Dolittle

I'm 5' 10'' and I was 295lbs when I finally said I had enough.

OK gang,, I'm humbled by your support and congrats.. I can say that getting lap banded was the smartest thing I had ever done,, I just wish I would have done it 6 years ago when I first looked into it. So, for those wannabees that are sitting on the fence, thinking about making that decision, just do it and don't look back! Thanks again everyone,, >

Yes,, the dates are correct,, The first picture I was on March 1 2007,, I weighed in at 275,, down 20 lbs from my pre-op diet,, So,, I started this ordeal at around 295lbs. I went on the pre-op diet on January 1st 2007,, So I had 3 months to loose some weight before the surgery. So I did an Atkins type diet for those 3 months. The second picture was last week while at the clinic, I took this in the same location at the clinic, same pose, in the hall way at the clinic. Same color shirt, but I don't own those warm up pants anymore,, they'd fall off if I tried to wear them anyway. But my weight is now at 205lbs. I'm in the process of trying to get approved for a tummy tuck now,, part of the reason I was down in TJ last week was to touch base with Dr. Quiroz at the Cosmed Clinic. If I don't get insurance approval,, I'll be heading to the Cosmed Clinic for a lower body lift.

Yes,, I've stayed at both hotels,, like I said,, their both good hotels,, I think the only differences are that the Camino is 3 blocks closer to the OCC. That's not that big of deal. The Camino does have internet,, but it will cost you $4 for an hour. The Lucerna,, its free and located just off the Lobby. The Lucerna has a pool,, the Camino doesn't. Alot of patients like the Lucerna because the staff is real nice and had been dealing The OCC patients for a long time. Returning patients get to know the staff,, people like to see the same faces. To me,, a hotel room is like a cruise ship cabin,, How long are you really in the room. I'm so busy when I'm there, I don't see the room that much. I don't think either of them will be a bad experiance for anyone staying there. If I was to say which hotel is better than the other, it would be a toss up. If I was to say which hotel has a personality,, it would be the Lucerna. I think the staff at the Lucerna is more personal. Now, Bandgroupie heard that they have made a decision to use the Lucerna,, You'll be fine staying there. I think it goes with the whole banding experience,, You come to Tijuana to be banded, you stay at the Lucerna,, everyone at the OCC is very nice and helpful,, Dr. Ortiz is the "Bomb", the whole experience is something your going to remember the rest of your life. And with the band inside of you constantly reminding you of your banding,, So in a way,, everytime you eat,, your going to be reminded of this whole experience. I don't know why the OCC was trying the Camino,, maybe there's something only they know about and we don't,, maybe the Lucerna was going to raise their rates and needed a reminder of how much business the OCC was giving them,, but I can say that the OCC isn't the only medical clinic in TJ that was using them. Who knows??? But you'll like the Lucerna,, I don't think anyone would have any complaints with either.

As far as I know,, both hotels are OK,, each one has its pro's and con's. I don't know for sure,, but I think they just wanted to try out the Camino. That's all there is to the story. I hadn't heard any complaints about either of them,, but I don't hear that stuff,, I'm just a volunteer moderator here at the forum. If there's any complaints,, I read them here at the forum like you. If I was a betting person,, I'd think a surgery patient would be OK with either of them.

I haven't been officially told what the verdict is.. I was there to critique the Camino. I didn't know of any construction going on at the Lucerna. But,, then,, I didn't stay there this time. I'll check that out and see what's going on at the Lucerna. With all what was going on the day I was there,, to be honest,, I didn't have time to talk to Dr. O about the get together,, I only got to chat with him in between one surgery,, but I will talk to him this week about the get together.. OK,, I know,, I get a spanking for that.

I was just at the OCC this past week. I stayed at the Camino Real hotel to evaluate the service and accommodations for the OCC. The OCC and Dr. Ortiz are very concerned with the opinions of the patients. Are there ways to improve your stay while in Tijuana? You never know till you try something new or different. I know their decision will be made on which hotel best serves the patients. I looked for that the most.

Sometimes we don't get any recognition for the job we do so well. Recently Cassie and her Mom Jenn were at the OCC with family members whom were having lapband surgery. While there,, They talked Dr. Romero into autographing their paper panties. What a guy! He's so busy and he didn't know these pictures were posted on the Forum. So with a little help from Jenn and Cassie, I had those photo's printed and framed. You know,, it wasn't nothing fancy,, but nice. While I was at the OCC this week I presented the framed pictures in recognition of him being such a "STAR" at the OCC. He loved them and he told me that he'll be putting the picture on his office wall. Special thanks to Jenn and Cassie for the photo's and Special thanks to Dr. Romero! You can go to my photos in my gallery and see this picture better,, for some reason I can't make it bigger?

This has happened to my wife too,, In fact,, your story is almost identical to hers. Its best to get the unfill,, the band is a tool,, its not ment to be the tool from "HELL". LOL. Email Dr. Vitello right away,, he'll probably want you to meet him ASAP to remove some saline. He's pretty good at taking care of problems like this. Let me know how things turn out.

OK,, we'll cut you some slack,, but next time,,, its a spanking for you! LOL.. In all reality,, I never notice stuff like that.

Sometimes this happens,, As you lose weight, your body is burning fat and some of the fat is the internal fat around your stomach. This will make the band looser,, which means your going to need a fill. You'll be able to tell this when you notice yourself eating larger portions and your not loosing the weight. I've had my band for 15 months, I had 4 fills in my first 10 months,, but my last fill was 5 months ago. Can I say I hit my sweet spot back in December,, maybe,,, but I can say I was close. Right now I could probably use a tweaking fill of maybe a couple tenths. I'll know this week when I go to the OCC this week for a check up.

You'll notice this problem gets worse as you lose weight. LOL. I'd say its a good problem. My closet is almost bare. I've taken so many clothes to Goodwill, in fact I just went through my closet and filled another large plastic sack full of clothes that are to big. Remember to get a reciept from whomever you donate your clothes to,, you can write that off your taxes as a donation,, Along with your surgery and "all" related costs.

I haven't heard from God4me for awhile.. She had started the ball rolling on an informal get together in Vegas and was going to contact me when she had more members interested. Well it sounds like there's a few interested,, but is this enough interest to organize something like this?? My suggestion would be to start out small and see where it goes in the future. The poll was a good idea, lets see how that goes and go from there. I'll be at the OCC Wednesday and I'll talk to Dr. Ortiz about this idea. I'll keep you posted on what his thoughts are.

What happen to God4me's idea about a Vegas get together?? Is that idea history and is the idea of having a band forum get together in San Diego now the plan? Or is there going to be 2 get togethers??

OMG,, This year is flying,, It's almost June, Lori and Carolyn are busy scheduling surgery dates.. So if your surgery date is in June,, Lets hear from you. Get in touch with those who are having surgery on the same date as you.

Who is the doctor and where in Chicago?

I remember my first fill wasn't much. I was banded on March 1st 2007 with the 4cc band,, I had restriction from the get go. I waited 10 weeks after my surgery and flew out to San Diego. Dr. Romero and Dr. Martinez both supervised my first fill.. My first fill was only .4cc's,,, that's not even a half a cc,, I was so disappointed,, here I flew all this way for a little itty bitty fill of .4cc's. But,, you know what,, any more and I would have been so restricted I would have had trouble drinking water. I've had 4 fills since my surgery and every one hasn't been much. I'm up to the big total of 2.3cc's. I'm going to be out in TJ this month and I'm going to have everything checked out,, if I get a fill of any kind,, it isn't going to be much,, maybe a tenth of a cc?? Dr. Romero and Dr. Acosta,, they do so many fills they can tell.. They're not going to over fill you on purpose,, that's the last thing you want to be is over filled. Be patient,, be smart, be happy.

Just a quick note. Cosmed plastic surgery clinic is in the process of building a nice new plastic surgery center. Dr. Quiroz told me that they were shooting for a May/June opening date. I'll be in TJ on the 14th and will be talking to Dr. Quiroz about his new PS clinic and get a update on the grand opening.. Also,, a reminder,, I don't think this has changed,, All lapband patients of the OCC are supposed to get a free consultation at the Cosmed Clinic. Just tell Dr. Quiroz that Dave and Lori said so! LOL. When you have reach your goal or close to it and your going to TJ for a tweaking fill or whatever,, call the Cosmed at 1-877-426-7633 and set up an appointment for your free consultation. Remember,, tell them your a OCC patient.

For those who like to fly Southwest, you may like to download they're air saver program called "DING". I've found that they like to discount flights about 6 weeks ahead of a travel date. I remember last summer I went from Chicago to San Diego for $100 total,, round trip using the "DING". You just got to plan 6 weeks ahead. Also,, don't forget to sign up for their frequent flyer program, all those flights add up.

For constipation,, most bariatric centers recommend a product named MiraLAX. It used to be by prescription only,, but now you can buy it over the counter. You can find it at Wal-mart.

You know,, that's a question I've been ask before,, and it was just recently. How coincidental. LOL. I think were each on our "own mission",, she can eat different things that I can't and the same goes for me. Being banded makes me not think of being on a diet and I don't look at it as being on a diet,, just restricted in the amounts I can eat. I'm not the poster boy for banding,, I can eat whatever I want,, just not very much of it. I exercise daily and this really helps the weight loss process. So,, I would say for you to not look at banding as being on a "DIET" just a tool for portion controll.