Dolittle

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

I don't know if either are currant,, But this is what's in my data bank, 979-587-0000 or 903-520-8847

I had a unfill when I had my PS,, BUT, I wish I hadn't, big mistake. It's not neccessary. I gained too much weight till I could get a fill and my restriction back. My opinion is to keep your restriction and go for it. Remember to discuss moving your port lower if needed.

I'd see my lap band doctor ASAP, you may have done something to your band or it has slipped.

They say any where from 6 weeks on after surgery. I got my first fill 10 weeks after surgery. Where to get your fill is one of the issues you need to resolve before surgery. I guess it depends on where you live or how close you live to San Diego. Your going to get the best fills at the OCC, but if you can't get back there you need to find a place to get them. You can expect to have 1 to 6 fills during your first year of being banded. You just can't know how many your going to need, everyone is different. As far as the "Fill Centers" go, there are good ones and bad ones. Talk to your surgery coordinator and find out if there are any doctors in your home area that can help you with this. Or you can email me and I have a small list of doctors that will do fills for patients that have been banded in Mexico. Or you can ask other lap banders through a post here at the forum. PS, I love my band!!!

Lori, one of the OCC coordinators just had Plastic Surgery down at the OCC. They may be a little behind in answering the contact requests. If you don't hear back soon, call,, her phone number is 1-866-376-7849 ext 81.

I think your on the right track as far as you know you need to do something about your weight. As far as it costing $23000? I'd take a serious look at coming to the OCC. Number one, their ranked as one of the worlds best in WLS, Number two, sure isn't $23000, not even close. Call the OCC and talk to one of the coordinators.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of December. 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 November. 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 October. 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 September. 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.