LoriBecky

I'm so bummed! I wasn't able to make it to TJ for my fill... I've been sick with a tummy bug and my kids are sick now - so the 6.5 hour car ride down there didn't seem like such a good idea! I'm still not feeling great - doing better, but not 100% I'm hoping to head down there mid July for my 2nd fill!

I've reported it to our webmaster... hopefully its just a glitch from our upgrade yesterday.

am i crazy... or am i not seeing Donna's posts all over the forum.

I think it must be working - then again... I am crazy

By comprehensively does he me mean? Doesn't he know me at all... I'm SOOOOOO not a techie wiz #-o

ok... I'll tell you what our webmaster tells me to ask.... have you changed any security settings on your computer lately? You need to be able to accept cookies to post.

If that doesn't work - try clearing your computers history/cache - whatever that stuff is.

If still a problem - let me know and I'll take it to an expert (NOT ME!)

ok, here's what a local US doc told me

You have to perform at least 150 bandings to get insurance approval in the U.S. so when you see cheap U.S. prices... remember, you may be a guinea pig for a new band surgeon!!! Dr. Ortiz has done over 4000 band placements!!!

6000 steps... not to my 10,000 yet... but getting there! (they were very fast steps though LOL

I took your phone number off here Kristy. You should be able to reach Rene or Dr. Martinez. If not, try Dr. Ortiz!!

If you can't reach the doctor call me!

proteins after 5 days - that's really soon. go back to clear liquids and call the doctor!

Our office can make a recommendation for a plastic surgeon in TJ - just call!!

OK... i found this on how and where to measure yourself to track your weightloss - it recommends measuring no more frequently than every month. Its pretty easy to set up an excel file with your measurements - then you can have it calculate everything for you. I'll just cut and paste the information below:

Taking Measurements

Taking your body measurements is an excellent way to keep track of your changing shape as you get fitter. Body weight by itself is not a good indicator of improved fitness. This is because when you burn fat and increase your muscle mass, you may weigh a bit more even though your body is getting tighter and smaller. This is due to the high density of muscle tissue compared to fat.

What Exactly Should You Measure?

The most common measurements include the circumference of your chest, biceps, waist, hips and thighs. Sometimes the neck, forearm and calf are also measured.

Chest: Measure around the largest part of your chest.

Biceps: Measure midway between the top of your shoulder and elbow.

Waist: Measure at the narrowest point, approximately one inch above your belly button. No cheating! Don't pull in your belly or stick it out.

Hips: Measure your hips around the largest part of your buttocks with your heels together.

Thigh: Thighs are measured separately. Stand with your legs slightly apart. Measure your upper leg where the circumference is largest.

How?

Use a flexible measuring tape as used by dressmakers. It can be as long as you need. If you use a plastic or cloth tape, bear in mind that these materials may stretch over time.

Wear the thinnest clothes possible, or none at all, so as not to add to the measurements you take.

Try to measure yourself in front of a full-length mirror so that you can see if the tape is positioned correctly.

Perhaps you could find another person to help with the measuring. They would be able to read the results more easily.

Keep your muscles relaxed while measuring.

When measuring, pull the tape just tight enough to keep it from sagging.

How often?

Measure yourself about every eight weeks.

Do not take measurements more often than monthly as it may take six to eight weeks to notice any change. You shouldn't expect to see progress more quickly than this and taking your measurements more often can be discouraging.

As you lose more weight, the port may become less noticeable, or you may have to have it repositioned. This is more common in men that tend to carry more weight in their stomach and have firmer fat (I know that sounds strange) but if your abdomen is large and more stretched... you'll feel your port more, as you lose weight, your port may become less prominent. If it is still a problem, it can be repositioned. I know you are scheduled for a fill next week so have it checked out while you are there. Dr. O is out of the office and stuck in a meeting, you can always call and speak to Dr. Romero at the clinic

Pammie is right, too - I thought I knew where my port was, but after my first fill and seeing where it is - I was wrong!! I was feeling the swelling, scar tissue and stitches under my skin! Now that i've lost weight my port is easier to find, but I still don't think anybody but me could find it without my guidance (or xray!)

Everyone is very different! I have a problem with artichokes! i've heard that from several people. The biggest problem for me... soft, doughy breads -which I should avoid anyway If I want some toast with my egg or something - that's fine - but it has to be toasted!

I'll be there on the 21st

My questions before I was banded was.... if I go on a roller coaster will my band slip? I was assured that wasn't the case. Even the VERY violent act of vomiting doesn't automatically mean you're band will slip and the longer it is in place, the more secure it gets. the most common reason for a slip is your band being TOO tight!

I'm so glad you got the twitching figured out. I have leg cramps occassionally and since I don't like bananas i take a potassium supplement a couple of times a week. I'm sorry I didn't make that connection! I always get a twitch in my eye when I'm tired, people probably think I'm winking at them

Please call one of the doctors, if you don't have the cell numbers anymore call me and I'll help you with that. It is most likely gas, but speaking with one of our doctors will put your mind at ease

Ok... this is what I do because it was from a chart I had (I put it all in Excel now - so it calculates it for me)

I measure my neck, biceps, forearms, wrists, bust (fullest) under bust, waist, hips, thighs, calves & ankles, as long as you do it in the same place each time - you get an idea of your inches lost. I could probably measure more places, but this is what was on the chart I used to have, so that's what I use.

Hope that helps

I wouldn't go crazy and measure weekly - like I said I haven't done it for a year, but monthly may be good. Sometimes the inches are a better indicator of your loss than the scale, especially if you are exercising and doing strength training as muscle weighs more than fat! I haven't lost many pounds lately, but the inches keep coming off - may I just say this one more time... wooohooooooooooooo

If you watch a naturally thin person eat (and you can stop yourself from smacking the skinny... well you know) you'll notice that they don't drink much while they eat. When you have the band the reasons for not drinking while you are eating is fairly obvious, but the other side of that is, band or no band, when you drink a lot while you are eating you are diluting the food and it processes through your system faster... you get hungry sooner. I truly believe the band teaches us to eat the way we should have been eating all along. Chew your food well, slow down and don't drink while you are eating.

It was a habit I really had to work hard at changing! If I'm at a restaurant I try to drink my water before my meal comes. I may take a small sip during my meal but otherwise, I don't drink at all until an hour after I've eaten. Now its just second nature. There are times, special occasions when I'm out, that I might order a drink with dinner - like wine or a margarita, then i'll have that - but that is rare.

I can take care of that for you BEFORE surgery too that way you can get reimbursement more quickly.

I can also state it in a way that won't be specific on the type of surgery if you aren't telling your employer.

Just let me know

Thanks for the response. I have had a PayPal account for years and use it frequently. The problem is that because PayPal is not coded as a medical provider, I am not able to use my card. A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account is money that you have taken from your paycheck pre-tax. The money can be used for any medical expenses that are allowable with the IRS. Our flexible spending account administrator (ADP) issues a Visa card that you can use to pay any eligible expenses....but the place where you use it has to have a special code in their credit card machine that designates it as a supplier of medical services or products. For instance WalMart sells over the counter medications, so they have that designation code in their credit card. Pharmacies and doctors' offices have the same coding. But because PayPal does not have that coding, my flexible spending card is refused.

I'm sure that if Dr. Ortiz accepted credit cards directly through his website, he would get that medical coding and there would be no problem for people in my situation. And if we are required to pay in advance, there would be no problem with surprises once we got down there.

As it is now, I am having to scramble for the $1500 up front. Of course I will be reimbursed for it afterward, once I file it, but because I am nervous enough about going for the surgery alone, it has sort of frazzled and upset me...especially when I was so worried that I would not be able to have my surgery as scheduled.

To top it off.....my temporary crown, that I had to shell out so much money for this week, is hurting! LOL

If it would help you to have me send you a receipt for the $$ up front I can do that - just let me know

ummmmm vigorous no problem - this is ummmm - you know what - Lori is speechless - which is pretty unheard of LOL

call the doctor while I go poke out my minds eye LOL

(peeking around to see if Chelley is here... don't wanna get smacked) ok... I can't say this enough DRINK DRINK DRINK! You need to be taking in a MINIMUM of 64 ounces per day - at least 1/2 of that pure water! It makes a huge difference in the ummm outcome (pun intended!)

Drink all day, just not while you are eating or for an hour after!

If you really get backed up - you may want to try some milk of magnesia (make sure it doesn't interfer with any meds you are already taking)

I have been on restriction for a YEAR - no exercise because of a back problem that cleared up as I lost weight... then as I lost weight they discovered a very large hernia that I had repaired in March. I have just been released back to exercise - funny, first time i've EVER been excited about exercise! I'm trying to go on a power walk every morning (before it gets too hot) today, because I was sore, I went on a fast walk but not a power walk - but... I did get a "weet woo" from a construction worker - woohoo LOL

Exercise not only makes us feel better, it helps with the weight loss and ummmm helps to put things back where they are supposed to be (yes, i'm talking about my derrier!) I also use the quiet time to pray and work on my poetry - so turn off the TV, leave the Ipod at home and get out and enjoy nature, even if it is just to walk to the corner and back!

We do take credits cards, we just take them through Paypal. Too many of our patients would come down, credit card in hand only to have their credit card company not accept the charge because it is a foreign country and that waves a red flag... then we have to cancel that patients surgery.

Paypal is a safer, easier way to make your payments without having to give out your credit card number! We still sometimes have some credit card companies not allow the full amount to go through and our patients have to make several smaller payments over the course of several days.

If you are speaking of Care Credit, no we don't take them because they don't take us. They won't finance surgeries performed outside of the U.S.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions