Par Girl

WOW I too had my first fill on June 19th and this a.m. had to have more fill. I now have 2.5cc and releived to hear I'm not alone. Question, do you have a tight feeling even when you are not eating? Are you experiencing more air in the tummy? I can hear my tummy and intestines rumble like in the jungle! Keep me posted..

Darn, wish I had known I just went today! It was like a ghost town! Can you see if the OCC will send a car for you? I went with my hubby early and we were in and out by 9:30 a.m. Everything felt safe and there are still lots of Americans crusing 'round T.J. In the future keep me in mind since we may be going for fills around the same time. Pargirl

I have heard so many different ideas as to the timing on fills. I noticed you said yuo make sure the fill stays tight, how do you know when to get the fills and how often do you find you need the fills? I go for my first fill on the 19th and I'm really looking forward to it. I still have a tight feeling in my chest (the band I suppose) so my appetite is low. Are you suppose to feel a tightness in the chest? Thanks much, Pargirl

MamaMichelle, Are you having any feelings of feeling full after you eat? Are you feeling any difference from the fill? You are losing like crazy....are you working out as well? Pargirl

Yeeks, what site did you see all this news? Pargirl

Well, one of the gals I was banded with did cheat and yee howdy did she regret it! She simply sucked on a piece of meat and became violently ill, almost had to go back to the OCC. Her experience cured me of any thoughts of cheating! Be careful a band slippage can't be good. Pargirl

Good question, what are the signs of slippage? Anyone out there know? I'll call the OCC today and find out unless someone has the answer. In the mean time take care of yourself and drink lots of gatorade. Pargirl

Hi there, anyone going to TJ for a fill early a.m. to TJ? We have two gals so far and looking to share the costs for Francisco to drive us to and from. Thaks much, Pargirl

I have heard so many different senarios regarding the charges on the fills. Am I mistaken or is the 1st fill done free, no charge? Just wondering what your experience was. Also, did Dr. Romero offer you a numbing shot first before the saline fill? Much appreciate your info. P.S. you look great in the pics and keep up the great work, you are a great inspiration to us all! Pargirl

I have heard so many different senarios regarding the charges on the fills. Am I mistaken or is the 1st fill done free, no charge? Just wondering what your experience was. Also, did Dr. Romero offer you a numbing shot first before the saline fill? Much appreciate your info. P.S. you look great in the pics and keep up the great work, you are a great inspiration to us all! Pargirl

I am planning to go on May 19th with 2 other gals. My appt. is at 9:30 a.m. does that work, I would love to share the ride with you..Pargirl

Brittany I see you are a golfer. How long after the baning did yo play? I am 21 days into the post op tomorrow and would like to play on wednesday.

Thanks for the heads up on the experience! I know the US doctors give a pre shot that numbs the area for the port, did Dr. Romero offer anything like that? Are you feeling full when you eat now more so than when you first got banded? Just wondering if its like the same feeling? Also there have been a lot of articles in the papers of the safety of the boarders right now did you feel safe?

Name & Location Mary from Orange County, Ca. Age; 57 Gender; F Band date; 04/01/2008 Height; 5'5" Highest weight; 202.5 Current weight; 185.5 Goal weight: 130

Congradulations! I am in my 3rd week post op and loving life! I would strongly suggest you make a big batch of homemade chicken stock! Beleive me you will thank your lucky stars you did! What ever you do WALK, WALK AND WALK some more! I was amazed at how well I felt after the surgery. By the 3rd day I was off and walking miles. Good luck and worry not, the staff, doctors and Mrs. Ortiz is everything you've been reading about! Pargirl

I remember seeing Sharon Osborne on Dr. Phil. The subject was about her weight and the band. I thought she was on Dr. Phil cuz she was told by her Dr. that the band had to come out and she was really scared because she did'nt want to gain weight and undo all the success she'd had. Of couse Dr. Phil promised to be there for her and get her help if need be. Over all she loved the band and really did'nt want to have it taken out. I wonder if she had it replaced. Pargirl

Jena, Great find! I just went on and registered wow what an eye opener! I recommend this site to everyone, it's great and easy! Thanks for sharing...Pargirl

Hi there, I had the band on the 1st of April at the OCC and I highly recommend this facility, the doctors and the whole staff (including Mrs. Ortiz!) are everything you read here on the forum. In regards to your inquiry, my good friend who had the surgery done at the OCC 16 months ago has had two sever experiences with food getting stuck. The food would not come up nor go through and it was frightening. My friend is the first to admit that it was 100% her fault. In any case she had to rush to the OCC in the middle of the night (12:00 a.m.) and they simply did a unfill, she felt relief immediately and there were no residual pains. If you have a Dr. in Canada to attend to your fills or unfills you should do just fine. For the OCC bandee's isn't it comforting to know the OCC is ALWAYS so attentive! Pargil

You're really doing super well. I was banded on 04/01 and also feel great. I have been walking like crazy but really want to jump on my elliptical! You have really lost the lbs. Keep going girl! Pargirl

Hey Wendy, I too tried to find other "to be bandees" on the forum before my surgery on the 1st and did'nt get any replies. I went down solo and I was so looking forward to this that I never had any thoughts of being scared or alone. Once I arrived to the OCC and met the other bandees it was GREAT! There's something about going thru the process together that creates a bonding with one another. I was also lucky cuz only 4 of us were scheduled for the surgery that day, so it was really a calm and smooth experience. The staff is fun, caring and never once did I feel like they were rushed to get to another patient. I would advise you take some phayzme and gas-X strips, liquid tylenol and 1-2 bottles of H2O. Order your vitamins before you go and be sure to make home made broths, this really saved me! Walking is a must do and you'll have company with your other bandee buddies. We really had fun running around the OCC together! I for one felt really good from the start. I have had bunches of energy. Today is the 1 week anniversary of my surgery and yesterday I walked 2 1/2 miles, I was cautious not to break a sweat. The walking feels soooo good for the gas and the body! The only discomfort I experienced was some gas, nothing like some others and soreness with the incision where the port is. If I turn a certain way it burns. None of this is intolerable at all. Today I feel even better, no weakness and no hunger. Hope this helps, good luck tomorrow! Pargirl

Great idea! I was banded on 04-01 and will be eating soon. So I for one would love to hear from the other bandees! pargirl

Hello there! Well first I want to thanks everyone for the well wishes as I was on my way to see Dr. Ortiz (just about the most handsome man EVER!). I had a great time. I almost hate to say it but I really did have a blast. My honey drove me down to the parking lot next to the boarder and I met Francisco who from there took me over to the OCC but no one was there yet so he took me to the Hotel Lucerna. Francisco was really fun and we had a few laughs. I waited in the lobby at the hotel for Mrs. Ortiz and as people would come to sit in the lobby I asked if they too were waiting for Mrs. Ortiz. I guess they thought I was a bit of a nut so I quietly read a book. Finally Mrs. Ortiz came in and what a lovely lady she is. Another couple joined us and we all rode together to the OCC. Smooth as silk I tell ya, had the blood, EKG and met with the nutritionist (now she is a hoot!). Turned out only four of us were getting banded I was the second in. I was impressed with how throrough the doctors and nurses are. Any questions any concerns? Dr. Ortiz came in my room sat with me for awhile and watched some t.v. I felt like he was going to just stay and visit. Unlike the American Dr.'s here he wasn't back stepping out the door as he was conversing with. In the O.R. I felt some pain with the anesthesia like a burning and quickly I was out. When I awoke I was tucked in my bed and ready to start sprints aroung the center. I literally was on the move and fast! I only had a little soreness and that went away beore the end of the day. I immediately started with the gasX strips, dilligently sucked on the breathing device and walked briskly around and around. Soon my bandee friends were out and all of us were trotting together. Our nurses Jose and Carmenita were so kind and attendant. I am now home, I chose not to spend another night and feel so good it's scary. I am sipping fluids like crazy and my gas is coming at a steady pace so I am not experienceing pain. I am up and walking about every 20 minutes. Before I left for T.J. I made some home cooked chicken broth and am I glad I did! I would suggest to all to have homemade broths they are yummy! I have no worries and feel like I could literally take a jog, of course I won't! I want to thank Jena, Charlotte and Rebca for making this expierence fun. Looking forward to meeting up for our fills. I am still a little goofy with the meds so I hope I didn't ramble too much. I will say at this point I am so glad I did the banding and for the first time I feel like there really is hope for me now! Pargirl!! P.S. Thanks to all of you who let me pester you pre op, I love you! ParGirl

WOW..you go girl! I am off in the a.m. for the band! Not really too scared since I've picked, prodded and pestered everyone on the forum! I am amazed at your success and hopeful to follow suit, you are a real inspiration to us all! Mini "Lapbandee" Pargirl

Hi There, I live in So. Ca. and wondering if anyone out there will be going for banding on 04/01. If so would love to chat for a little support. Pargirl

Hi Moonslick, I am having the banding on 04/01 and noticed you mentioned getting sick, what kind of sick? Thanks much, ParGirl