bigbear

Hi, Sushi has not been a problem for me. You just have to chew up really well. That is the hard part. I could eat an In N Out double double in about 5 bites before. Now a single cheeseburger takes more than 10 minutes to eat. Sushi has been the same way. If my head works I chew until things are pretty much liquid before swallowing. If I forget there's always PB to remind me. Good Luck, Darrel

The Surgery, Being put to sleep, or something seems to cause painful gas. I was told to stand up and windmill my arms and rotate my shoulders a bunch. Also the breathing exercises were important. These seemed to help a lot. Good Luck, Darrel

Congrats on your decision and starting a new life journey. If you drink too fast you will get those pains. Also since you were just banded you may experience a little pain for several days. It should go away. Make sure you are up and moving about. I found it very helpful to play windmill with my arms and roll my shoulders. There is gas that builds up even after the surgery that has to work its way out. Having quit carrying around 60 pounds though, the small pains were well worth the continuing results. Good Luck!

There is a web based lending company it is prosper.com. You might try them. Good Luck! Darrel

If you liquify the food in your mouth it seems to go down without the PB's. Sushi is not a problem for me. Moist cakes, breads, etc. are a problem that I have to be very careful with.

You might try Prosper.com, they bid for your loan.

You might try prosper.com. They make loans but the interest rate may be steep. Good Luck! Darrel

There are several of us 'real men' who have had the surgery. We just rather let the girls talk. Glad you have made the right decision for you. Only word of advice is" remember this is a tool that will only assist you in your quest." Just as a sword only assisted a knight. Use it wisely and it will be there to help you thru the hard times and you will reach your goal. I personally tried for years to lose weight with various programs and was temporarily successful with some. This tool has worked very well for me and I would do it again in a New York minute. Best of Luck to you. Darrel

She probably believes in the blood sucking goat myth too!

Hi Larry, Welcome to the start of a new life of freedom. Hope you have the best journey ever. I have never looked back since making my decision with O C C and Dr. Ortiz. It has made such a difference in my life already. Hope it will for you. Darrel

As a person who does not like needles at all I must say the fills, I have had two, are nothing to worry about. I did not watch the insertion of the needle but was able to look after the insertion. Actually with the scope, barium and needle operation it was somewhat fascinating to see. Very minor pain on start of insertion that's all.

I haven't the time nor the energy to worry about what other people think or say. I made the decision that was right for me and my life. No one else is able to do this for me nor are they able to see and make the decisions I have to make for myself. Thru the years I have learned that with considerations to those around me it is much better to chart a course and strive for achievement of that course than it is to let sideline quarterbacks guide me with their biases. What ever you decide you have to decide for you in your circumstance. For me the band was/is the right decision. I wish you the best of all life can offeryou. Darrel

Hi, I'm 63 at 6ft 2 inches and was at 305 before the surgery. Once I was committed to the lap band program to assist me it was not hard to start the journey. To date I have lost 60 lbs. ( Many Stones for the Brits) I can work more now than when I was 50 and feel so much better. BP was 155/95, now 112/79. Cholesterol was approaching 200 now is 124. No borderline diabetic now. No tingling feet or hands. I had wanted to do something about the excess weight for years. The Lap Band is the 'TOOL' that has helped me to stay focused to work to the proper weight amount. Notice it is just a tool. If you are not committed to the health benefits and the work on your part the band won't help you. If you are committed to changing your way of life the band is the best assist I have found and I have tried most every fad diet and exercise program out there. It's not easy but with the band it is a most important assistant. Wish I would have done this 5 years earlier and would do it again in a New York minute. Best of Luck in your choice. Darrel P.S. They call P.B. productive Burping, I call it Pre Barfing.http://www.lapbandforum.com/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif

Congrats just keep walking and you will do fine. I had my second fill at OCC today. Total of 3.6 cc's. Showed the doctors my old shirt and they were impressed.

Find someone who sells Melaleuca products. They have an ointment called Melagel. It will help the incisions to heal and if you keep using it will help reduce scarring.

Hi, Ther are fill centers all over the U.S. now. Should be one in New York. With flights so cheap right now going to T.J. is a viable option. Dr. Otiz and staff are the best. Good Luck!

If you are committed to obtaining a better life with less physical problems then you will succeed. Lap Band surgery is not the magic fix we all hoped would be developed. It is however a very good tool to assist you if your goal is to lose weight. It works for me as long as my head does not defeat it. There are ways of eating around the band. Since being banded in March I have lost 60 pounds and my energy levels are up 100 per cent. I can on occasion eat almost like before but it's now my choice. Not every day is a good decision day for me. When my head gets right the band works and works well. By the way I am 63 years old but growing much younger in the way I feel since I'm not carrying around 60 pounds of deadening weight now. 40 to go to my goal weight and just doing it one day at a time.

I was asked if the Lapband surgery affects Diverticulosis in either a positive or negative way?

If you are renting a car in the U.S. make sure you get the Mexico insurance. Some rental car companies do not let you take their cars to Mexico.

I was banded in March 09. We drove to the border and parked. Met the OCC van at the parking lot and they whisked us to the Marriott. The broth at the Marriott was very good and they have juices in the lobby every morning. My wife thought the food, you know stuff you need teeth for, was very good and our whole bill at the Marriott was $40.00 u.s. The OCC van picked us up at 7:00 am U.S. time so we were very early as during daylight savings time they do not change. By 2:00 that afternoon they took us back to the Marriott. The next morning, since everything was going ok they picked us up and took us back to our car. If you fly to San Diego they will pick you up at the airport. No Worrys. All very courteous, polite and wanting to help at every turn. I know TJ sounds scary on the news but remember they are after viewers so a splinter is a major event.

Yes, Most of us are Dr. Ortiz patients.

If you have surgery at OCC the fills are free forever, There is a $100.00 charge for the fluoroscope. You could look at it as a good excuse to get away.

Hi Jen, I think we shared a ride to Marriott. Banded 03-09-09. Hope you are doing well. Darrel

They commonly refer to this as pre barf too!

1. Yes I feel I was advised on the procedure. I had been to three other centers before going to OCC. 2. Since someone else used in a heartbeat I will say in a nanosecond. 3. After all the fine insurance we pay for and the run around they and the state side centers give you, YES I self paid and I am not one bit sorry. Just wished I had done this a year or two sooner.