LoriBecky

Hi Mimi, Yes!! I went through the same thing before my surgery, and I didn't find this forum until after surgery. And since I hadn't told anyone but my husband about it (and he was getting tired of my what if scenarios!) I was kinda on my own. This forum is so great (I know I work here... but I really believe that!) everyone is so giving with their support and encouragement. Mimi, it really will be OK. I know the stress level gets up there just before surgery, I didn't sleep much in the days leading up to mine. But I haven't regretted my decision once! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

it is also from taking in less fat! I find I have to condition my hair more often because of my reduced consumption of fat. Make sure you are well hydrated! I use a shea butter body balm at night that really makes my skin feel great and lasts into the next day. You can always call or email Dr. Miranda for advice. Remember, your body needs some fat, even while you are dieting.

as you get farther from your surgery date and closer to that 6 week post-surgery mark - you will notice you have little restriction. What that means is that you are healing well from surgery! Your stomach is recovering from surgery and the swelling has gone down. Just watch what you are eating and make your first fill appointment right around 6 weeks. I waited until 7 weeks post op because I'm a sweller! I really wanted to be completely healed prior to that first fill. Remember... don't see how much you can eat with the band, see how little you can eat and still be satisfied.

If you don't hear back by today, call Rene again tomorrow, he's swamped and might need reminding that you are waiting on him.

When I was there in August for my first fill, I watched a surgery, and believe me, you are in no danger of organ theft - that is too funny. The entire staff at the clinic is amazing and the doctors, I honestly don't even have the right words to tell you how impressed I am with all of them! I'm still laughing about the organ stealing thing (although... you wouldn't catch me alone at night in downtown TJ!)

Of course its OK to be scared! Its surgery, its Mexico, and its the unknown! We are all here for you! Feel free to call or email me anytime with questions or reassurances! The people here on the forum are great!

Give it 10 days, but don't do anything strenuous just yet

Hi JFleming Let me know if you'd like me to schedule a conference call with Dr. Ortiz. I'm sorry you didn't hear back from him, things have been busy. I'd be happy to schedule that for you, just let me know. You can email me at lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com. You can also call or email Dr. Miranda, or call me anytime.

I want pictures!!

Ok - a clarification from Dr. Ortiz, it is purely for ease of "installation" of the port, it does not at all affect the way the port works. Since the current method works great for most patients, he isn't changing his current method of port placement. I hope that helps, and I've asked Inamed to send me information about the ports, so as soon as I get that I"ll scan it and upload it

Hi SLL, I'm moving your post to September Fill Patients

The Pina Colada flavor in C-Light (that's what its called in Mexico) is FANTASTIC!!!! I got mine from the Coscto there. and yes... Crystal light is fine even right after surgery

Here's the link to Chelley's incredibly detailed account of her experience! Chelley's journey

Hi Sally, Dr. Ortiz is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Bariatric Society as well as a proctoring (teaching) doctor for Inamed, the only U.S. approved Lap Band.

OK... i'm no expert on the saliva thing! But, the mushy foods you mentioned are all carbs... which is the last thing that should be on our plate, not the first thing. Protein first, then veggies, then fruit, then carbs. I know it doesn't make sense... chew to goo but don't eat goo hahahaha - but it does make a difference, the scientific evidence of it, I don't know how to answer that. But i've tried soft/mushy food even cereal, etc and i'm hungry much sooner than if I eat, say a piece of chicken, or an egg.

Hi Teresa, I'm moving your post to October Surgery Patients

If you can arrive in San Diego by noon the day before surgery we'll do pre-ops that day. If you have to arrive later than that, or your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, we'll bring you to the hotel straight from the airport the day before surgery (any time) and then pick you up around 8 am from the hotel for pre-ops and surgery. Rene at our clinic does all the transporation coordination so make sure you speak with him to let him know your travel itinerary.

That's my understanding yes... its about how the port is "installed" LOL that sounds strange! I'll see if I can find any illustrations of the different ports and I'll post a link

Ok... since i've had this question a few times I'll tell you I'm down 40 pounds - woohoooo! and my fill went great (yes, just one so far). I will probably need another before the end of the year because i've really lost a lot of inches on the outside... so that means i'm losing them on the inside as well... so i'm not as restricted as I was - but still OK I hesitate to post too much of my personal experience since I want you to know I'm here for YOU... its not about me. I love reading all your posts and your support for each other really encourages me as well. You are my band family

Hi, Basically the "rapid" part just means easier placement for the surgeon - it works the same way as the low-profile port (for the patient and the fill doctor) but doesn't require as much suturing for the doctor during placement. The current low-profile seems to work well with patients and stays in place well, so he'll stick with that one for now.

Its getting harder to see all the time woohooo

I'm so glad you are feeling better. Thanks, I am feeling better too! I had a scrambled egg for breakfast and 1/2 piece of toast. I still feel a little irritated, so I started with a hot cup of green tea first, and that seemed to help. Sometimes taking some extra tums or maalox or something helps to soothe you if you are irritated too. The liquid day helps to calm things down and my scale was down this morning, too - so i'm happy all the way around Keep me posted!

Marys I ate too fast last night and worse it was a dry piece of chicken - big ouch! I, too, stuck with liquids today to give my tummy a rest. I didn't PB and it didn't last long, but I feel irritated today so thought I'd play it safe. Let me know how you are doing.

Chrissy, You might need a fill, but give it some time. Are you working out more? That will make you hungrier, but you may still be losing weight/inches. Give it some time and if you don't see any changes in your size/weight then it might be time to schedule a fill. Laura, my suggestion is to stick with more protein and stay away from the rice/noodles. They won't keep you full as long, they will slide through the band easier (mushy food) and you aren't getting enough protein that way. Try ordering something with chicken in it next time and eat that first, and use the noodles more like a side dish. Let me know how that works. Since you eat less, the quality of your choices is really important.