FurEllie

After a C-section, going through a car windshield, and 3 leg surgeries, I don't even consider it "scarring", lol. Looks like the cat scratched me or something.

I had my first fill (and unfill) in TJ and my second one there too. Had I not found an EXCELLENT Fill Centers USA filler, I would have gone back to TJ in a heartbeat. Ask around and make sure whomever you're looking at locally is good. TJ, besides the cost, was a full 48 hours away from home for me. Finding someone good that's only a 3 hour drive round trip has been a Godsend. Best of luck!!

I've only lost 30 pounds and already have the saggy tummy. I think you either have skin that bounces back easier, or you don't. I have two friends who went through GBP - both lost over 100 pounds. One doesn't have an INCH of extra skin, the other is saggy like crazy. It's like some women, whom I hate, don't get stretchmarks during pregnancy whereas others, like me, look like freaking roadmaps!!

There are actually several posts from people who prefer Dr. M over Dr. O! I like them both and would feel quite comfortable getting the procedure by Dr. M. See you on the "banded" side!!

YAY!! Now remember, when you start losing more weight, that sweet spot may change again. Just be prepared. .8 worked great for me for several months. Now I'm at 1.4 and still able to eat what I want (and darn it, if I had any self control I wouldn't have forked out money for the band, lol).

Yes, in fact there's a Yahoo group I was a member of that mentioned this quite frequently AND during my last Fill Centers USA fill, the filler said she had attended a conference the day before and several people talked about it happening to them. What's even stranger is that "2 weeks" seemed to be the standard time it took for the restriction. Who knows why??!! I just got what I consider my 3rd fill (I thought I had 1.4 on the last one, but I didn't, I had 1.2 so NOW I have 1.4). During the fill I was tight. That night I loosened up. Now I have no restriction 3 days later I'm HOPING I'm one of those that tightens up after a week or so. If not, time to head back and get a bit more in. I think my nerves might be tightening me up during my fill keeping the barium from going down quickly. Next time I'm taking a Xanax first Honestly, after being overfilled that one time I'm more than happy to pay the $$$ to get small fills until we find the sweet spot. Beside food poisoning, I have NEVER been so miserably sick than I was when I was overfilled. And again, I was eating fine the first 2-3 days after that fill, then was spitting up my own saliva. But I WILL make it work. Period. I have too much time and $$$ invested not to

Hehe - I ended up going to Europe the day after getting unfilled in TJ. Within 3 days I saw 3 statues of Lincoln in 3 different countries - and none of them was the US

My surgery with Dr. Ortiz was $8000 but I believe it's normally $8500. This includes the surgery, pre-op test, post-op care, 2 nights in a hotel (3 if you're bringing someone), and one night in the clinic. My personal doctor gave me the name of Dr. Ortiz because he had done so many lapbands (they were approved in Mexico LONG before they were approved here). It was VERY easy to get everything set up. Keep in contact with Lori or...can't remember the other lady's name, I've just dealt with Lori - and you'll be fine I've recently had 2 fills at Fill Centers US. First one was $499 and 2nd one was $272 which I assume will be the price for each addition fill. Done under fluro.

I only told my friends who have weight problems Which isn't very many, lol. Most of my family knows and my regular doctor and that's about it.

As Rhonda said, every other weekend. Usually it's Friday and Saturday - not sure if they normally have Sunday too. This weekend she is speaking at a seminar on Saturday so the appointments are Friday and Sunday. Darlene is the only one and I hope it stays that way The $499 total is for the first visit and I can't remember what it is for the additional ones - at least $200 for the Fluro. I'll know for sure after Sunday. I'd go ahead and at least talk to Fill Centers and see what she has available when you could go. Since fills are relatively quick, it's probably easy to get an appointment - for now

I went last weekend and will be going again this coming weekend. I cannot recommend Darlene enough!! I was very hesitant as I've heard of some "we take Mexican band patients" fill folks as not so good. I had 2 fills and an unfill by Dr. Romero in TJ and honestly, Darlene is just as good (Sorry Darlene, but Dr. Romero has more going for him in the "handsome" department ). They are working there every other weekend. I was paranoid to get too much in the last fill after having an overfill with almost the same amount (1.5cc overfill, 1.4 a week ago) but as I'm losing weight, it seems I can tolerate more. Darlene was very honest with me and said I'd probably need more but that it was my decision. If you have any specific questions, LMK!

I knew the length since it's in your sig but it's good to know all was OK with doing it w/in a week. I'm planning on getting another one which would make it 2 weeks between fills. I know some people have said it takes up to 2 weeks to feel a restriction but as of now, nada on this end

See, that's where we differ. I don't see it as having ANY problem and you see it as having "so many problems". I hope you find what you're looking for.

Many thanks I swear, NO ONE I've talked to who has had a hysterectomy has regretted it. And I WILL get on my hands and knees and beg

OK - here are some recent experiences that show just how "inconsistent" your body can be (hard to blame it on a piece of plastic). Back in April I had a 1.5cc fill. A few days later I couldn't get down even a sip of water. A week later, total unfill. Next month, got .8cc. This worked GREAT when I was on my period (which has been more often than not lately) and semi good when I wasn't on it. A week or so ago I had no restriction, made an appointment, got a 1.4cc fill but in the fluro, everything went right through. AND I was on my period. Me, being the wimp that I am, wanted to see if that fill "took" later on. That was almost 48 hours ago and zero restriction. No weight was lost from the end of the time I had good restriction at .8cc and now so it's not entirely weight related. In fact, I've GAINED 3 pounds since I started feeling no restriction last week. SO.....same body, close to the same weight, 3 different fill levels, 3 different experiences. Honestly, I just don't see how you're going to get a pat answer as to "What's the right fill amount for restriction?" from anyone but yourself when it not only varies so much from person to person, but it varies so much WITHIN THE SAME PERSON!

Do you have his direct email address? Nothing "serious" - just hoping I can finally get all these wimmin's parts I'm not using taken out! I'm almost 46 with horrendous menstrual migraines, anemia due to heavy flows, TOM that last almost the whole M, etc. My doctor's last try was to have me on the "No period for 3 months" pill. I might as well have eaten candy. It does keep me from getting those massive cyst like pimples every time Auntie Flo visits though, lol. Thanks for asking (and for the guys, sorry about the TMI )

OK, I still haven't done this (can you say "procrastinate"?) How are you guys reaching Rene. The only emails I've received from him are from the "support" email address and I hate to bother calling him - seems a phone call takes up 10X more than an email. What exactly are you asking him for and where are you getting the forms from your insurance company? I have BCBS but I've never filled out a form - it's always been done by the provider. With the year coming to a close and me looking at another substantially expensive surgery which I know they'll cover but I have a bizarro deductible (gotta love being self employed), it's time I got off my getting smaller butt and put this in gear. Mucho gracias (see - picking up on the language after 3 years of HS Spanish and 4 trips to TJ )

Here's another trick - if you get off the elevator on any floor, at the far end of the left hand hall is a door which leads outside. Go out and there's an elevator to your right. I can't remember which floor it's on and I swear I can't figure out why you can't get there by stairs, but there's an ice machine on I THINK the bottom floor. Get your ice bucket (always seemed to be on the top shelf of the closet for some reason) and either use it filled with ice or fill up your sink with ice and you can "chill" your water bottles w/o having to risk putting the water over ice - even though I've heard TJ water is just as good as US water, lol. Just an extra precaution to enjoy a nice cold drink - especially if you have some flavors to add to them (I admit - I don't like plain water). If you have trouble finding the ice machine, ask one of the guys who carries your luggage - they are WONDERFUL Also - there's a Quickie Mart type place that if you're facing out from the front door of the hotel is at approximate 11oclock. It's a lot closer than the Costco if you just want to grab a few things. Apparently there are stores were you can buy the pain meds you get at the clinic - I never could figure out which stores they were

Okee dokee, I can admit to this since it was so long ago I ate on the plane on the way there AND had a "last meal" the night before (but not w/in 12 hours of) surgery After I checked out of the clinic I had some broth at the hotel and Mama Ortiz had taken us to get some stuff that's like the Crystal Light packets but in different flavors than they have in the US. Plus I had brought some Crystal Light packets with me. On the way home I bought some water and Gatorade at the airport and even though it was a 4.5 hour flight, I really wasn't hungry on the way home. Plus I slept most of the time. Once I got to my home airport which is another 2 hours from my actual HOME, I had some more water and Gatorade. And of course, once home chicken broth, beef broth, veggie broth and if you strain the onions out, Campbell's onion soup is like beef broth with a little kick to it. Take some broth packets/cubes with you if you think you'll get hungry on the way home. PS - be careful with the SF popsicles. More than 2 and I cramp up like crazy with the artificial sweetener. But I have a friend who can eat 50 with no problem. I hate her

If you look at the top left of this page, you'll see the OCC emblem You didn't seem happy with how you were being treated. NoWorry seems to know someone who he feels is just as good as Dr. Ortiz and offered you contact information. If money/family/babysitting/nerves/etc are that big of an issue to you, then it would only make sense to follow through with your plans for your specific date, albeit with another doctor. I apologize if you felt I was "kicking you out" - I was offering you an option that would meet all your specific requirements. Your father must be a very good doctor. My mother is a midwife and I know she has had to reschedule patients MANY times due to, ooops, someone's baby decided to come early. I don't know if she personally calls people. Many, many, MANY posters here and other boards have called Dr. Ortiz's cell phone at all times of the day and night and talked to him or gotten a call back. If talking to him directly is important to you, and without putting words into Lori's mouth, that can probably be arranged for you. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

So start going to your buddy's doctor. Problem solved. Yes, I have always been weighed at OCC. You can also schedule appointments with them every 4 weeks if that's what's important to you. And yes, I have always been able to talk to Dr. Romero if there's been an issue (like when I was overfilled).

Wow. I know I've had appointments canceled by doctors in the US and I can just imagine me calling them and telling them I HAVE TO HAVE AN EXPLANATION and they are responsible for any expenses I incur when they cancel, lol. And if they can't provide that, then they best be there when I show up and they just need to reschedule whatever came up. Yeah, that would go over well. I would certainly no longer have to worry about being the patient as I'm sure they'd tell me to go elsewhere for my healthcare. I just can't believe you called this "dishonest". Personally I think the OP probably should go the doctor NoWorry prefers.

NoWorry, this is no different than any other kind of medical treatment - EVERY BODY REACTS DIFFERENTLY. I have migraines. I talk a lot with other migraine sufferers. There can be a drug that doesn't work at all on one person, works OK on someone else, works perfectly on another person, causes odd side effects on someone else and dangerous side effects on yet another person. THERE IS NO ONE ANSWER. When Fills Center USA called me to schedule a fill, they were very surprised I had such a small amount. But you know what? I lost weight with that amount. Meanwhile there are people I was banded with who have almost 3 times the fill I have but are still needing more. Just like the probably 100's of different medications I've tried over the last 30+ years for migraines, this is no different - you start conservatively and go from there. I can tell you from experience the LAST thing you want is an overfill. But when I was overfilled I received less than I've seen ANYONE ELSE get on their first fill from Dr. Romero. So how was he to know I was going to be different? He didn't. He tried. It was wrong. We worked on it and fixed the problem. I would love for medicine to be an exact science and I would love everyone's body to be exactly the same (preferably Angelia Jolie's ) but that's just not how it works. If you're looking for cut and dried solutions and absolutes every time, then perhaps the lapband wasn't/isn't for you.

Ugh, I am with you! I need a fill. Thing is, I'm restricted like all get out during my TOM - which last month lasted 3 weeks (which is a bad thing that ended up being a good thing, lol). I'm going to call Fill Centers next week and bring myself from .8cc to 1cc. If I can't eat at all during my next TOM, then I'll just live on shakes. I DON'T CARE - right now I can get just about anything down - and I am

Honestly, I wish I had done this sooner. Heck, I would have loved to have been banded at my goal weight You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders and you know what you're getting into. Of course all surgery is dangerous. So is driving a car. We take little risks every day! Make sure you research the doctor completely, best of luck and keep us up to date!! BTW, I had no health issues besides high cholesterol (which everyone on my mother's side of the family has, even the skinny folk) so mine was pretty much done for cosmetic reasons too.