nita57

Hello everyone! I was noticing that every couple of weeks, as the board picks up new and curious members, we are seeing the same questions again and again(not a complaint) I was just wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea for someone to set up a section for FAQ here. The questions I am referring to are things like the cost, the cost of a companion, what to wear, VG band..etc. Just thought it might be helpful to newbies and it would give them a place to find answers right away instead of waiting for someone to post an answer. Nita

The fill centers here in Idaho do not use flouro or xray. I have heard nothing but horror stories about them from the people in my support groups. No chance that I am going to risk a blind stick and someone stabbing a hole in my port. They are cheaper than flying to MX, of course, but when you consider the cost of a mistake...Nita

The cost of the 2nd person is included in the fee. They only need to provide money for their meals etc. Nita

I haven't made arrangements as yet. Denise, please be aware that the clinic has been known to mess up and leave people at the airport with no ride, myself included. I prefer to trolley because you can't depend on Rene at all. Nita

My Doctor was all for it from the beginning. She has heard of Dr. Ortiz and has several other patients who have had their bands done in Mexico. She encouraged me to get this done and not to be put off by the whole "Mexico" thing. I know other band surgeons here look down their nose, but I think it's just because they are losing the potential income. Nita

I will make an appt for Friday. I will fly in as early as I can get there. Maybe best if we keep the appts around lunch time to give everyone time to get there. The bus/trolley is no sweat and we get to walk into MX..Let me know if this sounds okay. Nita

Hey Becki, If you figure it out let me know. It is only on this site as my ticker works on the other boards. Everyone here shows up on my computer as an adress and not a ticker. Glad to know its not me...Nita

Hi Julie, Don't know what person you are referring to but I am from Boise, would be happy to talk with you. Please send me a personal message or an email to nita57@yahoo.com. Talk to ya soon. Nita

I could definately do this. Kristi, I can't really go sooner because I had a fill in Dec. Need to wait 6 weeks..wish I could go before that!! Michele the transport is still way more expensive, even with 3 or 4 paying...but if you have at least a 3 way split I will go for it!! Please let me know so we can coordinate fills..BTW how is it going for you? Are you still operating on your original fill? Nita

I would love to have a fill on the 19th. I want to fly in and out the same day. I have been 2 times already so I know the bus/trolley system which is extremely cheap, just don't want to walk into and out of MX alone(big chicken) Let me know if this interests you at all..Nita

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > A big hand for you!!!!! Congratulations. Nita

I don't know what is going on with all of the crap in here. Every time I come in it is only posts from spammers and very very few posts from bandsters. I think I will cease with this site as the other band sites don't seem to have the same problem? Good luck to you all. Nita

Very happy to hear all is well!! Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving. Nita

Teri, You should call the clinic right away. It may be normal for some people but you are safer asking the people who really know the answer. No one here can tell you what is okay for you. Call Dr. Ortiz. Nita

Tom, I am sure they will fit you in. My appt. is at 10 so we will probably catch an earlier bus. We will look for you at the clinic though. Are you staying over in San Diego? Maybe we can go for some soup..LOL. See ya then. Nita PS you should go ahead and call for an appt. I don't really think they are too busy on Sat. but I think they only work half a day.

Marissa, Sorry for the confusion but I want you to have the whole story. I have lost 21 lbs since my surgery. The other 31 was pre-op loss. I am losing about 1-2 pounds per week average. Didn't mean to mislead anyone. nita

Are you in pain after the surgery? I can't speak for anyone else but I had no pain at all except for tenderness at the port site. - Have you lost a lot of weight? and was it hard?I have lost enough to be satisified at this point. Weight loss is always a commitment and the band is only a tool. It is placed to help us, but it doesn't do all the work for us. - how often do you have the band ajusted?every person is different. There is no way to tell in advance how many fills you will need to reach your sweet spot. - are you glad you did the surgery? VERY - is the recovery tough? vomiiting, pain, tired?My surgery was on Friday, I went to work on Monday. No vomiting, no pain, and I was a bit tired, probably due to the liquid diet. - are the scares bad? I assume you mean scars? not bad at all - can you see the port when you lift up your shirt?No - do you have alot of saggy skin?I still have alot to lose so this remains to be seen. I am working out to minimize this problem, but I see saggy skin as way less of a problem than this weight.... My Dr. also would have prefered I do gastric bypass. I refused and I am glad I did. I recently heard of one hospital in the US that has quit allowing bypass and now will only let physicians do lap band because of the amount of complications associated with bypass. Hope this helps a little, at least gives you an idea. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do and be sure to do massive reseach before you have any surgical procedure done. Nita

Hi Tom, I am scheduled for the 9th. Maybe I'll run into you. Nita

Really happy that you had a post op. When I went back at six weeks, I got on the table and got filled...there was no post op exam at all..yes I saw the band and he said the position looked good..nothing like any post op I ever had though.....Nita

Kev and Roger(HIHIHI) I have heard it from everyone that the bands do somehow lose saline at first. It is normal and not a leak. Dr. Martinez told me to wait 6 weeks after my first fill before I try again. I got a 4.4cc fill 2 weeks ago. I also have NO restriction. I am maintaining my weight loss with great struggle but hanging in there. I think some US Drs. will fill sooner so if you are filling here then check around. And Kev, as far as I know, Dr. Ortiz always places the bands empty. If you are returning to TJ for fills, Dr. Martinez will try to get you to the sweet spot as quickly as possible so don't give up. Good Luck, hope to be seeing much less of you around here....(get it?) Nita

Denise, Remember that the VG band can hold 10cc of saline. It may take a couple of fills to feel restriction. Be happy you are able to have them done in TJ. Most Drs. in the U.S only give go 1 or 2 cc at a time. Dr Ortiz's office will try to get you a good level in 2. As for you frustration, you should back track and read all of Chelley's posts. She has had an incredible journey to find restriction with the VG. Don't give up..everything you are going through at this point is NORMAL for this band. Good Luck!! Nita

Hi Clynn, I can only tell you that there is a gentleman in my local support group who told me that he never had a fill for more then 6 months. He has been banded for years and has lost over 100lbs. Truthfully, only you know if you really need it or not...but if I was happy with my results I would re think it.. Nita

I found this on another site and thought it was so good I put it on my fridge. I hope you all like it too. Nita 1. Thou shalt consume thy protein first, followed by thy veggies and fruits. If thou, then hast any room left thou shalt comusme thy carbs lastly! 2. Thou shalt take the tiniest of bites, placing thy fork and thy spoon upon thine table, that thou shalt have more time between bites to savor that which thou hast eaten, and allow thy stomach adequate time to inform thy brain of thine fullness. 3. Thou shalt chew and chew and when thou has done so, thou shalt chew some more, lest thy band rise up and smite thee,causing in thy chest great pain, and spewing forth. 4. Thou shalt drink of thy water, copiously, consuming all that has been recommended to thee, that thou mayest be spared the pangs of hunger and dehydration, and thou shalt thus, also keep thy kidneys well flushed, that thou shalt not develop stones to aggrieve thee. 5. Thou shalt exercise in a manner that thou mayest choose, of thine own accord, providing that thou art faithful to thine execise regimen,that thou shalt not falter on thy journey to thine smaller self. 6. Thou shalt honor thy band and maintain it well, that it shalt be a steadfast friend to thee throughout thine entire life. Thou wilt,from time to time, as thou hast been told, obtain for it the fills that it needest that it may then help thee in thy hours of need, keeping it always in perfect adjustment for thine benefit. 7. Thou shalt not worry and gnash thy teeth, becoming aggrieved at those times when thy losses seemingly stop and thy weight remaineth constant, remembering then that thou tookest long to acquire thine pounds, and that thy pounds must then take time for loss. 8. Thou shalt maintain a log or dairy of thine measurements, that thou mayest truly perceive the effect of they band when thine scale doth pause in it's downward progress. 9. Thou shalt join into and participate within thy local support community, for without the input, experience and love of they fellow bandsters, thou shalt have a much more difficult time in thy journey, and when thou art well upon thy road, thou shalt then likewise assist those who followest in thine footsteps that they too might be successful in their own diminishment. 10. Thou shalt beware of thine " soft caolries syndrome", keeping always in thy mind that thou canst thus sabotage thine efforts and thine investment and lead thee then therefore into depression and guilt. As once stated "Just because thou canst, it meaneth not that thou shouldith". __________________

Rose, hang in there and Chelley I couldn't be happier if it were me!! Congratulations!! Nita

Hello everyone, Just returned last night from my first fill in TJ. The fill went well (4.4cc)and I am feeling great). I just want to post this to warn anyone going to TJ for a fill to call before you go and make sure they actually have an appt. for you. Especially if you are counting on them for transport. I made my fill appt. the first workday after my surgery which is 7 weeks ago today. I requested to have a driver meet me at the San Diego airport. They told me to meet him at terminal 2, baggage claim at 8am on Sat. Well friends, I was there, he was not. I tried to call Rene but he wouldn't answer his phone. I called the clinic and NO ONE COULD SPEAK ENGLISH. Finally they put a patient on the phone who had no idea about any of this(poor girl)so I told her to try to let them know I would make my way there. If I would have gone on my own, it would have been over. I am terrified of strange places and things I don't know my way around. I would have just taken a plane home. Fortunately my husband was with me and figured out the whole trolley thing. We got there just at 10(time for my appt , right?)but I had the feeling they didn't even have me scheduled. Of course they did give me the fill and I am not angry, just with myself, for believing that when I speak on the phone with them they actually understand me. By the way I tried to call Rene over and over....He wouldn't answer the cell number the clinic gave me. Just want to let you all know that even though I love the people at the clinic, I will always check again before I board a plane. As for my fill itself, it was great. Very easy, no pain. Roger and Tom, Dr. Martinez told me that when I come back for my next fill he is going to give me a good fill. Send me away for an hour to try and eat and if I don't feel like I have adequate restriction he will fill it again at that time to help me avoid continuing trips to find my sweet spot. Sounded good to me. Much success to all of us!