LoriBecky

Hellooooo Chicken lady Yes.. you are famous - but I'm glad it all turned out OK This is a great post for new and future bandsters!! We aren't just trying to make you suffer through when we put you on the liquid diet, it really does have a purpose! Keep us posted on your progress

Miriam, I'm sorry if you feel like you aren't getting the answers you need. Please let me know what I haven't answered for you, or if you'd like a phone call. I return every email that I get and try to answer all the questions, if I've missed something I'd like to make it right. Please get in touch with me personally. Right now I'm at an Obesity Help convention, but I'll be back in the office on Monday. I'll also send you a personal email in case you don't glance at the boards today. I also don't have a voicemail from you Miriam, I am really good about returning calls because I hate that, too! We generally don't schedule conference calls between Patients and Dr. Miranda. Usually patients call her directly from the information provided in the packet we send you. If you'd like me to schedule a conference call, I'd be more than happy to schedule that with you. What morning next week would work for you?

Hi all, Rene and I will be at the Obesity Help Convention on Saturday, September 9th at the Hilton in Universal City, California. If any of you are in the area, we'd love to see you! You can get information at the Obesity Help website under events.

Hi Okie, Just wanted to check and see how you are feeling??

Hi Shal, Different doctors have different opinions for the pre-op diet, and how long you are on it will depend on your BMI. The purpose of the pre-op diet is two-fold, to help you lose weight (especially around your abdomen) but also to help shrink your liver, which makes the surgery safer for you and easier for the doctor. Our patients receive general information about the liquid diet for one week prior to surgery, but if they have a higher BMI (or a low BMI) then we have them speak directly with our nutritionist for specific pre-op diet instructions.

Thanks for sharing Roo I thought I'd put this link from our website here, there are several pictures of the clinic. Just click on each picture to make it larger. Clinic Pictures

I financed about half of my surgery through eloans. The interest rate wasn't so bad, but the "funding fee" is high, but I wanted the surgery now instead of later, so it was worth it to me. I think you need to weigh (hahaha) all your options and go with what works best for you. I think one of the reasons the rate and fee are higher is because it is surgery outside the U.S. and there are several medical loan companies that won't work with you at all on procedures out of the U.S.

I don't have problems with scrambled eggs at all, in fact its one of the things I can eat in the morning. I either do a scrambled egg or a protein shake because I feel a lot of restriction in the morning. I usually end up doing a protein shake because I'm running around like a crazy woman most mornings, but on the weekend I do a scrambled egg.

I can't imagine that a flavor packet, fully dissolved is a problem, it would be like making chicken broth from a boullion cube. I really found that boiling my own chicken, with onions, garlic and seasoning then straining it and drinking the broth tasted better than any canned broth or stock. By the way... who made ME the band nazi... that's kepola's husband!!! Just no chunks, and nothing thick or creamy until after day 10.

Yikes Okie! I'm asking Dr. Ortiz if he has any suggestions!

Hi James, So glad you came through surgery well. Please let me know if you have any questions and keep me posted of your progress!

OK... i have someone working on the spanish version of the directions

Per Dr. Ortiz its more about listening to your body. Don't do too much, and if you feel any discomfort, ease up! Three weeks is usually OK, but again, listen to your body!

Hi Janel, If you have any questions about Dr. Ortiz requirements of surgery, just give me a call or email me

Hi, Amazon is out of copies, as is our office. Dr. Ortiz is currently looking for a new publisher, so hopefully, we'll have new books in soon. I'm investigating "digital books" so you can buy it online or DVD and read it on your computer or print important pages, that way we can get it to you sooner! I'll keep you posted.

They do have you check out of the hotel, but if you really don't want to (if you've been shopping at lot!) just let Mrs. Ortiz know when she picks you up and let them know at the front desk. The hotel prefers if you check out if the room is empty, but will make exceptions.

She shouldn't be vomitting or PBing frequently. Remember to Chew to Goo and eat slowly. I was told that eventually, everyone will have a PB moment, so far I've been able to avoid that <knocking on wood>, but I know someday I'll forget to chew like I should and I'll end up doing it - but I hope I can avoid it as long as possible!

Looks like everything is OK now - but let me know if there are any other problems.

Hi Rid, glad all seems to be going well. If you really feel your energy is diminishing - you could be getting dehydrated... so keep drinking!

You shouldn't have any restriction for water, if you are having trouble drinking water, your fill may be too tight. Rid... you can drink water all day. I think the grazing comes in after you are able to eat - but now you need to keep hydrated, be it popsicles, water, diluted juice, clear broth, etc - keep hydrated. I drank in sips all day long after surgery.

You'd need to wait until you go to full liquid phase, day 10. No chunks!

Karen, Congratulations!!! Please keep us posted on your progress, and if you have any questions or concerns, please call or email me anytime!

Did Inamed take care of the cost to replace your defective band? My understanding is that there is a warranty on the band and if it is truly a defective band (not a puncture to the port or tubing) that Inamed will replace it. I could be wrong, but you might want to check into that.

Hi Rid, Your port site will be sore for a couple of weeks. I really understand why after watching a surgery - they really have to do some manuvering (and some skin stretching) to get the port in place without cutting a larger incision than absolutely necessary! I ended up wearing a bandage over my port site for a couple of weeks because even my shirt brushing against it irritated me... and going without real food for awhile... i was irriated enough hahahaha Hope all goes smoothly

We do fills Monday - Saturday. Fills on Saturday are usually scheduled from 10 - 2. You can call Rene at the clinic 1-866-376-7849 ext 83 to schedule your fill. They are $100 with fluroscopy for our patients, that's the only way we do fills. If you aren't a patient of Dr. Ortiz the fill is $350 and we need a copy of your surgical report, the report on any previous fills, and your band size information.