CALF

I generally agree with you regarding the concept that most people prefer to have a brisk walk with their dog in the fresh outdoors rather than sweating it out indoors at a fitness center...Thus said, I attribute my 38 pound weight loss in the last 7 weeks to the combination of eating less of better foods choices, briskly walking my Boston Terriers for 45 minutes (2X's daily) AND pounding it out on the recumbent bike (20 minutes hard pedaling to Annie Lenox !! lol ) followed by 45 minutes of stationary weights at the fitness center. This lapband for me has been the kickstart of a total lifestyle change. I was a professional athlete for 25 years and I Know what it feels like to be fit, healthy and strong. The weight I put on over the past 4 years was just a indicator for the depression I had been experiencing due to a divorce and the death of my Mother. I feel back in control of my appetite, my energy and my sense of self. I honesty believe that the lapband gave me back my health. And boy..does that taste good!!! LOL Cheers!!! Cheryl

Good for you Anita..I'm so glad to hear that it's working out for you to go see Dr.O and get this business all resolved !!! I'll just miss you by a few hours..I leave San Diego for Victoria early on Thursday morning. Good luck and keep in touch with all your updates on your new sucess!!! Cheryl

Hi Judi! I'm having my first fill ever (!) on Dec.2. I fly in at 12:25 and should be at OCC by 1:15ish. I'm scheduled to be spending the night of the 2nd at the Lucerna and leaving for home (Canada) the following morning . Maybe we can connect and have some 'bandtalk' !! Please email me if you wish and we can make some plans!!! Cheers, Cheryl

Hello! I'm a total beginner to the fill situation..I just got banded 6 weeks ago and am just starting to consider the need for a fill. My quesions are stemming from ignorance so please don't laugh...lol.....but how soon after a fill do you know if your band is too tight? How soon do you know if it's just right? The thought of not being able to swallow my own saliva scares the _ _ _ _ out of me!!! Any comments would be appreciated !! Cheryl

Hi..I just got off the phone with a nurse from the Puget Sound Surgical Center Puget Sound Surgical Center 21911 76th Ave W, Suite 106 Edmonds, WA 98026 Toll Free 1-877- LIV-AGAIN (548-2424) They do fluoro. The consutation fee is $250 and they will do single fluoro fills for $360 OR a year's worth for $1,030. Wow..that might be the way to go if you needed three or four fills!! They are open for fills in Edmonds on Mon, Tue & Wed. from 9-5. Per the nurse Amber, the fluoroscope fill is done while you are standing and you are in a position to observe. Worth looking into. Cheryl

Awesome!!! Thanks so much. Cheryl

Hi Lisa Law... I'm from Victoria on Vancouver Island and was thinking about getting my first fill at NW fill, mainly because there is no where on the Island that uses the fluoro. Can you tell me a bit more about the location you use in Olympia? Thanks !! Cheryl

Hi...If you contact OCC they will give you the exact details. I seem to remember a quote for a very reasonable package rate that included the cost of the fill, transportation from the San Diego airport to the clinic ( and back again) plus an overnight stay at a hotel. Cheryl

... and this happened to be a conversation that did not include you and one in which you were not privy to. Sorry, but once you put a topic on a site...you include all the readers and give them "privy" I suggest you talk to Dr. Ortiz's office rather than just spouting off about how ticked off you are.... You might learn something valuable. .. but then again not.

Hi Debbie...I just read your post and thought I'd say Hello to you in Ucluelet !! I'm in the Victoria area and am heading to Tofino next month for a little getaway!! You live in one of my favorite places on the Island... I traveled to T.J Mexico last month (Oct. 15) and had my band inserted on the 16th. It's been a great experience and the weight loss has been substantial! And I haven't even had a fill yet! Thus said, there is no Dr. on the Island that will do a fluorscope fill. If you had an emergency situation Dr. Armson/Dr. Tang in Victoria will do an UNFILL using the fluorscope. I am going to Marysville, Washington on Dec. 5th to have my first fill (fluorscopically) by the NorthWest Fill Management Clinic. The clinic is about 40 miles north of Seattle. If you want more details you can email me. I have tried many doctor prescribed diets over the past 27 years. My G.P here in Victoria suggested the lapband as a possibility for me. I have two friends that went to OCC in Mexico and they highly praised Dr. Ortiz and his team. I'm so glad that I took their advice. It's allowing me to become healthy and fit and at the ripe old age of 58..it was now or never!! LOL Good luck with whatever you decide. Regards, Cheryl

What is your exercise program?

good advice Debbie..and WOW...check out your weight loss and only with the band and no fills yet!! Totally awesome =D>

Remember to drink only small sips and space them out. I would drink only a teaspoon full and wait a minute before taking my next. It gets easier as time goes on but remember...small and slow!! Cheers! Cheryl

Hi Steph! I'm just one month post op...and the best advise I can offer is to lose as much weight as you can prior to the surgery. Stick to whichever diet plan Dr. Miranda has suggested and incorporate as much exercise into your day as possible. The more fit you are going in will result in the faster you will recover. PLUS...being on the diet and exercise prior will set you up for all the good behaviors you will be living after the surgery! Good luck and enjoy...I'm so glad I made the decision..my only regret is that I didn't do this earlier!!! (like 5 years ago!!!) Bye for now! Cheryl

" .....I told him that 11cc was too big for me and I thought I could use a smaller size...." Not to be rude..but are you a surgeon with 9,000 lapband surgery experiences? What accurate information do you posess that allows YOU to KNOW absolutely without a doubt that 11cc is too big for you and that a smaller size is more appropriate??? From the sound of your posting you appear to know more than the DR!! Cheryl

Hi Missy G.. I'm a newbie to this land of lapbanders myself...I got banded on Oct. 16. '09 and am in my first week of being on solid foods again. The three weeks of liquids-only wasn't too terrribly hard. The first week after surgery you don't want to eat at all, the 2nd and 3rd weeks are doable because you are so encouraged by how quickly the weight is just falling off. Now that I am allowed to eat solids again I pick and choose really carefully what I want to put in my body. I seem to do well with small amounts of chicken, steamed veggies and roasted potatoes. The key word being SMALL amounts...as in a large tablespoon of each!! It's great that I can feel full on such small portions...and I haven't even received any fills yet!! Any restriction I am feeling is due to my sticking to the pre-op diet and 21 post op liquid diet and any residual swelling from the actual surgery. You will love your Mexican experience with OCC. The staff is marvelous and the medical facility was great! My husband and I stayed at the Marriott and really enjoyed the service and accomodations. I took my swim suit and even got a little pool time in! You will be so glad that you made this decision towards a healthier and more fit life. Cheers!! Cheryl

I was married to a man for 21 years. When I met him I was 29..thin and quite a cutie . ( lol) Had one son with him and my weight was an issue from the time of my pregnancy until he walked out of our marriage 21 years later. I just couldn't get down to my pre-pregnancy weight and the stress of his disapproval and his judging me made me turn to food all the more. He totally invalidated me in every way possible and I had very little good self esteem. Even though I felt betrayed I felt that I needed him...and now..6 years later I see how unhealthy our relationship really was. What would be the scenario if you were to be in a brutal car crash and became a paraplegic?? Do you think he'd stand by you??? I am now happily married to a wonderful man who adores me the way I am..and is standing behind my decision to go through with this lapband journey because he knows it's something I want to do for my future health benefits. Things happen for a reason and you must decide that you deserve better than this man who only wants to be tintallated by your physical appearance. It's a hard decision to make..nobody gets married wanting to divorce..but sometimes it just takes a re-try to get it right! Good luck sweetie. Cheryl

Margie, The Northwestern Fill Center in Washington does fills with the floroscope. It might take you less time & $$??. That's where most Canadians on the west coast go & I've heard very good things about them. Since I'm only in my fourth week Ihaven't had first hand experience yet.. Good luck! Cheryl

Well darn..that doesn't sound like you had a good day at all!! Where in Canada are you? Cheryl in Victoria, B.C

I too have an 11cc band (Johnson & Johnson - SAGB BD3XV) in place by Dr. Ortiz on Oct. 16, 2009. The information came from my surgical report that I requested from the OCC. The surgical report describes the description of technique and trans-operative findings. I'm sure if you were to ask they will provide you with a transcript of your surgery. Cheers ! Cheryl

Yep..count me in as a full fledged rooter tooter! And I can't burp either...lol Cheryl

Thanks for that info!! I've copied it onto a word document , printed it and have it posted to my fridge!! Cheers! Cheryl

Thanks Kristi for the explanation! Both sound awful (!!) and I hope I don't have to experience either. Today is my last day of liquids only. I was wondering if anyone has had sucess with eating Lean Cuisine's as part of the solid food diet. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!! Cheers everyone Cheryl

Hi Debbie... What is tomato pie ??

Wow..what a dilemma to find yourselves in! Please keep us folks here on the forum advised as to what happens next. Good luck!!! Cheryl