CandyJo

There's a lot right before the border.... at the duty free store more or less. We parked there, I think it was $8, walked across no problem. Taxi's are waiting. Tell them the street and they'll take you right there and wait for you. It's so easy. Much luck to you.

I was scheduled with my DR's office yesterday for my first fill. I did all the work before my surgery to make sure it was all covered and scheduled. I went in to see the band DR yesterday morning. He was very nice.......... then had additude because I went to TJ to get my band. My weight wasn't high enough to get it here! He was going to do my fill, but said because my insurance didn't approve it, they wouldn't cover my adjustments. He said it would cost about $400. (my mom see's a DR 10 min. away who does it for $75 - no insurance) He called billing while I was sitting there..... they said it doesn't matter, I only have my $10 co-pay, everything else is covered. He was still very nice with an ADDITUDE! Even though they coded everything and told him it was ok, I would have no other charges, he wanted to get approval from the insurance company directly. I got the run around for 4 hrs. Then I called OCC and asked what time their last fill appt. was. (now it's 1 pm - I live 2 hrs. from the border) They said 3:30. I explained how far I was and I still had to go home and get my passport. Gloria said as long as you can be here before I get off at 4, you'll be ok. I got my passport, got my mom --- and off we went. Left the house at 1:30!! Of course we caught some San Diego traffic!!! Got to the border at 3:45! Called Gloria, she said we're waiting go ahead and cross, we'll be here. THANK GOD ~ we walked across, got a cab, walked in the office at 3:58! They are so great. The cab waited, we were there no more than 20 minutes. My fill was 5.5cc. We were blown away, my mom's had like 5 or 6 fills in the last 17 months and she only has 5.25cc. She's lost all her weight, but they only gave her 1cc on her first one. He said I may not need another one at all, but if I feel like I need one he'll do another in 5 wks. I know my DR's office is going to call me on monday and say they heard from the insurance company, and got approval to come back in. 4 GET IT!! I'll take the trip across the border and spend the $100 + $20 for the cab. This goes to show how much things change daily........ my moms last fill - she was on clear liquids for 2 days. He told me yesterday, liquids for 2 days (doesn't have to be clear) - yogurt, creamy soups, smoothies..... we all know the drill. He said this is the only fill i'll be on liquids. If I get another, he'll send me for lunch after, then i'll come back so he can see how the food is going down. Her band is 10.5cc and mine is 11cc. They are different brands so may be thats the difference, I don't know, it's just so strange how different our adjustments are. I can only lose 50 lbs. She's lost 85.......... maby that has something to do with it as well. I'll find out when we go back. I can't say enough about OCC ~ even though they waited for me yesterday and they had a surgery to start when they were done with me...... he took all the time needed, talked to me for a good 15 minutes, answered all my questions and explained in depth! I wasn't rushed at all. Also told me to call directly if I forgot anything. SO GLAD I WENT THERE ~ WOULD GO BACK TOMORROW IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!

I actually went to see my dr. before I went to OCC and told her what I was doing. She gave me the name of the lapband dr. at my clinic. I called his office and told them what I was doing and they said since i'm a member of the clinic all services are available to me, and insurance has to pay for it. It's a medical treatment that I need now. My mom's insurance was going to cover all of hers too, they were months out on appointments. She found another dr. 10 min. from home and he charges $70 for fills.

Feeling Great!! Down 13 lbs, not bad. I only have 50 lbs to lose so this is a great start. First fill on 5/13 coming up quick. I'm not going back to OCC, my family doc referred me to the lapband doc here in the clinic I go to. They were more than willing to take care of all my after care. Got me in quickly, exactly when I need my 1st fill, and my insurance has to cover it with my $10 co pay!!! Best part. Eating has been good, no problems. I started my first morning with eggs, expecting the worst. NO PROBLEM!! I stay away from the 4 NO NO's they told us about. BREAD, BAGELS, FLOUR TORTILLAS & STICKY RICE!! I have eaten toasted garlic bread, no problem. I thought I was going to have the hardest time not drinking with meals and an hour after. I used to drink a gallon of water a day, craved it. Now I don't even order iced tea at dinner, I drink water before and it doesn't really bother me. I think i'm eating about 1/4 of what I used to. I make sure I have a protein shake atleast 1 or 2 per day. I'm not hungry, i've even had a can of broth for lunch because I needed to eat but nothing sounded good. Will catch up again when I get my first fill. Good Luck

3 more days of liqiuds, i'm so excited. I feel great. The only thing I miss is spicy food. I eat alot of tomato soup and add tobasco, it's great! I'm down 11 lbs. today ~ that leaves me 39 more to go. No doubt i'll reach the 15% by my first fill. I'm so glad I went to OCC ~ i've had a few friends who went to a different clinic in TJ, 3 of the 5 have had to have their bands removed already, and had no success. 1 other is waiting for her insurance to approve removal, and there was 1 success story. Everybody i've talked to who went to OCC has had total success. Including my mother who lost 85 lbs. in 15 months and now wears a size 2/4 jeans!! Good luck.

I came home friday 4/2/10 - didn't have any problems. I've been going to TJ for years, since I was a kid. We don't go down right now for fun and pleasure, but my surgery was an acception. I'd do it all over again tomorrow if I had to. My medical clilnic here said they would do all of my follow up care and maintenance, and my insurance will cover it. I was so impressed and have so much confidence in OCC, I will be going back to TJ for my fills. My mom was banded 15 months ago also at OCC, has lost 85lbs. She now wears and size 2 and weighs 137........ all good things are yet to come. GOOD LUCK

I was just banded 3/31/10 - I live 2 hours away so my travel wasn't an issue. I didn't have any pain, a little discomfort that's all. My procedure was done on wednesday, we went home friday. I drove directly to the mall and had my nails filled, walked around for about an hour, then went home. Saturday, I mopped the kitchen, did the laundry and piddled around the house all day. Still a little discomfort, but no real pain. I wouldn't worry about your travel, focus on your procedure, your recovery and your new habits. My discomfort really comes from the swelling / bloating. GOOD LUCK