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Hi, I had my lap band surgery in 2007... not a good fit for me either. Starting weight was 307 and got down to 230 after band stopped me from eating solids for about two months in 2008. Had band unfilled and started gaining my weight back. Got back up to 297 and SCHEDULED to have revision with Dr Ortiz in September 2012. Best decision I have ever made for myself. Back to Mexico and had band removed and stomach cut in the same surgery. Dr Ortiz is awesome. Easy surgery and easy recovery. Back to hotel day after surgery... walked to Wal-Mart that afternoon. Out and about every day. Stayed in TJ for 3 more nights and then up to San Diego and went to the Zoo for the day. I would do it all agAin in a heartbeat. Surgery weight 260 and one year later... I am at 160 and just had plastic surgery removing 6 lbs of skin with tummy tuck. Look good and feel great. A good website is verticalsleevetalk.com. Lots of great info and a big help. Cheers, Dottie

Hi... I had Revision surgery with Dr. Ortiz last September. He removed my lapband and did the Vertical Sleeve. My starting weight was 297 in January 2012... I lost 40 pounds on the pre-op diet... so surgery weight was 257. And now, I am 8 months out from my surgery and at 183! Dr. Miranda set my goal weight at 185... so, if I can do it.....I'm sure you can do it! It has been the best thing that I have done for myself. And Dr. Ortiz and his staff are the very best! I wish you all the very best of luck! And I know everything will go smoothly for you! Another place for good information... which is where I did most of my research... is verticalsleevetalk.com Cheers, Dottie

Anyone having sleeve surgery in September? I am scheduled September 10! Cheers, Dottie

Hi, You can do a deposit with paypal. And then I sent cashier checks to them over a several month period until I was paid in full. If you pay with credit card.. they will charge a fee. Hope this helps. Good luck and congrats on your decision. I am 2 weeks away from my surgery...yeah! Cheers, Dottie

Thanks Lori, Good article... I shared on the Vertical Sleeve Talk forum also. Cheers, Dottie

Hi Joyful, Congratulations and I am so excited for you! I wish you all the very best of luck! I am 28 days away from my Revision surgery with Dr. Ortiz... and like you, I am excited, nervous and scared! Keep my the great work! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Goofy, I have been doing Isopure Whey Protein Shakes for 2 meals a day... with Ostrim Protein Jerkee snacks to keep my energy levels up throughout the day. I blend the Isopure with Soy or Almond milk which gives me a total of 60 grams of protein per shake. The protein has made it a lot easier to stick to it. I have discovered cottage cheese with a can of tuna and egg white omelets. So, I am taking lots of protein in and not too many carbs. It seems to be working for me. I have dropped 34 pounds since February...slow and and steady. Hope this helps. Cheers, Dottie

Hi All, Yes... this forum has gotten very sparse. I found www.lapbandtalk.com several years ago and lots and lots of people are on it all the time. I am now on www.verticalsleevetalk.com which has given me a lot of great info about my upcoming revision surgery. I still monitor this one... but, my posts get two or three replies... whereas, on vertical sleeve talk... I get dozens. Cheers, Dottie

Congrats Bella! You will be at Onederland before you know it! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Eric, Good luck to you! I have been doing my pre-op diet since February. Dr. Miranda wanted me to lose 32 pounds before surgery. My starting weight was 297 in January 2012 and my current weight is 263. I have been able to lose 34 pounds over the last several months.... and I have been using the Isopure also... great stuff. I like the Banana Cream with soy or almond milk and a frozen banana... very rich and creamy. And because I have lost the necessary weight... I now only have to do the liquid only diet for 3 days prior to surgery (September 10) instead of two weeks....yeah! Good luck to you and your revision! Cheers, Dottie

Anyone having Sleeve surgery in September 2012? I will be arriving in San Diego on Sept 9th. And my sleeve revision surgery is scheduled for Monday, September 10th. I will be at the Marriott until Saturday, September 15th. Anyone else going to be there on those dates? Cheers, Dottie

Okay... I am going to show my ignorance... what is PRP? And what does it help/improve? Thanks, Dottie

Hi Everybody, I have heard that cosmetic facial procedures are being offered at OCC/Ariel while people are there for band or sleeve surgery. Has anyone had anything done? And what was your experience? Cheers, Dottie

Hi, I am scheduled to my Revision surgery in September and found a good list on the Vertical Sleeve Talk forum... I will be including some of these things in my to-go bag. Hope this helps! Cheers, Dottie Comfy Pajamas / Nightgowns Loose Under Clothes Warm Socks House Slippers Loose fitting clothes to wear home Small Firm Pillow (seems to help getting up and moving around with pillow pressed against stomach) Laptop or tablet with Skype Cellphone Reading Material or Kindle Reading glasses Eye mask / Ear plugs Camera Pen / Pad of Paper (to jot notes of things said or explained) Throat Lozenges (sugar free) Lip Balm Gas Relief Chewable or strips Body Wipes Heating Pad for pain relief Breath Strips Small Fan Kids Sip Cup

Thanks Guys.... I am forwarding your thoughts to my friends' husband and that will hopefully put his mind to ease about our safety! Thank you, Dottie