chrissysdolphin

Everyone who is worried about the soda, I use to drink 5-6 regular cokes a day and had my last one the day before my surgery. I was banded on may 25th and I have not died because I can not have a soda. If you pay the money and spend the time to research and have the surgery you are willing to give up stuff for a better life and soda is a minor thing when you realize how much weight you lose without it. I have already lost 19 pounds and the thrill of hearing my husband say my stomach does not look like I am pregnant andymore is worth not having soda. Good luck to all. C.

Lori, congrats on your decision. I to am a side sleeper and I had my surgery on may 25th and after the first couple of days I had no troble sleeping on my side. I think I can feel something there but it may just be that I know where it is. You cannot see it there just the incision. I can not answer the tummy tuck question but Dr. Ortiz does talk about plastic surgery later down the road and do not remember him saying no tummy tuck but you might want to ask to be sure. good luck C.

I oredered mine from the web site and about a month later got a thing in the mail that was a draft of a book with a lot of misspelled words and no cover. I was told that there was a problem with the publisher and that they would send me the new book when it is finished.

Carbohydrated 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.

I was one of those people who drank at least 5 regular sodas a day and champange was my fav alcholic beverage. I had my last coke the night before surgery and I have not really wanted one knowing the fack that it could make my band uncomfortable. The book that I ordered from Dr Ortiz website does not discourage the use of carbonated drinks but Dr Ortiz office does. If this is a life choice you want you will need to give up some stuff but your health is worth it. Good luck with your choices.

Yes walk walk walk and I took Malox that helped me with my gases for about 5 weeks. Good luck hope you feel better soon!

Sylvia

Hey this is Christine. I also had my surgery on the 25th I feel awsome and have not had any gas or sholder pain. I am sorry your sholder is hurting. Walking a lot has made this all so easy and also makes it easier to sleep at night. C

HI, my name is Stacey. I just started inquiring about lap band. I'm confused why everyone is going to Mexico to have the surgery. Is it cheaper or what? I'm reading all your messages and I'm getting scared and more scared by the second. I thought this procedure was so much simpler and safer than gastric bypass but it sounds like there are just as many restrctions and discomforts as the other. any help is appreciated. thanks

Stacey, this surgery is $9000 in mexico as opposed to $25,000 in the U.S. which is not usually covered by most insurance. I just had the surgery on thursday and I am feeling great. I have 2 sisters who had gastric bypass and this surgery is so much better even they wish they would have had this instead. You still have all of your body parts with this not with bypass. Please do not be scared this surgery is awsome. I have lost 17 pounds in 2 weeks and it is great. Good luck with your decision C.

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!

Thanks Chelley, I think it is just that I have to get used to the fact that I am not hungery after a lifetime of always being hungry. I can not wait till the full liquid. I am sick of jello and juice. Thanks for the awsome support C.

So I'm having a band problem and I just need to be frank. It may be that I'm just constipated because I haven't been eating fiber due to traveling. However, I'm concerned that my band has slipped or that it's too tight. I am going through a lot of stress having just relocated with my company, but I'm not able to eat anything. Unless I drink water in small doses I can't even keep that down. I feel like my pouch is really full and it creates pressure. I really don't want my band to have slipped so I hope someone can tell me another option!

Help!

Is it not the worst thing to worry about slippage. I had my surgery last thursday and I am wondering if I do anything to soon will my band slip? I can drink fine and am still on liquid phase but is there a way to tell if your band has slipped? I e-mailed the office but have not gotten a response.

Well I am now banded. I was banded on may 25th. The morning did not start off well the normal driver was busy with other people so i had a driver who had a little sign i almost did not see. once I got to the facility for my pre op it was ok. all of the staff were really nice. When it came time to go to the hotel they only called one small taxi for 4 large people and then when we split into 2 cabs and had them call another we had to pay for the cab. we did not see Mrs Ortiz at all. The nextmorning we were supposed to be in the lobby at 8:am Mrs Ortiz showed up at about 8:20 in a volvo and took us in sets of 2 and 3 one couple did not want towait so they followed in a taxi. I got to my room fairly quickly but did not get to have surgery until almost 3pm. the facility was excellent and the staff is awsome. we were treated so well and never needed to wait foe anything. the next morning I left around 10:00 am and Mrs Ortiz drove us back to the hotel and told us she would bring back the pain medication and let us know what time we would be picked up the next day. I am very happy about it for the most part and i have already lost 12.5 pounds and can't wait for my first fill.the mental hunger is a hard thing to learn to realize it is not real but i would do it all agaiin in a heartbeat good luck to all C.

I'm new to this and I'm getting my surgery on the 31st with Dr. Ortiz. Can someone tell me what the Gas X Strips are for They didn't mentioned that to me.

when they give you surgery they blow up your stomach with air for the surgery soyou have a lot of gas and the strips are easier for some people than the tablets. Different people have different stories with the gas. you can find the stripws at wal-mart or walgreens if you have them where you are at they are klindof hard to find. good luck C.

My questions are these: How long does it take from the time you start the process (Submit the inquiry form) until you have a surgery date? How many weeks pre-op are you doing the modified diet? How many days before and after surgery are you there? Is there anyone post-op who would agree to be a buddy to be able to ask questions to and get advice from? Thanks in advance!

hopeful, once you turn in your forms (I faxed mine) and give them the $500 they can make the appoitment right there. I called on the 1st of may and am going in for surgery on thursday. If you call Dr Miranda she will work with you I started my diet 2 weeks before the surgery. I am going down there tommorrow for the blood work, have the surgery on thursday spend the night in the hospital, friday stay at the hotel the have medical staff there and then go home on saturday. It is the best thing I am so excited and this form will give you tuns of advise just ask. good luck C.

I am concerned that I will not be able to lose as much weight as I need before surgery. I am scheduled for surgery May 25th in TJ with Dr. Ortiz & have only lost 2 pounds. Has everyone lost the weight before surgery? If so, how? I am following the recommended diet but the pounds are just not coming off. Any suggestions?

Hey cookgal, I am also scheduled for surgery on the 25th. I have not weighed myself but I have not appeared to have lost a ton of weight. It is supposed to help with shriking your liver and helping in the healing process. so we are in this togther and i will see you on thursday. I heard there is another person there that day with the same last name i wonder if that is you

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.

Slyvia, I would be great if you get the book i ordered it from his site on may 2nd and i still have not got the book. I am going in for surgery on thursday so i will keep all posted on how it goes

Hey, I also have surgery on May 25th... See you there

Eric can't wait to meet you. I just started my pro-op diet today and I am doing good I think the excitment is what is fueling me at the moment. I am kind of dissapointed I ordered the book on May 3rd and still have not got it. that sucks I wanted to be really prepared. good luck to you

clear means only

apple just

cranberry juice

clear broth

consomme

diet jello

diet popsicles

you can have protein drink made with WATER not milk

week 2 you can start full fluids...meaning with milk and cream soups etc...

How many days before the surgery did you get a call from the nutritionist and how long did it take i am trying to plan it for work i am so excited and can't wait to get started.

hi i am having my surgery on may 25th i can't wait it is in tj with dr ortiz. i am flying down from washington but grew up in so cal so i know tj very well and am totally confortable down there thanks

Hola Chrissys,

I had my surgery on March 24 and I have two middle ones about 2 inches and one right one left side 1 inch. Mine are healing but I don't know what to put on them but neosporen. When are you having your surgery? Where? It is a piece of cake and you will be happy you did it. I am, I anxious to see results.

Good Luck!

[ Jas, thanks for the info. it is nice to know that i can look forward to wearnig swim suits and it will not be noticable after awhile 9 days till the big day and i am so excited. thanksquote name=jas' date='May 16 2006, 10:44 AM' post='2363]

HI MY NAME IS JAS,AND I HAD LAPBAND ON APRIL 13 AND MY SCARS ARE SO SMALL I FIND MYSELF LOOKING FOR THEM.AND IN TIME I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIND ONE OF THEM.I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT ABOUT THE SCARS.

I am very excited about my surgery and have been reassured about so many things but the one thing I have noot read much about is the scars around the incisions? How are they and what have you been putting on them to minimize the scar. help i want to look good and not have noticable scars.

Thanks Laura, I am excited and will probable get both I have read so many people say that they do not work so I will get them anyway and also get the liquid tylonal that has been mentioned too thanks and good luck with your surgery I am going in on may 25th and can not wait.

I found the gas X strips at Walmart. It seemed to be the only place that had them. After I got them someone mentioned that they weren't as effective as the chewables so I got a box of each...just in case.

Pammie I am in snohomish just a quick jump down to you i am leaving on wednesday for surgery on thursday keep me informed

THANKS CHRISSY, IF EVERYTHING GO WELL HERE AND I GET ALL THE INFORMATION I NEED, I'M LOOKING AT A TRIP DOWN THERE ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS YOU ARE.

WHERE ARE YOU AT IN WA? I'M IN THE FW, AUBURN AREA.

BEST WISHES AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Pammie, I live in wa state also, I am going to have the surgery on the 27th of may in tj and i can't wait. the topic of erosion is small. I have not read any in all of the forums beside this one thati have been in. good luck in your ecision and know that in may it is $1000 off so that is an idea not to push you into anything just some helpful info hopefully

HI,

I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF; I

thanks kyle. i hope i won't need any pain meds after either. I can not find the gas-x strips anywhere so i am kndof worried about that can't wait my week before is comming up.

I hardly had any pain at all... mostly discomfort from the gas, but no real pain... I've heard the same things about pain meds in Mexico, but I tell you, whatever they gave me kept me happy and in good spirits... and I didnt take any pain meds after they released me from the hospital.

Kyle

I have been told by a few people that the pain medicaation is not the same as the vicodine in the u.s. How have you all done with the pain medication.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MAKE IT A GREAT ONE WITH MANY MORE HEALTHY ONES TO COME

Today is my 39th birthday and I couldn't have received a better gift than to step on the scale and realize I've lost a total of 18lbs now. I'm sooooo thrilled! The decision to have this procedure is changing my life and I couldn't be happier.

thanks for the info. i can not wait till my surgery and i will see you there i think i should talk to the nutritionist and see what i can start now. maybe i will see you there

hi, I have never posted to a message board before so please be patient with me. I wanted to say that I am also having surgery on May 25th and started the pre-op diet on May 2nd. I have a BMI of 54. So far I have lost 6.5 lbs. I am to follow the induction phase of Atkins for two weeks then a liquid diet for the week before my surgery. Those were specific instructions told to me by Gabriela the nutritionalist. I too am an emotional eater but so far this has been going ok. I want this surgery more than anything and that includes food! If I continued down the path I was following I was going to die and I want to do everything I can to make sure that this surgery is successful. One thing that I did was to reach out to Gabriela, I did not wait for her to call me, I wanted to get started. You may try calling her.