CaliQueenBee

I too went with Ortiz & Martinez in TJ and have no regrets. They're very experienced and from all the research I did, one of the best. I live close to SD, so it was a quick drive down and totally worth it. They do send you a long health questionnaire you have to complete and send in but nothing like the US. You schedule your appt, some consult with the nutritionist and you come down. They do blood work, test your lungs, ekg, consult with the nutritionist and whatever else they feel is necessary to make sure you can handle surgery. It took me about an hour after I got there to have everything done, surgery the next am and the following morning released. Very simple and almost painless!

Congratulations! You will love Dr Ortiz! I live in Murrieta so I drove down too. My experience was great down there and I'm down 24 lbs so far.

Well, I think the bottom line here is what you're putting into your body. As pretty much everyone else has said, the band restricts solid foods, chocolate becomes a liquid and just slides right past the band. You could eat a ton of it and not be full no matter how much restriction you have. "He told me that I would feel sated quickly and there fore would eat less, however, I can eat all the chocolate I want," I am very surprised your Dr would say you could eat all the chocolate you want...in order to be successful with your weight loss you need to make healthy food choices as well. A little chocolate here and there (chocolate is my weakness too!) ain't gonna bring your weight loss to a grinding halt, BUT, eating "all the chocolate you want" will not allow you to lose the weight. I suggest consulting with your nutritionist and following a meal plan and you'll definitely start losing weight. So the choice is yours my dear, BIG and eatin' all the chocolate you want, or SKINNY, an occasional chocolate bar, and eating healthy?

Well as CandySmooch said, "to each his own" ~ your body, your choice. I choose to eat as healthy as I can and not put my band or health at risk in the first few critical weeks. I encourage EVERYONE to follow their Dr's instructions and if they say you can eat chicken, steak, during your 1st 2 weeks, then that's between them and you. If your Dr says not to, then they tell you that for a reason and I did my best to follow my Dr's orders. Come on, we're all human and we're in the place we're in because we didn't use self control right, so we're gonna mess up here and there. Personally, I didn't spend all this money (I was a self-pay) to blow it in my 1st two weeks by stretching my band or by having my band slip because my digestive system had to work overtime digesting foods my Dr and nutritionist said not to consume. It is not just a physical change but a change of mentality must go along with it to be successful. The band changes you physically, but the reason why we're overweight is not just fixed with the band. We have to still make good food choices, the band limits the quanity you have to determine the quality.

Blending is entirely different to what our lovely Dee Dee was doing. And rice and steak are not good food choices whether or not they're pureed or solid, they're not healthy! Steak is high in fat, and rice is high in carbs turning to sugar in your blood and EXPANDING in your stomach. And when you're 1st starting out in this journey it is not the time to screw around, but to be gentle with your body and work with your band not against it. Hell if anything blended was fine, break out the Twinkies, Ho Ho's and ice cream and stick it in a blender ya know? The point is, not only do we need to focus on healthy foods, but to follow your Dr's orders and use common sense in our food choices. And PORK ROAST??? Geeesh, why not just fry up some bacon and stick it in the blender. Goodness, I would not condone that choice at all. Once we're closer to our goal weight, and somewhere along the way an occasional treat is something we all need, but NOT and I emphasize NOT during your first 6 weeks! Put down the Rib-Eye and step away from the Rice a Roni!

It's all about respect. Respect for our fellow man and their right to believe however they want to believe. If you're an atheist, agnostic, Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Muslim, Shinto, Wiccan, Lutheran, Baptist, whatever, there are thousands, you have a right to believe whatever you believe and not be offended by what another person believes. We all feel that what we believe is right, but that doesn't mean that it is to everyone else. If they're praying to a God you don't believe in, or they're worshipping an object you don't believe in, or giving their allegience to something you don't agree with, then so be it, that's their right. We all need to be respectful of that right as long as they're not forcing us to do as they do. If you can't get over being offended by a public act of worship or prayer, then leave. No ones forcing you to stick around. That's why this country is a great place to live, we have freedom of expression and that means everyone.

Barry Bonds, The ROCK, DMX, Wesley Snipes, Jamie Foxx, Nelly, wow, this could be a looong list...I'll stop now.

Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Richard Widmark, Dean Martin, Cary Grant (if he wasn't gay...), possibly Bogie. Wow, it's a good thing they weren't alive in my generation I'd be a little, uh-hum, "easy."

Don't cheat!!!!! Your Dr & nutritionist gave you those instructions for a reason. Don't blow it now when serious complications could arise since you're not fully healed. Come on now, you went through surgery to assist you in your weight loss, don't ruin it and put your body at risk even more! I know how hard it is, we all do, but the reason you're craving steak is because your lacking protein and you are feeling like you need to chew. Drink some protein shakes or eat some yogurt, or whatever you're allowed to right now that's high in protein. If you're allowed canned chicken (I was not) then eat that. But don't go for steak, it's not worth the complications it could cause & don't think just cuz you can chew something until it's mushy that it's a "mushy". We all have to chew until something is mushy - that's a requirement of being banded. When you eat stuff you're not supposed to it makes your stomach have to work and move - meaning move those stitches...you don't want that to happen and your tummy needs to recover, not be working overtime trying to digest steak. Okay? Okay? It's not worth it!!!

OMG -Shai, that was hilarious! Thanks for sharing. I'm in a black bra and lovely leopard print bikini's...both from Lane Bryant (to me they have the best big girl drawers!) Oh and yup, I'm a sz 22 too and I usually wear thongs - I don't like my underwear to show when I bend over and I think if anything shows I'd rather it be a little piece of material then a foot wide swatch of flowers and bees...

The use of straws makes you take in too much air...you already have a small space as it is and filling it up with air just causes unnecessary gas.

Hey Dawn, I was banded by Ortiz on 8/25 too...unfortunately my memory fails me to put a face to your name...were you the one that was there with your mom & aunt? Anyways, I 100% agree with everything you stated. My experience in TJ with Ortiz and Martinez was awesome. I would do it again in a second. They (I cannot speak for the many other surgeons and surgical offices there) were extremely professional, very friendly, readily available to answer questions and are considered one of the best in the profession. Dr Ortiz has been doing it for years longer than US doctors, train US doctors and was proctored by Inamed - I think that says alot, well it did for me. I, like you, don't get paid or reap any other monetary or financial benefit, fills whatever, from telling anyone how wonderful I think they are! In fact, I kind of resent how many times I see people saying to be wary of people recommending MX surgeons - come on now people, if you went and had dinner at a great restaurant, had your hairdresser give you a great hair cut, etc, wouldn't you want to tell your friends about it? In the US if you have a great Dr or Dentist don't you tell someone if they ask you where you go? Well, I sure would and do and I don't expect anything from it, except that if someone is considering a LB and are looking for a good Dr then I think I had not just a good one, but a great one. Furthermore, I live in San Diego and honestly I was a little hesitant about TJ too (I've been there many times before I was 21 to have some fun & saw the lets say, shadier side of town), but I kept my mind open and was pleasantly surprised with the accomodations, and the cleanliness of the hospital, lab and OR. Again, I can't speak for any other Dr there, in fact I saw a couple of WL centers while I was there and thanked God I didn't consider using them from the looks of their buildings it would NOT be a place I would consider having surgery...but we all have to keep in mind that our surgeons are imperfect human beings like us and there can always be complications whether you go to MX or someone in the US. Just be realistic and do as much research on the surgeon you've chosen and be certain that this is the right decision for you.

It ain't like havin' a baby and waitin' 6 looooong weeks, but I think a little time to heal should be taken. I waited about 3 weeks, and ab muscles were a little sore after, but nothing too painful...I guess it depends on how fast you heal and what position you're in.

Yeh, I never heard no OJ either...I'm presuming just cuz of sugar & calories? I still drink OJ, just not alot cuz of the sugar. And Lynn, I'll have to try the raspberry CL that sounds yummy!

Now, that's what I'm talkin' about. LOL. Belvedere, Grey Goose all the way baby!

I asked my Dr about alcohol as well as I frequently attend social functions where alchohol is served, and lets be honest, sometimes after a rough day, ya just need a drink! Keep it to a minimum due to the liquid calories (it turns to sugar in your blood) and stick with Diet juices if you're mixing. Margaritas have a lot of sugar as well as other frozen concoctions - mudslides, daquiris, pina coladas, etc. My Dr said NO carbonation ever again, so I don't mix anything with club soda or any sodas. As for the screwdrivers, those are fine too, but again, OJ has sugars and calories which will slow your weight loss. I drink wine too (in small amounts) and red wine is actually good for your stomach and heart - again, occasionally and in small amounts. My drink of preference is a Cosmo (with diet cranberry) and everyone else says how they get buzzed faster post-band...but I haven't experienced that yet...maybe after a fill?

Ok, here's my suggestions: Protien bars (there are a few tasty ones out there), protein shakes - I prefer the Benefit Bars and HMR 500 shakes from Hackley Health Management, scrambled eggs topped with a LITTLE melted cheese, cream of wheat (I add sugar free maple syrup and it's only 35 calories) you could also add cinnamon for flavor, same with oatmeal - I despise it but if I add the cinnamon and SF maple syrup it's not too bad, Yoplait light yogurts, occasional no sugar added applesauce. My Dr said in the am if you're feeling too restricted to have something warm - like tea or coffee to loosen you up a little.

Hey Patty! Welcome to LBT! I was also banded 8/25. My 1st fill is 10/8. I don't think it's too much to be nervous about - hey we made it through surgery, right?

Hey Rica! My first fill is Oct 8th. Erin: The hunger is nothing like "normal pre-band hunger" it's just a slight hungry feeling and after you eat a TEENSY bit you feel full again. Alot of us feel hungy or light headed too while on the liquid phase because we're not consuming enuf Protein. The shakes are good for that as well as yogurt, etc. It's nothing like the hunger you feel b4 you get the band like you need to sit down to a meal. I eat 1/2 cup of Soup and I'm full and b4 I needed to eat a sandwhich, bag of chips and a soda Hope that puts it into perspective for ya. Matt: You're most welcome! Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us all posted - that's what we're here for!

Well I ain't gonna talk you into or out of it, but for me personally I wouldn't choose anyone else! Dr. Ortiz & staff was absolutely wonderful. I did a lot of research on him and was very confident going into it and am very happy with my decision thus far. The surgery itself was a lot easier than I expected, I was banded on a Thursday and back to work on Monday. I feel hardly any pain or discomfort now, and it's amazing to not be hungry all the time. The liquid diet ain't no picnic, but I've only got a few more days left and real food here I come! I've noticed a huge decrease in the amount of food I need to consume to feel full - if I eat 1/2 bowl of creamy Soup I'm stuffed or a small bowl of cream of wheat I feel like I've eaten a whole meal. My 1st fill is scheduled in October, so I'm hoping after "real restriction" it'll be even easier to eat less and feel full. Honestly, I thought this whole thing would be alot more difficult than it has been. My scale hasn't moved for a few days now, so I think I'm going through a plateau stage, but I'll take the 18lbs lost and I know it'll just continue dropping off once I add exercise into the mix! So here's my advice: Do as much research as you can to make an informed decision on both the procedure and the Dr. Look up any questions you have on the forums - they're a wonderful source of information and experiences. Best of luck to you!!!

I think most of us are hesitant to tell anyone simply because we have tried unsucessfully so many other diets and are worried that this somehow will not work either because nothing else has. And who wants someone that we care about to be unsupportive of our decision when we're so excited about it? I have told a couple people nearest to me, my husband and a few friends and I got the same negative reaction from most, but hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion, right? It's my body and I'm the one suffering with the problem with obesity, so I did it for me. I've lost 18 lbs so far, and now my friends are very supportive - funny how that works... Bottom line is, if you choose to share this experience with others, just be prepared for a negative reaction, but keep in mind you're doing this for your health & happiness not theirs. They will eventually come around when they see you melting away. This forum is an excellent source of support and information, so keep posting your thoughts cuz it helps all of us!

I was just banded 8/25 and I'm right there with ya on the drinkin'. BUT, my Dr (also Ortiz) said no beer cuz of the carbonation, so I'm going to stay clear and drink my cosmo's instead With all alchohol we just have to be careful of the consumption of calories - the liquid calories kill - and I personally have noticed I get buzzed a little quicker than I used to pre-band (whoo-hoo, saving $ is a bonus...)

I live in Temecula. Good luck with your decision. I personally chose to go to TJ for mine with Dr Ortiz and am very happy with my decision - I'm down 18lbs as of today and am 13 days out. Keep us posted!

I was banded on 8/25 by a different Dr and was very impressed with the cleanliness and professionalism of all. My only complaint would be the nursing staff spoke limited english. I live in San Diego, so I know what TJ is like and was concerned myself about sanitary issues, but once I got there I thought my Dr's office & the OR was cleaner than most I've seen in the states. As far as the incision went, I'm 13 days post op and my incisions are healing wonderfully. A couple of them look like a cat scratched me. As long as you follow the Dr's instructions in caring for it she should be fine. I started putting neosporin on mine last week when the glue started coming off, and they've almost all healed up completely. I can't tell you anything about Dr Kuri from personal experience , but I've seen a lot of happy patients on this site.

There is one that isn't too awful I tried it's made by Hackley Health Management called HMR. They have a 100 cal shake a 120 cal and I believe 160. You mix them with Water and ice and I toss in a banana and they don't taste as nasty as the others. They're creamy and they don't make you burp up that nast y Vitamin taste. They're not as cheap as others, but I find them to be much better. I also asked the nutritionist about them and she said they were good...