scubadottie

Hi Everybody, I am having my LapBand removed and Revision Vertical Sleeve surgery in September with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. The surgical center mentions that revision patients may be required to have additional testing preformed prior to surgery including a barium swallow and endosocopy. There is an additional fee for this. I was wondering of you all out there that have had the Revision surgery, did you have to do a barium swallow prior to surgery? Just trying to plan my finances and wondering what the chances are for this? Thanks for being there! Cheers, Dottie

Hi, I am self pay, so no insurance company to wait for. But, I can't get the time off work until September...so, I am scheduled and have paid two thirds of my surgery cost up front so far... and I still have 4 more months to wait... so, I know what you are going through! I have to lose 32 pounds before my Revision surgery and have lost 14 pounds so far... so, I guess I am also glad to have the time to lose some of my weight to make my surgery safer. Go luck and I hope all goes well! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Everybody, I live in the Cayman Islands and have my revision surgery scheduled for September with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Yeah! I was just wanting to get some feedback on what everyone's post-op diets were like? How long on clear liquids and then full liquids, etc. How long before you were able to eat regular foods? Any recipe ideas or dos and don'ts when recovering from the surgery. I know my doctor will give me his guidelines... but, I just wanted to get an idea from some others who have gone through this before me. Thanks for your help! Dottie

Thanks Butterfly... I got it! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Everybody, My name is Dottie and I live in the Cayman Islands. I had LapBand surgery with Dr. Ortiz in August 2007. Had my first fill in Oct 4, 2007. Went back to work in the Caymans and did okay for about 8 months losing weight. Band was really tight in the AM and somewhat tight for lunch and fine for dinner. And then all of a sudden, Band was too tight...had a hard time with liquids... no matter what time of the day. So, I was on a liquid diet for about 2 months until I could get back to the States for an unfill. Had an unfill in August of 2008. Lost some more weight... total loss from pre-op diet to lowest was 77 pounds... from 307 to 230 in about one year. Stopped losing weight... but, afraid to get fill that might restrict too much again... since I could not get an unfill easily (i.e. - get time off work, plane ticket to the States. etc). Overall, just not happy with band... my fault since I can't get fills and unfills readily. So, I have gained most of my weight back and and am miserable. I realize that the Band was not maybe the best choice for me considering my location. So... new chapter! I am looking to get the Band removed and the Gastric Sleeve revision done with Dr. Ortiz. I think that the Sleeve will be a much better fit for me. So, now... I am planning my new adventure/lifestyle change. I am booked! Doing the Revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) on October 8, 2012. I have to lose 32 pounds before my surgery... I am worried, but excited at the same time. My Mom went with me when I had my Lapband done and it was great having her support. I don't know that I want to ask her to go with me for the Revision... alot more days in Tijuana (approx. one week). For those of you that have done the Revision surgery... what did you do all day? I know that we go back to OCC to get the drain checked once a day... were you comfortably walking around Tijuana? Anything to go see or must do's? (That are do-able after the surgery) I have a very good friend that has volunteered to go with me... she had a gastric by-pass several years ago and has lost over 250 pounds...so, I know she would be good support. Any thoughts or feelings on doing it alone or with someone? And since I do live on a tiny little island in the middle of nowhere... I need to do alot of preparing ahead of time. I am starting to collect Protein shakes... and I have ordered a Cuisinart Puree/Blender. Any feedback on best online prices and variety? Anything else that I should start think about stock-piling? Thanks to everyone for listening to me! And sorry for rambling.... Cheers, Dottie

Thanks Becca, Good to know! Like I said, I don't do caffeine... so I am sure a sip would help when I am feeling slow. I just found out that there is a GNC on Grand Cayman (the big island) and I am going to fly over next week and buy some of the different Protein powders to try. I know my taste buds might change... but, it's nice to know that I won't have to ship stuff down from the States... that's so expensive! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Everybody, Just a quick question... did anyone have pain around the port area prior to their Revision? I am feeling discomfort (soreness) at that area... I am assuming it is because I have gained weight and my innards are pushing on the port from the inside. Any thoughts? I have lost 5 pounds and have 27 more to go before my surgery in October. Cheers, Dottie

Hi Becca, Thanks... it is weird that our stomach changes our tastebuds. I will follow your advice and not buy too much in advance. Since, I will be in the States for a couple weeks after the surgery... I can try and see what I like and stock on some of that. I had a question about the 5 hour energy drinks... I thought we weren't suppose to do caffeine after bariatric surgery? I don't do caffeine now... it makes me too jumpy... so, I think I would be alittle afraid to try it after the surgery. Were you a big caffeine drinker before the surgery? Did you find yourself lactose intolerant? Thanks to all for the great info and I am getting so excited... even if the surgery is 7 months away. Cheers, Dottie

Thanks so much for all the great advice. I will be heading to the States for a few weeks before and after the surgery... so, I will be stocking up on things. I have been getting some samples of different Protein shakes that I will use during my two week liquids only pre-op diet. And since, I should still be in the States when I go to Full Liquids after the surgery... I can try them again. Does anyone know why we become intolerant to certain things... or why our tastebuds seem to change? Kind of odd when you think that our stomach influences our taste. Again... thanks for the good info! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Nicky, Congrats on the new sleeve! I am very excited and scared at the same time. How did you find out that you couldn't digest dairy anymore? Did it make you feel ill? Or does it come back up? Thank you for the feedback! Cheers, Dottie