QueenOfChunk

I just moved to the Atlanta Area and I am searching for a fill doctor. Anyone know one? TIA

Don't beat yourself up. I ate creamy soup in the airport the day I came home from Tijuana! I think you would know if you slipped. Just give your body time to heal or you'll be sorry!!

My hunger pains between meals was severe! The shoulder pain seemed to be worse then, too. I hear slim fast makes you gassy. I tried to keep something in my stomach in between meals. It may have been wrong but it helped. I was waking up in the night with the pain so I would go and eat a cracker. Gas-X did not help me AT all! But a cracker always did.

I wanted to update & say thank you to Teri & Cyndi! I got a fill this morning in Mesa. It was Wendy's daughter, Tammy who did mine. My first fill! I was stressed out but very pleased. After the fill I went to the back and weighed myself. I feel like the scales could've been wrong... but maybe not. I'm just so excited! It said 215!! Haven't weighed 215 in over 10 years!! My pre-op weight was 270! So thanks for the good info! It was inexpensive and pain free. I hope I have some restriction. We'll see!

Thanks Teri! I am getting my first fill on Sept. 17 by Wendy!! =D> Dr. Ortiz would be appalled that I haven't been filled yet since my May surgery! Some restriction is welcome in my life! Haha.

I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I need some advice. My mom found out through a source that was sworn to secrecy. Needless to say I am no longer friends with the person. She has hurt me in more ways than one. It wasn't fun explaining to my mom about why I did it and why I didn't tell her but much to my surprise... I was more upset than she was about the whole thing and at the end of me telling her everything, she looked at me and said 'Don't ever think you can't tell me something.' It's all good. I just worry about my sister finding out now. Not through my mom but through the small-town grapevine. My sister struggles big time with her weight but she could never afford surgery or probably wouldn't even do it anyway. Her life is total opposite of mine and I don't think she would take it well. And she has a big mouth husband besides. The everyone would know for sure. So my mom asked me the other day, when are you gonna tell your sister. I said NEVER! She said I should. DO you guys worry that someone who doesn't know will find out and be hurt or mad? It's more than just her. My Best Friend doesn't know either. I kinda want to just get it out there and tell everyone... but then I don't want people to know my business!

Teri!! It's nice to see you updating often! I was curious who this 'wendy' is that you use in the Phoenix/Mesa area. Can you get me some info on her? I am in Mesa for the next 3 months & if I don't have to go to Fill Centers or back to TJ... it would be great. You have had some struggles... I hope it smooths out permanently for you. Thanks for any info!

Thanks so much Cyndi. I don't know what the difference is between Wendy and Fill Centers but I will certainly find out. Thanks for your help.

Just curious how the experience was. I will probably be going there within a few weeks! Thanks.

I think time is the only answer to getting rid of ALL the gas. Since it's not in your stomach I don't know if Gas-X would even work. I would suggest walks and heating pads, from experience. It took mine a while. I still wake up some nights in pain from it.

June 21st is my b-day!! I will be 29.... again! It will go good because you picked a perfect day! And it's the 'First Day of Summer'! Congrats!

Oh my Gosh!! Congratulaions!! I'm glad it went well. The countdown is on!! 32 days!! You can do this! Just remember what you'll look like by next summer. OR even think about what you'll look like at Christmas time! It will all be SO worth it! Maybe you will find some other bandsters going on July 18th and become friends. It's a breeze! I couldn't be happier. Was banded Friday! Welcome to the family!

I was self pay...insurance didn't cover. SO I didn't have to have any issues. I can tell you however, that a few years back my friends mother got banded and had a low bmi. She told them she couldn't sleep and they accepted her.

Good Luck Mike! I think it's the right thing to do for alot of people!! It will change your life in so many ways! I hope your consultation goes well. Remember it's a decision only you can make for yourself... You have to do what's best for you. It sounds like you already know the answer!! Dr. Ortiz and OCC are wonderful. I recommend them highly. It couldn't have been better. NO REGRETS! Let us know. >

I suggest if you will be by yourself to pack VERY light. Will someone be helping you carry luggage? If I didn't have hubby, I don't know what I woulda done about all my souveniers and stuff. I could not have lifted those suitcases on my own. (my purse even seemed heavier lol) Not sure if you or family will be making any calls, but from the hotel it is like $2.00 a minute. I had wished I had one of those $5.00 calling cards you can get at gas stations and such here in the states. The cell phones have a full signal and accept incoming calls but we couldn't make outgoing calls. You will be able to call for free from the hospital but not the hotel. Everyone already mentioned everything else I would suggest...maybe a pair of flip-flops for your room. They do give you slip-over shoe cover things but they aren't real shoes. Take maybe a sweatshirt for chilly plane rides and evenings, reading material and that's it. You are allowed one quart size bag of 3 oz or less liquids in your carry on. If you check it in you can have 2 pieces per person up to 50 lbs. each!! Good luck!!

Good Luck May 14th Bandsters! You should be on the road to recovery by now!! I was banded on Friday! I am still surprised at how smoothly everything went. It is a breeze. THe only thing is the gas pain which everyone on here has already mentioned. As long as long as you're moving that gas around in your body, you're ok... but get it settled in there and it is painful! I haven't had luck with Gas-X but the Mylanta Gas chewables were my friend on my flight from the west to east coast. (6 hours) Anyway, just wanted to let you know, I feel great. I'm at work already. And I would recommend Dr. Ortiz to anyone. It was a real pleasure. I'm anxious for what the future holds. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers on Friday.

I don't know if this would be advice. But I can tell you I thought I was going to have a melt down during my preop diet. My body was craving caffeine... I love coffee and drink about a pot a day! I quit smoking a long time ago but with the caffeine cravings came some nicotine cravings that i hadn't had in a very long time then on top of it I was starving for food!! I had a caffeine headache, hunger pains and I wanted a cigarette. The thing is, I go tomorrow!! FINALLY!! But I haven't lost all my preop weight. (8 pounds) I hope I don't get in trouble. I cut back on everything good in my life!! It is hard. I can't wait to be done with this pre-op diet and just be banded. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you're not alone....and I needed to vent! Thanks for listening. You can do it.

Hello! This is for the ones who have already gone to Tijuana. Is there WiFi in the Hotel or Hospital (or both)?? Leaving Thursday!!! =D> =D>

I will be leaving on the 13th! We will just miss each other.

That's not right.

So how are the May bandsters doing? May's here already!!

I'm bumping this thread...still looking for May 11th Bandsters. 16 more days till we leave!! So anxious!

Cool. Thanks. I can see why you wouldn't want to get filled during pregnancy. I'll just ask when I get there.

I know there's a topic about not getting banded while pregnant. But how many of you have been pregnant with the band? Does it effect you or the baby? Are there risks above normal pregnancies? How long did you wait after the band? Does it cause slippage? Pain? Do you get fills? I'm getting banded in May and I want to get preggo after I lose about 50 pounds. Atleast that's my goal anyway. So I'm thinking about a year? Any expercienced boardies? Thanks for helping!

Hello. I am scheduled for May 9th. I will be traveling alone so I would like to have a buddy while I'm there. Is anyone else here for the 9th? Rainbowbrite, Aww man. I'll miss you by one day. I'm arriving May 10th for my pre op then surgery is May 11th. JD