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I heard of a Dr. Gutauskus in Ottawa fills any band for approx $75. He doesn't take a lot of patients, but you can try him. I was banded in Mx w/ Dr. Ortiz on Oct 30 and got my first fill there a month ago. I need another fill and can't afford too go back so am also exploring my options. Good luck!

My surgery was in Tijuana and very uneventful (in a good way!). I'm on day 10 and doing well. The one thing I will say about my surgery day story is that I am only now reading some emails I wrote (including to my staff!) after my surgery. EVERY WORD is a spelled incorrectly! And most of the sentences are broken English! LOL! Apparently it's the general anesthetic - b/c my recollection of writing those emails was perfection! Be forewarned, especially if you plan to write to staff or clients who may not be aware of your surgery!

I have some stomach gas pain, but really bad shoulder pain. There seems to be no consistent cause or cure for this, but for me, rotating btwn sitting, lying on my back, and walking/standing helps. Hang in there! (Telling myself this too!)

Oh "Angela" - thank you for the laugh! I am so sorry to hear about your hospital experience, but hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here onwards. My biggest issues have been: pain in left shoulder (no consensus on cause or cure it seems), constipation (took milk of mag today, I pray for relief!), and not killing my BF for eating pizza in front of me (to be fair, he's been really good and only broke down on my day 8). Although I get full much faster than I ever did before, I'm tired of being full on broth and yogurt drinks! Will shop this weekend to get more variety which hopefully will help. Love the idea of yahoo group and will join, thanks for setting it up WVGal!

I'll be thinking of all of you on Oct 29 - I'm being banded in TJ by Dr. Ortiz that day. I'm flying from Canada and am a bit nervous of the long flight home, but am not trying to give my worries too much energy and just focussing on receiving and emitting good energy. My hospital overnight bag consists of: slip-on walking shoes (walking post-op is essential i hear), toothbrush/paste, socks, undies (don't want to be stuck w/paper ones!), loose clothes, book, body cream (air can be dry), chapstick, throat losenges, sports bra. I'm on day 2 of liquid diet. It kinda sucks, but suppose i have to get used to it!

I'm an oct 29 bandster-to-be! I'm also 5'2" wieghing in at 172. Dr. Ortiz does not require me to go on a pre-op diet, but I am going to start all liquid protiens 7 days prior to my surgery to get a kick-start on my progress and get used to eating in a totally different way! I'm just worried that being banded is going to be like all the other diets I have been on my entire life - great for the first 10-20 lbs, and then back to the same old habits... Guess it's up to me right!? Good luck everyone - will be checking in to see how the 29ers are doing!