sisterp

Hi Patty bear, I am living in Oceanside...banded in Ausgust by Dr. Ortiz...we should have a North county group meet if there are enough of us....any more out there?

My question is does PBing indicate that you have restirction...or does it just mean you are eating too fast?? I often have that dry, hard to swallow problem where it feels like it'S sticking, but seems like I can eat a lot just a little slower....I don't know whether I need a fill or not....I have had one fill at 1.6...any advice????

Okay, I hae to put in my 2 cents! I lived in California and was pretty worried about Tijuana and surgery....Went down to have my scheduled surgery, knowing that if anything looked amiss that I could back out and only be out the trip there....IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!!! The Hospital was clean and fully equipped for anything...everyone was totally professional. I had great care, a FANTASTIC experience ( and I have NEVER had any kind of surgery before so I was petrified!), and no problems at all. I would recommend to anyone that Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez do their surgery....I can only speak for them and the experiences I had. My parents were completely skeptical, until they saw the place and talked to the Dr....now they are thrilled and think everyone should do it!!! Just have it in your mind that you will return for fills, or you will need to have someone lined up at home.... I am not paid for my opinion, I am not working for free fills or getting any gain from sharing this opinion! I chose to go to Mexico, use the Doctor that has proctored for INAMED in the US, and I had a great experience. Problems can happen anywhere, and even with the best Doctors...so just do your research and trust your instincts!!!! Good luck to all of you still searching!!!! Dawn Banded 25 Aug 2005 Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez beginning 292lb at surgery 284lbs 3weeks 269lbs

I know I am slow getting in on the August countdown...I am suppose to go to TJ on 25 Aug to be banded by Dr. Ortiz....I have NEVER had surgery of any kind...and as each day in August ticks by I wonder if I have lost my mind to put myself on a surgery table in Mexico for the sake of weight loss.....tell me that I am just nervous and that everyone freaks out at this point!!!! Anyone else scheduled for that day????? GULP!

Okay everyone, so I am completely brain dead....sorry...it has been a LONG week!!! Here is the correct web address as well as the email for JR who let me know that any INAMED band would be eligible! Hope I didn't make any of you to crazy!!! Jenn in SWFL, I am with you...GREAT DANES RULE!!! Princess_n_thp hope this one works. Ya'll have a great evening! www.fillcentersusa.com jr@fillcentersusa.com

Krystal you may be right...I am looking at Mexico cause my folks live in San Diego and it is an excuse to visit more often. I am looking stateside tho, and it is good to know that Dr Wagner is a good one! Kathy, You're right it is nice to have someone "local" to chat with....Sparta is just down the road!! Where is Lenexa??? I will have to get my map out! I would love to go to the seminar but I am doing a wedding reception that day. (I do balloon decorating). We will have to chat more....not sure how this whole thing works yet...my email is balloonaddiction@yahoo.com hope to hear from you soon!

Hi everyone, I found the site www.fillcentersusa.com while searching for an aftercare facility and I emailed them asking about people that have been banded in Mexico....I got an email response from a JR and he said that they will be open in September and that they expect to have 90-100 Doctors across the US that will do fills for ANYONE as long as it is the FDA approved INAMED band.... It sounds like the pricing won't be awful and they will take payments...so if you are looking for a DR in the US, this might be a good place to keep an eye on!!! Lets keep our fingers crossed!! Have a great day!

Hi Kathy, I live in the Springfield MO area (Ava) and I too am looking for a Dr in this part of the world. I was given the name of a DR in St Louis, but he wouldn't tell me that he would do aftercare until I had the surgery and he could see the report from my Dr...of course, I haven't had the surgery yet....It was a Dr. Van Wagner...I will be watching to see if you get any other names!! Keep me posted too! Good Luck...what Dr have you decided to use??? Have a great day! Dawn P

Hi everyone! Well, I have made the decision that the lapband is for me, but now I am having trouble deciding who/where I should go to have it done. I am self-pay, so I will be going to Mexico....I have tried to follow the advice to have someone in my area for follow up care, but I keep getting the run around...they want me to have the surgery BEFORE they will commit to doing any follow up...I live in MIssouri and the only DRs I have found are 3 hours away....I wouldn't mind going back to TJ for refills...and I plan to stay about 6 weeks in San DIego after the surgery (my family lives there), so if there are problems I guess I can go to by surgeon.....??????????????????????????????? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. I have it narrowed down to Dr Ortiz or Dr Kuri...I know that each of their patients LOVE them...feel free to fill me in!!! Does everyone sound/feel this confused about making such a HUGE decision???? Thanks for all your posts and all of your help...you help to make it clearer!!!

Okay, I have NEVER been able to self tan without looking like a giant orange....a streaky one at that...then I discovered an infomercial...late at night, couldn't sleep. I ordered and they are GREAT! The color is real looking and they come in a foil pouch and you pull out the cloth and wipe it on your body....of course, it takes 2 to do my whole body, but it looks like you spent the week in Hawaii!!! The tan lasts about a week and you don't get that stinky smell that you get with most self tanners. Comodynes.....they should have a web site you can order from!!! I have tried the Jergens lotion and it is alright...cheap, okay color but it fades and rubs off on your towel. There's nothing like a tan to look healthy and definitely more toned and thin!!! And why risk the cancer danger when you can just rub it on!!?? Good luck! Dawn not yet banded and researching Docs!

Hi, I am planning on being banded, but right now I am still looking for the right Dr. As most, I am a bit nervous about going to Mexico, but self-pay and exerience of Dr's would point me that direction. I would LOVE any help, info, experiences, etc. that any of you would like to share. I live in Missouri...anyone have any experiences here? I am looking forward to joining the "group" and hope that I will soon be someone who can give my thoughts from a "done it" perspective!!! Thanks for all the help!