LoriBecky

Support & Coordinate with other February Fill patients here. Remember you can share the round trip transportation from our driver $130 round trip - up to 6 passengers (Call Rene ext 2 to schedule your fill & ride) Or you can schedule your fill and take the Bus/Trolley

Hi Cherry, First let me tell you, you are welcome to call or email Dr. Miranda anytime. Once a patient of ours, always a patient! You can reach her at the toll free number ext. 86. As far as calorie intake, I don't really have a number for you. Eat as little as you can with the band to feel satisifed, instead of seeing how much you can eat. Try to stay to 1/3 of your pre-op intake. I usually can eat about 1/2 of a chicken breast and some salad or veggies for lunch or dinner. Most mornings I'm really restricted, so I don't have much breakfast and tend to stick to protein shakes (i know i know - we are supposed to chew all our calories... but I don't have time in the mornings to baby my band so I drink my breakfast!!) I will tell you that I let myself have one little treat per day (sometimes I go a little overboard, but generally keep it in check) a small piece of chocolate, or some low fat ice cream or pudding. I need that to not feel deprived, I think its very important to my long term success. I understand it may take me a little longer to get to my goal... but that's OK with me! Once you have your band, if you are doing all the right things, and hit a plateau for more than a few weeks and you stop losing inches as well... it may be time for another fill Most people average 2 -3 fills, some do need more, some need less, but only you know your body. If you find your are able to eat food more quickly, or are easily eating more than 1/3 of your pre-surgery intake... call and schedule a fill

hang on Kelli! It makes a HUGE difference once you get your restriction! You can call the toll free number, ext 2 and schedule your fill for 6 weeks post-op! You don't truly start experiencing life with the band until your fill! You will still hit plateau's with the band, I hit one for 4 weeks with no weight loss, but the inches kept creeping off, I added more protein and made sure I was making healthy choices, and the weight loss really started again. Don't let set-backs get you down. Get your fill scheduled! Our body does react to the re-introduction of food after the liquids, I think most people gain a little because your body holds onto it! Make sure you are making healthy choices, protein first, carbs last and watch the liquid calorie intake

we are currently working on getting a dentist in our office, so that is something to consider when you come for your surgery or a fill

I know this sounds harsh, but think of your port incision much like a stab wound. You need time to heal. Also, as you heal, your nerves will start to heal and can give you some random "firing" its normal! If you port incision starts to get red, swollen or hot, you need to see a doctor

Thanks so much! Its nice to hear that we are appreciated. I know some people don't feel like they get enough from us, but we do stive to give each patient the best care we can! If anybody has a specific question they'd like answered, please remember to email me directly :-h

the port is actually not directly under the incision. Generally it is directly above or below the incision, this helps to prevent scar tissue from forming over the incision. You are feeling some extra fluid & scar tissue forming right under the incision. If it becomes more painful, red or feels hot, you need to contact a doctor

Hi Dale, Feel free to call or email me anytime for information about Obesity Control Center and Dr. Oritz

Take a look here VG Band Info I explain the differences between the bands.

As you can see.... our forum has been updated! This should help with the Spambots and perverts!! Take a look around, the changes seem pretty self explanatory, but if you have any questions... feel free to NOT ASK ME hahahaha I'm so not a computer guru... maybe ask Kevin!

Hi Kym, I'm working on the rest of the things you need - email me with your fax # I am not a tax expert (by ANY stretch of the imagination) so please check with a tax professional if you have questions about what you can write off and how much you can write off!

Its not uncommon to have more restriction in the morning. Not sure why, but it happens. Some bandsters find drinking a warm liquid prior to trying to eat helps. I'm so busy in the morning and I do have more restriction in the morning that I find I do better with a protein shake. I don't have time to sit and eat slowly (3 kids... different schools!) so I take a protein shake with me when I'm dropping them off. On the weekends, when I have more time (ok... really just on Saturday morning) I have real food. Just know - PBing and throwing up don't HAVE to be part of your band life, its not uncommon, but it can be avoided by eating slowly, chewing well and taking only small bites. Almost 6 months banded here and no PBing... yet LOL

Welcome to our Band Family!! Support other February Lap Band Patients here!

moving post up c'mon January patients - I KNOW you are out there :-h

Hey Marissa, If you'd like any information, feel free to call me directly

Here is a link to my post on this subject Photo's in profile

Check your email and let me know what else you need

That's my plan

I haven't had trouble with any of my meds, but before you break any pills, check with your pharmacist

I'd be interested to know. Its not a requirement for surgery at OCC, thank goodness LOL

It takes a long time for the stomach to "die" after a band slip and you KNOW something is very wrong for a long time before this happens. This person had to have made a decision to ignore the warning signs that something was wrong with their band. We recently had a patient that went for months knowing her band had slipped, but was losing weight so chose to ignore the signs until it was almost too late. She was rushed down to our clinic for emergency removal of her band when she was no longer able to keep even liquids down and the patient is fine and looking forward to healing so her band can be put back into place! Listen to your body. If your body tells you something is wrong, call the doctor!!! None of the rare complications from the band should cause a life threatening problem! Call if you experience a symptom you don't understand! Our patients are given cell phone numbers for our docs. If you experience an emergency GO TO THE ER or call 911! I'd be very interested in getting more information on the patient the poster is talking about. Lap-Band is by far the safest weight loss surgery out there! That's a proven fact! Do your research!! Diets fail 95% of the time! So the just diet remark is ridiculous!!

Hi Kev, Thanks for posting the info Kevin. We will soon have that information on our website so new patients will know they may need a passport by December of 2007. I'm still not convinced this will actually be implemented. Mexico doesn't require a passport to enter, and i'm not sure the U.S. will really require a passport to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico... so we'll watch and see and keep you posted

hmmmm.... Greg are you cute? lol I'm thinking they are keeping you in mind for testimonial pics I didn't get the neck rub!!! But the nurse was so sweet to me and held my hand the night after surgery when I was missing my kids and couldn't get to sleep. I have NEVER received such wonderful care anywhere!!

I have NO idea what the "green bottle" is LOL

Were you banded at Obesity Control Center? If so... I suggest you call the doctor on his cell phone. He may want to order an endoscopy on you to see what's going on! It is possible to irritate your band site and cause swelling - by PBing too often, not chewing your food throroughly. That's then we will usually tell a patient to do liquids for a couple of days, to let yourself heal then start slowly on food... chew slowly! small bites! and no liquid while eating.