Friend

Chelley thank you so much on your wonderful detailed experience. I was banded 3/24/06 in TJ with another Dr. with very little support. I am glad I found this forum. Plz keep us posted on further progress and good luck. Sylvia from Central San Joaquin Valley California rural area of Fresno CA

My doctor 2 weeks ago decided to refer me to a Doctor here in Tennessee. My insurance will cover but only after extensive testing in which I pay for and 6 months of dieting. Then, I pay my deductible and 20 % of 30,000.00. By the time I do that it will cost the same as in Mexico. Here's my dilemma. I am worried about what if something went wrong during or right after surgery and what about seeing a doctor every 2 weeks afterwards as my doctor said I would need. Please help. I sure don't want to wait and my husband borrowed me 10,000.00 I now how in case I wanted to go to Dr. Ortiz. And one other thing, what does his preop consist of and pre dieting.

Thank you, oh by the way this is my first post.

Sherri

Sherri, why not be upfront with your local Dr. and ask if he can do the followups and fills. Or call Dr. Ortiz and consult with him your options he might refer you to a local Dr. That is alot of money difference. Good Luck!

Sylvia

Hi Everyone

I had my lapband on May 25 (4 days ago) and my left shoulder has been extremely sore. None of the incision sites are sore and the surgery went really smooth. I'm having no trouble with the clear fluids .

Has anyone esle had this for shoulder pain and if so for how long.

Thanks all

cookinjill

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

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, Lap Band is just a tool like my friend said. I had mine done at the Molding Clinic in TJ with Dr. Ricardo Martinez and everything went well. Go to the Yahoo web and type in Molding Clinc you will find prices and info. for his office there. LB is removable and other is not but can regain all or dougle weight back. My daughter that it due to medical conditions. Good Luck!

Sylvia

Banded 3/24/06

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 Chrissysdolphin, I hope you get your book, don't forget to get one since you'll be there. Just remember things will be okay the day of your surgery (piece of cake) and keep us posted on your experience. Prayers!

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?

I was never put on a diet before my surgery. Only nothing 6 hrs. before the surgery. I will be fine and

I'll pray for you Thursday, Good luck! Sylvia

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.

Thanks Chelley

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.

Hey thanks Chelley,

Where did you get the Dr. Ortiz book? I'm in the central valley of California hope I can check into this. Again thanks Sylvia

Sylvia... I don't know if the opening will stretch or not, but would like someone to answer if they know. I have the same experiences you do .......... my weight is at a standstill. Hopefully we'll hear from someone. Phyllis

Phyllis, I hope we get an answer. I did not lose this week and getting fustrated. But then I hear if you have a lower BMI us tend to lose slower, I hope this is true. Sylvia

Dr. Martinez probably gave you .5cc (1/2 cc) of saline. It is rare to have as much as 2.5 cc total in your band after a year or two.

I've had my band for one year today, have lost 94 pounds, and continue to lose after my 4th fill last week.(Done by Dr. Martinez and his new associate) which took me to 2.0 cc's total, and I'm very tight now

You'll get used to the new feelings and experiences, and the weight loss will be steady...watch the milkshakes and ice cream, though. Stay with solid foods. If you don't lose any faster than your present rate, which you really will, that will total about 84 pounds in a year. Not bad, do you think? (By the way, some of us "ladies" you greeted with Hola, are really 59 year old men....we don't like being fat, either.

Arnold

Hi Arnold, no offense but that was not my intention. It's nice to know I now have a male friends. Thanks for the info. Maybe I will loose weight now. See ya! Sylvia

I booked mine in 2 weeks. The entire team is a pleasure to work with. Mine is scheduled for May 25th

Daivd,

Awsome this will be the beginning of your new life. Good luck on your surgery day. Keep us posted. Sylvia

Does any one know if it is true that if you eat too much or do the don'ts in your diet for the band that it will stretch or expand the opening of the band. This will mean needing fills more often. I find myself eating smoothly one meal and barely the next. When you fill that tightness does mean watch out your stretching me? Has anyone experienced this?

Sylvia

I share your frustration. I had surgery in November of 2005 and have only lost 10lbs since my fill in January - I'm at a complete standstill and am planning a fill in the next 30 days. I am lower bmi - want to lose 50-60lbs total so i recoginize i will lose slower then someone who needs to lose over 100 but jeez, this is ridiculous.

Gosh Mary,

This will be your 2nd fill? We share the same weight loss goal. I was discouraged and asked my Dr. about little weight coming off. He told me to try our liquid diet phase again and when in purees to eat 6 small portiions a day plus my water. I hate dieting but I will try. Also do you have times when you can eat smoothly and time you can't even swallow anything? I wish you luck on your next fill. Keep track of how many cc of saline you take. Keep me posted.

I too worried about the scars as I had not had any surgeries or markings on my abdomen. I have found a wonderful product that I used when I had my breast reduction surgery. It is called scar guard. It is silicone based and you put it on like nail polish. It will dry and form a covering. You do this twice a day after the scar has closed and you are not putting it on a fresh scar that has closed all the way. It works like a dream. My scars are not even pink anymore and I had my surgery March 24.

HI NURSEY

WHERE DID YOU FIND THE SCAR CREAM?

21 days post op and all is well. I've lost 21.5lbs. I started a soft diet trying to graduate from full liquids to solids this week. I'm a little concerned about making the switch to regular food. These last few days I've felt very little restriction. Head hunger is coming into play and I'm trying to work on that ... I have to stop and ask myself if I am really hungry. On my days off work, I've found watching TV and flipping through magazines is not helpful due to the volume of food ads. I started a Yoga routine this morning having purchased a DVD for plus size beginners. It felt great ... was a little sore still with some of the abd stretching at my port site.. but I just took it easy. My first fill is scheduled on June 12th. I'm hoping I can maintain my weight loss until then. I'd like to hear from any of you who are going through this transition with me and how you are changing your lifestyles. I'm reminded of C. Jones' testimonal in Dr. Ortiz's book where she said that she realized her old self was dying and her new self was emerging. I love the motto that she said she has on her wall "What the caterpillar thought was the end of life, the butterfly realized was just the beginning". Isn't that great?

Hi Chelly,

I just joined and read you experience. What an awsome detailed info. I am happy to hear you are starting a new life and feeling good. I also had mine done in TJ but with Dr. Martinez at the Molding Clinic. I had my first fill 4/3 and doing okay. The only thing I wish we MX patients had is support groups to share experiences and meet new friends. I live in the central valley Dinuba CA and hope to find chat friends.

I truly appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. Keep us posted on your journey.

A friend Sylvia

I was banded in TJ by Dr. Ricardo Martinez at the Molding Clinic and my cost was 6,700. If I were to buy another package for 6,900. he would fly me to San Diego which includes Hotel also. Great service and very nice staff. They have a web site Moldingclinic.com check it out.

I just went for a fill and the only problems with having surgery in MX that I have found is the support group chat. I would like to be more in contact with other bandsters who experience the same topic.

I'm glad I found this forum. Good luck!

Hola Ladies,

I am new to the forum and have replied to some bandster and I haved no response. I hope I'm doing this right. I went to TJ to have my first fill and was amazed that my Dr. gave me 5cc of a fill. I fill confused of still felling hungry and not losing that much weight. I was banded 3/24 and have only lost 15lbs to date. Can any one relate to this slow process or am I just getting anxious.

I truly enjoy reading everyones experiences they are very informative.

NrsJane,

Keep us posted on your surgery. Don't worry things will be okay. I had mine done in TJ and stayed at the Grand Hotel and drove. Buy your meds there cheaper.

Chao!

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!

Hola,

You've taken the first step! I am newly banded and have tried a tiny piece of frie it was okay. You are to stay away from fries and bread. Remember you need to modify your eating menu with this banded life. That is the key to success. Good luck

Hola,

You've taken the first step! I am newly banded and have tried a tiny piece of frie it was okay. You are to stay away from fries and bread. Remember you need to modify your eating menu with this banded life. That is the key to success. When and with who are you looking into? Good luck

Hi Karen,

I had the simular experience also. When I came home and had quiet time I started getting anxious and cried hoping that I had made the right decision. I called mama and she calmed me down. This must be a mood swing we bandster have. Well its great that I have found this group and enjoy reading everyones experiences. To all bandsters lets keep up your chat and CHIN up high!

Hi Marc,

Not a bad experience. I hope you are doing better every day! I had my surgery done 3/24 and first fill 4/28. My Dr. was at the Molding Clinic in TJ and Dr. Martinez and staff were wonderful. I which they gave more support after the sugery. Keep us posted on your recovery Marc.

Hi Laura,

I am Friend no kid on the block. I had my surgery March 24, 2006 by the Molding Clinic Dr. Martinez and hav gone for one fill 4/28/06. Surgery is a piece of cake don't worry. Take only casual clothes and I took chamomile tea which made my stomach feel good. I used Malox for my gas. You can buy almost everything there and cheaper. So I would not carry too much. You will be able to get around which is what the doctor orders anyway. During the day it was warm but in the evening it was quite breezy. The first day at the hotel for me was just water and tea. I was so tired and just wanted to rest quitely. Next morning I walked down to hotel mini store a purchased jello and a juice. I always had water by my side. Thats all I needed I did not feel hungry so really did not need much before I drove home to Central CA near Fresno. Remember loose comfortable clothes. I wish you well on you new life. Prayers your surgery day!

Friend