bandgroupie

I don't know about anyone else, but I could eat a pintos & cheese in less than 45 minutes.

Now I'm thinking I don't have restriction like I should!

USE FLUORO!

Find a fill center usa closest to you quickly!

Hello, I have had my band since Feb and the last time I got a fill was 3 months ago. For some reason my band has just tightened up more lately and I cannot even get water down at all. I keep pbing the water. This has been going on for a while and I called and they said I need to get the band un filled. I live in Pennsylvannia. Does anyone know how I can get it un filled without having to go clear back across the country?

Kudos! Great picture!

The good old days are back!???????????????????????????????????

YIPPPPEEEEEEEEE

Ute... the paper thong got so much HOT reaction at home... I ordered a whole box of them. Order John a box of them, and you'll see what I mean

I treated the experience as a normal night, having to wear the gown and the thong. I kept hearing whistling while I walked around and around and around, then I realized the girls behind me were looking through the opening in my gown. That's ok. It made me have a little "zip" in my step.

The staff provided for anything within reason that I could ask for. I walked across the street when I went back to the hotel and the store-front pharmacy as well as the convenience store had everything from gas-x to juices.

Ute, make sure you tell John to hold his hands over his head and dance for you while he's wearing the thong... put a couple of dollars in it while he dances around

John in a thong?? wait, what did I miss?

WOOHOOO!!

You GO John!! Ute will go crazy when she sees you in that hot blue thong.....

Based on information available, it appears that the larger band will require more fills.

Dr. Martinez and Dr. Ortiz were both in the O.R. Room with me.

I had a minor complication (well at least I thought it was a complication!) and Dr. Martinez came to the hotel to examine me. He was very caring and kind and thorough. He made arrangements for me to be seen at the clinic on a Sundy (they are closed) and set me up to travel home safely (with drugs!).....

Bottom line, he's wonderful and very, very experienced.

THUMBS UP for Dr. M!!!

Hi,

I'm new here and my husband and I have decided to have the Lap Band surgery next month. Carolyn had suggested Dr. Martinez to us as a surgeon, but we can't find much information on any forum about him. Can anyone tell me if they had Dr. Martinez do their surgery? Any help would be appreciated.

YAY JOHN!!!! I might go just to see you guys

Noooo I'm the bandgroupie

Met a gal at fill center and she said her pouched was stretched and with the help of Darlene, she got it back in good shape (she had photos!). She was VERY VERY LUCKY

Hi Everybody,

I have a question for the doctor- I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on 8/17/07 with a 10 cc band - I got my first fill in TJ and have had 3 more fills since. I now have 8.2 cc's total. I have lost 60 lbs and have about 60 more to lose. I have not lost any weight at all for at least 9 weeks even though I have been doing everything right - I thought 9 weeks was a long time for a plateau so I went in yesterday to see if I needed a final fill- my fill Dr uses flouro and she said I have stretched my pouch "just slightly"- (she also gave me .1 more so now i have 8.3 total.) She recommended just liquids for 5 days - little drinks at a time- and after 5 days to go back to eatung like I should except not to eat more than 1/4 cup if food at a time. She is a wonderful doctor and I trust her very much but I trust dr Ortiz even more- what does he suggest I do?

I've been called a "Mexican patient" before.

Sheeesh. Makes ya want to cuff em!

I think I may have posted about this before.... if so, forgive my duplication.

I met a gal at a fill center a few months back who lost about 80 lbs. with the band and has only about 10 more pounds to her goal weight - she looked good! (side note: she said she did this without excercising!!!!!).. anyway ....

She told me that she had a fill and three months after the fill she had to have an emergency unfill. She was given no explanation as to why. Think about it. If she was good for three months with the fill, why would she need an emergency unfill? She said it was awful and she ended up with a huge emergency room bill. Also said that knowing what she knows now, she would have driven to Moultrie for an unfill.

The band is a mystery to me.

OHHHHH and also we met a gal who said she stretched her pouch and got it back in shape We saw photos!

Thanks Misty for putting the poll up.

I did email Lori to request dates and to see if the OCC would offer a "fill special" for the weekend of the event but haven't heard back yet.

I've been a little preoccupied with life drama and haven't followed up with Lori.

I voted

Can't wait for the get together!

Okay, so I read in a previous post that Lori would submit info to the docs if she had it to submit. So, she wants a date, a place, a time, etc. Let's get this thing started. The last poll revealed San Diego as the place for Band Camp 2009 - next we need a date. Based on the other posts for this topic most people wanted to go between February and April. I did not put Valentine's day down as most will want to be at home with their families. The dates I have posted are weekends, as that seems to be the time people can easily get away. So let the voting begin. If there is a date that is not listed that you will like just add it in a reply!

I am by far the organizer for this function but am willing to help get things rolling, so all others that are willing - let it be known. I think Dawn is the one who has been in contact with Lori, so when the poll ends (maybe mid October?) she can submit the info to her. Evette lives in San Diego and has offered to help find a place to have this party. Others have volunteered presentations, shows, etc but a girl can only remember so much. So post your ideas when voting so we can plan this thing!!

I understand from the photos that the bands look similar in size when inflated. But, why does history tell us that those with the larger band will require more fills? Also, I was told by another doctor that he can't believe anyone is still using the VG band?

I'm confused too.

Ok, I understand that and not exactly something I wanted to hear though. I mean, thinking the band was too big was kind of my last hope. Also, you said to take small steps and I'll be happier, but that is tough. I was banded back in March. That is small steps. Thanks for the info, I do appreciate it. Just hard to keep my chin up after all this time and money.

I was told that it was okay to chew gum (by Dr. Miranda). It's obviously imporant that you NOT be a gum swallower!!! I'm 45 years old and have outgrown that long ago!

So gum helped get me through my pre op diet by keeping my chompers busy. I did not experience any gas and it had no effect on the band.

Again.... if I had the tendency to swallow my gum, I wouldn't be chewing it with my band!

Hello Everyone,

I have so enjoyed reading everyone's advice and stories. Thanks for your posts! I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with chewing gum post op. I am a huge gum person and am obsessed with fresh breath! Just thinking about if it will increase gas or how it will effect the band??? It may seem silly, but I want to make sure to do everything right. Thanks!

Cheese actually fills me up and I do eat it quite a bit (for protein).

I am guilty of resorting to soft foods when things seem to get stuck. My problem "was" root beer floats. I know, I know - two big no, no's. But I've given them up!

Cheese

Any high calorie liquids

Make sure you are dilluting the juice you drink!!!!!

I am now 6 days post-op and just having questions about if I did the right thing. I had a large hiatal hernia fixed. Dr. Martinez said it was one of the biggest he has seen. I am in a lot of pain and feel like I will never be able to eat or breathe normally again. Everything hurts going down, I am nauseated most of the time, I have the runs really bad, it hurts to take a deep breath. I know I am still healing from sugery, but these are just the questions going through my mind. Is this a good thing to have done?

Julie

Can you do some water aerobics? Can you tread in water? If your orthopedic doctor approves that, you might try it!

I've had two fills, eat clean and a lot less then I used to, and I haven't lost any weight in two months. Haven't been able to excerise, I got thrown from my horse and hurt my back. Help? advice?

Some people go back to liquid diet. You might try the pre op diet until you can get another fill.

And if there is someone that doesn't like my suggestion, please remember it is only a suggestion

Welcome to bandland and thanks for sharing your banding experience with us.

Only one problem though, you are one of the few who have not commented on how HOT Dr. O is!

Well the chips and key lime pie aren't good choices for the band. I could probably eat as many chips or pie post band as I could pre band ......

But if I sat down and had a beef pattie and ate it first, I doubt I would be able to eat much afterwards.

It's Monday Night - and it's chat night and there are no chatters!!!!!

*sigh*

I'm an ex-chemist. I know what .6 ml looks like, thanks

It's a tiny drop. I'm theorizing that it's hanging out in the tubing, but am looking for something more concrete. Though I should go see if google knows how much volume the tubing holds.

Thanks!

Linda

I had a good fill - good so far.

The ones who had fills just had some soup.

The others got to have whatever the heck they wanted.