bcreativ110

Hey all! I'm not feeling so hot today. I think I might be catching a cold. It's that time of year and my students seem to be getting sick left and right as well. So I'm pretty sure I got it from one of them. I bought these Airborne pills, and took them out for the first time this morning. You put them in Water and it fizzed like an Alka Selzer pill. Can bandsters have that? It seemed like carbonation? Any input?

Hi everyone! I was banded on the 31st of July, lost 12 pounds during my liquid phase and then gained 5 pounds when I went into the mushy food stage. I know this is a time for healing, and I feel great, and feel some restriction. I'm finding that I can eat just about anything, but sometimes if I don't chew well enough, it catches up with me or that restriction in the chest will remind me to slow down, but no PBing. I'm drinking tons of Water and getting exercise in daily. I can't get a fill until the middle of September, so do you all have any ideas on how to get through this without completely feeling like a failure? Has this happened to any of you? HELP!!!

Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers right now. Today is a big day for you! Best wishes!!

No problems Donali. Those were just remarks that I wasn't expected and was taken a little aback by them and expressed that. I didn't realize Sue and I were going banter back and forth about Ortiz. She's got her reasons. I totally understand that. The original post was about experiences people had with those two doctors and I was simply stating what I observed. If you don't care for arrogance, then Ortiz isn't your guy. I didn't realize it was going to turn into a Ortiz bashing post. I'll have to agree with you on Dr. Martinez. He's going to make getting a fill a lot more pleasant. He's an absolutely great doctor and very easy on the eyes.

You know what GeezerSue? You absolutely have the right to your opinion about Dr. Ortiz and apparently have many reasons for your degrading remarks about him. My point was not about that. I was simply trying to tell this woman about my experience and think your remark was absolutely uncalled for. I'm not asking you to agree with anything. I'm not looking for validation. I just think that this board is about supporting one another and not about exuding one's personal bitterness on another.

TOO MANY!!!! :phanvan

You're right Marie, I am new but have read quite a bit. I really enjoy what Sue has to say and I was just giving some info to the woman looking for input on the doctors she had narrowed it down to, and got slammed by both Sue and Donali. It was very disappointing, because I really respect both of those women and didn't expect to get those kinds of remarks. I understand Sue isn't a fan of Dr. Ortiz and Sandy's doings, but I was simply sharing my recent experience with Dr. Ortiz. I just thought those remarks were completely uncalled for. It makes new members like myself, not want to continue to post.

I'm now just finishing my last day of clear liquids and tomorrow can add milk products. I'm really looking forward to it, although it really wasn't that difficult in terms of feeling hungry. After you get the band, you really won't be that hungry. It's more of the head hunger that you have to deal with. I know things that have triggered me have been watching commercials, and smelling neighbors having BBQ's. I usually go and grab a SF popsicle or find something to do, when I have those triggers. Try to keep busy, but you will make it and be eating solids again soon! Good luck with your surgery!!

Wow, was that really called for? I thought this was a place for discussion.....not for put downs.

I was just banded by Dr. Ortiz last Friday and had a very good experience. Dr. Ortiz is very knowledgable and very competent in his field, and can appear to exude some arrogance. He and Dr. Martinez had great bedside manner, explained and answered all the questions I had, and just over all know what they're doing. The Lucerna hotel was nice for the short time I was there. Everything was taken care of from the time I arrived to the time I left. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. As for Sandy's post....she was simply inviting people who read this board to that board as well. That board plans to have live discussions from lapband doctors, plastic surgeons, and other experts in this field. I don't think she was recruiting patients. Sandy is very involved with Dr. Ortiz, but that initial post was a simple invite to read another board as well. Afterall, more knowledge isn't a crime is it? I read a lot of other boards and recommend you do the same. It gives you an overall view of what other people have experienced and come to your own conclusions. Good luck in your choosing a doctor and in your weight loss journey.

Hi all! I'm 3 days post-op and feeling great. My one and only complaint is, how do you get that yellow betadyne off? I just feel dirty after a shower and see it still there. Is there something that gets it out or is it one of those things I need to wait out and will eventually fade. I've also been putting vitamin E on my incisions. Anyone else do that? Just looking for some input that will calm my neurosis about this yellow pigment on my skin. Thanks!

Just returned from Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez and had a great experience. I'm feeling a little uncomfortable. I think it's that extra gas floating around in there, and I get the occassional pain in my left shoulder. I'm warming up the heating pad to see if that helps some. Any suggestions?

Well, I'm all packed and ready to head to TJ tomorrow for pre-ops and then surgery on Friday! Any words of wisdom to offer? Wish me luck!!! :nervous

Thank you so much for the well wishes and support! I'll definitely let you know how everything went when I'm up and around! I also get to meet Jane and her family. She had her surgery on yesterday or today, so I'll get the low-down from her. Thanks again! I'm so excited!!!

Great job Theresa!!!! You are quite the inspiration!!! Keep up the great work and thanks for steering me to this board! I love it and can't wait to be on the banded side!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Hi and congrats on your banding!!! How are you feeling? Who was your doctor? I have so many questions in that I'll be joining all you banded on Friday. Good luck on your new journey! Keep us posted!!!:cool:

Congratulations Lucy! I'm so glad to hear everything went well and you are home recooperating. I'm getting banded this Friday, so it's nice to hear that people are doing well. I can't wait! Keep us posted on how you are doing!!! How bad do those incisions feel? :ermm

WAY TO GO!!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB!!! :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny

I'm getting banded next Friday and I never thought to chart my weight loss/gain! Thanks for the idea and I'll keep you posted!!!:banana

Okay everyone! 8 days until I head to TJ and am needing suggestions as to what to bring. So far these have made it on my list: 1. loose fitting clothing (drawstring pants so the staff can have easy access) - wow that came out wrong 2. reading material 3. Snacks for my travel buddy 4. liquid tylenol and gas-x 5. e-mails and receipts Any other recommendations? Thanks!!!

Have a safe trip with the kids and I'm really looking forward to meeting you!!! Just think, we'll be saying we're banded really soon! I'm so excited! I'll be there in TJ on the 29th for pre-op, so I'll be on the look out for you at the Lucerna. Best of luck with the surgery!

You all have such great suggestions. My list just keeps getting longer and longer. I'm not bringing that much though. Jane, I do hope I get to meet you too! I saw a picture of your husband and kids, so if I see them, I'll make sure to find you! I've only heard great things about Dr. Ortiz, and if you want to come back to TJ and get fills together, I'm sure we can arrange something where I pick you up at the airport and we cab it in together. Just a thought! Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

Ahhhh......good words of wisdom on the shaving bit! Thanks so much. Stocking up on the post-op liquids this coming weekend. So far on that list (I'm a listmaker, if you haven't figured that out) is Jello, sugar-free popsicles, thin Soups, apple juice, yogurt, ice cream, chicken/beef broth, and gatorade. Any others that helped you survive the first couple of weeks??? I also heard that going on a liquid diet prior to surgery is recommended for a smoother transition for your body during and after sugery. Did anyone else do this? Thanks for all the recommendations you guys!! :banana

Dang! I didn't even think of that! How is it getting out of bed? And going up and down stairs? Any problems with those? I have a pretty high bed, but I can still foresee possible problems. So how difficult is going to the bathroom? Am I going to need assistance for that? Maybe I'll tie a towel to the doorknob and pull myself up with it? Anything else I should be working out logistics to?

Thanks Penni! Slip-on shoes have been added to the list. Are my feet going to swell? And thanks for the advice on post-op surgeons, but TJ is only a 45 minute hop, skip, and jump for me!!!