dfrenchy

I go to the Ladies in Arlington at Northwest Fill Management. They are great ladies. Just had a fill done In January and they told me that they are getting a Floroscopy (sorry BAD spelling) They are also trying to get their own office building instead of being in the pharmacy. For those of you closer to Spokane they are now going to be traveling to Spokane every other month starting on the weekend of March 15th. Give them a call. Good luck to youall.

im fourteen years old. my name is krystal. im verymuch overweight. i weigh about 267 pounds. i wanted to know what i would have to do [(follow)] inorder to get the LAP-BAND-SURGERY done on myself. what are the risks. i have type two diabetes as well. i have tried excersing but that doesnt work. please reply.

xoxoxoxox myself =)

You definately need to talk to your parents. I would have loved to had this done when I was 15. I wa 32 when I had it and I feel better today than I have in 20 years. When I had surgery 7/10/07 I had a 15 year old girl their having it done at the same time as me. I had Dr. Ortiz as a doctor. Mexico was the best thing I have ever done it was clean and very professional. You do have to be commited to the diet and plan this for life. I hope your parents have open minds and think obout this. I would get Dr. Ortiz's book it has tons of information so they can learn about the surgery more. Good Luck!!! Any question e-mail me. Life is hard enough as a teenage but weight can make it even harder. I still deal with my past...

Debra

Febuary 8th to be exact and I am super nervous and scared... mainly of pain.I had a tubal ligation 8 years ago and after that I woke up in such pain.. it was awful. But I am excited about losing the weight too so I will deal with it. =D>

Is anyone else haveing surgery that week??

Stacy

Their is very little pain. well for me it was. I went shopping the day after surgery on Revolution. Get up and walk after surgery that is the best for you. One thing is take a pillow for on the plane ride home. I put it across my belly to help with take off and landing. The surgery for me was easier than when I had my tonsills taken out. Also the Dr. will give you meds. Do not worry!!!! I have never thought that I should have never done this. It has been the best money I have ever spent.

After my first fill my band tightened up about a week afterwards. You have to learn how to eat after every fill. Apples are never a good choice. I have never been able to get them down. Applesauce is a alternative. Good Luck hope you feel better.

hey i got my lap band on thee 9th of oct. and i fallowed the diet and i lost about 20-25 lbs and then i started on solids and i never feel full and i am gaining all my wieght bak i dont no wat to do im really scared!!!!!!! someone help me its making me really worried

It is probably time for a fill already. With your weight loss you have lost fat from around your stomach so your band probably needs tighted. Good luck!!!!

Hello out there,

I started the pre-surgery diet. I am drinking protein shakes for breakfast and dinner, and Lean Cusiene for lunch. My one and only thing i am eatting extra is the pria bar. I have done this since the start. They are heavy on the protein and little sugar. It was the only way I could make it into the later afternoon since I eat lunch early- 11:30AM. At first I lost. I did really well. Then I flubbed, but went right back on. I had a piece of cake. and that is all.... That was more than a week ago. I have only lost 11 lbs. So for the last couple of days I have yo yo.ed with no loss. I am concerned they will deny me the sugery. I am putting out a lot of money and more than that, I am starving. I am hungry and the tummy is a rumbling. So I know I am doing right. Any encouragment would be good. They wanted me to loose 20 lbs, but I have less than 5 days till I leave. I am not cheating. Any encouragment would be greatly appreciated. I am hungry. I am hungry. I am hungry. (

Shanny

Try to take 3 fiber pills about 1.5 to 2 hours after you eat with a full glass of water it does help fill you up. Also take Cronium in the morning you can buy it at Walmart it is a appitite supresent. Also you can try Isopure drinks from GNC they are very highin protien and low in calories to help you be full. Don't forget all the greens you can eat. I ate tons of greens. By the salad spritzers. I cut up the lettuce and spryaed it and added granulated garlic for a little more flavor. You can do it.... It is the last time you have to fight yourself after surgery your band makes you follow the rules. As far as weigth loss you can loose those extra pounds in 5 days. Remember you fast before surgery. I lost my last 4 lbs. after the fast before surgery. Good luck and keep your chin up it is all worth it in the end. I am at the middle of my journey of weight loss. I am down 54lbs and have nver thought why did I do this. I am happier than I have ever been.

Debra

Ladies~

So glad to know this gals are good. I am getting band in 2 weeks...Nov. 16th. I saw that they are close to me....I live in Monroe. Anyway, I know that I needed to set up with someone to do fills since I am going to Tijuana for the surgery. I know that I am lucky to be living so close to where I can get my fills. I hope you get your wish.

Shanny

Good luck on your surgery. It will be the best thing you ever have done for your self..... =D> . What Dr. are you going to? For fills you could not go to better ladies Robin and Kitty are the best. They made my first fill a great exsperience.

We are on the same page....I was just over to Arlington yesterday, but was able to zip over North Cascades Pass once more before it gets closed due to weather. It looks like we might be lucky and it'll be open for at least another few weeks unless the snow just dumps all of the sudden. I left home at 7:30 am, was filled by 11:15, and back home by 4:00...stopping to take pictures quite a bit on the way home. I'm up to 2.9 cc and am doing just fine with it, almost feel like I could have had more. I'd love it if they'd get set up in Spokane occasionally. It's just a tad bit closer for me. I'll probably be in Leavenworth in Jan. too. Aren't they wonderful? I really appreciate their positive friendly attitude, I just wish they were closer.

Twigs

Thanks for the reply!!! I am trying to learn how to work this darn page???? Get the word out about looking for a place for them to work out of in Spokane. I end up staying over night just incase I need more in or out. I took a friend over this weekend. I myself have only had one fill at 1.5cc. I only had surgery on july 10th of this year. Well hopefully we will work it out to get them over here in the future. Maybe we ill run into each other in Leavenworth. I have a group of 5 of us.

Just got back from the long drive all the way to Arlington from Spokane for a fill . That is such a long drive and did it in 2 days. I talked to Robin and Kitty at Fill Managemant and they are looking for a clinic or massage place so they can come to Spokane and do fills. Does anyone have a place or can you think of a place that I could contact and try to get them over here. If you are banded and own such a place they will do your fill for free or they are willing to rent.Think Think Think!!!! :-? Fill management is also going to be in Leavenworth ,Wa. doing fills on January 24,25,26th Just a FYI

Hi all, This is my very first post so bear with me. I'm scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks, and I can't believe how scared I am. ( The whole reason we are here is because we don't know how to stop eating when we should. I'm afraid that even with the band, I'll eat more than I should, and once again I will fail at my attempt to be thin. Would someone explain what "PBing" and "Sliming" means. I'm sure it will all be explained to me once I get to the clinic for my pre-op and post-op, but I'm pretty curious now. I continue to read your blogs some of which give me strength and some that don't. I need as much encouragement as I can possibly get. I'm also concerned about getting through those three weeks of liquid only. Yikes!!!

Don't worry! I was scarried to death too that is normal. I was worried about over eating also. Once you get throught the 3 weeks of liquids and start eating solid you will know how much you can eat. If you eat to much you feel sick... and get nauses. Pbing is when you don't chew your food enough swallow and get stuck on it. When you get stuck you then burp and bring up food. It would be good if you could find someone local to talk to. I have my sister and can call and get answers. Good luck this is the begining of you new life.

Debra

I'm new to this and I haven't received the procedure. I am nerveous about doing it in Mexico. Can anyone tell me if it's safe and they don't have more complications than having it done here in the US? Is the hopital clean and reliable? Does the staff speak english? And last I know I cant have my first fill until a few weeks after the surgery. Can I have it done in the state? It's pretty far and expensive to go all the way to Mexico just for a fill.

I had my surgery on july 10th of this year. I was very nervous. My sister and her friend had the surgery done 2 years ago and just raved about the quality of work and costumer service. When I went down to San Diego the driver was waiting for me in the baggage claim. He spoke very good english. We drove down to TJ. I have never been down thier and it was a real shock very different from the USA. We got to the hotel and it was beautiful the staff all are very helpful and answered any questions. They gave us tips on how to stay safe. The next day Mrs. Ortiz picked us up at the hotel and took us to the clinic. We walked in and I was amazed. the clinic was gorgous. Everyone was very nice. I met all the Doctors and staff. When was the last time your Dr. just came in and sat down with you to talk and put you at ease. The facility was very clean. I believe that it put any American hospital that I have been in to shame.

For the fills you can look on Fill Center USA and see if anyone is close to you. I live in Spokane, Wa. the closest place I could afford was in Alington, Wa. It is called Fill Management Northwest. They only charge $150 for your first fill and $125 after that. They are very good at what they do. Good luck!!! I hope this helps you out. Believe me when I say this is the best thing I have ever done. I am down 36lbs. and feeling great.

I had my first fill on August 3,2007. I have not been able to eat any solid food since then. I get really sick if I try to eat anything but puddings, yogurts, or soups. What could be the problem?

Your band is probably over filled. (

Hello everyone,

I am considering having Lap Band surgery. I wanted to find out from some of you who have already had the Lap Band surgery what your experiences were. I am not a spring chicken anymore (age 55) and I am very tired of being obese. Its really affecting my life. I have pretty severe arthritis and the extra weight really makes things worse. I would love to be able to get off my BP meds and Cholesterol meds. My BMI is 40. I see in other post that you have to lose some weight before the surgery. Is this the same with all M.D.s? I would love to hear from any of you.

I was worried about the surgery also but it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. I am 6weeks post-op and down 31lbs. and feeling better every day. I had to loose 5% of my body weight before surgery by Dr. Ortiz it was hard but I had a goal that was only days away. So it was a little easier than a regular diet to loose weight and then end up gaining it back. My sister had surgery from a different Dr. in TJ and he did not require you to loose weight pro-op. It is for the best because it shrinks the liver and makes it easier for the Dr. to move it during surgery. Hope this helps.

can someone please tell me the name of the fill place in arlington wash i can't remember

Fill managemant Northwest

Hello all!! In exactly one week (10/24) I will be an official bandster!! I have actually been doing real well (suprisingly) at losing the 5% before surgery! I have lost 12 pounds!!

Anyway, now all kinds of questions are going through my head... And my husband added another one last night.......

So..... Where did Dr. Ortiz put your port???? Does it stick out?? Does it hurt?? Is it easy to find??

Ports... Tell me about them!

My band was put in by Dr. Ortiz and it is at my largest incision. I could not feel it till about 3 weeks after surgery. Due to the tenderness of my belly but I know its their now. 6 weeks post of and I can definately feel it. It does not stick out but if you push firmly on your skin and feel around you will find it.

I'm sure this has happened to many of you on the pre-diet -- I just committed fully to the surgery for 8/28 - but today it finally REALLY hit me what I'm going to be doing!! I mean, this isn't just a temporary thing, it's a lifestyle thing! I know I need it, but certain things are really making me worry -- like the ability to chew without worrying that every bite not properly chewed is going to cause me pain - or the fact that I can no longer drink diet soft drinks with my meals! I think I enjoy the diet soft drink almost more than the meal!

It doesn't help that we went out to dinner where I had salad that I tried to chew really slowly - almost choked on the mush. I also tried not to drink - but I was so thirsty and just broke down and ordered the diet coke.

What I will miss more than anything in the world is the ability to drink diet soft drinks with my meals. I don't know how I can do this!! You'd think I'd miss breads or other foods -- but what I really fear is missing the carefree eating without worrying about chewing every bite - and the lack of diet 7-up/diet coke in my life - particularly when I"m eating.

Is one able to change lifelong habits - really? And make them stick? I confess, I haven't had much luck with that (which is why I'm here!)

Thanks for any perspective/words of wisdom!

Danielle

I forgot to tell you my dr. had me take 3 fiber pills between meals and really cut down on the hunger. You also said about making the life long chnages and failing before. We have all been their or we would not be here today talking about his. I wish you all the luck and don't worry you can do it.

I'm sure this has happened to many of you on the pre-diet -- I just committed fully to the surgery for 8/28 - but today it finally REALLY hit me what I'm going to be doing!! I mean, this isn't just a temporary thing, it's a lifestyle thing! I know I need it, but certain things are really making me worry -- like the ability to chew without worrying that every bite not properly chewed is going to cause me pain - or the fact that I can no longer drink diet soft drinks with my meals! I think I enjoy the diet soft drink almost more than the meal!

It doesn't help that we went out to dinner where I had salad that I tried to chew really slowly - almost choked on the mush. I also tried not to drink - but I was so thirsty and just broke down and ordered the diet coke.

What I will miss more than anything in the world is the ability to drink diet soft drinks with my meals. I don't know how I can do this!! You'd think I'd miss breads or other foods -- but what I really fear is missing the carefree eating without worrying about chewing every bite - and the lack of diet 7-up/diet coke in my life - particularly when I"m eating.

Is one able to change lifelong habits - really? And make them stick? I confess, I haven't had much luck with that (which is why I'm here!)

I felt the same way!!! Do not worry. You will be amazed at the will power you will get. As the pounds melt away. I was getting thirsty when I ate and just came to the conclusion that I was going to have to suck it up! It is not easy but it is worth it I am 6 weeks post-op and loving it. I am down 31 lbs. and people are starting to notice. I went and bought myself 2 pair of new underwear and could by 2 sizes small. Funny I know.... to get so excited over underwear but I did. I could get the cute ones. Just think of how wonderful it will be to be just a little thinner and have people notice. I lnow that it is life changing but I would do it all over agian just of 31lbs. It will be hard but well worth it. Wish you well and keep your chin up.

Thanks for any perspective/words of wisdom!

Danielle