mtnman428

I just ordered some. Thanks alot! I hope they're good.

Tad, For the most part my family has been quite supportive, but nervous for me at the same time, especially my younger brother-he does not want me to have this surgery at all, but now understands my decision. They were all very nervous about my decision to be banded in Mexico, but I feel that I have thoroughly checked out Dr. Ortiz and I am confident in my choice. Now they have come around too. Some of my friends are a different story! I guess that is how you can determine your real friends. I only told a handful of friends. The one that is coming with me is supportive and even checked out my Dr. too to be sure. One of my other friends is the total opposite. She ridicules my decision, and has even told some other people after I asked her not to. I really wish I had not told her!!! How about your friends and fam?

I'm going on my 4th day of the pre-op diet, and it's not really all that bad-yet! Although, my Dr. told me that I can do the diet option of 2 protein shakes per day, then a low-cal dinner (like Lean Cuisine), so maybe that is why it's not so bad. Plus I snack on celery and cucumbers if I get hungry. If I am not losing 1LB. per day then the nutritionist wants me to switch to 3 shake per day instead of a meal. So far so good...the scale says I'm down about 4LBs. Fingers crossed!

Hey Jenn! I have a quick question for ya; how did you find out that you were allergic to Splenda?? Did the Dr. just conclude that, or did they do some sort of test? I used to use Equal and was fine with it, then my sister kept pushing me to use Splenda instead, so I switched a few months ago. It could just be a coincidence, but now I am always bloated and swollen, although that may be from my weight gain too. What do you think? Thanks.

Woohoo great job! Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing!

Hey, I'm being banded by Dr. Ortiz on 7/24! I'll be in for my pre-op blood-work on 7/23. For those of you that went to Dr. Ortiz already; did he check your Gall Bladder before or during surgery (do you know)?? I'm curious because I have a family history of bad gall bladders and my mother passed 6 years ago from Gall Bladder Cancer (at 53), so that part definitely scares me a bit. I'd like to just have it taken out if it's a problem. Thanks, and Good Luck to us all!

Thanks for letting us know how you feel after surgery Josh. Have a speedy recovery! And good luck to all July bandsters.

Well Annabella good luck with your unfill...I hope it all works out well. Then you should probably have a little talk w/your Dr. Keep us posted!

Annabella that does sound very strange that your Dr. filled you during surgery! You should ask hime why he does this. Does he like experimenting with patients?? I'm no Dr., but I've never heard of this practice (fill during surgery) before! It seems like that won't give the band time to heal in place. Trudy, I'm being banded on 7/24 at the OCC! I'll be arriving there on the 23rd for my pre-op bloodwork. Hope to see you there!

Hello Everyone! I have a couple of questions about dating life, after/during the band (and weight loss): 1.) Do you tell your date (probably not on the 1st date) about your band? 2.) Have you ever had a bad response from a date to the lap band (not interested after finding out)? 3.) Sorry if this one is too X-rated, but does the port get in the way during sex (uncomfortable?, feel the port?)? I'm being banded on 7/24/08 and I've been thinking of many questions! Thanks all!

Assuming that you mean with coverage, I've heard of anywhere between 2 months-1 year, depending on your coverage/company. My Blue Cross would have covered Lap Band, but just as I started to make appointments I lost my (10 yr) job! So now I'm going to Mexico for $7950 and self paying. If you decide to go this route, you can schedule your appointment in about 2-4 weeks. I scheduled mine about 1 month beforehand...keeping in mind that I'd have to lose the 12LBs. first. Good Luck to you!

OK thanks for clearing that up then Devana. I will avoid this thread then, it's too deep for me to debate on here! Thanks for the well wishes and you too.

Awww good luck Josh!!! I'm sure you'll do fine tomorrow =) I'm starting to know how you feel-I only have 16 days left, and I imagine with each passing day comes more nervousness!!! Good Luck and let us know.

Hi everyone! There may already be a similar thread to this one out there, but I'm not too good at navigating through this website, although I love it. I'm scheduled for surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Ortiz on 7/24/08. I would like to know what your scars look like (especially port) and how they're healing. Can you ever wear a bikini?? What did you put on them and how soon (ex: Mederma, ScarGuard, Neosporin, etc...??) Dr. Ortiz told me that he sells a scar cream at his center that is very good, but I'd like to hear from you too (if you know which is best). Thanks!

Hey, I'm being banded on 7/24/08 too! I'm going to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico, how about you? I'm supposed to lose 12LBs. before my surgery date, either by atkins or a protein shake diet. I would've had to start the diet a bit sooner in order to lose the 12, so it looks like I'll be doing the shakes with ya! I hope I lose it all by then. Good luck!

Congratulations and Thanks Micelle!!! You look fantastic! Besides looking at your pictures and sizes, I loved the irony in it. I am 236 now and am also being banded by Dr. Ortiz in MX on 7/24/08 (I'm 5'0"). Now I have a better understanding of what my size adjustments may be. Keep up the good work!

I'm confused...I thought that I typed in Lapbandtalk.com, but I somehow stumbled upon an abortion topic!!! Please do tell, what abortion has to do with the Lap Band. Maybe this topic should be posted elsewhere on the internet.

Oh good that's a relief thanks! Good luck on your next date =} I have also told a few people because I can't always keep quiet, but I still don't want the handful of people that I did tell to tell everyone...oh well, we'll see I guess. I just don't like for my ex-boyfriend(s) to know-mostly!

Hi, I too was searching for a Dr. to do my fills after my Lap Band surgery (on 7/24/08 in Mexico) in my home state (RI). I kept reading how difficult it would be to find 1 willing to do fills for me. I looked on Fillcentersusa.com's website, but the closest fill center to me was at least 2 hours away! I figured that I would just give a (reputable) Bariatric surgeon in RI a call and ask if he would do my fills for me after having surgery in mexico. The worst they could do would be to say no; however the answer, to my surprise was yes! Without insurance it will cost me $65 for the Dr. visit and $100 for the fill (w/o Fluoro), which is actually cheaper than going to the Fill Center. I'm aware that rules vary from state to state, but give it a try in your area. Good Luck!!!

PJ, my Dr. wants me to lose 12LBs. first because he said that it shrinks the liver, and makes surgery easier. They still blow-up the stomach with CO2 for the surgery to get the liver out of the way/view...but every little bit helps I guess.

I'm glad that your surgery was a success Doedoe1961! Thanks for letting us know how you feel too afterwards. I was wondering myself, since I'm scheduled for 7/24. Good luck!!!

LOL!!! Great thanks!

Hey! I'm a fellow Rhode Islander! I'm getting banded on 7/24, but not in RI (because I lost my health coverage). I'm having it done by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I know....I have to lose 12 LBs. by 7/24, and I'm nervous about that too. Good Luck to you! Let me know how you make out after the 11th.

I'm getting banded on July 24, 08'. Yikes...I have to lose 12 LBs by then!!!

Thanks for that valuable info on Dr. Ortiz! I too will be banded by him, and have been looking for recent opinions of him and his practice.