Mom2Sassy

I get hiccups a couple of times a day. Usually they don't last very long. This has only happened since my last fill, not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I can tell you that once in a while when something gets "stuck", getting the hiccups seems to help it "unstick", so that's the positive side to it.

I was banded a week ago on 2/14. Whenever I drink anything, (I am still on liquids) I feel like I need to burp, but can't. When my body tries to burp it is painful. Is this normal?

I know that Dr. Neal in Olympia has a good reputation. I went to a seminar with him and he was very nice. However, I was with GH too and they wouldn't pay, so I decided to go to Mexico and had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz. He actually trained Dr. Neal. It was MUCH more affordable. No problems at all. You may want to consider that as an option. Either way, good luck on your journey

Went to Dr. Ortiz, loved everything about his office and his staff. I had the tests and the surgery all in one day because we were making a vacation out of the first part of the trip and meeting up with my in-laws. Dr's office called and moved my date up one day. I was picked up at 7:30 a.m. in San Diego and taken to TJ, I would say it was about 10:00am and I was being taken into surgery. My stomach has been growling non-stop for a couple days, I get to add protein tomorrow, so I am crossing my fingers that it will help. I have lost 5 lbs already, so that is what makes it worth it. I still have quite a bit of discomfort when it feels like I need to burp, any idea on when that ends? The gas pain in my shoulder is finally gone, so that is a huge relief, but every time I drink anything I get the burpy feeling again.

I am at the clinic where I had the surgery today. I was scheduled for tomorrow, but they called yesterday and asked if I would mind coming in today. I said no problem. there is a little pain/discomfort. Feels like a air bubble is caught in your chest and you can't burp it up. No shoulder pain so far. Been walking as much as I can!

I am going to Dr. Ortiz, I have researched this for over a year now. I have only read wonderful things about him and I have been on 3 different forums. I was looking for negatives, just in case and found NOTHING

babygotback - I have a question, sorry to post directly to you here, but I couldn't PM you. I am scheduled with DR. Ortiz on 2/15. I have lost about 7 lbs on the pre-op, but we are going to go to Sea World and Universal with my family a few days before the surgery. I am concerned if I don't have a big loss, he will postpone the surgery...what was your experience with his expectations for weight loss. My BMI is 37

I didn't have a reduction, but had a lift with implants....to those of you who have had or considering a reduction, it probably sounds crazy that somebody would actually want bigger boobs....but they are much lighter than the real thing....I went from a very saggy B to a full D. The implants are under 2 lbs each. With the lift there was some chance of losing sensitivity of the nipples, but mine are actually more sensitive, the only complaint I have is where the scar is on the breast there is no sensation at all....so if it feels like I have an itch, no use in itching it because I can't feel it anyway.

Most insurance, or I should say, a lot of insurance companies don't cover WLS at all, and some only cover by-pass. Mexico is an affordable option. I have in-laws that live in Arizona and they have many friends who go to Mexico for everything medical or dental. The doctor's there don't have to pay such high premiums for malpractice insurance. It would have been $17K for me to have the surgery here. In Mexico it's $8500

hybeam, are you doing a pre-op diet? After talking to the nutritionist at Dr. Ortiz's office they said I could do any diet I want as long as I am losing weight. I started on Atkins but thought I was going to be sick if I saw anymore meat or cheese, so now I am just doing salad for lunch and lean cuisine for dinner. We are going to San Diego a couple of days before I have surgery and meeting up with my in-laws who are from Arizona. Eating has been such a huge part of every family event and celebration, I know it is going to really test me when we all go out for dinner.

I'm from Salem too. Getting banded on 2/15 with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I plan to get my fills in Bend unless I find something closer. If you are willing to go to Bend, check out fillcentersusa.com

Welcome! I'm scheduled for the lapband on 2/15 too. I'll be in Mexico having it done as I'm self-pay. Hope everything goes easily for you. Check out the february thread under the general lap band thread.

Congratulations on getting the band. I'm "from" Washington to, lived there most of my life, just moved to Oregon a couple months ago. I am getting banded next week. Hope everything is going smooth for you.

Chris - My doctor has me doing Atkins, which is very similar to South Beach. I've lost 6 lbs since Saturday

I figured out the ticker, but I think my is backwards....hmmm...

I just started my pre-op diet too. My surgery date is 2/15, when is yours? What are you doing for pre-op diet...seems there are several options.....

The doctor I am going to (Dr Ortiz) allows for the Atkins diet in place of the liquid diet, so that is what i decided to do.....however I am only on day 2 and if I see another piece of bacon and maybe sick.... But my husband and daughter (she's 10) are being very supportive and we are trying to plan variety in advance for the next couple of weeks. I am hoping to lose atleast 10lbs before surgery. 17 more days....I am so excited. To keep my mind off food these next couple of weeks, I am going to go through all the boxes of clothes that I thought I would never wear again and sort them by size so as I lose I can just pull out the next box. Plus I need to figure out how to do the ticker that most people have at the bottom of the page.

I am scheduled to be banded by Dr. Ortiz on 2/15. My BMI is 37, so I know he will do it under 40. Plus I have done a TON, and I mean a TON of research on who to have to do the surgery, and even if I could afford to have it done in the states I would still be going to Dr. Ortiz. Hey, maybe you could get it scheduled really quick and be there when I am.....I keep hoping to find somebody on the board that will be there when I am, but no luck yet...... Check with his staff, he has a web site www.obesitycontrolcenter.com that tells alot about him. He has trained many of the surgeons here in the states......

For those of you who are already banded, how do you do with spicy foods? I am going to be banded on 2/17, and I LOVE spicy foods. I am going to get the band either way, but I'd like to mentally prepare myself if I am not going to be able to eat spicy foods anymore.... Thanks!

Thank you all so much for your responses. I am so excited to get the band, and it's nice to know that most of you aren't having problems with spicy foods.....

Hi Dina, I'm in Salem. Just moved here last month from Washington. I am going to Mexico next month too. I am getting "banded" on 2/14 by Dr. Ortiz. I'll let you know if I find a support group around here. I had the option of the liquid diet or strict Atkins for 2 weeks. I am doing Atkins. I don't know that I could do the liquids for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery, although I guess that would guarantee weight loss :scared:

I had a breast lift with "enhancements" a few years ago. I wanted to share a few things, just in case you are interested. Don't freak out right after surgery, you will be bruised and swollen. The scars from the breast lift are big, and it will feel like it takes a long time for them to fade, but trust me, they do. Unless you are really close you can't even see mine. If your doctor puts the steristrip things on, try to keep them on as long as possible (usually until a follow up appointment) this will help the scar to be much thinner and less noticable. Good luck!

Can anyone resist excellent sex treat

Try www.fillcentersUSA.com They have an office in Bend, which I know is a bit of a drive from Portland, but it might work. I am in Salem and I am going to Mexico to have the band on 2/15 with Dr. Ortiz.......

I changed my date to Feb. 15 w/ Dr. Ortiz in TJ, Mexico. I was scheduled for Feb 22, but I am one of the most impatient people ever. Payment is in the mail, so no turning back now. I am buying the airline tickets tonight. :clap2: