karenb

I called Dr. Martinez about my port pain. He recommended Advil Liqui-gels. It helped a lot. I'm not saying you should take it; I'm suggesting that anyone w/any sort of problem or question call him or Dr. Ortiz. That's what they're there for! Dr. M is easier to get during the day, Dr. O usually calls back @ night.

Please don't give up, TRT. Call Dr. Ortiz or Martinez, that's why you have their cell numbers! Also, Dr. Miranda is very good too. Shell has been a great inspiration to me, I really recommend you contact her.

By the way, I didn't excerise much before the band, and frankly, I don't do too much now. (don't tell anyone)

Double-ditto for me. There are always risks. However, I feel this is the least risky WLS & the benefits FAR outweigh the risks.

I also want to add that incidences of slippage/erosion have decreased over the last few years due to advances in banding technique. I thing Dr. Ortiz is on the leading edge of what's best. Also, if you look on other sites, such as LBT, you will see that SOME people that used SOME other doctors have harder recoveries, stitches (we don't) drains (we don't), etc. Also Dr. Martinez is an expert on giving fills.

Re: Question about the Mexi-bus, it's located on Revolution Blvd. It's especially useful if you're coming home at the end of a weekend or holiday cause it has an "express" lane @ the border. You just stroll thru customs!

You guys will have such a good time together.

Hi Debbie. Don't know any drs in costa rica...do they use the inamed band?

I think Dr. Ortiz is the best & I wouldn't quibble about $1,500 if I knew I were getting the best.

Don't know anyone who went to Cancun.

The port is usually to the left & up a little from the belly button. It is only noticeable if you feel for it. It has the biggest incision, no more than 1.5 inches, the other ones are all tiny. As you get closer to goal you feel it more, but it's not bothersome.

After care is important, but LA isn't so far away. Shell goes to TJ for fills & she lives in Orange County. Even when she had a problem, she had x-rays taken & her husband drove her down to TJ.

I'd rather go to Dr. Ortiz than many American Dr.'s cause he has so much more experience & a low rate of slippage-erosion.

you should ask him all these questions.

Dr. Martinez says Advil liquigels are o.k. a couple of times a month. If need be,you can take childrend advil adjusting the dose. I also use the liquid tylenol. Also, even time release pills can be crushed, if need be (according to Dr Martinez) You can use a pill crusher for others, and capsuls can generally be opened & sprinkled on applesauce.

KeeKee, I didn't tell anyone except my dh, children & one good friend.

As for siteseeing, my daughter dragged me all over San Diego 2 days after she was banded! She could walk faster than I could. But it does sound better to do the vacation part before cause you never know how you will feel.

good luck, you're in the best hands.

Hi Kim. During the day you will see Drs. Martinez & Ortiz a lot, and of course they speak flawless English. During the night there is always a doctor on call at the hospital who speaks english. As Michelle said, some of the nurses aren't all that great at speaking english, but they know the basics. In the office where you will go for pre-testing & afterwards for fills, they all speak English. . EVERYONE in TJ takes dollars!

I only told one person in my office whom I trust; she told me the others are dying to know if I "had something done". They are nosy bodies & I just don't feel like telling them! Maybey down the road, but it's strictly a personal decision. My family has been very suportive.

There is Dory Feraro @ Long Island Bariatrics, she also has offices in NYC & WEstchester. She's very good, not as aggessive as Mexican fills, but VERY good at hitting the port. PM me if you need the #, I don't have it handy but would gladly get it for you. FYI, she gets patients from all over the east coast. Delaware, Boston, etc.

For some answers to traveling to TJ from SD, see other post in Feild Trips to TJ. The whole thing is explained w/options.

I live in NY and have had fills here and flown to TJ to have them done by Dr. Martinez. I would say that Dr. Martinez's are better. I use my frequent flyer miles to fly on Jet Blue. Also, there are easy ways to get from SD to TJ--bus, trolly, etc. It costs about $10.00 total. Also there is a Mexi-Coach to cross back over the border; it doesn't wait in the long border crossing lines, there is a special bus lane. I just did it on July 4 w/my daughter, who was also banded by Drs. Ortiz/Martinez. We just love them.

Hope this helps.

I've used frequent flyer miles 2X now. For me it's worth it, even though I did pay $1,000 here for 1 year. Here, even though she's very good & has never missed once, it's a guessing game 'cause of no fluoro. I my opinion, the time & expense of going to Dr. M is worth it.

Having just been there yesterday, I can clarify, because the waiting room was full!

For those of us flying home that day, he has you stay in the office for a while & make sure you can drink plenty of water. You then stay on liquids for 3 days.We had slimfast w/us so that was even better.

For the people who were staying in town for a few days, he does have you eat the next day & come back & get checked.

I just did it w/my daughter yesterday, and it was totally fine. The bus from the airport is 5 minutes to the trolley, they it's about a 10 minute walk total across (you have to walk up a few inclines) then you go through a revolving door, and you're in Mexico! Taxis are right there, and if they don't recognize the address just tell them the Office Depot near Hotel Lucerna.

Coming home when the border is especially busy like was on July 4th, there's a great service called Mexi-coach; they are located on Revolution St. bwn. 6th & 75th, and they go in a special bus-lane. It took us under an hour to cross the border--the regular line was at least 4 hours long. You just walk through a customs room & poof, your out in the good old US of A. The trolley is RIGHT there, and we just did eveything in reverse. Total cost one way:

$2.50 incuding transfer for bus & trolley

$2.50 for Mexi-Coach

$5.00 Taxi to office.

Next time we go back, I'll do the exact same thing.

Chris, when are you coming to my house?

Seriously, it's great that you're back on track. Regarding the clothing, I saw Dr. Miranda yesterday, and she said, "when you can take your pants, or skirts that button up, off without unbuttoning them, either give them away or BURN them. Put your mind-set that you will NEVER need them again

Karn

NkyBelle, no you are not silly to think that way. I went alone all the way from New York, and it's totally safe & secure. In some ways I was glad to be alone; in some ways it would have been nice to have hubby there. Either way you choose, you will be fine; but if you do choose to go by yourself, Mrs. Ortiz will take extra care of you, and, regardless, you will bond w/others being banded that same day!

Good luck & keep us posted,

Karen

Melissa, that's great news! Please don't wish the summer away, though. We New Yorkers don't get much beach time.

You will love Drs. Ortiz & Martinez.

Hi Sally. From what I know, insurance won't even consider anyone below 18 yrs. old. Also, I trusted Dr. Ortiz the most because I feel he has the most experience with teens. Please let us know how your consult goes. I will e-mail you Hanna's e-mail.

Have you spoken to Dr. Martinez or Dr. Ortiz about your problem? Many times Dr. O has contacts here in the U.S. that he can call on your behalf.

You should check out Lapbandtalk.com It's generally a good site, lots of info. My only advice is always listen to your doctor & follow his advice especially if it's Dr.Ortiz & Martinez...don't take medical advice chat boards. .

I have to tell you guys that Dr. Martinez definately recommends Advil Liquigels, or liquid Advil (childrens, in adult doses) or chewable. He does not want us on it for long periods, but a day or two is fine. When my daughter's throat hurt a lot, something about the mask they use for anestesia, he definately said Advil was the best choice & she could take 2 every 6 hours. It worked.

He said the same thing to me when I was banded in Dec., and sometimes it was the only thing that relieved my shoulder/port pain. I take it once or twice a month for menstrual pain, and he says that's fine too.

He says the main issue with it is people who take it every day to manage chronic pain.

Hope this helps.