nita57

Go Chelley!!!!!!!!!! Nita

Don't base your decision on whether to band or not on where the clinic is but rather on the qualifications of the surgeons involved. The clinic in TJ is wonderful. Dr Ortiz, Martinez, Estrada, Miranda and all of the staff there are very professional and highly qualified. The clinic itself is as clean if not cleaner than anything I have ever seen here. If you choose to band, do it because you want to, need to, whatever, but not because you believe any ethnic stereotypes. I am very happy with my choice and would do it again in a heartbeat. Nita

My flight home was no problem. Never needed any meds once I left the clinic. The only problem with the flight was probably the turbulance inside my tummy if you know what I mean. LOL. Lucky they didn't toss me out of a window!! Nita

Becki, My son is a body builder(go figure) and I know from him that he has to eat HUGE amounts of food to build muscle and maintain his weight. If you are doing alot of exercise you can certainly eat more, but the food still has to be quality calories. Also assuming you aren't trying to look like Arnold what is name you won't want to take in as many calories. Good Luck, and good luck to you Chelley!

Chelley, You are in my thoughts and I am praying that you will soon find success. You have been the most informative, motivational, person on this board and it was your posts that inspired me(and others)to take the plunge and get banded. I feel your frustration and truely hope you will find the solution. Please keep us informed. Hugs...Nita

Hi Phil, I made the decision to have all of my fills done in TJ. I know it is pricey to travel but the only places here that do fills dont use flouro and I'm just not willing to let someone poke a hole in my port. This is a huge investment for all of us and we owe it to ourselves to get the best aftercare that we can. If it is a matter of finances then I hope you will look around for someone who has a flouro. I have waited a bit longer for my first fill too because of the travel and time away from work. I just will keep trying to eat as healthy as I can and if I don't gain any weight back I will be satisfied. It is difficult though. ...I sometimes feel like I could eat a horse!! Good luck to you!! Hey Roger, is your wife getting her surgery on the 27th? We're flying in the 27th, maybe I'll run into you at the clinic Sat morning. Take care Nita

I was banded on Sept 8 and I also received a VG band. I was worried about this as I have read some negative things about it but I have to say I am very pleased so far. I have not had a fill yet and it's true that I could eat anything. I am however trying to follow a traditional diet, watch my portions and of course this is tough but I am not about to toss away all of this money without the good, ole college try. I have managed to hang on to my liquid diet weight loss and lose another 2 pounds. I must say that I am looking forward to my first fill on the 28th even though I don't expect much from a first fill. I have made up my mind not to be discouraged(if possible)and to hang in there til I get the correct fill. I've been fat all of my life so a few more weeks(months)til the fill is correct won't kill me. Good Luck to all. Nita

I don't think the VG band is so much the problem. I am seeing lots of patients who are losing weight with a VG band. The band is larger because some of us are larger. Dr. Ortiz uses the band that is best and SAFEST for the patient. The reason people complain is because they expect and want a quick fix. This band takes more fills to find a "sweet spot". One must always remain realistic or dissapointment is a given. The option for which band you receive is up to the Drs. and not the patient. People should not be discouraged if they receive a VG band. Just know that it takes more fills. With proper knowledge it is just as effecive as the older versions. Nita

Mike, For your best chance of success with the band this is a no-no. Of course you may get different opinions from different people but I think it is best to follow your Drs. advice. Nita

You might try ediets.com or just type diets or weight loss into any search engine. Good luck. Nita

Hi Tina, It's Nita from Boise. We met in the lobby at occ. As for dry skin, well I've had that since I moved to Idaho so maybe it is just the climate now, the fires drying out the air more than usual. As for the other, I can only tell you that I truely believe if you have a concern about something medical you should call Dr. Miranda or even Lori. When I met with Dr. Miranda in Mexico the first thing she told me was that I shouldn't follow advice on the web. If you are worried, please call them. How are you doing with your weight loss? Hope everything else is good. Nita

Hey Lori, We just call that "crop dustin'" LOL Nita

Hey Tom, don't feel bad. I got home and had actually gained 2 pounds!! I emailed Lori and she said it is fluid from the IV. And Hi to Tina. This is Nita from Boise. We met in the waiting room. Glad you are both doing well. Nita

Michele! Hey I was just thinking about you..How do you feel since you got your fill? Things going better? I survived surgery and I feel great! Did you girls have fun in San Diego? Nita

Jenny, Did you speak with Dr. Miranda about this? I think you should give her a call and maybe she will have some suggestions for you. Good Luck Nita

Is that with Flouro? and where in Utah? Nita

I'm so glad you guys are doing this. This is the very best support system. I joined the Idaho Bandsters group here in Boise and we meet the last Thursday of each month for a "soup" night! We will meet tonight because there are 5 Thursdays this month. Dan Lester is in our group. He is featured in Dr. Ortiz's book and his journey is an inspiration!! Good luck with your group!

Welcome the the board. Congratulations on your weight loss and much continued success. Keep us posted. Lots of us are still waited to be banded. My band date is Sept 8. Nita

Hi Roger, Dr. Miranda started me 2 weeks ago on Atkins induction. She called me and she also told me if I do well enough with this she might not have me do the liquid diet. I believe we have surgery the same time. I am sure this has to do with the fact that I have so much to lose but you might give her a call. She's really nice. I am down 25lbs since I signed up for surgery in May. Only a drop in the bucket but a start. Nita

I think that's hilarious guys. I quit smoking about 2 and a half years ago and sometimes dream I'm having a cigarette. I wake up upset with myself. LOL Nita

Rid, God bless you and thank you, Well said. Nita

I will be looking forward to meeting you Roger. What is your weight loss goal? I need to lose over 100 lbs. I started Wed. on the induction phase of Atkins and Dr. Miranda said if I do well I might not have to do the liquid diet. Not looking forward to that. I do have high hopes but after reading and talking with so many bandsters I also want to remain practical. There are no miracles here. I know it will be hard work. See you in a few weeks. Nita

Yes, my husband will be there. I'm sure I wouldn't have the guts to go alone. I'm a big baby(and I do mean BIG baby..haha) Nita

Chelley, I hope you will be feeling better about things soon. I wonder if there is a group of bandsters in your area? I found a group here, The Idaho Bandsters, some are new to this and some have been banded for years. They meet for a "soup night" once a month. They have welcomed me into their fold with open arms and are all happy to help me and answer questions. You are an inspiration to all of us here. I noticed that alot of the people have dropped away after their band dates and it is soooooo helpful to have you here still. I promise that when I'm banded I will stick around and hope everyone else will too. We can make it more supportive post-banding. I think you may be losing inches instead of pounds. Is that possible? Hang in there and please don't go away, I look forward to your posts and updates, even if you are not in a positive place. We need to know. Thanks Nita

And good luck to you too Tom!! I will have an eye out for you! Are you nervous and excited, as I am? Nita