dakota

Hi,

I had my surgery on Sept 18th and my port is sticking out like a gold ball. It looks like a tumor. I can feel every inch of it. It also shows through my clothes. My swelling should have gone down by now so I am also concerned.

Kay

Hi Kay, I am from Tulsa and was banded on Aug 31st. Be glad to share with you. Where in Ok do you live?

Catherine

Tulsa area How are you doing? What foods have you found that you can tolerate?

Hi Everyone,

I am getting banded on Sept 18th. Anyone else going to be there also? Anyone from Oklahoma banded?

Kay

I have been reading everyone's experiences for about a month now. My surgery is scheduled the 18th. A new life without FAT, I can't wait! I'm sortof scared about the food thing. Anyone else going to be there on the 18th? I'm in Tulsa, OK, anyone else a Tulsan?

Kay

At $400 roundtrip for an airline ticket from Dallas to San Deigo, I can't afford to go back every couple of weeks, much less every few months for a fill. I guess I really should start research for a doctor who does fills closer to home. Anyone out there have any recommendations on doctors to use for fills in the Oklahoma/Texas region?

Hi, I know there are 2 doctors in Tulsa that Dr. Ortiz taught himself. I have just sent an email to get their names again and then I will forward them to you.

Your message really struck a chord with me. I also have lost a good deal of weight -- three different times -- and gained it all back. After trying it on my own "one more time" and not losing a bit of weight in 7 months, I decided to have the procedure last week. I am scheduled for August 21st with Dr. Ortiz.

I also have thyroid disease and have been struggling with this for years. I did phen/fen, Xenical, medically supervised diets . . . you name it. I think if you are overweight, you try anything. The fact that you can't keep it off may be due to some undiagnosed condition. Nonetheless, it does make it hard when your spouse doesn't support you. I had the same concern so I wrote him an email so I wouldn't be interrupted or emotional.

What I wrote to my husband:

You like numbers . . . check these babies out:

Doug: 210 (17 year old son - 6'1")

Pat: 215 (42 year old - 5'3")

Jon: 220 (17 year old son - 6')

I should not be in the middle. I should be around 130. But, as you

well know, I have not seen that since before the boys were born. I have

been fighting this weight issue for over 15 years. I am tired. I have

tried everything that I can think of to lose this weight and keep it

off. Over the last six months, I have lost and regained the same two

pounds a hundred times. How can you possibly understand the frustration

I feel every time I step on the scale? You can't.

This lap band is only a tool. I will still have to diet forever but at

least I might have a chance to keep it off. I don't do this lightly and

have been thinking about it over a year. It might seem like a drastic

measure to you but it's a last resort to me. I don't like the way I

look. I am starting to feel older than my years. I especially don't

like it when the boys call me fat since I know that's how they see me.

I get really emotional when I talk about this because it is so fucking

unfair. I hope you understand why I feel I need to do this and can

support me. If you can't, I understand. I have to do this for my

health.

I don't really know what else to say. Gentics dealt me a shitty hand

and now I have to take a gamble. Are you in or out?

Pat

Steve's response:

I do think I can somewhat understand what you feel and why you want to

have this procedure. I am not hesitant about the money, your health is

much more important. My concern is that you have a good qualified

surgeon and the proper facilities for doing this safely. I trust you

have done your research on fully this. I can understand that you don't

want to tell anyone about this plan and possibly receive a negative

reaction. However, should anything go wrong (always a possibility) I

don't think you should be alone, so I will try my best to accompany you

on this trip. We can talk more about specifics when I get home, but

you've made up your mind and so you do have my support on this. I love

you. See you when I get home.

Footnote: This is probably the most romantic thing my husband has written me. We've been married almost 20 years but he is not the romantic type. Feel free to use what you can (sorry about the expletives but that's how we communicate).

Good Luck

Pat in Arkansas

Hello Monica,

Guess you are now on the pre-op portion of this procedure! I want to encourage you to follow it through, it will make it easier on you and the Dr who does your surgery.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing! I was banded April 18, and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Dreamer

Hi Dreamer,

Are you the one from Oklahoma? Me too - Tulsa. I am planning to have this surgery the first of August. Where in Ok are you? How much weight have you lost? I am very excited.

Dakota

Hi Laura,

I am feeling great and thank you for asking. I have so much energy that I tend to over-do it. I am still on the clear liquids and you know what? There is not a lot of variety in clear liquids, but I can honestly say that I am not hungry when I follow Dr. Ortiz's orders. Sometimes I forget to sip my water and things like that, and I kind of feel hungry ( I think I look at the clock and say "It's time to eat so I'm supposed to feel hungry"...lol) But I am surprised at how easy the surgical experience was, and like I said before, at how much energy I have.

Yes, I stayed at Hotel Lucerna. It is nice enough for anyone and very clean. The people there are so accomdating and always there to help. I was awed at the weather and advise you even with the weather reports saying nice weather.....take loose, comfortable clothes, and a jacket. It may just be the breeze off the Pacific Ocean, but it was about 40 degrees cooler than what I expected. You can get your walking in on the grounds because they are lovely...and they also have a gym on the second floor just across the hall from the elevators.

Not sure what you mean about living locally. I live in Oklahoma. I traveled two and a half hours to Dallas and flew to San Diego. Would do it all again in a heart-beat! My two daughter's and I had surgery the same day. They are both nurses, so you can imagine all the research we did before making our final decision. You'll do great.....Good luck hun! Talk to you soon....Dreamer

Carbonated drinks like sodas, beer, sparkling wines are discouraged because some research has shown consumption of these beverages can cause band slippage. In addition, depending on how tight your restriction is, you may not be able to burp causing some discomfort. I personally, drank my last soda the night before surgery 1 1/2 months ago. I didn't crave a soda until just recently and I just told myself it is something I can't have ... just like I know I can't have sugar because I'm a diabetic. I was drinking at least 2-3 diet soda's a day before the pre-op diet. I don't miss them like I thought I would.

Is it true that you don't crave food like you did before the surgery?