grandmax3

I can only give my own personal experience. I'm 62 and was extremely anxious. I was banded on a Tuesday morning; everything went smoothly, though I slept most of the day (my surgery was around 10:00 am, I think). There was a fair amount of gas pain in my neck and stomach the next day, but liquid Tylenol took care of it. I returned home on Thursday and back to work the next Tuesday (desk job). The neck pain was off and on for about two weeks - especially if I ate too fast, but it wasn't anything severe, at all. Good luck. - Katie

I have trouble with chewables being too dry and chalky; someone on SmartBandsters recommended Viactiv soft multi-vitamin chews. I tried them, and they are delicious. I take the chocolate multi-vitamin, and the carmel calcium. They're available everywhere - Stater Brothers, Wal-Mart (I think), etc. - Katie 5/3/2005 Dr Ortiz

Hi Shell - sorry I missed meeting you on Monday; I made a "bandster mistake" Sunday, ate about six wheat thins very fast, and had a really miserable afternoon - they got stuck, and I was nauseated, etc etc all afternoon and through Monday. So I called Rene Monday morning when the center opened and told him what happened and that I didn't think I should come for a fill, and he agreed. Hope your fill went well and that I'll meet you at a meeting sometime. - Katie

Hi Tracy - this isn't a response - it's a question... I"m just wondering how much of a fill you had? I'm going for my first fill on Monday, June 20th ... am definitely not looking forward to bloating and gas! I hope you feel lots better, soon! - Katie

This is a response from a "new" bandster - and I second Michelle's response in all respects. I was just banded on May 3, 2005; have lost 19 pounds so far, and am scheduled with Dr Martinez for a fill this Monday. Both Dr Ortiz and Dr Martinez are the most caring, compassionate, PATIENT, kind doctors I've ever met. I had a 45-minute telephone conference with Dr Ortiz in April, before deciding to do this - and he answered every question I could think of. Also, during the surgery Dr Ortiz fixed a hiatal hernia, for no extra charge; my US doctor had never even CHECKED me for a hiatal hernia in spite of stomach aches lasting for months. I haven't had a stomach ache since my surgery! My 42-year-old daughter, who was extremely skeptical of Mexico, accompanied me, and found both doctors very responsive, patient, and knowledgeable. This is major surgery; you don't want "just anyone" --- you have chosen the very best; congratulations! - Katie

If you will need more than one hotel room (I took my 42-year-old daughter and we wanted separate rooms), you will have to pay for the extra one - it's $75/night. As far as I know, it's not getting IN to Mexico that requires ID; it's returning into the US. A valid driver's license, with photo, will do ... I wasn't aware that after 2007 we'll need a passport, and I don't have one so that'll be a big problem for me.

Has anyone driven to the border, left the car on the US side, walked across and then taken a taxi to the clinic? I'm going for a fill, and it will take me two hours by train and trolley to get to the border so I'm thinking of driving to the border and walking across. After a fill, will I feel like walking back across the border? Is it very far? Thanks for any suggestions.

I was banded on a Tuesday (5/3/2005), and returned to work the next Tuesday, which was really too soon for me, but I didn't have any sick time and that was all the vacation I could take. On the clear liquids phase I was very tired, and still had quite a bit of gas. On day 10, when I could add protein, my energy picked up, but for that second week it was tough coming to work, and I have a sedentary job and my own office. I would have been quite uncomfortable going camping ... but perhaps you will be different - I guess it depends on how much energy you have to begin with. Good luck!

Addition: I was able to reach the center around 9:30; it could be that the voice mail system doesn't begin until the business hours start, at 9:00 ... sorry for the mis-information in my post! I'm scheduled for a fill, now. - Katie

Hi everyone - I've been trying to reach the center office at 1-866-376-7849 to schedule a fill, and usually they have a voice mail where you put in an extension number, but it just rings and rings and rings, and there's no answer at all. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I schedule a fill? This is my first one, and all the other numbers (i.e., cell phone numbers) are at home. I"m at work --- thanks. - Katie 5/3/2005

Hi Orlando 78 - I had a different problem than yours in that I'm over 60 and have no "significant" health problems, which means it's almost imposssible to get insurance approval in the US for this surgery, so I opted to self-pay and go to Drs Ortiz and Martinez. Also, I have a good friend who was banded by them in April, 2004, and was very happy with the results. I was just banded recently, on 5/3/2005, and have lost 17.5 pounds already - I gave away some of my winter coats as I am that certain this weight, finally, will not be gained back! Dr Ortiz has an incredibly impressive "resume" - and both of them are absolutely wonderful. They are patient, and caring, and don't rush in and out of your room in 5 minutes the way my US doctor does. I can't recommend them highly enough - and same said for Sandy - she is the best! So go for it, and good luck to you! - Katie

I don't know what a "jp drain" is either, but I don't think I had any sort of "drain" that got taken out. -Katir

Hi there - I was banded on May 3, 2005, and had a problem similar to yours - except it wasn't my husband (I'm not married), it was my 42-year-old daughter who had strong reservations about Mexico. Being as it was my daughter, I simply presented it to her as "this is what I'm going to do"... told her I had done all the research and was convinced that Dr. Ortiz is the best there is. I wrote her a 1-1/2 page memo about it and asked for her support. She ended up coming with me (rather a surprise!), was impressed by the hotel - said it's similar to those in Europe; and was very impressed with Drs Ortiz and Martinez. She learned a lot while sitting in the clinic waiting room while I was having my EKG and blood work and consultation with the nutritionist, and said that while I was in surgery, Dr Martinez answered all her questions. I told her the best gift she could give me for Mother's Day was her support; and she did. Dr Ortiz is absolutely the best there is; is much better that you go to TJ and get the best, than that you have it done in the US by someone who may not be as experienced. Have you pulled Dr Ortiz's curriculum vitae from this web site and shown it to your husband? I was very impressed with that. Good luck! - Katie

I was banded on 5/3/2005 and am still on liquids ... my banding took place on a Tuesday and I returned to work the next Tuesday, but was very very tired until day 10 when I was able to add protein. My body needs lots of protein. One thing that has helped with mid-afternoon energy slumps is Propel fitness water - it has Vitamins C, E, B6 and B12 and I don't know how I'd have been able to work without it. - Katie

Thanks everyone - especially KarenB and JennaR - it was the change in the instructions that confused me, as it seems most other doctors recommend a transition stage of mushies. I have the printed instructions from Dr. Miranda and now remember her stating "no mushies" and discussing what "mushies" are. But, I wasn't clear as to whether that's once you start solid foods, or what. My instructions only go through week 3. I haven't had any luck emailing Dr. Miranda - I've tried it three times, and my questions haven't been answered. Thanks again. Katie

HI Jenn - I was only recently banded - on May 3, 2005, so am not an "expert" at this but will answer your questions as best I can. 1. Re constipation, I had a little of this the first week but nothing serious - I drank apple juice the first few days. I don't know what happens once we begin adding solid food but can tell you I'm really looking forward to it. 2. Re the hospital in TJ. My 42-year-old daughter came with me, and is absolutely terrified of hospitals. When we entered the waiting room she was very relieved as it did not look "hospital - like" - more like a doctor's waiting room. However, the facility is immaculately clean - small, only four rooms (I think - maybe a few more), the care is excellent, and Drs Ortiz and Martinez give you the best of care. The surgery room itself is quite large, and they have several people (about six that I could count) to take care of you. Overall, the experience was excellent, and yes, I would do it again, absolutely! 3. Pack light because you don't need much, and you have to schlepp your suitcase around a bit. I left mine in the hotel while I was at the hospital, but a few other people took their whole suitcase to the hospital with them - I don't know why. I just took my toothbrush, nightgown and slippers, and some knitting to the hospital with me. Best of luck! Katie

Sure - I think a weekly weigh in challenge would be fun. - Katie 238.5/228.5/160 5/3/2005

Hi everyone: I was banded on May 3, 2005; I've been on boullion, jello, etc. for week one, and we were told that on day 8 we can have non-fat yogurt (thank heavens - it tasted delicious!), and on day 10 add protein drinks. My questions are: (1) when can we have creamier soups? and (2) is there a phase when we start solid food when we are supposed to have it mushy? I wasn't able to get answers from the clinic, although I thought the care of Drs Ortiz and Martinez was absolutely wonderful. Thanks for any information anyone can provide. Katie 5/3/2005 Still at pre-banded weight

THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE INFO! Glad to hear about the electricity; my daughter will just have to do without internet access for a few days and RELAX (HA!) !!! Nice to hear the good comments re the doctors.

Hi everyone: I'm being banded on May 3d and my daughter's going with me; she's self employed and needs to work during her many hours at the hotel. She asked me whether (1) our cell phones will work in TJ (I live in San Diego), (2) the electrical outlets are the same down there as they are in the States or whether she'll need an adapter for her laptop; and (3) does the Lucerna Hotel have internet access? When I call the hotel I get a travel service, and haven't been able to reach anyone at the center all day. Any assistance appreciated; thank you!

I'm scheduled for the surgery on May 4th and am a bit nervous - just want it to be over. How has everyone handled the questions people have? I have to tell my oldest daughter what I'm doing, since I"m going out of town. She's 40 and I know she'll argue with me about it. I told my youngest daughter yesterday that I had made this decision - she didn't approve. Thanks for any suggestions. Kathryn in Oceanside