Dolittle

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of January. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of February. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of March. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of April. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of May. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of June. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of July. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of May. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Lap Band patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of April. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Lap Band patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of March. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Lap Band patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of February. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Lap Band patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of January. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Lap Band patients.

I just started a new topic re: a WONDERFUL Northern/Central CA fill doctor Gail Altschuler in Novato- she was with FCUSA but obviously not now. (they also didn't pay the docs for August and September fills BTW). Anyone who needs a fill in this area, I would recommend her 100% (I drive 2 hours to see her).

We'd love to hear from other members around the USA and Canada concerning who they use for their fills.

Hello, I don't get on this forum, but I am a long-time bandster (successful, though still going after 10 more pounds!). With FCUSA closing, I wanted to put my fill doc's info up here because she is WONDERFUL. Dr. Gail Altschuler has a clinic in Novato (and sometimes San Rafael I think), her practice is called The Altschuler Clinic for Weight Loss. She does a lot of different things, fills is just one of them. She's very much a global, whole-picture kind of fill doc, it's not just all about fills and restriction. She spends a lot of time with people and is very personable, fun and I trust her. I used to go back to OCC for fills but found Gail about 2.5 years ago and have been going to her since. I have a touchy band, it takes nothing to get me super tight out of the blue, and she's been super patient and helpful, letting me come in on a moment's notice if needed. I'm going to be writing an official testimonial for her website soon, but wanted to put it out there for anyone interested. Good luck to all!

Karen

Hi Karen, Thanks for the info. We love hearing about good fill doctors.

I don't know why you don't get on this forum, but we'd love to see you back here.

Thank you, I am so glad I could help you I would love to hear about your experience as well. When I was trying to make my decision, no had had really been posting information or their experience from Plastic Surgery at OCC except for Linda and Lori. I asked them soo many questions. I have no regrets on my decision and truthfully, it was just as good of a decision as getting my band was. When I went to have my drains removed, I was reminded of how crappy our healthcare system is here, and how shitty they treat people. I wish we had more clinics like OCC here. My husband actually removed my drains. Dr. So walked him through it over the phone. No one in Las Vegas would touch me. I have had the same family Dr. for 20 years and he does not do procedures like that in his office. My fill Dr from Fills centers USA was like No way, I called every urgent/Quick care center and they all were like no, sorry, don't even know where to refer you to except the emergency room. I waited 8 hours n the emergency room for the Dr to tell me they know nothing about surgical drains. REALLY????? They referred me to a surgical center who told me their Dr's won't touch another surgeons work. Too much of a liability.It was something that literally took 2 minutes. My husband cut the 1 stitch and pulled each tube slowly. And they were out. It was quick and painless and simple. I am still really frustrated and irritated from the whole headache of the run around. ARGHHH sorry, I guess I'm just venting a little, but it makes me sooo happy I did not have my surgery here.

I ended up removing my drains too. It's a very simple procedure.

I am now three months out and still so happy with my decision. My daughter has lost 70 lbs and I have lost 59. We are looking better, feeling better and enjoying this chance to get our lives back. No regrets at all.

Congrats,, I love my band too. No regrets from me either.

Hi everyone,

Today I am 6 days post op. I feel great.

The only complaint I have is my drains. I still have to much fluid draining, so Dr. So was unable to remove them before I left. However, I want them in as long as I need them. I am going to have my regular family Dr. remove them when Dr. So says its time. The problem is one pulls on the stitch and causes a weird uncomfortable burning sensation. There's really no way to fix that but it will go away when they come out. By the way, there is no other seeping from anywhere. My incision line is nice and clean and not bleeding or seeping.

I took the pain meds Dr. So prescribed while I was in Mexico. Just the Supradol every 12 hours. I am only taking Tylenol now when needed. Really, beside the drain discomfort, I have had no pain. It seem so crazy. I thought this would be painful, but so far so good. I forget sometimes I had my breast lift because I just don't feel any pain. And most of my stomach is numb.

I have to wear the compression garments for the next 4 weeks day and night, and then 4 weeks during the day only. I don't like it much but I am now uncomfortable without it. I only take it off to shower, wash it, and put it back on. Showering is an event in itself. To make sure I don't have my blood pressure drop when I take off the garment, I have to lay down and elevate my feet. Then I undo the garment and lay there for about 10-15 minutes. The first day I showered I did not do this and my blood pressure dropped and broke out in a sweat and then could feel myself about to pass out. UMMM not fun! I was right on that phone calling Dr. So. He explained it was normal and to lie down and let my blood pressure go back to normal. That was a freakish experience LOL.

So this may be TMI, but I had my first BM this morning. I was worried it has been almost a week and I have been eating a normal diet. I figured when my body was ready it would happen. But I asked Dr. So before I left if I should be taking something to help or just wait. His advice was to try Metamucil or just add more fiber into my diet. I was afraid it would be painful, but it wasn't. I wasn't straining to go either. So I am super relieved about that.

I did not get my band filled before I left. I am going to come back in 6 or 8 weeks to do that if needed. So I have no restriction at this time. I do not feel hungry though. Dr. So said because they did the muscle repair, I will feel restriction from that. He said my muscle were stretched out 12-15 CM WOW...They also removed 4 pounds of skin from my stomach. I will try to get that video up later. I got to see it and WOW.... just WOW. Anyway, I my plan is to stay with my normal band eating habits because I am afraid of having no restriction and making bad choices. I have not had soda since I was banded and have no desire to go there now. I did splurge and eat half of a great hamburger while at the hotel. Anyone staying at the Lucerna, there is a lunch truck down the street behind the hotel and they have the awesomest burgers. Usually I only eat the meat patty and I get cheese on it, but I did half with the bun and lettuce and tomato. I was totally in Heaven. It had the burger patty, ham, carne asada and cheese with a spicy sauce. AMAZING.

Well, I will update more later...

It sounds like your doing great. I think everyone that has any major surgery has BM problems. That department just wants to shut down. LOL. I aways recommend "Milk of Mag",, it works wonders!

Since you had your band unfilled, keep an eye on your food intake. I remember after my LBL I was a real "oinker" and gained a good 10lbs.

PS, your Plastic Surgery pictures look great! This is the first time I've seen a picture of Dr. Castillo.

Just wondering if anyone has talked to any of his past patients? (besides the one's the OCC might refer you to)

I couldn't find ANY info on him .....

I only know of a few patients that have had him as their plastic surgeon. I know there's more out there, but who they are?

So, If you have had plastic surgery by Dr. Castillo, we'd all like to hear your opinion.

I know a lot of patients in the Chicago area were shaken by the departure of Dr. Watkins at Synchrony Health, I was among them. It left everyone wondering how they were going to find aftercare for their gastric band. Since then, I went seaching for a new doctor. I received a lot of help from those nice people at J&J Realize. Of the two band manufactures, J&J Realize has a first class customer service team, the other band, I don't even want to get started telling you about them.

So, what I have found was a new doctor down state in Illinois. His name is Dr. Parungao, he's located in Galesburg IL. He's accepting new patients, even if you were banded in Mexico. I found his support staff to be very friendly and professional. The contact person for Dr. Parungao is Laura Brent, Bariatric Coordinator, Galesburg Cottage Hospital, email her at, Laura_Brent@chs.net

I have an apt scheduled for Sept 15,2011 with Dr. So to get my nose & neck done....anyone had PS with him?

I've been told that Dr. So does assit with some plastic surgery procedures.

I had my lap-band August 8th of 2010 . I just had my last fill August 9th of 2011 ..I have lost 125lbs . Reaching and passing my goal weight ..

When I went to Mexico for my lap-band I was a 4x top and let just say I had out grown Layne Bryant Jeans and moved up to Catherine size Jeans .. I am now a Large woman shirt size . And a size 16 jeans . I went back to Mexico for all my fills

My starting weight was 310 I am 6ft tall ..my Goal weight was 200 but I am now at 185 and comfortable at this weight .

At first the weight did not come flying off me as I thought it would . Then when I came to the conclusion that a lap band was not a free ride but a tool like Dr Ortiz had explained to me and Dr So did as well during my fill visits ..I started working out . Totally changed the type of foods I ate and in doing so My weight started to come off fast . I actually reached my goal weight within ten months .

I am no longer Type 2 Diabetic and was able to come off my high blood pressure medication . Dr So encouraged me to blog about my Journey . To help others who might be stuck on a plateau, or losing there hair , or barfing all of which I experienced and dealt with it .

A year that is all it took ...Seems like forever at first ..but it is not .. A lap band is not a free ride ........But a tool that has given me back a beautiful gift .

WOW! Great Post!! Congrats on your weight loss. Do you have any "before" and "after" pictures?

I use a combination of two Paul Mitchell products Super Skinny Serum and Quick Slip. On a 1 pump to 3 pump combo. My hair is very fine and has natural wavy and these products help tame it to a smooth look and thus hold down the new hairs that have the tendency to poke out as the waves are forming.

Got it, LOL, me being a guy, I just don't know stuff like that. LOL

What's a tamer?

Congrats on the up coming PS. It was back in 2008 when I had my lower body lift. Are you going to have just a regular tuck or the complete lower body lift? Take some loose clothing and stuff that makes the time go by, like games, puzzles or electronic games. Are you doing your recovery at a recovery house or a hotel? If your at a recovery house there should be other patients there to chit chat with. Hotels get a little boring. You could also ask Caligirl what she thinks, she just posted she was at a recovery house after PS. Good Luck, let us know here at the forum how things go.

Dr Mendez no longer does cosmetic surgery @ OCC? He is just the best......

I've heard the OCC has a different Plastic Surgeon named Dr. Castillo. From the hear say that's going around, he's better.

Dr. Ortiz hand picks everyone that's affiliated and works at the OCC. His standards are so high, other doctors find it hard to live up to the high expectations.