JennaR

Yes, Dr. Martinez has told me twice now that if we do nothing else, we need to be checked by him at least once a year. A regular check is free with no fill. If you get your fills from him then he checks you as he is doing it anyway.

Absolutely terrific weight loss! Way to go!

The first initial surgery trip is a breeze because Dr. Ortiz has the entire trip planned and the transportation is organized for you. On the fill trips is when you have more to plan. You will be whisked one way and then the other. My suggestion... just buckle up and hang on for the ride, it goes quickly! I had a HUGE Pepsi addiction. I quit 3 weeks before surgery cold turkey. At first, I felt like crap for a week (body needed the caffeine and sugar to sustain the addiction?), but then I felt MUCH better. Even better than before. I substituted the soda pop with juice, gatorade, fruit h2o waters, propel, anything non carbonated I could get my hands on. I also sucked on mints a lot, which made me not want to mess up my fresh mouth with any liquids at all but water. It is almost 7 months post surgery and still have not had any soda pop. Now, I don't even miss it. GOOD LUCK!!!

ccdc, How long have you been banded???

Hmmmm, still stumped. I wish I could help more. All I can do is be supportive of this difficult and frustating time for you. I am sorry you aren't getting the results that you expected. I wish I could be of more help. And I am confused about the fill you got. Dr. Martinez ALWAYS pulls out the old fluid. And I have never heard from anyone he did not. Maybe he just didn't tell you? Heck, I dunno what to say.

Sure! Email me at sunsetsandstars@juno.com I would be happy to answer any questions. HUGS!

I am totally stumped. You have 3 cc's in a 4 cc band and you are eating everything in sight and gaining weight???? How is that possible? Are you following the band rules? Protein first, then veggies, then carbs? Are you drinking with meals? I am totally stumped. I was definitely able to feel a difference after a fill. And I was FORCED to eat less. Granted, the band doesn't make healthy choices for you but if you make them, it should work. I disagree, I do not think it is normal when you have your band 75% full. Was doctor Martinez able to take out all of the 2 cc first fill or were you missing it? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...... tell us what a normal day of meals are for you???

Insurance did not pay for my surgery. I paid cash for my surgery with Dr. Ortiz. The cost was about $10,000 with my flight. I took a personal loan for the money. Some people save, some people cash in 401k's, some people put it all on a airmile credit card, and I have even some people ebay their hearts out selling stuff to save the money. There is also loans or equity loans. To me... it was the best damn money I ever spent. Even over the past 10 years I would guess I spent the same amount on programs, pills, books, diets, etc etc etc.

If you use the clinic service they will charge you again for a return trip. If cheaper is what you want to do..... 1. take a cab from the hotel to the border ($5) 2. Stand in line (it moves quickly) to cross the border 3. Pay $2.25 per person for the tram that is right at the border (about 20 ft from the entrance on the american side) and ride it until American Plaza. 4. Go grab the bus, the airport flyer, #998 I think. Show them your tram passes. They are good for the transfer and you pay nothing. 5. Tell the bus driver which airline. Sit up front so you can hear him call it. 6. VIOLA! you are there for about $9.50

Keep up the good work! And welcome to bandland. You said banded by Dr. Martinez. Is he doing bands by himself now??? Dr. Ortiz was not there???

Hi BB, So glad to hear all went well. That's a good idea about the panties. I just leaned into a pillow and felt better. How do you feel flying? Whenever I fly I can't eat or drink anything as I swear I am closed off completely! Maybe it is all in my head, but spit doesn't even go down well. I have always been an excellent flyer too (my preferred method of travel). Do you notice more of a strangulation type feeling when you reach certain altitudes? And can you feel it when they release cabin pressure. I swear I can, just wondering if I am nutty though.

I was a lower BMI of 33 patient. I am 5'9" and weighed 220. I currently, after 6 months, weigh 175 (and still working, its getting a lot harder now to take off the last 25 or so). The weight does not melt off easily, it is some work, especially for those of us with less to lose I think. Not that it is "harder" just different because you are starting where others are towards the end of their weight loss goal. You can not see the port, but yes, you can feel it. It feels like somewhat of a knot on the side but it does not hurt. If they specifically pressed and pushed there, yes they could probably feel it. The scars also would be an indication of something in an intimate situation. However, it really isn't hindering at all. My husband has never really even paid attention to it other than in the beginning to "be careful not to hurt Elby" (my band's name hee hee). It doesn't "pop out" but when I lie on my back flat there is a slight (and I mean slight) bulge where the port is. Hope this helped! Good luck!!

This is Dr. Ortiz's forum. 99% of us are Dr. Ortiz patients. Sorry, I can't help much. Maybe check his website and see if he has a forum too??? Or... try www.lapbandtalk.com and do a search for his name. Good luck!

This is Dr. Ortiz's forum. 99% of us are Dr. Ortiz patients. Sorry, I can't help much. Maybe check his website and see if he has a forum too??? Good luck!

It really is all an individual guessing game. A lot of trial and error after the first fill. I had 1.8 for the first fill, .8 added for the second fill (.1cc is 2 drops from a syringe, so it isn't much). Try not to compare your fill to others, as everyone had a different fill level and it is designed for your body. I know its hard, but you'll make yourself nuts trying to compare. As for breakfast, I can't help there. I am one of those people that can't even THINK about eating breakfast. Getting water down is a chore in the morning. Once afternoon hits, I open up well. Someone (thanks Shell) told me that if you drink warm liquid in the morning it will go down easier (she was right). So a cup of hot tea for me in the morning to get me going and that is it. As for afternoons, I am also a "on the go" type of girl. You can still eat fast food, you just have to choose healthy. I usually do some type of chicken sandwich and throw the bun away. Or Subway is really good to me about just making a special "cup 'o tuna" for me and charging me 1/2 price (love them!). I have also been known to do Chinese take out chicken chow mein when I get the craving. But that is rare as just one order will last me 3-4 lunches and I get really sick of it after day 2. Another idea is to stop into the local grocery store and go to the deli. I get sliced turkey or chicken and it goes "on the go" just fine in the plastic deli bag. I munch on it as I drive. Pre packaged things aren't totally no-no either, I do the frozen dinner South Beach or Lean Cuisine meals all the time. Before the band I would balk at them because the portions were too small. Now they are perfect! Imagine that!!! If after eating, you feel fine and go 4+ hours without eating and not being hungry, I would say that is great!!! When I got the surgery, I planned for 3 trips in my budget to CA for fills. I have had 2 fills (banded March, fill May, Fill Sept). I don't expect to have to have a third until my yearly check up in March. I am learning to deal with the more restriction although I make a lot of "oopsies". I expect I will have more of a routine down pat soon. Good luck! I hope this helped!!!

Ya know what the funny thing is??? I would have paid triple what I did to get the band!! Nope, no regrets!

Some gain, some lose, some lose little. It varies so much person to person. Another thing you must remember that you are weighing yourself on a totally different scale than the one at the center. From my house, my mom's house, Dr. Ortiz's office, my doc's office I get 4 different weights. No worries, it will all happen soon!

My mom was a very large woman (she was well over 350, 5'8"). And when I was younger it worked out great because yes, we did just put the arm rest up. I don't think they can REQUIRE you to buy another seat but I don't know. I do know that MANY times they were very persistant when my mom was traveling alone to upgrade to first class or business class where the seats are much bigger. In truth, she was much happier to do that too. At first it bothered her, but then she realized that she truly was more comfortable and it was worth every penny to not be stressed.

This is a forum board for Dr. Ortiz patients mostly. Most of us (I would say about 99%) are Ortiz/Martinez patients. Maybe that doctor has a site that has a forum? Or check with other websites or yahoo groups maybe for more info? Sorry we couldn't be of more help.

I agree with what Shell says.

Yep, I am guilty too. I have chewed and spit for the taste and mental hunger. I did it with a cheesecake, even grosser! But did I read your post right of "after 6 weeks of mushies"???? There are NO mushy stages in Dr. Miranda's diet plan. She absolutely forbids them actually. So what are you talking about here? I eat Tortillas all the time post band. Yummyyyyyyyy!

Some people do. It isn't actually weight gain though. Don't let the "pounds" fool you. Some people lose 15 lbs the first week and get ALL excited. But it really isn't fat they are losing but water weight. Some people gain and feel all bloated and fluffy. No worries. Just do your best at the post op diet... wait for the fill and then hold on for the ride! Plus, not all scales are the same. The one at my house says I am 178. The one at my mom's house says I am 183. The one at the doctors says I am 175. All are digital. So go figure.

Ok.......... Who has their fill appointment next weekend?????

I had my surgery March 2005. I couldn't be happier with my band.

I didn't tell my doctor. Mainly because I had met so much resistance and ignorance about going to Mexico for it. Told him when I had it done and shut the conversation down when it went negative. I have new health insurance after I got banded and have had no problems. But then again, I don't have any band related problems either. As far as life insurance goes, they actually made mine at a LOWER rate since I was no longer in the Obesity category. All depends on the company though I guess. Hope these experiences helped!