JennaR

Make sure you find out if it is inclusive of all costs. Many times the $12500 low prices don't include the pre op tests that add up to about $3-4k! Best of luck!!

That is a great idea!! And keep up the great attitude. I am sure the right decision will come to you soon! And I think it is great that you and your husband have such good communication. Good luck with your diet and exercise!!

I think it all depends on WHAT you are drinking during liquids. Have plenty of broth and clear soup as well as protein drinks and it is all good. I got a bit run down for awhile but when i looked at the amount of protein I was taking in, it was obvious, I needed more protein. Then I felt fine.

Heck, I am wondering how you don't know what band you have or how much it holds??? I hate to be rude but who goes and has surgery and puts an implant in and doesn't know a thing about it??? Anyways, my first fill was 2cc's in a 4cc 9.75 Inamed band.

Possibility??? Since it happens also when you are NOT eating, I would be more inclined to think it is stomach pangs (hunger growls). Eating about 1/4 of what you normally do to fill up your stomach will leave you with some crampy feelings for the first 2 months. Takes time for your stomach to say "oh I guess I really don't NEED all that food".

Bread, no matter how much you chew is a problem for a lot of bandsters. Try not doing any breads to see if it gets better. Other than that, what does the pain FEEL like. Is it a golf ball feeling? Is it a stomach cramp? Try and describe the feelings for us. Also, the doctors gave you their numbers for a reason. Call them if you need them!!! Sorry I couldn't be more help.

I had my first fill at 5 weeks and 4 days. No biggie.

Luggage??? How much luggage do you need for a day fill? An overnight bag will do ya!!!

Not gonna deny it... the post op diet sucks. All I can say is try and take it one day at a time. The first 4 weeks are a killer, but you CAN get through it. It is the most important healing time. As for the port pain... totally normal. I had some major discomfort for the first 6 weeks. I sat leaning into the port side with a pillow and that helped A LOT. Also the heating pad made it feel better. I always felt like the band was going to just fall out and pop out of the port area. It does get better with time.

This is a forum associated with Dr. Ortiz. Therefore, most all of us are his patients. Therefore, most all of us have had the surgery in Mexico. And yes... I am very happy and have a healthy band.

Probably breast implants for me. Other than that, nothing.

Being a student, you will have a lot of walking and such to/from classes and carrying a bag right? I had the surgery on Wed and was back to work (as a teacher) on Monday. I was definitely a bit "slower" but felt fine generally. I did some walking in the classroom teaching but was teaching from the desk a lot and they did "independent or group book work" for the first two days. Eating on campus was a bit difficult as they don't cater to your post operative diet. So bring some liquids. I don't know if I would have been all that great to go up and down stairs, across campus, carry a backpack around and everything else. My suggestion is to PLAN ahead and ask your teachers for Monday and Tuesday's assignments, plan on going back on Wed. If you need the time, great.... if you don't, great. Also, have your mom talk to the school about taking you OUT of P.E. class for at least the first 4-6 weeks and maybe get a study hall instead. If you are NOT planning on telling your friends or other students, I would bold face lie about it and tell them you had your appendix out. If you ARE planning on being open and telling people, just know that if you tell one or two, they will ALL know soon. Friendships are a bit wierd in high school and even as adults the "secrets" we tell our friends come out. So make your decision wisely. Kids can be cruel, as you probably already know by being an overweight teen. And... it is none of their business.

You don't have to have yogurt. The 4 week post op phase may be a little tougher for you can always do creamy soups, jello, sugar free popsicles, sf pudding, etc.

From the airport, take the city bus to the blue line train. Take the shuttle train to the border. Walk across the border. Whistle and get a cab (about $5-$6) to the clinic. Reverse steps going back.

Dunno, wasn't told that.

Welcome home Melissa! And glad to hear everything went fanbandtastic!!! Welcome to bandland!

So glad you are all back and doing well! Welcome to bandland and the beginning of the rest of your healthy lifestyle!!!

The first 6 weeks is NOT for weight loss. Some people do gain a small amount. The first 6 weeks is for healing only. Just try and follow what Dr. Miranda taught you. The first 6 weeks is hard because you really want to have results. Try and find things to do such as experimenting with what exercises you can do that you enjoy, or paint that room that you haven't gotten around to, or organize the junk drawers in the kitchen..... just do something. I know it is depressing but the weight loss will come. You have no restriction right now so the band is merely a bracelet around the stomach. No worries, soon it will be a choke collar!! Dr. Martinez will not do a fill before 6 weeks.

Yep, totally normal.... Wait till you have to sneeze this week! OHHHHHHHHH doggies! Queen and Brick...... I hope all is going well! CHECK IN SOON WITH US!!!

Melissa, Congrats! I know it is getting stressful and you are anxious! It is so exciting to be starting your new chapter in your life and it is a new beginning of sorts. We will think of you! GOOD LUCK AND CHECK IN SOON!!!

I think Dr. Ortiz is about 3 weeks out in scheduling. I have also heard of people having only 1 week. It all depends on if anyone cancelled, how many he has that day, etc etc. My suggestion would be to call Sandy in scheduling. Yes, they send you a heap of papers to fill out about history, personal info, etc. You fax/mail that back to him. You also get a phone consultation with the doctor if you choose to. He will ask you questions, and you will ask him questions. My phone consult was 40 minutes long and I never felt rushed or like I was annoying him. He was VERY awesome on the phone. I will be honest, the phone consult is what sold me on him.

There have been A LOT of band babies. There could have been many things that contributed to a miscarriage. For example, her age. I am assuming since she already had two kids she is a bit older (I could be wrong). But the older you get the harder a pregnancy is regardless of the number of kids. And sometimes there isn't a reason at all, it is just because. There is a lot of information about pregnancy with the band on www.lapbandtalk.com, they may be able to help you more.

I will tell you that it is almost impossible to hide it. People just know or they suspect. I tried to "live in the closet" but after a week I just felt like I was lying all the time, deceiving, or just plain sneaky. So I just told them. No one really cared ha ha. Plus, one of the girls I work with is thanking me up one side and down the other because now she can have the courage to do it. If I had never said anything and she thought I did it "on my own" then she would have been discouraged. Now she knows it works. She has seen me do it. So I am just open and honest about it. It just comes up a lot. Whether it was out at lunch or going to a pampered chef party. It wasn't easy to try and hide it. It was MUCH easier and less stress to just tell them. And if someone is remotely negative, I just walk away. Whatever to them!

Yes, Dr. Ortiz came to the hotel the morning we left. Wasn't really much of a medical check up as more of a saying farewell and if there were any last minute questions in the lobby area. Very professional and I thought it was great. His mother is in and out too. Very helpful. Depends on what time everyone is going to the airport. They like to pile everyone in on one trip. So it depends on everyone needing to go to the airport. (example: my flight was at 2pm but another person had their flight at 11 am so we left the hotel at 8am). Don't you live in San Diego though??? Maybe you could just tip the driver extra to take you straight home after dropping everyone off at the airport? If you are flying.... If I may, I suggest getting a porter and a wheelchair at the airport. Saturdays are busy at the airport and it makes it easier going through security and going to the terminal and getting on the plane. (I tipped my porter $7 when it was done). WELL worth it. Depends on you going back to work. And depends on your type of job I think. I had surgery on Wed and was back to work at a desk job on Monday with little problems. I was still sore and moved a bit slower and was tired at the end of the day but I was not in pain. Dr. Ortiz is a fantastic surgeon and you are in good hands with him. I know it is hard to relax, I went through it too! But try. Try going to the spa, getting a massage. That is what worked for me! I think I had 3 or 4 the week before the surgery and I normally do 1 every 3-4 months ha ha ha.

Pick up by center staff at the airport is $65 I think round trip??? But shell says 55, so call and check. Many people (like me) just give ourselves a couple hours to dawdle our way down there by bus and trolley (about $5) but takes some finesse and street common sense. Some people don't even want to mess with it or the hassle. I think of it as an adventure! I was told in May to do liquids for 24-48 hours after my fill. That may have changed to 3 full days... (to be quite honest, I will probably not be doing and just do about 36-48 hours instead). Fill was not "painful" for me but stung a little bit. Like a bee sting. Was a bit surprising but not really "painful", more uncomfortable. It made me take a deep gasp at first but not so painful I was crying or screaming or anything drastic. When they take the air out it felt like I was tight and had pressure but still not painful. The wierdest thing was this big long needle ( I choose not to look at it, it bothers me) sticking out and sitting up with it boinging around while he adds and takes out fluid. Was strange, but still not painful. The barium taste is gross but I guess not as gross as it used to be before they added some flavor. I gagged a bit but I got it down with some effort. I recommend staying in San Diego only for the atmosphere and more "to do". There is only so much Tijuana shopping I can do in their stores. I wanted to do more beachy stuff so I am going to stay in San Diego. I am going with my hubby on Sept 24 for my second fill. This is just my experience. And a warning.... I am a big baby so I don't think I am the norm. Most people say it is a breeze and didn't feel nothing. Although in my experience thus far it was fairly easy, there was definitely feeling to it.