JennaR

I had port pain for about a week that really hurt. But it was tolerable. It was sore for about 3-4 weeks after surgery. Then it ached for about another week after that. Then for the first 2 months it felt "big" whenever I ate like it was a popup thermometer from a turkey. At 4 months post op it still gets a bit sore if I eat more than I should but does not "hurt" anymore. Hope this helps.

The band needs to be a life time committment. Yes, you can have it removed, but why? Think of it like this.... You are buying a car that will last a lifetime. The car will remain shiny new and always get great gas milage as long as you do the oil changes and tune ups. The band is that car. It needs tune ups and oil changes. I also think of it like this.... On average I budget about $600 a year to spend on the band. That is only $50 a month. I have spent WAY more than $50 a month on weight loss pills, products etc. ( I once spent $300 for a 30 day supply of "guaranteed or your money back" diet pills and lets just say I am waiting for the check still).And I might not even spend my budget! Plus, I get to travel and rack up the frequent flyer miles!

Get rid of friends who are like this, as they are not true friends at all. As for family, well... we all have at least one that drives us nuts.

Look at www.lapbandtalk.com and you can do a search for "scar stages" and see pictures of peoples bellies. I am not sure what you mean by seeing the port. You can't "see" it as it is not something that sticks out of the skin. You can "feel" your port and in the beginning there is a hump around it as it is healing and settling. But that is all. The port is what caused me the most discomfort. The band was a breeze. The port was a bit more sore. As for scars, it is VERY minimal. I am VERY happy with Dr. Ortiz's suturing! He is magnificent in closing the openings. I was VERY impressed, and I am VERY picky.

Congrats to all 5 of you! Welcome to bandland!!!

Large "horse like" pills can be a challenge. Smaller pills (like birth control) are no problem, just drink plenty of water with them to wash them through the pouch. I take Adult Liquid Tylenol for any minor aches and pains. Larger pills should be crushed or cut in 1/2 if you can. Try not to do "time release" capsules. I have not had any problems. There are rumors around about NSAID's. I spoke with the doctor via cell phone last week and he states that it is a myth and there has not been any definite proof that it will cause erosion.

Apryl, If you were to go on a pre op diet, you would have known. So no worries! Have you had a phone consult with Dr. Ortiz??? If not, call and tell them you would like one and they will set up a time and day for a phone consultation. Dr. Ortiz will answer any and all questions. Other than that, you will recieve a confirmation about a week before you go to TJ from Rene. You have to fax or mail a copy of the payment check to them a week prior to coming. Other than that, you just show up. There will be a driver with your name on a board at the airport baggage area. They will whisk you away and everything will happen in a blink. About the hospital, I would bring next to nothing! A heating pad, gasx and flavored water (no carbonation) is all you will need. Also bring some socks or booties. I opted for the huge pink fuzzy slippers and that made me feel better. I also took my own pillow. I had a TON of stuff I brought to TJ I never used. It is a huge healing time and you won't be bored. I did bring my portable DVD player and watched a few movies at the hotel.

I was hungry a lot too. A lot of it is mental hunger and a lot of it is healing a bit faster and swelling going down quicker and hunger pangs are present. I think many people after it is done look back and romaticize it thinking it wasn't so bad. Kinda like childbirth... hurts like a sonofagun but after it is over, they don't "remember" the pain so much and it was all worth it. yada yada yada. It is a REALLY rough first 4 weeks. I won't even pretend to lie about it. The good news is that you won't ever have to do this again. But, try and keep positive. It is a rough 4 weeks but at the end of the 4th week you will be sooooooo glad you sticked with it!!! And it really feels like a great accomplishment. Hang in there!!! It will be over before you know it!

What kind of plastic surgery are you doing? Good luck on your appointment next month!! Wow, Europe, I would love to go there for vacation! Maybe I should find some plastic surgery to do so I can! YEAH!

I am thinking of maybe getting a little fill in late august. Anyone else for late August??

I went on a Saturday and it was not busy at all! But make sure you allow yourself enough time to get back across the border. It is busy on weekends. I was in a HUGE line on the way back. But I had a early evening flight so I had no worries. Another girl missed her plane though.

Nope, no pre op diet for me either. I do know that my band buddy who had her surgery the same day had a diet though. I think the diet was left up to her and the nutritionist but she had a goal to lose a certain amount before surgery, per doctors orders. I think it depends on case by case and what kind of health issues you already have.

Any problems with the jerky? I tried turkey jerky and it got stuck in the first bite. Plus my jaws were tired from chew chew chewing on just that one bite. Man, what a work out! Have you had any issues with it? Just wondering.

allornothing, I suggest you call their office. Rene can give you that information. I wouldn't think it would be that much more than what we pay, but who knows. If you are banded by Dr. Ortiz and Martinez the cost is $100.00 I think.

Typical day: Breakfast: small bowl of cereal snack: a few grapes lunch: 1/2 chicken breast maybe some soup, some salad, or some veggies (depending on my mood) Dinner: 2 slices of turkey with gravey 1/2 c. mashed potatos about 6-7 cut green beans cookie for desert snack: apple (chunked, cored, and peeled) Obviously I don't eat the SAME thing every day. But this is a typical day of a meal for me.

I paid $9500 in March of this year. It included all costs of surgery and a hotel and transportation. (flight cost is on your own). I don't know if the price has gone up since March, but I don't think so.

I went with my sister and mom and it was a bit of a disaster. I had to pay extra on the hotel at $17.00 per day and I didn't know before I got there. I figured a room was a room. Also, it was a bit crowded and cluttered with 3 females in one room. I should have just taken my husband with me and had mom and sis watch our son. If I had to do it over again, that is what I would definitely change. I definitely would not have wanted to be alone.

Way to go! Okay, I really really don't want to stop all the excitement but I don't want you to "crash" soon emotionally. And it is really important that new bandsters know that the pounds do not melt off normally. Most of the weight lost in the first 2 weeks is water weight. BUT, still good lbs lost!! Still an accomplishment. The weight seems to drop off quickly in the first 1-8 weeks but will then taper off and you will lose MUCH slower. Sometimes you may be at a standstill for a couple weeks. Eventually you will need to work harder at eating more healthy and keeping up a regular exercise. Many bandsters stall on weight loss because of exercise and diet. The heavier you are = the more the pound will come off without exercise. But at some point, we all reach a plateau that makes us have to work harder at it. Sorry, I just don't want some of the people reading this to think it is a "magic band". But you ARE doing a great job and have accomplished great results!!

This is my experience: First week after surgery was easyyyyyy. No hunger at all. Second week was a bit more difficult but they let you add yogurt to your list so it wasn't so bad, but I did feel hungry a lot. The third week I felt like I was starving. I had stomach cramps from not eating. I couldn't stand up straight because I was so hungry. Dr. Miranda is very serious about only liquids for first 3 weeks. I was in pain, so I called my mom's Gbypass doctor. He told me to eat some cottage cheese or some oatmeal but try and stay as close as possible to my plan. Worked like a charm. I have to admit... I cheated a bit to get rid of the cramps and had a few "mushies". I turned out okay. I think they want you to to not do mushies so that you can lose the most weight during this time (even though it is supposed to be for healing not weight loss). The post op diet is TOUGH. I am not going to lie and tell you it wasn't super tough for me. But I am glad I went through it. I think it is a "reality check" for new bandsters too. Something to say... okay, your here, this is real.

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FYI........... (just a cost effective option for those that absolutely can't go back to TJ, but I highly recommend you do. I only give this because I want you to have some type of aftercare rather than going without aftercare because you can't fly back to TJ. I still think it is best to go back to Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez.) (an email I got) Hi Jenna, Glad you wrote it's always good to hear from patients and get there feelings and feedback. Anyway we are not open to the public yet. We will be opening in late September with 90-100 Centers through out the US. We're not sure where these locations will be yet (I do believe that we will have one in the Phoenix area). But keep checking back to our website www.fillcentersusa.com as it will be updated closer to time. We will be offering a web based database so that any of our providers that you go to after visiting our center will have access to your information. For example if your on vacation in Florida and have an emergency you can visit our nearest center and receive care and they will have all your records, history, allergies etc..! You will also be able to track your weight loss, exercise, food nutrient intake and many other things via our database and communicate this with your aftercare provider via a message center within the database. And we will be offering monthly payment plans ex. 1 year programs including fills and monthly consultations that has been proven successful for excess weight loss after lap band surgery in actual practices. And for those that just want a fill, those will be starting at just $100. Out of the country, like Mexico, patients are welcome. Again thank you for your inquiry, if you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to email or give me a call! Hope to help you in the near future, JR Stratton CFO/Business Manager Fill Centers USA 866-345-5872 ext. 11 www.fillcentersusa.com jr@fillcentersusa.com

WOO HOO CHRIS!! Way to go!

I think most commonly I have come across the "talk behind her back" attitudes or the "look" complete with the wrinkled up nose and all. I have personally encountered a lot of jealousy and envy I think. No one has said "its the easy way" to me yet, but then again, I don't usually let them get that out. I change the topic. I tell them bluntly if they want to research it a little more and not make ignorant comments, only THEN will I answer the questions. I am a very blunt person. So if someone wrinkles their nose at me, I stop mid sentence and just walk away. If they ask me why, I tell them that their attitude sucks and they are not being supportive so I choose not to talk to them about it. My skinny friends don't even ever talk about it. Never a word really. My heavier friends are more the "wrinkle noses" and the "talk behind my back". I can't lie and say I haven't lost some friends over this. But, I can say that some people are seeing my success and going and having it done too. As for family, I come from an all obese family and they have all had either stomach stapling years ago or gastric bypass. The only thing I got from them was the comments of "you weren't as big as me when I did it" (as if it was a contest). But they aren't down on WLS. They are all for it. They tell me they are a bit envious that I did it when I saw it coming at obese stage rather than waiting till I was MO.

Diane, I have 35 lbs to go. But.... I only had 70 to lose in the first place. I am a low BMI patient. I am 32 and have really good elasticity. I don't think I will need it. Maybe, just maybe in the arms is all. However, I have noticed my boobies losing. Well, what is up must come down I guess. I am not sure if this is more due to the weight loss or just plain getting older and gravity taking its course. I think the heavier you are, the more likely you are to maybe have some type of PS. But..... Shell was quite heavy and she looks GREAT! So who knows... its all individual I think. Many people return to MX for their PS. For me, I am getting my boobies done next summer and I am staying in the states. A friend of mine is getting a TT right now (july 4) in Mexico and paying A LOT less than the states.

I reallyyyyyyy think it depends on the person. Had I tried to eat solid foods that first day I was filled I would have thought I was too tight. I had some swelling from the fill I think. I would have regretted eating right away because the fill was perfect 3 days later after liquids and creamies. Had I eaten, I would have probably had an unfill and would not be happy now because I would need a fill! The reason I say it is a "whole 'nother ballgame" is because before my fill I could eat like a cow and I struggled post op for about 2 weeks on solids to not gain back what I lost during the post op diet phase. But I did it and it was tough. I didn't really even have to chew and I had to concentrate on remembering I even HAD the band in there. I thought "man, is there a band in there"? ha ha.... well AFTER the fill. I felt it. A couple of bites and I am done. I had never felt a PB until AFTER the fill. An average meal for me now is 3-4 small bites of chicken, 5-6 cut green beans, 3-4 small chunks of cantelope. And I am FULL! Way full sometimes. I am most restricted in the morning. Only juice for me or I will PB on the first bite. I have to wait until about 3 hours of being awake before I can even THINK about biting into something. But wanna know the funny thing? I am not hungry and have to try and remember to eat. It is sooooooooo wierd still. Didn't mean to scare you. But... for me... having a fill was a "whole 'nother ballgame".