barbflorida

I am a little late into this conversation but I am from Enterprise, Florida. I was banded on 11-17-06. I believe that I am ready for a fill soon. Is everyone going back to TJ for a fill or is there somewhere in Florida that any of you know of?

I'm going to to TJ on the 13th of January. Got a pretty good fare out of Orlando. After that I will probably go to Fill Centers USA. There are I think 5 in Florida, but the closest to me is Tampa/St. Pete. Still about a 4 hour drive, but I can't do those round trips too often - too old for a 25 hour day, plus the driving time to and from the airport, so closer to 28.

Hi Gang!

I will be arriving in TJ on Jan 13th at 10:45am. Rene said that there was already someone else arriving then (Barb I think), so that leaves room for 3 or 4 more...

I will be leaving that same evening at 9:45--yuck. Talk about a full day. I just can't leave my monsters for too long.

I can't wait!!

Hi Steph, yes I will be there on the 13th. I arrive at 10:38 so I guess I'll meet you at the airport. I'm flying out the same day also, I will be leaving at 6 p.m. but since I am flying to Florida, it will be an all night flight and I'll arrive home at 6:25 a.m. Sunday morning. So I'm right there with you on the full day. Where are you coming from?

Look forward to meeting you and have a great holiday!

I guess I'm really lucky, I was banded on 11/30 and my incision is almost completely healed. I was amazed that I was able to fly home on 12/2 (6.5 hours and 1.5 from the airport). Went grocery shopping on 12/3 and was back to work on 12/4. Guess I'm doing okay for an old broad!

Wow! How lucky to have your insurance pay. I have Florida Health Care and I think they are the last to approve anything new, so if I waited for them I'd probably be 80 years old before they would pay for it. I even checked local doctors and found a few, but none with any real experience and they charged a LOT more, so I was really happy that I was able to go to Mexico. I was so impressed with everyone there, but if I could have saved that much money - I'd have had to give some serious thought to the experience issue. Good luck with your surgery, I know you're going to love it.

Hi Barb~

I'm in the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area. I was banded on the first and just missed you in TJ. Actually, I think that we have the same fill date and are sharing a ride from San Diego--Jan 13th. Is that you?

Wow- everyone is down south. I'm about 25 miles south of Daytona Beach. Yes that is me on the 13th so I'll see you then. I was just down in the Ft. Myers area for work a few weeks ago, I end up all over the place so next time I'll have to get in touch before. It would be nice to have a break before the drive back. It's about 4 hours.

Hey Woman hows Florida??? I dont know why but my emails wont go back to you? Kim did send me the one you replied to. I am doing really well. I just hope everything stays the same and I keep loosing. I am a bit sore from the incision of the port and the muscle hurts, but thats about it. Keep in touch. Melanie

Hi sweetie, I don't know what's up with our email, but try my work address barbara@myworldmortgage.com maybe that one will work. I'm feeling really good and so far I'm losing, of course I want it to go faster, but that's me - I want that instant gratification. Say hi to Rob for me.

I was just wondering if there are any bandsters out there in Florida. I met some great people when I was in TJ, but it would be nice if there were someone around that we could occasionally get together for support and maybe socialize with someone that understands what we are dealing with. It would be very cool to be able to get together.

Thank you Kevin.

Anytime and again welcome to the lapband community!

=D> Kevin

Kevin,

You are so awesome. You're right there with support for anyone with a question. I think you are as excited as I am with this diving into a new life. I'm so tired of looking in the mirror and hating what I see. This is such an awesome site, because of people like you. Everyone seems to be absolutely great and I love hearing everyone elses experiences. Keep up the good work, you're almost like a cheerleader (no offense) to help everyone keep going.

Barbara

Edgewater, FL

greg and i had surgery on the same day and i never got the massage or pics taken. he was one of the "chosen" ones! haha seriously, i was having alot of pain compared to greg (who i wanted to smack when he boasted "wow! this doesn't hurt at all!" kidding, greg!). but really, massaging any part of me probably wouldn't have been a good idea...

on the ride back to the hotel, we (myself, greg and our guests) discussed greg's mini photo shoot and we speculated on what they would do with the pics... decided it sounds like they may use them one day as before-and-after shots for their website and/or advertisements. besides, he's cute!

I got the massage, but no pics. I guess they didn't want to break the camera. lol

Thank you Kay. I'm going to my seminar this Saturday. I've got all my medical records from the last five years and this includes a session with a nutritionist.

I've found the same thing. The larger pills I have to break up and take a piece at a time, but have definitely not had a problem with it. I find that it's better though if I am standing when I take them. I learned that the hard way, I am used to rolling over and taking a pain pill for my back in the a.m. and then rolling over and waiting for it to work - so a minor drawback, I have to get up and take it in two pieces, but that works I get them down, make sure I feel okay then relax and wait for them to work. Maybe once all this weight it off, I won't need them to get out of bed in the a.m. I'm sure it will do my back a lot of good to have about 100 less pounds hanging off of it.

Hi Lori and all!

I am a January bandgirl. My date is Jan 8th............................ I'm nervous as a three-legged cat in a sandbox but I'm excited too. I will be posting more often now so as to get to know y'all.

Susan :-h

Hi Susan, I was banded on November 30th and was nervous and didn't even want to tell anyone I was going to TJ to have surgery. I have to say how wonderful the staff was and the clinic was cleaner than any hospital I have been in here in the states, I've had experience on that end in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. Everyone is so nice over there, I am still raving to anyone who will listen what a positive experience it was. The staff is awesome and Dr. Ortiz has every right to be extremely proud of both his facility and his staff. Relax, it's going to be a great experience.

Hi Kym,

I'm working on the rest of the things you need - email me with your fax #

I am not a tax expert (by ANY stretch of the imagination) so please check with a tax professional if you have questions about what you can write off and how much you can write off!

I was previously able to claim a jacuzzi as a medical expense, I just needed my doctor to write that I had degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spinal arthritis and that it would give me relief. Went right through. I can't imagine that if a jacuzzi would qualify that this wouldn't. I plan to see an accountant soon as I am a 1099 employee, I will see what I can find out and will post an answer if I can get one.

Right now I am mostly struggling with the pain in my shoulder that comes and goes and seems to be worse at night, but that could be because I am trying to sleep and more aware.

Hi Newly Banded,

I was banded on 7/26/2006 and yes I remember the shoulder pain. It was mostly irrritating because it was a new pain I'd never felt before. I guess it's the gas from the surgery that creeps up to that location. Mine came and went but didn't stay longer than a month. When it was gone, it was like it never happened.

I'd rub my shoulder, which seemed to make it feel better. Maybe you have someone who can rub it for you. I found that to be very relaxing when my husband helped. A warm bath always feels good too.

>

Michele

I was just banded in TJ last week, and am looking for some support and help when I have questions online. My best friend had it done in July and her surgery went much smoother than mine, but I am okay. I will need to find a fill Dr. In Salt Lake City or I'll just have to make the trips to TJ until I find one here.

Right now I am mostly struggling with the pain in my shoulder that comes and goes and seems to be worse at night, but that could be because I am trying to sleep and more aware.

Besides this forum, what are some other good places for post-op information and support? How do I begin finding a local doctor to do fills?

I was also banded on Nov. 30 in TJ by Dr. Ortiz. I can't believe how good I feel. I flew back to Florida on Saturday and was back at work ready to go today (Monday). The clear liquids haven't been a problem so far, I'm not hungry and my energy level is really good. I am looking forward to finally having control over my weight.