kirajh

wELCOME. I live in Gregory which is about halfway between Ann Arbor and Lansing. I was banded in Mexico, July 16 and have lost forty one lbs so far. Good Luck on your surgery.

Hi all I've been gone all week, off playing with the grandbabies. Oh yeah, and no excersize since I have a knee that needs to be replaced. So tomorrow it is back to the excersize bike. I am catching up tonite. Loved all the pictures here. Everyone looks just great. I've lost 41 lbs so far but I sure can't see the difference. Maybe some day. I had my second fill last week and still no restriction, but I have to admit that I had a bite of a bread stick get stuck. Next fill, Nov. 9. Can't wait. Kari banded 7-16-07 Dr. Ortiz, TJ lost 41 lbs so far....approx. 100 more to go.

Hi everyone I just had my second fill this morning and I still don't have restriction. But, I did lose four pounds the lsast three weeks which was a surprise. A nice one though. Next fill is scheduled for Nov. 9. Kari banded 7-15-07 Dr. Ortiz down 41 lbs

AH-H-H-H Soda !!! I used to be a pepsiholic and I haven't had any soda since I was banded in July. Well. Until today that is. There is a two liter bottle of Pepsi in my fridge calling my name and I answered it. Took two great big gulps, belched big time and put it back. BACK TO WATER! ! ! but...........oh, did it taste good.

Sounds to me like she is using the word skinny to encourage you. She's been in your shoes and it probably worked for her and now she is trying to help you/ Do I make sense here?

Go down to the section, Doctors and hospitals. There you will find a lot of posts about Mexican doctors. I went to Mexico and had the surgery with Dr. Ortiz. I found him by reading posts and picked the one I was most impressed with after doing research on each doctor. I was not sorry I did this and not sorry for the surgeon I chose.

Wish me luck, ladies. I'm off for my first fill tomorrow. A much needed fill. I was banded in Mexico so I haven't met these doctors yet and I am a little nervous. But I am overdue and starting to graze again.

Robin The one major reason I had lapband surgery over gastric bypass is mainly because with the band you can still eat almost all foods. What I mean is, you shouldn't eat them in order to lose weight but.....if you've got a craving for something, go ahead......have it and then get bqck with the program. With the bypass surgery, certain things will make you very sick. Example is ANYTHING with sugar. When I looked at the big picture, I knew I needed help. That I couldn't do it alone. It was too overwhelming. Hence, the lapband for me. I had the surgery 7-16 and have already lost 39 pounds and I go in tomorrow for my first fill.

Hi Sue I was banded 7-16 and haven't had a fill yet. I was banded in Mexico and when I tried to make an appt. for a fill with a local doctor, I was informed he was leaving and they didn't have anyone to take his place. So, I got on the phone and called every bariatric surgeon within a 100 mile radius and finally found one. But, he was on vacation so I have to wait until the 21st. I am finding my self eating more and more. And I am getting FRUSTRATED.

I think that I am the only one here banded in July and not had a fill yet. I was banded 7-16 in Mexico and waited until I needed a fill to make an appointment with the nearest doctor (that does outside fills) when I learned he wasn't taking new patients because he was leaving in Nov. It took me over a week of many phone calls and waits to be called back and I finally found a doctor that can give me a fill. (about an hour and half away) But he is going on vacation for two weeks so, I got his first available appointment 9-21. And that is just for a consultation. He better be prepared to do a fill at the same time. I am getting so frustrated. I am down about thirty five pounds but it's been hovering there for a couple weeks now aND I am dying to start losing more. Okay, motivation for surgery????? Deep deep depression. Knew I had to do something when I laid in bed at night composing suicide notes to my husband and kids. That is why I went to Mexico...I flunked the psychological evaluation because of my depression and I knew I wouldn't last any longer for my insurance to approve the surgery. It had to be done immediately or I was going to die.

Good luck trying to find one. I've been looking for a week and when I find one, and try to make an appointment, they have to talk to the doctor and then they don't bother calling back. You can try Port Huron. It's a good two hour drive for me.

Banded 7-16-07 by Dr. Ortiz Post op diet WEEK 1 - clear liquids (broth, Water, diluted juice, special k water WEEK 2 - Clear Liquids plus Liquid yougurt, Protein shakes WEEK 3 - Same At least 30 grams of protein a day WEEK 4 - Start solids. separate food,. eat one thing at a time

Skizer- Did you grow up in Grayling? If you did, you probably know my son in law, Tony. I think he is the same age as you are.

I was banded in Mexico and was planning to get my fill locally at Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti by Dr. Kam. I called this morning to make an appointment for my first fill and was informed Dr. Kam is leaving Nov.1 and he is taking no new patients since he is booked solid. So I got on the phone and started making phone calls. Must have called at least 8 different places and no one will do a fill for me. Is there anyone out there who knows where I can get a fill without having to go back to Tijuanna????????????????

Les Second thoughts, third thoughts......That's normal. I went back and forth between lapband and gastric bypass. Then I decided lapband. This was something I wanted to do...Had to do...but decided gastric bypass was just too invasive. What if it didn't work out. With the bypass, you are stuck. There is no going back. At least with the band, you can keep it unfilled or even have it removed. I made up my mind and was banded July 16,2007 and I have already lost around 35 lbs. I've yet to have my first fill. It took me a while to find a doctor to do it since I went to Mexico....but I hape to make an appointment on Tuesday.

Welcome. My son-in-law is from Grayling. His family is still there and my little granddaughter is buried there. I was talking with his mother a couple weeks ago and she mentioned someone from the bakery had had lapband. Is that you?

I'm looking for a doctor for fills. Do they do patients who have been banded elsewhere? I'm about an hour an a half away, but my daughter and grandkids live in Allendale. Can you post the phone number?

I had three kids......all natural childbirth. No drugs...nothing. And the lapband surgery was a piece of cake compared with. I didn't have gas pains and only took one pain pill........just in case I had trouble sleeping that first night out of the hospital. Then, flew back to Michigan two days later. Not a problem, except for fanny fatigue.

I went to Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Cost was $8500.00. Great experience. As to US or Mexico, think this way. Doctors in Mexico have been doing the surgery since 1991. They have done thousands where US doctors have done hundreds. Who has the most experience??

I was banded two weeks ago. I was on clear liquids for the first week and then was told I could add liquid yougurt and protein drinks. I was told I should use Glucerna since I am diabetic. Used it during my pre op diet and surprisingly, tastes good. The nutritionist told me I need to drink 30g of protein a day. Glucerna only has 10 g. I am only getting about maybe 14-15grams / day. I tried the protein powder drinks and they were nasty. Couldn't stomach them. Why do you have to have 30g of protein and what happens if you don't get it?

Hey, I went to Tijuana..............Now that was scary. Don't worry, my fears were a waste of time. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I was planning to get my fills at Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti but was informed when I called that Dr. Kam is leaving and is booked solid till he leaves Nov. 1. I have already called about 8 different Bariatric surgeons and no one will do an outside fill. Does your doctor do fills from people who have gone to Mexico for their band? Can you give me a name and phone number. I really need a fill bad.

;I spent the who day online and on the phone, searching for a fill doctor. I went to the Inamed website and checked out list of seminars within a 100 mile radius and then called them all (plus others) and this is what (or should I say who) I found. Port Huron Hospital: 810-989-3328 Two charges, one for hospital and one for the surgeon. Runs about $132.00 Kalamazoo: 269-978-0610 Consultation $100.00 and if they do fill at the same day, cost is $250.00 Additional fills $200.00 Hillsdale: 517-437-5350 Fills are $110.00&lt ;Flint: McLaren Bariatrics 888-342-5470 $190.00 for the facilities and $225.00 for a fill. (I think I can just about go back to Mexico for this price) Ypsilanti: Barix Clinic Dr. Kam did fills but he is leaving Nov. 1 and he is booked solid and not taking new patients. They do not have a replacement for him yet. So, they might still do them after Nov. when a new doctor comes on board. Detroit area hospitals either haven't called me back or they don't do fills for outside patients. This is my list........I won't list the dozen or more that don't do fills for outside patients. Trust me, this is what I came up with within a 100 mile radius. Has anyone used any of these places ? And how was it?

Hi Just wondering if there is any interest out there to form a local support group. I live an equal distance from Brighton, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Jackson and I was wondering if there is anyone out there who would like to start a support group (or if there is one out there) and maybe get together maybe once a month or so for dinner and chat (support). I was banded 7-16 by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and planning to have my fills at Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti. I think it would be great to be able to share pounds lost, problems etc. with real people who are going through the same thing. You can respond here or E-mail me at kirajh@yahoo.com

I was told no Crunches for at least a year.