ARIZONA

[Teri]

Thanks for the phone numbers. Where in the valley is her office located?

Beth in AZ

Shes in Mesa, North of the 60 - Greenfield and Broadway

[stockprincess]

You know, I don't know. I drove up to see her. She is coming back down on March 19.

[AZ Bubbles]

Hi AZ Folks,

I am new to these boards and I am scheduled for banding in TJ by Dr. Ortiz on 3/9. I will be traveling alone and I am terrified. I have never even been to MX before. My insurance does not cover this proceedure, so I had to seach out a more affordable means.

My last go at loosing weight was a protien spearing modified fast, I lost 50 lbs, but since ending it in July 06, have gained it all back.

I am hoping that I will loose it and keep it off for the very last time. I started my pre-op diet on Thursday, and it's going terriffic. Now I just to wrap my head around traveling to TJ, and having my first ever operation without my DH by my side. BTW I have not told anyone, but my husband. I have four children all girls, all under the age of tweleve. I had them all naturally, so I have never been operated on before. Yikes.

I would love to get to know all of you Arizonan's and others traveling this same path.

So if anyone could provide a level of comfort to me at this point it would be much appreciated.

Is it safe to wlk around TJ? I have heard that COSTCO, Walmart and a mall are all close to the hotel and I love to walk and shop.

Thanks so much,

Bubs

[Teri]

Hi AZ Folks,

I am new to these boards and I am scheduled for banding in TJ by Dr. Ortiz on 3/9. I will be traveling alone and I am terrified. I have never even been to MX before. My insurance does not cover this proceedure, so I had to seach out a more affordable means.

My last go at loosing weight was a protien spearing modified fast, I lost 50 lbs, but since ending it in July 06, have gained it all back.

I am hoping that I will loose it and keep it off for the very last time. I started my pre-op diet on Thursday, and it's going terriffic. Now I just to wrap my head around traveling to TJ, and having my first ever operation without my DH by my side. BTW I have not told anyone, but my husband. I have four children all girls, all under the age of tweleve. I had them all naturally, so I have never been operated on before. Yikes.

I would love to get to know all of you Arizonan's and others traveling this same path.

So if anyone could provide a level of comfort to me at this point it would be much appreciated.

Is it safe to wlk around TJ? I have heard that COSTCO, Walmart and a mall are all close to the hotel and I love to walk and shop.

Thanks so much,

Bubs

Hey Bubbles,

If I can just say one thing.................... you are secure and with someone from the OCC clinic when in route, and at the clinic itself, and of course, back at hotel you are in the room, etc. BUT, if you are traveling alone, by YOURSELF.......I wouldn't personally go off by myself without having another person with you. Ya, just never know. Just be careful when venturing out by yourself, it's mainly spanish speaking as well, which makes it tougher. You'd probably be ok, just be very cautious. The police are a lot of the crime. Good Luck to you on your journey and new bod.

Teri

[stockprincess]

Bubbles...

Congrats! I wish you all the best luck in your travel and experience. I can tell you that I never once felt in danger, threatened or anything else. Although, I second the motion that, if you are alone, I wouldn't walk around town - just to be safe. Now, you can always get in a cab or walk with another bandster and I wouldn't feel nervous for you. My husband and I walked around town, went to the grocery store, ate at a restaurant, etc. No problem and never felt unsafe. Again, all the best to you!

[kcmomrn]

To all those in Arizona I want to share my experience with Wendy Hall. I was unable to eat or drink anything from Thursday evening thru to Monday. I emailed Dr. Ortiz Friday and without a response from him I knew I needed to do something and I couldn't afford a trip to TJ. So I called for an appt. with Wendy Hall on Tuesday. They fit me in and I drove almost 4 hours to Snowflake. She took great care of me and gave me a much needed .3cc unfill. I was so leary of having anything done with my band or port without flouro, but she was great. She was in the port and had pulled out my fill before I realized I had even been poked. I can drink normally now (been on liquids last two days) and can't wait to eat tomorrow. It's been a whole week since my last solid meal.

I still agree that it's a great idea to have the first fill at OCC with flouro, but giving this a chance was worth it. I do thank all who have shared their experiences which allowed me to feel more comfortabe going to her.

One thing I meant to ask about that I had read from someone was, what is the "thicker" saline. I'm not familiar with this.

Kelly

[Teri]

To all those in Arizona I want to share my experience with Wendy Hall. I was unable to eat or drink anything from Thursday evening thru to Monday. I emailed Dr. Ortiz Friday and without a response from him I knew I needed to do something and I couldn't afford a trip to TJ. So I called for an appt. with Wendy Hall on Tuesday. They fit me in and I drove almost 4 hours to Snowflake. She took great care of me and gave me a much needed .3cc unfill. I was so leary of having anything done with my band or port without flouro, but she was great. She was in the port and had pulled out my fill before I realized I had even been poked. I can drink normally now (been on liquids last two days) and can't wait to eat tomorrow. It's been a whole week since my last solid meal.

I still agree that it's a great idea to have the first fill at OCC with flouro, but giving this a chance was worth it. I do thank all who have shared their experiences which allowed me to feel more comfortabe going to her.

One thing I meant to ask about that I had read from someone was, what is the "thicker" saline. I'm not familiar with this.

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

Wendy is a doll, isn't she. I had the same problem with having to retract some saline with Wendy when she was down in Mesa in Feb. I felt lucky she stayed over night in Scottsdale, so I was able to drive to her there. I was contemplating waiting, but knew she would be back in Heber, then I would have had to do what you did and drive the 4 hours, and I'm not a road warrior in cars. As much as I didn't want to have any taken out, I couldn't handle it, I was upchucking constantly on one tiny sip.

About the THICKER SALINE:

I was having the problem of not feeling full after having 3.4cc. Wendy suggested the thicker saline to help hold the food in the pouch longer. She said it wouldn't pass threw the band quite as easily. She had 2 bags of saline, one was 0.9% and the other one was 2.3%. I ended up with the same amount 3.4cc with the thicker saline, but couln't handle it, so I dropped back down to 3.0cc. I hope you are doing ok, and feel much better. That is a scary feeling.

Teri

[beata]

hi Everyone

My name is Beata and I live in Goodyear, AZ. I can't believe how many people here are from AZ. I am scheduled for a lap band surgery next week March 14th. I am afraid and can't sleep already. My husband is coming with me and we area actually driving to the border and having the driver pick us up.

Unfortunatelly my husband is leaving to go home the night of the surgery and I will be alone.

Please email any tips on what to take ex: water, juice

and anything else you can think of that will help me

Beata

[beata]

Well, I received my first fill yesterday here in AZ with Wendy Hall and her daughter Tammy.. I just want to say it was awesome.. These two ladies are so sweet and I am so happy I chose to go to them for my first fill. And it was only $100. I was a little reluctant at first because I couldn't feel my port on my own and I was afraid they would miss it or have to stick me a dozen times. Tammy found it on the FIRST try and made sure I had very good restriction before she pulled out the needle. I sat in the lobby for a bit afterwards and sipped on some water to make sure I had the appropriate restriction. I have 48 hours to decide if I want more fill or unfill at no additional cost.. It took 3.5cc's to give me the appropriate restriction. Today I still feel the restriction and I love it.. I can only eat tiny portions and I feel stuffed!!! I LOVE IT.. I will continue to use Wendy and Tammy for my fills until I reach my goal....

KELLIinAZ

260/237/150

Banded 1/05/07

what are the stages after the surgery for liquids???????

Beata

[Michele]

Hi!

I just scheduled my surgery for April 6th. I live in Mesa.

Two weeks ago I scheduled a gallbladder and band surgery with Dr. Blackstone in Scottsdale, but the more I thought about paying $16,500, I couldn't do it.

I am so happy to have made this decision. I feel it is the right one for me.

I am really worried about losing 16 lbs in 30 days. I am scared that I won't be able to do it. I have PCOS and a hypothyroid. I have to remind myself that it is short term and that nothing will taste as good as thin feels.

[Teri]

Hi!

I just scheduled my surgery for April 6th. I live in Mesa.

Two weeks ago I scheduled a gallbladder and band surgery with Dr. Blackstone in Scottsdale, but the more I thought about paying $16,500, I couldn't do it.

I am so happy to have made this decision. I feel it is the right one for me.

I am really worried about losing 16 lbs in 30 days. I am scared that I won't be able to do it. I have PCOS and a hypothyroid. I have to remind myself that it is short term and that nothing will taste as good as thin feels.

Hi Michele,

Welcome! Did you decide to go with Ortiz then?/ If so, you will be very glad you did, and love the fact you'll save an extra 8k - or have an extra 8k to spend depending how you look at it. hhehehe. Good Luck with everything.

Beata,

Welcome as well, and good luck to you. The first 3 days are clear liquids, or broth. Believe it or not the first day, I wasn't even thinking about clear, and accidently ordered an o.j. , drank it, thought nothing about it, until we flew home. We were fine, but looking back, I cant believe we both didn't catch it.

Teri

[jazzy]

So excited to see there are other AZ, we just moved to the west valley from CA two yrs ago, so we are preety new to AZ. I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz in a little over a week. I fly to SD on the 19th, leaving my hubby and kids at home and my mom is meeting me in SD to be with me for the surgery on the 20th. I wish my hubby and kids were coming with me, but my hubby has to work and I know I'm going to want the break from the kids to rest after surgery. Although I love to fly I'm a little nervous flying alone. I"m also having a hard time losing the preop weight they requested. But I'm doing the best I can. Anyhow, hope to meet some AZ banisters.

Jazzy

[Michele]

Hi, Teri!

I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz on April 6th, amd lost 12lbs before surgery. Everything went really well and met amazing ladies. I do have questions about feeling really weak in the mornings. Is that normal? I am not sure what to do?

Michele in Mesa

[Teri]

Hi, Teri!

I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz on April 6th, amd lost 12lbs before surgery. Everything went really well and met amazing ladies. I do have questions about feeling really weak in the mornings. Is that normal? I am not sure what to do?

Michele in Mesa

Hi Michele, I did feel a little weak the first few weeks after surgery. Probably from surgery itself, not eating solids, and living off liquids. It does get better with time. I was really gassy the first 3 months. Congrats on your surgery and happy losing. It's a wonderful thing!! Rest win you can.

Teri

[Teri]

So excited to see there are other AZ, we just moved to the west valley from CA two yrs ago, so we are preety new to AZ. I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz in a little over a week. I fly to SD on the 19th, leaving my hubby and kids at home and my mom is meeting me in SD to be with me for the surgery on the 20th. I wish my hubby and kids were coming with me, but my hubby has to work and I know I'm going to want the break from the kids to rest after surgery. Although I love to fly I'm a little nervous flying alone. I"m also having a hard time losing the preop weight they requested. But I'm doing the best I can. Anyhow, hope to meet some AZ banisters.

Jazzy

Welcome Jazzy! Good Luck with everything. I know what you mean when you'd like your family with you. Kyle and I went by ourselves without my husband too, but everything was fine. It seems with the weight, we lost a lot more a few days prior to surgery. Anyways, best of everything.

Teri

[cyndiwilson]

> > OKAY ALL YOU AZ BANDSTERS > > for those of you that have not met yet how about sometime in MAY getting together? Need some ideas of what type of location would be good----Lounge type bar, restaurant, Casino. I usually entertain at my house so it is hard for me to come up with a idea of what to do so any input would be wonderful---and yes we can do it at my house --but remember I leave EAST OF MESA about 15 minutes ---I have a pool and plenty of room we can do a BBQ in the middle of the day while the kids are still at school (hehe) everyone can bring a dish or beverage....throw some ideas out there then we can take a poll and set a date that hopefully will work for everyone?

HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL SOON > >

[jazzy]

> > OKAY ALL YOU AZ BANDSTERS > > for those of you that have not met yet how about sometime in MAY getting together? Need some ideas of what type of location would be good----Lounge type bar, restaurant, Casino. I usually entertain at my house so it is hard for me to come up with a idea of what to do so any input would be wonderful---and yes we can do it at my house --but remember I leave EAST OF MESA about 15 minutes ---I have a pool and plenty of room we can do a BBQ in the middle of the day while the kids are still at school (hehe) everyone can bring a dish or beverage....throw some ideas out there then we can take a poll and set a date that hopefully will work for everyone?

HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL SOON > >

I would love to be a part of the Arizona banisters, My flight leaves in a few hours and I am scheduled to be banded tomorrow April 20th. I will let you know how it all went when I return Wish me luck.

Jazzy

[AZ Bubbles]

Best of Luck Jazzy,

Dr O and the OCC are top notch. You'll do great. There are a few of us from the Westside of the PHX Metro Area, so maybe we could get together for lunch, coffee, etc. I am in the Litchfield Park area and I was banded on 3/9/07 and am scheduled for my 1st fill on 5/3/07.

I am in for a AZ Bandster gathering. Just let me know well in advance, my life is very scheduled. With four kids, a business and a husband that travels, if it's not penciled in a couple weeks in advance it's not going to happen.

Bubbles

[Michele]

Hi!

I would love to get together. I am now just waiting to have my first fill.

Michele in Mesa

[cyndiwilson]

Okay everyone I have gotten my 2nd fill today May 21st by Wendy Hall here in AZ- charming lady - i had 1 cc added to my 1.6cc that was put in on my 6week visit after my band placement 10-16-07....she found the port right away - had me drink water - i could feel it going down - I call it the funnel effect just like my first fill- I will take it easy the next few days which I do have off from work - which will help me focus on my eating habits - slow all over again - oh joy but it is well worth it I have lost 60lbs in 7 monthes ya can't beat that-----chow for now

[PAMMIE]

Okay everyone I have gotten my 2nd fill today May 21st by Wendy Hall here in AZ- charming lady - i had 1 cc added to my 1.6cc that was put in on my 6week visit after my band placement 10-16-07....she found the port right away - had me drink water - i could feel it going down - I call it the funnel effect just like my first fill- I will take it easy the next few days which I do have off from work - which will help me focus on my eating habits - slow all over again - oh joy but it is well worth it I have lost 60lbs in 7 monthes ya can't beat that-----chow for now

AWESOME CYNDI!!! =D>

[Michele]

Hi, Cyndi!

I had my first fill with Wendy yesterday. She was great, two pokes and then she found it. She put in 2ccs at first but I felt nothing, so she put in 3ccs and still nothing, so I ended up with 4ccs. I still really felt nothing until about 1/2 hour later. NOW I feel restriction. Surprisingly I have kept 12lbs since surgery and 12lbs preop, OFF, with really no restriction. Now I have to learn to eat slowly and chew forever and watch the weight go.

Michele in Mesa

[cyndiwilson]

Hi, Cyndi!

I had my first fill with Wendy yesterday. She was great, two pokes and then she found it. She put in 2ccs at first but I felt nothing, so she put in 3ccs and still nothing, so I ended up with 4ccs. I still really felt nothing until about 1/2 hour later. NOW I feel restriction. Surprisingly I have kept 12lbs since surgery and 12lbs preop, OFF, with really no restriction. Now I have to learn to eat slowly and chew forever and watch the weight go.

Michele in Mesa

Michelle did you come in for a 2:45 if you did I was the one leaving right in front of you -----blond hair pulled back- I had black shorts and shirt on ?

DO you have a small 4cc or the larger VG band?

[cyndiwilson]

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/cyndiwilson/

just in case anyone wants to see updated pictures this is where I post them

64lbs. gone woo hoo

I LOVE MY BAND

[stockprincess]

Okay - truth time. I haven't been on in a while, partly because of time contraints, and partly because i am so discouraged. I have lost NO weight because of the band. Dr. Ortiz did a wonderful job - everyone at the OCC is fabulous. Having said that, I feel like maybe this wasn't the right choice for me. I am down 15 pounds since day of surgery and all if it has been since I started Weight Watchers again and had an unfill. I eat what I am supposed to, I work out. I do EVERYTHING that everyone tells me to and nothing. (Truly - none of this is the problem.) I would take small bites, chew like a mad woman and PB until I was so streched out that I could eat whatever and however much I wanted. The next meal, same routine. Finally, my husband said enough and I had an unfill (not all the way) which allows me to eat without PBing at every meal, but still gives me no restriction. Is my body just not suited for this? Teri, I know that you have been through the same fill/unfill battle as I have and if I read correctly, you are down close to the same amount as I am. How do you stay positive and not get frustrated? I really don't want to give up on the band, but Weight Watchers is helping me see results when the band didn't...