SanDiegoSue

I began being hungry all the time and gaining weight again so I went for a fill check up. using fluoroscopy the doctor saw that my band was too tight but my esophagus was stretched way out of proportion. We emptied the lapband for a month. i go tomorrow to see if I can get a more appropriate fill. Has anyone had this problem?

How will you sleep?

I just read that you can drink. Better call the doc in he morning anyway. Be safe.

Your fill is definitely too tight. Same thing happened with my last one. I returned to doc asap and he unfilled a little. He said if I had not returned so quick it could cause more serious problem. I was obstructed, couldn't even keep water down. Can you drink? Susie

Hi Toots! I just posted a diet plan under "what are we eating" Check it out I just lost 10 pounds in nine days and it's a very healthy diet and very easy to digest. I am never hungry. Several people at work are on it with me. Here is the website with details. http://www.magic925.com/magicmornings_aux2.html

My weight started to creep back up (too many Carl's Jr. Chocolate Malts for lunch) so 3/6 I started a diet and have aleady lost 10 lbs. It is really working and is very easy to eat. It is also very healthy so you can stay on it as long as you like. Several co-workers who are not banded are having the same results! My favorite part is I never have to wait between meals. If I want something I can have it right then. It is similar to the cabbage soup diet except NO cabbage. Here is the website if anyone is interested. http://www.magic925.com/magicmornings_aux2.html Our morning radio talk show hosts here in San Diego are promoting it, let me know if you try it. Oh, don't discourage about the scale. Don't weigh every day. I dropped several pounds after the 4th day all at once. Susie

did you know you can google your pone number or someone else's and nine times out of ten it will give you the name and ADDRESS of the person!!!

Dear Seekingtheband, I think Ortiz/Martinez are the best in the biz!!!!! banded April 1. They are also the cutest, with the greatest bedside manners. And Aurora Ortiz, Junior, everyone associated with them make sure your experience is painless and first class all the way. You should schedule with Sandy Johnson. One thing I know for sure is Dr. Martinez really wants to do the first fill if at all possible. He is marvelous. If you want straight answers then ask Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Martinez directly. They will be happy to take your call on there cell phones at anytime (except when in a procedure). Just call and ask Renee in their office for the Doc's phone number. I don't know about doctor's in your area, but at Dr. Ortiz office you will be taken care of as if you were family. I live in San Diego conveniently so I can just drive down, but if I didn't I would ask Dr. Ortiz who to see locally. if he doesn't know he will tell you. Susie

50 in 5 is awesome. Sam I am impressed with your stats too. Could you give me an idea of a typical day's meals or you? Are you hungry in between? Do you drink lots of liquids? I see to be unable to get to that magic spot of 2 lbs a week loss and I have had two fills. Maybe i am eating the wrong stuff. Susie

Vera here is the website for the device. I gave an extra to a patient last we and she loves it. they are not for everyone, but not expensive either. My situation is beyond Breath Right Strips. DH was sleeping upside down in bed to get further away without leaving the room altogether. LOL! I would love to come to Vegas when a date i set. Susie www.snoremate.com

LivinNy Please have them check for a leak. The saline should be there when they pull it out. Either that or they are missing the port. Do they do it under fluoro? Susie

I stayed at Stratosphere 2 years ago. It was nice, but at the far end of the strip.

When Dr. Martinez (Dr Ortiz' partner) does my fills he dilutes the barium to a very watery consistency. Did your fill at the hospital use it straight? If so he may have pulled too much saline back out, just from inexperience. If not then your fill will kick in. In the meantime when you get really hungry have a warm cup of "Imagine" brand Soup in the carton. You get your veggies and a tasty treat too. It comes in many flavors and really takes the edge off. It's low fat, low cal but doesn't taste low. Then search for new fill doctor in your area. Good luck, Susie

Vera, what nose/anti snore thing. I snore like a freight train and have to use the snoremate dental device? New thread anyone? Susie

thanks I will try

to newlapper, I was in TJ last week for fill. One patient in the lobby said to eat breakfast if you have an afternoon fill. She always gets better restriction if she has used her esophagus and poach a few hours prior to a fill.

Penni could you explain to me how to post pictures? Thanks Susie

I know. I mentioned to him during my fill on 6/11 that I had heard "such and such" on this website and he said I should not be on here because is dispenses so much misinformation. That if I have any questions he is only a cell phone call away. I don't think we do too bad! Anyway he always accesses my port before he uses the fluoro. Mine is very superficial (hard to miss) it feels like a lifesaver just under the skin. That's because the last time I was thin I got a tummy tuck and lipo. He said if i wanted it deeper it would have to be in muscle and would cause pain and possible problems, so i will just wear one piece swim suits. I am way to old for midriff baring apparel anyway. Susie

it feels like a big piece of meat is stuck in your esophagus and creating pressure in your chest. You would are not choking only VERY uncomfortable pressure. To PB is the only way i can stop it.

I have a cat name Grace Slick because she is black and gray (like Slick's haire used to be) is it still. I also had one with red hair, guess it's obvious her name was Annie Lennox!! LOL

DeLarla, I scanned the four page document from Dr. Ortiz into the computer, But I can't figure out how to attached it here. Under IMPORTANT CHANGES Page 3, Item No. 2 it states: "No Carbonated drinks ever again, they can make tour lapband slip.". I have to run to work, I will check in when I return and try to figure how to attach it so you can read all of Dr. Ortiz post lapband instructions. See you soon! Susie Susie Scan:

DeLarla please pour all the sodas down the drain. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez say that sodas and carbonated beverage will cause your band to slip. That was the only reason not to have them. If we could he would have said "diet" sodas are okay, but they aren't. I truly miss them, but band slippage is not an option at this price for me. I love carbonated beverage. What does everyone else's doctors say about them. Susie

I didn't think see looked all that thin in the special she did for the lapband, but I thought she was in progress and not at goal. I used to work at Alvarado in San Diego where Dr. Wittgrove did Carne Wilson's surgery. I did all the pre-op ultrasounds on his patients. Does anyone know if she gained it back. Death rate is 1 in 75 to 1 in 200 depending on who, when and where. Pretty scary. Every chance I get, I let people know they have an alternative. Most people have never heard of the lapband. On the otherhand doesn't Sharon Osbourne look great after her lapband? I think she should have her daughter get one. She is having lots of emotional problems, but the biggest one is her weight.

I saw Dr. Martinez Saturday and he said that there is no truth to the idea that you can't take ibuprofen. Good thing, because I have it for headaches. I am looking for a good substitute (it tastes just like soap when crushed). I always crush pills. I didn't know we could do it for just a week! Good luck!!

Your welcome Kathy. I am off to Tijuana for my fill, then shopping for boots (duaghter is leaving for horsebacking riding camp) and it's always cheaper in Mexico. I am curious about most everyone's weight loss time-bands that are posted. Are most people losing that 1-2 lbs per week? I don't see too many people reposting new weight loss very often. I wonder if more are stuck on a plateau like me. Almost all of my weight loss was the 6 weeks of liquids and yogurt. I only lost 1.5 lbs after my first fill. Somedays I am down 3-4 lbs and the next time I weight I am right back were I was the week before. I guess I will find out today with Dr. Martinez. I was able to call him on his cell yesterday and he said no problem just come in at 11:00 and they would work me in to the schedule. I am so glad I don't have to wait weeks for the fill. I will be vacationing this August and would like to look a little thinner. Susie