Darrin S.

Hi, I just discovered this great forum. I am planning to do lap band surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. My surgeon has already done lipo surgery twice on me, but I always gain back the weight! I am 170 pounds and I would like to be 125 pounds. In the US, I do not qualify for surgery, but in TJ, alot of people who don't qualify are getting it done. My surgeon specializes in this type of surgery, but I would like to know if I have anything to worry about. What can you eat after? What are the post op symptoms? Am I crazy to do this?

CSULB -

First let me warn you - this is your choice, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But I think anyone who goes through this surgery to lose 50 lbs or less is out of their mind. Now that I've gotten your attention lets look at some statistics.

18 months after surgery, you can reasonable expect to have lost (depending on where you read it) 65-80% of your excess weight. Now take my example - I started at 325, and my optimal weight is 185 (yeah right, less than when I graduated high school). On the lower loss figure of 65%, I will lose approximately 100 lbs. That would take me down to 225, which was my weight when I enlisted in the Army. Definitely not bad. On the high side, if I lost 80% of my excess weight I would weight about 200 lbs - even better!

If you apply the same figures to your situation at best (80%) you will only reach 135.

So now you need to make a decision - is it worth the $8500 to go through a life changing experience (that you will have to live with for the rest of your life) to lose 35 lbs? That is a decision that only you can make.

As far as the other questions go.... you can eat anything, just less of it. But you may find that certain foods don't appeal to you anymore. Carbonated drinks have to be stopped during the first few months, but some people find an occational soda is tolerable... others can't handle it. Post-op the only problems I experienced was some discomfort, but walking helped a great deal. I see people experiencing a lot of pain post op due to gas, but I must have been lucky.

Good luck on your decision... if you decide to go through with the surgery, this is a great place for support.

Darrin

San Diego

Current weight 295

Roo (and you too Rid - listen up) -

Before you start chasing rumors, you need to look at the source of the information. After weeding through your posts, I realized that none of the information you "heard" or was given was FIRST-HAND information. Now the sources may have some merit, but when I look for information, I go to sources I TRUST, such as my doctor (and my cousin, the doctor at UCLA), and while its possible my first choice of information may not have what I need, I DO rely heavily on another source - patients first-hand accounts.

None of the "I heard" or "A friend heard" crap is valuable...it just causes more stress on someone with a life-threatening problem. We are here to support, and lie waste to the fears that come with this life-changing experience.

If you don't like my choice of doctor, then make your OWN choice...its YOUR life.

And in closing, I would like to invite ANYONE who have PERSONALLY had a problem with Dr. Ortiz, his facility, or the lapband in general to speak up.

As Rid says, this board may be a lot of PR... but if all you hear from patients is good responses, doesn't that say something? Maybe there aren't any negative things to say about him.

Darrin

Current Weight 295

I was referred to Dr. Ortiz by a another doctor in TJ. My wife had gone through breast augmentation with Dr. Alejando Quiroz. She stayed up to date with him (after 5 years) and saw that he was involved in gastric bypass.

Well I scheduled a consult, but Dr. Quiroz doesn't do the surgery, he takes care of the tucks after the weight is lost. But he said I would be a good candidate for Lapband surgery. He had one of his staff lead us over to Dr. Ortiz' office, where my wife and I waited about an hour.

He was nice and apologetic about the wait, but he had been in surgery. I told him I wasn't going to rush him, since I wouldn't want anyone to rush him through my surgery. I paid a deposit and scheduled my surgery at the same time.

I've been post op for 4 1/2 weeks and have lost 25 lbs. I have scheduled my first fill with OCC for August 10th. My father is looking at this surgery and will be getting evaluated the same day.

No regrets here.... and I've been lucky to have only PBed only twice... both times because I wasn't paying attention to my eating and didn't chew enough!

Darrin

After doing some research on Inameds web site I learned that the 10cm band can only hold 4cc total

I then called fillcenters usa to reshcedule an appt they had me come in 7-7 and aparently on my 1st

fill 7-1 they missed the port and put up to 5cc into my body there was nothing but air in my band and

they gave me a real fill this time of 2.5cc.I started back on solids today and have absolutly no restriction

at all.With only 1.5cc availible in my band I have been told that it could onlt be .25cc away from restriction

or some people can take the whole 4cc before any restriction at all.I am really concerned about 2.5cc and

nothing.anyone else with a similar situation with either good or bad news.I do understand that everyone is

different with fill amounts.

Pizza Guy -

Do yourself a favor and make sure the doctor uses floro - if not he/she is just guessing. Using floro to see the restriction and verifying that they actually inject the port is the true test of competance. As Chelly pointed out in her fill from yesterday, you can see the barium flow through the band. And after the fill it should retain even the liquids in the pouch and flow through the band slowly.

This is what I hate about doctors in the US.... they charge EVERY TIME they see you, so why do only 2 or 3 fills on a patient, when you can milk them for 8 or 10???

Darrin

Has anyone from Arkansas had the lap band procedure performed recently in Mexico? If so, have you been able to find fill doctors here or in surrounding states? Any info will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, PatU

Pat,

Dr. Ortiz has put together a list of doctors on a special website www.FillCentersUSA.com.

I didn't see any currently in Arkansas, but not knowing where in Arkansas you are, maybe you'll find one close by in the nearest state.

Darrin

I am getting banded towards the end of August. I am also going to Dr. Ortiz. I ordered his book, then read it in about a day. There was some good info and some stuff I skipped over. I am going to start seriously dieting after the 4th and hopefully lose at least 10 pounds before I have to go on the liquid diet for the week before surgery . I am SOOO not looking forward to that! I am also a member of the lapbandtalk and have searched high and low everywhere about Ortiz. There were some negative comments in there, but if there weren't, I would be suspicious because no one can please all of the people all of the time! I have heard WAY more good than bad though so I think I'm making a good decision. BTW--has anyone in your familly or friends given you grief about going to MEXICO to have the surgery? EVERYONE I have told has said--"you're going to MEXICO to have surgery? It is so dirty down there and they aren't as sterile as the US." Although I think it is a bunch of malarkey, did anyone else have concerns about cleanliness or sterility for their surgery?

Trizzy,

I'm on LapBand Talk too, but I didn't see anything negative about Dr. Ortiz.... maybe I got blinders on. I told myparents about a month before the surgery, and I'll be damned, if my Dad isn't checking it out! He even dropped the question to my cousin whose a doctor, and while he didn't know about Dr. Ortiz, he had no problems with Mexico, or the procedure.

I joked with my dad that he's not suppossed to get the "second opinion" before he gets the first... He came into my office my first day back just to see how things went.

Darrin

I am getting banded towards the end of August. I am also going to Dr. Ortiz. I ordered his book, then read it in about a day. There was some good info and some stuff I skipped over. I am going to start seriously dieting after the 4th and hopefully lose at least 10 pounds before I have to go on the liquid diet for the week before surgery . I am SOOO not looking forward to that! I am also a member of the lapbandtalk and have searched high and low everywhere about Ortiz. There were some negative comments in there, but if there weren't, I would be suspicious because no one can please all of the people all of the time! I have heard WAY more good than bad though so I think I'm making a good decision. BTW--has anyone in your familly or friends given you grief about going to MEXICO to have the surgery? EVERYONE I have told has said--"you're going to MEXICO to have surgery? It is so dirty down there and they aren't as sterile as the US." Although I think it is a bunch of malarkey, did anyone else have concerns about cleanliness or sterility for their surgery?

Trizzy,

I'm on LapBand Talk too, but I didn't see anything negative about Dr. Ortiz.... maybe I got blinders on. I told myparents about a month before the surgery, and I'll be damned, if my Dad isn't checking it out! He even dropped the question to my cousin whose a doctor, and while he didn't know about Dr. Ortiz, he had no problems with Mexico, or the procedure.

I joked with my dad that he's not suppossed to get the "second opinion" before he gets the first... He came into my office my first day back just to see how things went.

Darrin

Congrats, Darrin. That's really great. I can't believe 20 pounds in 7 days! That's just great. I was hoping for 40 by the end of the year, and if I do half as well as you I should make it no problem. Another question for you... Any shoulder pain? Also, how long before surgery did you diet, and what did you do?

Rid,

I didn't really experience any shoulder pain, and if I did it was no worse than the pain I felt at the Port site - which is fine now, but for the last few days was an ache I could have done without. It made me feel like I didn't want to do anything movement wise.

I didn't follow the doctors orders before my surgery (because I was on a week long cruise) so I didn't start to diet until I got home 4 days before. All Dr. Miranda is concerned about is 5% weight loss before surgery. From the time you fill out you paperwork and fax it in, until you get there the day before the surgery. Since I had 6 weeks before my surgery, I started eating better and with smaller portions (which I had been doing for a year) and didn't really "diet".

Darrin

I just finished Dr. Ortiz's book. I got it from Amazon tonight, and sat down and read it cover to cover. One thing I read that surprised me was that pineapple is a bad thing. Too fibrous it said. Hmmm...

One thing I really liked was the fact that us men lose faster. Hehe. Also found it odd that 80% of bandsters are female. Glad to see guys like Darrin in the group. Hope the surgery went well and I'll be glad to hear about your experience.

I'm set for August 4th, and wish I could get it sooner. I have a vacation the middle of July, and it'll be too hard to travel on liquids. I'm caught now between having multiple "last suppers" and getting ready for the month o' liquids.

It's great to read the posts. Keep postin'!

Rid

Rid,

7 days out and 20 lbs lighter...YEAH! I aksed Doctor Miranda about the pineapple too. It really won't be a problem if you chew it correctly. And not too much at one time.

The surgery went GREAT - I hear it only took 15 minutes. I went in about 1pm, and I was walking around around 7pm. Spent the night then spent two nights at the hotel which were great. My only pain right now is really only an ache where the port is.

I'm not really hungry, but drinking so much in fluids helps a lot - and the jello! I just learned to appreciate Jello once again. Tomorrow I get to add Non-fat yogurt!

Darrin

Lanie,

If you are having your surgery with Dr. Ortiz, you have nothing to worry about. They made me put booties over my shoes just to go in and take blood.... Ever done that in the US? Not me!

Just remember these facts: THe lap band has been used successfully in Mexico since 1993, while it has only been approved in the US since about 2001. More procedures have been done in Mexico than the US.... and most of the experienced surgeons are in Mexico.

Dr. Ortiz has trained many of the surgeons in the US.... so tell me... would you rather have the surgery done by the instructor, or the student?

I'll be glad to give you more detailed information after my surgery in the morning

Rid,

I have to say it really depends on you. I just saw a post of someone that was able to schedule their surgery in less than a week. In my case I could have had my surgery within a month of my first visit to Dr. Ortiz in the beginning of May.

It really is up to you and your schedule, and the old adage "Money Talks....."

I know Dr.Oriz has quite a few surgeries next week, because some of them are all over these boards, but I think you could get it done sooner than in the US.

Good luck to you.

Darrin

San Diego, CA

To be Banded - TOMORROW!

Linda,

Even though I would always tell someone that it's YOUR choice, and don't listen to others... one thing you REALLY need to look at is who is talking about the slow weight loss?

You need to stop listening to those compliants, unless those people fit into the same situation as you do - and even then every body is different.

What you will find is that these people experiencing slow weight loss don't have a BMI as great as yours, and maybe they were eating food before they were supposed to.

When I asked for information which I felt was relevent, I asked specifically for people that fit my criteria - MALE, 35-45, with a BMI of over 45. What I found was most of those stories I heard about slow weight loss were from people with less to lose.

It's always best to compare Apples vs. Apples, NOT Apples vs. Oranges... but you do still have the variance among the apples, such as environment, location, and sustenance. I'm sure you can find people here or over on the ObesityHelp.com boards that can provide you more relative information to YOUR needs.

Best of Luck,

Darrin

San Diego, CA

To Be Banded June 22

Oh Boy! Here it comes!

Just got back from a cruise - I organized a wedding onboard a cruise ship, so it was quite an experience. What was waiting for me upon my return yesterday? My Book - my long awaited book! I got tired of waiting for the one off the OCC website, so I broke down and bought another copy from Amazon! The Amazon copy took two weeks, but I got it first (no sign of the other copy yet).

Now with less than 3 days to go, I AM READY! I'm counting down the hours now!

See you folks on the losing side.... and for those of you following me (surgery dates after the 22nd) I am pulling for you too.

WoooHooo!

Darrin

San Diego, CA

To be Banded June 22nd

Vicki,

I hear everybody use the line about starting solid foods "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should". This should be the First Golden Rule of Lap Band Surgery. As a matter of fact, I think I'll do that right now! We can all refere to this comment as the First Golden Rule of Lap Band Sugery (this will allow other great words of wisdom to be added).

The biggest threat to eating solids before 3 -4 weeks post op is what everyone is concerned about: Band Slippage. In his book - he explains how eating can push the band lower creating a bigger pouch. All in all, this can prevent the weight loss that you went through the procedure to assist with in the first place.

Follow your doctor's instructions! (Oopps, that sounds like a good Second Golden Rule for Lap Band Surgery). And if you have questions, ask your doctor.

It's great we have such a great support system right here... but everyone is different. What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa.

Darrin

San Diego, CA

To be Banded - June 22nd

3 days and counting DOWN!!!!!

I've read a lot of different stories about band slippage. One of the most common things I have read from people I read had this problem, is a previous post abour how they were able to eat within 2-3 weeks from being banded. Possibly too soon!

Once the band is placed, and there is some swelling in the area, I'm sure it's possible to cause the band to slip during the healing time (as the swelling goes down), if you pack food into the pouch therefore pushing the band down.

I think this is why it is SO IMPORTANT to follow your doctors after-care instructions. Dr. Ortiz told me to use clear fluids for 1 week, then full fluids for two weeks before starting soft foods/mushies. After twwo weeks of that, I can start on regular food. So believe me when I say it, I will not start solids until 5 weeks post-op.

Now don't dump on me for saying this, but there may be other causes for slippage, but this senario probably results from most of the stories about slippage. Why cause complications?

As someone else said in another posst around here - Just because you CAN eat, doesn't mean you SHOULD eat. - Those are words to take to heart.

Darrin

My wife ordered the book off the OCC website, and I still haven't gotten it. She called two weeks ago and they told her they would send out a "gallery" copy, but the book was on back order from the publisher. They said they would send out the book once they got it.

Last week, after reading these posts I ordered a new copy from Amazon, but it won't be here until the 15th, a week before my surgery.

I leave for vacation on the 10th and was hoping to take it for some reading. Yikes!

Darrin

Stacey,

I just posted on another board a similar response.

I've read where some people that get this surgery in the US are in and out the same day - what does that say about medical treatment? And will the doctor give you his cellphone number for problems - I doubt it.

Dr. Ortiz has trained many of the doctors in the US on the lap band procedure - So ask yourself, do you want to be operated on by the teacher or the student?

The cost savings figures into it especially if insurance won't cover it. Since I am in San Diego, I'm only 30 minutes away from Dr. Ortiz's office anyways.

Good luck in your decision.

Darrin

Surgery scheduled June 22, 2006

Chelly,

Don't take it to heart that people are turned against surgery in Mexico. The way I look at it, it's a savings. People all over the world require medical assistance and surgery and the US doesn't have the only doctors. In Dr. Ortiz's case, he trained many of the doctors in the US in the procedure.

In my opinion - would I prefer to be operated on by the teacher or the student? I prefer the teacher!

And from the people who have been through the procedure, I get the picture that the facilities are more like a private hospital, than a regular hospital in the US.

I've been checking out some other forums, and I don't know how many people have mentioned they had surgery in the US and were in and out in the same day! Is that really considered effective medical treatment?

I'm counting down the days until MY surgery... 20 days and counting down!

Darrin

Surgery Scheduled June 22nd, 2006

My wife went through a banding procedure in the late 80s... When I heard her talk to Dr. Ortiz, he referred to it as a "vertical" band something or another. Now while it did great things for my wife, since her gall bladder was removed she's had problems with digestion.

Now I will admit I know NOTHING about medical stuff (I have to do a lot of research) but I've been told that the gall bladder is responsible for generating an enzyme which helps the digestion process. Since my wife doesn't have her gall bladder then this creates issues for her.

She claims that I won't have the same problems with purging that she does, since I still have my gall bladder. Do you have gall bladder issues? And like many other health problems, might it go away with the loss of weight?

Just my 2 cents.

Darrin

Age 40, 320lbs, BMI 46

Surgery Date June 23, 2006

Zmanzues,

Young and full of "piss and vinegar" - gosh were those the days. Be careful with thise drinks that were mentioned - especially with any bubbles or carbonation, they will cause excessive gas which will create an uncomfortable and maybe painful feeling.

Some boards mention that it is bad for gastric bypass because it causes a expansion of the pouch. With this surgery, I don't know if it is as dangerous, but why tempt fate.

The best advice anyone can give - it doesn't hurt to be a designated driver! You may even save a life (other than your own with this surgery).

Darrin

40yrs old, 320lbs - BMI 46

Surgery Scheduled for June 22nd.

A day after I scheduled my surgery with Dr. Ortiz, I was "googling" and ran across a site that is by the creators of Lap Band, Inamed Health.

Now don't get mad at me, because I AM NOT providing a referral to this Seminar, but I plan on attending it, if only to gain more knowledge. I've made my decision, and its obvoiusly Dr. Ortiz.

But is anyone in interested in more information and live in Southern California, you may also want to check this out:

May 26, June 8, 22 July 13

Garden Grove

Garden Grove Patient Information Seminars

Dr. Carson Liu is offering free patient education seminars and support groups. The seminars will be held at 12555 Garden Grove Blvd at 6:00pm. For registration and additional information, please contact Valerie at 714-741-4844. Please visit our websites: www.ifoundthecourage.com or www.gardengrovehospital.com/weightloss.

I am attending the May 26th session, but as I posted before I'm already scheduled for June 23rd. I doubt anyone will try to convince me to jump ship now.

Darrin S.

5-10", 320lbs, BMI 46

Age 40

Scheduled for June 22 - to be continued...

Whew... and to think I was ready to go through Gastric Bypass!

I was impressed when I was refered to Dr. Ortiz - so what if I had to wait an hour because he was in surgery. As I told him, "I wouldn't want anyone rushing you while you were working on me!". I walked out of his office with my date set for June 22nd. My pre-op is set for the 21st.

Well I am working on the pre-op weight loss starting today. Weigh in was 318 - BMI 46. I don't think there's any reason why I would back out now!

Darrin (The Traveling Man)