tootsie_lou

Hey TGsMOM! My daughter and I were banded on the same day. She went before me, but I had been given the "pre-op goody pill", so I probably didn't feel the worry as intensely as I might have without it. (Maybe you could ask for one of those-haha). My daughter was 13 when we were "banded". It has been almost one year to the day (2/24/08) and she has lost 45 pounds and looks amazing. She is very close to her goal. She has had one fill (at the 8 week mark) at the OCC. She has a horrible fear of needles. The fill was worse for her (and me) than the surgery. I don't think that she has had too many problems in the social setting. She doesn't seem to have any issues with foods that she can't tolerate, etc. I don't know if that is normal or not. Dr So, the angel that worked with us at the OCC for her fill, told her that some folks need one fill, others more. She recently told me that at a sleepover someone asked her about one of her scars, and she replied that she'd had it a while and left it at that. Regarding the preop diet, her BMI wasn't as high as some, so they didn't ask her to be on it. They just asked that she try to maintain her weight. I did a liquid fast during the preop (for Lent). Many folks have great success doing exactly what CanadianBandster described. I think when you start seeing weight come off, and you know that the doctors are counting on you to follow the preop, it makes you more accountable and less likely to want to cheat. Also, we read somewhere (possibly Dr Ortiz's book) that eating a low fat diet prior to this surgery helps to shrink the liver so that the surgery can be less complicated for the surgeons. Traveling to Tijuana was fun. The Lucerna was safe and very comfortable and accommodating. We shopped and slept alot. I tease my daughter that she must not have been fully recovered from the anesthesia, since she turned down a Louis Vuitton backpack I offered to buy her. Looking back I'm not sure who wasn't recovered from the medicine, her or me (haha). I'm a little concerned about your daughter's thin friend. She doesn't sound real supportive. That happens sometimes--people can't understand that someone might be breaking out of the shell that they have always known them in. Regarding my daughter's physician here, he doesn't know -- yet. She is not a routinely sick kid, so in this last year she has had no reason to see him. I will tell you that in no way would I personally be intimidated by someone who disagreed with our lap-band decision. Seeing the positive changes in my daughter far outway any scorn I might receive about doing it. She is medically and psychologically more healthy now than she was 45 pounds ago. Know that you are in the best hands possible with the surgeons at the OCC. Has your daughter been on this forum? People have posted on every possible aspect of this procedure and its effects on their lives. Every one here is rooting for her (and you)! Bless you for doing this for your kid! You both will be so glad you did it!! Diana

I agree with other posters here--bravo!! The P90X program (from Tony Horton) is a serious workout program. I just got Tony Horton's 10-minute trainer, and from some of the reviews on Amazon.com even the 10-minute sounds like it will give my pooch a run for the money--haha. I am 47 years old and I think I might have a shot a shrinking my waist and abs back into shape. I know that in some cases plastic surgery is the only way to remove the "extra" after weight loss. I am going to give this a serious effort. And for $80 (ebay) I feel like it's worth a try. Good luck to you--and keep up the good work! Diana

Has anyone here tried the energy drink called Celsius? The stuff tastes delicious--the sparkling cola tastes like a diet coke. It is supposed to increase your metabolic rate by 12%. I drank a bit of this around the holidays as a way to keep the energy level up to get everything done. Here is a link to their website. https://www.celsius.com/2-0_CelsiusStory.htm It is available on Amazon. There is also a store locator at the website. I got mine at The Vitamin Shoppe. One thing I found was that if I drank a whole one too late in the day (like after 4pm), I found it hard to relax and get to sleep that evening. If I took it before 2, no problem. Diana

It's funny about the gas phenomenon. My daughter and I were banded on the same day. She didn't have any gas issues. I on the other hand thought I might actually explode on the plane trip back home. I had severe shoulder pain, and still get it occasionally (also gas related), she has never had it. The first few days after we arrived back home from surgery I had no idea my lower body could make the sounds that it was making (sorry -TMI). She and I were basically sipping the same broth, drinking the same Crystal Light, etc. I think the only explanation for it is what other folks here have stated--everybody reacts to this procedure differently. Diana (P.S. My daughter likes to tease and say I had all the gas issues because Dr Ortiz put the band on an "old" stomach. Kids!! )

Congratulations TRS!! What a dramatic and completely awesome achievement!! You are an inspiration not only to other teens but to the rest of us here. When we were at the OCC eight (8) weeks after our lap-band surgery for our first fills, there was a girl getting the lap-band. I was speaking to her mother, who through tears was describing how her daughter was so frustrated with the comments on her weight/eating that when it came time for lunch at school she would eat in the bathroom. I have been praying for that girl since then that she would have results similar to yours. Bless you girl! Diana

I agree with that also. I would suspect that many or most of the folks that get this procedure as adults feel the same way. If only ... Good luck Sarah! Diana

Hey Hopeful! I agree with other folks here that after its over you wonder what you were worried about. My daughter (13 at the time) and I were banded on the same day, she went first. When they gave her the little pill that helps you relax, she got so funny. She was giggling and telling Dr Ortiz that she loved him. (I have no idea if, and/or who I may have said I loved--no one reported that to me, and thankfully my kid was already sleeping it off -- haha). I do remember telling Dr Martinez and Dr Ortiz that one of my fears was that they would get their instruments in there and find something strange. Like one of those "Hey you guys look at this, and somebody get the camera!". If they did see anything out of the ordinary in there, I slept through it I guess. One thing about my kid going first, Dr Romero came in and assured me that all went well and that she came through like a champ. That was really cool. Diana

It sounds to me like you probably have found a fix for your stubborn weight. You have found 7 pairs of pants that fit the way you like. Murphy's law states that now the weight will probably come flying off! Until then--way to go!! Diana

Hey Kim-- I was reading this thread and I really feel for you, girl. You were puttin' yourself out there and on a couple of posts basically got the "be told". I applaud you for taking a pass on the Valentine's day donuts--good girl! And regarding your now infamous double cheeseberger, we all slip and make a food choice that in the light of day, after a good night's sleep and a sanity break, would probably see differently. One double cheeseberger in six months is something that I would view as a freakin' victory. If we could all be perfect with food 24/7 we wouldn't need the lap-band or this forum. Keep pressin' on!! Diana

When you contact the OCC as a serious prospective patient the coordinator will email you forms to fill out that pretty comprehensively outline for them your medical and weight history. They also require a deposit (when we did ours it was $500/each). Some folks can get the procedure done right away if there is an opening and all of the other details (payment, travel, time off from work, etc) work out. We were banded at the same time as a lady that was required to quit smoking, and I'm not sure if she had to be "smoke-free" for a minimum length of time or not. The coodinator will help you with things like that-- and then some. Dr Ortiz actually called and spoke to my daughter (13 at the time) to make sure she was fully aware of how the lap-band worked and what changes she would need to make prior to us making the arrangements. Hope this helps you. Diana

Thanks for mentioning the info about if you need an unfill. She seemed really great about that. I was seriously hoping that I wouldn't have any issues with needing an unfill as I was heading back home (4hrs) right after the fill. Having to return there was not anything I wanted to do. Especially when you read on this forum about how uncomfortable you feel when you need an unfill. Diana

I have been back and forth with my weight many times. I'm pretty sure I can tell you that even when thin I never considered be a stripper. My husband has known me both thin and "thick" (24 yrs) and has loved me through it all (even the wacky diets I've done). I almost think he is happy (and relieved) that I'm done with all the craziness of liquid diets, grapefruit diets, etc., and now just eat less at mealtime. The lap-band is the best decision I have made in years! Diana

Hey Sarah! What are her main objections? The price, Mexico, your age, your safety? Some folks are very prejudiced in their thinking regarding gastric surgery for weight loss. I hope you can resolve this with your parent(s). My teenage daughter (age 14) and I both have the lap-band and have done well with it so far. She has lost 40 pounds, is very close to her goal, and looks amazing. I knew I wanted the lap-band for myself, and I saw my daughter having the same issues with her weight as I did at her age. I couldn't be happier about my/our decision to have her get the lap-band. Dr Ortiz and his staff are the greatest and you would be in the best of hands with them. I think that the advice given by CanadianBandster is excellent. If she could read this forum maybe some her fears or objections might be resolved. Everyone here is rooting for you! Diana

Hello! The toll-free phone number for Fill Centers USA is 1-866-345-5872. You contact them at this number first. Actually, first I went to their website www.fillcentersusa.com when I was ready to see about scheduling a fill and filled out the patient profile information. Then I called the number and a very nice lady verified my information. She then asked me a couple of dates that I might be available and at what time(s) etc. She went to work at securing me a couple of appointment options and called me back the next day to set it up. Easy easy easy. The center itself that I went to was a place where they were doing more than just lap-band adjustments. I was kind of glad of that. The fill took just a few minutes. The paperwork took longer--haha. Hope this helps All my best for a great lap-band experience. You will never regret it! Know that everyone on this forum is rooting for you! Diana

Hey FLGIRL! We went for our first fills back to the OCC, but for my second fill I went to through Fill Centers USA to Kathy Gonzalez in St. Petersburg. She is completely awesome! She checked the position of my band and asked me numerous questions to assess (I felt) the need for a fill and possibly how much I would need. In addition I received a huge packet of information that is assembled by FCSUA. It was well worth the 8 hour round trip for the packet alone. The folks at Fill Centers USA also call you to make sure you are doing well with your fill, which is another great thing about them. I will definitely be going back there for any additional fills. Diana

Also, here is a link from another good lap-band forum: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/1132128-post3.html

Woops! The link in the previous response was not correct. Sorry about that. This is the correct link I think http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?s=&a...ost&p=64121

Hey gang-- The cleanse that Lisa described sounds a lot like the cleanse that is used to help eliminate gall stones. http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/huldas_recipe.asp I have done it and you would be amazed at what you have stored up in you! Doing these cleanses also helps with other ailments, like clearing up facial breakouts and improving your immunity, just to name a few. I had right shoulder pain that I thought I got from getting too aggressive on a machine at Curves. I did this "flush" and the pain went away within a week. Also, for the problem of not being able to "go", try using a probiotic daily (I use one, a capsule form from Garden of Life brand called "Primal Defense ULTRA"). They come in many forms (tablet, powder, capsule) and are a relatively inexpensive way to start getting regular bowel movements started again. In addition, a natural supplement called "casgara sagrada" will also gently help get things going. Again, if you happen to be prone to facial breakouts, try treating your digestive tract with this combination. It has helped me greatly and now I try never to run out of either of these. This from a notorious "once a week whether I need to or not" number two-er. (My husband's profound assessment -- haha) Diana

Hey--I'm not sure what the benefits are and have never tried it. I think this is the post you might have seen: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?s=&a...ost&p=64105 Also, you can get chewable papaya tablets (at Walgreen's, CVS, etc) that help tremedously. These I have used. They're easy to take, taste OK, and you can keep the bottle in your purse if you need to. Good luck--Diana

All our best to you! You'll be "smokin'" in no time!! Your friends, Diana and Alyssa

Hey Dave! When are you having your surgery? Diana

Hello-- my teenage daughter and I were both banded on a Thursday afternoon and were back at school and work on the following Monday with no problems. Actually, we arrived home to Florida from Mexico at 1am in the morning Sunday, and I was up unpacking and to church by 9am. If you happen to have the "gas" experience you will be amazed at the sounds your lower body is capable of making (laugh). Our best to you! Diana (and Alyssa)

We love love love Dr Romero!! Please don't be hard on Dr. So. He was so patient with my daughter who has a fear (terror) of needles--the guy deserves some kind of medal for taking the time he took with her when we got our first fills with him back in April. He never lost his composure or sense of humor, and the gammit of emotions in the room that day ranged from good to kind of ugly. Please please be kind-- he was super!! Diana

Hi again! I checked out "The 5-day pouch test" yesterday morning. Luckily, I hadn't eaten any breakfast and had Adkins shakes in the house, so I was able to start doing it right away. Looking forward to seeing how it works. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for telling us about it, Hanna!!

Thanks for the info - and compliments, Hanna! You are so helpful on this forum, keep up the good work! I think I am going to check into the fill center in Tampa. I've read on the forum the folks there are great. It is a good drive from here, but I can definitely do it in a day. Thanks again-Diana