karenr204

I was banded on the 11th. Don't worry you arent alone. Have you scheduled a fill? I cant wait for mine on the 23rd Karen

Were you getting a ride from the airport? Is the dentist actually in the office? I might consider having whitening done on a fill trip sometime. Karen

Suzie, Everyone that makes the decision about where to be banded makes the decision based on their own experiences. I'm sure you will find the majority of US bandsters who are posting on a website attached to the Obesity Control Center probably dont have a great experience with the US system (at least with the lapband) or they probably would have had their surgery closer to home. In any case, please dont take it as an attack of your or all US doctors because thats not what it is about. They have their reasons and there is nothing wrong with sharing those beliefs with others just as my reasons for travelling from Canada have nothing to do with someone elses banding experience with a Canadian doctor. It's just what it is....MY EXPERIENCE. It's great that you have a doctor you have faith in and are happy with. That's important. There are good and bad doctors everywhere (US and in Mexico). There's probably a good chance none of us have met your doctor and hold no opinion of him one way or the other. However, we do have great experience with Dr Ortiz and are more than willing to share that with others including our rationale for chosing him. Again those reasons are not an attack on any US doctor much less yours specifically. Take care, Karen

I just made an appointment for this day. Not sure whether to get a ride or take the trolley but if anyone else is going and wants to share a ride it will make my decision easier. Karen

Hey I was looking into having it done on the 1st if possible or at the latest the following weekend. I'm coming from far so doing it on Saturday disrupts my schedule the least. Karen

Hey, I havent been using a supplement. I made a protein shake one day but it didnt really impress me so I have been sticking with my cream soups. Maybe I will try to find an unflavored one to throw in with the soup. Yesterday I threw in an optifast for something different. I have been taking a chewable vitamin daily. Getting bored with the diet and looking forward to solids but its tolerable. Feeling good so I cant really complain. Dr. Ortiz did my surgery on October 11th. Any other questions. Let me know. Karen

A handful of chips has a lot of salt ... and wherever salt goes water follows. Drink some extra water to help flush out the sodium and dont beat yourself up about it too much just try to make better choices from now on. Getting your protein in first might help. Easy for me to say while im still on the liquid post op diet. I'll probably be where you are in a couple weeks and begging you for advice... I am a huge salt/starch junkie and have always fluctuated throughout the day. Im just hoping to get that under control once I start getting fills. Karen

Hi Brenny. I had surgery on Thursday October 11th. I have had no problem with my energy level. I go to school full time (includes a 12 hour shift at the hospital) work part time (walking 1-2 hours) run around after 2 kids (3 & 5) homework etc. Have to remind myself to eat because i dont even think about it till I get home. I took off a week from work but could have easily worked my Monday shift after surgery. I was one of the lucky ones who didnt have any gas pain after surgery. For the first few days back there were times when it would feel better to splint my port area cause it was a little tender. Mostly, I just watch myself with lifting and bending. I lost 25 lbs prior to surgery so maybe it made the surgery itself a little easier but I would just listen to your body and rest whenever you can. Hope that helps. Karen

Hi Shanny. I was scheduled for surgery on the 12th but ended up going on the 11th. Everything went great. All of the doctors and nursing staff were wonderful. I am back at the Lucerna and am having no pain at all. It hardly feels like I had anything done. I would recommend them to anyone. If you want to know more email me and I will get back to you. Karen

I am going as well on October 12th. I wasnt worried before today but starting to get nervous off and on. Im sure I will see you there. Where are you coming from? Karen

Hey LGMB, It's nice to see someone else having surgery on the same day. I was beginning to think that I was the only one having surgery that day. Hard to believe its less than 3 weeks away now. Almost time to get moving on that preop diet now. Karen

Hi there. I am being banded on October 12th. Octavia maybe I will see you there. Good to find someone who is going to be there at the same time. Karen

Well I've booked surgery for October 12th. I was told that I had the last appointment on the day so whoever has the others or will be there during that time introduce yourself. I would love to talk to others in the same boat especially if there are others coming from Canada. Karen

Hi, If there are any Canadians who have had surgery with Dr Ortiz, can you please let me know where you go for fills in Canada or do you go back down to TJ? I really want to get started on planning for this but need to find about aftercare first. Thanks. Karen

Hi Pam, Thanks for the reply. Fortunately for me I have family that works in the airline industry and I can get a return flight to Canada for 300 - 400. So the only problem is the time it takes to fly and the stopover in Toronto both ways. I just see the people who have had repeated fills/unfills and worry about having to make many long trips. Karen