Can I do this?

[gonzos girl]

I am new here so this is my first post. I went to an informational seminar last week on lap band surgery and found it very inspiring. I am 350lbs and haven't seen a doctor in a long time. I try and avoid them at all costs which I know is terrible but that is what I deal with. Anyway I really want to get this surgery done. I have to make an appointment with the hospital and get evaluated and meet the surgeon, psychologist and nutritionist etc etc. Its all very overwhelming especially as I usually avoid all these types of people! I will pay out of pocket for the surgery as my insurance does not cover it. I am 42 and feel like 62.

How is the work up process for this? I know I have to have blood tests and ekg and a swallow test. Has anyone been refused the surgery and if so why? The thought of being examined and prodded and poked by all these people is freaking me out. I m generally fine but have noticed now I get short of breath with exertion and its time I did something about it. MY legs are also swollen though no edema. I think its just the extra weight. I'm sure I probably have high blood pressure and am afraid I will be denied surgery. Has anyone been thru this anxiety? Any suggestions? Should I just bite the bullet and just make an appointment? Thanks for any advice.

[barbflorida]

If you are paying out of pocket, I would contact Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. He did my surgery November 30, 2006 - here I am 9-1/2 months later - 105 lbs. lighter and feel like a different person. I checked with my local doctors who had far less experience and want more the twice the money. I think you will find that most of the people on this forum went to Dr. Ortiz and I really haven't seen any negative experiences. After a year of research, I made the decision last November, was in Mexico by the end of November having surgery by one of the most experienced doctors in this field. Although I wouldn't have been comfortable without researching everything, my biggest regret is that I spent a year researching everything. I could have been where I am now a year ago. Good luck.

[gonzos girl]

If you are paying out of pocket, I would contact Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. He did my surgery November 30, 2006 - here I am 9-1/2 months later - 105 lbs. lighter and feel like a different person. I checked with my local doctors who had far less experience and want more the twice the money. I think you will find that most of the people on this forum went to Dr. Ortiz and I really haven't seen any negative experiences. After a year of research, I made the decision last November, was in Mexico by the end of November having surgery by one of the most experienced doctors in this field. Although I wouldn't have been comfortable without researching everything, my biggest regret is that I spent a year researching everything. I could have been where I am now a year ago. Good luck.

If I go thru with this I'm having the surgery in the U.S . I'm not going to Mexico. Cost is not the issue. I'm just worried about all the pre-op stuff and my phobia of doctors and being examined in general. Thanks.

[gonzos girl]

If you are paying out of pocket, I would contact Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. He did my surgery November 30, 2006 - here I am 9-1/2 months later - 105 lbs. lighter and feel like a different person. I checked with my local doctors who had far less experience and want more the twice the money. I think you will find that most of the people on this forum went to Dr. Ortiz and I really haven't seen any negative experiences. After a year of research, I made the decision last November, was in Mexico by the end of November having surgery by one of the most experienced doctors in this field. Although I wouldn't have been comfortable without researching everything, my biggest regret is that I spent a year researching everything. I could have been where I am now a year ago. Good luck.

I should have added congrats on your weight loss! I've been researching this for a while and live in San Diego. If I do this its Dr Santiago Horgan who will do it. I think he has worked with Dr Ortiz . There is a pic of the two of them on Dr Ortiz's website.

[FurEllie]

If I go thru with this I'm having the surgery in the U.S . I'm not going to Mexico. Cost is not the issue. I'm just worried about all the pre-op stuff and my phobia of doctors and being examined in general. Thanks.

Many of the doctors in Mexico are actually more experienced in the lapband procedure than the majority of the US doctors because it's been approved in Mexico for years longer than it has in the US. My personal doctor (whom I've known since I was a teen so we are friends in addition to him being my doctor) is the one who suggested going to Mexico. He also recommended Dr. Ortiz but I did do my research first.

However, if you decide on a US doctor, you might want to look at some of the other lapband message boards. This is Dr. Ortiz's forum so obviously threads/posts/suggestions are going to be more Mexican Dr based and less US based.

Best of luck. It DOES work

[Mistymoon]

Many of the doctors in Mexico are actually more experienced in the lapband procedure than the majority of the US doctors because it's been approved in Mexico for years longer than it has in the US. My personal doctor (whom I've known since I was a teen so we are friends in addition to him being my doctor) is the one who suggested going to Mexico. He also recommended Dr. Ortiz but I did do my research first.

However, if you decide on a US doctor, you might want to look at some of the other lapband message boards. This is Dr. Ortiz's forum so obviously threads/posts/suggestions are going to be more Mexican Dr based and less US based.

Best of luck. It DOES work

If you want to avoid all the Dr. visits, test (some not needed), and wait time you should check out some of the MX Drs. I was so impressed with the facilities and the degree of professionalism AND caring. I had previous weight loss surgery in the states and my MX experience was hands down THE BEST. The facility was cleaner than any US hospital I have ever been in. If you go the US route you could expect to have surgery 6 to 9 months from now. In MX it would probably be within 1 month or sooner. Are they thorough? They decided I needed an endoscopy and sent me cross town to another DR for that purpose. This delayed my surgery til after 5PM but they waited and did it then. Can't see US Dr. doing that. One last point. I also cannot see US Dr. giving out his cell phone # to patients which all od Dr Ortiz's Drs. do.

This was not meant to change your mind but to reassure you of the level of care you would receive. AND it would keep the Dr visits you hate to a minimum.

Good luck

Nance

[gonzos girl]

Many of the doctors in Mexico are actually more experienced in the lapband procedure than the majority of the US doctors because it's been approved in Mexico for years longer than it has in the US. My personal doctor (whom I've known since I was a teen so we are friends in addition to him being my doctor) is the one who suggested going to Mexico. He also recommended Dr. Ortiz but I did do my research first.

However, if you decide on a US doctor, you might want to look at some of the other lapband message boards. This is Dr. Ortiz's forum so obviously threads/posts/suggestions are going to be more Mexican Dr based and less US based.

Best of luck. It DOES work

Thank you! I won't even consider Mexico. I work in a hospital in San Diego and trust me I've seen the "trainwrecks" that we get from there and will not do it no matter how cheap. I'm glad those who have gone have had good experiences. Its just not for me.

[gonzos girl]

If you want to avoid all the Dr. visits, test (some not needed), and wait time you should check out some of the MX Drs. I was so impressed with the facilities and the degree of professionalism AND caring. I had previous weight loss surgery in the states and my MX experience was hands down THE BEST. The facility was cleaner than any US hospital I have ever been in. If you go the US route you could expect to have surgery 6 to 9 months from now. In MX it would probably be within 1 month or sooner. Are they thorough? They decided I needed an endoscopy and sent me cross town to another DR for that purpose. This delayed my surgery til after 5PM but they waited and did it then. Can't see US Dr. doing that. One last point. I also cannot see US Dr. giving out his cell phone # to patients which all od Dr Ortiz's Drs. do.

This was not meant to change your mind but to reassure you of the level of care you would receive. AND it would keep the Dr visits you hate to a minimum.

Good luck

Nance

Thanks for the reply Nance. At the seminar last week I was told that after the initial appointment and pre-op tests and I have been accepted that I could schedule surgery usually within three weeks if I am self paying which I am so I could probably get this done in November if I decide to go ahead. Dr Horgan is one of the best from what I am reading and was in on the fda trials. I just hate the thought of being looked over especially in the state that I allowed myself to get in. I am checking other lap band forums too.