stevek

Thanks for the response- planned to talk to the Doctor- hoping not to have to go back but... se la vie!

thanks for the help- how do I contact dolittle?

Hi everyone Does anyone have information on issues with the port protruding out of the abdomen and what can be done about it? I've had good weight loss success and have been regularly exercising so the abs are tightening and the stomach fat is dropping off. The result is that the port is definately visible and obvious. Any help would be much appreciated- thanks!

It should be tolerable in another week or so and healed up 3-4 weeks out. I still feel it a little sometimes during strenuos acivity but for the mos part, it's not an issue. Good luck on the weight loss-that will help make everything better!

Probably felling better now but if pain persists, the walking is key but you may get some relief from sucking on peppermint hard candy. Not the artificial kind but something that actaully has peppermint as an ingredient. A nurse I know told me about it when I had the pains and it worked pretty well as a temporary relief. Oncve you can burp a bit, that will help as well. Good luck!

Another secret bander - It fine for you as it's a personal choice and a personal jouney! For me, I decided to tell only a few people, my wife, my kids and my best friend. I trust them to kepp it in the family and that's it. It really isn't anyone else's business right? As far as being ashamed about getting the band, you shouldn't be at all. It's a tool to help you change your life. Anyone who has this will tell you that it takes work and effort to achieve results, the lap band is not a magic pill or an automatic success. It's just an aid. There are a million improvements that come around everyday that make our lives better- where would we be without tupperware or sonograms or laproscopic surgery for that matter- this is just a better way for those of us who are weight challenged! Nothing to be ashamed of- but you can still choose to tell or not to tell. As far as talking to people- this is a great place to do that and everyone here gets what you are going through. We have all had those whoops moments and we all learn real quick what and how much to eat. When eating out, stick with soups and "wet dishes" and as the weight comes off, they will all want to know what you are doing to get so thin (pretty cool, right?) I just tell them i'm kind of doing a mix between weight watchers and Atkins- that usually makes them give up and changes the subject! Good Luck on your journey... it's all good!!

The journey is different for everyone and alot of people only come to the forum when they need something like advice, motivation or companionship for a time. I'm sure there are countless success stories out there but you're right, people won't usually come on just to say how great everything is help to others. It's great that we have this place to be able to discuss these things, isn't it? Good luck on your upcoming surgery and best wishes for a successful journey!!!

It's the best money you'll ever spend as it will change the rest of your life for the better ! If you have struggled with the weight for almost all of your lifeof life as most of us have, it will probably continue unless you do something drastic, right? For me, the lap band is a tool that I use to keep myself in check and keep me from binging which is my weakness. In the beginning it's a little tough- you need to keep your mind on the goal and learn how to eat right. Once you start feeling satisfied with less it gets easy and as the weight comes off and you need to go get those new clothes, you'll be hooked. The really neat thing is that you can be confident that it's not going to come back as it has with past diets as the band will act as a watchdog to help you stay with it. As far as fills go- I have only needed one so far and may one or 2 more to get to goal. Everybody is different on those- check out what you are going to do for fills beforehand so you have everything in place. You can always go back to Dr Ortiz for these but I found a local doctor willing to do them near me so it's easier. Best of luck in your decsion making process!!!

Hi All... Looking for advice or thoughts. Have been following the program for 3 mos post op. I have been exercising but avoided ab work as directed. Played golf the other day (not the first time since surgery- have played a number of times before) and came back with a slight pain in the lower abdomen below and just to the right of the belly button. Thoughts it was just an ache and took some aspirin. It's still there 5 days later and seems to be a little worse. It's sharp any time I do something where that muscle contracts- did a treadmill walk the other night and no real issue-( knew it was there but not terrible) I don't recall but wondered if this was a possible site for one of the incisions or possibly something called an "adhesion" breaking free? Another thought was that as I was over weight all the years, perhaps this has something to do with skin attaching itself in this area (I have no clue). Obviously it could be a hernia has possibly developed due to weakness in the abdomenal muscles. Hoping for someone to say " it's normal, happens all the time and it will pass, there's nothing to worry about" as we are all experiencing new things as we go through the journey. Even with this minor hiccup- everything is beautiful after the weight starts coming off- it's all good! Thanks for your comments... Best to all! Steve K

This is normal as you suspected- they have moved a few things around getting the band in place so you need to heal a bit. You may also have some shoulder pain due to air inside that has to work itself out. If that happens, try to walk alot and also, sucking on a peppermint candy will help - it has to be something made with real peppermint, not just flavoring. (an RN told me about this when I had the problem and it does provide some relief) Both of these things pass pretty quickly and then you start the fun stuff... starting to lose the weight, feeling better physically and mentally, getting rid of the "oversized" clothes ( really cool) and people starting to notice your positive changes. Have a great journey! Steve Banded 2/1/2007- lost 43 pounds so far

Good for you- this will be the best of all investments... one made for yourself! Have a great journey!!

The trick is to really want to lose the weight- the band is there and acts as a deterent against over-eating. I was a huge grazer and now it's different. First, the weight starts to come off and you get motivated to keep it going. If you do feel like binging- you can't because the band won't let you. It alot to do with attitude- The band will work as a tool to help you change your habits and that will get the weight off- you have to want it! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY!!!!!

No passport needed if you fly to San Diego and drive to the Hospital- it's about 20 minutes from the airport. The surgery costs a little more than half what you were quoted. Suggest you speak to OCC about a doctor that they may know in your area and contact them about getting fills locally vs. going to Mexico. I checked out some places locally on my own first and found an obesity clinic that knew Dr Ortiz and said they would do the fills. It is a big trip to mex (I live in NY) but I had a great experience so far and have heard that OCC really knows what they are doing and get the fills right with less visits (2 or 3 instead of 5 or 6 some people have to go through. Still - I may do the first one locally to save some $$ and go to Mex for the second -make a little vacation out of the trip so it won't seem as expensive. Good luck in your decision process!

Hi! Welcome... I had surgery 3 weeks ago today with Dr. Ortiz. No regrets at all- it has worked out beautifully. I also had to pay out of pocket but I have to say, I am very satisfied with my "purchase"... Well worth the money ( I took a loan and will pay it off over 2-3 years) It's been a bit of work to get through the first few weeks but if your eye is on the prize- you can make it through easy enough. So far with the pre-op diet, the surgery and the last three weeks on liquids, I've lost 27 lbs and I feel terrific. I haven't been able to get that weight off in years of diets and also have alot of motivation and confidence in knowing that this is just the start of the journey back to that person I used to be. It's like that old cliche'... Getting yourself a gift that will keep on giving and this one gets better and better. Hope this has been helpful. Good luck to you in your decision making process. Steve

Great job on the loss! I'm sure that felt pretty good!

Thanks for the response- You have a great group on your board and everyone has had great advice. I'll try some of the suggestions and work on making it get better. It's great to know that we can reach help if we need it and I will certainly contact you if these things persist. Regards, Steve

Thanks for the advice. How are you doing with the band after 4 weeks? Steve

Thanks for the great and candid advice. I'm hoping the pain disappears shortly and will try the walking right away. Thanks for the advice on the other issue- you're right- it is not mentioned much and I felt the answer was going to be that since not much is going in, not much needs to come out. How has your experience been with the band as time has gone on? Steve

Thanks for the advice and website info- it was a great help. Good luck on getting it approved- in spite of the discomfort- the weight has already started to come off and feeling better everyday.

Hi All! I'm new to the site and was banded by Dr. Ortiz last Friday. I'm having a couple of problems and was wondering if anyone has any advice to offer. When I drink fluids, I feel a restriction and some pressure like a gas pain at the band site. I assume this is normal on newly banded patients. I'm drinking very slowly but can't seen to avoid this discomfort. Recently, I've had sharp pain in my shoulder that stays there for 10-20 minutes after I drink water. It's almost like I feel the pressure in the band area and immediately start to feel the pain in the shoulder. Is this something to be concerned about or do i just have to suck it up through the first couple of weeks during the recovery period? Another issue is... (gulp!)... Bowel Movements or should I say lack there of. I imagine this too is normal due to the fact that nothing but clear fluids is being taken in. Any advice on this? Regarding the surgery, I was very pleased with the treatment I received at OCC and would recommend them to anyone. Everyone there was great- very professional and supportive. My wife and I were also lucky to have met some wonderful fellow bandees during our trip and are looking forward to sharing the journey with them and also you folks on the site as well. Thanks to all for any advice that you can offer.

Thanks for sharing your experience!!! I'm having surgery on February 2nd with Dr Ortiz- I chose him due to a recommendation but have become more and more confident in the choice after reading so many positive experiences. I'm really looking forward to getting this done and taking that step toward a more positive life. I look forward to sharing experiences with folks who are going through the same thing. Best of luck to you!!!