Will T

Hello Blazn... do you get your fills in Roswell, also?

Hello lilly, mom, iwantbanded, and all the others. Nice to meet you, and thanks for the encouragement!

Me

Hello Renee!

I did miss seeing you in TJ, and based on all I read about the trip, I missed a BLAST.... Maybe next time, I'll be able to be there too and be the saintly chaperone for the girls' nights out.

Tonight I went to the steak house and ordered my usual meal, but no salad. I asked for a to-go box right away, and put half of it for tomorrow. I barely was able to finish the little bit i left on the plate. I ate slowly and had no issues, and my good friends the burps made everything go wonderfully. And to top it all off, I have a fantastic meal awaiting me tomorrow.

I'd LOVE to see your pics from TJ. And it would be great to get together this summer sometimes. Sus would like that, and Andrew would be happy anywhere there is a pool that is warm enough to swim in. There is a good chance he'll get his Scuba certification this summer... he's all excited about that.

I cant wait to hear all about your fill trip.

Will

Hello Lynzz!!

It's been a while since our long walk in the early morning hours!! You're on your way! The 24th will change everything that you've learned so far... Just go slow, and be sure to drink low or no cal drinks a lot, and slowly after your fill. Also, the swelling is similar to the first days with the band. DEFINITELY go back to the liquids for a couple of days... Wendy's chili and I became awesome friends.

Do they even have Wendy's restaurants out in Cali??

Let me know how you're doing!! WE ARE ON OUR WAYYYY!!!

Hello LynnA! You're ALMOST done!!

After today, I have officially 9 days, but seniors take exams early, so that cuts me to 7 left with students. Most of those are exams and awards days.

I missed you and Renee also. Maybe we will have a reunion and do the town, and take an awesome "after" picture at the fountain. Everyone sounds like they such an awesome time, I regret I couldn't go even more now. All of you wild and crazy women loose on the town...

I also tried on my tuxedo yesterday. I announce the names at graduation and the honors assemblies. I'm going to have to get a new one ALREADY. It's draping off me, and I've only just started. I'm lucky though. I won't need it again until August. We may wear them to sing the national anthem September 17 for the Atlanta Braves/Phillies game. I may be skinny by then

See you later :-h

Here are my stats so far. I'm a techno-geek, everyone, so please bear with all the numbers. I have an Excel spreadsheet on my desktop and weighing every morning has become something FUN for the first time in my life. Instead of the weights, I'll post the weight LOSS over time. My results may or may not be typical, but they are my actual numbers.

Starting the pre-op diet: March 22 Weight loss 0

Day of surgery, 16 days later: April 8: Weight loss 13.5 pounds

Day of first fill, 55 days from pre-op: May 17 Weight loss 21 pounds

First fill + 5 days: May 22: Weight loss 26.5 pounds

Goal: 106 pounds. That gets me back to my college football playing weight (as a freshman in college)

# of PBs: 3 (too much, too fast caused all of them, I think)

first fill: 5 cc in a 10 cc band in Roswell, GA (the staff there are WONDERFUL)

# of times I've felt like I am starving: ZERO

favorite no-calorie drink: Crystal-lite... half tea, half lemonade (a calorie-free Arnold Palmer)

My ONLY regret at this point: Not knowing about Dr. Ortiz in 2003. If I had to do this all over again, I would do it WITHOUT hesitation. Getting up every morning, I almost RUN to the scales to see how much I've lost. My weight is lower this morning than it has been in 8 years. I have tons of energy, and already the joints that usually ache in the mornings and evenings are springing to life once more.

Hello Reenej! Hello D also!

I had my first fill today also, and my experience was very similar. I watched the needle though. I wont tell you it was VERY long. I take allergy shots, and the allergy shots are worse. I barely felt the entry.

I began prone, on my back until the needle was inserted... I had to laugh when she uprighted the bed, and i began to go from lying down to standing up, with this partially inserted syringe just sitting there!

For my 10cc band, my first fill was 5 cc, and just like you, R, I watched EVERY bit on the fluoroscope.

I want to share with you an experience another patient shared with me today.

This lady was very sweet, and was banded by Dr. Ortiz a couple of years ago. She and her best friend were banded together. Back home in Ohio, she had a local doctor agree to do her fills, but didn't use a fluoroscope. After about 7 or 8 months, her best friend had lost 70 pounds, while she had lost 11 pounds. After some investigation, it was determined that she had issues with her port, and had to have a port replacement. It seems all of her fills while with this local doc had no effect on the band, and ended up seeping out into her abdomen. She went back to TJ, and now she is losing weight because the band is working properly. She had one word of advice... never have a fill without the fluoroscope. The fluoroscope gives visual evidence that your fill is too much, not enough, or just right. My person would not let me off the table until she was absolutely comfortable with what she saw. Knowing the Tijuana crew, I'm sure Dr. Romero is the same way. After hearing her story, I will ALWAYS have the scope.

Good luck LynnA and Reenej.... be safe on your journey back!

My flight home was a non-stop and took 4.5 hours. The most difficult part for me was having to go to the small restroom on the airplane in order to relieve some of the built-up gas. I also had to drink water or juice, no sodas.... and no snacks. That was tough. I wanted some of the pretzels but skipped them.

If I had to make a recommendation, I would go and purchase small snacks before boarding the plane that are allowed. Dr. Gabrielle will tell you things you may eat the first days, and stock up on several of those.

willT

I was banded on 4/8 as well!!

My family went with me also. The patients go first, so the pre-op tests begin, and the families come afterwards. Mine did not have to take a taxi. When we went shopping on Revolution Avenue, we took a cab, but that was not related to the surgery.

I was treated immaculately, and was at ease the entire time. Everything said earlier is completely accurate, and my best advice is to relax, and listen to what they tell you. If you have questions, the doctors answer them fully.

My wife commented on how clean the facility was, and how professional and courteous the staff was.

I'd do it again without thinking twice. The experience i had was A+. The gas pains are a by-product of the surgery, and everyone has them, but they are tolerable... just WALK... WALK... WALK after the surgery, and whenever you feel the pangs.

Oh, and you'll LOVE the paper thong you have to wear...... it's sexy .... LOL.

willT

Hi everyone... I'm scheduled in Roswell GA that same weekend. I couldnt get away from classes long enough to get the flight in time.

I'm doing great! Monday was my 21st day, and I LOVE SOLID FOOD. I just wanted to chew REAL food for a while the first evening, LOL.

I'm down 24 pounds since the pre-op diet, and down 11 since the surgery.

I was amazed that the Fill Center rep told me that my meals would be about 1/3 of a cup after my first fill. A THIRD of a CUP. That's not even a small 'helpin' in my part of the world LOL. I am confident though, the feeling I've had stepping on the scales every morning and seeing the numbers get smaller encourage me more and more. THIS will be what I've needed.

I went to a local Sam's Club (similar to Costco) and looked at the small Energy Bars that are sold as supplemental meals. I may get a few of those to be sure I am getting the appropriate nutrition after the fill.

A THIRD of a CUP. That's about three good spoonfulls. WOW.

I'll be thinking about those of you in Tijuana in a few weeks, especially Lynn and Reneej, and I'll scour the internet news to make sure you both aren't arrested for having too much fun!

Are you having similar success?

Bill

April 29.... 4 more days, and I am "officially" able to eat solids : )

Notice "officially" is in quotes.

I'll third the "brussel sprouts and cheese sauce are gross" even without a band.

Hello neighbors!

I'm just across the SC state line on I-85, 90 minutes from Atlanta. Thanks for the cost info about Roswell. I'll be getting my first fill in a couple of weeks.

Ummm... we were supposed to wait three weeks before eating solid foods???

I've GOT to have a picture of that... Lynn bringing the zebra into the hotel and elevator... with a sombrero.... singing "AY YI YI YI!!" as loud as she can....

Yes. I've GOT to have a picture of that.

Will Reneej be riding with you Lynn?

I'm only 12 days post-op, and I'm ready for real food. I've had some fries and some toast with my soups. I've had creamy soups, and chunky soups (usually a normal serving) and that is about all. I've had no problems at all. I made a frittata for breakfast and had some of it also. No problems.

Hi Lynn!

I too am feeling a bit of port pain, particularly when i lean to the side, such as drying my left leg after a shower. It's a sharp pain that is quite noticeable. The incisions are itching a little bit, too. Has anyone's glue started to dissolve yet?

I'm a Tuesday bandster, but I'm not a lady : )

I'm doing great. I've taken a few tums since I've been home, and that seems to control my need to power-burp. I've started soft soups and that has helped. Another trick I tried was to burp myself BEFORE the pressure backed up. I know, it's a guy thing, but it made me have very little issues.

I hope your journey has been a positive one so far... what issues have you faced?

Hi Lynn!

Glad to hear you're doing great as well! Have you had any unusual experiences yet?

We were lucky... we were on AirTran. A slight delay, but a good jet stream put us in Atlanta just about on time.

Tonight I had a couple of bowls of chicken noodle soup, with no probs.

Sus and Andrew say hello back, and are glad you're doing so well !

Hello : )

I'm back at home, well, and anxiously awaiting April 29th!

The day went quite well at OCC. I will have no problems recommending Dr. Ortiz to anyone who has a weight issue. There were several things I noticed I wanted to comment on, for us, and for future bandsters.

For those who are being picked up at the airport, please don't be upset if your driver arrives a few minutes late. When we were leaving, we left in plenty of time for the driver to make a pickup, yet Customs were WAY behind, and it delayed our van by as much as 50 minutes or more. We stood, waiting for a long line of people coming into America to pass through. We went through quickly, maybe 4 minutes (my entire family), but the wait to get to the front of the line was something beyond the control of OCC. The driver was late to pickup new clients, but the delay wasnt his fault. We even planned extra time in the schedule in case of a delay, but the delay was longer than planned. Enough on that !

I didn't have near as much of a gas problem as some of the patients did. I felt like I needed to burp for a long time. I felt no shoulder pain at all. I did experience my first 'PB' and survived it.

One issue I had was regulating a diet after the surgery. As we all know, we're on liquids for a while. I had the broths at the hotel, and Vitamin drinks from across the street, but felt weak and trembly. I sorta "fudged" a little, and ate some soup with a little substance to it. I did fine, and felt much better. I've progressed to yogurts and soups now, and am back on a regular schedule diet-wise. I feel strong, ready for golf, with only a little bit of discomfort where the large incision is... not pain, but discomfort.

I've stocked up on soups, yogurts, jellos, and shakes looking forward to the dates for the first solids. (I actually slipped and had a couple of my son's fries at dinner last night without thinking.... "oops" !)

But we are at home, safe, and preparing to plan to return for the fill perhaps the second week of June. I've thought about Roswell, GA for a fill, but all of us talked about it at Tijuana... I have all the confidence in Dr. Ortiz, and we probably will be going back.

How about you? How've you adapted to the new way of eating for a few weeks? Did you experience any of these-type symptoms? I know one of the girls who banded on Tuesday had terrible gas pains (she needed to walk a lot AND the Gas-X pills).

We enjoyed talking with you tremendously. I think all bandsters should meet out at the pool to get to know each other. It began a special bond for us all. We have started our journey.... I can't wait to see where we will end up!

willT

This gentleman said he had to be reminded to eat, because he no longer felt the urges we all may feel to pull out a bag of chips and a cola.

He misses soft drinks. He loved a cold Coke often, but he replaced it with non-carbonated drinks. He would go to family events and use a saucer instead of a plate for meals, and he would eat in small bits rather than crowding the fork (I'm guilty of that now).

He added other benefits of the lapband that I'm looking forward to. His allergies (hay fever, etc) have improved greatly. So had knee pain and foot pain he experienced. His energy level had skyrocketed, and he started a workout routine three days a week and STILL had lots of energy.

As far as pain, he had none, nor discomfort. He sang the praises of his surgeon, and I have all the confidence in the world that my experience will be as good as his. I'm even setting a goal of 15 pounds per month until i get back to my college football playing weight. If I'm short, I'm still doing great. If I exceed that, even more awesome. When i reach my desired weight, i've informed my wife that she and I are going to the Bahamas, and are going to do "something" on the beach in the middle of the night... then awaken to a sunrise. Something i would NEVER have done without this.

To all you 4/11 people... you new future begins in less than a month! Godspeed to your goal!

Hello 4/11 bandsters... I'm in front of you by a few days. I have mine scheduled for 4/08.

I've been big all my life, taught to 'clean your plate' and I even have issues leaving food on a table in a restaurant. I can't wait until my date.

I have no apprehensions. I attended two local sessions for doctors in my area. The process was thoroughly explained, and all questions were answered. The cost HERE, for the two doctors, one was $25,000 and the second $20,000.

In the first session I attended, the doctor showed a photo of a family that could have been my family. The father had a slat and pepper goatee (as I do) glasses (yep, me too) and the same amount of hairline recession. He even had two sons, as I do.

This man came out looking AWESOME (in the weight sense...). He had lost an average of 20 pounds per month for 4.5 months after his surgery. His weight started at 12 pounds more than i weigh now.

He said things that made me look forward to this procedure. He is never hungry. He never has cravings (omg... like i am having right now...). When he gets the urge for something, he eats it, and he stops when he can eat no more... and his craving is satisfied because he feels full.

More in a moment