Robin

Looking for the good and bad of OKC area surgeons. My friend is considering Dr. G. She is nervous and unsure at this time and would like any input from all. I had the surgery but I went to Mexico so I'm not a lot of help for her. robbin58@cox.net if you feel more comfortable than posting. P.S. Lapbandtalk was very encouraging to me while I was researching Mexico. It's been almost 2 years and I'm down 112 pounds with about 30 to go. xoxo

the only thing I would have done differently would have been to exercise as I lost weight. Other than that...go baby go!!!

My fill dr said that with the VG band that we will reach the same place as the smaller one, it's just a bigger band for those of us who had a larger stomach. The first time I said fill er up. He said the average fill is 4 times for this band. He only has one patient with an 8.2 and the rest are below that. So that leaves me hopeful since I am at 6.8 already. I don't think I lost anything last week, which has happened off and on, but I am ready for another 20 to be off.

I am with you all on the fill questions....not sure what to eat when. Mornings I have much greater restrictions, loosens as the day goes along. I too have had the "stuck" thing going on. I decided not to allow myself another fill until I get the 'chew slow and little bits' thing down. I have to learn to respect my band and change my habits, which is so difficult for me. I have always eaten (gobbled) very quickly! I had 5 cc on the first fill and another 1.8 on the second. I have lost 73 since Jan 29th. It's getting close to time for another fill, it's been two weeks since anything was stuck and I decided when I can go a month, I will get another fill. I am down to about one pound loss per week, which I am greatful, but would like to double that. I too can eat about anything, not as much as I used to, but still more than I need.

I am with you on finding the sweet spot...don't know if I'm there or not. I had surgery Jan 29 and have lost 64 pounds. But over the last 7 weeks I've only lost 8 pounds. I think we get impatient because we lose so quickly at first and think yee haw~giddy up! and that's not the way it will be for the remainder of the journey.

FurEllie, I am with you!!! I had mine done by Dr. Ortiz on Jan 29th...down 55 so far and I don't have a single complaint. I do think for newbies though, there might not be enough communication as to the minute by minute expectations, especially for the ones that go alone. Outside of that....next to God!!

me too becca....wow, did that hurt~won't go there again. I had my band on Jan 29th with no fill in it then. I had a fill of 5 cc on Mar 15th and have lost 54 pounds so far. I am going back for fill tomorrow. I can now eat alot more, not nearly as much as before surgery but more than I want to eat. MOVE MOVE MOVE...all I can say. I was working at a job where I moved the entire 6 hours a day and I really droppped then, but now I am at home working and it's not nearly as fast! Gotta get to walking after my fill (why start today when you can start tomorrow...haha)

I used Dr. Ortiz and absolutely loved him and his staff. My surgery was Jan 29, 2007 and I am down 52 pounds. Kind of at a stand still right now, about time for a fill. I already feel like a new person though.

I went to Dr. Ortiz on Jan 29th and am down 52 pounds so far. I went back for one fill so far. I found that going back for my first fill was so worth the money. I got a ticket for 212.00 and the fill was 100.00, the room 80.00 and the ride was some amount but can't remember right at the moment. But you can coordinate with other fill patients and share a room and/or a ride from the airport. The fill dr. here wanted 175.00 for a fill, 475.00 to take me on as a new patient for lab work etc. So I actually spent less going to Mexico for the first fill. Most drs here in America, I believe, do fills by feeling for the port. Dr. Ortiz has a dr that does the fills under xray light, to make sure he doesn't miss the port and to see if you need more or less in your fill. They have you drink while filling so they can see how much restriction is there and then you go eat and come back and be checked for restriction. I swear by them...best decision of my entire life. I have said many times over on many boards, I will never have elective surgery in an American hospital again after the care I received in Mexico. Absolutely awesome!!!

I am so sorry to hear of your complete and total bad situation. I live in Oklahoma and there is a dr here still performing surgery and has done many of the same types of things. He is no longer allowed to practice at a couple hospitals. But...how do you get the word out? I have told so many people and even pre ops but if they have found their "hope", love is blind. I know these things because one of my best friends is an ICU nurse. Believe me, if you ever want the inside scoop on a dr, get to the nurses. They see the inside. Now for Mexico, JMO of course, I loved it!!! I will never have elective surgery in the US again. NEVER... I went to Dr. Ortiz and have not one thing negative to say. The quality of care and depth of accuracy was unbelievable. I have never had such care in a US hospital. Now I'm not speaking of being ill, just elective...WLS, boobs, face lift, plastics, those sorts of surgeries. The price too was unbeatable. The lowest I found in this area was 18500 for the lapband, and Dr. Ortiz was 8500. Huge difference. But I must say, post op, if the prices were reversed I would still go to Mexico. The over all experience was so above average. I researched this for five years and I think that made a huge difference too. Happy days and sweet dreams all...may we all be the "thin" person we are on the inside.

Michelle, I am home and doing wonderful. Best thing of my life...and I would do it again in a heart beat. LOVE LOVE LOVE the team in Mexico...awesome. Had the best time...going back every year just to keep in touch. Lost 16 so far and its just been 4 days, but that also included the preop diet that I stuck to pretty faithfully. Please do keep in touch! I cleaned out all my email, so I don't know if I had your email address or not. Here's mine robbin58@cox.net

mysherrijo, did you have your fills done back in Mexico or with a dr in the states? I'm trying to decide which way to go and if it makes a difference. Thanks

Thank you all so much for your support...it means alot!

Woo hooooo!!!! I am home and banded! I'm on my way to better things!!!! And never ever let anyone doubt Mexico. It was beyond a shadow of a doubt the best time of my life. The best Dr., hospital, service, etc. I will never have elective surgery in the states after this expericence!!! NEVER! And I promise you will all my being and God as my witness I was coming back here and telling the whole truth, nothing, NOTHING left out! As with the states, I am sure there are dr. and hospitals out there that are not up to par, but to say OMG, MEXICO??? again, never.

Woo hooooo!!!! I am home and banded! I'm on my way to better things!!!! And never ever let anyone doubt Mexico. It was beyond a shadow of a doubt the best time of my life. The best Dr., hospital, service, etc. I will never have elective surgery in the states after this expericence!!! NEVER! And

kwhenrykerr, I have enjoyed your posts. They are so encouraging. 2 days left...leave Sunday for Dr. Ortiz. I'm good with losing slowly after a June reunion, but I badly want to have 50 pounds off by then. Y'all keep me in your prayers on Monday. MY BIG DAY!!! New beginnings, a year to celebrate!

5 days to go..... hang with me y'all

Hey Dakota 1984, I live in OKC, I moved here from Fort Collins!!! Please trade me back!

6 days to hasta la vista baby!!!!

9 days to go, thanks for going the count down with me!

Andy, or gym goers...how long after surgery can you start back at the gym? Forgot to find that out! Thanks, 10 days to go

I sure don't know, but if you find out make sure to stick around. I get my band on the 29th. Best wishes!!

kw, I will say hello to the staff for you. Can't wait to get back and say all is well. How did you do with the preop diet? Did you start early on it? I wanted to do it for about a month, but jeeze is it hard.

I am so glad to be here, it just brings the most joy to have people respond to me having surgery. Thanks for asking kw... I leave on Jan 28, surgery on the 29th. More afraid of the flight than the surgery, lol.

Dr. Rodriguez was high on my list. Like I said, I have been researching this for five years and have heard nothing bad about him either. I picked Dr. Ortiz because my sister inlaw lives in San Diego and coming from Oklahoma, made me feel a little more safe having extended family close by.