Dolittle

Hi to all lapband forum members. I've decided to start a blog on my (LBL) lower body lift plastic surgery journey. Your all welcome to read it and I hope I can educate the members with my plastic surgery journey. I have only one entry so far,, but I should be adding entries as it gets closer to my surgery and I arrive in San Diego.

After playing the insurance game and going to several local plastic surgeons for consultations, I've decided to go to the Cosmed Clinic and have Dr. Quiroz do my Lower Body Lift (LBL). Insurance providers, like the one I have,, which is United Health Care, have made it almost impossible to qualify for a front Tummy Tuck. A front TT is the only procedure they'll pay for, but it has to be a medical necessity. But they don't care, they keep denying. Being that I want the LBL or what they call in the USA, a Beltlipectomy, I was going to have to make up the cost difference. A LBL is twice as expensive as a TT. I could go to Cosmed for the price of a TT here in the USA and get a LBL. I also couldn't find any local plastic surgery surgeons that gave me the confidence that Dr. Quiroz gave me about the quality of work they would perform. A year ago when I was at the OCC for a friends lapband surgery, I went to the Cosmed Clinic for my first and free consultation with Dr. Quiroz. Dr. Quiroz has a great reputation and I talked to several lapbanders that used him for their LBL and everyone was very pleased with their results. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Quiroz are close friends, so if you have had your lapband surgey done at the OCC, your consultation at the Cosmed is free. But I wanted to try to have the LBL done here in my home area, So I came back home and started the insurance game with my provider, my family doctor and plastic surgeon. We built a case of medical need, but they still denyed. This went on for a year. Needless to say,, my opinion of insurance companies isn't very high. Most of you already know this yourselves,, having to deal with your lapbanding. I have scheduled the LBL for October 21st, I'll be flying into San Diego on the 20th. This last week I have been doing some pre-surgery lab work and getting ready for my LBL, like making list of stuff to bring and stuff like that. Cosmed sends you a lab order so you can take it to your local medical lab and have some important tests done before you get out to TJ. All the tests cost me out of pocket around $200. After my surgery I'll be staying at Recovery by the Sea for a week. I'll be reporting on their service of aftercare on my blog too. Cosmed Clinic is in the process of building a new faculity which will have their own aftercare. Their new surgery center is supposed to be finished sometime next year. So,,, This is my first entry on my blog,, I'll try to add new stuff as I go,, so stay tuned. LOL

As you know,, I have to post this a couple months ahead of everyones surgery or first fill. I can say that a new patient that schedules their surgery in the month of December must have an agenda. To schedule your surgery right smack in the middle of the fatting season takes nerves of steel!! LOL. I congratulate you for making this decision. This topic is the place to meet your new bandster buddies and to see who's going to be at the OCC at the same time you're there. So,, Lets hear it from all of you that have scheduled your surgery or fill in the month of December.

Since I'm a moderator,, I didn't see this post till this morning,, That's because I moderate mostly in the early AM. I have forwarded Julies post to Lori. If any patient or member has a problem, you can email your patient coordinator or call them on the OCC 866 toll free number. As a reminder,, all lapbanders should read my post on how to get a good fill. It reminds you that you should take small steps and to check that new fill out before you leave TJ. BUT! there are times some patients react to their new fill and 3 or 4 days later their too tight and have the same problems that Julie experienced. Here's a link to that post,, http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?s=&a...ost&p=17485

Congrats,, Your looking HOT! We can tell your proud, that big smile says it all!

Your doing great! When can we see some pictures of the new you?

I get the runny nose and the hiccups too,, but the weird thing I have is,, I can eat more while standing than sitting. I have more restriction when I'm sitting, now that's strange,, LOL

I'm waiting to hear back from Dr. Quiroz. I think everyone is different to what and how much you have done. Last time I was in TJ I had a consultation and I'm waiting for the price quote. I know some patients send in pictures. You'd have to talk to his coordinator Joyce,, at 1-877-426-7633 or you can email her at joycepalau@cosmedclinic.com

OK,, I'm a guy and I'm in the process of scheduling a lower body lift with Dr. Quiroz at the Cosmed clinic in TJ. They have a website, www.cosmedclinic.com. I did a lot of my research at a plastic surgery website called www.psjourneys.com. But,, my main source of info came from the OCC. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Quiroz are budds,,, So the OCC refers its patients to the Cosmed Clinic. Dr. Quiroz's speciality is in WLS patients. I'll keep you posted on my journey. I'm hoping to know something soon, real soon.

Dr. Martinez is great!!! Usually they both do the surgery together. You'll love him.

Most of the liters of alcohol come in plastic bottles,, so that makes it easier to pack in your checked luggage. The luggage monkeys at the airport have a harder time destroying the plastic. Those bottles that are glass, well that's another story. But remember,, TSA rules are still 3oz or less of liquids can be in your carry on luggage, over 3oz has to be in your checked luggage.

You'll find that as soon as you sign up for face book you'll receive requests from people you don't know. I remember getting several from girls that wanted to sell me home movies and pictures. The "TROLLS" are everywhere. LOL

Dr. Ortiz makes a decision at the time the band is placed around your stomach. From what I've been told,, if you have a lot of internal fat around your stomach your going to receive the larger band. As you lose weight your band will become looser. That internal fat will disappear around your stomach and that's when you've hit your sweet spot

We used to be able to go to Inamed and look up the band specs,, but Inamed has changed their website and you can't find band info like you used to. But,,, If I remember right, There is hardly any differance between the 4cc band and the 10cc band when their fully filled with saline. The big diff is when they have no saline in them,, the 10cc band starts out with a larger inside diameter than the 4cc band. When saline is injected into each band,, the inside diameter will only close to a certain point. When each band meets their full capacity, they're almost the same inside diameter. This is why patients that get the larger 10cc band can always eat anything after surgery,, the empty 10cc band has a larger inside diameter. But,, both bands will only clamp down to a certain point and that point is almost identical on each band. This is also one of the things Dr. Ortiz decides when placing the band inside of a patient, how much internal fat is around your stomach. I personally had the 4cc band and had restriction from the get go. And all the fills since my surgery have been very small,, example: .4 thru .7cc's,, none of these whoppers that I read about like 1.4cc's in a 4cc band and other fill stories like that. I'm now 19 months since surgery,, had 5 fills and I'm at 2.3cc's total in a 4cc band. But,, every one is different,, some people can handle a big fill and some can't,, some get tighter days after,, some don't. I think alot of patients get in a hurry and want results quickly,,, take small steps and you'll be happier. There's nothing worse than being over filled,, its misery.

Inamed, the band manufacture says,,,, 4 to 6 fills the first year is normal. But remember, everyone is different. I've known bandsters that only had 1 fill and did fine and I've known bandsters that have more than I want to count. If you think you need a fill, then it's your call.

I had a consult at the Cosmed Clinic back in Sept 2007. Right now I'm playing the insurance game to get appoval for the plastic surgery done here in my area. Insurance companies only pay for a front tummy tuck and it has to be a medical necessity. I would like to get the whole lower body lift,, they call that a Belt lipectomy here in the states. I'd have to make up the cost difference between the front tummy tuck and the belt lipectomy. So here I am,, one year later,, still jumping thru hoops and still don't know if I'll get approval. As far as the Cosmed clinic goes,, Dr. Quiroz is a friend of Dr. Ortiz and if your ever in TJ for a fill and your close to your goal weight, check them out. Your consult is free if you tell them you had lapband surgery at the OCC. Here's their toll free number, 1-877-426-7633, ask for Joyce,, she's American and speaks fluent Spanish.

Thank God, Halloween should be behind us,, I just love those little bite size Snickers candy bars. Throw them in the freezer and OMG,, They're yummy! LOL. As you know,, November is the beginning of the fattening season, you all know what I'm talking about. We know your serious when you become a bandster or get an adjustment at the beginning of winter food fest. Hmmm, maybe that's where the saying of going "Cold Turkey" came from?? OK, Bandsters and Wannabe Bandsters, If your coming to the OCC for either your surgery or a fill, this is a good place to meet new friends. So, lets hear from you guys and girls coming to the OCC in November.

In the Midwest you can tell autum is coming. The trees are turning color, the squirrels are busy hiding nuts and Halloween is around the corner. Bandsters coming to the OCC for their band adjustments and new patients that have scheduled the life changing lap band surgery, the Forum is the place to hook up and meet your new friends. Lets hear it from all the bandsters that are coming to the OCC in October.

Congrats,, I hope you post a picture of you out on that date with that new dress on.. That could be an inspiration to all of us.

If your staying at the Lucerna Hotel, no adapters needed,, just plug in and away you go. Each room has a hair dryer and a 4 cup Mister coffee maker. Down in the lobby, off to one side is the Internet room, You'll be able to check and send your email or surf the web. At the OCC clinic they have a couple computers for patients to use. If you need to make any phone calls to the states, each patient room has a phone and you can direct dial at no charge. Tell your husband,, no need to worry.

Hi Bandsters,, I have a great report on Dr. Watkins and his staff. My wife and I went yesterday for a lapband adjustment and found Dr. Watkins and his staff really friendly and they did an excellent and very professional job with our fills. So, all of you Bandsters that live in the Midwest/Chicago area and don't have a regular fill doctor, or even if you do, you might want to check out Dr. Watkins and his staff. My wife and I can say that Dr. Watkins has become our first choice for our lapband adjustments. Here's his coordinator Melody's email addy if you wish to set up an appointment or if you have any questions, Melody.Kodis@synchronyhealth.com

15 to 20 minutes zipping along on the Interstate, then the OCC clinic is about 6 blocks over the border. Going into Mexico is easy,, the cars and vans don't have to stop,, nobody cares who's going into Mexico. It's the good ole' USA and Homeland security that slows everything down coming back into the USA. If your walking or riding in the OCC van,, it can take up to 2 hours to go thru customs,, depends on the time of day and the day of the week. That border crossing between TJ and the USA is rated as the worlds busiest. It can be a long ordeal.

Meet the people of the OCC This week we feature a nurse that's everyones favorite. Her name is Josef and her duties consist of doing your blood work, starting your IV and etc. After your surgery she'll hover over you and start your speedy recovery by getting you out of bed and walking up and down the hallways. She's a grandmother and enjoys being with her family in her off time. She is also the most mentioned employee in the patient testimonials. Her nickname is Jose. Everyone LOVES her. Josef "Jose"

I was almost 54 when I was banded and I don't regret anything. I just wish I would have done it 7 years ago when I first looked into banding. Back then it wasn't FDA approved here in the states yet.

Meet the people of the OCC This week we highlight one of the sweetest nurses at the OCC. Patients just rant and rave about her. Her name is Carmelita Rivera. Her job duties consist of waiting on patients and taking care of all their needs. She's been with the OCC since the beginning and loves her work and she loves all of her patients. Carmelita Rivera