utahmom

OMG I am really freaked! Can you guys really eat that much? I can barely get in enough protien.

I'm certainly glad Natalie had a good experience, I found the SLC Fill Center doctor very wierd. I certainly would highly recommend that you do not go alone. Take a husband or a friend with you. Just be warned he goes into the port blindly hoping for a direct hit. He also tried to sell me his bariatric products including diet pills. You should also know beforehand that the Fill Centers want you to come back on a monthly basis. With a proper fill this should not be necessary, it is their way of generating greater income. I went there for convenience, 20 minutes from my home, if and when I need another fill, not sure I would go back there. My daughter lives in Vegas, would maybe try fill center there.

Just got back from doctor appointment, had complete blood work to make sure all is well with nutririon, etc. While there, the PA pulled up a great site and made me a copy of some eating examples for post-op. Go to obesityhelp.com and search diet, nutrition & exercise. they have good food choices, foods to avoid & common problems. I think this site will help me alot. also check out obesitylapbandsurgery.com/diet.html We're all smart ....we can do this. The best news was that my home scale is off......I weighed 6 pounds less at the doctors office. YES!!!!!!

This food issue has been my problem all along. Since my 2nd fill I really eat very little. I am actually going to the doctor today to discuss this issue and get some bloodwork done. I very rarely get hungry and I know I'm not eating enough. For example, last night I got down 1/2 of a 3 oz can of tuna, 1 teaspoon of cottage cheese and 2 slices of a tomato..for lunch I had a couple bites of steak and felt like it was stuck in my throat for hours afterwards. When this happens you can't even drink without getting sick to your stomach. To get my fruit and dairy in is easy, I make a smoothie with Vanilla Soy milk and frozen peaches and mangoes, sometimes add a banana....delicious. I've complained to Dr Miranda several times about the lack of consistancy and or any guidelines, to no avail. Anxious to see how my bloodwork turns out, a little nervous about my nutririon.

Weren't you told no cruches for three months?

So where does the protien come in? Dr Miranda gave me the food pyramid for a 9 year old boy. I wish she would be more specific on what is really important to get down. Once you are restricted you really cannot eat more than about 1/2 cup of food at a sitting. It is frustrating, and I know it would be really helpful for me to have better guidelines. At least what she gave you was a little more specific. She did say to eat salmon at least twice a week.

Well, it wasn't until after my 2nd fill that I found the 1/2 cup serving was as much as I could eat, if that. Good luck, your time will come. I still worry about getting enough nutrients, but my husband(he's a GP) tells me to take my vitamins daily and I will be fine. He must be right, I feel good, have lots of energy and I'm losing slow and steady.

thanks so much, i appreciate the input..........

Have a friend who needs extensive dental work (implants etc.). Just wondering if anyone has used the Occ dentist for more than just Zoom Whitening? Or, if those of you in the San Diego area know of another Mexican dental clinic specializing in this area. Thanks, Arlene

OMG what a cute baby...and she looks like she has wonderful eyelashes!!!! Trying to get my babies pics on this site, don't quite have it down yet.

YES! The exact same thing happened to me at a Fill Center USA in Salt Lake City. I was very worried about it and spoke to Carolyn. She said a similar thing happened to her and Its just that sometimes the entire amount of fill cannot be extracted. That means that we might have a little more fill than we think. Also, the band is a permeable material, so there will be some loss, but not 1/2. At any rate I am losing weight and feeling fine, so I don't worry about it. Just do your thing and be grateful for this really cool tool!

Kim, I have had many dogs over the years and they become just as beloved as your children. I never waited to get another as it made the pain so much easier to bear. I currently have 4 dogs, am for sure crazy!!!!! As my children are grown, these guys are my babies and I love them dearly. I'll have to try and post their pictures. Don't wait go get that baby!

Hi All, I went to Fill Center USA in Salt Lake City. The cost was $349.00 plus $99.00 for the flouro. They list their prices on the internet so I don't understand why you have to pay so much. Dr Ortiz is only on their advisory Board and really has nothing to do with the centers. I found this out as I was very upset that the Fill Center Doctor tried to talk me into taking Phentremine which is a diet pill(the safer half of Fen-Fen), it is however an upper. Why should we take a diet pill with a lapband....does not make sense to me. I spoke to Carolyn at length about this and she said that this was not something Dr Ortiz would do. Anyways this guy was really wierd and made me very uncomfortable. I hope you have a better experience. I would for sure inquire as to why the prices vary from center to center. Arlene

I'd be more than happy to send them to you. My lifestyle in Park City is very casual so it would not pay for me to have them altered. Besides, my wonderful hubby promised me all new clothes!!!! Let me know what you decide. Arlene

I have two great outfits, 1 black, 1 medium blue. Pants with shell and matching beaded jacket from Nordstrum. Will be happy to send if anyone could use. You can e-mail me at abhassin@yahoo.com Arlene

So glad to hear you are feeling better. Don't worry about how much you are eating. Eat what you can, making wise choices and make sure you take your daily vitamins. I was obsessing over how little I was eating, kept thinking I'm not eating enough to sustain life. However, I am fine and you will be too. Have a great 4th!!! Arlene

Dear Jim and Family, There is no loss greater than that of a child. May your faith and your friends sustain you at this tragic moment, and may you gain strength from wonderful memories of happier times. God Bless! Arlene

My favorite smoothy! 8oz Vanilla Soy Milk small banana frozen peaches frozen mango Blend until smooth................YUM

Congratulations Paula, I know you're happy! And, you're looking great! Keep up the good work! Arlene

HELP, I need some feedback. Got a second fill on Friday and had terrible problem eating today. Do I need to get some taken out or will I eventually get used to this. I was supposed to have had 1.4cc when I got my first fill at OCC, but only had .6 left???? I now have 1.4 and can't keep much of anything down, except liquids. I went to Fill Center USA, not real sure about the whole operation. Doctor was pushing diet pills to curb appetite...why do I have to curb my appetite if I can't eat anyway?????CRAZY...like what was the purpose of getting the band if I have to take diet pills!!! Need some feedback please :lb20: Arlene

Hi Everyone, I had my first fill at OCC May 1st, was told I got a 1.4cc Had my 2nd fill yesterday at the Fill Center here in Salt Lake City (with Flouro). When the doctor emptied my band only .6cc came out..........how is this possible? He said he did not think I had a leak, so now I have 1.4cc and do have some restriction. Has anyone else had anything like this happen? I'm not sure what to think! Arlene

going for a 2nd fill.......... Using Fill Center USA (Salt Lake City), since its only about 20 minutes from my house. Has anyone else used them? They seem to be opening offices everywhere. It will be interesting to hear what they preach, as I know their approach towards what and how you eat is a bit different than Dr Miranda. I've only lost 10 pounds since surgery and fill. Even though my size has changed, I feel like the weight should be dropping a little bit..... Arlene

Hey Everyone, When I got my fill in May, Dr Romero told me he was in the process of finishing his Plastic Surgery rotation. He implied that he would be working upstairs as Dr O is putting in a Plastic Surgery Center on the next floor, and that he would be working under the new Plastic Surg doc. Anybody else get this info?

Hey Paula, Been there, done that!!!! Went through the mill with both my parents. Then after my Dad passed, I had to deal with my Mom and the onset of Alzheimers. When I packed up her life, I found jewelery and money stuffed in sheets and between towels. She also had about 25 rolls of Reynolds wrap and 30 bars of soap, etc, etc, etc. It was a very stressful time for me , so I comiserate with you. I was banded on March 20th, and had my first fill on May 1. I have lost 2 pounds since my fill!!!! I have lost many inches and clothes fit much differently, many are way too big. I got so upset about the lack of weight loss that I finally sat down and reread Dr. O's book. I realized I was doing several things wrong and am trying to change life long eating habits. We all have our bad habits and that is how we got this way....it will not change for a while, so don,t be so hard on yourself. When you go back for that fill, think about those bad habits and how you can override them. this band is not a cure, but just a tool......I too am still learning this lesson. I'm not sure what restriction really is. If I can get something down, I can usually eat a large portion of it. But other times, I take three bites(maybe too big or not chewed enough) and then I get stuck and PB. My husband says I am a slow learner. Whatever, we are all in for the long haul......keep the faith, we will get there!!!!! Arlene

THANKS!!! Excellent suggestion, going to reread parts of Dr O's book. I am eating between meals, I get hungry most likely from not getting enough down when I do eat. I think I am starting to get anxious when I eat, so I get stuck then slime and PB. vicious cycle!!!!