Hi Everyone I am back from my appointment with Dr. Ortiz, First let me thank all of you for your support and thoughts that were with me all this morning.

I arrived at Ortiz's office at 9:30 as I was waiting for Ortiz to show up, Dr Martinez called the office to make sure I arrived OK.

Dr. Ortiz arrived at 9:45 and I was his only appointment today he made a special trip just to see me. Martinez is out of town so no fills scheduled ( he is the fill master they only do fills on Mondays & Saturdays surgery the rest of the week) Ortiz took me into the fluoro room where I explained all that was going on. I told him about my ALMOST PB on a bite of bread last Monday night. I explained how I had all the symptoms of a PB, the slime, watery mouth and golf ball feeling but the bite passed through and there was NO PB, so I thought since I did not actually PB I did not have to do 24hrs of liquids like he wants his patients to do after a PB..I was wrong, he told me even though I did not actually PB my esophogus went through the motions of a PB for a long 15 minutes..He put me under fluoro, had me drink the barium and I was so pleased to hear that my band has not slipped, no erosion..I just have Esophagitis due to me not doing liquids right after that episode and eating normal until Wednesday when I could not take the discomfort any longer..so my esophagus was inflammed and irritated. He then took me into his office where he spent a good 40 minutes talking with me , he prescribed me a medication to regulate my esophagus, to make it work slower if it is working too fast or to work faster if it is working to slow..I will start taking it today for 2 weeks 2x's a day. I love that Dr. , he did not even charge me a penny for his services and got me my meds at a discounted price of 14.00

He told me some very interesting things..He told me that Inamed both US & Mexico Inamed is really frowning on Dr.'s who are using patient coordinators and making money off of them and are trying to regulate this since it is illegal in the US..Inamed is discussing and weighing options of supplying bands to any Mexican Dr. who is using patient coordinators. I asked if he used a patient coordinator and he told me NO even though people think he does, what he does is if a patient comes in referred by another patient his gives the new patient a 500$ discount and the patient who referred him a free fill( 100$ savings) He also today told me he has opend up Centers all over the US, there is one in Cancun, Texas and New York..these are for patients who have their surgerys done in Mexico but can not or do not want to travel back to TJ for aftercare..the Dr's at these centers are Dr's he has personally trained through Inamed and will be working at these centers for aftercare.for example Dr. Grossbard who is actually a patient of Ortiz's but also is a Lap Band surgeon in Florida will be working in the Cancun office..this is also great for others who did not use Ortiz for their original surgery but need aftercare in their areas or at least closer to their areas without having to fly back to TJ. We also spoke about his book..the book needed one last go over by Ortiz which is why the delay, the books are all being shipped this week Mon, Tues & Wed so for all of you who ordered they are coming. I asked Dr. Ortiz if I was filled too tight and why I have this problem, he told me NO, if anything you have less restriction then most but since I'm losing every week and my weight loss is now at 70lbs he sees no need for a fill or an unfill..for all of you who PB..please do the 24 hrs of liquids, do NOT make the same mistake I did, this is the most irritating and uncomfortable thing I have experienced in a long time..I have been miserable for over a week now but how ironic it was that this morning on my way to TJ I was feeling better then I have in a week..My mind is at ease and I'm on the healing phase, doing liquids and soft foods for a couple of days but its OK with me knowing my band is in good shape! ..

What a difference it makes to have a very experienced doctor. I'm glad you are on you way to mending, Michelle.

Hi Michelle,

Glad everything has worked out for you and your band is doing fine. I am much like you when it comes to my band. I would rather be safe than sorry and you know your body better than anyone else does, so you did a smart thing to go down and see him.!

Babs in TX

334/190/170

-144

6/23/03

Hi Michelle,

I'm so glad you are feeling better, I've been following your story for a few days and was hoping you didn't have to remove your band. I was also banded by Dr. Ortiz on October 20th, I'm scheduled for my first fill on Dec. 4th. I've been trying to follow all the post-op rules and have lost 11 pounds but have been feeling a bit hungry lately, is this normal before the first fill?

I was wondering what you can tell me about "first fill", does everyone receive the same amount the first time? My BMI was 37 pre-op and has dropped to 34, does this have anything to do with the slow weight loss? Will I be able to continue my day as normal after the fill? What is the post-fill diet like?

I appreciate all the support and knowledge you offer everyone on this site!

Thanks,

Marlent

Hi Marlent

Thank you for your thoughts and Kind words

No not everyone gets the same ammount for their first fill.Everyone is different. Dr. Martinez is the fill master..he knows how much to fill you, he uses fluoro which is like an x-ray machine so he can see your band , port, etc then he will have you swallow barium which shows him contrast and how well the liquids are flowing through the band.this is how he determines how much fill you get. The fluoro also helps him to access the port with one poke..Dont worry about a thing, you will do fine . You are in good hands. Yes it is normal to be hungry now, the band is designed to be filled so when it is not filled of course you will be hungry. Totally normal. The fills will help with that alot. Best of luck to you..Let me know how it goes....Tell Dr. Ortiz & Martinez hello for me

Wow, Michelle! I was off line for a few days and only just read about your problem. I'm so glad your band is ok. Get well soon!!!

Michelle, I know you must be mentally exhausted. I'm so happy there was no erosion or slippage. Now back to your journey!

Take care.

Michelle, so glad you got it checked out. And even happier is wasn't too major of a problem. Keep up the good work!

Yeah Blue Eyes! Glad everything's OK with your band. Thanks for explaining all these details. You've become a wealth of information.

Glad to hear your good news...I too was thinking about you and what it actually was that was wrong with you while I was in New York City today. I saw Dr. fielding at NYU today for my first fill. He told me if I don't feel it come back in a few days....He gave me one cc. Good luck and feel better quick!!!!

I missed all of this Michelle! I am so glad that everything turned out okay! I think we all worry about erosion especially when we experience pain and I am so glad that everything turned out fine!

Darcy

hi michelle,

so glad your worries are calm, and the information, is so helpful,and everything went well with you,

margie,

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margie

295/258/140

There is Darcy. HOORAY!!! Michelle so glad you are getting better. That is all that matters. Love ya.

Darcy, it's not like you can just pop in after being MIA without explanation. Write self a note - "must check into LBT."

AN Update

I'm going to go see my PCP today at 2:15

I'm still feeling bad..I have these horrible spasms in my esophagus that are causing me a great deal of discomfort. I also want to ask him about the Mexican medicine Ortiz gave me, it may be all in my head but it seems like it is getting more painful then It was on Monday..I'm wondering if it is the medicine and if not then why am I not feeling better. I'm going to ask for that esophagus test. These spasms are so painful when they happen they make me nauseated ..my mouth waters like I'm going to vomit and we all know that is not good for a bandster...I will let you all know when I get home..I'm fuctioning at a very low pace..

Awww Michelle, I was thinking you were doing so much better. Sorry to hear you are still having problems, I am glad you are doing something about it. I will be waiting to hear how you are.