DanR

Does anyone know how to watch the webinars in the forum: "Webinar Videos - Watch them all from here!" It looks like there is a file name, but I do not see a link or video box. I sent a message to Chad, the administrator, but I have not received a response.

Yesterday, I celebrated my 1-year bandiversary. So far, I have lost a total of 85 lbs. and I feel great! I have a high-deductible, individual health insurance policy which provides minimal coverage and my monthly premiums recently increased. I decided to shop around for new health insurance and I received quotes for lower premiums and better coverage. However, underwriting denied coverage due to bariatric surgery (instead of excluding related conditions). My primary reason for having bariatric surgery was to improve my health and to avoid weight related co-morbidities. My insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, so I paid for it myself. As a result, I am healthier and I am a lower risk. I think it is ridiculous for insurance companies to deny coverage due to bariatric surgery! Apparently, I would not be able to get health insurance if I did not already have it. Say what you will about the healthcare bill, but everyone should have access to affordable healthcare. The healthcare bill is supposed to eliminate pre-existing conditions exclusions by 2014. Has anyone else had similar experiences while trying to obtain new health insurance?

I made it through the post-op diet without much hunger. I think hot liquids helped me feel full (coffee, broth, etc.). I really enjoyed adding drinkable yogurt and cream soups to the diet! It's only three weeks and you can do just about anything for three weeks I had a little bit of restriction when I started eating solid foods, but it went away as I continued to heal. I thought the first fill would make a big difference, but I was wrong. The first fill provided minimal restriction for about one week. The band initially has some air in it and the air slowly escapes from the band after the first fill. Don't be discouraged if you need a second fill a month later.

I think I'll give up for tonight too I hope they'll reschedule.

It says I'm successfully connected but "Waiting for Organizer..." I guess their having technical problems.

I didn't mention other Day Pass options, but you can buy them for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days. The last time I went, I bought one for 4-days and stayed in the Gaslamp Quarter. I can usually get a 4-star hotel in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter for $79/night on Priceline.

I guess I spoke too soon. I PB'd for the second time today... I don't think I chewed well enough. I had my second fill this week and I'm experiencing real restriction for the first time. I don't like PBing, so I think the learning curve will be quick!

Red, I haven't had much trouble with sliming, PBing, and puking, but here's what I've experienced: Sliming: If I eat something that isn't going down very well (like bread), my nose starts running and I tend to salivate. If this happens, don't eat anymore and don't try to wash it down with a drink (it doesn't work). PBing: This seems to be the next level after sliming and it has only happened to me once (I understand that it should not be a regular occurrence). After sliming for about five minutes, I began feeling like I had to puke. Suddenly, I spit-up some liquid - presumably the slime (luckily I was standing at the kitchen sink). Puking: I haven't puked since I got my band. However, I understand it should be avoided at all costs because it can cause band slippage. If I get sick and think I'm going to puke, I will take some anti-nausea medication. This is my experience, but other bandsters may be able to elaborate further. Dan

The last time I went to OCC, I took the bus, trolley, and taxi. It only cost $15 (round-trip). I took some pictures along the way and I used them to create directions with pictures. Feel free to download them and print them: http://www.fathomservices.com/occdirections.pdf I also created an OCC Info Sheet for you to use or to give to your family and friends: http://www.fathomservices.com/occinfo.pdf

The last time I went to OCC for a dental work, I took the bus, trolley, and taxi. It only cost $15 (round-trip). I took some pictures along the way and I used them to create directions with pictures. Feel free to download them and print them: http://www.fathomservices.com/occdirections.pdf

The last time I went to OCC for a fill, I took the bus, trolley, and taxi. It only cost $15 (round-trip). I took some pictures along the way and I used them to create directions with pictures. Feel free to download them and print them: http://www.fathomservices.com/occdirections.pdf

ZipTied, I understand your frustration. I had my surgery in Mexico on April 27th. I returned to Mexico for my first fill on June 8th (3.8cc's total with fluoroscopy). Within a few weeks, I had no restriction. I had my surgery and first fill with a friend and she has experienced the same thing. We paid for the fill, plane tickets, hotel, etc. I went to Fill Centers USA on July 7th for my second fill (4.8cc's total without fluoroscopy). I can feel liquids "hang" for a moment before they go through the pouch, so I hope I will finally have restriction. Another thing... The band and tubing has some air in it after surgery. I have a 10cc band, so there was considerable room for air. After your first fill, the saline slowly pushes the air out of the band. By the time you have your second fill, the air should be gone. I like Smiley's analogy... The band is the foundation. The fills are the floors. We can make it to the top

Fill Centers USA is a network of aftercare providers. The locations appear to be existing medical facilities which have agreed to provide aftercare as part of Fill Centers USA. Yesterday, I went to the Fill Centers USA location in Irvington, IL. I drove over four hours and I was a little nervous when I pulled into a town with only 750 residents. The medical facility was easy to find and it appeared to be a thriving practice. I signed in and the receptionist asked me to complete some paperwork, but she seemed a little confused about what paperwork I needed to complete. I arrived about 25 minutes before my appointment and I was called back at about my appointment time. They took my height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. They led me to an exam room and they asked me to initial and sign some more paperwork. They also gave me a "Members Lifestyle Welcome Packet." After about 5-10 minutes, Denise came into the exam room. We discussed my surgery, fills, restriction, etc. She had me lie down on an exam table to access my port. She inserted the needle through my skin which felt like a pinch. It took her several minutes to find the exact center of the port. She withdrew the saline from my band and then she began to fill my band with saline as I stood up and drank ice water. The water seemed to go down okay until I had 5cc's of saline in my band. At that point, the water seemed to "hang" in the middle of my chest. I also began to feel dizzy and have cold sweats (which she attributed to the vagus nerve). She withdrew the saline and I sat down. When I felt better, she began filling my band again as I drank ice water. She stopped at 4.8cc's of saline, because I began to feel the water "linger" in my chest before it entered my stomach. Denise was pleasant and professional. She took her time and she seemed genuinely interested in giving me the best possible fill. I hope to experience good restriction when I start eating soft foods tomorrow and solid foods on Friday.

I went to OCC for my first fill and spent a considerable amount of money on a plane ticket and hotel. They used a fluoroscope and I have almost no restriction, so I'm not "sold" on the necessity of a fluoroscope. I looked into getting a another fill in the Chicago area. Most places don't use a fluoroscope and most places won't accept patients from Mexico. If they do, most of them want a $500 fee "join the practice." I move frequently and I don't want to pay a $500 fee every time I need to join a new practice. Since I move frequently and it is difficult to find an aftercare provider, I wanted to be part of a Network. Today, I'm going to the Fill Centers USA location in Irvington, IL. It is an 8-hour round-trip drive (I wish they had a location in the Chicago area, but they add new locations all the time). Most of the Fill Centers USA locations do not use a fluoroscope, but they have a 72-hour Overfill Readjustment Policy. I paid a lot of money out-of-pocket for this band and I want it to work! I'll let you know how it goes.

Here is my original email which Angie customized for her own use (with my permission) and everyone is welcome to use it

I stopped drinking soda and switched to water several months before I decided to have Lap-Band surgery... It is better for me and it saves money. However, I miss beer!

I always get receipts for my donations, but I didn't think about deducting my surgery. Thanks for the tip!

Laura, I'm doing great! It's been 17 days since my surgery and I couldn't be better. Any mild discomfort I had from the surgery was mostly gone within a few days and completely gone after a week. I have followed the post-op diet to the letter. It hasn't been too bad... especially after the addition of cream soups. I'm looking forward to solid foods again on Monday. I don't like to weigh myself everyday because the ups and downs can be discouraging, but I'll weigh myself at the end of the post-op diet and I'll weigh myself when I go for my first fill. After that, I'll probably weigh once a week. I'm already wearing new, smaller clothes and giving away old, bigger clothes! How are things going for you? Dan

It has been a while since I mentioned this... I created an info sheet to give to family and friends. It contains a map which shows the location and contact information for OCC, Hotel Lucerna, and Marriott. It also contains US Consulate information. The OCC Info Sheet is a PDF and you can download it from: http://www.fathomservices.com/occinfo.pdf It might also be a good idea to register your trip with the US Department of State at: https://travelregistration.state.gov

I was riding with another patient that brought some face masks. I did not see any masks being distributed.

I returned from Tijuana this morning. I had absolutely no problems crossing the border. The OCC van goes through a special "express" lane. The van stopped and I went in to present myself to customs. They asked if I had anything to declare and then waved me through. It took five seconds. Since the customs area was the only crowded place I encountered while I was in Mexico, I wore a face mask (which I removed briefly for the customs agent to compare me with my passport). I had a wonderful experience at OCC and I am returning on June 8th for my first fill, teeth cleaning, and Zoom whitening. I am planning to take the trolley to the border and walk to the clinic... and I have no reservations about doing so. Here is a message Dr. Ortiz posted on Facebook yesterday:

I don't really notice the incisions much. I'm not sure if Gas-X would help... I think it might be the residual CO2 from the laparoscopic surgery near my diaphram. But maybe I'll try it if I still feel it in another day or two.

I'm doing really good. I feel a little like I have a little heartburn, but it's getting better (probably just the gas from surgery). I'm leaving tomorrow morning and I'm staying in LA until Sunday.

I just received the following updated email message from the U.S. Consulate General Tijuana regarding a recent flu outbreak.