VLP

Since my banding a year ago, I've lost 71 pounds. Do I regret having surgery? HELL NO!!! I'm loving every minute of it! :clap2::cheer2: Good luck to you!

:myscared:Hi all... I had a very strange thing happen to me last night & I wanted to put it out there for comment. I was banded on July 27, 2006 & have been on the post-op diet as required by my surgeon---& doing very well on it, too. This week is the week for going back to a regular diet of solids so last night I decided to give it a try. I became VERY emotional about the whole thing & I can't really put my finger on why:noidea:. I don't know which I am: a. Afraid of I'll eat everything I can lay my hands on;:hungry: b. Afraid of regaining the weight I've lost to date;:funscale: c. So thankful to finally be able to eat "real" food again:clap2:; d. Afraid of not being able to stop eating; e. I'm just food phobic; f. Afraid I'll physically hurt myself by eating; g. I'm just a nut case:crazy:. My 1st fill is on Sept 9th. :help:

I was just banded by Dr Ortiz in Tiajuana MX on July 27th & my experience has been extremely positive. The hotel (the Lucerna) is very comfortable---granite & tile everywhere, great food in the restaurants (that "Last Meal" is a very important meal to enjoy!), and a very professional & attentive staff. EVERYONE at Dr. Ortiz's office, no exception, is caring, considerate, & most importantly, very experienced & very skilled. (& Dr. Ortiz & Martinez are very easy on the eyes, if I may say so....:dance: LOL) His staff is so very caring....even his mom gets involved! She acts as a liason & shuttle driver to get patients from the border to the hotel & from the hotel to the surgical facility & back. I had surgery on Thursday & went home two days later (Saturday)---with 5-hour stop at the San Diego Zoo...walked around all day with no trouble at all. I paid $8500 for my procedure & would do it again. My trip wasn't too bad since I live in Orange CA which is only a 2 hour drive one way. They are close enough for me to get my fills there which is great because they only use fluoroscopy. I would choose Dr. Ortiz again & again (hopefully there won't be a need for "again & again"!)

Well, tomorrow is Band Day---the next step in regaining control of the beast within. I think I've done pretty well for myself pre-band. Lost 14 pounds to get here. I'm not nervous, the pre-op exam went without a hitch (well, except for the fact that they couldn't find a vein in the crook of my elbow to draw blood from so they had to get it from my hand...:huggie: ) So, y'all wish me luck!

I'm new to the group & having the procedure on July 27th. I live in Orange CA.