mommyrkr

I go to get fills in Arlington. I had my first fill with Dr. Ortiz, as I was there for my aunt's surgery. It went great. But when I went for my second fill, we just went for the day. And I was miserable for a week. I really think the changes in pressure from flying really did a number on my band. The first time, I was there for a day before my fill, then a day after, and that gave my band time to adjust. But just going in a day, the restriction was so tight for a couple of days, I really probably should have gotten an unfill, but couldn't find a place, then when I could go, I felt a lot better. I love them in Arlington, but they don't use fluoroscopy. That is the downside for me. THe upside is that they are easily available, extremely nice and helpful, available for emergencies at any time, and have never had even the slightest problem with finding the port. I am not at all worried going to them. And they are very reasonably priced, which I really appreciate. Becki

Sorry, the website is .com, not .org. I fixed it. Becki

Thanks Tom, good luck with your biking, it sure is fun to be flying like a kid again! I was very worried about food and fluid intake with the band, and eating so slow and especially having a whole lot of restriction in the morning. I rarely eat anything until noon, but knew I would be starting to ride before 6am. I was especially worried about fluids and having to drink so often, so I bought a Camelbak. I swear by them. You don't get too much at once, and it is so easy. I hate reaching down for a water bottle, so I would just put it off, which would have been very bad, but with the Camelbak, is was so easy! I found that once I started riding I had no trouble with food. I think my body warmed up so the band did too, everything went fine. But I did eat a lot of GU gel. It was so easy, tasted good, and I knew I would have no trouble with the band. My advice is just to do a lot of practicing. Then you will figure out what works and what doesn't work for you. Good luck. Becki

Hurray for me, I made it through the Seattle to Portland Bike ride. It was 204 miles in two days. This was something I said I wanted to do about 15 years ago, but really thought it would never happen. I knew I needed to lose a substantial amount of weight first...and get a decent bike. Well, I won a good road bike 2 years ago, but still couldn't get rid of the weight. But this year, I did it, 74 pound lighter, with about 30 to go. It was awesome. I love bike riding. By the way...I have always hidden from cameras, just habit from being so fat. But of course they take pictures on these things, so I looked, and I don't look to bad!!! It was kind of weird to not shrink away but actually be comfortable looking at myself. If you are interested in seeing them, they are on www.marathonfoto.com, the race was 2007 Seattle to Portland, last name Rutledge, and race number 1668. I think I might order one and stick it on the wall!!! Anyway, it feels good to be proud of myself...it had been such a long time. Becki

Kevin, Any idea what happened to my post??? It was titled, Banded August 28th, a journey to a new life. Thanks. Becki

I started a post in August of 2006 that described my experiences and progress with the band. I went to update today, and it is gone. I can't find it anywhere! I am very frustrated. Can anyone help? It was under Newly Banded, tell your experience and was titled, "Banded August 28th". Becki

End of the month would be great for me. We can set it up as we get a little closer. Becki

Hey guys! Anyone want to get together in Tacoma? I don't have time to drive very far this summer, but I know there are some people around me and I would love to have coffee at least. Let me know! Becki

Hey guys, I am not going to be able to be at Bahama Breeze today. I am sick. I will miss you all though. Let's do it again soon. Becki

I was planning on Sunday, still working out the babysitting details. But I had planned on it. Am I the only one though? Bahama Breeze, at 2:00pm, the 29th? Becki

Nita, Thank you very much. It has been a rough day, and you just brightened it. Thanks, Becki

Thanks for the explanation Nita. I was confused trying to figure that one out. I too do not have the correct fill level, and am carefully watching what I eat and exercising to lose. I know the band is helping though. Good luck in finding the right fill level. I feel very fortunate to not have needed the VG band with my high starting weight. I was very surprised actually. But don't give up on your band yet. Even if you lose all the weight on your own. Maybe you will get to the correct level then and it will help you keep it off. For me, that is more of the struggle than losing anyway. But congrats on all your hard work. You are amazing. Becki

Nita, I am curious how you can call your weight loss minimal success. What were you expecting that 74 pounds in 7 months is minimal success? I can't wait to get to 74 pounds gone, and I had surgery before you, don't have the VG band and have still had three fills. Becki

Theresa, I didn't really have any trouble from healing or before the first fill. I did, during that time, have kidney stones though. Don't know if they were surgery related or not, but if so are very rare. But make sure you drink a lot on the liquid diet. I got through the liquid diet ok. I'm not sure how, because I don't know if I could do it again. I ate less, still a lot, and took small bites. I never PBed before my first fill. I did have some restriction though, so I used that to my advantage, ate healthy, got some exercise and has lost abouat 25 pounds total before my first fill. Ask anything you want. This is a good place to get some answers. And there are a number of people who have been banded a while who can help. Becki

I know that our bodies are amazing at compensating for what we are doing to ourselves. When we take in about 700 calories a day, our body thinks we are starving and becomes very efficient, to make those calories be enough. So we lose weight, but maybe not as much as we think we should. When you start eating again, after the liquid diet, you will be hungrier and able to eat a lot, some eat as much before the first fill as they did before surgery. That is because there is no restriction yet. People who have bypass will have very immediate restriction. And most also are missing part of their digestive track, so even what they do eat does not all get absorbed. However, loseing the weight slowly has benefits. You are more likely to keep it off, your skin has time to adjust better to reduce the sagging extra skin, and our band is adjustable, so if we ever find ourselves gaining, we can have another fill. Many, many people with bypass end up gaining at least part of the weight back. I can't imagine the panic they must feel. They have completely redesigned their body, and still can gain weight. With the lapband, on the other hand, it is always adjustable and tailored for us as individuals. Anyway, long explaination. Just don't be in a hurry. It will happen if you eat right, and especially if you throw in some exercise. I believe it is pretty much foolproof if you actually follow the bandster rules. But most people don't, so they have problems. The biggest things for me are...drink lost of water, but not for 1 hour after food. Take small bites and chew thoroughly (I sometimes us a toddler spoon to remind me). And get SOME exercise. It doesn't take much to really help you lose weight. Oh, and weight lifting and drinking water actually help with the extra sagging skin problem. And watch what you drink. It can have a lot of calories. Good luck, Becki

Hey guys. It is so good to hear more Washington folks getting banded. Mommy, I am in Lakewood, not far from you. I had such a great time with my surgery, I came home and talked about it and went back 2 months later for my first fill and with my aunt as she has surgery. I love every bit of this surgery. There are certainly times that I am frustrated, but overall, it has made such a difference in my life. I am 7 months out and have never regretted a minute of it. If you have questions, feel free to ask. We might be able to help. If you want to know my experience, it is under Newly Banded section. I was banded August 28th. You can read my whole long story there. Good luck to those of you having surgery soon. Oh, and I had a fill in Arlington, and I will definitely go back. Beware fo flying very soon before or after a fill, it can really mess you up because of the air pressure changes. Becki

This is so hard for me!!! I always get too much food. Especially at home, or where there are a lot of options. I throw away a lot of food, and I felt guilty about it for a while, but now I would rather throw it out than wear it. It is getting a little easier. But if we go out to eat, I order a kids meal, and still bring home at least 1-2 more meals. I also end up making too much, so eating the same thing for days on end. It gets boring. Oh, well though, I guess that is life being banded. Better than the alternative. Becki

I had my third fill in Arlington, and I will definitely go back. They found my port immediately, and I had a great fill. It was very fast too. Seemed almost silly to make a 2 hour drive for a 15 minute appointment!! I plan on all my fills there. Becki

I was terrified when I was in your shoes. Anyone would be crazy not to be. But now, 6 months later, I wasted my time being worried. Everything went so well, it was all perfect. Don't worry about the pre-op diet too much. Dr. Miranda will give you specific instructions as the time gets closer. Slimfast is completely fine, as is any other low calorie, high protein drink. I personally love slimfast, though many do not. I did not get to have a lean cuisine (too high of a starting weight), but my aunt did. It is not easy, but very doable....for a week or two. Congratulations on your surgery. It will be great, and you will be fine. Becki

This whole thing was a worry of mine. I have heard some not so great things about Mexico and medical procedures. That was really a deciding factor for me, I didn't want to have surgery in a Mexican hospital. I wanted great practices and a clean place. I also wanted to to be understood if I needed help. Dr. Ortiz clinic was far cleaner and more sanitary than anything I have seen in the US. You have to wear booties just so that they can draw blood! It was far cleaner and more sanitary than my local hospital where I spend some time a few months later. I wished I could have gone back to Dr. Ortiz for my kidney stones! Becki

Good luck tomorrow FurEllie, I hope all goes well. Let us know. I am very curious about your lack of weight lost following the pre-op diet. Let us know if they give you any clue as to why this might be. Becki

I found the first 3-4 days of the pre-op diet to be very difficult. And I didn't get a Lean Cuisine, just slimfast, and green veggies. But after day 4 or so it got much easier. Maybe just because my body got used to it. Or maybe because my surgery date was quickly coming, who knows, but I did. And if I can do it....so can anyone!!!!! Becki

HAH! I was one of those who did lose some weight between being banded and my first fill, but I fought for every pound!!! I carefully watched what I ate, and exercised a lot. I did not lose that weight because of the band. I could eat anything, and was hungry all the time. I noticed very slight restriction, but sure not enough to stop me from gaining weight. I just didn't want to waste time once I had the band. I figured I could diet and do it the old fashioned way while I was waiting to find my correct fill level. I had overdone it before I started the pre-op diet, and gained some, and knew how much harder it was to take off, so I figured I might as well work at it. Don't worry, the band will work, it just takes time. And some saline in your band. Becki

Hey Kelso, I am in Tacoma. I was banded 6 months ago, and have had three fills. The first two were in Mexico, I really wanted the fluoroscopy, just to make sure the band was in the right place. But there are definitely placed in Western Washington to get fills. The two that seem to be the most popular are Dr. Neal in Olympia, who will use fluoroscopy, and it cost about $350, and a nurse practitioner in Arlington, who does not use fluoroscopy, and charges $150 for the first, $125 for other fills. They both have gotten good reviews from all of us, and will gladly do fills for Dr. Ortiz' patients. I had two fills in Mexico because it was a little cheaper for me, my aunt paid for my flight for the first fill, as she wanted me to accompany her while she had surgery. Then the second fill, my aunt and I went together, and just got a great deal on plane tickets for the day. I really recommend getting your first fill with fluoroscopy though, as you can be sure that the band is in place, and everything is all right. My third fill I had done just a few days ago in Arlington. Quite a few of the Washington women have gone up there now. I was very impressed and satisfied. I will probably go back for any more fills. Becki

Hey, I looked into all the doctors in Washington, a few in Oregon and Idaho, Canada, and Northern California. (I am in Tacoma). In the end, there was no doubt where I wanted to have my surgery, or rather with whom. I would have gone to Antarctica, if Dr. Ortiz had been there. He is the best at this surgery, and that is such a key. Plus, if you are paying yourself, why not pay less for a better doctor. I was very nervous at first about going to Mexico. But once it was done, I was so happy. I came home ranting and raving about how great it was, and how much I loved it, my aunt went down for surgery two months later. Look into all of their (the doctors) experience. It makes a big difference. If you have any questions, I would be happy to help, if I can. Becki