mefromFL

Jenna, The analogy of the turkey pop-up timer was great because that is exactly what it feels like. Maybe when when we reach our target, it pops up! Hee Hee Hee

Thanks Jenna, That's good to know. I was afraid that I had done something to it on the plane by lifting luggage. It is probably normal then. Right now, I have taken Celebrex for a couple of days to reduce the inflamation and I am taking it easy. I guess that I thought that I'd be Superman just after the surgery. There is a lump there, but I guess that is normal too. It seems to be a large area, but it is still recovering, I'm sure. Good news is that I have already lost four lbs. in only five days. Hopefully the pain will slowly go away and I won't need any emergency trips back to Dr. Ortiz. I am surprised that the strict diet is actually going well and easy to follow. I have Jello, gatorade, boullion, and a little of a slim-fast Optima smotthie shake, which is really good (only had a quarter of the bottle at a time).

Kgirl22, The lap-band is a much safer operation and it sounds to me like your doctor may be experienced in bypass and not the lap-band. Look into Dr. Ortiz; he has mastered the surgery. As far as the fills go, 10% of the people that get the surgery don't need any fills and others may only need one or two. It depends on the person. The fills are included in the price with Dr. Ortiz. I keep reading that that the lap-band is going to make bypass obsolete, except for the most extreme cases. I have just heard of way too many complications with bypass and special diets, restrictions, etc. Having the surgery done in Mexico will save you a lot of money and they have actually been doing the procedure for much longer than the US. Good Luck.

Hi. Well I just had my surgery by Dr. Ortiz on Wednesday. It went well. The hotel is very nice and his staff as well. You get your tests done the first day and then you can go exploring Tijuana. I recommend Rosarito, the beach area. Next morning you go to the hospital. You have a private room. I had a view of a golf course and the mountain. The place accomodates about 8 patients. In the morning you meet with Dr. Ortiz and the anesthesiologist to go over questions. Then you walk over to the OR and the surgery lasts about 20 minutes. You have only ice chips the rest of the day and night and you sleep there. I brought my laptop as they have connections there and wireless. The next morning the Dr. comes in and discharges you and his next group of patients come in. Then you go back to the hotel and do whatever you want. We all felt a bit weak so we rested. I did some walking later that day. Contrary to what a lot of people say online about not needing pain meds, we all did, but it wasn't severe. I think that I strained myself a bit carrying my luggage at the airport and my port area is very sore and swollen, but everything else is ok. I actually have already lost 2lbs and although my stomach is grumbling a bit, I don't feel hungry. I am very glad that I went through with it. Good Luck!

This is the third day after surgery and I am experiencing quite a bit of pain and swelling around the fill port. I actually think that it is worse than the day after (maybe because I was on heavier pain meds). I wanted to know if this is normal and how many days people have found that it can take for this pain to go away.

Trixxy, I just got banded yerterday and I am up and about. I went to the beach today. Yes, there was some pain, but I am dealing. I think that today is one of the happiest days of my life. I haven't eaten real food in two days now and I am not hungry. Dr. Ortiz is one of the best in the industry, I would definitely recommend him and his crew. The hotel, the clinic, and the staff are all very nice. The surgery is actually quite simple and shouldn't be compared to gastric bypass. I am so looking forward to this next chapter of my life.

I just got banded yesterday and am doing really well. However, I am also having difficulty burping. They seem to get stuck. I tried eating soup and so far can only have about half of a bowl and I am completely full. I am going to take it slow. The pain in my shoulders has gone away, but I think that the walking has helped out alot.

We are all fine. We were discharged this morning. Slept at the clinic and we left at about 11:00am, it's a nice place, like a little hotel. We all had some pain and needed some pain meds, but today went really well. I walked a little and then took a nap for an hour and then went walking a bit on the beach. I have been light-headed and soon realized that Gatorade is going to be my best friend for awhile; I guess that is expected when you don't eat for two days. I am so happy, because the journey has already been started. Best of all, I'm not hungry, feeling a bit bloated, and did have pain in the shoulders , which others had also and was from the CO2 that they pump you up with during the surgery.

I have my laptop with me so five of us just got banded a few hours ago. A little bit in pain but very happy.

Well this brings up another point. Will there be problems taking pills after the surgery? Vitamins may not be that hard to find in liquid, but not other medications. Does anyone know what the restrictions are for taking any pill medications...after surgery and then after the three week period.

Apryl, As far as feeling embarassed about the procedure....I have felt a little like that as well. I travel for work every week and my coworkers are going to wonder why I can't eat with them for three weeks and they will ask questions and then wonder why I can only eat from the children's menu (can't wait for that!!!). But you know what .....this is all about all of us! We are all doing this to be healthier and happier! So it doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks. I am going to be lean, mean, and sexy!! You Go Girl!!

I guess that I am nervous about that too. I travel for work every week, so I think that it is going to be especially difficult for me. I will have a week before going back to work and then on the road again. I am not sure exacltly what the diet is for the first few weeks, but I hope that I am going to be able to get everything I need.

Hi, yes I am also scheduled for the 27th. I am a bit scared now, but at the same time very excited! I am from FL. Where are you?