6Jewels

Hi Tom, just read your reply, and wanted to say good job on getting back down to your lowest weight. Great Job , and I know you will make it all the way to your goal. Catherine

Here is a website that might help. Dr. Ortiz is one that helped set it up so they take patients banded in Mexico. (fillcenterusa.com). The website has you click on your state, then you have to put in your zip code. it walks you through it. If this doesn't help try to get info from fellow banders in your area. They can be one of your best sourses. Good Luck on your search. Catherine

Boy, I wouldn't mess around I would call Dr. Ortiz immediately. There are somethings a forum can help with, and this isn't one of them. If anyone can advise you on what to do it will be Dr. Ortiz. You should have his cell phone in your paperwork if you don't the clinic's number is 1-866-376-7849. They open at 9:00 Pacific time. Good Luck, Catherine

Prayers for you for the strength to take this one step at a time. We are all pulling for you. Catherine

plj: I was banded on 08/31. I already have gone to, "this is a way of life". It will be on your mind a lot, especially when you have been on liquids for two weeks and you have one more week to go. Just about at that point you could chew shoe leather!! But, I was surprise how quickly I fell into the routine after I could have solids. You do go back to you normal energy levels. Correction, better energy levels. You plan your meals ahead and life goes on without the constant thoughts about the band. Of course now I have my first fill scheduled for, so I have to work at still eating like I have restriction even when I don't. But it isn't in my constant thoughts like it was before and right after my surgery. This might not be the way everyone reacts to being banded, I can only speak for myself. Hope this has helped. Catherine

Chelley, I am looking for a fill Dr. and noticed you are going to Paris, TX. Paris would be about a 3 hr drive for me, but very doable. I have a few questions if you wouldn't mine answering them. What is the name of the Dr. and his phone number? Do they use the Florscope and what do they charge? Last one is how did you like him and how do they treat you there? I sure would appreciate your help. Thanks, Catherine

Mary, sorry some how my reply popped into the middle of yours. I hope you still get the information. The book I was telling you about is a BIG BIG help. Catherine

Lori, This is the first I have heard of a annual endoscopy. Please explain what that is, and can Dr. Ortiz or one of his staff do that for us? Also wanted to thank you for all the good information I have gleaned from your input on this web site. Catherine Banded 08/31 by Dr. Ortiz

Hi Jess, I too am doing fine with my restriction. Eating only 1/3 of what I did. I am going to see how long I can go without a fill, or if I will need one if this keeps up. Weigh is coming off, and I feel great. Glad to hear you are too. One of your sister bandsters (08/31) Catherine

You are not being nosy, that is what we do here, help each other. I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico. I did a lot of research, and decided Dr. Ortiz is the best. I wanted the best not someone who has only done a few to his thousands. However, after being banded I can say, he is not only the best his whole staff is. My experience from being picked up at the airport to the pre-op surgery requirements, to the surgery, and stay at the clinic was the best medical experience I have ever had. I have had plenty of experience of state side medical needs, and no other place was I ever taken care of so well. I would do it again in a heart beat. In fact when the time comes for plastic surgery to get my extra skin off I will be off to Tijuana again. One note if you decide to get the Lap-Band either in the states or Mexico. Follow all their directions to the letter on diet both pre-op and post-op and your weight will come off. Your life will change, you will not just loose the weight, but you will have to deal and overcome the reasons you have been over weight all these years. You will become a stronger person in many ways. I am not just talking about my experience, but the experiences of others with whom I have spoken, because I still have a ways to go on all the accounts I just mentioned. Everyone will tell you the Lap-Band is still only a tool, but it is the best tool (thing) I have done for myself. I hope this has helped you. Good luck on your journey. Catherine

Sure wish I could answer your question on the foods, however, I was banded on 08/31 so I do not get to start real food until this Thursday or Friday, but boy am I READY!!!! Been too long on this liquid diet, I keep getting light headed, and weak. Solids can not come to soon for me. Other than that I have healed, no more gas, weight loss coming right along, doing great. Hope the same for you. Catherine

Hi Becki, I was banded on 08/31/06, I ask Dr. Miranda the same questions you are asking the day I was there for my surgery. She told me the difference of eating a solid food to mush, and eating a food that was already mush, is that in the chewing process we release different things in our saliva that aide in digestion, which in turn helps in weight loss, and food processing. I hope that helps. Good luck on your journey. Catherine

Hi Kay, I am from Tulsa and was banded on Aug 31st. Be glad to share with you. Where in Ok do you live? Catherine

I was banded on 8-31-06. I don't have a passport, but at the border they checked my driver's license and my birth certificate. However, new security law that goes into effect on Jan 1, 2007. Everyone entering the US from any country, after that date, including Canada and Mexico will have to have a passport. Catherine

Michelle, well it won't be long now and we will be fellow banders. I am keeping all of us in my prayers for safe journeys, successful surgeries, and fast recovery's. I am looking forward to seeing all of you either tonight or tomorrow, and Mexico. It will be my first time there. I like you have mixed emotions of both nervous and excited, which is probably par for the course for everyone who goes through this. Excited because we know we finally will have the tool to lose and keep the weight off for a healthier life, and nervous because we are also going into unknown territory of changing life long habits. See you soon, Catherine

Hi Michele, I appreciated the information on getting picked up at the airport. I am having surgery on Thursday, flying in Wednesday night. I have another question I could use some help on. How did you handle tipping, with the driver from the clinic, hotel, taxi cab drivers? I am at a loss at what is the normal going rate and would sure appreciate some help on this. Thanks, Catherine

Michelle I have been working so many hours at my job the hunger so far has not been a problem. This weekend will be a real test for me. We are having company, and attending my company picnic, which is being held at an amusement park. Food will be everywhere, and I get to enjoy my chocolate shake, yum yum My husband was also hesitant when I first told him about it. Two years ago I cancelled having a gastic bypass. He was concerned that the reasons I did that could also happen with a Lap Band. After I explained everything to him, and went over my research he has been very supportive since. However, the only other person I have shared my decision with has been my daughter, who also supports my decision. She knows how I have battled this weight problem. I just don't want everyone else's opinions and comments. I have a saying , "everyone has a belly button, and everyone has an opinion on how other people should lead their lives, and neither one of them really serve any useful purpose." That is why I am so looking forward to meeting all of you who will be my fellow banders. You know what I have been through for years on weight issues, and we can support each other through this. Everyone hang in there with their liquid protein diets, it will be over soon an before you know it we will all be meeting in Mexico. Catherine Claire: I bet they take us both at the same time back to the hotel. I will be looking forward to meeting and riding with you. My husband is coming with me. Do you have a support person coming with you? Catherine

Hi Michelle, I am looking forward to meeting you next Thursday. I am using Atkins Advantage, so far it is the only one I could stand drinking. It is a lot better when I pop it in the freezer 15 min. before I drink it. I have practiced the small bites and chewing, and chewing, and chewing. It felt like baby food when I got done, but doable. I live in Oklahoma, where do you hail from ?

Claire: I am using Atkins Advantage. It has 15g of protein, and only 1g of carbs after you subtract the 4g of fiber. My favorite flavor is chocolate delight, my husband's really likes the strawberry flavor they have. I have been getting them at Walmart, where of course they are a lot cheaper than any other place I have seen them, especially the health food store I like mine really cold makes drinking them easier. So 15 minutes before I have one I stick it in the freezer. I have lost 8 lbs pre-op so far, and have been really pleased on how the liquid protein really helps you lose the weight for a better safe surgery. I see you are from CO, I live in OK, so our flying time is going to be a lot the same. My flight doesn't get there until 8:20 Wednesday night so I probably won't be seeing you until Thursday. Catherine

Thanks for sharing... What did you do after you were released back to the Hotel? I have heard there are some nice shopping areas close by. did you take advantage of any of them? And, do you really feel as well as I keep reading that most people do after the surgery? I am being banded on Aug 31st and have loads of questions, so any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Catherine

Hi I also am being banded on August 31st!! Am anxious to be on the other side. I am looking forward to meeting all of you who will be there going through this on the same day. Start my liquid diet tomorrow. After what has been a lifetime of dieting, I have high hopes this is the beginning of really being to keep it off. Good luck to all of you. I have really gotten a lot of support and good information from reading the new daily posts, and wanted to thank all of you for sharing. See you in Mexico.... Catherine