sdalaq

Way to go Cheryl. You are doing awesome with the band . Over half way to your goal already. Keep up the good work

Debbie

Debbie,

Im so happy for you that you are getting so close to your goal weight. Keep up the weight loss and you can do it.

Shawna

Disaster walking, have you gotten your first fill yet?

Debbie - you may want to confirm this - but I believe I have in my paperwork (or maybe an email that I got before surgery) that fills for those of us that have had surgery at the OCC are free - BUT, there is a $100 fee for flouroscopy. Now, take what you will from that, because I've never heard of the OCC doing a fill without flouroscopy - so, basically it's $100.

Yes it is $100, and for those who are wondering, the price for fill and round trip to San Diego airport or pick up at the border is $199, cash or personal check only. I will take a taxi for $10 round trip from the border. Its just as good to me.

I almost hate to ask this question since I love the OCC so much, but after my first fill I will have to go to Dr Mally, like some of you. A few questions, how hard or easy was it to get in for your first fill with him? And if I may ask, about how much are your fills with him? Does he use flouro?

My sister was going to be banded at KU, and she started the process a year and a half ago. She had to fight with them every week, and had to appeal her insurance decision twice. In the end, insurance said no to her. She weighs 250 pounds and has hypertention that is adequately controlled by meds, and thats why they said no. (long story made short). So all of this was a huge turn off for me. I went to surgical weight loss center by my home and insurance denied me, said that I only have coverage for KU. They submitted my info to them that day, and a month later they sent me a letter saying that I had to attend their seminars. By this time I already scheduled my appointment for surgery with Dr Ortiz. This week I am going to get my first fill. If I stuck with KU, maybe I will be just now getting in to see the DOC.

revvy,

You and I had surgery the same day. Im so glad that you are doing so well. I lost 17 pounds on the 21 liquid phase, but as soon as I started to add soups then solids, my weight has crept back up. I havent gained it all back though. Definantly needing a fill. Going to the OCC this weekend and hopefully I will feel the way I did or close to it, from the restriction that I felt after surgery. My eating habbits are returning. The only reason why I even know at this point that I am banded, is that I can feel my port.

OK anyone else experiance this? BTW i am now getting frausterated. The first two weeks after surgery I lost 17 pounds, and I am thinking to my self this is really great, Im lovin this. Then the day I started soups I have lost nothing, and still nothing. If anything I have gained 3 pounds! I even tried to go back to all liquids for a couple of days and still nothing. I feel like I am on a plateau, but already?

Glad all is going well! I had some really nasty bruises so don't worry they finally clear. I bruise easily though so it didn't surprise me. My bruises took a while to heal too. I took pics but ended up deleting them b/c they grossed me out so bad. They were nasty!

I noticed that we are both from the KC area, just wondering about something. I received a card that said I can purchase childrens meals, have you had any issues becouse you are not under 12? Just curious. Im not anywhere near eating solid foods yet.

Hi Shelby. I sent the pictures and heard back from Dr Ortiz and Dr. Martinez today. Dr Martinez said that they have to make a little groove for the port to sit in and sometimes it bleeds a bit and then the blood is absorbed by the surrounding skin. He asked me if it was soft or I could feel anything hard. I told him it was soft and that the bruising was actually changing to yellow and green today. He thinks it is going to be fine. Dr Ortiz says that if it keeps on increasing and gets hard I need to go to my GP and get some antibiotics. He also said to use a heating pad for 15 minutes every 4 hours to help the blood absorb.

Other than the brusing I feel great. Have been walking and tolerating fluids with no problems.

I am glad to hear that you had bruising as well it makes me not feel like it is so strange. Dr. Martinez gave me his cell phone and told me to call with any concerns.

You sure don't get this kind of service in Canada.

Anyways thanks again for telling me about your bruising as it gave me some peace and helped me not to worry so much.

Debbie

Hello, glad to of met everyone. Its nice to put an actual face to the names. Anyways, I am bruised up too. But everything is healing fine. Im still very sore in the port incision area. I can almost sleep onmy stomache again. Im having a hard time to drink alot of fluids, it feels like each sip is a couple of glasses that I gulped down. Also today, I burped the first time and it was sooo painful. It hurt between my shoulder bldes, and Im thinking that cant be good for a band thats less than a week old. Anyone else experiance the same thing?

I'd love to do it too. However, I wont be able to really join in right away. I get banded at the end of this month.

I dont know anything about it, but you may want to research medical journals about it,or use google scholar and see what kinds of research are done on this product and what the results are. I do this for everything.

The subject of the different types/brands of gastric bands currently in use that's been brought up in another thread has gotten me thinking. After lots of research and reading, I think I have a slight preference for the Inamed band - and was hoping to get the 4cc size as I (like everybody else, I know! ) am hoping to get restriction as soon as possible. Also, I'm going to be using Fill Centers, or possibly a local doctor I know who does fills under flouro, and I'd prefer not to have to go back 10 times to get any restriction at all. So here's my question - is it possible to request a specific band (leaving the ultimate decision up to Dr. Ortiz, of course)? - but is he at all open to patient suggestions? Obviously, he is the expert and I want him to make the ultimate decision - it's just that if it's six of one, half a dozen of the other, I'd prefer the 4cc Inamed. I'm just curious - I know I'm being a bit of a control-freak about this - it's nerves, I think!

I have the same question, and I originally wanted the realize band becouse from my own person research, it sounded like the best option at the time. I want restriction ASAP so I am now wanting the 4ml band too. Well, we'll be there together so it'll be interesting to see what we get.

Easy way out or hard way out...Who cares. All that matters is that you are healthier now.

Hi, Sdalaq - we're being banded on the same date! Are you staying at the Marriott or Lucerna? How is everbody doing on their pre-op diets? I'm doing ok, I did not officially have to start until next week, but decided to start last week just to be safe. I'd down about 7 lbs so far (out of 12 they're asking me to lose) - so I can't complain!

I'll be at the Marriott, I was not really given a choice, but I am fine with it. I started my diet sept 1st, and lost 10 pounds. Its hard to stay on it, but I keep telling myself that this WILL be last diet.

Carolyn just scheduled me for September 29th!!! Yaaay!

Me too! I'm September 29.