bpd123

I had the lapband surgery 6 months ago and have lost 48 pounds. I have returned to munching throughout the day instead of sticking to eating, waiting 1 hour, drinking water. I can't seem to get back on track. Does anyone have any suggestions.

I had my first fill and I feel no restriction. I felt more restriction before I had the fill. The Dr. used the floroscopy and put in 4ccs. It's been 10 days. If I eat too fast, I fill that, but I can eat as much as before I had the surgery. Does anyone have an explanation?

I had my first fill and I feel no restriction. I felt more restriction before I had the fill. The Dr. used the floroscopy and put in 4ccs. It's been 10 days. If I eat too fast, I fill that, but I can eat as much as before I had the surgery. Does anyone have an explanation?

I was banded December 23rd and have lost 19 pounds since my pre-op diet. I now have not lost anything in 8 days. Is this normal? I still have 3 weeks to go before I can get a fill.

I think I screwed up. I had egg flour soup last night. For one thing it was FLOUR, and I also ate TOO much. I got the hiccups later, and have not really been able to get any water down this morning. It wants to come back up. I also have cramps in my lower abdomen. Has this happened to anyone else? Do you think I have hurt my band? I don't know if it was the flour that was so bad, or the overeating. I had surgery 3 weeks ago.

Try Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum in Denver (Aurora) CO - $10,000.00

Ben,

I can't comment on any of the doctors you found, but let me put some perspective in how I chose my doctor, who happened to be Dr. Ortiz from OCC.

• His practice has done OVER 6000 surgeries
  
• Of the three doctors I was looking at, two of the three have worked and/or learned from Dr. Ortiz
  
• He trained under the inventor of the lapband
  
• He had the lowest complication rate of any doctor I investigated
  
• He had NO DEATHS attributed to the surgery. Funny enough, one of the other doctors I was looking at did. Twice. *shudder*
  
• The patient reviews of Dr. Ortiz were amazing. Most were up and walking 30 minutes after the surgery. This can be attributed to an awesome anastesia <sp?> process. That's pretty impressive. Oh, and I can confirm that. After being banded, I was walking around in no time at all. Don't think it was 30min... but less than an hour.
  
• He had an interesting approach discussing the surgery using his YouTube videos. it made him personable, approachable, yet authoritative.
  
• He has been interviewed by many credible sources, and even been on shows like Oprah
  
• Although his practice is in Mexico (I would imagine to get away from malpractice insurance), it was one of the highest rated in the industry. I found the place cleaner than most hospitals I have been in. And the care was amazing.
  
• As I researched this, I ended up finding two people I knew had the surgery from him. That distilled a bit more confidence.
  

There are other things, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. For me, numbers don't lie. The guy has done over 6000 of these things with little complication, and no death. Why would you want to go to someone else? He knows his stuff.

Of course, I am biased. I am a happy bandster of his. I can tell you this though... you can see the difference in the results even on this board in the last 2 months. People banded from other surgeons talk about longer recovery times, less weight loss (maybe attributed to the difference in post-op instructions for diet and exercise) and more difficulty coping with the life changes. I am not saying other doctors are bad, but there is something to be said for the tried and true success at OCC. Never mind that it will probably be cheaper for you.

YMMV. I would recommend you check Dr. Ortiz out though.

Taz

I'm not unfamiliar with this whole idea - my girlfriend's father had it done because of his medical conditions, and I'm extremely aware of his eating habits (what he has to do to make sure he's not sick) and I have to say, even though I know he's had it for at least a year, that I would be comfortable with the steps needed to take to accomplish this with the band.

I'm on medication for a low thyroid count, but in all honesty the medication makes me feel like crap after I've been on it for about two weeks or so (at any dose - we've tried all of the popular ones). I'm also a gout sufferer, though I'm very careful about what I have in my day to day lifestyle and that really minimizes it (I can't have soda for example, because the sugar is what sets it off for me).

My lifestyle is unfortunately pretty stationary in nature. The closest gym is about 30 minutes drive (55 MPH average...) away from me, though I do have an active membership to my local YMCA, and I love to play in the pool. I've been in there as long as 4 hours some days.

So here are my questions... does anyone know anyone in the Colorado Springs area that has had this done, and who did they use? I'm a little timid about asking my gf's dad, I've struggled with the weight since I was younger - I wasn't a childhood obesity problem, but I was heavier up until my teens, and then after that it just poured on. I'm 6'4" now and I can only guess at my weight (I think 380? I have to stand on a standard scale and estimate how many ticks over maximum that it goes, and that's the only reason I have any idea how much it is)

and secondly, how do you go about finding out how to pay for such a thing? I've already got several thousand in dental bills I need to worry about... I'm not sure what to do if this procedure is going to cost me out of pocket, it will probably discourage me completely ($200 here and there for fills and whatnot I can manage, just not the $1000-at-a-time-wallet-punishments)

So with that all being said - hi everyone...

I've heard of people adding broth to their meat.

I understand what you all are saying about the Oprah show, and I too would have taken my own daughter for a lapband, if she were to need it; however I do have to say Dr. Oz did say on that particular show that he is in favor of the lapband - and in his book "You, On A Diet", he devotes a whole chapter to weight loss surgery and is very much in favor of it. Also, on his CD, the first thing he states is that if you have tried everything else, than you should look into weight loss surgery.

I have not had the surgery yet, and so I can't answer your question, but I was wondering if Dr. Ortiz told you why he does not stitch the lap band in place anymore?

I just booked my flight to/from San Diego!!!!! I am very excited!!!!! I hemmed and hawed all day thinking of what if? I already had made my surgery deposit, lol...and made the decision...but oh the flight makes it seem like it's going to happen!!!!!

My husband agreed to the idea today and looked at the center on-line. I think he is still skeptical and thinks me an impulsive nut (that part is true), so I am hoping for smooth sailing, lol. I don't want to get the "I told you so, lol".

I'm in the exact same boat. Just made my appt. Making my flight reservations today. My husband also is skeptical, and I do not want to hear "I told you so". I think we're all pretty much the same.

I am considering lapband surgery. Just wondering how everyone makes it through the long liquid diet. Does the lapband help that much with hunger pangs or is Phentermine used?