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scubadot

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Everything posted by scubadot

  1. Hi, I had my lap band surgery in 2007... not a good fit for me either. Starting weight was 307 and got down to 230 after band stopped me from eating solids for about two months in 2008. Had band unfilled and started gaining my weight back. Got back up to 297 and SCHEDULED to have revision with Dr Ortiz in September 2012. Best decision I have ever made for myself. Back to Mexico and had band removed and stomach cut in the same surgery. Dr Ortiz is awesome. Easy surgery and easy recovery. Back to hotel day after surgery... walked to Wal-Mart that afternoon. Out and about every day. Stayed in TJ for 3 more nights and then up to San Diego and went to the Zoo for the day. I would do it all agAin in a heartbeat. Surgery weight 260 and one year later... I am at 160 and just had plastic surgery removing 6 lbs of skin with tummy tuck. Look good and feel great. A good website is verticalsleevetalk.com. Lots of great info and a big help. Cheers, Dottie
  2. Hi... I had Revision surgery with Dr. Ortiz last September. He removed my lapband and did the Vertical Sleeve. My starting weight was 297 in January 2012... I lost 40 pounds on the pre-op diet... so surgery weight was 257. And now, I am 8 months out from my surgery and at 183! Dr. Miranda set my goal weight at 185... so, if I can do it.....I'm sure you can do it! It has been the best thing that I have done for myself. And Dr. Ortiz and his staff are the very best! I wish you all the very best of luck! And I know everything will go smoothly for you! Another place for good information... which is where I did most of my research... is verticalsleevetalk.com Cheers, Dottie
  3. Anyone having sleeve surgery in September? I am scheduled September 10! Cheers, Dottie
  4. Hi, You can do a deposit with paypal. And then I sent cashier checks to them over a several month period until I was paid in full. If you pay with credit card.. they will charge a fee. Hope this helps. Good luck and congrats on your decision. I am 2 weeks away from my surgery...yeah! Cheers, Dottie
  5. Hi Joyful, Congratulations and I am so excited for you! I wish you all the very best of luck! I am 28 days away from my Revision surgery with Dr. Ortiz... and like you, I am excited, nervous and scared! Keep my the great work! Cheers, Dottie
  6. Hi Goofy, I have been doing Isopure Whey Protein Shakes for 2 meals a day... with Ostrim Protein Jerkee snacks to keep my energy levels up throughout the day. I blend the Isopure with Soy or Almond milk which gives me a total of 60 grams of protein per shake. The protein has made it a lot easier to stick to it. I have discovered cottage cheese with a can of tuna and egg white omelets. So, I am taking lots of protein in and not too many carbs. It seems to be working for me. I have dropped 34 pounds since February...slow and and steady. Hope this helps. Cheers, Dottie
  7. Hi All, Yes... this forum has gotten very sparse. I found www.lapbandtalk.com several years ago and lots and lots of people are on it all the time. I am now on www.verticalsleevetalk.com which has given me a lot of great info about my upcoming revision surgery. I still monitor this one... but, my posts get two or three replies... whereas, on vertical sleeve talk... I get dozens. Cheers, Dottie
  8. Congrats Bella! You will be at Onederland before you know it! Cheers, Dottie
  9. Hi Eric, Good luck to you! I have been doing my pre-op diet since February. Dr. Miranda wanted me to lose 32 pounds before surgery. My starting weight was 297 in January 2012 and my current weight is 263. I have been able to lose 34 pounds over the last several months.... and I have been using the Isopure also... great stuff. I like the Banana Cream with soy or almond milk and a frozen banana... very rich and creamy. And because I have lost the necessary weight... I now only have to do the liquid only diet for 3 days prior to surgery (September 10) instead of two weeks....yeah! Good luck to you and your revision! Cheers, Dottie
  10. Anyone having Sleeve surgery in September 2012? I will be arriving in San Diego on Sept 9th. And my sleeve revision surgery is scheduled for Monday, September 10th. I will be at the Marriott until Saturday, September 15th. Anyone else going to be there on those dates? Cheers, Dottie
  11. Okay... I am going to show my ignorance... what is PRP? And what does it help/improve? Thanks, Dottie
  12. Hi Everybody, I have heard that cosmetic facial procedures are being offered at OCC/Ariel while people are there for band or sleeve surgery. Has anyone had anything done? And what was your experience? Cheers, Dottie
  13. Hi, I am scheduled to my Revision surgery in September and found a good list on the Vertical Sleeve Talk forum... I will be including some of these things in my to-go bag. Hope this helps! Cheers, Dottie Comfy Pajamas / Nightgowns Loose Under Clothes Warm Socks House Slippers Loose fitting clothes to wear home Small Firm Pillow (seems to help getting up and moving around with pillow pressed against stomach) Laptop or tablet with Skype Cellphone Reading Material or Kindle Reading glasses Eye mask / Ear plugs Camera Pen / Pad of Paper (to jot notes of things said or explained) Throat Lozenges (sugar free) Lip Balm Gas Relief Chewable or strips Body Wipes Heating Pad for pain relief Breath Strips Small Fan Kids Sip Cup
  14. Thanks Guys.... I am forwarding your thoughts to my friends' husband and that will hopefully put his mind to ease about our safety! Thank you, Dottie
  15. Hi Everybody, I know this might sound silly, but.... I have my Revision surgery (lapband removal & vertical sleeve) scheduled for Monday, Sept 10, 2012. I will be flying into San Diego on Sunday, Sept 9th early afternoon and departing on Saturday, Sept 15th early afternoon. I implicitly trust OCC and Dr. Ortiz... and know I couldn't ask for a better surgeon or center, but I have been feeling anxious about being alone for my surgery and then 5 days at the hotel by myself. A good friend of mine has volunteered to go with me... I didn't ask, but I think she knows that I need/desire the moral support. She just told me that she wants to go with me and I am feeling so much better and feel alot more relaxed about my upcoming experience knowing that I will have a friend to hold my hand if I need it. The only hiccup is that her husband is worried about her traveling to Tijuana. I have had no such qualms... but, would love to pass on some positive feedback on how our safety is not an issue. Any suggestions or thoughts... I would greatly appreciate them! Thanks for listening.... Dottie
  16. Hi Becky, Thanks for the reply. Yes, I still have my band and had it emptied last year in September. It hasn't been giving me any problems... but, good to know that I should plan on the additional charge. About 4 months and counting.... Dottie
  17. Hi Everybody, I am having my LapBand removed and Revision Vertical Sleeve surgery in September. OCC mentions that revision patients may be required to have additional testing preformed prior to surgery including a barium swallow and endosocopy. There is an additional fee for this. I was wondering of you all out there that have had the Revision surgery, did you have to do a barium swallow prior to surgery? Just trying to plan my finances and wondering what the chances are for this? Thanks! Cheers, Dottie
  18. Hi Everybody, I am scheduled for my Revision surgery on Sept 10, 2012. I will be flying to San Diego from the East Coast on Sept. 9... anyone else heading to Tijuana that week? I am doing my pre-op diet and have lost 11 pounds so far... I have 21 more pounds to go before my surgery. They want me below 265 pounds before the surgery. I am ready to get this Band out! My friend that was coming with me has had to cancel... her daughter-in-law is expecting her first baby around that time. So, I am travelling alone and would love to connect with some other people that will be having their surgery at the same time as me. Thanks for listening! Cheers and good luck to all! Dottie
  19. Hi Everybody, My name is Dottie and I live in the Cayman Islands. I had LapBand surgery with Dr. Ortiz in August 2007. Had my first fill in Oct 4, 2007. Went back to work in the Caymans and did okay for about 8 months losing weight. Band was really tight in the AM and somewhat tight for lunch and fine for dinner. And then all of a sudden, Band was too tight...had a hard time with liquids... no matter what time of the day. So, I was on a liquid diet for about 2 months until I could get back to the States for an unfill. Had an unfill in August of 2008. Lost some more weight... total loss from pre-op diet to lowest was 77 pounds... from 307 to 230 in about one year. Stopped losing weight... but, afraid to get fill that might restrict too much again... since I could not get an unfill easily (i.e. - get time off work, plane ticket to the States. etc). Overall, just not happy with band... my fault since I can't get fills and unfills readily. So, I have gained most of my weight back and and am miserable. I realize that the Band was not maybe the best choice for me considering my location. So... new chapter! I am looking to get the Band removed and the Gastric Sleeve revision done with Dr. Ortiz. I think that the Sleeve will be a much better fit for me. So, now... I am planning my new adventure/lifestyle change. I am booked! Doing the Revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) on October 8, 2012. I have to lose 32 pounds before my surgery... I am worried, but excited at the same time. My Mom went with me when I had my Lapband done and it was great having her support. I don't know that I want to ask her to go with me for the Revision... alot more days in Tijuana (approx. one week). For those of you that have done the Revision surgery... what did you do all day? I know that we go back to OCC to get the drain checked once a day... were you comfortably walking around Tijuana? Anything to go see or must do's? (That are do-able after the surgery) I have a very good friend that has volunteered to go with me... she had a gastric by-pass several years ago and has lost over 250 pounds...so, I know she would be good support. Any thoughts or feelings on doing it alone or with someone? And since I do live on a tiny little island in the middle of nowhere... I need to do alot of preparing ahead of time. I am starting to collect protein shakes... and I have ordered a Cuisinart Puree/Blender. Any feedback on best online prices and variety? Anything else that I should start think about stock-piling? Thanks to everyone for listening to me! And sorry for rambling.... Cheers, Dottie
  20. Okay.... I am booked! Doing the Revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) on October 8, 2012. I have to lose 32 pounds before my surgery... I am worried, but excited at the same time. My Mom went with me when I had my Lapband done and it was great having her support. I don't know that I want to ask her to go with me for the Revision... alot more days in Tijuana. For those of you that have done the Revision surgery... what did you do all day? I know that we go back to OCC to get the drain checked once a day... were you comfortably walking around Tijuana? Anything to go see or must do's? (That are do-able after the surgery) I have a very good friend that has volunteered to go with me... she had a gastric by-pass several years ago and has lost over 250 pounds...so, I know she would be good support. Any thoughts or feelings on doing it alone or with someone? Thanks to everyone for listening to me! Cheers, Dottie
  21. Hi Everybody, My name is Dottie and I live in the Cayman Islands. I had LapBand surgery with Dr. Ortiz in August 2007. Had my first fill in Oct 4, 2007. Went back to work in the Caymans and did okay for about 8 months losing weight. Band was really tight in the AM and somewhat tight for lunch and fine for dinner. And then all of a sudden, Band was too tight...had a hard time with liquids... no matter what time of the day. So, I was on a liquid diet for about 2 months until I could get back to the States for an unfill. Had an unfill in August of 2008. Lost some more weight... total loss from pre-op diet to lowest was 77 pounds... from 307 to 230 in about one year. Stopped losing weight... but, afraid to get fill that might restrict too much again. Overall, just not happy with band... my fault since I can't get fills and unfills readily. So, I have gained most of my weight back and and am miserable. I realize that the Band was not maybe the best choice for me considering my location. So... new chapter! I am looking to get the Band removed and the Gastric Sleeve revision done with Dr. Ortiz. I think that the Sleeve will be a much better fit for me. So, now... I am planning my new adventure/lifestyle change. I have been in contact with OCC about the revision surgery and have been told that I need to be on (liquids only) for two weeks (minimum) prior of the surgery. Has anyone else had to do this? And what were your diet instructions? How soon were you able to go back to work? I have a very physical job - lifting scuba tanks and diving everyday... will I have enough energy? I am hoping to have this revision surgery done when I come to the States in October. Any and all feedback would be welcome! Thanks, Dottie
  22. I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone that has complimented me and for sharing your support! Some days... this weight loss thing seems to be taking too long... but, I know it needs to be a slow process.... my weight crept up just as slowly. So, the positive reinforcement just keeps me plugging along... I know I can break the 200 mark... I know I can... I know I can! Thanks again and good luck to everyone that has ever had to fight with their weight! Cheers, Dottie
  23. That's a good way to do it Hanna... don't look when they stick ya.... but, then it didn't bother me to look and see something sticking out of me. It's a peice of cake! Good Luck! Dottie
  24. January 2007 - 307 lbs My Mom and I at OCC - 268 lbs Dr. Ortiz and I (Cutie) First Popsicle - Yummy! http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/s...urgeryEMAIL.jpg First Walk after surgery http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/s.../DotOct2007.jpg Flying to Tampa for first fill October 2007 http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/s...ngPortEmail.jpg Accessing Port http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/s...ngBandEmail.jpg Filling Band http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/s...MyFillEmail.jpg Fill - easy as pie http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/s...Trip/NYEDot.jpg January 2008 - 238 lbs Working Working working at it! Hope you enjoy the pics, Dottie
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