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Okay, I have another carbonation question. If I get a complete unfill prior to a vacation I'm going to take, can I drink beer safely? Please go to the top w/ this as well, LoriBecky! Thanks. Barbie

Yes, Dr. Romero did my fill. He's a doll. Very nice and efficient. Barbie

OK...this is how mine went. I didn't even have to get undressed! He cleaned my tummy with betadine where the port is. Then he positioned the c-arm (x-ray/fluoro machine) so he could see my port. He took a foot-long needle (well...that's what it looked like!) and said, "okay, little pinch" and put the needle in my tummy. I didn't even feel it! He positioned the needle over the port while watching it on the c-arm screen. Then he pushed it into the port. The only sensation I had was this wierd pressure that seemed to spread throughout my entire abdomen; just for a second. He drew out the little bit of air that was left in the port from surgery, then injected and withdrew saline a few times. He sat me up, repositioned the c-arm so he could see my band to check placement (it was okay!) I then drank a small amount of barium while we both watched it go through my banded area...cool! He was satisfied so he had me drink some water. That was fine so he removed the needle (again, no pain...or bleeding) and I was on my way back to the airport! Very easy. Barbie

And from NURSE BARBIE!!! I work in an ER. We see alot of pulmonary emobolus patients post surgery. This is one risk factor (surgery) as well as flying (if you flew to MX you have 2 strikes against you!) Please call Dr. Ortiz or see a local doctor!!

Or a pulmonary embolus (clot in the lung). You need to see a doctor ASAP!! Barbie

Has anyone used Dr. Jaime Ponce in Dalton, GA for fills? If so, how much does he charge? Barbie

Yes, fills are included. However, they charge $100 for use of fluoroscopy. Barbie

Hi All, I, too, was filled (my first) by Dr. Romero on Monday. It was soooo easy. He's such a cutie; and soooo young. There was zero pain; just a little pressure. I got 1.6cc. We'll see how that does. I had a great experience until I tried to leave San Diego. Airline issues. Rrrrrrrr!!! Anyway, since I came all the way from GA, it was quite frustrating so much to my dismay, I may have to follow-up with Dr. Ponce here in GA. Not that he's not very good; I just enjoy Dr. Ortiz' staff so much. What great people!! Barbie

Hi all! Well, the day is almost upon me. I go for my first fill on Monday, 6/26. I can't wait. I'm so ready for some sort of restriction!! I will be flying in from GA, getting a fill, and flying home that afternoon. I hope it all works well. There's a very good surgeon about 1 hr. from me (Dr. Jaime Ponce) who was apparently trained by Dr. Ortiz. But I just really wanted to go back to Tijuana for my first fill at least. Hope it all goes well. Anyone else going Monday? Barbie

I have followed my diet as prescribed by Dr. Ortiz & Dr. Miranda. The only thing I think I've done wrong is the amount of food I eat. I'm sure it's too much. And now it's PMS week so I'm really having a hard time. I can't wait till next Monday for my first fill!

I've been reading another lap band forum out of curiosity & see horror stories about band slippage. I haven't had my first fill yet & now I'm getting really nervous. How do you know if your band slips? What are the odds?

Well, I did it!! I've been an RN for 20+ years & was very skeptical about going to Mexico for surgery. However, I did my homework, read this board & took the plunge. I didn't qualify for surgery in the US b/c I'm not "dying" or don't have any comorbities. Never mind the fact that my struggle to keep weight off dominates my every waking moment!! Anyway, I made my appt. for about 3 wks. after I talked to Carolyn. I could have gone sooner if I could have arranged it. I flew to San Diego; was met by Abraham, the driver for the Clinic. Very nice, but a man of few words. My suitcase stayed in Atlanta but Abraham was coming back to the airport later so he picked it up & brought it to me. Anyway, on arrival to San Diego, Abraham took us to the clinic (about a 25 min ride). It's a brand new clinic, very clean. I was immediately greeted by Rene & taken to get blood drawn. Then went back to the waiting room for about 2 minutes then in to see the cardiopulmonologist, Dr. Jiminez. Had a breathing test & an EKG. Then in to see the dietician, Dr. Miranda. All very nice & put me at ease. Then I met Mrs. Ortiz, Dr. Ortiz' mother. She is the patient advocate; the sweetest, cutest thing you'll ever meet. She took us to the Lucerne hotel & dropped us off telling us she'd pick us up at 8:00 a.m. We checked in then proceded to have a nice lunch. The next day at precisely 8 a.m. Mrs. Ortiz took me & 2 others to the clinic. We filled out op permits & I was the first to go in. I was placed in a nice room & told to undress, gown & put TED (circulation) hose on. Then the nurse (eye candy!!) started my IV & gave me a pill to relax. I got antibiotics (rocephin), stomach med (nexium), nausea med (zofran) all in my IV. I don't do drugs very well so by the time the surgeons came to talk to me, I was very groggy. I do remember talking to Dr. Ortiz & Dr. Martinez vaguely. I woke up in the room I was to spend the night in (I think). It was very cozy. A little fountain on the bedside table, phone to call the nurse, flat screen TV, couch, chair, tree...very nice. I stayed there that night while my husband was taken back to the hotel by Mrs. Ortiz. Next day, I was discharged to the hotel with instructions to meet Abraham at 6 a.m. to catch my flight the next day. The trip back to San Diego can take up to 3 hrs. due to traffic & customs. No problems though. We were at the airport in 1 1/2 hr. I was concerned about nausea & gas pain but had neither. The pain pills they provide are sufficient (non-narcotic). I feel like I have a side-ache from running too much. No great pains. Also like I need to burp & can't. I know this is long but I wanted lots of info when I was looking. If you have questions, please ask.

I've been studying this board for about a month. I've had alot of questions answered. But I have more! I'm getting banded 5/16. The only thing I'm nervous about is the gas pains. I know GasX probably won't help b/c I believe the pains are from the CO2 they blow you up w/ to do the surgery. Anyway, I also wonder where you stay when you go for a fill. I'll have to fly from GA so I'll be there at least one night. Is it easier to stay in San Diego? I'd like to make plane reservations before they go up again!