Chelley

At $400 roundtrip for an airline ticket from Dallas to San Deigo, I can't afford to go back every couple of weeks, much less every few months for a fill. I guess I really should start research for a doctor who does fills closer to home. Anyone out there have any recommendations on doctors to use for fills in the Oklahoma/Texas region?

Thanks guys for your responses. I'd like to encourage more lap-band patients to vote in this poll. I think the data collected will be helpful to those of us facing our first fills! Thanks everyone!!

I ordered my book from www.amazon.com also and received it within a few days of ordering it ... brand new, in paperback for about $13.00.

I can only speak for myself ... in the first few weeks after surgery I was not hungry. As I graduated to regular food and am waiting for my first fill I am finding I can eat as before before the lap band placement.

Hopeful - I can only speak for my experience with Dr. Ortiz. From the night I filled out the online request for information to the time I had surgery was 2 weeks and it could have been sooner, but I couldn't get plane tickets that fast! I used a calendar to write down all the stuff that had to be done on deadline since I was dealing with such a short time frame. My pre-op diet started 1 week before surgery. Dr. Ortiz requires a telephone consult with Dr. Miranda, the nutritionist before starting this diet. Dr. Miranda can modify the diet to meet any particular needs you may have. I could have chosen a low fat diet vs. the salad and shakes, but opted to do salad and shakes because I wanted to make sure my belly fat shrank for a safe, easy laproscopic procedure. I arrived on Monday and had the pre-op workup, surgery on Tuesday, discharged on Wed, flew home on Thursday. For a detailed recount of my experience, go to the "Newly Banded" section of the forum and read "Banded April 2006". You'll find several people have posted their experience and it will give you a better idea of what to expect. I'd be glad to answer any questions you have. Also, Dr. Ortiz's book is very informative. I ordered mine from www.amazon.com and got it within a week.

I'm one week away from my 1st fill and honestly, I'm worried about it. I have NO restriction and I want restriction because I'm struggling with my weight again. I'm curious about how many of you had restriction with your 1st fill and if you were satisfied with the experience.

This is turning into my Blog page... I'm 1 1/2 months post op and I'm doing well. My weight loss is up and down while I'm waiting for my first fill. I can eat like a horse and that worries me, so I try to make good choices and am trying to be patient ... just one more week to go until fill time! All in all, most people have been really supportive of my decision to have had this procedure. It helps having a built in support team of mom and sister (we all had surgery on the same day). Some of the folks at work have been a little snippy commenting that I "cheated" because I went to Mexico to have surgery and I was stunned ... had my feelings hurt and quit talking about it unless asked. I've gone from a women's 22/24 to a 18/20. I can't tell you how elated I was to zip those size 18 jeans without having to lie on the bed and suck it in! I haven't worn that size in 20 years since I was Sr. in HS. Needless to say, I did a little dance, screamed, cried, and turned and turned in front of the full length mirror to make sure they really FIT.... I know - I'm crazy ... haha. I'm still weighing every day eventhough I tell myself it's not a good idea... but I'm obsessed with it ... and can't stop. I still am happy with my decison to have surgery and would do it again today. Best wishes to all you future lap-banders and all of you who are in this with me!

Upon discharge from the OCC, I was given a discharge education packet that contained the CELL PHONE numbers for Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez and other staff members. Dr. Ortiz personally told me, my mother and sister (we all had surgery together) to CALL if we needed ANYTHING. That aside, I can understand how a phone call might not suffice in an emergency situation. Should an emergency arise, you can present to any emergency room at any hospital in the USA for treatment. Part of my discharge packet was a medical card that gave medical information on my lapband. Also, you can follow up with your family doctor. Most surgeons release their patients back to their primary care doctor for follow up care after laproscopic surgery here in the USA (if no surgical complications). I would also encourage you to seek a telephone consult with Dr. Ortiz and to perhaps check with the lap band clinic in your region for cost on maintenance and fills. Best wishes!

Carbonated drinks like sodas, beer, sparkling wines are discouraged because some research has shown consumption of these beverages can cause band slippage. In addition, depending on how tight your restriction is, you may not be able to burp causing some discomfort. I personally, drank my last soda the night before surgery 1 1/2 months ago. I didn't crave a soda until just recently and I just told myself it is something I can't have ... just like I know I can't have sugar because I'm a diabetic. I was drinking at least 2-3 diet soda's a day before the pre-op diet. I don't miss them like I thought I would.

Congratulations! I've found the lap band to be so empowering because I feel that I can take care of my weight issue once and for all! Hope you are doing well post op. Try blending some of the Cambell's Chunky Stlye soups into a fine puree for the full liquid phase and I think you'll find you are more satisfied .. that worked well for me, but I could only eat 1/2 -1 cup at a time. Best wishes on your journey. Let us know how you are doing!

Hello - My flight home from San Deigo was in the evenning. Our driver left the Lucerna Hotel around 10-10:30am and our flight was booked at 2:45pm. I think we had a little over an hour to spare at the airport (our flight was delayed). Crossing the border is boring and time consuming and I'm afraid it will be a little more difficult with the re-inforcement of the National Guard at the borders. I'm going back June 11-12 for my 1st fill... I'll let you know how the border crossing goes. Pack light and it's best to use a suitcase with rollers because post op you aren't suppose to lift anything heavier than 12lbs. Give yourself plenty of room in crowds to avoid elbows and pushing... beware of escalators and give yourself plenty of steps between you and those in front of you. I had to side step two lost ladies at the top of the San Deigo airport escaltor and pulled my side so bad it brought tears to my eyes. Best wishes!

Sylvia - If I can help you in any way, just let me know. I got my book from www.amazon.com in less than one week. Best wishes to you. Chelley

Best wishes to all of you having surgery on the 25th! I woke up the day of my surgery so excited, knowing that this was the day my life was going to change for the better!!! Let us know how you are all doing!

Sylvia - I found Dr. Ortiz's book, Lap-Band For Life, at www.amazon.com or you can order it directly from his website at www.obesitycontrolcenter.com. It has been a very valuable source of information. The book isn't written just for Dr. Ortiz's patients, but for any person who is considering the lap band. It serves as a reference for what to expect before, during and after surgery.

At the time of surgery, I weighed 215lbs and I got the VG, size 13cm band not because my BMI was higher but because of the amount of fat I had around my internal organs. I had a lot of fat around my stomach and the doctor did not want to have to cut away all that excess to make room for a smaller band which could have led to complications. My mom and sister were banded the same day and they received the 10cm band. Band size is personal choice of the physician based upon a number of factors.

Welcome to the lap-band! I'm also a RN and was banded April 18th. I look forward to reading your future posts about your progress. Best wishes!

I read in Dr. Ortiz's book that band slippage can occur if you don't follow your diet and do the things you are suppose to do after lap-band placement. The band does not stretch, but your stomach can and will if you are eating too much. If you have Dr. Ortiz's book refer to Chapter 7, "Band Slippage". Per the book, bands can slip for the following reasons: liquid phase ignored, vomitting, bad eating habits/chronic vomitting. If you are able to eat more than 1/3 of what you were previously able to eat pre-band, you might just need a fill. Be sure to check with your doctor if you think your band has slipped.

I agree that your health is more important than fears of incurring debt. There are some medical loans available out there, but the monthly payments are very high. Carolyn, with Dr. Ortiz's office can give you some information about financing companies. I found that my credit card company offered a fixed rate loan at 5% interest that was much better than any rate I could find on a medical loan or personal loan. Even a gas credit card could help you establish a credit history if you pay it off monthly as Laura suggested. Another thing you need to consider is that the surgery price is only a portion of the cost of having the lap band... depending on where you decide to have your surgery, fills can be free all the way up to $450 per fill from estimates I've obtained.......... Not to mention airfare to and from the location which is skyrocketing due to gasoline prices. I would choose to have my surgery done again in Mexico in a heartbeat. I priced lap band surgery in my area of the USA at $17,000-$36,000. One month post op and my estimated expeditures are still less than $10,000 including airfare. Not to mention Dr. Ortiz is an expert in the field and I had the very best of care!

Almost 1 month post op and the surgical sites are healing well. All the glue has peeled off and the incision are thin healthy pink lines. I'm confident they will fade with time. I've been struggling a little as I'm on a regular diet and find that I have no restriction. If I'd been able to control the volume of food I ate I wouldn't have needed lap band surgery. I've gained 3 lbs.... nearly freaked out during my menstrual cycle because I was actually up 6lbs.... word of advice... don't weigh on your period! I'd lost 21.5lbs now it's 18.5lbs... but I'm not complaining... I just don't want to gain much while I'm waiting for my first fill on June 12th. I did better on full liquids than reguar food and am considering incorporating those full liquids back in my diet with maybe one solid meal a day until I get the fill. What do yall think? I've been doing some yoga for muscle tone a few days a week, but I know I'm not as active as I should be. I'm looking forward to consistent warm weather so I can get in the swimming pool! I have to confess this recent weight gain has made me worried that all the good success I've had might come undone while I'm waiting for my fill. Try as I might... I can't help but weigh every day .. control freak that I am! Any advice?

Hi! Fills are tricky business from what I understand. It may take a while to reach what they call your "sweet spot" where you are able to eat but still loose weight. From all the literature I've read about the lap band weight loss, 2-3lbs a week is an ideal weight loss plan. Factors that can play a role in your weight loss apparently are your starting BMI. People with lower BMI's tend to loose weight more slowly in the beginning as they start with a BMI that is a target BMI for some mobidly obese patients. This means that patients with lower BMI's sometimes need several fills before they reach the point where they loose weight at a steady, healthy pace. In order to loose desired weight, it is very important you follow the eating plan established by your doctor. I personally know a gal who had surgery before me, here in the USA and in a 5 month period she has lost less than 20lbs, has had 2 fills and is agonizing over her decision and is basically just miserable. In the course of the conversation, I discovered she is drinking fluids with her meals which is a no-no. She chews, chews, chews then washes it all down with liquids bypassing her band! When I gently asked why she was eating that way, she said "so I feel full". When I explained the eating plan my doctor prescribed for me, she agreed that made more sense and said she would try it. I'm anxious to chat with her again and see if she is making progress. Dr. Miranda recommends that you divide your plate into 4 sections for lunch and dinner and eat these 4 sections in order: 1 - protien source serving no larger than the palm of your hand, 2 - green veggie, 3- fruit (even if it's just a slice of apple), and 4- carbohydrate. By eating in order without mixing bites you 1) learn what food doesn't go down that well so if you get something stuck you know what it was, 2) you get your protein in 1st and the carb last (some lap band pt's find it hard to digest carbs). I'm waiting for my 1st fill June 12th. I'd lost 21.5lbs but have starting gaining some of it back on the regular diet as I have NO restriction now. That is discouraging, but I'm trying to eat well and be patient until I can get my fill. If I could control what I ate in the 1st place, I wouldn't have needed the band! So, I'm trying not to beat myself up about it and just eat healthy. Good luck to you on your journey! Hope this information is helpful to you!!! God bless!!!

I booked surgery for myself, mother, and sister within two weeks of intial contact with Carolyn. I could have picked an earlier date, but we couldn't get airline tickets that soon! Since the majority of Dr. Ortiz's patients are private pay there is little waiting.

The printed post op instructions given at the time of discharge from the OCC say to cleanse the wounds with soap and water during showering. Let the surgical glue come off by itself and resist the urge to scatch it after a few days.. the itching just means you are healing. I'm a month post op and my wounds are thin tho still pink. I have every confidence they will fade with time. If you want to look at some pictures check out www.lapbandtalk.com and you can see the link for viewing pics people have posted of their incisions. Keep in mind that girth of your belly and wound healing complications like diabetes and smoking can interfere with wound healing.

Welcome to the lapband! In reading a lot of posts here and on other websites about the band, one conculsion I've made is that you have to follow your doctors orders. I was banded April 18th by Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez in Mexico. They require a preop diet of 3-4 meal replacement shakes and salad greens with balsamic vineagar or up to 2 tablespoons of low fat salad dressing 1 week before surgery. The flatulence you are experiencing post op is completely natural because it's your body getting rid of the gases they used to inflate your abdomen so they could perform the laproscopic surgery. Just walk a lot and let off the gas as needed. I don't know if you have them there, but Gas X strips that melt on your tongue are recommended for excessive gas. Like you, I can burp ... just kinda let it come up easy... not forced. I think this might be due to placement of a larger band. I have the VG band. My mother and sister were banded at the same time I was with a 10cm band and they can't belch. I've found a hand held blender does wonders with what you can tolerate on the full liquid phase of the post op diet. I would take homemade or canned soups and blend them completely as the nutritionist on my case said "no chunks". While on the liquid diet, I found I needed to eat about every 3 hours or I experienced rumbling and discomfort of hunger pains in my lower stomach. Sometimes just a few small bites of yogurt or gelatin was all that was needed to satisfy the rumblings. Some doctors recommend an acid reducer like Pepcid for the stomach problems you are having. You should consult with your doctor about that as excessive acid can keep the stomach lining irritated and delay healing. I've had no complications post op. If you are worried about your lungs, you could continue to use the incentive spirometer to help with lung expansion then of course wear your C-pap every night as recommended by your doctor. (By the way, I'm a nurse!) Good luck on your journey. God bless!

Monica - Best wishes on your upcoming surgery! As far as I know coffee is permitted in the pre-op diet. I drank a little coffee and diet sodas while on the pre-op diet to help curb hunger. I even had a diet coke the night before surgery (my last one). Just to be sure, you could e-mail Dr. Miranda, the nutritionist.

Kris - Thanks for the info. I hope my fill trip to TJ goes well too!