LisaVA

35 pounds!! Isnt that great !!??!! Good for you, Judy !! Once you get past this liquid stage, you'll soon forget how tough it was --- great luck to you !!! Lisa

You're very welcome ! thats what makes this board so great -- I knew exactly what to expect both for surgery and fill - altho I just couldnt wrap my head around the fill - how could that not hurt ? everyone is right - it does NOT hurt! Drawing blood and shots are more painful, and they don't really hurt at all! Its easy. I, too, went alone - both for surgery and fill. You'll be fine! Take care --- Lisa

HI, LORI ! sounds like an AA meeting! You can try and blackmail me, but no one would pay for any info about me! I don't know whether to be sad or happy about that! ha ha BTW - the great tomato allergy lasted forever -- had another round of steroids (altho the Doc said, "I cant give you any more - it might make you psychotic" - wooo! there's a fun time!) -- but it seems to have left me now -- I think my body just got in reaction mode and got stuck. Anyway, thanks for being there for my momentary freak out. I had my fill - boy am I restricted now! I love it!!! While I have you - is the lovely man who did my fill Dr. Romero or Dr. La Costa ?? He was there all day the day of my surgery and all night, too -- very lovely, sweet, gentle, adorable. I had asked at the desk, after my fill and she said his name was La Costa, but everyone on the boards says Dr Romero does the fills. This young man is in medical school - but I dont know what level. Thanks! I hope you are well -- Lisa

OOPS - Sorry!

Cheryl -- PB'ing is def. a euphemism for vomiting. I "PB'd" on Saturday for the first (and LAST) time. I was starving and at too large a piece of baked, skinless, boneless chicken breast. Holy crap! I had trouble breathing, a huge pain in my chest (all symptoms I would normally call 9-1-1 for), before it all + came back up. Thank GOD I wasnt in public. I will NEVER do that again. You really really really must chew your food. When looking up euphemism for spelling, I thought - yup, this says it all: eu

You are very welcome, NW ! Great luck to you ! You'll be eating soon -- now that I'm 7 weeks out from surgery, that time of only drinking is like a blur -- keep your eyes on the horizon ! Take care -- Lisa

Congrats, PJ!! I was banded April 9 - my experience is on the newbie page - "Newly banded-Day 8". This is an excellent forum - by the time you get there, you will know what to expect. I had my first fill on May 24th - a perfect 1.7cc's. You can certainly avoid PB'ing by being careful. More than PB'ing, my new fill reminds me when I eat too fast. I get a spasm in my chest that stops me cold. I am in an environment that moves fast -- there are days at work where I start at 8am, and on a potty break at 4:30pm, I realize its the first time I've been in that particular chair all day! So I eat on the run constantly - this is a big adjustment for me -- but I love it!!! I'm full quickly and it lasts hours. Best of luck to you -- and visit here often -- you're among friends!! Lisa

Judy - DEF go to TJ for your fill! (and I LOVE the Lucerna, but thats just my preference). My fill is so on the money! I was filled on Thursday morning and home Sat. morning. I went to my aunt & uncle's house for dinner Monday night, and boy did I know I was filled!!! I ate literally one third of what I normally would have consumed and if I did not chew really well, it let me know ! And I was full for hours!!! GOD I LOVE THIS BAND!!! (I also lost 5 pounds from Thursday to Monday) I think if you got great rates at 8 weeks, that would be fine. Its not a hard and fast rule - it just worked out for me at 6. Great luck to you! Lisa

I just returned from my first Fill in TJ. I live on the East Coast, so it was an expense to return, but I wanted my first (if not all, how ever many I end up needing) to be where I was banded. Francisco picked me up exactly on time, and dropped me off at the Lucerna again. TIP: Go on their website and send the manager an email - make your reservations thru them, mentioning that you are an OCC patient. The rate is $80 per night - and is $129, or so if you do it on your own. Mrs. Ortiz picked us up in the lobby and we were delivered to the OCC. So good to see them again - its been 6 weeks and 3 days. Dr. LaCosta (?), who was there all day AND all night of my surgery, did my fill. I was more nervous about this than the surgery ! He told me it didnt hurt, but how could that be? Long needle in the belly ??!!?? Well, he's right, of course! It totally did not hurt and it was extra cool to see my band on the monitor !!! He flushed the band - which felt very funny but did not hurt, then I sipped the pink flouro-juice (tasteless), and you watch it go thru - so cool - then I got my 1.7cc's and we got to watch that ! It has taken me longer to type this report than it took for my fill. I went shopping on Revolucion' Ave for a little while then went back to Lucerna. Walked about 2 miles - another TIP: I left Lucerna and turned right - cross the street and about 8-10 minutes up on your left is a large grocery store. I bought CLIGHT (Mexican version of Crystal Light) - the Pina Colada flavor is so delicious!!! Went back this trip and bought about 15 more. There are 2 flavors I have no idea what they are = Another TIP - if you are jonesing for good coffee - try the BUZZ BUZZ (?) - its again out of Lucerna, turn right - cross street - its only 2 blocks down and they have outdoor seating at the roundabout. Great people watching! So I'm FILLED ! I admit I've snuck some food, even tho I'm supposed to be on liquids till tomorrow - I've been distractingly hungry 2x. I'll try and only do liquids till tomorrow. Bottom line: Don't sweat the fill. There's nothing to it -- its all gain! Be well.

Hey, Steve - I was a self pay, but I have an HMO. I have not told them yet about my band, but will in about 30-40 more pounds. I frankly don't care what they think - they should be grateful that I'm taking charge of my health - with no help from them! Can't you ask beforehand if it will be a problem? Is there someone you can call to ask those types of questions? On the other side of things, as long as you follow the rules, there generally speaking no complications for most people. I had none - no pain, no problems. Most of the people on this board report the same. I hope you find out what you're looking for ! Best of luck to you - Lisa

Hi, DQ! I, too, am glad you posted -- this isn't OZ, this is a frank exchange amongst people who share the band. I'm very very sorry this hasn't been more beneficial to you. I wish you the best of luck - and please do keep posting - you are among friends! Take good care - Lisa

Fantastic, Pammie! I"m very happy for you - how exciting !! I wish you speedy wonderful healing ! And "better living through chemistry" is one of my favorite things ! Enjoy -- Lisa

Jeri - Also email Lori, who moderates this board - she is wonderful ! She was so impresssed by Dr. Ortiz that she now works for him - she is one of two patient coordinators -- people who dealt with Carolyn say the same thing - that she's wonderful. As far as cost, its $8,500.00. And the others on this thread are exactly right -- Dr. Ortiz taught many of the US doctors how to do the surgery. It was the best experience I could have imagined -- check out the newbie page and read the stories -- if you want the best, at the best price - its Dr Ortiz. This is the only thing in my life that was too good to be true and WAS. Best of luck to you!

Hey, nickelb - how are you feeling now ?? LT

For the both of you -- if you are feeling gas pains - WALK. It works. Guaranteed. I had NO pain at any time. I had the gas discomfort - directly in the center of my chest, which can be a little disconcerting - but walking helps. Walk as much as you possibly can. It works - I know. Good luck ! Lisa

Congrats, Pammie - break a leg !!! Please keep us posted -- we'll certainly be thinking of you! Are you going local or are you going back to TJ ?? Just getting prepped for my turn ! Great luck to you!! Lisa

I'm with you! There's only one other person on the planet (aside from all the people at the OCC and the great folks on this site) -- that knows I have this band - and I will only tell one other person - my Primary Care doc at my HMO - when I'm ready. Its no ones business but yours - its your body and your life and you have the right to make decsions about it! But yes - there are "others" !!! Good for you. And stop being ashamed right now - shame never helped anyone do anything. You have nothing to be ashamed about = you are to be commended ! You did a wonderful thing for yourself ! What a great gift !! Congratulations -- Lisa

HI! I have been a lifer in the dieting world - I'm 47 years old, 5'5" and was 241 pre-op, 228.5 on surgery day (tomorrow will be ex 1 month) and I'm 221.5 as of yesterday. Was it worth it? I'm with Pammie - HELL YES! I know that I now have a tool - a secret weapon - to help me for the rest of my life. Fills? Dr. Ortiz told me that the average bandster has 3 fills for life. There are more and less, of course, but that generally speaking - 3 fills should do it for the average person. That indicated to me that once my "correct" level of fills were acheived, unless I wanted/needed it tweaked, that would be it ! Best of luck to you - there's a lot of GREAT information on this site -- and as you can tell we are all quite devoted to Dr Ortiz - his whole staff has taken customer service to a level you will not see anywhere else in your life. It still amazes me ! Good luck !

I had this problem because I was drinking too much juice! Don't drink apple juice at all - or if you must - dilute it at least 50/50 with water --- this too, will pass! (sorry) Lisa

Hey, Mac - Congratulations on your decision!! I was banded in TJ by Dr. Ortiz on May 9th, just shy of 1 month ago. It was the greatest experience! Feel free to go to the "newbie" section and read my post - Just Banded - Day 8. I told NO ONE where I was going or why, except my brother, and I told him the day before I left. I called him an hour after the procedure from my room to assure him I was fine. And I was fine. I never had a minute of pain. BUT. You must walk -- people say that on these boards, and its true. They use Co2 gas in your abdomin so that they can easily visualize your innards. They get as much of it out as possible, but some remains and the only way to work it out is to walk it out. If you do that, and follow the other rules, you'll be fine. The rules arent that tough (all my humble opinion, of course). I think dieters are a tough bunch anyway - and this certainly is an easy thing to follow. I also did not and have not informed my HMO about my band. I will do that, in about 4 more months, when I have lost more weight. I'm due for a full check up anyway. I will tell them then. I consider this a life long tool for me to take control of my weight. I've been yo-yo dieting for 25+ years and while I've lost the same 80-100 pounds 5 times in the last 20 years or so - I just got sick of it! I am also approaching menopause, and I have found that losing weight is harder for me now than it used to be! I'm 47, 5'5". I started this journey at 241 - was 228.5 at surgery and this morning weighed in at 221.5 - so I've lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks - not too shabby! I'm not consistently exercising (yet) so I think I will get even better results once I get off my butt! I'm averaging a 2lb weight loss each week since surgery. I have also been eating my diet "plan" - the only thing that ever really worked for me which is oatmeal for breakfast, and then chicken, fish, vegetables and fruit. I had a glass of wine wth dinner Friday night - it was wonderful! So I'm really trying -- as many others on this board have said - the band is a tool. You have a huge part in its success or failure. Best of luck to you whatever you decide! By the way - with regards to PBing - thats called "productive burping" - essentially, what cannot pass comes back up to you. I have read about that and vowed to myself that it would not happen to me. So far, so good. If I eat too fast - which happens in a fast paced world - my band reminds me to slow down by giving me a tight feeling in the center of my chest. Its a not so subtle reminder to slow down and CHEW. Once I have my first fill (3 weeks!), I will have to be extra vigilant. Great luck - keep us posted !!!

Thanks, Katie! You've done great !! Congratulations! :-) Lisa

Sandy - Glad your experience was like mine - wonderful! for the constipation, don't dilute the apple juice and believe me, it will WORK ! Best of luck to you!! Lisa

Ooh, Judy - I'm not sure -- I have a passport -- I would ASSUME that a DL and a Birth Certificate would suffice - but ask Lori - she'll know, she knows everything! :-) I'm looking forward to your experience post!!! Break a leg! Lisa

I'll reply to myself (in case anyone is wondering) - altho what are you bandsters who are on solids eating for breakfast??? I emailed Dr Miranda who suggested: 2 Special K bars, 1 apple, - or- 1 egg, 1 slice of whole wheat toast, 1 slice turkey ham, 1 fruit, - or - 4 whole wheat crackers, 2 tblsps lowfat cottage cheese, 1 pear, - or - 1 cup oatmeal with 1 fresh fruit (the oatmeal is good for your heart, so just measure it so that you don't eat too much) Lisa