Cygnus

I'm in Seattle. Had surgery with Dr. Ortiz. I signed up for Fill Center USA. The initial cost was $300, but now has gone up to $349. Details are on their website. The clinic is in Auburn, Washington and Dr. Fox does the fills. He is an extremely experienced surgeon who does fills one day a week on Thursdays. There is no fluoro. He said that would cost $1400 but I have read here where some have gotten it for around $250. The first fill visit I had was not successfull. The doctor tried his very best and I did too but he couldn't get the needle into the port. He gave me that visit free because he wasn't able to do the fill. He gave me a prescription and diet and sent me home for 30 days to return with less belly fat. Tomorrow morning we will try again. I will write to report whether he hits it this time. He is terribly funny and the whole procedure was made so much better because of his great attitude. I hope it works tomorrow.

The first part of liquids after banding was called clear liquids and was clear juices and broths, like chicken broth, beef broth, apple juice, and jello.

I've been banded over 2 years and have had my struggles. If anyone was looking for a quick fix, this was not it. My obstacles were not the typical, though... I was banded in March 2005. Had my first fill in Mexico and then planned to have the remainder of fills locally. Well, locally cost me $2,000 for one fill!! Needless to say my "BAND MONEY" was quickly gone by June 2005. I had to wait until February 2006 for my next fill. When I had money to work with... Well, that fill was great! Or so I thought... My August 2006, my band was too tight and I was loosing 9 lbs a week! (Okay, yes... i like seeing the numbers drop, but I wasn't getting enough nurishment in to survive. Not only was I loosing the pounds, I began loosing my hair and was really to "drained" nutritionally to make it through the day.) So... Fluid was removed. Banding doc (now in Chicago), decided that we needed to go back to no restriction so my body to recover. Well, that sounded like a plan. November 2006, I planned to go back for a fill. Well... um, they don't advise doing those when you are pregnant. So, that delayed this weight loss journet, once again. I ended up having a miscarriage so went back in for a fill in January 2007. That fill was not enough to cause restriction. It did for a little bit, but then it wasn't working. With excercise, I'd loose a pound or two a month, but not results I was looking for. The end of February 2007, I had a severe ankle fracture. I was out of commission for the next 3 months. No excercise. I did manage to hobble my way into to get another fill in March, but not enough to do much good. Without excercise, and regardless of how little or what I ate, I was stuck! Well, I'm back to walking and trying to find time to get to the gym. I was still stuck, so... I went and had another fill last week Friday (11/9). I told him I was tired of playing this game and wanted to start winning!! He was very cautious with putting the fluid in and we checked on fluro to make sure we weren't too tight. At one point, I couldn't get anything to move, so we backed some fluid back out and I thought we were good to go...

here is where I need your help, I can't get much down. Fluids are really a struggle even. He has advised me to continue sipping small amounts of cold liquids until they pass with no problem, then move to pureed foods. Okay... I know that some of the liquids are getting down as I don't spit up as much as I take in. Feels like a constant bubble between my mouth and my band all the time... (HATE THAT FEELING).

Can someone remind me what the "fluids" diet looks like??

I am doing carnation instant breakfast right now because without the protein I get "pass out" feeling...

What else can I have?? It's been so long since I did all liquids!

Thanks!

I've been banded over 2 years and have had my struggles. If anyone was looking for a quick fix, this was not it. My obstacles were not the typical, though... I was banded in March 2005. Had my first fill in Mexico and then planned to have the remainder of fills locally. Well, locally cost me $2,000 for one fill!! Needless to say my "BAND MONEY" was quickly gone by June 2005. I had to wait until February 2006 for my next fill. When I had money to work with... Well, that fill was great! Or so I thought... My August 2006, my band was too tight and I was loosing 9 lbs a week! (Okay, yes... i like seeing the numbers drop, but I wasn't getting enough nurishment in to survive. Not only was I loosing the pounds, I began loosing my hair and was really to "drained" nutritionally to make it through the day.) So... Fluid was removed. Banding doc (now in Chicago), decided that we needed to go back to no restriction so my body to recover. Well, that sounded like a plan. November 2006, I planned to go back for a fill. Well... um, they don't advise doing those when you are pregnant. So, that delayed this weight loss journet, once again. I ended up having a miscarriage so went back in for a fill in January 2007. That fill was not enough to cause restriction. It did for a little bit, but then it wasn't working. With excercise, I'd loose a pound or two a month, but not results I was looking for. The end of February 2007, I had a severe ankle fracture. I was out of commission for the next 3 months. No excercise. I did manage to hobble my way into to get another fill in March, but not enough to do much good. Without excercise, and regardless of how little or what I ate, I was stuck! Well, I'm back to walking and trying to find time to get to the gym. I was still stuck, so... I went and had another fill last week Friday (11/9). I told him I was tired of playing this game and wanted to start winning!! He was very cautious with putting the fluid in and we checked on fluro to make sure we weren't too tight. At one point, I couldn't get anything to move, so we backed some fluid back out and I thought we were good to go...

here is where I need your help, I can't get much down. Fluids are really a struggle even. He has advised me to continue sipping small amounts of cold liquids until they pass with no problem, then move to pureed foods. Okay... I know that some of the liquids are getting down as I don't spit up as much as I take in. Feels like a constant bubble between my mouth and my band all the time... (HATE THAT FEELING).

Can someone remind me what the "fluids" diet looks like??

I am doing carnation instant breakfast right now because without the protein I get "pass out" feeling...

What else can I have?? It's been so long since I did all liquids!

Thanks!

I just got the paper work printed out for a thankgiving time surgery, and it says I have to lose 5% of my weight. If I could lose 5 ounces I wouldnt be here, How did others cope?

I did soy milk and whey protein shakes with frozen strawberries, also slimfast until I was so sick of it, slimfast bars, cookies. I would do great until there was a plate of donuts or cake or cookies at work, or my husband came home with his dinner, or a loaf of french bread. Then, being hungry, my willpower finally caved in. I also did ok, and was set to go for surgery then the date was rescheduled. I went out and celebrated that I wasn't starting on the 2 wkk post surgery liquids. So I gained back some I had lost. This week, scheduled again, now for Nov 1st this is what I did. I went on a total pinneaple binge for 2 days. A little dried pinneaple and 3 large cans of pinneapple juice over 2 days. Then I did the Hollywood miracle diet, but I drank all that juice in one day. Then on the 4th day I took magnesium citrate laxative and ate very little. I was back on the protein shakes (3) today. I discovered a really tasty very low cal soup I can mix up at work. 1 can of low sodium V8 and 3 teaspoons of Gayelord Hauser natural vegetable broth. It counteracts the desire for something not sweet. I so wish diet products were not all sweet. As of yesterday I had lost 7.5 lbs. Not quite the goal but maybe a little more today and hope it will be enough.

Is anyone other than Andrea getting banded on Nov. If yes what day. Maybe we can get to know each other now. Mine is on Nov 20th.

Aitza

I am November 1st so will miss you scheduled for later in the month. I'll post my experience though.

Me too, was scheduled last Thursday the 25th. I do hope everything is okay with Dr. Ortiz and assistants. I was really set to go last week and so disappointed. But I'm ready to go again. I made an appointment with a nutritional counselor here in Seattle because I think I will have some issues over changes in eating. I'm a stress eater. Maybe I should take up crocheting. I quit smoking so I know I can change behavior and habits. Of course I can't quit eating. I hope the counselor will have some good ideas and guidance. Look forward to seeing Tijuana, never been there. Maybe go out to Rosarito see the beach. My s.o. Steve is coming with me. Am scheduled on Nov 1st.

HI!, I GOT APPROVED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited, and now the fear is kicking in. : I am scheduled NOV 2 and my Birthday is NOV 3. Anyone else having a NOV band????? We need to talk. I'm not worried about the surg, I'm scared about the liq diet pre op. (my Dr wants liq for a week before, to help shrink the liver. I don't know how I'll do that.. I have trouble not getting into the cookie Jar. Its the life style change I'm scared about. Food has been my friend for a long time now... Its a bad relationship, I know, but its been there. Gosh that really scares me. :-h Please Join me, Lets hold hands thru this. Lets do it!! :-h !!!! Brenda

I was rescheduled from last Thursday to Nov 1 due to the fires. There was concern about Dr. Ortiz's house and also for his employees at the clinic so I hope their homes were saved from the fire and things are on the way back to normal. It was hard to get news about Tijuana/Mexico. All the news seemed to end at the border. The fire maps ended at the border too. The liquid diet part is hard. At work especially for Halloween candy is everywhere. I am excited to lose pounds that are not coming back again. I am scared about the vomiting, sliming and pbing I have read about. I have only vomited twice in my whole life that I remember and I hate it.