Wanting to get banded..but stuck!!!

[Bri]

Hi my name is Bri and i am 17 years old and 305lbs. I have been overweight all my life (have tried weight watchers nutrisystem and other diets but am not really seeing results) and am so sick of not being a "normal teenager". I have been researching this surgery for awhile and have recently expressed my opinion about getting it to my mom and grandma. They arnt in any hurry to look at my research or attempt to find solutions with drs and such. They are also concerned about the cost of the surgery and if it would benefit me. If i were to get the surgery in TJ Mexico...how much would it cost? What would I have to do? How much weight could i lose? ( my grandma isnt convinced about the weight loss bc some of the other teens didnt look like they lost alot to her???) and is it really safe to travel the long distance (i live in illinois) to get the surgery???

PLEASE HELP I WANT BANDED SOOOOOO BADLY!!!

-Bri-

[Clynn]

The cost for the surgery with Dr Ortiz when I had it was $8500. Traveling to Tijuana was totally safe and I felt well taken care of at all times. Dr Ortiz is a great surgeon and I felt 90% back to normal in about a week. So far I am about 9 months out and have lost 98 lbs and still going down at a good clip. If you are going to get it it is best done when you are young as you will recover from the surgery faster and adapt to the new way of eating which the band will require. To be very clear, you will need to adjust your eating habits for this to work. It's different for everyone but for me I have had to give up bread and pasta altogether. I've also cut most carbs out of my diet to help facilitate the weight coming off.

Here is how the things will happen when you make your appointment:

You'll be put on a pre-op diet by the OCC's nutritionist. It's different for everyone depending on the situation and she'll craft one just for you. You and your guest will fly down the day before your surgery to the San Diego Airport. A drive from OCC will pick you up and take you across the border to the clinic. At the clinic they will do some pre-op tests which include a lung capacity and EKG. Then you'll be taken to the hotel and checked in. The next morning the driver will pick you up and take you to the clinic. They'll get you prepared for surgery. The doctors will come by and talk to you and answer any questions you may have and then it will be your turn. My memory gets a little fuzzy after that (good drugs) but you'll be encouraged to walk around the clinic afterwards to get your blood pumping which will aid in recovery. You'll spend the night at the clinic with an IV drip to keep you hydrated and administer any further medications. Your guest will spend the night at the hotel. The next day you'll be taken back to the hotel where you can bask by the pool, eat at the restaurant, and go shopping in town if you wish. After that you fly home. I flew home alone and no problems other than being tired and a little sore. You'll be surprised how easy recover will be, it really didn't feel like I'd had major surgery, though I did find it easier to sleep sitting up for a couple of days. For a week after surgery you will be eating clear liquids only like gatorade and broth. Week two and three you can eat full liquids. Basically anything that will go through a straw. After that it is normal foods again. Six to eight weeks later you will get your first fill and be on liquids for three days after that.

Hope this answers your questions. You or your parents can send me an email through the forum if they have more questions or just want to talk. Good luck.

[xXashbagXx]

...oh dont worry... I dont even/am scared to say anything about it to them.

[tmckee]

Hi my name is Bri and i am 17 years old and 305lbs. I have been overweight all my life (have tried weight watchers nutrisystem and other diets but am not really seeing results) and am so sick of not being a "normal teenager". I have been researching this surgery for awhile and have recently expressed my opinion about getting it to my mom and grandma. They arnt in any hurry to look at my research or attempt to find solutions with drs and such. They are also concerned about the cost of the surgery and if it would benefit me. If i were to get the surgery in TJ Mexico...how much would it cost? What would I have to do? How much weight could i lose? ( my grandma isnt convinced about the weight loss bc some of the other teens didnt look like they lost alot to her???) and is it really safe to travel the long distance (i live in illinois) to get the surgery???

PLEASE HELP I WANT BANDED SOOOOOO BADLY!!!

-Bri-

The information Clynn gave is identical to my experience. I'm 51 and wish that I had this option a long time ago. I, too, tried the Weight Watchers, Nutri-Systems, Jenny Craig, Slim Fast, low fat-low cal, etc... I traveled from Milwaukee, WI and had absolutely no problems. The clinic makes sure you are well taken care of from the time you land in San Diego until you get back on your plane. Ask your Mom and Grandma to consider this: the cost of obesity far outweighs the cost of this surgery. You are probably headed for diabetes, joint and back problems, and other health issues related to obesity. You are well worth this nominal investment. Maybe you could offer to get a job to pay them back? This isn't a vanity issue. This is your long term health and the lapband is the best options we have to battle obesity today. Good Luck! TMcKee

[coloratura]

Hi my name is Bri and i am 17 years old and 305lbs. I have been overweight all my life (have tried weight watchers nutrisystem and other diets but am not really seeing results) and am so sick of not being a "normal teenager". I have been researching this surgery for awhile and have recently expressed my opinion about getting it to my mom and grandma. They arnt in any hurry to look at my research or attempt to find solutions with drs and such. They are also concerned about the cost of the surgery and if it would benefit me. If i were to get the surgery in TJ Mexico...how much would it cost? What would I have to do? How much weight could i lose? ( my grandma isnt convinced about the weight loss bc some of the other teens didnt look like they lost alot to her???) and is it really safe to travel the long distance (i live in illinois) to get the surgery???

PLEASE HELP I WANT BANDED SOOOOOO BADLY!!!

-Bri-

Bri,

The following article was posted on the forum earlier. Maybe you could qualify for this study or find out about other studies that are similar.

By First Coast News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The FDA is conducting an adolescent lap band trial that provides free lap band surgeries for overweight teenagers in five states, including Florida. There will be 25 surgeries in each state.

Usually Insurance companies do not cover this type of surgery for teenagers under the age of 18.

The FDA is now giving free lap band surgeries to teens under 18 to see how effective they can really be. The idea is to possibly turn insurance companies around to pay for these lap band surgeries in children 14 to 17 years old.

The FDA is looking for adolescents to participate in the lap band study; each participant will get a lap band surgery at no cost.

If anyone is interested in applying, contact JACKSONVILLE SURGICAL ASSOCIATES the number is 904-399-4004. Ask for Jody Debord.

To be accepted in the study, teens have to be between the ages of 14 and 17 and they have to be at least 100 pounds overweight.

Created: 6/15/2007 4:19:37 PM Updated: 6/15/2007 4:56:43 PM