desertgal

I tried that water...I thought it had the worst after taste! Are you drinking the ready made or the drop ins? Mine was the ready made...maybe the others are better.

try adding a little pomegranete juice to it

i just booked my surgery and just joined the board....feel so much better reading your post! thank you for that...what is the deal with the shoulder pain - i have read that on other posts...why does it hurt...is there something they do with it? sorry to sound so lost about it but not sure how it plays into the surgery??

thanks for responding...

Gas-X did not work for me - I took it with me along with peppermint tea bags...I have walked (slowly) on the treadmill everyday - everyone's body is different - you may not experience any of this, but if you do you know what it's all about.

Since my shoulder pain went on so long, it was more than the gas - doc said it was inflammation from the surgery.

A follow-up since chatting with doc on phone on sunday...his suggestion has totally worked! I have taken Ibuprophen (400mg) 3x per day - yesterday the shoulder pain was about a 4 (on a scale of 1-10), but this morning it's gone!! He was right! I had to get the inflammation down & Ibuprophen was the ticket! (TIP - you can buy a bottle of 800mg ibuprophen at the pharmacies in TJ - I've been buying them over the counter there for years - about $20-$25 I think - then you split them in half and use them like I did if you need to - it will be a blessing to have it you need it! Liquid tylenol doesn't even touch this, I tried) what a relief to be rid of this irritation! Good Luck to you!

Hi Krista,

My BMI was 31, but my body fat % is 42, so that confirmed this was something I had to do so I could control portions (which has been my biggest problem for years and seemed to be getting worse-I am turning 50 this year-it's time to end this battle) I told no one because I didn't want to deal with the potential negative comments that might dissuede my decision to move forward. Remember, Dr Ortiz is much more qualified & has years more experience than the U.S. physicians. My husband was sworn to secrecy until it was all over. Once I got home, I called the closest family/friends & told them all - they were all shocked at what I did, but supportive & happy that all went so well.

It is amazing how great you feel after surgery - I am not kidding! You wake up in the operating room and you are walking the halls in an hour - yes you are a bit tender/sore but it's not any big deal. The extra night at the hotel is all you need (me and my other bandster friends went downtown shopping the afternoon after surgery!) - when I woke up the morning I was leaving town, I felt pretty darn good and was excited to get home (to my own bed) & begin this journey. You are NOT at all hungry, which shocked me...today is one week since surgery & I am still surprised that I am not hungry but I am following the post op diet to the "t" to be sure I heal good.

Stay positive, so you dont use valuable energy on worrying - you will be in awesome hands with Dr Ortiz & his team. If for any reason you were to have a problem, I am sure they would not let you return home - you would call the dr he gives you his cellular number) & if need be, you would go back to clinic and they'd look you over thoroughly.

Good Luck to you!!

Hello, this is my first post, sorry, second post, I have been watching the forum for a long time now. I have just faxed my information, I DID IT! AND, I REGISTERED ON HERE, WOW, TWO BIG STEPS!! My surgery is set for the 28th also of this month. Only thing I have left is to get my airline tickets, does anyone have any recommendations on where to get the best deal? Really look forward to meeting everyone! My husband is going along with me even though he is totally against it, but I guess he is supporting me, he is going.

Any suggestions on the pre op diet, I think I need to start it this Thursday, how much weight are you suppose to lose? I am 215 lbs, I was thinking Lori told me 10 lbs, I need to go back and check that. I have gained 10 pounds in the last 2 weeks just reading the forum and deeply knowing I was going to do this with or without my husbands support, I know, bad girl. Every time I eat, I have this sick thought that it may be the last time I eat whatever it may be.

Does anyone smoke that had the lapband, that is another thing I keep thinking about, quiting 2 weeks before the surgery, doing that, and dieting is going to be hard I think. Another thing I think is going to be hard is occasionally my husband and I will go and do something once a week, we may have a few drinks of alcohol, you know playing cards without a beer is going to be hard, how long before and after can you not drink light beer?

Just a few silly questions I know. I know this is a lifetime commitment, and I really have to want it to make it work, just looking for advice.

I am nervous, excited, and in fear I will not succeed at this, even though I want it really bad!

Thanks in advance for all information! Look forward to talking with everyone.

I use http://www.momondo.com/ website....I have found it to beat all the other sites...once I find the best airline/fare etc, then I call the airline direct to see if they have a better price...they have always been the same or beat the internet price. I like booking directly with airlines, just in case there is a problem at airport...if a third party is involved it can be a problem...I went through this one using expedia rather than directly booking with Delta. Where are you flying in from? Good Luck

Hi, my name is Kim and I am seriously considering having this surgery. I am scheduled for a seminar next week and will make my decision from there. I will be paying cash for it (taking out a loan) and I just wanted to get a little feedback from everyone. I have researched it until I am blue in the face and would like to get some advice from people who have actually had the surgery.

I am 5'6" and weigh 230 lbs. I have yo yo dieted my entire life with little or no success. I have Insurance, but with my BMI at 37 I have to have two medical conditions along with my weight for my Insurance to cover this. I am gonna pay $15K for it and that is everything and 15 months after the surgery for adjustments.

How soon do you need an adjustment? How often? Any suggestions, thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

please read my post about the experience I had...my banding was 2.11.08

you should consider going to dr. ortiz for his experience in this type of surgery...I read his book "lapband for life" ..got it on amazon...

my first fill will be in 6 weeks. It all depends on how the first fill goes...if it's too tight you go back to have some taken out, if it's too loose you go back to have some more filled....until you find the "sweet spot" and then you live your life!!

Good Luck to you

So this may be a stupid question..however you can tell how confident I am in Dr. Ortiz if Im wondering if I can wear nail polish or not! Nail polish? Toe nail polish? Whats the scoop?! ) Thanks

I had french manicure and nothing was said...my toenails were bright pink polish...not sure what that is all about, but that is what I did.

It was great to see your post, I am going thurs night and bannded fri 2-22, I'm soooooo excited!

Thanks for the possitive feedback!!

Donna

I just spoke to dr. martinez....(great to have a cell number when you need him!). I am still having the shoulder pain...he said at this point it's from the inflammation from the surgery and asked if I brought the little breathing device that they give you at the clinic home...I told him, no...that will be beneficial to you if you have the same issue I am dealing with...if I had it here, I could be using it to help this pass sooner...so another tip is..take home the little breathing machine in case you have this same problem

Good Luck

Hey everyone- I was wondering what everyone was doing for that extra protein since lapband people have to have 50-60 grams of protein everyday. Are shakes with a scoop of whey protein the only option to get that much protein daily? #-o Any ideas would be great!!! Thanks!! Sofi

I use medifast shakes...they are delicious, easy to mix with water and 15G protein per shake

Hello All,

I am looking to get my appointment in early May (have 20 lbs to lose first) and I'm wondering if anyone else is scheduling for around the same time. I'm so excited about this, I've been researching since July and finally decided that it was right for me. I tried to do it here locally, but my insurance will not cover it and it's $19,500 here. My roommate's friend had it done at OCC and said it was the best decision she has ever made. She looks great, too!

Any suggestions for losing the pre-op weight? Dr. Miranda suggested either Atkins or 2 replacement shakes and a Lean Cuisine meal. I think I'm going to go with Atkins, but I'm not sure.

<3 from Tallahassee, FL

Hi,

Medifast protein shakes are yummy...I bought them on internet...they are very satisfying...good luck ...you will be so happy you did this!! I had my surgery 2.11...lucky for you that you didn't get coverage because what you will experience at OCC will be worth every penny...they treat you like gold!

Good Luck

Hi Hon

How are you doing??

Nicole

I am good...still dealing with a bit of the shoulder pain, but overall...I am so pleased with the outcome. How about you? I sent you personal email with pics, did you get it?

I brought peppermint tea bags & made hot water in coffee pot (with the bottled water they give you in your room). The idea of bringing bouillion cubes is a good one..then you can have your own soup in your room! Trader Joes has these low sodium packets of beef bouillion...I would think any "whole foods" grocery store would have them too...great convenient way to travel with soup. The restaurant tortilla soup (broth) was awesome...of course, you can't eat but a few tablespoons after the surgery, so they put it in styrofoam cup for me ( i kept it on ice in my room) & I had them reheat it in the morning for my breakfast...it was wonderful. I had the shoulder pain (from the gas) & as of today, which is day 6, I have just a little bit left...some don't get this, but I have had a time with it..the gas-x really hasn't helped...I have walked (slowly) on treadmill everyday since my surgery...I guess everyone's body is different, so you may/may not have this pain...it's mostly just very irritating, not that much painful. I went alone & it was great....the other gals were in the lobby the morning of surgery..we immediately "bonded".

Hello,

I Had my banding done on 2.1.08. Of course, I had some fear, but let me rest your mind for any of you who feel the same way. This was one of the most amazing & impressive experiences of my life. The professionalism & real care of Dr. Ortiz & his whole staff is unheard of in the U.S. these days! From the first person I had contact with, the driver who picks you up over the border, Francisco, to the wonderful staff at the hotel (by the way, you will stay at the hotel on night one before your surgery, then you will check out the next morning, go to clinic/hospital with your bags to have surgery & spend the night there, then go back the morning after surgery to the hotel to spend one more night - so dont' take a ton of bags! you'll be lugging them all over - pack light!) then Doc's mother, Mrs. Ortiz who is a little doll - she picks you up at hotel and delivers you to the clinic, then Claudia at the front desk of the clinic (what a cutie she is), the cardiologist, the nutritionist, the nurses...all so wonderful. Once all your tests are done, you are taken on "the other side" of the waiting room to your room & it is squeaky clean & VERY comfortable..you'll have a flat screen tv with satellite, a calming water fountain, beautiful colored sheets/blankets & a nice comfy bed. The sweet nurse (josie, I think was her name) who is the only one who really didnt' speak much english, will treat you like Gold...you will get prepared with IV, meds, etc and then one by one the doctors come to your room and introduce themselves & ask if you have any questions ....tell me, when does this ever happen in the U.S.? if you are unfamiliar with health care in U.S. - the answer is NEVER! The one thing I was most concerned about was "going under"...the doc told me the type of anesthesia they have successfully used for the past 2 years is wonderful - once they flip the "switch" to off, you will wake up, & that is EXACTLY how it felt when I woke up in the operating room...they were retrieving the tube from my throat when I woke (dont' worry about that either - it didn't hurt at all & my throat wasn't a bit sore later)I told doc how much I appreciated the comfortable CLEAN surroundings & he told me he moved his surgeries from the hospital to this beautiful facility to avoid infection - I tell you, this is one medical professional who really cares about his patients (& his reputation) Dr. Ortiz is a smart cookie...this is good business! - the morning after surgery, you will be driven back to the hotel where you will stay overnight (me & my bandster friends went shopping down on revolution blvd for a couple of hours - we all felt pretty good!), then that night you will be notified as to what time your driver will pick you up the following day to deliver you back over the border.

PLEASE don't be afraid of this situation - it is really UNBELIEVABLE how fantastic everything/everyone was - you won't regret it, I promise. And if you want to go alone, "just do it!"...there were 4 of us the day I did my banding - 3 of us were alone & one had her sweet friend with her. I liked the fact that I didnt' have to feel like I had to "entertain" whomever I would have taken with me. (my husband wasn't too happy about this idea, but he respected my wishes) I rested when I wanted to & was very comfortable. I hope you will go get any of your family & sit them down right now to read this...you know..those who are resisting this situation for you. (I ordered dr. ortiz book "lapbanding for life" & that is how all this started for me - I felt like I was going to someone with alot of experience, thousands of bandings under his belt & that is what I wanted if I was going to have this surgery!)

Thank you so much Dr. Ortiz & all the staff - see you in 6 weeks for my fill! Happy Banding!

Hi Nicole,

I have had awesome results from using vitamin E - get the capsules, poke a hole in it and rub the oil on - don't buy the vit e cream....I had nasty scar from appendectomy and the vit E did an amazing job of healing and reducing it! After seeing my friends tiny dots since her banding last sept, I am not too concerned.

Good Luck!

dr ortiz in Tijuana

I am 31 BMI

yes, I am coming in on the 10th...not until 3:30pm...hope to be able to say hi

anyone else with Feb 11 surgery date?

what kind of exercise regimen do you follow?????????

Pammie,

Thanks for the info! Have you been "filled" yet?

Clynn,

after reading your post about friend who had other type of band inserted with complications later, how does one know what type of band is placed inside when you get this done? do you get a box with serial number on it or something?

(sorry, I am pretty weird about this kinda stuff and I even though I Do trust the mexican doctors, I still wonder, how do you know what kind is put in?)

thanks

I couldn't agree with you all more. My mother lived in ensenada for 17 years. She was treated well by all the locals. I took her to emergency room one time in the middle of the night...I was shocked at how clean the place was & the wonderful treatment she was given. If those who "poo poo" the whole idea of Mexico would just think...these doctors NEED us to bring our money to them & their communities..if they do a bad job, word will spread & they will be out of business. I went to TJ a year ago to a dentist that was highly recommended...another shocking experience....his facility had state of the art equipment that I had never seen before! His price was about 40% of the US docs. In his waiting room was a world map with stick pins all over it....when I asked him about it (thinking these are all the places he has traveled)...he told me "no, those are all the places my patients come from"...the bottom line, is ...open your mind & do your research...you might be pleasantly surprised by other cultures and what they have to offer.

Hi

I am very new & considering the banding

Can you all chime in and tell me what the doc suggests you do in the form of exercise after banding?

what type of exercise?

how many times a week?

how long per sessions?

how soon after surgery?