Getting on Track

I need to ask you (I have been searching for someone with a high fill quantity) how did you finally know it was enough? I am now at 10.3 in an 11cc band. I do feel full much easier but I guess where my frustration comes in is that as much as I have cut back it seems like I can always binge if I wanted to. I eat slowly, have cut out a lot of carbs (not all) and am drinking a lot of Water. I am still not a great eater though, I have to be honest and do like my junk food. When you are saying all this diet info like the South Beach, well couldn't we have just have lost weight following that diet without the band? I am only down about 11 and it has been almost a year. I am pretty sad about it all although I haven't given up. I just want to know what to do! My portions are a lot smaller, I am getting more exercise. I have been told that I can't expect the band to do the work, well then why did I get it? Come on Dave let me in on your secret! Btw congrats on your loss thus far.

I am curious how it is going for you and what fill level you are at.

Although I do trust my doctor I would like to go back to Ortiz once too just to get an over-all check. The only reason is the amount of experience he has. I may do that this year. The doctors we all have always seem to be in such a hurry and it seemed so much more personable down south.

I don't know about getting a fluoro every time, it may be pretty pricey. The fills itself really aren't all that complicated. They take approximately 10 seconds (at least mine do). I go to a doctor here who does the surgery himself so knows what he is doing. But you just lie back on the bed with your stomach areched, he feels the port and injects your required amount - done. There have been a few times where I have questioned my total amount so what he does is inject the needle and can slowly withdraw the whole amount, read it and re-inject it. Don't be afraid of the fills.

Why did you end up going back for the test at all, what was wrong? What fill level did you finally get up to? I am now at a 10.3 in an 11cc band, has anyone else been near that? I agree with sticking with the Ortiz team they really are great, the problem just is the location (I live in Alberta) and yes crossing the border took forever, not three hours for us but a good hour anyway.

Ah interesting, you are right. I was told the other version, so I guess I should do my homework before I am passing along info, thanks. I do however believe he is a great choice.

I wouldn't place any credence on the one response, for the thousands and thousands of surgeries he has done - btw just he was just voted as one of the top lapband surgeons in Newsweek - don't let one bad apple spoil the bunch. He has a better success rate that most any doctor in North America, especially when you base it on a ratio. I strongly recommend him personally. I asked my lapband surgeon here (he does my fills) why there is such an immense price difference and he said it is simply because they don't have to pay the OR costs, the anaesthesia costs etc., Ortiz and his associates have their own building and staff. BTW doctor Ortiz himself lives in San Diego. So again don't let the one comment get you down. I hope this helps.

His name is Dr. Ortiz you can contact Lori Wrights Patient Care Coordinator 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 or 1-415-738-8100 ext. 81 and here is the link. Good luck to you www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

What fill level did you find was actually the amount that finally worked? I am now at 9.7 in my 11 band. I do feel a fair bit of constriction, but still almost feel like I could have more. Thanks for the info.

Thats a nice way to do it I think. My doc is very specific on the numbers, it gets tiring.

Thx, I guess I'll be a little more patient. Always wanting those 'miracles'!

Really good to hear that, thx

Next to nothing to what I would have expected. With the pre-diet and since, it has probably been 20 total. So since the banding maybe 6. When i hear about all these people who are down 50 etc. I keep wondering is it me, my band, or what. Just wanted to know if anyone else was at this quantity. How much have you lost? I began booking the fills every 1-2 weeks.

I am at 9.5cc in my 11cc band. I do feel restriction but not enough to call it my sweet spot. There are still things I eat that I just know I shouldn't be able to. I haven't started working out because I don't want them to think I am at my required fill level, I want to start losing because of the band and then also the working out, if that makes sense. I am curious about the fill levels of other 11cc patients. It has been a long process because he will only do 1cc at a time.

I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz as well, in October 2010. Dr. Mitchell is also doing my fills. Can I just ask you what level you finally went to to make it kick in. I a already at 9.5cc in the 11cc band, it is getting really frustrating. I appreciate it.

My name is Terry and I live in Canada. I was banded in October 2010. I went down to Mexico to the Obesity Control Centre and had my surgery by Dr. Ortiz. It was a very good experience and in hindsight I am so glad that was the choice I went with. So professional and I think better than here. The entire facility is only for weight loss surgeries. Surgery is covered in Alberta but imagine the wait list. They said it could be up to 6 or 7 years because there are so few surgeons doing it. The price in Mexico was less than half ! My progress has been slow simply because to get fills here they will only do 1cc at a time. I have an 11cc band so you get the picture. There are no hoops to jump through, they take you as a patient. Something to consider. My BMI started at 38.5 and it is now down to 33. So slowly but surely.

I have an 11cc band and am now filled to 9.5cc I still feel like I could do a little bit more (maybe 9.6 or 7) so I think it is different for all of us. Good to hear the levels of other people though. I was beginning to think my level was getting too high?!

Mine is 11cc I am already filled to 9.5 supposedly but still not losing much.