Dreamer

Becki...thanks for sharing this info again, I must have missed it before. It makes sense now to me that when I take a drink of water during the night and then lay back down...it's not emptyin' into my tummy. Good luck on your journey! Dreamer

Teri & Kyle, Congratulations on your new lifestyle! I can relate to your enthusiam because in April I had the surgery along with my two daughters on the same day. It hasn't always been easy, but we have our own support group....lol! My younger daughter has lost a total of 68# and she looks fabulous. The older daughter's weight loss has been slower (she was a diabetic, but has not had any insulin since surgery)...she has had 4 fills and is just now losing at a steady pace (she also is the only one of us that got the VG band). I had a lower BMI and it has been slow for me to lose, plus I've had 3 fills before I felt restriction. I am progressing very nicely now and would do it again in a heartbeat! Teri give Kyle a hug for me from Oklahoma....I am proud of him! I know how cruel some young folks can be with overweight people....well older folks can be cruel too, and there's job descrimination as well. So my prayers will be with you two, and God bless you on the most incredible journey of your life! Dreamer

Hi Julie, I am so sorry that you are feeling so poorly at this time. I think what you are feeling, the questions and misapprehensions are normal for post op. Try to keep telling yourself that you did the best thing for yourself, but right now your body is healing. Get plenty of rest and follow the Dr.'s orders to the letter. Don't be afraid to take the pain meds the doctor prescribes. Talk out your fears and frustrations with folks that have been there...the support forums help immensley! When that weight starts falling off your body, you'll wonder why you waited so long to have it done! Good luck girlfriend and God bless you as your body and mind heals on this journey! Dreamer

I ,too, borrowed the money to fly to TJ and have my surgery in April.....I borrowed more money in June because it was recommended that I have OCC do my first fill. After a month I had a fill in the US. In all this time I have not lost but 6#.....I am so discouraged. I cannot afford the cost of another flight and the fill cost in TJ. Last week I was notified that the company I have worked for the last 30 years is closing next month. I think I have failed once more.....I had hoped, NO, I had DREAMED of so much more than this. I tried contacting Dr. Miranda by e-mail twice in July. I copied my message to Rene and asked if he would relay it to Dr. Miranda. I understand that the Dr.'s are busy people with a hectic schedules....so I'm not exactly suprised but greatly disappointed. I've stopped discussing my surgery with others, they look at me and ask where's all that weight that you were supposed to be losing?? Some people can be so cruel or look at me with pity and I hate that! So sad, Dreamer

Rid....Congrats! Sounds like you've done your homework and found what works for you. This time next week you'll be a BANDSTER!! Be sure and let us know how you progress and how you are feeling. I was not offended at all about you talking about or electing to use another surgeon besides Dr. Ortiz, I just get offended when his character and credentials are questioned. Good luck and smile for us.....your journey has begun my friend! Big hug and you'll be in my prayers next week ....Dreamer

Hello Jodie, We are all creatures of habit, aren't we? lol I, too, found it hard not to drink with a meal...and when eating out I'd often order a beverage without even thinking that I couldn't have it! lol It takes time to adjust to a change in lifetime of routine. But it will happen for you. It took me a short time to realize that solid food helps the my body feel satisfied longer because the food stays in my lil' stomach longer when not washed thru with drink. I'm all for anything that keep my hunger at bay. It is a struggle I don't care what anyone says! And you will also learn what solid foods go down well and those that don't. Like Chelley said, the smaller bites help, and for me drinking a substantial bottle or glass of water about 30 minutes "before" I eat helps keep me from eating too fast....that is NOT good! I hate PB'ing! I have to make sure that I do not allow myself to get too hungry...also the fiber tablets were useless to me! Just access and remember what works for you...everyone is different....also share your thoughts and problems with us here, you just might find a solution that you'd not thought about that will work for you! Keep your chin up and good luck on your journey~~~ Dreamer

Hi there Lanie... Bless your heart, I wish you knew how great you are going to feel in about six weeks! I was banded April 18, 2006 by Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez. I was reluctant to let myself get too excited, because none of the other things I had ever tried (and believe you me, I tried 'em all) had worked. But, when I began my pre-op ritual, I began to feel better, had more energy, and was so excited. It took every penny I could rake and scrape togther to make the 3 hour flight and pay for my surgery...I had a few lingering thoughts about that. Then I asked myself what I had to lose? The answer made me smile.....FAT! Fat kills Lanie. I wanted to know what it was like to live as a thinner, healthier woman and thus I was ready to begin my journey towards my new life....and I pray that you will too! Keep us posted on your feelings.....you'll find support here! God bless and guide you is my prayer! Sending you a big hug sweetie, Dreamer

Chelley, I was banded in April, as you know, I am not as restricted as I had hoped to be. I had my first fill on June 12 (1.5cc). I have lost 18 pounds total post and pre-op, and I am thankful that it has been slow. At my age I make wrinkles at a fast enough rate on my own, without adding fast weight loss and excess skin to the table. (Smiling) No, you may not ask my age! lol My concern is that I haven't enough restriction to discourage overeating.....if I could control that, I would not have needed the band! I want that shut-off valve of restriction, and if I don't listen to it, I want the PBing to remind me...and believe you me..I hate that!!! I'm a quick study, so it won't take but a few times of that to learn to "stop eating" when the red flag goes up! I had a second fill July 25 (.5cc) and I feel a greater degree of restriction and am keeping my fingers crossed that I have just enough to curb my urge to nibble. I do it again in a skinny-assed minute! Wouldn't you? lol God bless you my child! Dreamer

Hello everyone, I don't object to questions or constructive criticism, nor did I read that into Chelly's comments. I too, am a very satisfied, loyal and devoted advocate of Dr. Ortiz', my opinion is that as a physician, he is second to none! This man's credentials and resume, although impressive, mean so little compared to "the man" that Dr. Ortiz is....talk to his colleague's, his employee's, and his patients....meet with him one on one....then "you" decide. This Dr. is the elite in the lap-band field! He gave me my life back.....and I thank God for him every day! He cares about his patients, did you ever know of another Dr. who gives his patients his cell phone number? Yeah, I'm happy that I was banded, happier that I was banded by the best surgeon in his field....and loyal to him? Damn right!!! Good luck to everyone on your journey, it is not always easy.....but it is doable! May God guide you all in making the right decisions for yourself. Dreamer Banded April 18, 2006 in TJ by Dr. Ortiz (and darned proud of it)

After surgery we all have to make changes in our eating habits....especially after having a fill. I know you fellow bandsters have tried variations on favorite recipes in attempts to incorporate them into your new lifestyle. Maybe if we share a few of the neat tricks we've learned, we can help someone else as this forum has helped us. I don't mind that my food intake is now limited.....but I want what I do eat to taste good! You say we should all be eating normal food.....but normal for some is just not that for others! lol Wouldn't it be great if Dr. Miranda had a weekly word of advise for us diet wise? This is something that I heard that sounds interesting. Some bandsters have trouble eating scrambled eggs, but this is a recipe for an omelet. You break a couple of eggs into a freezer bag, and add the other diced ingredients that you want (onion, peppers, mushrooms, grated cheese). Zip the bag closed and work the mixture with your hands to mix well. Drop bag into a pan of boiling water. When omelet is done to your taste, just open the bag and slide onto your plate. Good luck, Dreamer

I had my first fill on June 12, 2006 in TJ (1.5cc) I kept thinking to myself "give me more" these trips are so expensive...lol But I know Dr. Romaro knows what he's doing! I do have restriction, sometimes more so than others (haven't figured that one out). These are all terrific people, and I would love to continue my care under them, but the expense of private pay and air travel will make this impossible. My job is very physically demanding, I work hard and at a fast pace all day...AND I do get hungry. I find it almost impossible to go 4-6 hours without eating. I know we are supposed to limit meals to three per day....but man it's just so hard to do when your body is screaming out for fuel! And I find myself losing concentration and tiring out fast if I do not eat. My weight loss is slow....I try to remind myself that I did not get in this obese condition overnight and can't expect to lose it overnight! Good luck to everyone on their journey and my prayer is that God will assist us in meeting all our needs. Bless Dr. Ortiz and his entire staff and keep them in His care! pssst......... Love you Chelley & Misty!! Dreamer

Dr. Romero did my first fill June 12, 2006. He is very courteous and communicates well in English. He explained everything he was about to do, so I had no surprises. He allowed me to view the barium as it entered my stomach and I watched it gently flow into my larger stomach. He injected 1.5cc of saline into my port and stated that he felt that was sufficient. He encouraged me to drink the full bottle of water he gave me before leaving the clinic. He kindly answered all my questions before moving to the next patient. The entire procedure took less than 30 minutes. Good luck!

Hello Brealeytown, I am Barbra, and I was banded by Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez on April 18, 2006. The success of Lap-band is based on choices you make my friend, it is merely a tool to aide you in making the right choices. You may well be able to eat any and everything that you want after Lap-band, but you must know that in order to lose weight you must burn more calories than you take in. FAT KILLS dear one! French fries and bread clogs arteries and makes you fat. Try telling your rebellious nature that you can have "anything" you choose....but you "choose" to eat healthier, more nutricious foods because you deserve the best that life has to offer. Dr. Miranda is the staff nutritionist at OCC, and she is fantastic! She will counsel with you and advise you on what roll you must play in order to be successful in this new venture. God bless you on this journey and may He guide and direct you in making the right choices for you! Let us hear from you! Barbra

Hello there Chrissysdolphin, I was banded on April 18 by Dr. Ortiz in TJ. I have four tiny (maybe a quarter inch) incissions scars and one scar ( where my port site is) that is approximately one and one fourth inches. The highest scar is about where the band of my bra would rest. Now my girls are 36DD's and I elected to wear a good support sports bra for a few days just to be more comfortable and so my incission site could breathe. lol I also decided to go to IVORY SOAP for my showering, because it is a product with no additives, just pure natural ingredients and I used it to bathe my babies when they were little with delicate skin. My surgical sites have healed just fine and although I used to tan in a tanning bed, my personal preference was to stop doing this. I feel that my scars will be ever so slight and I'd just bet that you'll be wearing a two piece bathing suit in no time at all! You have the best surgeon available and rest assured all will go well! Let us hear from you and I'll be thinking of you! Hugs, Dreamer

Dear Housecat Girl, The medication that Dr. Ortiz provides will be more than sufficient, because there will be little need for it! However, finding a pharmacy will not be a problem either...because they are on every corner in Tijuana! lol I had the liquid Tylenol and the Gas-X strips...never used either one! I was up walking an hour after surgery and felt wonderful. Walk, walk, walk........and then walk some more! I walked myself into surgery and Dr. Ortiz's and Dr. Martinez along with their staff are all just superb. Guess what? One of his surgical nurses raised her scrub top so I could see her surgical site.... I could hardly call them scars because the were so insignificant...and she let me touch her port sight. My pre-surgical jitters disappeared. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! You are in good hands...Dr. Ortiz is the "BEST". Good luck and keep us posted! Hugs, Dreamer