get to was... My husband who hates flying was asking me about turbulence on the plane, he said he was going to ask the pilot what it was etc etc, I didn't care, we were ending a week long trip to Iowa for his nephew's wedding and traveling with his brother who hates me because after 3 months of living with us, I kicked him out of our house, and we had our 13 yr old and 2 yr old w/us. I was wearing size 20 sweat pants, a 2x t-shirt and was TIRED of entertaining a very fussy 2yr old. So when I'm getting off the plane, I'm gathering everything up and kids etc when I look up, my husband is talking to the pilot who happens to be my x's brother - the uncle to my 13 yr old!!! UGGGGHHHHH. I just wanted to hide my fat body and replace it with a gorgeous model so he could run home to his family and tell them all how incredible Cyrena looks now a days! LOL LOL LOL- No you don't need a passport to travel by land to Mexico, but you will next year. They asked for my license and I had my certified birth certificate with me, but no one asked for it.-The hospital was spotless, our joke was that it was easier to find a cleaning lady than a coke for my friend VERY VERY Clean-As for tests ect, Dr. A didn't require the psych eval, I was going to have the surgery done in the US when I thought Insurance would cover so I did the psych eval but not necessary w/ Dr. A. You need to fill out a questionnaire that Nina will send you and then he evaluates if you are a candidate or not. Then the day you come to Mexicali you will have blood work drawn, pee in a cup, have an EKG, and a Chest X-ray. All of that is done the day before your surgery.-There is a pre-op diet but it isn't liquid. The goal of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Your liver is in the way when they go in laproscopicaly, it bleeds easily and is hard to move out of the way. So they have you do the pre-op diet to shrink your liver and kind of "get it out of the way". It is like Atkins Phase one. Lots of protein, as little carbs as possible. I ate Chicken, cheese, almonds. And a protein drink or 2 every day. In the info that Nina sends you it will talk about the pre-op diet and what to eat. There isn't Dr.'s supervision on this per se, but Nina is available anytime for questions about it.-Fills w/Dr. A are free except for the $80 for the fluoroscope machine he uses. It depends where you go in the US for how much they cost - I believe average is around $200. I just had my first fill and it cost $350 to meet w/the surgeon for the first time and get a fill and $160 for fluro. He doesn't use fluro after the first visit so the fills from now on will be $89. Free for the first year if I had him do the surgery.-I don't know of anyone who has had serious complications, it definitely wasn't me -You should contact Nina about the dates, she will know how far out they are scheduling, but I didn't have any problem getting a date exactly when I wanted it.Traci, I'm sorry I got so long winded here but I wanted to make sure all of your questions are answered! Best of luck to you in this awesome decision. I don't regret it for a minute!! If you want the details of my surgery go to my web site listed below and click on blog. Cyrena Weekswww.mylapbandjourney.com(240) 230/210/140 Need Input!!! Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have not yet been BANDED but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance so I will being paying it all myself. I have been approved for a loan but I have tons of questions for you all who have already began your new journey. First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. I am a 28 year old mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married 9 years. I am going to graduate with my RN in August (can't wait). I have several ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who are extremely opposed of me traveling out of the country for this procedure. I am on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i hope to accomplish this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of being in this body. Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I weigh..... 261 lbs. I said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that I never tell anyone the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl on here that have felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, friendly person but i have noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh hold me back from being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack in the grocery store from a girl I went to highschool with. I really pisses me off that I have let myself get to this point and that my weight is slowly changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up with it. I started looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have attended 2 seminars and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. So, now that I have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I will have more but here is what i can think of right now. Do you have to have a passport to travel into Mexico for the surgery? Was the hospital clean? What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc had to be done before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation) Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? How did you know how to do this and are you under Dr supervision while doing it? Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills cost? How much are they in US ? Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious complications from this procedure? If I decided to have my procedure done, how long is the waiting list before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 week break in June and July and this would be a great time for me. Or after I graduate in August would be ok too. Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your input! TRACI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Amy, Oh my Gosh...you made me laugh so hard...the thought of the mexican man sitting on a dirt floor with rusty knives and a sometimes working overhead light...is just so over the top NOT what any patient is going to experience in Mexicali. Thanks for the laugh. Actually I was in a U.S. hospital in November, and the room was filthy. If I was in that hospital to have surgery, I would have been very upset. I kept thinking of how Dr. A would never allow his hospital to be like that. B --- Amy <areynolds3@...> wrote: > Traci, > No passport needed untill 1/08 > > The hospital was behond clean > > Test.. they will do blood test , an ekg, chest xray > when you arrive for surgery > Some are on pre-surgery diet I was not No psych eval > > I pay $160 for fills in NY > They are $80 in mexicalli > > I know of NO ONE who has had comlications > I have 2 sisters whom have had gastric bypass one > had many complications and the other died after 6 > months > > I didnt wait but maybe a week after I sent my > approval papers in .... same with my 13 yr old I > took last year. > > I went back to work in 6 days.. just no heavy > lifting > You could take a long weekend and be fine.. I too am > 5 " 2 " I weighted 225 when I got banded Now weigh in > at 150... 20 more to go..... > Good luck, we are all here to help you.... Dr. > Aceves is wonderful.... he is not a tiny mexican man > sitting in a dirt floor room with rusty knifes with > his assistant banging on an overhead light to keep > it on.. Mexican hospitals are far much nicer then > most US hospitals Ive been in. You will be in safe > hands believe me.. > Good luck > Amy in NY > > Need Input!!! > > > Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have > not yet been BANDED > but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance > so I will being > paying it all myself. I have been approved for a > loan but I have tons > of questions for you all who have already began > your new journey. > First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. > I am a 28 year old > mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married > 9 years. I am > going to graduate with my RN in August (can't > wait). I have several > ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who > are extremely > opposed of me traveling out of the country for > this procedure. I am > on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i > hope to accomplish > this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of > being in this body. > Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I > weigh..... 261 lbs. I > said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that > I never tell anyone > the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl > on here that have > felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, > friendly person but i have > noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh > hold me back from > being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack > in the grocery > store from a girl I went to highschool with. I > really pisses me off > that I have let myself get to this point and that > my weight is slowly > changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up > with it. I started > looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have > attended 2 seminars > and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. > So, now that I > have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I > will have more but > here is what i can think of right now. > > Do you have to have a passport to travel into > Mexico for the surgery? > > Was the hospital clean? > > What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc > had to be done > before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation) > > Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? > How did you know > how to do this and are you under Dr supervision > while doing it? > > Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills > cost? How much > are they in US ? > > Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious > complications from > this procedure? > > If I decided to have my procedure done, how long > is the waiting list > before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 > week break in June > and July and this would be a great time for me. Or > after I graduate > in August would be ok too. > > Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your > input! TRACI > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss an email again! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search./toolbar/features/mail/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hi Traci This is Rosy I just got backed and my experience was fabulous. They are a group of professionals who truly care about their patients and love what they do. You can see it in their eyes. I actually got a little melancholic on my last day there because I truly bonded with them. My best advice is to start with Nina, she is Dr Aceves coordinator and she is very knowledgeable and answers your questions without any hesitation. She is very honest and promptly returns your calls and emails. They work hard and the hospital has the latest technology a lot of Health professionals have been to Dr Aceves to have their surgeries and they have great reviews. I'm sure one of them will see this post and give you more input. I can relate to you because imp to 28years old, have a son and a loving husband. My weight was holding me back and getting in the way of God's plan for me. I'm ready to write the next chapter in my life. When I was there on RN returned to bring one of her friends (she looks amazing) and she told me something that stock to me. " The only right choice is the one you make and feel is right for you " Is a short phrace but is deep and hold very true to each individual and it seems that you have already made your choice because God spoken and told you that this is your path. Blessings to you and your family, go for it girl I'm here for you as well as a ton of other people. Write me anytime rosy002@... Blessings Rosy Ps. Nina is more than happy to speak with your husband and rest any of his concerns, she spoke with my husband and that made a huge difference. , " B. " <kede95@...> wrote: > > Amy, Oh my Gosh...you made me laugh so hard...the > thought of the mexican man sitting on a dirt floor > with rusty knives and a sometimes working overhead > light...is just so over the top NOT what any patient > is going to experience in Mexicali. Thanks for the > laugh. Actually I was in a U.S. hospital in November, > and the room was filthy. > If I was in that hospital to have surgery, I would > have been very upset. I kept thinking of how Dr. A > would never allow his hospital to be like that. > > B > > --- Amy <areynolds3@...> wrote: > > > Traci, > > No passport needed untill 1/08 > > > > The hospital was behond clean > > > > Test.. they will do blood test , an ekg, chest xray > > when you arrive for surgery > > Some are on pre-surgery diet I was not No psych eval > > > > I pay $160 for fills in NY > > They are $80 in mexicalli > > > > I know of NO ONE who has had comlications > > I have 2 sisters whom have had gastric bypass one > > had many complications and the other died after 6 > > months > > > > I didnt wait but maybe a week after I sent my > > approval papers in .... same with my 13 yr old I > > took last year. > > > > I went back to work in 6 days.. just no heavy > > lifting > > You could take a long weekend and be fine.. I too am > > 5 " 2 " I weighted 225 when I got banded Now weigh in > > at 150... 20 more to go..... > > Good luck, we are all here to help you.... Dr. > > Aceves is wonderful.... he is not a tiny mexican man > > sitting in a dirt floor room with rusty knifes with > > his assistant banging on an overhead light to keep > > it on.. Mexican hospitals are far much nicer then > > most US hospitals Ive been in. You will be in safe > > hands believe me.. > > Good luck > > Amy in NY > > > > Need Input!!! > > > > > > Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have > > not yet been BANDED > > but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance > > so I will being > > paying it all myself. I have been approved for a > > loan but I have tons > > of questions for you all who have already began > > your new journey. > > First off, let me tell you a little bit about me. > > I am a 28 year old > > mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married > > 9 years. I am > > going to graduate with my RN in August (can't > > wait). I have several > > ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who > > are extremely > > opposed of me traveling out of the country for > > this procedure. I am > > on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i > > hope to accomplish > > this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of > > being in this body. > > Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I > > weigh..... 261 lbs. I > > said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that > > I never tell anyone > > the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl > > on here that have > > felt the same way. i am a really outgoing, > > friendly person but i have > > noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh > > hold me back from > > being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack > > in the grocery > > store from a girl I went to highschool with. I > > really pisses me off > > that I have let myself get to this point and that > > my weight is slowly > > changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up > > with it. I started > > looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have > > attended 2 seminars > > and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me. > > So, now that I > > have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I > > will have more but > > here is what i can think of right now. > > > > Do you have to have a passport to travel into > > Mexico for the surgery? > > > > Was the hospital clean? > > > > What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc > > had to be done > > before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation) > > > > Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? > > How did you know > > how to do this and are you under Dr supervision > > while doing it? > > > > Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills > > cost? How much > > are they in US ? > > > > Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious > > complications from > > this procedure? > > > > If I decided to have my procedure done, how long > > is the waiting list > > before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 > > week break in June > > and July and this would be a great time for me. Or > > after I graduate > > in August would be ok too. > > > > Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your > > input! TRACI > > > > > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ ______________ > Never miss an email again! > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. > http://tools.search./toolbar/features/mail/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Ya mary, my most fond memory of Dr. A and sergio covered with dirt...LOL..... NOT!!!!.....! But when I told people I went to mexico the horrible looks I got.. Then when my daughter was in the US hospital this past month with pancatric the lectures I got from her NEW dr.'s.. getting my 13 yr old daughter a lap-band and in MEXICO.. This is not approved in the united states..( Little does he know IT IS as long as your 14 and under a study doctor.)Rapid weight loss he said.. Had she been a drunk that would of been the cause...DU MB AMERICAN DOCTORS.......Good god I thought they were gonna call down the big guys with the strap on jacket for me. When I told her gallbladder surgen I was returning to mexico for trip #4 this time for plastic surgery he said... Are you mexican? I told him no that the dr were wonderful there and the cost of plastic surgery in the states was just too much.. He told me good luck and that he would pray for me... Wait untill I see him at my daughters next appointment... Need Input!!!> > > Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have> not yet been BANDED > but I am working toward it. I don't have insurance> so I will being > paying it all myself. I have been approved for a> loan but I have tons > of questions for you all who have already began> your new journey. > First off, let me tell you a little bit about me.> I am a 28 year old > mother of 2 kids ages 8 and 4. I have been married> 9 years. I am > going to graduate with my RN in August (can't> wait). I have several > ppl (friends, other nurses, & esp my husband) who> are extremely > opposed of me traveling out of the country for> this procedure. I am > on a mission to convince them that it is safe!! i> hope to accomplish > this but if not, OH WELL.... I am sooo tired of> being in this body. > Oh, I forgot that detail. I am 5ft 2in and I> weigh..... 261 lbs. I > said it. I am so ashamed of how much I weigh that> I never tell anyone > the truth about it. I know now that there are ppl> on here that have > felt the same way. i am a really outgoing,> friendly person but i have > noticed that over the past 2 years, I let my weigh> hold me back from > being myself. I caught myself hiding behind a rack> in the grocery > store from a girl I went to highschool with. I> really pisses me off > that I have let myself get to this point and that> my weight is slowly > changing the person I once was!!! I am just fed up> with it. I started > looking into LapBand surgery 5 years ago and have> attended 2 seminars > and I AM READY!!! Its get banded or BUST for me.> So, now that I > have vented, here are a few questions. i am sure I> will have more but > here is what i can think of right now. > > Do you have to have a passport to travel into> Mexico for the surgery?> > Was the hospital clean? > > What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc> had to be done > before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation)> > Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet?> How did you know > how to do this and are you under Dr supervision> while doing it?> > Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills> cost? How much > are they in US ?> > Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious> complications from > this procedure?> > If I decided to have my procedure done, how long> is the waiting list > before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3> week break in June > and July and this would be a great time for me. Or> after I graduate > in August would be ok too.> > Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your> input! TRACI> > > > __________________________________________________________Never miss an email again! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives.http://tools.search./toolbar/features/mail/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 Hi Traci, If you are flying into San Diego and then being picked up by the van, you won't need a passport to get across the border by van; however the airports now ask for passport. The hospital was very very clean and the hallway floor shined like a new penny. I was banded 2/07/2007 and I have not lost all that much weight yet. However I am going to fly into S.D. and picked up by the van, and get my first fill on 3/27/07. That night I will spend the night in the hotel, and hopefully know if I am to tight before I leave Mexico on the 28th. The idea of getting filled, then unfilled, then shortly after filled again, does not go over real well with me. I sure hope I can be lucky and not need to do all that traveling. The surgery was not all that bad but I did have a terrible headache when I woke up the next morning in the hospital. I didn't tell anyone about the headacke until early afternoon because I thought it would be gone all by itself after I had breakfast, but it got even worse so I told someone and soon Dr. A. and were in there, and I ended up getting something to take with water and then a shot at the same time, then later on another pill with water, and another shot. I went to sleep again and when I woke up next, the headacke was gone. I think it was caused from the gas they use to put you way down under. Also I have had that left shoulder pain that the doctor spoke to me about, and on the way home I must of pulled the muscle that the port is attached to, because for over 2 weeks I had a terrible pain when I moved - even to get in and out of bed. Sorry for going on to long, but I think no matter what, I would have the band surgery again and with Dr. A also. He was a very nice and caring doctor. Joyce -- In , " Traci " <traci_7693@...> wrote: > > Hello Everyone. I am new to this group and have not yet been BANDED > > here is what i can think of right now. > > Do you have to have a passport to travel into Mexico for the surgery? > > Was the hospital clean? > > What types of tests, evaluations, assessments, etc had to be done > before the surgery? (example: psych evaluation) > > Aren't you supposed to go on a pre op liquid diet? How did you know > how to do this and are you under Dr supervision while doing it? > > Other than you plane ticket, how much do the fills cost? How much > are they in US ? > > Do you know of anyone who had suffered serious complications from > this procedure? > > If I decided to have my procedure done, how long is the waiting list > before I could have my actual surgery? I get a 3 week break in June > and July and this would be a great time for me. Or after I graduate > in August would be ok too. > > Anyway, That is all for now. Thanks for all your input! TRACI > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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