Autumn_22

Oh my goodness...are you getting as nervouse as I am??? I fly out tomorrow!!! I can't even believe I'm doing this really. I'm excited and all, but it still just seems surreal. I hope to see you down there! Autumn_22

Thanks guys, I'm really excited now!!! Vegas, here I come! Well, first there's surgery (only TWO days!!!). Ugh! I fly out tomorrow. Think happy thoughts for me. Autumn_22

Ok, I feel bad even asking the question but here goes...if I don't lose any weight before surgery will they really not operate? I understand that they "might not".. I was just wondering if anyone else had surgery without losing any weight first. The scale just isn't dropping for me. Thanks.

Hey Pammie, Are you talking about kitty Carmichael in Arlington? It sounds like it... Did you feel safe? That is sooo much closer to me than TJ (obviously) but everyones opinion seems to be that in no way would they ever have a fill w/o flouro or x-ray. Did you talk to them about if they had ever caused a leak in someone's port....or missed completely....or any sort of complication rate? More than money, I don't have the time to go back to TJ. I would really appreciate any and all info about it. I know the prices and about her website....I'm just wondering more about the care

I was just wondering what people's thoughts are on this..... Some friends are planning a trip to Las Vegas about one month after I am to be banded. I don't know how I'll feel then, so I am not sure whether I should plan to go with them or not. What do you guys think? I'll be in the mushies stage I think, but I'm sure every restaurant serves some sort of mushy item. Will I stll be sluggish? Will I notice any difference at all? I'd really like to go, cuz I found cheap tickets and my room would be free. Awesome, huh? I'm excited but I don't want to feeling bad when I'm there. Nobody that is going knows about my surgery and it would be nice if I kept it that way. Anyways....any thoughts??? Will I be up for a trip like that?

I live in Bellingham and will be banded the 25th. Perhaps we will meet each other in passing? I'm going alone, so I would sure enjoy another person's company, and especially from Washington!!! Are you going with someone or alone? Nervous? I had a few days where I was nervous but now I think I'm pretty much at ease with the whole ordeal. I guess the only day we'd both be at the hotel is the morning of the 27th before I fly home. There may be a possibility we cross paths while you get your pre-op tests done the day I'm having surgery. I guess we'll have to wait and see! I hope your experience goes well...Good Luck!

Hey Beth, I was wondering how much getting a fill was with Dr. Neal. I know that it's a long drive from Bellingham to Olympia, but I guess it's a long flight to TJ too! I've heard good and bad things about Dr. Neal, but the bad was mostly about bedside manner. Like you said, not very personable. I was just wondering how much he charged for the whole process with flouro and x-ray? Thanks! Autumn_22

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I will just have to pack up my bags each time and fly back to TJ. Spendy, but I do agree that it is worth it. Thanks again!

Hello. I was just wondering what people's experiences have been going to doctors for fills who don't use flouroscopy or x-ray. Any proplems? There is someone close by that does fill inexpensively but without flouro and x-ray. I know it's not as precise as going back to TJ, but that is such a long trip from up here in Washington. It would be sooooo much easier to just drive 45 minutes to my fill doc. Anyways, I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone to one of these docs and if there were any complications. Also, of those who returned to TJ for fills, how many fills did it take to get to your sweet spot? Thanks for your comments! Autumn_22

I'm not offended Nita. My boyfriend and I are over two years into our relationship and still working the quirks out. I'm not saying it's the best relationship but it's certainly isn't the worst. Most importantly, there is a lot of room for growth and improvement and we are both working on that. As far as being very disfunctional, I don't think so. Every relationship has it's secrets. Whether it's those shopping trips after work that the hubby never knows about or massages and spa treatments.....I don't know. I know this is a very different topic but it's not like I could hide it forever. I just wouldn't want to have him say really negative things before I go. I'm already nervous and feel horrible that I have to have surgery because I'm fat. My boyfriend isn't the most sensitive on that subject. My mind is already made up. It's my body and I think this will be a good tool for me. I'm sure we will have some uncomfortable conversations when I return, but for me in this situation I think it's better to have the conversations after the fact. I'm glad you had the nerve to speak your mind Nita, and in a nice tone. I guess it's fair to wrap this up by saying, to each his own. We can never fully understand someone else's situation. Autumn_22

Oh! I'm glad I'm not the only one lying to my loved ones. I haven't told ANYBODY that I'm getting this surgery, with the exception of a friend at work to suggested it to me. My boyfriend will more likely than not be angry when he finds out. He'll consider it weak that I couldn't control myself and that I needed a band to do it for me. He just doesn't have the same issues with food or weight. Anyways, it's my body and I'm comfortable with my decision. My only question is, How did you keep it a secret when your scars were in plain veiw??? I can just see a perfectly romantic night going to hell because he lifts of my shirt and SURPRISE!!! I've had surgery! Yeah, can't wait for that one! Any ideas? Not being, uh, romantic, isn't an option. Thanks everyone! Autumn_22 Surgery Date: Jan 25th

Well, the band restricts how much you can eat, thereby restricting the number of calories you can take in. If your metabolism is the problem and you aren't overeating, then I don't think that the band would be the best solution. Have you talked with your doc to see if there is anyway to jump start your metabolism? Have you had your thyroid checked? Problems with your thyroid gland can mess with your metabolism. Anyways, I think that if you aren't overeating, then the lapband and/or gastric bypass would only starve your body, forcing it to use fat stores. While that may sound nice, it would be hard on your body to do so. If you're not eating much now, then I fear you would try to eat almost nothing with the band or bypass. Plus, with the bypass you have problems with malabsorption of nutrients. Not good. Bottom line, talk with your doc to see if there is anything you can do to fix just your metabolism. I hope you find something that works for you! Autumn_22

I'm having surgery the 25th of January, flying in the 24th. I am going alone so if there are any other friendly bandsters out there with my surgery date, I'd love to chat. I'm sure I'm going to be quite nervous the night before, it'd be nice to 'know' someone else while there. For everyone else getting banded this month......GOOD LUCK!!!! I'm sure all will go perfectly, Dr. Ortiz seems to be pretty amazing. Autumn_22

Well hello everyone. I just wanted to say that I too am going to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz. I am getting fairly nervous now, but I'm sure everything will be worth it....unless you all are lying through your teeth. :-? lol Anyways, I was wondering who everyone goes to for fills in Washington. I live in Bellingham, so the closer the better. I was planning on going back to TJ for my first fill because it's under flouro, and then seeing Kitty Carmichael, a Nurse Practitioner in Arlington for minor adjustments as she doesn't fill under flouro. I don't know. Maybe it is the fine tuning that is more important and I should go to TJ for that? Just let me know anyone knows of good Dr.'s out here or bad ones. I'd like to know a bit more about what I'm getting into. If anyone wants to check out her site, it's www.northwestfills.com . The cost is awesome, 1st visit including fill is $150, after that fills are $125. Unfills are free, and fills within 3-10 days of having a regular fill are only $50. That's the best price I've found so far, and she's the closest one to me. Sounds like a winner, but I'd love to know if anyone else has seen her, or heard things about her. Thanks to everyone! All these posts I've been reading have been really helpful. Autumn_22