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Thanks Lori - I found that out after the fact - but would have been good to know up front. They sell insurance at the border, but I like good insurance - like mine! Christen - I was almost as anxious for my fill as I was for the surgery! I couldn't sleep the night before, but at least my whole body didn't knot up with tension like it did before my surgery. Everything was so quick and easy - it all took MAYBE 30 minutes. And if it did take 30 min, it flew by! Please let me know how the cab works out. Believe it or not, dealing with cab drivers gives me high anxiety - I won't give details because it's just personal, but if someone told me it was easy and no hassle - I might try it.

That's right! I got 5cc on my first fill and I'm so excited! So, first things, first - I did the ill-advised thing and drove my own self into Tijuana. I had a map and a general memory of the clinic, Avenida de Revolucion and the Lucerna. It helped. A little. LOL I managed to walk into the clinic 3 minutes before my appointment TOTALLY stressed out. It was mostly because it was my first time driving in Mexico and I HATE any and all border crossings. I've driven in many foreign countries - but never in my own baby car! So I was a little on edge. So I'm there. I sit to fill out the paperwork and I'm called back quickly. I relax as soon as Dr. Cutie comes in the room. I can never remember his name because he's so cute! He's the youngest doc there, the one who does most of the education. We talk a bit about how things have gone, my experiences, review of guidelines, bad patients/nurses and how to prevent pouch stretching. So, on to the fill! He turns on the fluoroscopy and right there on the screen I can see my port - front and center! Looking good so far. Now for the needle!!! Whatever! Easy breezy... It went in like butter. Hardly felt a thing. I take a swig of the barium and we watch it go down. Doc says my band looks great. He proceeds to inject saline. I don't feel a thing. He has me swallow more barium. I can see my pouch fill and like a little toilet bowl - swoosh down it drains! Then he tells me with a big, super cute smile that that was all 4cc! He says we'll try 5!~ As he injects the extra cc, I can feel my throat tighten - much less than initially after surgery - but I KNOW that sensation! I swallow some more barium, and down the bowl it goes... I'm so happy, I have to pee! So I say, "Adios!", pay my $100 and I go to the bathroom. All's well so far. Full liquids for 3 days. Metabolic Meltdown II is in full swing!

LMAO - What a post! The funny thing is... I kept them! I think they are the funniest medical panties EVER! I cinched up the back and made them into a thong. Because, really... What are they covering on a big girl? Not much! Did we get a catheter during the procedure? I forgot to ask. It's just that my 'hoo-hoo' was really sore afterwards. I figured it was the antibiotics though. Don't worry, there's no more to tell. I know that was already TMI. lol

Awesome! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing! You are a great inspiration!

That is really awesome. I have good insurance. BCBS PPO. I paid $300 out of pocket for a $20,000 breast reduction a few years back. But I guess my luck ran out there. They don't cover the lap-band for the treatment of obesity. ??? They will cover it if I have uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, etc... Hello??? That's what I'm trying to avoid! I'm seriously considering organizing a class-action against insurance companies for endangering the health of motivated patients. Really pisses me off. But I don't want to jinx myself, because the more I read, the happier I am that I went to Dr. Ortiz - insurance or not!

MamaBear, are you sure you didn't have a glass or two before posting? Just picking at you. I love your insight....

Thank you for posting your pics! Truly inspirational! You've come so far! You look AWESOME!

Can't speak for OCC having the latest Allergan/Inamed band, but I know he uses 3 bands - 2 allergan sizes and the Realize J&J band (one size). I got the realize band. I found some info on comparing the two. Maybe it will help. I would also call OCC and just ask. Let us know what you find out. Aimme

Just wanted to find out how much/ how long your weight loss stalled when you ended your liquid diet and started on solids. I guess after losing almost a pound a day on liquids, not losing anything since starting solids makes me wonder if this is normal. Thanks in advance! Everyone here is so great! Aimme

RIGHT ON, JUDY! Who's laughing now!

Hmm... that's interesting. I looked at mine again and it does have my weight on it. Not quite sure what the purpose of that is! LOL I don't think it's a bad idea that the pic is on it. If not, someone would be sure to copy it and give it to their friends and end up ruining it for everyone in the long run.

The card was issued to me by OCC. I think it's a great idea just as a medical card alone! It has my picture and name explains simply that I have a lap band and this card entitles me to order children's portions. I like that the card is kind of bossy, like the restaurant doesn't have a choice - even though they are not required by any means to accept it. But it's nice to hear that many restaurants do!

Just wanted to share and get some bandito feedback. I used my card at SOUPLANTATION (buffet soup and salad place, I was on full liquids) the other day! I got the kid's price $4.99 instead of $8.99! That was my first time using it. I didn't think I would use it at all - because most kids meals are really fatty and junky like chicken tenders and corndogs - but buffets are a whole other matter! I don't mind going for child's price! Pretty cool! Thanks OCC for a great idea!

I'm lucky. My sister got the lap-band first and everyone was so supportive, I never had cause for concern. In my personal life, I made the choice to tell a few coworkers and girlfriends. I decided NOT to tell my boyfriend. I was kind of stressed out before the surgery and I couldn't imagine adding ANYTHING too it. His worry, his disagreement, his insistance that I didn't need it. It had nothing to do with him or his opinion. I told him from my room afterwards at OCC. He was a little pissy - but that's [i think] because me missed a chance to cause a stink. It's scary because you think, "What if something goes wrong?" OCC has a STELLAR track record. Everything went SO smoothly. I'm a critical care nurse and I didn't see anything that wasn't to US standards. So try not to worry about that. It's YOUR life, YOUR fat, YOUR band. Tell them after they see your amazing results. If they give you any negativity then, they just can't be happy for you.

Pammie, You are AWESOME and AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your pictures. The smile on your face says it all!