scubadottie

Hi, I had LapBand surgery with Dr. Ortiz at Obesity Control Center in August 2007. My Mom and I both were very impressed with OCC. The staff was great and I felt very well taken care of.... that is why I have scheduled my Revision surgery with OCC and Dr. Ortiz for September 10, 2012. Hope this helps. Cheers, Dottie

I found two on Amazon.com that looked good. Gabrialla Breathable Elastic Abdominal Binder for Women, 9" wide, Size XXL $27.80 And McDavid Waist Trimmer for $12.08 I haven't bought one yet.... still deciding.

Hi, My Revision is scheduled for September 10. My biggest concern is that the doctor will get in there and decide that he can't do the sleeve after the band removal. I wonder what the instances are that the sleeve has to be postponed due to scar tissue, etc. That is my biggest scare. Dottie

Never been married.... I live on a tiny island in the Cayman Islands with about 180 people. Needless to say, the dating pool is really really small! All of my co-workers are in their late 20's to early 30's.... so, my fantasy is to drop 120 pounds and have all the hot guys on the island come a calling.... one at a time!

I emailed my NUT today with my current weight... and she told me that I am doing great and now only have to do the Liquids Only Diet 3 days before surgery instead of two weeks! Can you give me a high five! Yippeeee!

Kellie, Thank you for the reply. I am envious that you are already 8 months out. September can't get here fast enough. But, I know the time will be flying by and it will be here before I know it. I live on a tiny island in the Caribbean with about 180 residents. So, no gym.... we have one tiny grocery store on island and our bank is open two days a week. I work as a scuba instructor/dive master and work/dive 6 days a week. My job is very physical...lifting scuba tanks and dive gear all day long. I take my 2 cats for a walk in the evening... and that is about it. I need to ramp my exercise program up. I have been thinking about trying the indoor walking with Leslie Sansone. At least, I can do it in the comfort of my own home with the AC on. Again, you are an inspiration! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Kellie, Congrats and I am so happy for you! You are definitely inspiring! I am scheduled for my VSG in September and am working on losing some weight before my surgery. What do you feel was your biggest challenge in regards to your keeping on track? What do your meals consist of 8 months out? How much do you exercise? I will stop here with my questions. Thanks and good luck with your lat 14 pounds! Dottie

Good Morning Everybody! Just came across a coffee creamer (Ripped Cream) that has 5 grams of Protein, 11 amino acids and Vitamin D3. Thought I might try it with my diet hot chocolate or decaf coffee. Sounds like an easy way to get alittle protein in with my drink. Has anyone tried Ripped Cream? Cheers, Dottie

I'm gonna beat you by one day. My surgery is September 10. Congrats and see ya on the loser's side. Cheers, Dottie

This is what I came across a few weeks ago..... The Cottage cheese Test: The cottage cheese test is a technique that was presented at the June 2000 meeting of the ASBS (and many times before that) by Latham Flanagan, MD (website is at The Oregon Center for Bariatric Surgery). It is meant to be a standardized, reproducible measurement of the physical size of the stomach pouch in a person who has undergone a gastric bypass procedure. Purchase a container of small curd low-fat cottage cheese. Begin the test with a full container, and perform the test in the morning before eating anything else (this will be your breakfast on that day). Eat fairly quickly until you feel full (less than five minutes). Note that the small soft curds do not require much chewing. The idea with the rapid eating is to fill the pouch before there is much time for food to flow out of it. After eating your "fill" of cottage cheese, you will be left with a partially eaten container that has empty space where cottage cheese used to be. Start with a measured amount of Water (16 ounces, for example), and pour water into the container of cottage cheese until the water is level with the original top level of the cottage cheese. Voila - the amount of water poured into the container is the functional size of the pouch. If this is your first time doing the test - DON'T PANIC. You are likely to find that the "cottage cheese" size of your pouch is way bigger than your surgeon told you he/she made it at the time of surgery. Dr. Flanagan's data indicates that the average size of the mature pouch by cottage cheese test is 5.5 ounces. He has also found that sizes ranging from 3 to 9 ounces have NO IMPACT on the person's success in weight loss."

Hi Guys, Thanks for the good advice.... I had never heard of sleep eating! Luckily, it hasn't affected me that way. I don't think Lunesta... it gives a very metallic taste in my mouth that lasts for hours after I wake. I thought my water was bad... but, in reading the fine print... that can be a side effect of Lunesta. I work a physical job... and try to go to bed around 9-10pm. If I am not asleep by 11pm... that is when I take an Ambien.... they have really helped me in getting a restful night. I know that can help in my recovery, so that is why I was asking how soon I could take some if needed after surgery. Cheers and looking forward to joining the Loser's Bench. Dottie

I'm scheduled for September 10 with Dr. Ortiz and will be staying at the Marriott until September 15th.

Hi to all Revision people! Just wondering how many of you had to do a barium swallow and endoscopy before/during their VSG revision? Thanks, Dottie

Hi All, Just wondering if anyone knows if it is okay to take sleeping pills after surgery? How long to wait? I have problems sleeping and take an Ambien to help me get to sleep. Sometimes 2-3 times a week... sometimes 2-3 times a month... just depends. Has anyone had issues with taking sleeping pills after VSG? Thanks, Dottie

Hi All, I am so excited... I just finished paying my revision (lapband to sleeve) surgery off! I am a self pay and committed to do the surgery on January 24, 2012 (the day after my 52th birthday). My surgery date is September 10, 2012 with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. And I just sent them my final payment! Plane ticket is bought! I am ready to GO! My weight in January was 297... current weight 268 and I am 62 days away from my surgery. I will be on a two week liquid only pre-op diet starting on August 27. I am hoping to lose some more weight before my date. Can't wait to get this Crapband out of me! Cheers and Good luck to all that have gone before me... I look forward to reading OUR success stories! Dottie

Hi, I am interested in liquid vitamins also. I just came across Wellesse Liquid Vitamins... they have a multi, calcium, iron, D3, and B12 in liquid form. Has anyone tried them? Cheers, Dottie

My surgery is with Dr. Ortiz in September. And I asked that question a few months ago and was told that he staples and oversews ... they say it helps prevent the stomach from stretching out too much... plus makes it more secure in regards to leaks.

Does anyone know why VSG patients have acid reflux problems after the surgery? I have never had any issues with acid in my past history... my revision surgery is scheduled for September... is this something that happens to a lot of people?

I was reading myaceinhand.blog spot.com and there was a lot of good info on the surgery and our stomachs. It says the average stomach holds 32-48 oz or 4 to 6 cups per meal. Post VSG (6 months out) holds 8-12 ozs or 1-1.5 cups per meal. And it mentions the cottage cheese test to check your stomach capacity.

Thanks for bringing up this subject... good info to know and be aware of. 70 days until surgery... yeah!

I have scheduled my Revision surgery (Sept. 10) with Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. His clinic has designated as an ICE (International Center of Excellence). Dr. Ortiz was selected by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top Bariatric surgeons in America. I had my lapband done with Dr. Ortiz in 2007... and was completely impressed with him and his center. My Mom went with me (she's a nurse) and she was blown away by their professionalism and first class operation. Unfortunately, the Lapband didn't work for me... so, I am choosing to have the Revision surgery to Vertical Sleeve with Dr. Ortiz also. Every question that I have asked has been answered in a timely and understandable manner. I researched and researched... and have decided to stick with Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center. They might be a little more expensive than some other surgeons... but, I believe he is worth every penny. Good luck to all and I hope to meet some of you in Tijuana! Cheers, Dottie

I think your band needs to be unfilled at least two weeks before your revision surgery?