BandDiva

I use the Wylers broth Granuals, they are good and easy to mix. Yeah, you can have the broth from the chicken noodle, as long as you are not tempted to eat the rest!

Very Sad. Very Childish. Does Dr. O see all this Bullish. He would have to just shake his head at all of this. I have tried to stay out of it, but ENOUGH already. My email is redcarpetdana@gmail.com for anyone who wants to stay in touch & I am on facebook. Dana Hart-Ball I really hope everyone can focus on their weight loss, health, happiness and get over themselves! We should all be equal here. We are all after the same thing-or should have the same goal.

I have heard patients after a couple years have had their Inamed bands removed because they occluded. I also heard that the Inamed bands were considered 'high pressure' and some people just could not tolerate them. Is this true (high pressure) & what does it mean? I know that I was banded in October and my band is Inamed. I am not having any problems & I want to continue down that path. But, I do want to be well educated about my new body part. LOL Is the OCC going to start with the Realize band? How does Dr. Ortiz feel about the Realize band? Does he feel it is an improvement, or is this just a way for American Dr.'s to scare Mexican bandsters? Again, I am so happy with my band, Dr. Ortiz & all of the OCC. But, there is a movement online out to get Doc's from Mexico. (I received an email) Of course I say how happy I am and how much I love the OCC, but I want to know more so I can combat these attacks. Thanks!

I was last and was biting my nails all stinking day waiting my turn. I had no medical conditions, I think some people just have to be last. LOL

I am using Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention Cream. You can read this blog for reviews and photos...... http://www.divas-blog.com/stretch-mark-sol...secret-revealed This is what I am using for my surgery scars..... http://www.abateit.com/body-cream/

ALSO....I do get full on soups, and other liquids. I am sure most all of us do, once we have a fill. So, stop when you are full.

There is nothing wrong with soups. Just limit your portions. DON'T eat 2 bowls at one time and full of crackers (thats what I used to do-hehe) There are some days that is what I want, so I eat it. I make sure it has lots of protein like the buffalo chicken soup recipe. Find a dish with your serving amount and stick with that dish and amount per serving each time. AND remember Dr. Ortiz says, 1/3 of what you used to eat. So, DON'T deprive your self. Slow weight loss is the best!

Any new plans regarding the Get Together? Last I heard Lori was going to check with the Doc's on their attendance, discounts on fills etc.

Heck yeah! You lost the weight! Who cares if it was before or after the band! Put it on the ticker!

If I ever do too much lifting or stretching or even days and days of house work, I will have that pain you are talking about. I heard we can have it for up to 6 months. Just try to take it easy the best you can.

Jude, Very well put, a guest and not a patient. Having that feeling definitely calms the nerves. Mama Ortiz is responsible for it all happening! hehe

Who ever your patient care coordinator is should be able to give you a list of Dr's in your area who do fills for Mexico Bandsters. Just ask them. Lori did that for me and I was set! I do suggest you have your after care in place. Also, the OCC recommends Fill Centers USA..... http://www.fillcentersusa.com/lapband.html Hope this helps!

I guess you could experience that, though I didn't. Once your body gets used to the Metamucial, you will just be regular. It is great.

I was that way too at first. You need to get started on Benefiber or Metamucial sugar free. Do it twice a day, once at like 10 am and then about 3 pm. Hope you feel better!

OK. I haven't even thought about posting about this until today. In fact, I was just thinking I needed to schedule with my Dentist, ASAP. I have had regular dental cleanings every 6 months and last year I had my first cavity. (not bad for being 36 years old) Anyway, if something is actually going on with my teeth, it hasn't been there long, I am a freak when it comes to dental hygiene. I have noticed for the last few weeks that my teeth hurt. They just ache. It isn't like I can pin point one tooth, my whole mouth hurts. When I bite down on my teeth, it hurts more. I do not notice sensitivity to cold or hot, they hurt all the time. So, today I googled 'teeth hurting after lapband', and I saw some people talking on lapbandtalk.com saying it was vitamin deficiency. Has anyone experience this? If so, what did you do. I am going to get in the dentist, but not until after the first of the year.

Bump. Did you get this?

I love the cream of shrimp, Campbells too!

EXACTLY! This crap (sorry, but that is what it is) is ridiculous! I think it is disgusting how the news crew said things like, "make sure you pick a surgeon who has done a lot of procedures". I would like to compare those Dr.'s resume to Dr. Ortiz. I know that Dr. Ortiz trained 90% of the Doc's here in Texas (he told me himself), so just how many Dr's are ticked off because he is SO busy? I think this kind of news story is 100% wrong. They did not list all the facts! I guarantee you that if anyone at the OCC knew she was not feeling well the day after her surgery, they would have kept her. Funny thing is, they made no mention of when it slipped. Only implied that Dr. O put the band in the wrong place. Whatever! All these Dr's making these claims, in my opinion are trying to drum up business for them selves. Ofcourse there can be complications with surgery, and there are risks, but to imply that the OCC and Dr. Ortiz are endangering lives really pisses me off. I will spend the rest of my life referring people to the OCC. I could go on and on about America health care and how they screw people, but I will leave it at that! All you newbies, don't let this garbage stir up fear! That is what this video is intended to do, do not live one more day longer than you have to being obese. The OCC is there to help you.

Maybe she is not there all the time, but she was wonderful. She came in my room and took pictures with us (I was camera happy). lol She even stopped what she was doing and listened to my husband and his ailing health needs with Psoriasis. She was willing to put him in touch with a Dr. to maybe help him, but we were not staying in town long enough. She is definitely proud of her son too!

Wow. You sure have done well, how about posting some pics. I am sure it shows!

Hi Sharon, You definitely need to eat something, every few hours. Are you getting enough protein, either through protein shakes, protein powder or protein bullets? In addition to my eating everyday, I make sure I add more protein. I was getting bad headaches and dizzyness and once I increased my protein, it stopped. Also, your pouch definitely fills up quickly, but sometimes I still don't feel full like I have eaten all I need. So, are you eating slow enough? I know if I go too fast, I get that really full feeling in my pouch quickly. So, I have to remind myself to go slow and sit my fork or spoon down after each bite. It is great that your fullness last for a long time, I would definitely say this is the restriction you want. Just make sure you are getting the nutrition you need, in your vitamins and protein grams & eating throughout the day. This is important for your metabolism and steady weight loss. Hope this helps.

As 2008 comes to an end, I have many feelings about this year and what I have to look forward to in the coming years…… I grew up thinking food was supposed to make me feel good, I don’t know where I got that. I don’t hold any one person responsible except for myself. Food was not to fuel my body, it was not for my health, it was for ‘my enjoyment’. When I would have a bad day or when I would celebrate occasions, I would run to the nearest fast food joint or try to decide which restaurant to book a reservation. My life was centered around food, and it was always full of empty promises, one leaving me full of guilt after indulging & 1lb heavier. As I have gotten older, I have gotten better with my eating, but like I said, I AM OLDER. It caught up with me. After losing my Aunt 7 years ago to gastric bypass surgery, I never thought a weight loss procedure would be an option for me. After all, my family was scared to death at the mention of surgery and of course one of weight loss. I knew I had to make a change, a drastic one. So, I did. To top it off, I went to Mexico! People thought I was nuts! lol Some people don’t understand, may think of this as the easy way out, or me just being plain lazy. I really don’t care about those opinions or views. ( I probably think they are just as dumb for being so closed minded ) I am so happy and confident about this choice. I never thought in a million years that I would feel the way I do this Holiday Season. I feel a sense of pride that I have never known and it all began with hearing a young girls story on Oprah. My family can see a difference in me (already) and I still have a long way to go. As I write this and reflect on the 35 lbs that are gone forever, I have to give thanks to my Doctor, my friend, Dr. Ariel Ortiz. This man is changing lives at an enormous rate. I don’t see how he has the energy to do all he does, but, he does! All the while having his Mom there with him at his clinic making us all so comfortable and it truly making it an “at home experience.” There are so many special people at the OCC that there are too many to mention, besides, I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. From my heart to yours, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Thank you Dr. Ortiz! I know you operate on many of us, and the tens per day turn in to thousands and it is impossible for you remember all of us. We remember you, and your wonderful staff for changing our lives, 1 pound at a time. You are all so special. I hope you have a blessed and memorable time with your famililes. Dana~

From what I have heard, when your band has slipped you can not keep anything down. Not even liquids.

Sabrina, I had some of those feelings, and didn't damage anything. I have had some pain around my port, real tenderness and soreness. But, everything is fine. Do not bend over without bending at the knees. You can't eat too much soup, it slips through your band. However, you need to control your portion size at each sitting. Try to keep it to 4 oz at a time. Take a sip or a spoon full and then sit your cup or bowl down for a minute. This will help you eat slower. Then in awhile if you feel you need more, have another 4 oz serving. Your pouch fills quickly, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are full and don't want/need to eat more.

Cheryl, Dr. Jay!!! He is at Medical City and he only does under flouro, he charges 250.00 for fills. He is amazing! He does them himself! He totally respects Dr. Ortiz (and Dr. Ortiz had great things to say about him too). I love Dr. Jay & his staff and would recommend them to anyone! He also has monthly support groups at the hospital and some times offers a free fill if you attend the group! AMAZING! You will love his office! OH....he books quick, so make an apt. way ahead of time!!!! http://www.texaslapbandcenter.com/jay.html Make sure you tell them whose patient you are and how you heard about him if you go! Dana