JennaR

Sounds like you are doing what we call "sliming". It is when the food is either going down to fast or not chewed properly. In order for the food to be passed through the stoma for digestion the stomach and esophagus produce lubrication in mass amounts (ie slime). It is your body trying to get the food down naturally. The slime builds and builds and only has two options. 1. It finally pushed the stuck food away or through or 2. it comes up in a slimey stringy grotesque mess

Try stretching up the sky (several times). Hands above the head and fingertips reaching to the ceiling and on tippy toes, relax, then do it again. Somewhat will relax you and help the food pass (at least this works for me).

Cold before meals: yes it does work but is temporary and does add the liquid to the solid foods. Plus, if you do it too fast you could completely ruin any chance of eating because you are PB'ing on the cold liquid.

Hot in the morning to make you relax: Yes, this works too. But be careful, sometimes the restriction is a GOOD thing and you don't really WANT it to relax.

You are not filled yet. The first 6-8 weeks is for healing from the placement not concentrated on the weight loss. Don't panic, it will happen. Just take this time to HEAL properly. The post op diet is TOUGH, no doubt about it. Once you get through this, and your band has had time to set and settle.... you will get your fill and life will be different.

The only side effect that I have noticed is that the lapband is LONGTERM and not LIFELONG. The band is not designed to be permanant. Inamed has confirmed this to me as the band will need additional surgeries and "maintenance" to keep working. I wish I had known this beforehand. But.... my band is doing its job and working very well for me. I have lost my weight and am down to my last few pounds. I love my band and will be sad when something happens that makes it "expire" but I will not reband, I will convert to bypass at that time.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?...ght=scar+stages

Here is a link to a forum that has my scars posted on them and several other bandsters from all over. Enjoy.

Although french fries are one of the worst foods you can eat (fried and carbs) I could eat them just fine if I wanted to. But I CHOOSE not to. But they are not a problem.

Fresh doughy bread is an issue for me, but then again, I don't really want to be able to eat it. I can eat crackers and such just fine.

the $1000 PROMOTION runs thru may so far from what i have been told

Well darn it, I want it to be retroactive. I paid full price. I love a deal too!

Any suggestions on fills? I was banded two weeks ago, but with the price of airfare climbing every day I went ahead and booked a fill for June 12 to save on airline fees. Dr. Martinez is scheduled to do my fill. I'd like to hear experiences of others who have had their first fill done. Thanks!

What would you like to know? Do you have specific questions or concerns?

Just because you CAN eat, doesn't mean you SHOULD. The first 6 weeks are difficult for us all. Try and stick to the diet that was recommended. That does NOT include the mashed meatballs.

SOMEWHERE I READ WHERE THERE IS A WEB SITE THAT WILL HELP YOU TO FIND DOCTORS IN THE US FOR FOLLOWUPS AND FILLS, DOES ANYONE HAVE THAT WEBSITE? HOWEVER I HEARD THEY CAN COST UPTO $600. IT MIGHT BE BETTER TO FLY BACK AND FORTH TO MEXICO. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET A FILL BY DR ORTIZ? I AM PLANNING ON HAVING THE SURGERY SOON. I AM STILL DOING SOME RESEARCH. I AM ALSO READING DR ORTIZ BOOK WHICH HAS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION. I AM ALSO CONTEMPLATING GOING ALONE. WILL I BE ABLE TO LIFT MY OWN LUGGAGE. SOMEONE MENTIONED REQUESTING A WHEEL CHAIR AT THE AIRPORT. SO I WAS THINKING MAYBE I NEED TO BRING SOMEONE WITH ME. I HAVE A CAZZILLION THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT. I DON'T TAKE BLOOD AND I NEED TO FIND OUT HOW DR ORTIZ FEELS ON THAT ISSUE AND ALSO THE FACT THAT I HAVE AND IUD AND AM WONDERING IF THAT WILL AFFECT ANYTHING AT ALL. I REALLY ENJOYED CHELLEY'S STORY IT WAS VERY VERY DETAILED. I ALSO WANTED TO KNOW IF THE $1000 PROMOTION IS SOMETHING THAT RUNS ALL YEAR? ANY ADVICE OR COMMENTS WELCOME.

His fill charge is $100 I believe. I found that it is cheaper to just fly back to TJ if I need one. The site I think your talking about is www.fillcentersusa.com I have only needed 2 fills in the past year. Flights are fairly cheap, so I have spent about $400 on fills so far and won't need another for some time as I am at a good level. Don't know anything about a promotion so dunno.

Ok I thought it was just me until I saw a couple of lady's at work that had the surgery and there face is broke out now. This is a bad side effect of the surgery . My skin was clear and now i have breakouts several times a month.

Thank you for the heads up on the medicine. I will mention that to my dermatologist.

Yep, anytime. But be careful with the stuff. It is potent and will dry you out QUICK if you use too much. One tube has lasted me almost 5 months now and I still have some left. Don't put it all over but in the areas that break out only, otherwise you will dry out and it feels chapped. But the stuff works like magic!

The wait times vary. Sometimes he gets you in within a week. Sometimes it can be a month. I wouldn't guess it would be longer than a month out for scheduling. That being said, make sure you research research research!!

There is a ton of informatin at www.lapbandtalk.com

First of all, let me say congratulations on your weight loss. 73lbs is wonderful in two months. I have not had the surgery yet however, I do know that a common issue with people that are over weight is a hormone imbalance. Sometimes menstral cycles are even affected. It could be, that your hormones are now working and maybe that is contributing to your acne. Have you consulted your primary care physician or a dematologist?

Yep, I see a dermatologist now. Ask him about the prescription face gel called "Duac".

Welcome to bandland and a whole new you!

Hi--I'm to have an endoscopy by Dr. Manuel Juncua later this month--this is who Dr. Ortiz sends his patients too, and I was hoping someone else had had an endoscopy by him. I've never had one before--I'm nervous, and the doctor's web site is in Spanish, which I can't read.

Specifically, I'm concerned about anesthesia--what's used? does the procedure hurt? ie. Anyone out there who can help me? Thanks so much--Jigglypuff

Try looking up Shell in the members list and email her. I think she did.

So what do you do about antibotics? Those are in capsules usually? They can usually be opened but that seems a bit odd.

If they are small enough, you can swallow them. Otherwise you open them and put them in some applesauce (or the like). But most antibiotics are in horse pill form (solid) and will be crushed or broken in pieces to take. Or you can get the injection of antibiotics. Make SURE you get your flu shot every year. This is VERY important as you really don't want to wretch through the stomach flu. It is horrid.

Yep, everyone I told WHERE I was going freaked out. But all was good. There is just a lot of rumors and stigmatism to Tijuana and Mexico. "dirty cut" "taking kidneys" "sex with donkeys" Yada yada yada. Blah blah blah. I am sure there are bad places and under the table surgeries there, but they are in the US too. Look at the abortion market! In the states that have banned the abortions recently, there are women getting seriously sick going to bad places. Surgery in Mexico isn't like a hospital here, but it isn't necessarily bad either. The look of things is "different" but it is acceptable.

Re: the fill. Wait until after the cruise. At 7 weeks post op, you won't be able to eat a ton anyways but at least you might be able to enjoy some things that you won't later, like breads.

I am scheduled to be banded on 4/14 and I am wondering if I will ever be able to take pills ever again? I have looked on the many discussion websites and have never seen this addressed. Take for instance antibiotics, birth control, or another prescription medication. Can anyone address this?

Pills same or smaller than a pencil eraser can be swallowed. Warm liquids help it go down easier. Larger pills can be crushed (I mix the crushed in applesauce and it is fine). Pills that are time release can't be taken. Gel cap pills can be broken and swallowed but its yucky. For Tylenol issues, most of us use the adult strength liquid available at most common drug stores. As far as NSAIDS, there is debate about the issue. Some doctors say that NSAIDS create or promote erosion and to never ever take them. Some say it doesn't make a difference. NSAIDS are the steroidal medications (like Aleve, Ibuprofen, anti inflamatories, etc). If you need this, check with your doctor and he can give you an injectable. I stay away from all of the NSAIDS. I take the shot if I need it. No use taking the chance with a $10k investment.

JAS... Im pretty sure we all went to Tijuana, Mexico and Dr. Ariel Ortiz did our lapband surgeries... He is a great, great doctor and you will be treated very very well by him and his staff.

Actually, there are MANY people on here that come in because of the site. This is Dr. Ortiz's forum but not all of them are his patients. Many of the people that post here that are researching into the lapband have no intention of going to Mexico for it. This site just comes up on a search and they go into the forum. The fact that there is only one post by this person leads me to believe they were just surfing and posted and isn't an Ortiz patient at all.

To me, it is all sour grapes. That is terrible that you haven't had a good experience but MANY people do have good loss with their bands. For you to generalize just your experience against the thousands that do have good loss is unfair. Plus, you are new to this forum and have posted 1 time and you post this? And then don't ever come back again? No credibility in my mind. I am sorry for what you went through, but your negativity about what other people should do with their bodies is not right.

I am also very particular about where I sleep on vacations. I will NEVER sleep in some motel6 or Super8 type motel. It is definitely a "hotel" rather than a motel. It isn't the Ritz but it isn't some shady hourly place either. The lobby is beautiful. The rooms are average. The restraunt has great food. The lobby staff are very helpful. The pool and courtyard are above average. I think it is probably one of the nicest hotels in Tijuana. It isn't Club Med, but it is comfortable, safe and clean.

Hey Everyone,

Leaving for TJ on Wednesday. I am getting excited. My hubby and I are going to make a vacation of it and stay a few extra days. I was shocked when I saw the weather report. I thought it was always hot there. So much for my plans. Anyway ... can anyone tell me about their experience at Dr. Ortiz's preferred hotel. They say it's a 5 star property. But is 5 star the same in Mexico as it is here in the U.S?

Lynn

No, The star rating is not the same as US. I would give it a 3 1/2 or 4 stars. But it is clean, beautiful lobby, good restraunt with good food, free internet and close to about everything. I did like the hotel. I say if you are going to make a vacation of it, why not splurge and see downtown San Diego? After the 3 days at the hotel/hospital, I think you would want to see other things.

It is true that you may lose more but typically not more than the 1-2 lbs a week. For those of us who only have 50-70 lbs to lose, we tend to lose it slower and work harder at it. The first 50-70 for you just may be easier and not such a struggle with choices and exercise. But the 1-2 lbs a week (averaged) is normal for all of us.

Don't expect to lose weight before your first fill. It is for healing only, not geared toward weight loss. I know it is exciting and you want to see results but many many bandsters do not see any results until after their first fill.

what types of tests are run? Nutritionist counseling, EKG, Blood work

what happens if you lose weight, but not 10% before your surgery? It is rumored that you can be denied for surgery and you will have wasted your time going down there. But I have never known anyone to be turned away.

anyone had problems quitting smoking? I quit for 2 weeks before surgery and started again a week after surgery. Still trying to quit again though. It is really important that you do the 2 weeks before surgery though.

The carbonation bubbles are thought to "expand" and stretch the pouch. Therefore, needing fills faster and more restricted and eventually resulting in low weight loss due to constant pouch expansion. Others have told me that it is also uncomfortable. At least, this is the theory. And I am not about to test it.