SimpleeRed

Great news for all of us N. California Bandsters. The Novato Fill Center is offering fluoro once a month. You just have to call Fill Centers USA and book for the day when they have access to the fluoroscopy machine. Yeah for us!

I just went down for my third fill. You can get really cheap airfare on both Southwest and Virgin America. You have to book Southwest 7-14 days in advance for a good deal but Virgin America has deals even up until the day before you want to go. Then taking the bus and trolly is really easy and cheaper. Not to mention that I think it actually saves time since I have had to do a lot of waiting around for the OCC to transport me. Let me know if you want to know how to take public transportation.

I have researched and have never been able to find anyone until the fill center opened in Novato. Unfortunately they do not use fluoro. They said that they may offer it in the future but not right now. That was about three weeks ago that they told me that.

jazzy jude, dr acosta is the one who told me to eat before I crossed back over the border. he said that on my 3rd fill there was a chance of being too tight and that i had to test it out.

i have to fly down. but its only a 1.5 hour flight. Its just the idea of having to do all that again. What if I live off of protein drinks for a few weeks?

You are going to be on only clear liquids for at least five days--chicken broth, apple juice, juice popsicles and believe it or not you will probably be full with just that. You won't be having any protein or protein powder. you will start liquid yogurt before you will get to start having protein. If security sees them they will make you throw them away and they are too expensive to risk that. I think you should leave them at home.

For those of you who have had a couple of fills--I just got my 3rd and IT IS TIGHT. I felt fine after Dr. Acosta asked me to go and have lunch before I headed back for San Diego. I ate almost a serving of fish, a few veggies, a few bites of rice and 1/4 of a tortilla. I had no pain or difficulty swallowing. The next morning (yesterday) I had my first slime and PB episode about ten minutes after finishing 1 scrambled egg and 1/4 slice of french toast. Since then I've only been able to eat about 2-3 bites of anything solid and right now I cannot even get down more than 3 bites of cream of wheat with protein powder. I have all kinds of sounds coming out of my throat like a clogged drain. Yesterday, I was barely able to eat 600 calories and that was trying to figure out how I could get more calories into me. Never thought I'd have that problem. What should I do? I'm obviously a bit too tight right now but I am able to swallow liquids so should I just wait and I will probably loosen up in the next couple of weeks. I do not relish the idea of heading back to TJ so soon. I do like the idea of losing a lot of weight quickly as I'm pretty close and I am going to Hawaii in 2.5 weeks. That's another thing I want to be able to at least eat some in Hawaii. Anyone who this has happened to please let me know about your experience and if there was any foods/drinks that you particularly found satisfying at this time I'd like to know about them, too. Thank you for your support.

I actually got a prescription while at the OCC for oral Zofran. It didn't work.

I was banded 9/10 and went to DL 9/19 and 9/20. I rode whatever I wanted (everything) and had a great time. I felt fine. The only problem is making sure you stick to the diet. Have a great time.

Unfortunately, I just had this experience myself. I have been needing a fill but I still had trouble actually vomiting anything up. Now my husband doesn't want me to get a fill because he is so scared that I'm going to "damage myself". Amber it sounds like you are pretty tight and that you did okay. Would you let me know where you are on the loose/tight scale? Thank you for your help.

I have not been able to find any fill doctors nearby. I joined Mexican Bandsters on yahoo as suggested by Lori Becky but I cannot find where they have a database of fill doctors. Can anyone help with how to navigate their site? I have been back to the OCC and this time I have a good fill. I am still able to eat portions about 1/2 what I would have normally eaten, I am not PBing but I am still losing weight at a pretty good rate. I will stay here for now but the more thought I give it and the more I read on this message board about problems people have had with fills, I think I will continue to go to OCC for my aftercare. My only concern is an emergency situation that could arise. I think that for anyone who is considering having this surgery, you really must factor fills into the cost and those fills may have to continue to be in TJ. It definitely increases the cost and frustration when it doesn't work like we hope but we have to protect our investment. Anybody else notice that they like sweets a lot less and veggies a lot more when they have a fill that's working?

oops, sorry for the multiple posts.

I got back from a fill in TJ last week-my first. I have no restriction. Dr. So told me I shouldn't come back for 5 weeks. I am feeling very frustrated. I feel like my husband is looking at me thinking "wow, we sure did waste a lot of money". Besides having no restriction from this fill, my trip to TJ that was supposed to take 1 day took 2. There was an accident on the way to the airport and so everyone was arriving 4-5 hrs late as the freeway was completely shut down in both directions. I had to stay the night in San Diego and then go to Dr. O's the next morning. Then I waited 1 1/2 hrs to be picked up at the airport and going back they took everyone back just before I had my fill and so I had to wait another hour when I was finished when I could have just went with the first bus if they had waited 10 minutes. I don't mean this to be insulting but sometimes there tends to be a different view of time in Mexico so I really cannot blame OCC as I do believe it is cultural. Having to stay an extra day really was inconvenient, not to mention a lot more expensive. That of course was not the OCC's fault, but this whole experience has made me realize that I need to find a place closer to get my fills. While I was at the OCC, I met a woman from the Sac area who said that her sister was getting fills in Sacramento and that I could find the info at FillCenter.com. There's nothing there about a place in Sac. I called them and they said they are hoping to open a center soon. Does anyone know what place she was talking about? Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't mind having to drive but I would rather not have to fly. I live in Napa which is pretty much between Sacramento and SF. I know there are places in SoCal but I might as well go to TJ if I'm going to go down there. Does anyone know if the five weeks thing after your first fill is a hard and fast rule. Thanks for your help.

I got back from a fill in TJ last week-my first. I have no restriction. Dr. So told me I shouldn't come back for 5 weeks. I am feeling very frustrated. I feel like my husband is looking at me thinking "wow, we sure did waste a lot of money". Besides having no restriction from this fill, my trip to TJ that was supposed to take 1 day took 2. There was an accident on the way to the airport and so everyone was arriving 4-5 hrs late as the freeway was completely shut down in both directions. I had to stay the night in San Diego and then go to Dr. O's the next morning. Then I waited 1 1/2 hrs to be picked up at the airport and going back they took everyone back just before I had my fill and so I had to wait another hour when I was finished when I could have just went with the first bus if they had waited 10 minutes. I don't mean this to be insulting but sometimes there tends to be a different view of time in Mexico so I really cannot blame OCC as I do believe it is cultural. Having to stay an extra day really was inconvenient, not to mention a lot more expensive. That of course was not the OCC's fault, but this whole experience has made me realize that I need to find a place closer to get my fills. While I was at the OCC, I met a woman from the Sac area who said that her sister was getting fills in Sacramento and that I could find the info at FillCenter.com. There's nothing there about a place in Sac. I called them and they said they are hoping to open a center soon. Does anyone know what place she was talking about? Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't mind having to drive but I would rather not have to fly. I live in Napa which is pretty much between Sacramento and SF. I know there are places in SoCal but I might as well go to TJ if I'm going to go down there. Does anyone know if the five weeks thing after your first fill is a hard and fast rule. Thanks for your help.

I got back from a fill in TJ last week-my first. I have no restriction. Dr. So told me I shouldn't come back for 5 weeks. I am feeling very frustrated. I feel like my husband is looking at me thinking "wow, we sure did waste a lot of money". Besides having no restriction from this fill, my trip to TJ that was supposed to take 1 day took 2. There was an accident on the way to the airport and so everyone was arriving 4-5 hrs late as the freeway was completely shut down in both directions. I had to stay the night in San Diego and then go to Dr. O's the next morning. Then I waited 1 1/2 hrs to be picked up at the airport and going back they took everyone back just before I had my fill and so I had to wait another hour when I was finished when I could have just went with the first bus if they had waited 10 minutes. I don't mean this to be insulting but sometimes there tends to be a different view of time in Mexico so I really cannot blame OCC as I do believe it is cultural. Having to stay an extra day really was inconvenient, not to mention a lot more expensive. That of course was not the OCC's fault, but this whole experience has made me realize that I need to find a place closer to get my fills. While I was at the OCC, I met a woman from the Sac area who said that her sister was getting fills in Sacramento and that I could find the info at FillCenter.com. There's nothing there about a place in Sac. I called them and they said they are hoping to open a center soon. Does anyone know what place she was talking about? Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't mind having to drive but I would rather not have to fly. I live in Napa which is pretty much between Sacramento and SF. I know there are places in SoCal but I might as well go to TJ if I'm going to go down there. Does anyone know if the five weeks thing after your first fill is a hard and fast rule. Thanks for your help.

Hi everybody. I was banded 9/11. I've done really well the last few weeks. I lost 8 pounds which I am very happy with. I just started on solids this week and I have had no stomach problems or anything. Yesterday I began having intermittent sharp pain in my left upper side. It started mid morning and continued until I went to bed. When I layed down in bed on my right side, I was very uncomfortable. It almost felt like it did when I first had my band placed--like I could feel my stomach sliding to the right and it felt heavy. Remember that feeling? Anyway, I'm on my way to work and the pain is coming back. Anyone experience this or have any ideas what's going on? Thanks for your help.

Hi Stormy, I just got back yesterday from being banded at the OCC. They took very good care of me as I'm sure they do everyone. A few days before I left for the surgery, I received a surgery confirmation e-mail that listed all the phone numbers I needed such as the one to call if I hadn't been picked up at the airport. There was no problem, though A driver held a sign that said Dr. Ortiz on it and we were off. Then they called me at the hotel the day before my departure and told me what time they would pick me up to return me to San Diego airport. It can take a while to cross the border and so we were picked up at 10 am for a 2:30 flight. It took about an hour and a half to cross but it was fine. Just bring a book and hopefully there will be other people in the van to compare notes with. By the time they came to get me from the Lucerna, I was ready for the good ol' US of A anyway. I needed English reading material and I just wanted to be home so I felt like I was making progress in that direction. I know that a few days before surgery is a very anxious place to be but you will be fine. Just try to relax and enjoy the life changing journey that you are embracing.

Hi Kittycat, If you don't feel constipated it doesn't sound like you are. You are eating a lot less food and so you probably are using what you're eating and having even less coming out. If you don't feel constipated I wouldn't mess with your system especially if you are already on a fiber regimen.

Nursemom-looking forward to meeting you. I work on a tele unit. What time does your plane come in on Wednesday? We get in at 0925 on Southwest.

Hi nursemom. I'm being banded on the 11th, too. I'm coming from N. California with my husband. I'm super excited, not as scared as I thought I would be at this point. One more week to go. Whew hoo!!! Are you an RN? Me too.

Hi Everybody, I've been logging on to this site for quite awhile now but not really sharing anything about myself. I have been thinking about being banded for about a year now and I am finally going for it--Sept. 11. I am a low BMIer who has been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember. Diets just don't work and I am tired of being overweight so I am going to take the plunge into bandworld. I am getting a little nervous though which I know is normal. I am most nervous about PBing. My husband and I go out to nice dinners a lot and I'm so afraid that this will happen in a nice restaurant with friends and I will gross everyone around me out. How much food actually comes up? Is there anyway to hide it? What if I carried a handkerchief and I spit the food into it? Do you think that would work? One of the things that I like so much about this site is that people seem to feel free to talk about issues that they otherwise may not discuss. I'm sorry if some people find my questions gross. Be as detailed as you can please. I am a nurse and so I don't get grossed out easily.

Why do you still have this doctor? There are a lot of caring, compassionate doctors out there who may even have weight problems themselves.

I'm going to be banded 9/11. Right now my biggest concern is what will I do when I have the stomach flu or food poisoning. I'm one of those people who throws up easily, probably a couple of times a year, admittedly most often from eating rich foods too late at night, which I will not be doing anymore. I've read on here that some people keep an anti-nausea med around for this but will an oral medication work or do I need a shot. I'm a nurse so that wouldn't be a problem. I know there's a lot of other nurses on this site so maybe you have asked the same question. Also, if its really bad and I need to get unfilled where can I do this since its not practical to fly to San Diego and travel to OCC. There are no fill centers in my area listed on the web site and from what I've read most doctors don't want to take on another lap band patients care. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hi everyone. I'm new. I have my date--Sept 11. Just want confirmation from all of you who have travelled this road before me that if I follow the rules I will not physically feel much different than I feel now. I'm referring to gas, burping, diarrhea, vomiting, PBing...all of those nice bodily functions that can be very embarrassing. Right now this is my biggest concern. I'd appreciate thoughts on your experiences. Thanks.