jenpyn25

I was wondering if anyone knew the number to Dr. Stephanie that works in Tyler, Tx some Saturdays and College Station the others. I have used her in the past, but lost her number. Any way to contact her would be great.

What part of Texas are you guys from. I'm from East Texas, and I just found a new fill dr. that is wonderful. I had my 2nd fill back on January 12th, and still have LOTS of restriction.

Unfortunately I did not get to watch the show, but I have seen pictures of Cassie and she looks amazing. I read the comments on the Oprah page, and I can't believe that people really think this is the "easy way out". PLEASE....I have to watch every piece of food that goes into my mouth, it takes me twice as long if not longer to eat than everyone else so that I make sure that I don't overeat, or not chew enough so that I PB. These are just uninformed people that have been skinny their whole lives, and have never had to WORK at losing weight. I have struggled with my band, but I am now learning to live with it, and am loving it. There is absolutely nothing easy about having the lapband, we still have to watch what we eat, and exercise. And then to say that they can't believe that people would go to MEXICO to have surgery. I will tell you that Dr. Ortiz's office was cleaner than any hospital or doctors office I have ever seen, and the care was WAY better than most rushed hospitals in the states. I would go back to Dr. Ortiz's office in a heartbeat, and if the need for my child to go would arise, then he would be the first I would go to. Congratulations Cassie on your wonderful weightloss and Jenn you made a wonderful decision on helping your child become the beautiful young woman she is.

Thanks Snowbird for the advise. I ate lunch this afternoon and took it very slow, and everything has stayed down so far. I have a question though. You were banded only about 2 1/2 weeks before me and you have lost a whooping 53 pounds. How in the heck have you done that? Any suggestions on that would be great. Answer to your question, I am paying for my fills out of pocket, they are $200. per visit. I do not know if she will do adjustments free of charge, but I need to check on that. I am hoping I won't need another one, but we will just have to see.

I really hate to complain, but I have a questions that is really concerning me. I got a fill 2 weeks ago and now I am having a problem getting solid food down. I am drinking a protein shake in the morning, but it takes about 1 1/2 hours to drink it all. Lunch and dinner though I can't seem to hold it down. I am taking small bites, chewing like I am suppose to, but I know that I am not eating near to a cup of food. I am only able to take about 2-3 bites and then I PB. I have lost 7 pounds (yeah), but I am scared that I am going to make my band slip, or damage it in some way. Do you think that I need an unfill, or do I just need to deal with this until the band loosens a little. Thanks for your help.

Thanks Kimberly, I just set up my appointment for the 12th, so I will be using your advise within the next week. I am excited, I am hoping to start my new year off with a bang!!!

I'm glad that I check this site, I just called Dr. Stephanie's office and made an appointment for the 12th. I had my first fill in Paris, TX and it was $350. Along with saving myself $150, I will also not have to miss an entire day of work, and save myself three hours driving time. I am very excited about this. Thanks for the info.

I am about to get my 2nd fill and I am wondering are there any special instructions for the day of and the day after you have a fill? Can I eat after I have my fill, or do I need to go on liquids for a couple of days, etc.... I did not do anything different the day of my first fill, and that fill was pointless. I have gained almost all of my weight back. I did get a treadmill for Christmas, and have started putting it to good use, so hopefully this will not be a waste. Wish me luck. Any feedback would be great. Thanks to all, and much luck in the new year...that's the way I'm looking at it.

I guess it is just a little frustrating because I no longer drink cokes, we are not suppose to drink juice, and the flavored water is getting a little old. And on top of it all I can't drink beer or cappaccinos. WHAT THE HECK CAN I DRINK THEN???? :-? I am really starting to get very irritated with this band. And I guess I have to go get another fill because I have no restriction what so ever.

Thanks Dolittle. I had forgotten that Dr. Miranda said those were a big no-no. Guess no more for me. I also wanted to tell you that I met you in the lobby of the hotel the morning of my surgery with my boyfriend. I don't know if you remember us or not, but you were a big help and eased our minds about our surgerys. Thanks for the help and pep talk.

Since my surgery I do not have cokes of any kind anymore (recovering cokeaholic!!!!). Since the weather is starting to turn cold though I have started going to the gas station and getting a small cappuccino during the work week, but I do not finish the whole drink. I know this is a strange question, but are the cappuccinos killing my diet. I drink plenty of water, and that is pretty much all I drink except for beer or wine on the weekends. Just wondering if I need to lay off of them to get back on the weight loss track?

I live in East Texas and I went to Tijuana to get mine done, and would do it again. I do know that there is a surgery center in Shreveport that specializes in the lap band surgery. The cost in Mexico was about $10K including airfare. The cost at the surgery center was going to be around $25K. I don't know what the service is like at the Shreveport office, but the service in Mexico was better than I could have ever dreamed of. Hope this help.

Thanks for the help everyone, I guess I am just stressing out because I want to be skinny NOW!!! I have felt the last two days almost no restriction at all. I am not really eating any less than I did before the surgery at this point now either. It is just frustating to have to keep worrying about everything I put in my mouth. My boyfriend had the band put in the same day I did, and he has all the restriction in the world. I guess I am just jealous of the progress he has made, and disappointed in the progress I have made.

Clynn, thank you for taking the time to come on here and help answer peoples questions. I have noticed that you comment on alot of different topics, and it helps when people are willing to take the time to help others...thank you. My question to you would be, do you think that after only three weeks it would be time to go ahead and try to schedule another fill, or should I wait for another two to three weeks? It has been three weeks today, and being so close to Christmas and all, I hate to spend another $350 if I can wait.

I just got a fill three weeks ago, and when he filled it I asked him to be a little aggressive with it. I never really had much restriction with it. I just assumed that after a day or so the restriction would come. Do you think that I need another one already? I had better restriction a month after the surgery than I do now. When I PB it comes from different foods. I have noticed that usually it is when I have bread, but at Thanksgiving it was ham and turkey that were killers. I had to definately chew chew chew. We go out on the weekends alot, do you have any suggestions as to any alcoholic beverages that won't throw me off my diet so bad. Would wine be any better, or a beer like Michelob Ultra that doesn't have so many carbs. I love my Bud Light, but if I can lose weight without it, so be it. Thanks for the comments and keep them coming.