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Jennifer, It is important to remember the first 6 weeks is for healing. Any weight loss during the healing stage is a bonus. Of course you will lose weight due to being only on liquids but do not get discouraged if it slows down as the weeks pass by. I gained 2 pounds when I went from clear liquids to full liquids and then lost it to only gain another 2 pounds from the full liquid stage to the mushy stage and again when I went to the solid food stage. It has been 4 months since my surgery and I am down 40 pounds losing at a rate of 1-2 pounds a week with minimal effort. You will continue to lose but try and follow all the rules the best you can and do not get down and discouraged. If you follow the bandster rules you can not go wrong, you will only succeed! Good Luck to you Michelle 4.6.04 265/225.5/160ish

Hi G-9 I'm pretty new to this banded thing , only 3.5 months out but have had great success. I have yet to meet anyone who has NOT lost weight with the band, nor have I met anyone who has gained their weight back once they reached goal and I am on several different support boards besides this one with many men and women who are at various stages of the band. My neighboor who had the surgery and was the one who turned me onto it has been banded now for over 2 years and has not put back one ounce of weight. The band is a tool to help you lose weight, you do have to work with your band to make it as successful as possible. You do need to follow some bandster rules and make better food choices but it definatley controls your portion size and food intake. I no longer eat between meals and eat roughly between 1200-1500 calories a day. I have had one fill so far (1.1cc's) and it seems to be working becasue I'm losing with minimal effort. I do not feel deprived what so ever. It does not feel like a diet at all. The bypass patients have a higher rate of gaining their weight back we bandsters on the other hand can always control our food intake by getting a fill. If you feel like you are eating more and gaining then it is time for an adjustment. Bypass patients don't have that option. From everything that i have read , bypass patients have a window of opportunity of about 1-2 years to lose weight then after that some will put weight back on. Havent met a bandster yet who has not had success! Good luck to you Michelle 4.6.04 5'6 265/227.5/160ish

Hi Veronica.. How are you doing my band sister! What kind of pain is it? Could it be muscle pain from working out on the ab machines? I have pain in my port area from time to time more like a side ache though like I ran too much . When I go to the gym I feel sore for a few days afterwards from using muscles I have not used in years! Maybe that is what you are experiencing? So tell me hows everything going for you? Will you be having your 2nd fill anytime soon? Let me know if you do and come this way . How's the weight loss coming along? I'm at 37.5 lbs gone FOREVER so far !! Email me your phone number so we can talk. Michelle 4.6.04 265/227.5/160ish

I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz on April 6th I pay 100.00 for a fill that is for the fluoro I have no idea what he charges for patients he did not band but you can call his office at 619-270-1126 and ask Alicia Michelle

Hi Susan I just wanted to see how everything went with your first fill..please email me and tell me everything! I do not have your email address, when my email was down last week I lost all of my address book entires. I hope you are feeling good today! Michelle

Gabby, that is so great to hear that you and hubby had the band done together and you are both so successful. Your right when you say it is like having a mini support group. I'm so happy for you both. I wish you both continued success Michelle 4.6.04 265/227.5/160ish

Wow Marlou you sound like a mirror image of me! Our stories are very similar. I was banded on 4/6/04 by Ortiz & Martinez and had my first fill on 7/7/04 1.1cc's I have lost 36 pounds to date. I live in So cal and will continue going to Dr Ortiz & Martinez for my after care , they are the best! And like you, the band is the best thing I have ever done for myself..I have no fears either of ever gaining my weight back. I Love my band too Congratulations to you..you are doing awesome! Michelle

Hi Ladyhawk I had my first fill with Dr. Martinez on June 7th 1.1cc's and still losing from it. It was not a bad experience. The worst part of it all was my appointment was at 10:00 and the doctors did not show up intil 12:00 so I had alot of anxious waiting time so be prepared in the event that happens bring a book. As far as the actual fill process, the most uncomfortable part for me was when they extract the air from the tubing, then he will have you drink a barium drink til you cant dring anymore and he will slowly release the saline to a level where you can drink water comfortably . He does it under fluoro so he sticks the port on the first try it doesnt even hurt. Its kind of hard to eplain here for me in writing but it is easy takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. Good Luck to you... Michelle 4.6.04 265/229/160ish

Hi Susan.. I'm sorry I have not gotten back to you but my email was not working properly until late last night. I had to cancel my fill for Monday. I have a case of strep throat and do not think it is wise for me to get a fill while taking antibiotics plus I feel like crap. I'm still able to swallow pills no problem but I'm afraid if I get a fill I will not be able to finish my antibiotic. I hope everything goes great for you down there. Don't worry about a thing..you will get there no problem and will be back home safe in TN in no time. Please let me know how things go for you. Take Care Michelle

I had part of my surgery financed through Capital one. Dr. Ortiz uses this financial institution here is their web site www.cosmeticfeeplan.com I hope this helps If you have any questions please feel free to email me personally When you apply online use his full name Dr. Ariel Ortiz also choose Connecticut when they ask what state and his name should come up. Michelle

Hi There, I have to agrree with both Sue and Tamara and also add my 2 cents worth. You are an audlt....you owe no one but yourself an explanation for doing what you want to do (unless you have a husband) I have been overwieght all my life and my mother (who is not alive, died 6 yrs ago ) was the most critical person about my weight my entire life. I know though now if she were alive today and could see my success she would be so proud. She watched me struggle over the years with every diet under the sun. She did come to terms before she died that obesity was a disease, both my brother father and I are all obese where she was as skinny as a twig, just as we came to terms that her diabetes was a disease, I spent many a nights trying to explain to her that obesity is a disease just like her diabetes was. She finally understood it. You need to do what is best for you and do not let anyone change your mind. If you are not happy in your life..no on around you in your life will be happy either. I know this first hand. My family suffered at the hands of my obesity. I did not want to go out, have firends over, take my kids places etc..etc..NOW 3 months later I'm like a butterfly released from her cocoon. I have a new leash on life, my kids are so happy , my hubby is happy , my life and my families life has truly changed! I LOVE MY BAND!!! DO IT , Michelle 4.6.04 265/229/160ish

Hi Barrie When you go to Mexico..take along a good book to read. You will have lots of time on your hands during the pre op tests. Also for your traveling companion take along some snacks, the hotel has awesome food so thats no the issue but the hospital has all vegan foods. I was given this same advice so I took some snacks for my husband and they defiantely came in handy for him at the hospital. I also took some Gas X with me for the ride home if I had gas pains and some adult strength liquid tylenol (wal mar or sav-on) in case I had pain. When you are home just make sure you have lots of juices and gatorades, chicken broth, vegetable broth , beef broth jello and popsicles those will be your main source of clear liquids for the first 2 weeks. Day 8 you can add skim milk 1/2 cup and day 10 post op you can start to add protein shakes. It is mainly 3 weeks of liquids. You will get all the post op info from Marissa once you meet with her. Good Luck to you, you will love Dr. Ortiz & martinez and his entire staff. Come and post when you get home and let us all know how it went. Michelle 4.6.04 265/229/160ish

Hi Tina Congratulations! Those 17 days are going to fly by. Before you know it you will be officially banded. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez are fantastic doctors. The entire staff are so friendly, helpful and caring. I was banded 3 months ago and I'm very happy with my band. I have lost 34 pounds and have had 1 fill so far (1.1cc's) Good Luck to you and please post an update to let us all know how your surgery went. Lovin' My band Michelle 4.6.04 265/231/160ish

Angie For me I know that when I travel long distances (especially when I fly) I retain alot of water. Could this be the same for you? If so, it would explain the "more restriction" you feel when you travel. Just a thought Michelle 4.6.04 265/231/160ish

Love this new site. It is so much easier to post, read and get to Michelle 4.6.04 265/232/160ish