ClaireinCO

Hi! I'm also booked for the 31st. I just made the call to Rene. I'm kind of freaking out. I've been researching this for 7 months and now it's here!

I found a few things I thought I'd post. Here is a picture of the vanguard band compared to the lower capacity band. http://www.core.monash.org/placement.html And some info from another site: There are two issues here: 1) Band size 2) Fill volume There are three sizes of Inamed Lap Bands. As I understand it, the size refers to the inner diameter of the band. The 3 band sizes as per Inamed are 9.75 cm, 10.0 cm, and the VG (the Vanguard, which I believe is 11cm, but all the reps call it VG, no-one calls it the '11') Fill volume: The 9.75 and 10 cm bands can hold a maximum of about 4cc of saline. The VG holds a max of about 10 cc of saline. In medical circles I've always heard the Lap Band referred to by its size. For example, today in the OR we used "two 10's and one 9.75."

I haven't been banded yet but I *have* done tons of research. I've read many bandsters reccomending a warm/hot drink beofre a meal. Not enough to break the 'no drinking' rule. But enough sips to help relax your stomach and open up the passageway a bit more.

Chelly, can you reccomend any links for researching the different size bands? I think your experience is so valuable to share. There is a woman I know who was banded locally and she is having fears of a leaking band because she has had many fills with restriction. It sounds like she may just have the VG. I'm going to copy/paste your last message to her if that's ok.

Wait, I want to take one more swing!! Seriously, you guys offer a lot of great info - thank you.

I have to echo these sentiments. I came upon this forum considering Dr. Ortiz and wanting to hear people's experiences, good and not-so-good. I read Littleroo's posts for exactly what they were, questions and concerns about the doctor. I applaud her following through and emailing the university for clarification. I think it is great that she posted the letter. This is the kind of thing you WANT to read about when you are researching a surgeon. However, I am so turned off by some of the rabid 'fans' of Dr. Ortiz. Why shoot the messenger? She is asking legitimate questions and then posting the evidence to support her research. I have read all kinds of bad feedback on various surgeons that is complete hearsay. "I heard he is bad" type stuff with no personal experiences , or even links to a specific bandster, to back it up. And I agree, that type of 'feedback' is so useless. I would even take "check out this forum and read XYZ's posts" as feedback. But some people are just down on certain doctors for whatever reason and jump in to say something vaguely bad without any evidence. That simply is not what happened here. I think all of the good feedback completely eclipses anything uncovered in L'Roo's research. However, I think those of you who responded so defensively did Dr. Ortiz a tremendous disservice by alienating prospective patients who are just here asking questions.

VERY interesting. L-roo, once again, props to you for asking questions, even if they stir up some turmoil. You, and all of of us, have every right to ask and seek the advice of the group. Isn't that what this forum is about? So it looks to me like there is a little resume padding. I take it at face value. He still has a loyal following and SCORES of happy patients.

I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind talking about how you decided on Dr. Ortiz? I have been researching so many Mexican surgeons and I'm just overhwhelmed! Ortiz seems to have great credentials and San Diego is an easy flight from Denver. I was really looking at Sanchez in Monterrey, but the flights are expensive, and I'll have my hubby, too. I know flights aren't a reason to chose one surgeon over another, but it is a factor. So how did you decide on him? How was your surgery? How many days were you there? I have heard some vague stuff about feeling a little bit like being on an assembly line. Is there truth to that? How about any one out there with complications? How was that handled? Thanks so much!