cindy

I was banded in Nov '04 by Dr. Martinez @ 30 BMI - 5'5" 180 lbs. No questions asked. I was 168 lbs this morning. I think it works slower than higher BMI patients.

Hello, I'd like to find out if anyone here started out with a BMI of 30 or less. If so, has the band worked for you? How much weight have you lost so far? Also, I thought I read somewhere that a Dr. in New York was experimenting with lower BMI surgery. Do you know who the Dr is? Thank you.

Ok - I think this time it worked. I had my 2nd fill on Wed. January 12th. 1.5 cc's. I have been on liquids since Wed nite. I experienced my first PB yesterday trying to eat Chicken Noodle soup - sans the noodles. The tiny pieces of chicken and soft carrots wouldn't go down with out a fight. It was very painful. Anyone watching me eat would have thought I had brain freeze (you know when you eat/drink something ice cold too fast and you get a splitting head ache). This morning I had a 1/2 cup of coffee and three bites of oatmeal. The oatmeal was very painful going down. I'm still hungry but afraid to eat. That's fine with me. After 8 weeks, I have yet to lose any weight so I am very anxious to get this started. I do not like getting fills - my Dr. had a hard time finding the port and was pushing down and moving it around and ouch! :

Wow, how horrible for you! I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I wonder if that was the first time something like that has happened to a patient of Dr. Ortiz... What were your symptons? Did your Doctor find it through an Xray? What should we look for? Thank you for letting us know of the health risk! Keep us updated on Dr. Ortiz's response. Cindy

I had my first fill close to home (SJ, CA) - but I was not restricted at all, even at 2cc's. Dr. McKeen did not use an xray or barium swallow. So I am seriously thinking about going to TJ next month for my first fluro fill. My question is regarding getting to TJ from the airport. Do you think it's cheaper to get a car rental and drive across the border - or take a taxi from the airport? How do you normally get from San Diego Airport to Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez? p.s. it has been six weeks since my surgery and I have only lost 4 lbs. Is this correct why to describe: 180/176/do I enter the weight I want to attain? Thank you! Cindy

Hi, I just had my first Fill today (4 weeks post surgery). I received 2 cc's of saline. My band size is 10cm. Is this a typical fill? What is your experience with getting your first Fill? Were you immediately restricted? Did you start losing weight right away? How soon did you get your next Fill? Inquiring minds want to know! THank you. Cindy

Hi, I was banded by Dr. Martinez on Wed. 11/17/04 @ Sanoviv Health resort. The surgery went well. The cost was 10,200.00 which included 4 nights at Sanoviv, health tests (physical and mental), vegan meals and vitamins. I don't have any complaints other than being sore. I have five incisions - 1 between my breasts, 1 slightly below my left breast, one on my left side and two in my stomach area. All the areas are slightly bruised (purple) and sore - but especially the port area. It is swollen. I'm wondering how long before the swelling goes down? Can you feel the band itself? I can push on it - and have trouble sleeping on my left side. I do feel gassy and queasy. And I'm having a hard time sticking to fluids only.