KINGSKID66

Thanks, Niki. The gas pains are definitely subsiding.

Really? How so?

Hey Roberta, I'm 4 days out now and things are starting to settle down a bit. It almost seems too good to be true when I read other people's stories. The chest pains have diminished considerably. They still come and go occasionally, but not nearly as bad as before. Should they arise again, I may try to M of M. Thanks for the tip! Lynn

Hey Audra, You should see my stomach. I joked that I'm going to wear a half shirt and show off my "knife wounds". I feel like a gang member!!!

Hey Audra, How are you feeling today? I just got back home today. Feel pretty good. Thank God the gas pains are subsiding. Kim's mom gave me the Gas X strips. They worked the BEST! They begin working immediately.

Hey Everyone, Im here in TJ at the hotel Lucerna. Dr. Ortiz is awesome. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I'm on my way to have my "light dinner." Will try to post tomorrow and let the future bandsters know what to expect. I feel certain all will go well. I feel like I'm in very capable hands with Dr. Ortiz's staff. Talk to everyone soon. Lynn PS. Dr. Ortiz's facility is fantastic! Hotel Lucerna .... uh, leaves a little to be desired, but it's okay.:clap2:

Thanks for the support everyone. I'm doing pretty well. Have had bouts will nausea and dizziness. But they gave me dramamine and all is well. I just got back to the hotel and thought I would sit down and answer e-mails first. drinks go down very smoothly. Had a few popsicles last night. They were very refreshing. DH has been awesome. I could not have done it without him. God Bless you all. Thanks for your love and prayers. PS. I met a lady in the lobby this morning who had hers done last year and has lot 100lbs. She looks great. She also had an arm lift on Monday. I'm so happy for her.

Debbi, I looked at our previous correspondence and realized you've lost 72 lbs. I am so happy for you. I can only imagine what life is like for you. Keep up the good work, girl. You are definitely good advertisment for the wannabe and hope to be bandsters!

Hey Wannasew, Good to hear from you. I will definitely post and let you all know how things went. I will be back in Atlanta on Monday, april 10th. Hubby and I are going to stay in San Diego a couple extra days. Keep me in your prayers. Talk to you soon. By the way, how much weight have you lost? God Bless.

Hi Iluvmyboys, I am a neighbor to you. I live in Fairburn and am getting banded on April 6th. I'm really excited. Who did your surgery? Dr. Ortiz is doing mine. How has life been for you since the surgery? Any regrets?

Hey Wannasew, I am a fellow Georgian (Atlanta) and will be banded by Dr. Ortiz on April 6th. I'm getting really excited. Congratulations on your 72lb weight loss! I will be so happy when I can say that. If I lose 72lbs that will be just about all I need to lose. I will be so relieved. I am looking forward to posting when I get back. Keep updating us.

Hey Wheetsin, (That's funny!) I understand your sketicism but I've been researching Dr. Ortiz and speaking with his patients for about 8 months now. I was certain I wanted him to do my surgery. You're already banded so you don't have to worry about it. Congrats on your weight loss. I'll be there soon!!!

Hey Everyone, I know I haven't posted for quite a while. But, I recently read someone's post that said Dr. Ortiz was opening a brand new facility. I called the Obesity Control Center and found out that his new, state of the art facility is open and he is doing $1,000 off until the end of April as a grand opening special. I knew I wanted Dr. Ortiz to do my surgery, just wasn't able to come up with all the money in December like I wanted. That $1,000 off makes it possible for me to have it done now. I am scheduled for April 6th. If anyone else is on the fence, this information might be helpful. I cannot believe that is only a couple of weeks away. I will probably be leaning on you all for support. I'll probably get nervous as the time gets closer. I'm SOOOO exited!!! (I'll have to change from Dec '05 to banded April '06)

I'm nervous about spending so much money and possibly not having the results I desire. I weigh about 220lbs and need to get down to about 140. My hubby is not at all crazy about the thought of me spending $10,000 on weight loss surgery. I notice everyone else keeps mentioning $15,000. What am I missing? Or does that include airfare. I was VERY disappointed I didn't get to go to Mexico (Dr. Ortiz) and get banded in December. I have a flight booked for March 21, but am still not sure if it's going to happen. We are desperately trying to get out of debt. It's a little difficult to think of paying off debt then creating $10,000 more that quickly. But I am so miserable. I also wonder how this procedure will affect my relationship with my husband. He is not the most supportive individual as it is (although HE really thinks he is!). He is already very insecure, I'm not sure he would be able to handle me at 140lbs!!!! He says he is supportive but doesn't really put forth any effort into helping make it happen for me. I've got to do what works best for me though. I spend a lot of time trying to make my family happy. At 39 years of age, it's time for me to do something for myself. My hubby thinks this is bad, wait until I tell him about the boob job I intend to get also!!!!! hahahaha! :couch2:

Hi Cheeringranny, You mentioned that you had a bad experience with RNY last year. What happened? I'm really curious.

Thanks for the info. It's very helpful. I definitely plan to deduct mine.

What an awesome message! I am scheduled for surgery on 12/27 with Dr. Ortiz. It is so good to hear someone say it was a breeze. I have chosen to visualize myself exactly like you. I refuse to allow fear to set in. I could be wrong, but I believe that negative energy alone will cause complications. Thank you so much for your message. Lynn

I recently spoke with my tax person about that very thing. She said that WLS is generally excluded from IRS deductions. However, she also said that unless you are ever audited, the type of surgery you had would not even come into play. She suggested getting paperwork that looks a little more general and not specifying WLS. Lynn

Your mom lost over 100lbs in three months?! Maybe I'm not reading it correctly.

Hi Tammy, Your post really caught my eye. I too get migraine headaches. I am waaay past Imitrex injections. I thought they were straight from heaven some years ago. They took the headache away within 30 mins. Doesn't work any more. My surgery is scheduled for Dec. 27th. I hope I won't have problems with headaches. Many times they cause me to vomit. I hear that could be REALLY bad for the band. Keep posting on your progress.

Hey Everyone, I know most of you on this site are probably independently wealthy! However, $10,000 is a lot of money for me to come up with. Did anyone do anything creative to acquire the money to cover the cost of your surgery?

Hi Peni, I am new to the forum and have not corresponded with you yet. My heart goes out to you. I will keep you in my prayers. I pray for wisdom and strength for you. What is the DS operation? I can relate to your battle with depression. I am journeying back from an 18 month battle. I wasn't sure I would actually live until the end of this year. But since I'm still here, wanting to make the best of it. My surgery is schedule for Dec. 27. You obviously are quite loved by the expressions of concern for you. I hope you gain strength from knowing you have a lot of people in your corner. God Bless.

Oh that's funny!!! Thanks.

That's great news! But what is a DH?

Hi Diane, I am hoping to get banded the last week of December. I REALLY want Dr. Ortiz to do my surgery. It sounds like you had a great experience there. He is a good $1,500 more than some other doctors and that really hurts. I am having a difficult getting my husband on board with this. It is a lot of money to pay out of our pockets and he is not at all liking this idea. Tell me how things have been for you since you got banded. How was Dr. Ortiz? Thanks, Lynn