Tracey

Hi. I'm Tracey. THe same thing happened to me. I had starting having trouble with my band feeling tight and over 2 visits I had all of my fill removed. But then one morning i woke up and I couldn't keep anything down. I couldn't even take a tiny sip of water. I lived that way for 2 days thinking it would get better. I called Dr Ortiz's clinic on the 3rd day and was told to get to the clinic ASAP. I went the next day. My band had slipped and there was so much swelling by the time I got there that my band could not be saved. I had my band removed in May. I should have realized there was something wrong when I had all my fill remved and I still couldn't eat hardly anything at all. If you are not able to get even water down please call the clinic and talk to one of the Doctors there. I would hate for you to lose your band too. I am planning to get rebanded soon. Even though I had that bad experiance I still know that getting the band was the best thing i had ever done for myself. I can't wait to get it back. Good luck to you.

Hi. I'm Tracey. I don't know if I met you Wed or not. I had to fly to TJ because I thoughtI had slipped my band, I had he same symptoms that you describe and yes my band had slipped. I had surgery Wed and they couldn't save it so I now have no bamd. Please don't take any chances. If you feel something is not right it probably isn't. At least let them check again. I've been crying my eyes out because I feel like I've lost my control now. But if something has happened to your band this soon in it can probably be fixed. Call Dr. Ortiz

Thanks Clynn. I went to the clinic where I have been getting my fills on Friday. I only had 1.1 cc in my band. Because of my acid reflux the Dr. said I should let her remve all of my fill. I was so scared to do that. But she said I needed to take care of the reflux or it would cause damage so I did it. I feel so much better. She said to wait a few weeks and see if I can tell a difference with the reflux and with what and how much food I am able to eat. I'm just a little afraid of gaining the weight back but I know I needed to do this.

Ok I love my band. BUT...Back in November I was down to the size I was comfortable with. 132lbs. I went to a clinic locally and had a little of my fill removed. I went from 2.1 cc to 1.1 cc. I was trying to stop losing weight. Since then I have lost down to 117 lbs. My band feels tighter and I am unable to eat much of anything. I'm going for another unfill on Friday. I just don't understand why it seems as I lose weight my band seems to get tighter. It seems like it would be the other way around. I never thought I would be complaining about losing weight, but I don't want to look sickly. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem? I'm also worried about removing too much of my fill because I definately don't want to gain my weight back. I never thought that I would have trouble stablizing my weight. I guess I just thought it would eventually balance out. Anyone have any thoughts?

Name: Tracey Gillespie Location: Natchez, Mississippi Gender: Female Age: 40 Height: 5'3 Band Date: March 20, 2007 Highest weight ever: 230 Weight at start of pre-op: 197 Weight date of surgery: 185 Weight Today: 117

I'm now at my goal weight and am considering where to go for my plastic surgery. I was thinging of going to someone in Mexico if the prices are better. I need a tummy tuck, breast lift and skin removed from my arms and thighs. I was wondering if anyone has used a Dr. in Mexico or knows someone that has. I thought Dr. Oriz was getting a plastic surgeon on his staff but I haven't seen anyone listed on the website. I would feel very comfortable going to someone that Dr. Oriz recommends.

Hi Jodi I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz in March of this year. I was 185 the day of the surgery. Today I weigh 134. It was absolutely the best thing I have ever done for myself. Well worth the 8500. Dr Ortiz and his staff are great! Give one of the patient care coordinator's a call. Carolyn of Lori will give you all the information you need. I didn't tell anyone other than my husband that I was going to Mexico to have my surgery because of all the looks you get when you say "surgery in Mexico". I have recommended Dr. Ortiz to a few other people who got quoted 30,000 to have it done here in the states. If you decide to get the band with Dr. Ortiz you won't be sorry. Just be prpared thaat the way you eat will change drastically. You will have ups and downs, but it is very much worth it in the end.

I've been trying to do mostly liquids. The liquids don't feel as bad going down now as they did but its still not right. There's not very much I can get down. Sometimes I can't even get a smoothie down. Morning are far worse than any other time. I bought the slim fast optimas again to try for a while s I can make sure I get enough protien until whatever I did heals. If I PB thats it for me also. I know I should go get an adjustment but I'm gonna try to stick it out awhile longer. Too worried about the weight coming back on. I hope you get to feeling better.

The Number I called was listed under Dr Drake Bellanger. But I don't think thats the actual Dr there now. I think its someone new. But the Physicians asst did my fill. Her name is Holly. It was $350 and you can go back anytime within 2 weeks of the fill and have it adjusted if you need to. Here's the #1-225-819-4205. I didn't have to do any paper work. She only sees pts on Wed afternoons I think. Goodluck!

Thanks for the info. Seems weird that after being just right for so long it suddenly gets too tight. I'm afraid to unfill. Don't want to gain weight back. GOnna give it a few more days. Maybe a few days of liquids will help.

Hi. I was banded in March by Dr. Ortiz. I had my 1st fill with Dr Acousta in May. Then in June I had a second fill with a Dr in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Flouro wasn't used. I have about 2.1 cc in my band. At least that is what I was told on June 6th when I had my 2nd fill. I didn't have any trouble until about 3 weeks ago. I started having trouble with PBiing. I was having days where I could eat and days I couldn't eat hardly anything at all. But the past 3 or 4 days it has actually been painful to eat and to even drink. I am able to drink but it hurts when it goes through. I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this happen to them. My husband wants me to have an unfill but I don't want to go run out and spend another $350 to get it unfilled. I've been trying to just do liquids to see if it just needs to heal after going through the PBing I was doing. I can't afford to go back to TJ right now. But I'm also a little afraid that if something is wrong and if maybe not doing something about it might cause the band to completely close up. Could that happen even if its been over 2 months since my last fill? I would appreciate anyone who might have some ideas. Thank you in advance. By the way I was 197.5 when I decided to get banded and today I am 159.5. I love my band!

THanks Pammie. I called Dr. Bellanger's Office and talked to Holly. She was very nice. I found out they see fill pts on Wed's and all I need to take with me is the card with my band info on it. I feel so much better knowing I have someone within an hour's drive for my fills. I wish I could go back to TJ every time but its just possible.

I know I've asked this before but I can't find it anywhere here. I need to find a fill Dr. Close to mississippi. Someone hadsaid there was a Dr. in Baton Rouge La. and one in JacksonMs. If anyone knows the names of these Dr.s can you please tell me one more time. Thank you so much for your help.

Thanks for the information. I just got back from TJ. I stayed at the Lucerna. I will probably just stay there every time. I know its nice and its safe. I'm so glad I cancelled my reservatins at the best value. I just had a bad feeling about it.

Hi WIshinginWA. I was wondering how your trip went and how the Hotel was. I'm leaving in the morning for my first fill but I've decided to stay at the Lucerna. THe lady I talked to at the Best Value Inn was not very nice on the phone. I'm curious to see if the hotel was ok to stay at. Did you feel safe? I have to travel alone every time I go so feeling safe is a BIG deal.

Hi wishinginwa. I just cancelled my reservations for this hotel. I hope your trip went ok. I called them because my appt is at 930 on the 10th and my plane gets in at 0850. I wanted to find out if they would have trouble getting me to my appt so soon after my flight gets in. The lady that I talked to was not very nice at all and quickly told me I needed to reschedule my appt at the clinic. I just cancelled and will stay at the lucerna. I know its nice and everyone there is great so I think I'll feel more comfortable. Let me know how your stay went. I hope they weren't as rude in person as they were on the phone.

Hi. I was aondering if anyone has stayed at the Best Value Inn in San diego, the hotel that Lori told us about. I have reservations to stay there in May when I go for my fill. I would like to know you've stayed there and if you felt safe and if its in a decent area. I'll be traveling alone so I just want to feel safe and I'm beginning to have seconds thoughts about staying there.

Yes I'm actually staying 2 nights. I've read about so many people that have had their bands be way to tight after their first fill and I want to make absolutely sure that everything is ok before I fly all the way back to Mississippi. It will be a lot easier if I stay and actually eat and be sure all is ok. If I'm already there and something is wrong I only have a few miles to go to get it fixed. So I'll stay Thursday and Friday nights My flight leaves Saturday morning.

Hi! Yes I'll arrive on May 10th at 0850. I'm going to stay at the hotel Lori told us about. They have free transport to Dr Ortiz's office but they charge 45 to pick up at the airport. My fill appointment is at 0930 on the 10th.

Hi. I'm Tracey. I was 197.5 before I started my pre-op diet. I lost 12 lbs on the pre-op diet. On the day of my surgery, which was March 20th I weighed 185. I am at 177 as of today. Thats only 8 lbs since surgery. Honestly I haven't exercised hardly at all. I know thats not a good thing.I do feel sometimes like maybe this isn't going to work as well for me. I thought I would have lost a little more by now. I go for my first fill May 10, which will be at the 8 week mark. Hopefully after the fill I'll really start to see a difference. I do get down about not losing as much as I had hoped by now but I also have to feel relieved that I've lost and not gained. Thats how I try to think about it. One thing I have noticed is how much better I feel and how much energy I have. I just feel healthier. I hope I'm able to keep that feeling.

Hi! I'm Tracey. I am scheduled to arrive in San diego for my first fill on May 10th. I"ll be arriving about 10am. I know its a little late than you were looking for but it would be great to have someone else going the same time as I am.

I live in Mississippi and will go back to Dr Ortiz for my first fill. But does anyone know of a Fill Dr. closer to Mississippi? It would be nice to not have to go so far.

THank you for your help. I thought it was 1/2 cup at a time but wasn't sure.