The Hawaii Girl

I would like to thank everybody for taking the time to reply to my call for help. I guess that I was wrong about this surgery. I have to be honest with myself and my fellow my "banders", I thought that if I reduce my calorie in-ake that I would lost weight, automatic!! call me lazy~! My weight does not only effect my health, but my career! What are you talking about, you ask? In my line of work I have to maintain a certain weight. I though that if I got this band that I will lose the weight quickly without any hard work, but I know the things that you want in life comes with hard work! And none thing will be give to you..you have to work it!!! So, yes I have spent over $10K.... if you count the trips that I will made to TJ. Please don't get me wrong...I will continue to make that trips... because Dr Ortiz and his staff were and is amazing to me and my family. This weight lose has not effect me but my family. My husband has watch me through the pain, and financial difficult of my weight lose journey, and has not complain one time!!! So, I feel like I need to do my part not just go through the surgery, which was not that bad ! I know that I need another fill, but I need to exercise to achieve my goal! I have listen to so many stories about the "lap band", but the one thing that continues to come to mind is "exceptions". What are you excepting from the "band"? I have to be honest, I though if I got the band that I would not have to work out as much! But I was wrong! The body is amazing and there is only so much that the body can take. Bottomline, the "band" is a tool"not "a curse all" to my weight isssues! I understand that now!!! I will increase my work-out program, and I will go back to TJ, because there is no one that I trust more than Dr.Ortiz and his staff, I will spend the almost eight hundred dollars it takes (from paradise) to get a fill. I am planning my next fill sometime in Feb! Until then, I will run, and do weight training at least three times a week. Thank you so much for helping me!!! You know us "banders" must stuck together...

I need some help! I was banded on September 12 of this year, and I received my first fill on 22 Oct, and I have not lost any weight!!! On 22 October 2005, Dr Martinez give me a fill of 2cc, which he stated that that was "above normal". Now, I am four months four post-ops and have not lost any weight. I have a good restriction, because I have not gained any weight!! I guess that is good. I told with Dr Martinez last week about my situation, he told me that "effects" of the fill can vary from person to person, because people may have more fat on their stomach. He requested that I return back to TJ so that he can add a little more, that should work for me. My goal is to lost 50lbs. Has this happened to anyone else? can someone give me some advice!? I am very afraid of the decision I made to have surgery...

I am so happy for you, \Shell! I am a newbie! I was banded on the 12 Sept 05 by Dr. Ortiz. Since my surgery, I have been so discourage, because I have not lost the weight that I want to lose. My goal is to lose "a small chiild" about 50lbs I am scheduled for my fill on the 21 Oct 05. I "prayful" that I will start to see the weight drop. I have started to working five times a week...cardio only! My goal is to lose 30lbs before my birthday, which is 15 Dec I can't wait to purchase "new" clothes!! So thank you for word, I am very hopeful, now!!! And I am so proud of you!!!!!! Great job..! Hawaii Girl

Greetings from Hawaii For all the wonderful ladies that I met during my stay with Dr Ortiz and crew, thank you for all you advice and reassures about the surgery. I was banded on the 12 Sept, and I am back home feeling great!!! I have already lost 13lbs from the pre-op diet and surgery. And would like to give a personal thank you to Rene for your support with the "check situation" and also the 'real boss" Mrs Ortiz, Dr Ortiz's wife. I just have a couple of questions? My left shoulder has been aching since the surgery, is that normal? And I need to burp, but can't!! Help. Thanks ladies for your advice. Special thanks to Dr Ortiz and crew for helping me with a new chapter in my life "a Body for Life"....