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Calliaz

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  1. It's been a year since I had my unfill at OCC. Are they only doing fills on certain days of the week anymore? I'm trying to figure out when and how I want to go down for a desperately needed fill.
  2. Hi! I'm going down to TJ for an unfill on Saturday and am going to try and take the trolley down and back. My only question is: once I've gotten my unfill and want to get back to the border, how to I find a taxi? Can I just go out to the main street and track one down? Could I just walk over to the Lucerna and see if they will call me a taxi? Thanks! Jennifer banded 1/14/05 363/288/220
  3. Aside from possible damage, the carbonation/acidity can also irritate the stoma and exacerbate the pbing problem. I very occasionally have a soda with the carbonation stirred out. Monday, I got a soda and didn't have a way to stir it. Long story short, I drank and seriously irritated my stoma. I guess I won't be doing that again! I understand your bite problem, I also occasionally find myself getting distracted and eating a too-big bite. Jennifer in AZ
  4. I'm glad things went so well. I'd like to ask a touchy question that you don't have to answer if you don't want to: what are the charges going to be like for the removal? Will the replacement cost the same as an initial placement? I always thing in worst-case scenerio and I want to start a small pot of savings to cover any future surgeries.
  5. I was very happy with my experience with Dr. Ortiz. I've had more contact with his assistant, Dr. Martinez and I really like Dr. Martinez, too. If you want, I'll email you my journal entries from my trip. I go into lots of detail. Just PM me with your contact info.
  6. I'll try my best to answer your questions--they're very valid ones. I first started looking at surgery about 3 years ago before it was approved in the US. I knew I needed help with my weight and I knew that bypass was not for me. The band seemed like a good alternative. At the time, I decided to give dieting another shot. I lost a little and then got pregnant. After trying another weight loss program after giving birth, I decided to look into lap band again. The deciding factor for me was the final realization that I *could* succeed with the band. I had succeeded in the past with weight loss drugs (and a lot of work on my part). I just needed the tool to help me lose weight. Once I decided, I did tons of internet research on doctors. I knew about many MX docs from my previous research. I found 3 local doctors and called around to find prices. I found one that was within my means and scheduled a consult. I very much liked him, but discovered that his experience was not even close to that of the MX docs. When that was combined with the cost, chosing a MX doc was a no-brainer. Based on the recommendations (or more precicely the MX docs not recommended) on other boards, I narrowed my choice to 3 docs. I then cut out one doctor because I did not want to go to Monterrey--I wanted TJ. I then bought Dr. Ortiz's book and decided to go with him. I called and was able to schedule surgery for 1 month later. As far as the screening process, it is much different in MX than in the US. My local doc wanted a psych eval, physical, nutritionist meeting, a meeting with a physical therapist, and one month of attendance at support group meetings. The MX doctor did blood work, an EKG, and a breathing eval the day before surgery. My local doctor did say that some people with a sweet tooth (including people who drink lots of high-calorie liquids) might have a problem losing weight. I think the only other contraindication is for people who have had a particular type of GERD surgery. I guess you could be denied for serious heart problems, uncontrolled asthma, uncontrolled diabetes, or some other problem that would prevent you from having *any* surgery.
  7. I'm glad it went so well! My first fill was 1.8. I have only PB'd once and that was just this Saturday. I was in a much higher altitude than normal and I think that's what did it. You don't want to be too tight as that can cause damage; however, I can very much understand not wanting to have to go back. I'm fairly close and I don't want to have to go again. I hope that by now you've been able to eat some solids without PBing. If not, you still might be too full. I'm so excited to be going back for a second fill next week! Jennifer in AZ
  8. My only advice is not to bring too much. Here's what I thought was essential: 3 pairs of loose pants or skirts w/tee shirts or 3 loose dresses. Toothbrush and paste Makeup Hairbrush Blistex Magazines (lots) Slip on shoes Liquid tylenol Liquid Gas-x Laptop w/DVD player and movies (for the day after surgery) Snacks (to eat on your day of arrival while you are waiting in the office) Birth certificate or passport Jennifer in AZ
  9. Debby, I hope everything went well! I had some restriction after my first fill, but I'm not where I need to be yet. I just scheduled my second fill for 3/21. One thing I read elsewhere is that the first fill is often to help you learn how to chew well, take small bites, and break between bites. That is totally true for me. I have yet to PB, but I now get the 'golfball' feeling if I don't follow the rules. I'm hoping that this next fill gives me better restriction on the amout of food I can eat. Jennifer in AZ
  10. I love having the center's driver take me; however, I can't really justify the cost unless I'm sharing with someone. It's cheaper to rent from Avis if you're only doing a day trip. However, it's cheaper to pay the driver if you can share with someone flying in and out on the same schedule. It's also much less stressful. The trolley is also very easy from what I understand, just slower. When I want to get in and out the same day, I don't want to waste 2 hours on the trolley. Jennifer in AZ
  11. Oops! I forgot to add: you will need to be on liquids for 3 days after the fill with the fill day being day 1. Jennifer in AZ
  12. As for food around the hotel, I went with my family to La Casa de Mole the night before surgery and it was delicious! If you're leaving the hotel, walk counterclock wise around the traffic circle and cross 2 streets it's on the corner just past the big/bright pharmacy. It's very family-friendly and the food was amazing. Just bring a dictionary because the menu is all in spanish (mostly chicken dishes). I recommend the crema de cilantro enchiladas. If you keep walking counterclock wise around the traffic circle, there is also a Pizza Hut and a small convenice store. The store has water, juice, and gatorade. I seem to recall that the big building right next to the Lucerna said 'Spa' on it, but I don't know anything about it. My first fill was very easy (just last week!)--good luck. Jennifer in AZ
  13. Hi! I just wanted to respond because I feel like you must be my twin! I'm 30 and usually hover right around 345 (I'm higher right now according to a Dr's scale). My health is not horrible, but I can see the decline. I also have a 2 year old son that has constant energy. I need to be able to keep up! I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz on 1/14. I visited with a local doctor who I very much liked. My decision to go to Mexico and Dr. Ortiz came down to experience. The local doc has only done about 100 bands where Dr. Ortiz has done over 1500. I just could not argue with that. I hope you continue to do your research and ask questions here. Bandsters are great resources. Good luck!
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