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In May 1989, at the age of 28, I was desperate to live a normal life. I fought my insurance company and was approved for the VBG (aka: stomach stapling). I have a 10" scar from that surgery and my recovery was 4-6 weeks. I lost approximately 126 lbs. in about 18 months; in Jan. of 1991 I weighed 160 lbs., and felt really healthy. Then I noticed I did not have as much restriction as before. Over the next 10 yrs. I gained most of my weight back up to 260 lbs. I checked if there was any new surgery that could help me, but I was always told that because of the VBG there was no surgery that could be done to help me.
In Feb. 2004 an overweight friend at work told me that a couple of her neighbors had the Lap Band procedure and were doing really well and loosing lots of weight. I went to the meeting held by Dr. Lee Grossbard and talked with him about my previous surgery, and he said that I would have to have a barium swallow X-ray before he could tell me if the Lap Band could be done on me.
I had the X-ray, Dr. Grossbard read it and said it was possible to do the Lap Band on me. I was so excited, because it was as if God had led me to this for my well being. Dr. Grossbard then told me that I could go to Mexico and have the surgery done right away. He said the best surgeon in Mexico was Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, that Dr. Ortiz had done his Lap Band surgery. He told me that Dr. Ortiz was one of a few that had already done several revisions. Dr. Ortiz was also a teaching professor in the USA on how to do the Lap Band surgery.
I contacted Dr. Ortiz and mailed him a set of my X-rays. I setup everything for June 24, 2004 and then a friend and I flew from Florida to San Diego. We arrived in San Diego where I was met by their driver, we were taken to Dr. Ortiz's office and there I had my workup, I spoke to the nutritionist and I had a test on my lungs. Dr. Ortiz's, his staff and his mom were wonderful during my stay. I was taken to the luxurious Hotel Lucerna and had a good dinner. The next morning Dr. Ortiz met and discussed with me about how the most important thing was my health and that he would do the surgery, but if my health was in any danger that he would not proceed with the surgery. That morning I met many patients of Dr. Ortiz; it was so wonderful to be with all of those people that had so much hope and their attitudes were so positive; to us Dr. Ortiz and the Lap Band were our hope.
I had surgery Thurs. morning, stayed over night and was walking and drinking before the next morning. Mrs. Ortiz came to pick me up and took me back to the hotel. That day I walked a little bit at the hotel but I was tired. I had no pain.
Let me mention in connection with my surgery and results that my daughter who is 20 weighs 260 lbs. Dr. Ortiz will do her surgery on September 2, 004. She is so young and beautiful and with the Lap Band as a tool she will be able to live a healthy and happy life. The week we go down for her surgery, I am scheduled to have my first fill. I am taking my 12 yr. old, my husband and mother, who is 80. This will be our vacation. God has been so good to me; he has led me to this for my health and now he will give my daughter a chance for a normal life. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez, Dr. Estrada and all of the surgical staff are wonderful. I really believe this and I am willing to put the precious life of my beautiful daughter in their hands.
In summary, I am 43 and I was banded by Dr. Ariel Ortiz and his staff on June 24, 2004. My beginning weight was 282 and I am now down to 160.
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