Mammaof2wins

Hi there!!

Dr. Martinez did my band by hisself. Dr. Ortiz was out doing a seminar that week so I was banded soley by Dr. Martinez and I completely loved him!! He even came in the next day to see how we were doing even though he didn't have to. I would recommend him to anyone. If you have anyquestions ask me!!

Well I feel the need to share..... At home on my very own scale I started with a weight of 250 when I called to OCC to schedual my surgery. I lost 16lbs and on the morning I left for Mexico I weighed 234lbs. Of course I arrived fasting and when I was weighed by Dr. Miranda I weighed in at 242lbs. I was totally upset. I know I lost 16lbs but on their scale I had only lost 8 I was devisated considering they told me I needed to loose 12lbs. I was so worried they would tell me I couldn't get the surgery. I assured her that I had lost 16lbs she was nice about it at told me that my starting weight was just higher then I had thought. That made me feel like crap..oh yeah I am actually fatter then I thought I was..yippee.

The moral of my story is it made me feel horrible to think that maybe she thought I was lieing but then I decided who cares!! I know what my scale said and that is the scale I am going to read on every time so it really didn't matter what their scale said or what she believed to be true.

Just be strong and keep doing well... what matters is when Dr. O does the surgery he will be able to tell by looking at your liver and your stomach if you stuck to the diet and lost 5% of your weight!!

My experience was that I lost 16lbs in the liquid phase and then on the 4 weeks before my first fill I lost nothing.. I fluctuated between the last 3lbs I lost. Then I remember reading somewhere that the main focus before your first fill is not the weightloss but to let your body heal... I thought that was on a paper I recieved from Dr. Martinez. However I had my first fill on last Friday the 15th and right away I lost 5lbs.

I take liquid Centrium everyday and the taste really isn't too bad. I buy it at Walmart. A bottle is like $7 and lasts 2 weeks if you take the recommened amount everyday.

Thank you all for your responses... I guess I am a little scared that I am going to feel that same pain all of the time. However, maybe that would keep me from eating alot of foods that I am eating now. Thank again. I love this forum!!

You go sister!!! I know you are going to be great....you have to get into your goal dress!! I can't wait to see pics!

I was banded on June 27th and I go for my first fill on Friday the 15th. Since being on solid foods I have had 4-5 times where I have felt restriction a couple times enough to PB (of course due to eating too fast or not chewing enough). It just catches me off gaurd because other then these few times I felt this it is like I don't have a band at all.

So my question is for all of you experienced bandsters out there.... When you get good fills or get to your sweet spot is that kind of restriction what you feel all of the time or is it just once in awhile like I have experienced with no fill at all?

WOW Michelle!!

You look AMAZING!! You are such an inspiration and make me sooooo hopeful for my own success. We are similar in start weights and if you look that great...... it gives me hope. Thank you for sharing your success with everyone!! =D> :lb24: :lb10: :lb16:

You look absoutly AMAZING!!! Congrats and WAY TO GO!!! =D> :lb21: :lb13: :lb16: :cheerleader: :girl_dance:

Did anyone have a huge bruise on the right side of their lower abdomen? I've got the UGLIEST bruise you ever saw and I don't know when or how this developed but it showed up about 3 days post surgery and hasn't left.

The bruise if from a shot they gave you to thin your blood right before surgery. I had the same nasty bruise too and it lasted for many weeks!! I still can see where the bruise was. My skin is discolored where the bruise was, but I am sure with time it will keep fading away. It already looks much lighter.

Thanks. I got 1.8 cc in a 4 cc band. I went to the OCC and they use fluoro, that's why I went. I have heard good things about Dr. Fitzpatrick also and she does NOT use fluoro. If $$$$ is an issue for me next fill I may try her. My friend goes to her and is very happy. She always has hit her port 1st poke and is very available if you have problems.

Are you in PDX or close? I was thinking the PDX and surrounding bandsters should have a get together. Anyone interested?

Maybe I'll post a new thread and inquire if anyone is interested. I'd love to actually meet some other people here in town to use as another support system.

Hey Julie,

I am going for my first fill on August 15 at the brand new fill center usa in Boise Id. I am the first one to get my fill at that center with floro on their training day.. I am sooo excited. I am getting a great deal and I just have to drive 8 hours.

I live in Eugene/ Springfield area about 2 hours from Portland. I would love to get together with all the Portland and surrounding area bandsters!! That would be so much fun!!

Celia

Hi Julie and all,

I just got my first fill Fri also, only here in Portland by Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick who was referred to me by Dr. Ortiz. She was great! Gave me a 1.7 fill with instructions to call her on her cell phone any time I felt too much restriction like you are describing Julie and pointed out it is dangerous and not to tell myself to just work thru it. She was really emphatic about that! Soooo, I did the liquid 1st day, soft next day then 3rd day, 3 regular meals followed by ice cream cones, cookies etc and I thought, oh this is just not working for me! But the next day was a whole different story! I have not been able to eat like I used to ever since. I get the small portion that we are told we are supposed to eat and then I push it and start PB-ing. I have had to PB after every meal but it is because I'm trying to get more in than I'm supposed to and not used to limiting myself. Between meals, I am able to get liquids down. Not in gulps like I use to but reasonable sips. If I PB, I dare not try and follow it with liquid; it just all backs up. In the morning and eves, I sip on hot mint green tea and it is very soothing. I used to be a die hard coffee person and hardly drink it much at all; I've fallen in love with mint green tea totally and chill the leftover, spritz it with lemon or lime, sweeten with stevia and either add 1/2 juice or plain with ice and sip it thru the day instead of plain water as it is much more delicious. Well, I'm trying to learn what foods, how much I can eat that feel satisfying and don't get stuck or cause me to PB. Any suggestions are welcome; Oh, Dr. Kelly did say "and no ice cream diets" (I did think of that lol) your lap band buddy, Sufina

Hi Sufina

I was thinking about going to Dr. Fitzpatrick too but I was wondering does she use floro?

Hi Julie and all,

I just got my first fill Fri also, only here in Portland by Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick who was referred to me by Dr. Ortiz. She was great! Gave me a 1.7 fill with instructions to call her on her cell phone any time I felt too much restriction like you are describing Julie and pointed out it is dangerous and not to tell myself to just work thru it. She was really emphatic about that! Soooo, I did the liquid 1st day, soft next day then 3rd day, 3 regular meals followed by ice cream cones, cookies etc and I thought, oh this is just not working for me! But the next day was a whole different story! I have not been able to eat like I used to ever since. I get the small portion that we are told we are supposed to eat and then I push it and start PB-ing. I have had to PB after every meal but it is because I'm trying to get more in than I'm supposed to and not used to limiting myself. Between meals, I am able to get liquids down. Not in gulps like I use to but reasonable sips. If I PB, I dare not try and follow it with liquid; it just all backs up. In the morning and eves, I sip on hot mint green tea and it is very soothing. I used to be a die hard coffee person and hardly drink it much at all; I've fallen in love with mint green tea totally and chill the leftover, spritz it with lemon or lime, sweeten with stevia and either add 1/2 juice or plain with ice and sip it thru the day instead of plain water as it is much more delicious. Well, I'm trying to learn what foods, how much I can eat that feel satisfying and don't get stuck or cause me to PB. Any suggestions are welcome; Oh, Dr. Kelly did say "and no ice cream diets" (I did think of that lol) your lap band buddy, Sufina

Julie,

Hope you are doing well. I was wondering how much of a fill did you get and did you have it done with floro?

I haven't talked to Janell at all I think I will call her today and see how she is doing.

I love your new pic and look at those collar sp? bones sticking out!!! WOW!!

Glad your feeling better sister!! Miss ya!

Great job Mona!! Keep up the good work!!

And momoftwins, you doing ok? You seemed to be very good and healing up very nicely! I can't remember the other names - I am so rotten about that, sorry!! Just hope you are all doing ok and healing fast. So great to meet you all!!!

Hi Mona I am doing really well!! Thank you for asking... It was nice to have met you!!

AWWW!! I love the pictures!! How adorable are you three!!

WELCOME >

You are going to fit right in here and are going to make some very special friends. This is a wonderful and helpful group of people. Never be afaid to ask questions.

Welcome and you are going to be fine!! > I will be there on the 26th and getting banded on the 27th. Hopefully you can meet up with me and C1BandedBabe. We will both be there on the 26th.

Sounds Yummy. Good idea Girl!!

HI everyone...my name is Sara and I will be banded on June 25th by Dr. Ortiz. I am super excited and super nervous. Is anyone being banded on the same day?

I am getting banded on June 27th. I get in on June 26th at 10:30 am. Maybe I will see you there!!

Hey migpdx I am down the road from you in Springfield/Eugene Oregon. I get banded on June 27th at the OCC and Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick will be doing my fills too

Where did you buy the Isopure at?