trizzy

Okay--just wondering if after having the band and losing some weight--does sex get better, stay the same, gets worse (lord I hope not)? Do you think it is because you feel better about yourself, have more energy, or something else? Just wanting to know what my DH and I have to look forward to!

Hi bingo--Congrats on your weight loss already!! That is so great! I would definetly take a Taxi to the shopping area. It was pretty far, and by the time you get done walking there, you wouldn't have any energy left to shop!! I did pretty good at first--but I tired out about an hour into shopping. We took a taxi back--and I was so relieved to get into bed! Also--don't worry when the taxi drivers drive like a bat out of He__, they are the craziest drivers I have ever seen--but they got us there and back safe and sound! Again--congrats on the weight loss already--you're doing great!

Hey Bingo--sorry so long--life gets so hectic around here sometimes! I think I am at my sweet spot--I lose five pounds all at once, then nothing for two weeks--then five pounds--AHHH! So far I've lost 55 pounds--but I don't eat the way I should. I now LOVE to eat Soups, mashed potatoes, that sort of thing, so my weight loss is slow. I didn't switch any money over to Pesos. Everyone/everything down there will accept American money. I had no problems with taxis or shops. Just make sure to bring money for tips for the van driver, and taxis, etc... Are you going to do the week long Protein shake diet before you go? Do you plan on starting to diet now to lose the weight? I was worried that I had not lost enough before I went down, but I lost some, and obviously enough for the surgery! For everyone else--I have heard good things about Dr. Patterson--I too called her office for the price, and she quoted me around the same amount of $20,000-$30,000.. NO WAY I could afford that, so I went to Ortiz and paid $8,500.

Hi Bingo-- I think I am at my sweet spot--although to keep up the weight loss I may need to go in this summer and get a SMALL fill--I am going to wait until then to decide! The trip back across the border was fine! They let us stay in the van, and one of the patrols came out and checked our ID's. This was before the passport requirement took effect--so I don't know if you'll need a passport or not. After the fill trip we had to get out, cross the border on foot, and then get back in the van. I went shopping the next day after surgery! We went to the tourist part of TJ and walked along the sidewalk, looking and buying...it was fun. I, of course, tired out earlier than I usually would have, but it was amazing to be walking the day after surgery! We only bought things for our kids, so we didn't pay any duty or anything. I'm not sure on what/how they do that. Do you have an exact date on your surgery? Are you flying down or driving down? Is there someone going with you? It helped me to have my husand there---but a lot of people went down solo. Have a great day!

Hey bingo-- I didn't have any co-morbidities, I was borderline diabetic, but they were sure with weight loss it would go away--which it has. I didn't make a pre-op with Dr. Fitzpatrick--I had heard good things about her on here, so I just went ahead and made an appt. I tried to make one for November, but she had just been up to Portland and wouldn't be up again til December when I got my fill. So--make sure you call a month in advance before getting your next fill. Dr. Fitzpatrick said that she usually does a 1.5-2.0 fill for the first time, so Ortiz's office did good with that. I felt a little restriction in the am with the first fill, and maybe lost another 10 pounds. After the second fill, I found out what restriction was all about! I live in Milwaukie; SE of Portland---if you have any more questions--don't hesitate to ask--and I'll try to answer them if I can!

luv2bingo07---Hi! I did exactly the same thing! I had Dr. Ortiz put my band in late August of last year, then went down to Ortiz again for my first fill. I wanted to do my first fill with him because he does it with the fluroscope and I wanted to be sure everything looked good. They gave me a 1.6 fill in October; it didn't do much. I went to Dr. Fitzpatrick in December and she gave me a REALLY good fill!! She was nice and it was relatively painless. She had a bit of a hard time finding my port because of my weight, but once she did it wasn't bad! They wanted me to lose 15 pounds, but I only lost 10 pounds. I think they just want to shrink the fat a little to make it easier to insert the band. I did the Slimfast thing for a week before going--it wasn't too bad. Good luck with everything--I think you have chosen a great doc!!

Hello everyone! It has been almost three months since I have posted anything. I have been very down with the whole band thing---until TODAY!!! I had a fill with Dr. Ortiz of 1.6 cc in October, but on Friday I got a fill of another .98 from a local Doc, and I FINALLY HAVE RESTRICTION!!!!! I am so happy!!! I have only lost weight from the liquid diet of post-op surgery, and now I can only eat a few bites of food and I am full!! I am so excited thinking I will finally be able to lose some weight! Well, I am seeing that everyone else is doing FANTASTIC, and hopefully soon I can join you in the weight loss game again! Merry Christmas everyone, and the "slimmest" of New Years!

Hello all fellow Oregonians! Just wanted to say that I had a fill by Dr. Fitzpatrick on Friday. She gave me .98 cc ( already had a fill of 1.6 from Ortiz) and I FINALLY have restriction!!!!!! She was super nice, but did have to poke me two times to get the right positioning for my port. She said as I lose weight it will be easier to find it. Anyway, just thought I'd let anyone interested in getting a fill in the Portland area know about her. She charged me $180 for the fill, but that was for the first visit. Her website is www.gastricbands.com Have a very Merry Christmas--and the "skinniest" of New Years!

Okay--found Dr Fitzpatrick's website. It is www.gastricbands.com All the info you need about her is there!

Sweetrepose: I e-mailed her at drkmfitzpatrick@hotmail.com She responded right away, and for my next fill I plan on using her! Good luck!

This is what we teach our children: 1st : Tell person to stop--or leave me alone! 2nd : Tell teacher/parent/responsible adult. 3rd : Do whatever is necessary to keep bully from hurting you. If we don't teach our children to stand up for themselves, they will be lost. My son has never had a 'physical' altercation with anyone. The first two steps usually solve it all. However, he will be going into seventh grade next year and I know it is coming. I have told him that he will never get in trouble at home if he follows the above steps, even if he gets in trouble at school. If there is no adult supervision then he shouldn't get in trouble for defending himself. Also, we let them know that if a child hits them first, they have every right to skip to number 3!:boxing:

Sweetrepose, Dr. Ortiz is a lap-band surgeon located in Tijuana Mexico. It only cost me $8,500 to have the surgery there, compared to the $15,000-$25,000 it would have cost me here. I don't have insurance that covers this operation either, and Dr. Ortiz is a SUPERB doctor. He does about 5 or more a day down in Mexico--his center is very clean, and all the staff were great! I was very apprehensive about going to down to Mexico to have surgery--but it was a very good experience! If you have any more questions about him you can PM me or write here! Good Luck to you!!

Hey PR--I have a confession too! I have started on solids a little early! I just had to have some solids yesterday--so I had some, then ate liquids for the rest of the day. Today I have been even worse!!! Oh well, hopefully doing it just three days early won't be too bad! For any Ortiz patients---I am getting a fill on October 21st. My plane lands in San Diego at 9:30 am and then I'll be leaving same day at 5:00pm. If anyone is going around then, maybe we can share a taxi, trolley, etc... I may be meeting up with one other person--so the more the merrier!! If interested let me know!:girl_hug: Everyone keep up the good work--we're doing great!

Chrissie--ARGHHH! I hate it when that kind of crap happens!!! That usually makes me reach for the Swiss Cake Rolls or potato chip bag! Good luck on your new fridge buying adventure! As for me--well, the scale has decided NOT to move past a 20 pound loss, but I have been noticing my stomach is shrinking! Thank god or else I would really be gettting depressed! I am however going to change my goal for September to 5 pounds--not 10-- because I am starting solids this Friday!! YEE-HAW! Keep going ABC--we're doing great!

Kate--thank God I am not alone!! I have been brushing my teeth 3+ times a day, and I only used to do it once a day! Isn't that weird? I wonder what causes it? Oh well, my little girl told me I should talk to her with my mouth closed from now on--lol---so I guess that's one way to solve it!:speechles Anyone out there going to get a fill with Doc Martinez around Fri. Oct. 20th-Sat. 21st? I am thinking of scheduling a fill then, and was wondering if anyone would like to meet up, share a taxi, etc..(if you don't mind my bad breath!):couch2: .Either PM me or write in here, hope to hear soon because I want to schedule it by Monday!

Okay---very weird question---does anyone have really bad breath since surgery? My husband--so sweetly (not!)--said I have had the worst breath since I've come back from having the band. I have only been on liquids since, so I know it is nothing I am eating. I have never suffered from halitosis before--so just wondering. Anyone else having this? Or am I the only 'lucky' one?

Kate--when I was on Weight Watchers they said to never go below 20 points per day--then you still have your 35 "freebie" points for the week. I think you may try eating a little more and see if that jump starts your weight loss. Good Luck!

Hey there PR--I am not sure where it was--and I just looked all over Ortiz's site and couldn't find it!:cry I'll try at another time--but Best Western sounds like it may be it. Usually Best Western is okay.

Welcome Brad! I am a relative newbie, banded Aug. 25th, but I think what they mean by eating around the band is that you can eat all the bad food you want--but will not lose weight--or maybe even gain. What the band DOES is not let you eat the ENTIRE bag of Cookies, chips, etc... Also--for self-payers like myself, I spent alot of money on this surgery, and I am hoping I will make the right food choices so I can lose the weight. I wish you luck--and here's to hoping to see you in bandland!:couch2:

That's just how I feel!!!! From post-op day 1 to day 8-10 I felt ALOT of restriction. I was thinking that I probably wouldn't need a fill in 6-8 weeks and that I would just wait it out. Then day 11 hit. I could burp again, I could feel hunger again, and I lost that I'm full after a popsicle feeling!:cry I am still on liquids now---but I have taken to mixing everything!! Re-fried beans, ckn. noodle soup, potato soup, etc... And I still don't get full even after eating a whole can!!!:angry I can't wait now til fill day--I am going to make an appt. soon!!! BTW--for those banded in TJ---there is a hotel in San Diego that offers free rides across the border to your doc's office. If anyone wants the info--just let me know--or it is on Ortiz's lap band forum!:couch2:

Hey all--anyone else feeling like this: I am about 11 days post-op. I was having great restriction until about 1-2 days ago. I noticed I could eat (drink) more, and that I could actually burp! Now-today-I am really, really, hungry!! I haven't eaten solid food--but I have blended veg. beef Soup, re-fried Beans, and ckn. noodle soup and still don't feel full after I eat them. Anyone else going through this? Do you think it's just I am finally no longer swollen and have no restriction? AHHHHH---I am just so frustrated! I lost 20 pounds, now I am not losing anymore!!!! Don't get me wrong--20 is great but I wanted to continue to lose!!! Okay--I am revising my weight goal--5 pounds for September!:eek:

jekbird--Happy late birthday!!!! Hope you had a great one! I think a whopping 21 pound loss is a wonderful birthday present!! Just think--next year you'll be down so much more! :happybday:

BadMadMama--Did youlook at the thread in the LapBand FAQ section? In there is a great thread that tells you exactly what to do to get your ticker in. Make sure to click save signature after you copied it into your profile! Also, look for the ABC Sepember Chat in the lapband support, not the general discussion. Hope this helps, if not let me know, and I will try to help you all I can! Chrissie--you naughty, naughty girl!!!!:biggrin1: I thought we were exchanging bagels for children--lol I don't think a slip or two will hurt, but I know what you mean about the chewing thing! I haven't had solid food yet, but i just had to blend up some veg. beef Soup the other day, and then I just had to have a milkshake!!! Boy it sure tasted good!! We will all have slips--the important thing is to get right back on track! You'll do it--just stay away from the bagel monster! Everyone's doing great---let's keep up the good work!

GOOD JOB! Shall we call you CHA-CHA from now on? lol That is a great NSV! or maybe twinkle-toes? CONGRATS!

Hey Chrissie---If you go to the lap band FAQ--there is a thread in there that lets you know how to do the ticker thing. Make sure when you cut it you do not cut the url. then paste to your sig, then make sure you save sig. It is a little complicated--but that thread really explains it well!! BTW--I did get your note--thanks! Weird about the fainting thing--never did it before from drawing blood--just the excitement of getting the band! lol How are you feeling? Hope well! Joliesmom--Dr. Miranda didn't tell me about the tomato Soup early! Did she even tell you (or any ORTIZ patient) when we could do mushies? The instructions pretty much go from 1 week Clear liquids, 1 week add Protein shakes, and next week add tomato soup. Do we even get a mushie stage? I sure would like it now!!! I am finally hungry!! :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: