Sandflea

Hi, was just wondering if anyone could tell me how long the port area would be sore. I'm a little over 1 week post op and every time i reach for the car door or roll over in bed it feels like I'm pulling something inside and I can feel a hard lump under the insicion, which has already healed (very nicely) is that the port I'm feeling?? It sure is bothersome I hope it dosent stay like that forever, I mean how far in di they put that thing anyways??? :-?

I thought there was something wrong at first. It is a burning sensation and I too feel something pulling when I reach. Mine had nearly went away at 6wks post op. Then just yesterday, I'm not sure what I did, but OMG it hurts as bad as it did right after surgery. It is good to hear from all of you that it does subside eventually. It sure is a big pain in the meantime though. Thanks for bringing it to light!

Sorry for the late reply Stacy, but I like Liquid Health vitamins. They sell them at Henry's here in the San Diego area. They have several varieties. I use the daily multiple and the Liquid calcium. They don't have a bad taste to me at all.

Hey everyone. Just banded a few days ago. Found a liquid vitamin at COSTCO for $12 called

"Liquimax Complete Nutrition" by Your Life. I picked it up today. Flavor is not to bad its a fruity taste. I mixed it with Gatorade. Anyone else tried it?

Is it normal to run fever after having surgery 4 days ago?

What is your temperature? Do you have any redness, warmth around the incision sites? You need to contact Dr. Ortiz immediately! Possible post-op infection is serious. Call him.

Wow, what a whirlwind experience. The Hotel Lucerna is wonderful, the staff are kind and helpful. I couldn't have been treated nicer. My experience at the OCC was just awsome. I loved speaking with the doctors, (although I'm pretty sure they knew I was a handful from the moment I opened my mouth). I pushed them a bit to see how they would handle it, and well.....they are pro's who really do care. As a health care professional myself, I would recommend them to everyone! I am tender now that I am 2 days post op. Feeling some upper GI pressure, finally passing gas, but I cannot burp. Some of the others on the trip were burping like crazy. I feel like I have to, and feel the pressure, but nothing comes up. No nausea or vomiting! I'm on the broth for at least a few more days and am doing watered down juice or gatorade. My friend who came with me had her teeth whitened while we waited for my surgery, they did a great job. I think I'll have mine done when I go for my fill. Also, there is a Lasix clinic downstairs and it is a good one. Plan to have that done too. The weirdest part was crossing the boarder back to the US at 5AM. Talk about a freak show! Apparently people walk across the boarder to go clubbing and then walk back. There were some scary sights! Boarder was a breeze for us though, felt like we had the VIP treatment. We bypassed the long lines of cars, were brought strait in a side door at customs, showed our ID, asked what we were bringing back and told thank you. We walked out the other door and Fransisco was there waiting for us and escorted us right to the van. SMOOTH! FYI if you are bring back alcohol, you can bring 2L per person as long as you do not reside in California. Good thing to know! We barely scraped by with that one!

Overall, a great experience, just waiting for the post-op pain to subside. PS, just a quick hint, I have been constipated since surgery and decided to take some DOSS. Can't swallow the gel caps so opened one and thought I'd just sip it. WRONG. It was like battery acid! Burn baby burn. Don't try it. I'm just gonna increase H20 intake and hope for the best!

To my Amigo Kirk and my Amigas Holly, Janet, and Lisa, it was fabulous meeting you and please keep in touch!

Sandy :-h

HI April Surgery patients,

I just scheduled my surgery for April 20th and have to say I was really nervous about getting it done in Mexico. I went an saw a Dr here in AZ and it was going to cost me $16500 to get it done. I was going to spend the money and do it but after doing a search on the Internet found a this website about Dr Ortiz that talked about the fact that he had pioneered it here in the US and many other places. And there on the website was a picture of Dr Ortiz and the Dr I had just seen here in AZ. So then I talked to my hubby and my mother who has had plastic surgery in Mexico and we were convinced this is the way to go. So now I have to lose 30lbs by surgery day and since Wed when I booked my appt I am done 5.5lbs lets just hope I can do the other 24.5 lbs. I am so scared and excited at the same time. Now I feel like its the waiting game. I wish I could just go and do it tomorrow and be done with it. But Dr said I had to lose the wait first. I went to bed starving last night. But I feel its something I really want then I'm going to do everything I can to be able to get it.

Wish you all great success!

Janet - AZ

Hi Janet,

I am also scheduled on the 20th. I'm supposed to loose 25-30lb too. I've been on it for two weeks lost 13LBS but am starting to plato. I am so hungry! The green veggies help but I am sick of them. Plus, I worry about so much green veggies and the issue with increased risk of clotting due to the high Vit K. Good luck with the preop diet and hope to see you down there.

Sandy

I actually am happy I found this thread. When I first told my husband I was having the surgery he really didn't say much. A few days later, he was awfully clingy. I asked him what was up. We had a long talk. He had concerns that I would leave him when I was thin and that I would not be attracted to him. I explained that he should know me better than that and I am doing this for health reasons not vanity. I know he is still concerned, but I am convinced it will take some work on my part to keep him close and involve him in this process. I know he will enjoy my being thinner again and more active. I think it might encourage him to make a more conscious effort to keep me too! This is kinda funny.....When I told everyone at work about this. One of my really good friends, who is a guy, came up to me and said. Ya know, I was watching Dr. Phil the other day and there was a show about how when women lost weight they became permiscuous, partiers, cheated on their husbands and went basically guy crazy. Is that going to happen to you? I laughed hysterically and said, I'm not having a brain transplant! He and I are drinking buddies after work and his other question was if I would still be able to drink. I said yes, probably not big marguritas though, just tequila shots! It amazes me what people think about when you tell them you are having this surgery done. I am not going to turn into a Barbie. I just want to fit in one airline chair and not get winded walking 3 blocks.

I don't think as many people are "asking for permission" from a spouse vs. merely discussing it. When I talked to my husband I wasn't asking permission, I was opening this up for discussion and he was very clear, NO! Well, that didn't work. He too, did not understand that it was not permission I was looking for. But again, it was not the money that was the issue. He just didn't understand why I can't do this on my own and to have unnecessary surgery, he didn't get it.

He gets it now and he's fine with it. So he says. LOL

My husband knew I wanted the surgery but never said much. The only concern he had was the money part. I scheduled it and then told him. At first he was ok, then a few days later started asking questions. He had some concerns, valid but I have assured him I know what I am doing. I too have always been the rebel doing what I want, when I want. It probably stems from growing up in a house where my mother had to ask permission for everything. Not me! My life, my body, my money, my choice. Period. I have been really open about the surgery. Everyone at work knows. They knew something was up when my eating habits changes so drastically and I was grumpy. Unlike alcoholics, or other disorders, I can't hide mine. It's there for all to see so why hide. BSN I hope you are feeling better. Hang in there. Are you taking any electrolyte supplements to get your labs back in order? You are basically dehydrated. I wish the best for you.

Sandy

Banding date 4/20/07

HELLO ALL. I WAS WONDERING WHERE SOME OF YOU ARE GETTING THE DIFFERENT FLAVOR PROTEIN SHAKES AT? SOME OF THEM SOUND REALLY YUMMY BUT I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE TO GET SOME OF THESE. ALSO ARE YOU GUYS DRINKING THESE PRE-OP OR POST-OP? I NEED TO LOOSE 30 POUNDS BEFORE MY SURGERY ON APRIL 20TH. ANY AND ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED........HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON....

I really liked the Adkins shakes. They were way better than the Slimfast low carbs. Bad thing is, I had a reaction of hives all over my body from them. I spoke with a MD I work with and she stated that many people have reactions to the high protein and the type of protein in these shakes. So, keep an eye out for weird symptoms. She stated that she actually had arthritis symptoms with the Costco brand but not with Slim Fast. Anyway, I have been doing a protein bar from Zone Balance that is really good and low carb for part of my preop diet. I've lost 12lbs in 7 days. Good luck with your diet too.

Hey all of you!

I am scheduled April 13th. I have a major scheduling conflict with work and need the following friday the 20th. Anyone scheduled for that date that would like an earlier date and would be willing to trade dates? I haven't spoken with Lori yet, I will call her tomorrow and she may be able to change the date anyway, but I thought I'd put this out there just in case. I would love to go asap but work is an issue. Thanks!

OK, so just an update....Lori was able to reschedule me to the 20th. If anyone would like my date on the 13th please contact her and see if it is still available. Thanks.

Hey all of you!

I am scheduled April 13th. I have a major scheduling conflict with work and need the following friday the 20th. Anyone scheduled for that date that would like an earlier date and would be willing to trade dates? I haven't spoken with Lori yet, I will call her tomorrow and she may be able to change the date anyway, but I thought I'd put this out there just in case. I would love to go asap but work is an issue. Thanks!

OK, so can we have a last meal? I am wondering? I really would like to. I have been unbelievably adherent to this pre op diet of protein shakes and lean cuisine. The 4lbs of green veggies I am allowed each day has saved me. Although, I have yet to eat 4 pounds in a day, it does help with the hunger. I've lost 6 pounds in 6 days. Crazy! Anyway, has anyone been told that it's ok to have that last meal that is not part of the preop diet?

TERI,

DID YOU HAPPEN TO GET A FLU SHOT THIS YEAR? I SWEAR BY THOSE THINGS. I HAD THE FLU TWO YEARS IN A ROW WHEN I FIRST STARTED WORKING WITH KIDS, 15 YEARS LATER AND NO FLU SYMPTOMS

It is horrible this year. My daughter's school had 50% of students and staff out with it. They even made the front page of our newspaper. I am required to get it for work but we give it to all of our patients as well. It is worth the sore arm for a couple of days! Smart move Pammie to get it each year.

Sandy

Thank you!! I go to OCC today and now I am getting scared. I looked at the pics listed on this website of the OCC from a former pt. I shouldn't have. I am a nurse, but the big needle sticking out of her stomach made me a bit queasy......

Melissa

Hi Mel,

I am also an RN, and schedule a month after you. I am going back to work 5 days after surgery. I had a lap chole 3 years ago and went back the 2nd day. Wasn't a problem. I do 16 hr shifts and my only concern is making sure I am not getting dehydrated. I hope your surgery is a success and let me know what you thought of the whole thing from a nursing stand-point when you get back!

Good Luck!

Sandy

It's a good idea to have the anti flu medicine on hand called "PROMETHAZINE". I was flu-sick over the weekend, and so very glad the last time I was at my regular Dr. I asked for a prescription just in case. GregNE posted it a while back and it worked like a gem. PBing along with the whole sliming thing is very different then the flu which is a more violent nature. I can see where the band could slip if you continue to throw-up with the flu!!!!!!!! Have it on hand. When you have nothing in your system, and still have the need to upchuck, you still go threw all the motions. I couldn't eat for 2 days. I'm going to try today. After thinking it was going to be a fun weekend, because we had out of towners in, it wasnt so fun. (

Teri

Teri, Promethazine is not a anti-flu medication. It is an anti-emetic, which simply means it is an anti-nausea/vomiting medication and it works more on the centers of your brain that tell you that you are nauseated and need to vomit. Be careful with these medications they are sedating and not for all people. They are only given by prescription, another you might hear used is Reglan (metaclopramide). Just know that it does not stop or decrease the actual "influenza", viral or bacterial illness, it just makes you not feel like vomiting. I hope you feel better, but beware of casual use of this medication. I hope your band is working well for you, I'm scheduled next month.

Sandy

Hi Michelle,

I have not been banded yet, but I thought I'd write since April 6 is my surgery date too. What sort of meds do they have you on for PCOS? Just curious, since I was diagnosed in 1989, and there were no meds at that time other than fertility drugs for those who wanted to conceive at that precise time. (Which incidentally, I took without success.--10 years later, I had a spontaneous pregnancy, and my body sort of figured out what to do from that point on, and most--not all--of my problems resolved.) Just curious, and I hope I'm not prying.

At any rate, I just thought say Hi since we will probably cross paths on banding day!

OK, so a lot of women that are overweight are diagnosed with PCOS. The problem is that it effects are entire endocrine system. That is why you are seeing the Diabetic medications like Metformin or Actos prescribed. I was also diagnosed with the PCOS after my second daughter and a weight of 270lb. Missing periods, increased hair growth in places less desired, darkening of skin around neck, under arms etc., skin tags, and an insane craving for sugar. My doctor started me on a great new medication called Byetta. It's current FDA use is for type 2 diabetes but it is showing great promise with PCOS and weighloss in these patients. I started it last year and am feeling much better, not craving sugar, regular periods and I have had 2 friends start it as well. I lost about 20lbs but my friends have lost around 30lb each. So, if you know someone who suffers from the PCOS diagnosis, let them know about Byetta and tell them to ask their doctor if it is right for them. And remember, your PCOS dx might be secondary to obesity and will go away on it's own when you loose your weight. I am scheduled April 13th. I am also on the 1 shake, 2 lean cuisine diet until then. I have found the metamucil caplets to help with the empty stomach feeling.

Good luck to us all!

Wow, all three of you at once! Is your surgery on the 13th as well or are you having surgery the 14th? My best friend is going with me but just as support. My husband is staying at home with our girls. Have you booked your flights yet? I'm still looking for a great airline deal, so far the cheapest is Alaska air. I'll keep watching though.

Good luck with everything!

Sandy

Are you worried? I'm a bit nervous but excited. Do you know anyone who has gone to this facility?