Dolittle

I just realized I dont have my copy on I am flying out MONDAY at 5:20am

If I can get in, my mom can pick up and overnight to me......

CRAP FREAKING OUT WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ( ( ( (

I DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT

Amanda

You'll be able to get into Mexico with no problem,, its coming back into the USA you might have a problem. I guess it depends on how hard ass the customs agents want to be. I'd leave real early before your flight is due to make sure you have enough time to go through customs, in case you have a delay getting through. Take everything you have that has a picture of you on it. I don't think they will stop you from coming into the USA,, but they might put you through hell first. But maybe not,, so give yourself plenty of time. You don't want to miss your flight home. PS,, you could just act like you didn't know,, play dumb and jump through the hoops if you have too. LOL. Also,, let us know here at the forum on how it went.. I'm sure your not the first and probably won't be the last.

Hi Florida bandsters,, We have a few new bandsters that are looking for a good fill doctor in the Southern Florida area. If you know of one,, please post your experiance with that fill doctor. Like where their located,, how much it cost you, if they had Fluoro, if you thought they gave you a good fill and if you were happy with the service they provided. Thanks for your help.

NAME AND LOCATION: DAVE, WESTERN ILLINOIS

AGE: 54

GENDER: MALE

BAND DATE: MARCH 1ST 2007

HEIGHT: 5'10''

PRE OP WEIGHT: 295

SURGERY WEIGHT: 273

CURRANT WEIGHT: 210

GOAL WEIGHT: 185

They only do the surgery monday through friday. I asked.

The OCC Clinic is open Monday thru Friday and half day on Saturday. I think they only do fills on Saturday.

I was told a valid ID would do. I need to email Lori and find out for sure.

As it stands as of right now,, all you need is a Drivers Licence and a Certified birth certificate,, that's one with a raised county seal stamped in it. Or a US Passport. I think if your going to go back to the OCC in the future for your fills and check ups,, I'd be getting that passport. The requirements are supposed to change sometime this summer to everyone has to have a passport.

Hello Lapband Forum members,, By request,,, today were going to start a new topic and are looking for lapband members to add their experience to this new topic. The topic title is kind of self explanatory. Share with us your experiences with your lapband and activities.. I shouldn't have to say this,,, but,,, keep it clean. LOL

There are several lap-band manufactures,, Inamed and the Johnson and Johnson Relize band are some of them. If you go to the Relize website there's a nice video that shows how the band is placed inside of you and what the band does. Check it out,, its very educational. http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/how-realize-works.htm Also here is the Inamed video. http://www.lapband.com/lapband/html/lapband524.html

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Do you know whether Dr. Ortiz uses a few stitches to attach the lap band to the stomach to help prevent slippage? The doctors here do that and it seem to help tremendously and lessen the possibility of slippage occuring.

When I had my surgery Dr. Ortiz was using the Pars Flaccida technique and also stitched the band to your stomach to help avoid slippage.

There are several lap-band manufactures,, Inamed and the Johnson and Johnson Relize band are some of them. If you go to the Relize website there's a nice video that shows how the band is placed inside of you and what the band does. Check it out,, its very educational. http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/how-realize-works.htm Also here is the Inamed video. http://www.lapband.com/lapband/html/lapband524.html

Hello,

I am just starting my Lap Band journey. Can someone please tell me what a flouroscope is?

Its a live, instant xray. They'll shoot the xray at your stomach and the results show up on a TV monitor. You can watch the barium go down your throat in enter your stomach as its happening.

THanks Dolittle,

I'll search for your topic!

There's been a lot of posts concerning fills. Someone sent this to me and I can't remember who, otherwise I'd give them the credit. If any members have any good ideas to add to this, send me a message and I'll edit it and add it to this post. Also,, Anyone that wants to, you can copy and paste this post and print it out for your convenience. This has a lot of good ideas and suggestions.

Here it is again,, its good reading material

Increase Your Chances of a Good Fill

The following suggestions are good rules of thumb and will greatly increase your chances of getting a good fill.

1. Be sure you are very well hydrated when you come in for your fill appointment. That means at least 6 to 8 full glasses of liquid every day for at least several days before the fill.

(Remember, water is your friend).

Drink especially well the morning of the fill. If you're flying in, it can be much harder to stay hydrated, so take an empty drink bottle and fill it after you pass airport security. TSA rules state you can bring an empty water bottle past the TSA security check point. Bring some of those "to-go" packs of Crystal Light, they’re ideal! Ask the flight attendants for a refill of your water bottle, pop one in, and then you will have plenty to drink.

(Hint - If you flying in for a fill, while you're on the plane, grab a couple of those white barf bags.

It’s good to keep one in your purse or car, for "emergencies".)

2. Do not to have any solid foods for at least 6 hours before the fill. Don't eat a huge or late dinner the night before. If you're having any trouble (reflux, possible slip, etc)

please have nothing but fluids after dinner the night before.

In some cases, food can still be in the pouch for 12 or more hours.

ANY food in the pouch will make it impossible to give a good fill, or get a good fluoro

3. Don't drink COLD fluids for an hour before the fill. That will shrink your stoma and give a false fluoro reading, and a poor fill. Room temp fluids are fine. Let the ice in your drink melt and hour before a fill,

and then you'll have room-temp fluids to drink right up to the fill time.

4. Avoid getting a fill during a menstrual period or a few days before an expected one. During this time, girls are usually retaining water, and the fluoro will not be as accurate, and the fill will not be either.

5. If at all possible, hang around for at least a few hours after a fill. Don't run right back home or to the plane. It takes the normal swelling after a fill 1-2 hours to develop, and by that time you might be too tight and need to come right back.

6. If you fly in, If at all possible, stay overnight and catch a plane out the following late afternoon or evening. If you are too tight, this will allow time to get a small unfill before you leave. This is not very convenient, but sure beats having to possibly return to TJ in a few days, on short notice, in pain, and at high last-minute plane fares! This is "prevention!" Overfills are not common, but they DO happen, even under the best of conditions. Be prepared, and think about this overnight stay. Test your fill the next day before you leave.

7. After a fill, please have liquids only for at least 24 hrs. This allows the stoma to rest and heal. Then, a day of soft foods, then back to regular foods. Full liquids are fine, no need for clears. Remember, if you staying over night test your fill before you fly out.

8. Review the eating and food guidelines again before every fill. You’ll need to refine your eating more and more with higher fill levels, and there will be less and less room for goofs. As you reach a higher fill level, you'll no longer be able to "get away" with things you might have before!

9. Please don't get a fill if you are having ANY trouble with the current level of fill. This means ANY regular pain, PB or barfing more than maybe once a week at the VERY most, not able to get enough

calories in, not able to drink enough, able to eat only soft foods or fluids.

More fill will NOT help, and will make things worse. Discuss all this carefully with your doctor. You may even need an UNFILL, to keep your band and stomach safe.

10. First fills are routinely given at 6-8 weeks after surgery, but only as you need them. Many people do, some do not. Your doctor will help you decide if you need a fill, just ask. There is no rush for fills. Too much can very easily get you in trouble, and you end up further "behind" than if you had gone slower with fills.

11. Give a fill at least 2-3 weeks to test it. Some fills don't "settle in" for a week or two, and sometimes more. Your weight loss is what determines how a fill is - not any feeling of restriction, necessarily.

12. One of the most important things in determining if a fill is good is choosing proper band foods. Soft foods, liquids, junk foods, sweets, etc, will NEVER be well-restricted, and will never tell a thing about having a good fill or not. Only solid foods give useful info.

A good test meal is 2-4 oz of solid meat or chicken - be sure it's soft and moist - and about 1/2 cup veggies. You should be able to eat about a cup of food (no less) and this should keep you satisfied (NOT "FULL", but simply "satisfied, not physically hungry". for about 3-4 hrs.

13. Plan regular meals. A good fill will keep you satisfied for 3-4 hrs, but no longer. If you are hungry 5 hrs after lunch, it is not because you have an inadequate fill! Regular meals at planned times are important for a number of reasons; including avoiding snacking, maximizing your calorie burn and normalizing metabolism, which is essential for weight maintenance later on.

14. Learn to recognize YOUR "soft stop" sign. Common ones are chest tightness or "fullness", a sudden runny nose, a single hiccup or burp, an eye twitch, back pain, left should pain. All mean the pouch is full enough and we should STOP eating, even spitting out the bite that may be already in our mouths. If you do not, you could progress to the "hard stop" - slimming, pb, barfing.

Please remember that good fills are very elusive, even with highly- experienced docs and fill people. There are just too many individual factors involved that the docs cannot control. Even the fluoro is only a clue, and not entirely accurate - for some of the reasons above.

It usually takes 3- 5 fills to slowly and safely creep up on a good level, and they can be safely given a month apart.

Trying to go faster with a bigger fill is not the solution, and the stomach rebels at big sudden fills. The goal of the first few fills is NOT to achieve a good restriction, but to gradually get your stomach used to some pressure so you can tolerate a GOOD fill later.

SLOW and GRADUAL is the key!

Going slowly with fills can be frustrating, but is well worth the wait to avoid problems.

Thanks for explaining that.

Would you mind sharing where you got the information? I've been looking all over the web for that information - band size, ect, and have been unsuccessful in finding anything.

Thanks again.

Some of this info is from Inamed. Some of this info is from Lapbandforum members and their posts over the years.

The 9.75 cm and 10.0 cm LAP-BAND® Systems have a recommended maximum fill capacity of 4 cc’s. The LAP-BAND® VG and the LAP-BAND® APS have a recommended maximum fill of 10 cc’s and the LAP-BAND® APL band which has a recommended maximum fill of 14 cc’s.

How many fills a patient needs varies. Each patient will be different. It depends on who does your fills, how there done,, with fluoro or without,,, which band is placed around your stomach,, how much fat is around your stomach,, how much weight you lose as you progress. The average number of fills the first year is around 4,, but its not unheard of patients having 6 or more,, some with less than 4,, some have had fills and unfills. I posted a topic awhile back titled "How to get a good fill" I suggest everyone read it, it has a lot of good info.

I was reading in Dr. Ortiz' book where he said some people do not need a fill right away or even for the first year. I had read elsewhere that the band has no restriction until you get a fill. My question is..after you are banded and before you get a fill, does food slip through your band? It seems to me that the band would restrict you in the beginning without a fill. Am I way off?

I think it depends on how much internal fat you have around your stomach. Everyone is different. But most people will require a fill sometime after the first 6 weeks. How much of a fill will differ from one person to another. As you lose weight, you lose that internal fat around your stomach, the band will become looser, requiring another fill. I think the average is 4 fills in your first year. You'll be able to tell, once you've experienced a good fill with restriction, you'll be able to tell when you need a fill. For an example, Dr. Ortiz placed the smaller 4cc band on me,, he makes that call when he's inside of you and see's how much fat there is around your stomach. I was tight from the get go. I waited 10 weeks after surgery to get my first fill and only required .4cc's. Since then and 4 fills total, I only have 2.3cc's in my band and down 90lbs. Some people will hit 2.3cc's on near that at their first fill. If you recieve the 10cc band at the time of surgery,, chances are that your not going to have much restriction when it comes time for that first fill,, being that its a larger band. It all depends on how much fat is inside of you and which band you have... So,,, to make my point,,, everyone is different.

I am not sure what fluoro is, but I would say probably not all I saw him do was inject me with a little anesthesia and then the saline.

I had this fill in early January and have not lost another pound, so I don't think it's overfilled.

Fluoroscope is a type of xray. Your best fill will be while a doctor or tech does your fill while you drink barium. With the fluoro you can see how the barium slows as the saline is being injected. Sounds like you had what they call a "BLIND FILL". Thats where they just throw some saline into your band and then send you home, with the "Call us or come back if you need more or less" attitude.

I have the same feeling, have only had one fill. I hope someone replies.

Maria

did the fill doctor use fluoro while they were filling the band? If not,, there could be a possibility that your tight or over filled? Call your doctor!

good for you!!! i just decided not to do the financing and went to the bank and drained my savings...am i nuts? ) oh well...you only live once!!!

what does PM mean? i have never been on a chat room or message board so am a little unfamiliar with all the abbreviations! )

mcihelle (from california)

march 7th surgery

Private Message

I want to know if the prices are cheap in Mexico compared to those here in the USA. I want to bring back a bottle of Patron Tequila - The good stuff. To put in my home bar not for me! I know they go for a hundred dollars and up here.

Also will we have to exchange dollars for pesos in order to buy things in Tijuana?

**What is the one thing that I should buy and bring back home with me? I would like to know what others didn't get that they wished the had.

There's two duty free liquor stores at the border. The liquor is cheaper, but by how much only you'll be able to tell. One is on the way in,, if your walking,, and the other is right next to the line of cars, at the border, on the way out of Mexico. If the line is long on your way back,, maybe you can talk Francisco to let you out of the van and jump into the store,,, but you better be quick. LOL. I think there are other stores, but you'll need to ask someone at the OCC where there located. If you look you'll find it in TJ.

You can, and should, drink lots of water. Once you go back on solids you should not drink anything for an hour after eating, but other than that there are no restrictions water-wise.

Well said Cylnn,,, Water is a bandsters friend

This year is just flying by. I hope all that have had their lapband surgeries, your weight is flying off too. I see that everyone that's scheduled in February and March are posting and emailing their bandster buddies with the same dates. All lapbanders have this common goal,,, to lose weight and to have a new outlook on life. When you meet your new Bandster buddy,, you have a new friend for life.. You'll email and telephone your new friends for the rest of your lifes. Their going to be your support group and you'll share stories together of your lapband journey.. I know that patients are starting to schedule April for their surgery dates.. Its that time to hear from you guys.. So,, come on April bandsters,,, lets hear from you..

I've seen several posts of patients wanting to know what to bring. I've found its best to pack light. You know,, bring your toiletries and a couple of sets of loose fitting clothes. Your going to be at the clinic and at the hotel Lucerna a few days, you don't need much. You got to remember that you just had Lap-band surgery. Most of the time when crossing the border back into the states, you have to go through the US border security. That means the OCC van has to be emptied and everyones luggage and carry on's have to go through the security xray just like at the airport. Those who travel to the OCC clinic with another person in their party don't have to worry about whose going to carry their heavy luggage, but those who travel alone should pack light. Make sure you bring the luggage that has the wheels on it. It's alot easier to pull it through security and back to the van than to carry it.

well I am desperately trying to set up a date for March, but the center isn't calling me back for some reason. I need a date before I can get plane tickets. Does anyone know if they do this on saturdays? I'll post my date as soon as I have one. I'll be flying from PA.

I think Lori took a couple days off for some much needed R & R.. Lori and Carolyn have been really swamped. A lot of people have been inquiring about the Lap-band. They'll get back to you. Have you've noticed the Forum has been really busy too! Which is GOOD!

i just booked my surgery and just joined the board....feel so much better reading your post! thank you for that...what is the deal with the shoulder pain - i have read that on other posts...why does it hurt...is there something they do with it? sorry to sound so lost about it but not sure how it plays into the surgery??

thanks for responding...

When they do the surgery,, they pump your stomach cavity full of carbon dioxide. This expansion of the cavity gives them room to do the surgery. This gas has to disapate somewhere. It seems to have a mind of its own and it thinks the fastest way out of your body is thru your joints. Some patients find this to be a little uncomfortable, some have no problem with it. Some take gas-x thinking it might help disapate the gas. I don't know if gas-x really helps,, some say it does,, some say it doesn't. It's one of those weird deals. My opinion is walking, that's the best way to get rid of the gas.. Move your joints. Churn that gas right out of you. LOL. You can always bring some gas-x along, in case. You can get the generic gas-x at Walmart, its the Equate brand,, its cheap. Then let us know,, you can post your opinion about if you even need gas-x or if it doesn't help, or if it really helps, etc.

I am seriously considering flying to Mexico for the lap-band since my insurance does not cover it. I would be coming from Pennsylvania. Is 2 days recuperation in Mexico enough to be able to fly that far home? I'm nervous about that. Also, they say you must fast the day you come down so they can do a blood test the day before surgery, but for me, that would mean a tremendous amount of time to not be able to eat since I would be coming from so far away. Also, what if there are any complications later. Can I get treatment in the US since I didn't get banded here? One more question, is the hospital and hotel located in a scuzzy part of Mexico? Last time I was in Tijuana (25 years ago) it was quite disgusting. Also, beyond clothing, what would I need to bring? Can anyone help answer these questions? I almost have my mind made up to go on and do it. I haven't heard anything negative AT ALL which kind of worries me. I mean, there HAS to be SOMETHING negative or else I would think that this board is full of planted people.

Oh, I forgot, what is the maximum time I can get off of work? I ask because I have disability insurance through work but I would need to be out 2 weeks to get a paycheck. I know it doesn't usually take that long to recuperate, but I am wondering if the Doctor can and will fill out disability paperwork for me. DOes anyone know?

THanks for any help you can supply.

I think two days recup time is ample.. This surgery is minimally invasive. I remember several of us newly banded patients walked all over Revolution Ave and back to the Hotel Lucerna the next day. We must have walked 5 miles that day. But everyone is different. The OCC picks you up at the hotel and takes you back. The hotel and the clinic are about 8 blocks from each other along Avenue of the Hero's. This area of TJ isn't that bad. Pack light, your in the clinic for a day and you'll probably stay around the hotel till you leave, unless you feel good enough to go walking around. But as in all big cities,, walk in a group for your own safety. There's new grocery stores a couple blocks away,, a mall 4 blocks away. All kinds of stuff along Ave of the Hero's. If your concerned about safety,, take a cab to and fro Revolution Ave and the hotel. We walked and didn't have any problems. Most people go back to work a couple days after surgery, that is if you don't have a physical job. But you'll see how easy this surgery is and be able to tell how you feel about going back to work. I don't know how long your flight is and what it does to you getting a blood test. They did my blood work the day of my surgery because I came in so late the day before. I can't answer your other questions,,, maybe another member might be able to,,, Your OCC coordinator might be able to answer the disability issue.

Thanks for all the advice, I was just curious. So how much is 1, 750ml, will it say on the bottle? Oh I will be truthful with them, sure don't want any problems.

750ml is about the same as a fifth, so you get to bring one bottle of liquor thru customs,, duty free, per person. They will xray your luggage and bags and can see them.

I was just wondering how much alcohol you can bring back from Mexico after surgery? I have a few friends that have made request. Then what kind of Meds can you get without a script from Dr.? Do they offer phentermine without a script, does anyone know? Of coarse I guess I have to worry about what all I can take on the plane, which haven't found that yet, I am using American Airlines, any suggestions? How many bags can I take?

Sorry all the questions, go for my surgery the 28th.

Thanks in advance.

1, 750ml bottle of booze per adult. I don't know what the pharmacies in Mexico can sell you without a script. Its one of those things that when you get there you can walk into any large pharmacy and see what they have on the shelf. They'll have the prices in peso's and US dollars. If your having surgery you won't need much as far as clothes go,, pack light. You can also go down to Revolution Ave and shop for all that tourist stuff. I don't know what American Airlines luggage restrictions are,, you'll have to check their website.