Freetobeme

Okay, we have just scheduled our first fill for August 22nd. Now the big question. How do we get from the airport to the clinic without paying the 130$? Anybody done this yet? I know, I'm a cheapskate, but my hubby doesn't want to fly back and forth, from Portland, in 1 day so we are already looking at 400$ in airfare, 200$ for a room, and 200$ for the flora, SOOO?

SLM, My husband had to lose 20 lbs, and managed to do so. I lost 10.5 also using shakes. In addition, we took at least a 1 mile walk each day. Right near the end, we had stopped losing weight, so we took drastic measures in cutting our calorie intake to the minimum we could stand, about 250, but for only 1 day to break the plateau. My husband did shakes for 2 weeks, and me for 1. Hope this helps.

I decided to use Dr. Ortiz because of his excellent experience. Also, the flight being cheaper is a consideration because if it is too expensive you might put off follow up care. Since the price of a flight is about the same as what a fill would cost here, we can plan little mini-trips to San Diego and see some sights. My husband and I had our surgeries on July 11th and it was fantastic! I have NEVER had such great care and attention. Dr. Ortiz sat down on the couch in my room and talked to my husband and I for about 15 minutes before the surgery, I'm sure he would have spent a longer time, but we had no questions. While my IV was being put in, one nurse was doing that while another held my hand and rubbed my arm to relax me! It was unbelievable. I felt very comforted. When I woke up from surgery (the first time) the nurse told me to wave to my husband, who was on his way into surgery. When I said I wanted to get up and walk, she told me to close my eyes and go to sleep, I thought I still wanted to get up, but she said, "no, close your eyes and you will go to sleep." Sure enough, I did and she was right next to me the whole time! When my husband was done with surgery, the Doctor came and talked to me. DH is a cancer survivor and Dr. Martinez told me that he had so much scar tissue, they would not have been able to band him in the US. Luckily, we had picked DR. Ortiz and with his experience, he was able to overcome the problem. In my mind I saw extra charges for a difficult surgery, like when you take your car in to the shop and they charge extra cause of some unforseen problem, this did NOT happen. NOthing like surviving cancer to die from being too fat, but now we are on the losing side! When my husband woke up, the nurse woke me up and said he wanted to see me, so that is when I started walking. DH and I walked all around the clinic and even went outside to enjoy the sun! We talked with the other 2 who had had surgery that day and everyone was feeling fine. We watched some TV, the channels at the clinic are much better than those at the hotel, if you care about those things. Slept, walked, ate popsicles and drank water. Felt fine. We were given something to sleep that night and slept the whole night! The next day, we say Dr. Martinez again and he talked to us about how to treat the band and all that. We had a few questions, the nurses had decided to put my husband on the monitor all night, but not me so we asked about that, but it was no big deal. Mrs. Ortiz gave us a ride back to the hotel and we felt great. We even went to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World 3 and 4 days after surgery and had a lot of fun. Although, we decided not to go on the rides, even though DH really wanted too! I thought the whole experience was great. I was quite apprehensive about the whole thing, but so far it has worked out great. We are still both on clear liquid diet and not hungry. My husband, with the pre-op diet has lost 30 lbs (10 since surgery) and I have lost 13 (3 since surgery). I hope this information helps you in your decision. I know that Chelley has written extensively about her banding experience (although she has not updated in a while, hint hint ) . 196/ 185.5/120

I would also suggest bringing a really good book to read. I spent a lot of time down at the pool sunning and reading when I wasn't walking around. But then, I love to read! This also gave me a chance to talk to some really great people and show off my incision sights. I actually had a woman who was visiting at the hotel ask me about the surgery and now she is considering having it done also! My husband and I get bored pretty easily, so instead of spending the extra days we had (2) in Tijuana, we went to San Diego. We walked for 3 hours at the zoo, and the next day, day 4 after surgery, spent the ENTIRE day at Sea World. It was great! The only bad part was that the food smelled sooooooo good and we couldn't eat anything (of course we were not the least bit hungry either, but still) We had to satisfy ourselves with the great smells and taking big whiffs!

Question: My husband and I leave early tomorrow morning and this question just came up. I know before the labs, which we will do tomorrow when we get to the clinic, we have to fast for 8 hours. My question is, what (if anything) can we drink? We are looking at a 3 1/2 hour flight. I assume water is okay, but what about diet soda? Anyone know the answer? Beer and wine and/or an inflight cocktail are probably out, right Thanks for any help. Nerves and excitment are both kicking in at the same time.

Rose, I am on day 5 of slim fast. For me, the worst day was day 3 when I felt really sleepy and had NO energy. I pushed my way through, went for a 2 mile walk, and sucked on sugar free candy when I got hungry. I was really worried about losing the 5% that I have to for surgery, but I only need to lose one more to make it! (Oh, yeah, I am a total scale WATCHER). It gets better after that, at least for me. Yesturday, I was not very hungry at all. Of course, my husband, who keeps cheating a little here and there, is having a much harder time sticking to the slim fast. For me, the sugar free candy has helped a lot. Something to calm the stomach, I just suck on one and I feel full. PS, both hubby and I are having surgery on the 11th, and staying for a short vacation, so maybe we will see you around on the 14th.

Thanks so much, my husband will be thrilled as he can't stand not to check his e-mail!

Along the same vein of questioning, my husband and I will be there together, but we are both having surgery on the same day. He wants to bring his laptop and we were wondering if there was anywhere to store it, a safe or anything. It doesn't sound like there is but I thought I would ask. What about Internet access? Does the hospital or hotel have wireless Internet access? I know I saw a post from someone who had VERY recent surgery, but I don't know where.

Kellie, My husband and I are flying in from Washington on the 10th and having surgery on the 11th. I am really excited, but finding it REALLY hard to wait! I keep reading everyone's postings and getting more and more excited. I am starting out at 36 BMI, a little on the lower side so I never could have this done in the US. I was one of those who was against anyone going to MEXICO (Ha ha). My husband, BMI 48, was turned down by our insurance unless he gained 30 lbs (to get to a 50 BMI) or his heart meds or blood pressure meds stopped working. Anyway, we decided to go private and my husband got a doc here in Washington. 17 thousand dollars. Then I hit my new high while waiting for the money to come and started researching. The cost for both of us with Dr. Ortiz is the same as one in Washington, we get a little break together (ha, ha), we can help each other stick to the new restrictions, and I don't have to watch my weight skyrocket while he loses. Plus, Dr. Ortiz has done this surgery 100X as many times as the doctor here. THAT has GOT to be better, right! Everything I have been reading is confirming my belief that we made the right decision. My only problem right now is losing 5% before the 10th. That's 10 lbs for me, yikes . I've started dieting early in hopes of actually making it. So far, 3lbs. I will be looking for you and Charlie at the hotel! Maybe we can sip, sip, sip, water together!

Charlie, My husband and I will be there on the 10th and are both set for sugery on the 11th. I am very nervous, yet really excited at the same time. I would love to be "almost too thin" but would settle for thin enough! Maybe we will see you there!