DixyChixy1966

Hi everyone, I am doing this rather backwards as I have already posted questions not realizing there is actually a way of properly doing this - oops! I am going to be booking my band procedure with Dr. Ortiz (my gal pal is also getting it done with me - I am trying to get her on here!) for early September. I wish I didn't have to wait so long but a new position at work means I have to delay it a bit. I am psyched and ready to go now but...I am sure September will be here before I know it. In the meantime I will try to continue to educate myself and prepare myself. I am really concerned about getting through the endless pre-op diet...I am a real emtional eater so this I am sure will be the biggest challenge for me ever! Congratulations to all of you and your amazing success! You are truly an inspiration and I am so happy to know I have so many "sisters and brothers" in band land! I am sure you will all be extremely invaluable once I begin the hard work! Cheers and happy to meet you all!

Hi everyone, I am hoping you can give me some advice. I think I may have an ulcer but am scheduled to get my band on September 8th. Does anyone know if this might be a problem? I am going to see my GI doctor next week but thought I would see what you guys know in advance to help put my mind at ease. I have been on NSAIDS for years for my ankylosing spondylitis and I think they have finally taken their toll on my stomach. I do not want to have to postpone the band as I have my friend to go with who is also getting the band on the same day and I am more than ready for this...can't imagine having to wait any longer! Do any of you know anything about this and does anyone take NSAIDS post band? I know it is not recommended but without them I can barely move and the pain is unbearable. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks so much! :tt1:

Hi Julie, unfortunately I won't be able to make this Friday's meeting but will joing the Yahoo Group and my g/f and I will definitely make a meeting at a later date - that would be awesome! Julie, is there anything you recommend we bring with us?

Julie, awesome to hear from you! Could you please give me more information on the May 9th meeting as I am very interested in coming!

Hi Julie, thanks for all of your information - it is great to know you are from the same area and went to Dr. Ortiz and had a successful experience!

Hi Gaffer, I am going to Dr. Ortiz September 8th, could you please tell me also how I can claim back from AB Health. Thanks Much!

Hi Julie, I am in Airdrie and going to Dr. Ortiz with my girlfriend on September 8th - who do you see for fills? I have a friend who goes to Dr. Mitchell but doesn't care for him due to a couple of unpleasant fill experiences in the office. I know of someone who goes to Dr. Botha and adores him - do you have any advice? Also, is there anything more you can tell me about your experience with Dr. Ortiz and the clinic - really, anything at all about your whole experience would be greatly appreciated!!!! Sincerely Jenny

I am extremely interested in your experience and what your sister thought of the clinic as my girlfriend and I are planning on going to Dr. Ortiz in September. It is completely nerve wracking trying to figure it all out! Please please keep in touch and let me know how your experience went! Good luck on the 18th, I hope to hear you are happy and have no regrets! Looking forward to hearing about your experience when you feel "up to" letting us know about it. :rolleyes2:)

I have ankylosing spondylitis and will be going back on methotrexate shots post surgery...I am concerned about not being able to take my NSAIDs after surgery...I am waiting to hear from my doctor regarding all of this...I certainly know where you are coming from on this! I would be very interested to know what your doctor says. I am dreading going off my meds pre-surgery...I might not be able to move for the pain and stiffness! Good luck!

Hi all, is anyone on a regular course of anti inflammatories post-op? The reason I ask is I have to take prescribed NSAIDs for another condition and am concerned about being able to take them after I have the lap band as I know they are hard on the stomach. I also take another medication in conjunction with the NSAIDs to lessen the effects on my stomach but cannot stop taking the anti inflammatories altogether. Any advice or information on this would be greatly appreciated as I do not intend to put off the procedure due to this however I do need to find out any risks etc. Have a great day everyone! :biggrin:

Oh I am so sorry to hear of your situation - I am pretty much in the same boat myself...single mum living on a shoe string and cannot get financing...but I am determined to figure this out one way or another!!! Hugs to you and best of luck!

You so are not alone - I am exactly the same way and know all too well how you feel. It is scary as all get out but worrying about "what ifs" sure is not going to help! Just focus on what you are working towards - a healthy new lifestyle and remain positive in this goal....I am right there with you...can't imagine not having food as my crutch but I'll be darned if I am not going to give this all I have got - I am a single mum and want to be around for years to come for my kids! Don't let those demons get to you, just know we are all out here fighting the same battle and we will suceed if we give it an honest effort! Give yourself a hug, tomorrow is a new day with renewed hope!

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if anyone had experience with Dr. Mitchell in Calgary regarding after care and fills. What is he like, is he quick at finding the port and how does he do this? How soon before I book my Lap Band procedure should I be lining him up? Thanks everyone!:sneaky:

Hi Jenna, I am going to book with Dr. Ortiz myself - is there anything you can tell me that I might now know given my hours of research? Is there anything you wish you would have known but didn't? Thanks :biggrin:)

Hi, thanks for that info - I don't know if patients are "sat up" but I have read a couple of times that patients are sometimes put into a somewhat upright position when the band is actually being put on and this helps the doctor to see what he is doing and also lessens the gas needed. But this is just something I have read...and you know what they say about reading everything you believe! Glad you were good to go - I hope I am that lucky!

Thanks for pointing that out! I am looking at Arturo Rodriguez. Also very interested in hearing experiences with Dr. Rumbaut.

I am trying to decide between doctors in Mexico (Ortiz, Rumbaut and Rodriquez) and am getting confused...what is Belite? Is this like a booking agency and do they charge a fee? The location of Monterrey is more appealing than TJ but I hear such good things about all three...any experiences or advice anyone can offer me would really be greatly appreciated as I don't know who to pick out of the 3!!!!! Thanks so much and congrats on all of your sucesses, you are an inspiration!

Very interesting...thank you so much. I am really pretty much decided on Dr. Ortiz but just doing some final research. I am curious about Dr. Rodriguez in Monterray - what made you ultimately choose Dr. Ortiz?

Thanks so much for all of the information everyone! I can't wait to become a full-fledged "bandster" myself! I am worried about the gas pain afterward and travelling home such a long distance - any advice or words of comfort would be greatly appreciated on this topic! Thanks again everyone!

JAC, I live just outside of Calgary and am considering Dr. Ortiz...what can you tell me about the aftercare available here? I have been given the name of Dr. Phillip Mitchell for fills - is this who you go to? After reading some of the posts I am concerned about the level of aftercare available to us Calgarians - any info you can provide would be awesome. Also, you mention we can claim the surgery on AHC? Can you tell me anything about this? Thanks so very much for your answers!

Hi, I am new to this but have had no luck getting coverage either by private insurance or on Health Care...I am looking at paying to get it done in Mexico (did check out Ontario)...