RogerF

Hi Melissa, My wife, and now her friend, will also be banded on the 12th. I look forward to meeting you both. Roger

This sounds just like mine. The larger incision was the most sensitive for a month or so. Seems it was much better by the time I got my first fill. That is your port under there and I had a pretty good bump in the area, some are not as noticible, but it has continued to get better. Mine would hit the edge of my desk at work, so I was aware of it for awhile. Roger

HI LeaAnne, We're also flying in on the 11th, maybe we'll all ride in together. We're coming in the early afternoon about 2:30, so I don't think we are doing pre-op stuff until the next day. My wife Candy is also bringing a friend to be banded the same day. So thats at least three for that day. Roger

Since this forum is predominately used by patients of, or those considering Dr. Ortiz and the Obesity Control Center (OCC), it might be more beneficial to try another more general forum like lapbandtalk.com for info on other surgeons However, as far as Dr. Sanchez, I heard he was a good doctor, but I just read that he was killed last week. But please check out the OCC website and this forum if you are considering lap band surgery. There are several good Dr's in Mexico and if you do your research, you'll end up here as we did. Price is one consideration, but please consider the doctors' experience and quality of care in making your decision. Whether you travel to Monterrey or San Diego (for Tijuana) shouldn't make that much difference in your decision. Good luck, Roger

Are we talking about a straight deduction or the "medical expense" deduction which is the amount over a percentage of your adjusted income (like 7.5%)? I've heard about the latter, but if there is some other way to deduct more I'd like to know. One of the guys on my band date thought there might be some other way to deduct the full amount but I haven't heard anything else about it. Anyone in the know? Roger

Thanks Tom, The last weight dip got my BMI under 35 and I can see some changes, so I'm keeping motivated. You really need another fill. My second one helped, but the third one last week really had a noticible effect. I'm pretty tight into the late afternoon, even liquids go down slow, and then loosen up a bit. I think I can make some real progress at this level so I hope my band will hold for awhile. I'm still concerned because of the noticible reduction in the saline level at each fill but I'm hoping it has settled in and this one seems to be holding for now. I totally agree that if you can eat, you will, so keep trying to make good choices until your next fill, it will make a difference. Roger

Kristi Ann, I'm not a big fan of the shakes, and once on solid food shakes they will just go through the band and not be as satisfying. You should eat your protein first each meal and that should be sufficient. If you think you need to supplement you might try one of the different bars instead. I'm partial to the Zone bars myself. About 210 cals with 15g protein. Tastier and stays with you longer. Roger

Well I had my third fill yesterday (over five weeks). This time they could only pull back 3.0 cc's from the 4.2 they say I had in last time. They added another 1.8 to 4.8 and I am really tight now. Even liquids are slow going through, and I'm not sure how I'll tolerate food just yet. My concern now is if I may have a slow leak somewhere. I've actually had 8.6 cc's pushed in and only have 4.8 showing. I don't know how much extra space is in the band to account for the difference. The restriction continues to increase with each fill, so I guess I'll just try to see if I can ride this one for awhile. While I've read that there have been similar occurances, I'm not sure if this is continuing pattern with the VG, or something to be concerned with yet. Roger

Any January Bandsters out there yet? I am taking my wife down for her band on the 12th. We had planned to go in October, but she had some issues that postponed things for a few months. So far it looks like we should be able to go. Our anniversary is the 13th, so a long weekend in Mexico sounded like a good idea to me. Let me know if anyone is down for surgery or a fill around that time. Roger

EJO, What your describing sounds more to me like a "PB' and "Sliming". That's one of the ways the band works. Eating something too big and gets stuck and all the mucus/saliva builds up behind it and comes back up. During the first few weeks you are healing, and part of that is to protect yourself against this happening. You're probably OK, just take it easy on your band and yourself during this phase and follow you Dr's instructions. Roger

Hey Tom, Hang in there. If you're feeling some restriction then I'm thinking it's close and another good fill under fluro should get close to where it needs to be. While I can still eat a full meal if I chew well and take it slow, I did get a little stuck last night eating too fast (even had a minor pb!). At least it re-assured me it was there and the second fill helped. But I went ahead and scheduled my third fill for Nov. 30th locally. I'd really like to get where my intake is pretty limited for awhile. I'll then be in TJ in mid-Jan and can get another then. From everything I've read (thanks to all of you), I'm resolved to push on an agressive fill schedule to get it going. I figure it will loosen up as I continue to lose anyway. Roger

Hi all, Jodie and Phil, thanks for your info and I'm glad you are both getting to a point where this is working for you. I would try to hold on to as much restriction as you can now as it should get less as you continue to loose weight. Well, its been a week now since my second fill. The good news is that I think I feel "something" now. I can still eat a full meal of food, and I haven't had any problems eating anything yet (chicken, steak, etc.). But I generally feel full on a regular meal for about 4 hours. Seems like this would be a good level for maintenance, but not for losing. It's not even close to where Chelley had suggested. First fill was 4.6 cc's on 10/26, second fill only 2.0 was pulled out and refilled to 4.2 on 11/7. So technically I guess I've had 6.8 pushed into my band so far. I'm wondering if I should I make an appointment for another small adjustment at this time. Would three in a month be harmful? I wouldn't mind being able to eat through the holidays (bad boy thoughts of pie running through my head), but I'm not very patient with this. I am scheduled to go to TJ in mid Jan with my wife, but I'm not sure yet if I'll try to get another in between now and then. The main thing is that these larger bands are a little more fickle and finding the right level will take some adjustments and time. Don't give up. Best of luck to all. Roger

I was banded 9/8 with the VG. As far as I know it is empty when placed. I had my first fill on 10/27 and they put 4.6cc's in. I could tell pretty quickly that I wasn't feeling any restriction. I went back yesterday 11/7 for another check. They could only retreive 2cc's from my band. They refilled to 4.2cc's as 4.6 closed off too tight on the fluro. The local office I used here said they have seen this before, but I of course am concerned if there could be a leak. I do think, and pray that, it takes some fluid to replace the air in these bigger bands. I'm still on liquids today, but I hope this will help as I haven't felt any restriction and have been able to eat way too much. I don't know if the air in the port/tube theory holds true for many, but I think it would be a benefit and service to partially fill these VG bands 1-2 cc's at surgery. I had planned to go back to TJ for my first fill, but if the same thing would have happened I would have been disappointed. I think these bands can take several fills to find the right spot anyway, but I was hoping for a faster start. I am planning to go to TJ in Jan, but I'll see how this fill holds to see if I want to get another locally before that. I'm a little discouraged at this point. I've done OK on my own, but I was hoping for more help from my band by now. I'm hoping this fill will hold and it isn't a leak or something else. Roger

Way to go Chelley, I'm glad you're back on the right track!! I appreciate your comments on what this is really going to take. I just had my first fill last week and I know I'm not even close to being tight enough (still not really at all, not even partial) and am going back for another adjustment next week. I'm sorry it was a struggle for you to get going, but I'm hoping it will help me to get off to a faster start. Have you (or anyone) noticed anything during a fill that let you know you were getting closer to a good restriction level? I could see a pouch under the fluro, but I'm not sure how to push them for a good level. Should the baium go through slowly? Can you "feel" it getting tighter inside? I guess I haven't experienced anything yet to compare it to, and I'm getting anxious to make this band work. Thanks much, Roger

So Marc, how long did you wait for the 2nd? Was there no noticible restriction? I'm worried that if there was some fluid loss/leakage in the first fill as the band settles in, I should go in again for a re-adjustment this week just to make sure anyway. I'm not sure how common this really is. It might be worth the $150 for insurance. Roger

I was concerned with getting a too small of a fill also. They do use fluero, so I think that helps provide a better indicator of fill level than the blind method some other WA doc's use. This was my first fill on a VG band and I got 4.6 cc's, which is in the range I was expecting (see the VG band discussion). I would have questioned anything less than 4, and I could definitely see a pouch form. I don't know how tight they will go for on a first fill, but I expected it would take several in the VG band to get the right spot, and the nurse doing the fills was up front about that also. They will do a follow up fill within a week for less if you don't think you are right (unfills for free). It was pretty convienient to get to and while I would have rather gone back to TJ, I didn't feel like I got slighted. Roger

Hi Chrissy, I just had my first fill there today too. I thought they had a good facility also. Roger

OK, I have a pouch!! I got my first fill of 4.6 cc's. So Tom, I hope that's a good number to start with. No problems with liquids, and I know it's individual, but I'm already expecting another fill will be necessary. I've also heard of some potential fluid loss, but the fill nurse didn't think it was that common but had heard of it. I have read that some of the air in the band prior to filling could dissipate as the band gets primed with the first fill. Roger

Hi all, I was scheduled to go down at the end of this week and now it looks like I will have to postpone (wife is too anemic for her surgery right now). So I'm going to check out somewhere locally here for a fill this week. So have either of you (Tom, Phil) had your fill? I'm wondering how much fill you got the first time with the VG band (or frm any others out there). I was hoping to go down to TJ as I think they are a little more agressive. I know it is individual, but I don't want to waste a bunch of $$$ here either. I've read that 3 to 5 is normal for the first, but it may take 6 or 7 cc's for good restriction. Anyone's experience with this would be appreciated. Roger

Hi All, I'm in the same situation with the VG band. I also had surgery on the 8th (hi Tom and Nita) and now have no restriction and waiting for my first fill. I did pretty well and felt satisfied on the liquid/soups post-op. But now I've gained a few pounds back and I think I can eat as much as I did before surgery. I'm just trying to drink lots of water and watch it some, but its difficult. I'm looking forward to getting a fill on the 27th. Hang in there everyone, Roger

Hi Tammy, I hope it gets a lot better with a fill. I did great before and through the liquid phase, but now it's like I'm not even banded. I'm still trying to make healthy choices, but I'm already up a pound from last week. I'm just going to try to maintain until I get my first fill at the end of the month. For others with a VG band, was the first fill sufficient to get at least some restriction? Roger

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for San Diego hotels. I would like to fly in on a Friday and make my way down to TJ on Saturday for a fill and back to SD to enjoy the rest of the weekend. I could get to TJ either by the OCC shuttle or trolley, so a free hotel shuttle from the airport would be preferred, and accessible to the trolley system would help. I heard about the Best Western Americana (it says it has a free shuttle to the TJ clinics), but that is quite a ways south and you still have to get there from the airport. I would rather stay closer in the downtown area to explore the marina, old town, beach, zoo, etc. Any suggestions?

Well I was banded last Friday and I was told they prefer arrival before 12:00 on the day before. Once in they took us straight to the clinic for pre-op (blood, weight and nutrition, and lung/EKG). We got in about 10:30, picked up with several others and to the clinic before 12, and to the hotel between 2-2:30. After that we were taken to the hotel for check-in and free until 8 AM the next day when Mrs. Ortiz picked us upto go back for banding. If you're making your way in yourself, I would think the earlier you can get in and out the better to enjoy the rest of your day. Hotel is close and may have a check-in time but can probably accomodate you whenever you arrive. I think there is a link to the hotel on the OCC website.

James, Thanks for relating your experience. As I am flying down tomorrow I appreciate the timeliness and hope mine goes as well. Main question - What's a Fried Pickle? In my 45 years of eating I have never even heard of them, and I worked summers during college at a pickle factory!! Thanks , good health, and a speedy recovery to you. Roger

I ordered the book from Amazon on 8/17. It stated an estimated shipping date of 9/5 so I thought they might be out, but it went out right away and I got it on 8/29. Roger