roxsl38

for me with no restriction i could eat at will....i wanted a "food vacaton" and gained about 22 pounds in a month probably due to lower metabolism and suddenly getting food in anyway, i went to dr. vitello in chicago for lapband by ortiz in jiuqana, surgery was great, first fill 3 months later, fair but not enough reatriction, so i went home and sulked feeling like many of you seem to feel then i hooked up with dr. vitello in chicago he's patient, flexible...if you ask for an aggressive fill he's ok with it w/ warnings, i heeded his warnings and i'm glad---very good doc but he has stop doing bandsters so i'm looking for a doc now to release some of my restriction cuz im at goal and cant starting the eating training its late and that is all good luck one and all and goood night

i went to dr. ortiz in 07 and went there for my first fill; the surgety was awesome in spite of the fact i was not compliant with the prt=op diet and dr. ortiz knew this although i didn't try to hide it, i was a victim of fresh seafood heh anyway, i didn't do great until i had a really effective fill which took me about 2 years to hit and 2-3 fills the doc who filled me best was vitello in chicago....i wouldn't consider anywhere else except he's decided not to do them anymore suggestions on a st louis doc??? for the record, i'm going for a slight unfill as i'm at goal (150/276 #) and i'm not able to slow down or stop the wt loss so its time to learn real life again hope it goes as well for you good luck and good night roxanne

it takes a while to get the right fill (sweet spot as its called) took me around 2 yrs and you need to find an aggressive, yet safe, doc and its not easy to live with i stayed hungry for a time 6-12 months after a successful fill, still had the urge just not the ability so that was one thing, then i hit my stride, but the fills i thought were the fills, not so much each doc/practitioner is different, definitely i'm a fluoroscope fan, only way to go and definitely done in a fully upright position my first fill was done in a dentist type chair; i was too naive to question mine is a mexican band, tijuana dr. ortiz 2007 and i've been very happy i was non-compliant with the pre-op diet (and i'm a RN---obviously out of control) and self pay (obviously) so it took a while to get underway plus i had an hiatal hernia which was repaired during surgery started finally taking the weight off after i was filled by dr. vitello in chicago prolly end of 08 or beginning of 09, great technique and i'd recommend him highly but he's not doing fills any longs at any rate, i've been to him several times on my journey fills, unfills at times when i just needed a break ( this has only been twice with maybe 3-4 fills) thats my story 2/07 276 # 4/11 149# 5'6" dunno my BMI but this was my goal and i want to get a ltttle restriction out so i can start training myself to eat a little more normal as i don't tolerate some things like steak, chickenm just working on my plan a suggestion for a doc in st. louis or somewhere anywhere close and reasonable would be appreciated thanks roxanne

ok, i'll try this again, i don't know how to do the BMI thing but i'm now 150 and 5'6" and have lost 126# banded in 07 by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana who i would recommend to anyone all inclusive surgery was 8500 and very well orchestrated my loss was somewhat slow, i was not getting aggressive fills for the first 2 years then i met dr. vitello in chicago who has/had GREAT technique with fluoroscopy (i'm a rn so i'm kind of picky) weight came off somewhat slowly but very healthy and i have very little loose skin which surprises me as i am 53 anyway, now i can't stop losing and want to so i want some of the restriction removed can't find a reasonably priced local doc so i'm asking for referrals for st louis, des moines, chicago, memphis, kc---you get the idea, don't mind traveling a few hours thats about it for me nice to meet you all and good luck, don't lose faith, i had some good support in my darker hours roxanne

ok where the heck is everyone finding these cheap fills? my insurance doesn't cover it and i haven't found anything under 1,000 live in st louis but don't mind traveling (chicago, des moines, kc, memphis) any suggestions greatly helped used to go to dr. vitello in chicago he was phenomenal with great fluoroscopy technique but stopped doing them for some reason :-(

inspirational and insightful, thanks i'm an old timer mostly, banded in 2-07 by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana its kind of a constant process, i personally had a big restriction last time (2 years ago) and its maintained currently i feel the need to reduce the restriction as its making me lose too much weight at any rate good luck and if anyone knows of a fill doctor in missouri, memphis or chicago who will take outsice bands i'd appreciate the info thanks roxannnw\e

awesome story of persistence and courage....i wish for you all things good and congrats on your success in all things roxanne st has inspired me. I am SO happy for you that things are going so much better and congratulations on nearing the 2 year mark. That is SO awesome. I just had to say hello and that I appreciate your post. I also love your quote. Lisa

hi all, i am new to this forum but not to the band i had my band put in 2/07 and i've lost 127 which is more than my goal wt. its a battle at times but the fills are the secret it takes persistance (sp?) but if you keep up with fills it begins to take care of itself after a time sometimes the american docs are hesitant to give an agressive fill, i was lucky to have a fill doc who would be as aggressive as i wished, but he's going into a different field since i had my band in tijuana with dr. ortiz (WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE) the docs here in st louis want my car and house to do a fill (around 2-3K) to get me "into their practice" right now i just want a little of my restriction released b/c i can't stop losing and i'm ready to (never thought i'd say that) my last fill was >2 yrs ago any missouri or chicago docs anyone can suggest? iowa, memphis, aransas would be ok as well, or milwaukee thanks and good luck to all keep on! roxanne

well new friends, i'm new to these forums but i was banded in 07 in Tijuana by Dr. Ortiz (fabulous program and surgeon) i am notoriously compliant (and a RN to boot) BUT i've not only reached my goal but surpassed it....the secret is a good fill believe me however, now i can't seem to stop losing and i need my restriction lessened. since i have a foreign band the docs in st louis are less than helpful. anyone know of a fill place in missouri/chicago? i had dr. vitello in chicago who was phenomenal, great technique and results but he isn't doing fills anymore or at least right now this has been going on for about 6 months so want to get in somewhere soon any suggestions ---completely appreciated keep your chin up everyone, its a process to get the restriction just right i met a gal who took different foods with her to the fill, after the fill she'd take a bite or two of each and see how it felt, i think that was smart good luck all! roxanne * please note my typo* i am notoriously COMPLIANT with the origran my band really doesn't allow anything else thanks and sorry for the misinformation..need reading glasses

anyone know of a doc in MO that does fills on foreign bands? mine was dr. ortiz in 07, very successful and i've had my first fill with him then was lucky enough to hook up with dr. vitello in chicago/downers grove. he is no longer doing them and i was a little bit of an "unfill"; i've continued to lose weight after goal and i want to use self control now. right now i am rarely eating which is not good. any suggestion would be great. $ is an issue so i don't go to some of the st louis docs cuz its close to $1000 from what i've seen so far thanks again and good luck to everyone the fills are the secret i met a woman who took a little cooler to fills with her so she could get the fill and see if she tolerated different foods, seemed smart

foreign lap band fills near st louis or chicago