Had surgery on 12/12...Doing OK, I think!

[Kim927]

Hi, I just had my surgery on 12/12 with Dr. Ortiz. I had been thinking about it for a while, felt this was a much safer way to go than gastric bypass, which I don't think I would ever consider. I found Dr. Ortiz on the internet and went to my husband with all my research. He agreed to let me do it and told me to call soon, as he wanted to use the medical deduction for this years taxes. I knew that was a stretch, as it was already 12/11, and I was expecting lots of out of town company from 12/20 through the New Year! I called that afternoon and was told that there weren't any openings until 12/20 (that wouldn't work) or into January. Carolyn called back soon after that and told me there was an opening the following morning due to a cancellation, and wanted to know if I could make it there by 8:00 am!!!!! I almost freaked, but decided to just go for it! This meant I wasn't able to do the pre-diet, but with my statistics, they thought it would be okay. It was a mad shuffle to fax all the paperwork back and forth, get to the bank, pack and make a few phone calls to family members, but at 5:30 the next morning, my husband and I were on our way, driving to TJ. We live in Riverside County, So. Calif., so that part was fairly easy.

I chose Dr. Ortiz partly because of the cost, which was much less than here in the states, but after all my research, I know that I would have gone to him anyway because of his experience with this surgery. I was reluctant to go to TJ, I hadn't been there in years, mostly because I always wind up in the wrong areas of the town, but they gave us great directions and we had no problem finding the clinic. Just as I've read here from others, everyone that I met there was absolutely wonderful, caring knowledgable. It was a beautifully clean and comfortable clinic, and I can truthfully say, that I have never received such care in a facility here! The surgery went smoothly, Dr. Ortiz even fixed the hiatal hernia that was causing my acid reflux for more years than I can even remember. I haven't had to take meds for that since! I was pretty groggy the rest of the afternoon and evening, some soreness, but not too bad. I did have pain from the gas they use, in my shoulders, neck and collarbone area, which I wasn't expecting, but that went away in a few days. My husband spent the night in the hotel while I stayed at the clinic that night. He said the hotel was very nice, but I opted not to go there the next night and we headed home the following day around 11:30 am.

I spent another day resting at home, and my tummy area became very black and purple with bruising, but then I bruise easily. I was out grocery shopping by the next day, and within a few days was running around like crazy, getting ready for the holidays. I followed the liquid diet pretty well, with just a tiny bit of cheating, but only with things I could pretty much liquify in my mouth. I will tell you, it was pretty hard when I was cooking all the yummy holiday things for everyone else! I did do that b-ping thing a couple times, but it wasn't bad. I really haven't had much problem, have been able to eat pretty much what I've wanted, but I am trying to eat healthy, get plenty of protein and watch my portions. It's now been just over a month and I've lost 18lbs. It's been a struggle at times, as I don't feel like I have much restriction, but I'm hanging in there and feeling better already. I have also noticed that my allergies have not been as bad, so maybe some of them are food related. My bruising is finally gone and I have 4 tiny scars and one about an inch long. They don't look too bad and are starting to fade already. I'm a little nervous about having the fill, but also looking forward to the next phase of this process and hoping to kick it up a notch!

This is my first time ever even looking at any sort of chat room type of site, but I figured we can all help each other by sharing our experiences here. I'm very happy I took this step, even though I felt like I was taking the wussy way out , and I know that it's going to lead me to a healthy life! It's gonna be interesting!!

Kim

[Littleroo27]

Hey there,

Just wanted to say that I'm in San Diego, near downtown

Beth

[John Ketron]

I am in Orange County, all is going well here. I hope everything is good for you

[tjwhb]

Hi my name is Tom and I am in Huntington Beach. I was banded on the 10th of January by Dr. Ortiz and all is well I think!

I did get the vg band so I am not sure when the fills will work I have read the stories and hope mine will go smoothly.

I am on the liquid stage and have been for 1 week post op and the 1 week pre op other than growling I am not doing to bad with

it. I do drink lots of water.

[CalKev]

Kim Welcome,

I am Kevin and I live in Loma Linda (It's about half way between L.A. and Palm Springs).

Best of luck on your new band. CalKev

[debi]

I live in san diego too. I will be ready for a fill around feburary 9th if anyone would like too go. I was planning on driving to the boarder parking on the

U S side, walking across, getting a cab to the office then returning the same day. I think a weekday is the best time to go as far as the line coming back. I live in clairemont, right by the bay, i feel very lucky to live so close to the office that i can go get my fills without any transportaion problem. good luck everyone.

debi

[stevek]

Hi, I just had my surgery on 12/12 with Dr. Ortiz. I had been thinking about it for a while, felt this was a much safer way to go than gastric bypass, which I don't think I would ever consider. I found Dr. Ortiz on the internet and went to my husband with all my research. He agreed to let me do it and told me to call soon, as he wanted to use the medical deduction for this years taxes. I knew that was a stretch, as it was already 12/11, and I was expecting lots of out of town company from 12/20 through the New Year! I called that afternoon and was told that there weren't any openings until 12/20 (that wouldn't work) or into January. Carolyn called back soon after that and told me there was an opening the following morning due to a cancellation, and wanted to know if I could make it there by 8:00 am!!!!! I almost freaked, but decided to just go for it! This meant I wasn't able to do the pre-diet, but with my statistics, they thought it would be okay. It was a mad shuffle to fax all the paperwork back and forth, get to the bank, pack and make a few phone calls to family members, but at 5:30 the next morning, my husband and I were on our way, driving to TJ. We live in Riverside County, So. Calif., so that part was fairly easy.

I chose Dr. Ortiz partly because of the cost, which was much less than here in the states, but after all my research, I know that I would have gone to him anyway because of his experience with this surgery. I was reluctant to go to TJ, I hadn't been there in years, mostly because I always wind up in the wrong areas of the town, but they gave us great directions and we had no problem finding the clinic. Just as I've read here from others, everyone that I met there was absolutely wonderful, caring knowledgable. It was a beautifully clean and comfortable clinic, and I can truthfully say, that I have never received such care in a facility here! The surgery went smoothly, Dr. Ortiz even fixed the hiatal hernia that was causing my acid reflux for more years than I can even remember. I haven't had to take meds for that since! I was pretty groggy the rest of the afternoon and evening, some soreness, but not too bad. I did have pain from the gas they use, in my shoulders, neck and collarbone area, which I wasn't expecting, but that went away in a few days. My husband spent the night in the hotel while I stayed at the clinic that night. He said the hotel was very nice, but I opted not to go there the next night and we headed home the following day around 11:30 am.

I spent another day resting at home, and my tummy area became very black and purple with bruising, but then I bruise easily. I was out grocery shopping by the next day, and within a few days was running around like crazy, getting ready for the holidays. I followed the liquid diet pretty well, with just a tiny bit of cheating, but only with things I could pretty much liquify in my mouth. I will tell you, it was pretty hard when I was cooking all the yummy holiday things for everyone else! I did do that b-ping thing a couple times, but it wasn't bad. I really haven't had much problem, have been able to eat pretty much what I've wanted, but I am trying to eat healthy, get plenty of protein and watch my portions. It's now been just over a month and I've lost 18lbs. It's been a struggle at times, as I don't feel like I have much restriction, but I'm hanging in there and feeling better already. I have also noticed that my allergies have not been as bad, so maybe some of them are food related. My bruising is finally gone and I have 4 tiny scars and one about an inch long. They don't look too bad and are starting to fade already. I'm a little nervous about having the fill, but also looking forward to the next phase of this process and hoping to kick it up a notch!

This is my first time ever even looking at any sort of chat room type of site, but I figured we can all help each other by sharing our experiences here. I'm very happy I took this step, even though I felt like I was taking the wussy way out , and I know that it's going to lead me to a healthy life! It's gonna be interesting!!

Kim

[stevek]

Thanks for sharing your experience!!! I'm having surgery on February 2nd with Dr Ortiz- I chose him due to a recommendation but have become more and more confident in the choice after reading so many positive experiences. I'm really looking forward to getting this done and taking that step toward a more positive life. I look forward to sharing experiences with folks who are going through the same thing. Best of luck to you!!!

Hi, I just had my surgery on 12/12 with Dr. Ortiz. I had been thinking about it for a while, felt this was a much safer way to go than gastric bypass, which I don't think I would ever consider. I found Dr. Ortiz on the internet and went to my husband with all my research. He agreed to let me do it and told me to call soon, as he wanted to use the medical deduction for this years taxes. I knew that was a stretch, as it was already 12/11, and I was expecting lots of out of town company from 12/20 through the New Year! I called that afternoon and was told that there weren't any openings until 12/20 (that wouldn't work) or into January. Carolyn called back soon after that and told me there was an opening the following morning due to a cancellation, and wanted to know if I could make it there by 8:00 am!!!!! I almost freaked, but decided to just go for it! This meant I wasn't able to do the pre-diet, but with my statistics, they thought it would be okay. It was a mad shuffle to fax all the paperwork back and forth, get to the bank, pack and make a few phone calls to family members, but at 5:30 the next morning, my husband and I were on our way, driving to TJ. We live in Riverside County, So. Calif., so that part was fairly easy.

I chose Dr. Ortiz partly because of the cost, which was much less than here in the states, but after all my research, I know that I would have gone to him anyway because of his experience with this surgery. I was reluctant to go to TJ, I hadn't been there in years, mostly because I always wind up in the wrong areas of the town, but they gave us great directions and we had no problem finding the clinic. Just as I've read here from others, everyone that I met there was absolutely wonderful, caring knowledgable. It was a beautifully clean and comfortable clinic, and I can truthfully say, that I have never received such care in a facility here! The surgery went smoothly, Dr. Ortiz even fixed the hiatal hernia that was causing my acid reflux for more years than I can even remember. I haven't had to take meds for that since! I was pretty groggy the rest of the afternoon and evening, some soreness, but not too bad. I did have pain from the gas they use, in my shoulders, neck and collarbone area, which I wasn't expecting, but that went away in a few days. My husband spent the night in the hotel while I stayed at the clinic that night. He said the hotel was very nice, but I opted not to go there the next night and we headed home the following day around 11:30 am.

I spent another day resting at home, and my tummy area became very black and purple with bruising, but then I bruise easily. I was out grocery shopping by the next day, and within a few days was running around like crazy, getting ready for the holidays. I followed the liquid diet pretty well, with just a tiny bit of cheating, but only with things I could pretty much liquify in my mouth. I will tell you, it was pretty hard when I was cooking all the yummy holiday things for everyone else! I did do that b-ping thing a couple times, but it wasn't bad. I really haven't had much problem, have been able to eat pretty much what I've wanted, but I am trying to eat healthy, get plenty of protein and watch my portions. It's now been just over a month and I've lost 18lbs. It's been a struggle at times, as I don't feel like I have much restriction, but I'm hanging in there and feeling better already. I have also noticed that my allergies have not been as bad, so maybe some of them are food related. My bruising is finally gone and I have 4 tiny scars and one about an inch long. They don't look too bad and are starting to fade already. I'm a little nervous about having the fill, but also looking forward to the next phase of this process and hoping to kick it up a notch!

This is my first time ever even looking at any sort of chat room type of site, but I figured we can all help each other by sharing our experiences here. I'm very happy I took this step, even though I felt like I was taking the wussy way out , and I know that it's going to lead me to a healthy life! It's gonna be interesting!!

Kim

[Kim927]

Hi to everyone that's written back! I'm still hanging in there, lost about 19 1/2 lbs. now, but it's slowed down quite a bit. I know it's time for me to start exercising more, so I'm going to work on that. I have all the equipment, so I really don't have an excuse! My husband has next Wed. off, so I'm going to try to go down to TJ for my first fill. I guess it depends on if I can get an appt. for that day or not. We went to get passports a few weeks ago, but were told we didn't need them for driving there until 2008, so I sure hope that's correct! Now that things have healed up pretty well, I don't notice any real restriction and feel like I could eat quite a bit, but I'm really trying to keep my portions down. I sure notice that my tummy has gotten very noisy lately, which could get embarrassing if that keeps up. I'll check back in after I get my fill and let you guys know how that went.

Thanks, Kim

[Littleroo27]

About the passport thing - that is correct They are kind of phasing it in with air travel this year and land travel next... I really hope I lose some weight before I have to get a new passport photo taken!!!

Hi to everyone that's written back! I'm still hanging in there, lost about 19 1/2 lbs. now, but it's slowed down quite a bit. I know it's time for me to start exercising more, so I'm going to work on that. I have all the equipment, so I really don't have an excuse! My husband has next Wed. off, so I'm going to try to go down to TJ for my first fill. I guess it depends on if I can get an appt. for that day or not. We went to get passports a few weeks ago, but were told we didn't need them for driving there until 2008, so I sure hope that's correct! Now that things have healed up pretty well, I don't notice any real restriction and feel like I could eat quite a bit, but I'm really trying to keep my portions down. I sure notice that my tummy has gotten very noisy lately, which could get embarrassing if that keeps up. I'll check back in after I get my fill and let you guys know how that went.

Thanks, Kim

[Kim927]

Hi Everyone! Well my husband and I drove down to TJ today so that I could get my first fill. I was a bit nervous, not looking forward to the needle thing, but I can honestly say, it was no big deal at all! Much easier than getting a blood test! They put in 1.7 CC's and told me to stay on liquids for 3 days. I really didn't feel any restriction at all before this and my weight loss had slowed a lot in the past 2 weeks. I'm down 21 lbs. now, but have been wanting to kick that up. There was a lady there that had lost 127 lbs. in the past year, so that was very encouraging. I don't have that much to lose, but still a lot more than 20 lbs.! I think she said she was able to do that on only one fill too! I was nervous of feeling too tight, as there was a very nice man in the clinic today from WA (HI if you read this!) who had to come back after having too large of a fill yesterday and had a very uncomfortable night. They took some out for him, so I hope he's doing better now! Also, I've read many other comments on this forum about that, and it doesn't sound like much fun! Anyway, so far, so good! I really don't feel any different at all! And I'll even confess, I cheated a bit earlier and ate a little bit of pineapple and a few tiny bites of turkey lunch meat as I was making lunches for tomorrow! No problem, but I will behave for the next couple days, as I surely don't want to do any damage.

If any others are worried about the fill process like I was, I just want to let you know that it was a very easy and painless process. It was a bit weird to sit up and have this syringe hanging out of me, so I just didn't look at that, and it was kind of interesting to watch how the fluids go down on the monitor. I just hope this gives me some good restriction now, I'll keep you posted. Hope everyone is doing well!

Kim

[Littleroo27]

That is such a good thing to hear. Some people have bad fill experiences, but I think it just depends on who is doing it and just how much you hate needles. I agree with you about watching the fluid move on the x-ray screen! I had to do a barrium swallow a couple years ago to make sure my IBS wasn't anything more severe and it took FOREVER, but I got to stare at the screen a lot as I drank the stuff and watched it go through everything. Very neat. They should give you a recording of it and you could use it as a desktop screensaver or something, lol.

Hi Everyone! Well my husband and I drove down to TJ today so that I could get my first fill. I was a bit nervous, not looking forward to the needle thing, but I can honestly say, it was no big deal at all! Much easier than getting a blood test! They put in 1.7 CC's and told me to stay on liquids for 3 days. I really didn't feel any restriction at all before this and my weight loss had slowed a lot in the past 2 weeks. I'm down 21 lbs. now, but have been wanting to kick that up. There was a lady there that had lost 127 lbs. in the past year, so that was very encouraging. I don't have that much to lose, but still a lot more than 20 lbs.! I think she said she was able to do that on only one fill too! I was nervous of feeling too tight, as there was a very nice man in the clinic today from WA (HI if you read this!) who had to come back after having too large of a fill yesterday and had a very uncomfortable night. They took some out for him, so I hope he's doing better now! Also, I've read many other comments on this forum about that, and it doesn't sound like much fun! Anyway, so far, so good! I really don't feel any different at all! And I'll even confess, I cheated a bit earlier and ate a little bit of pineapple and a few tiny bites of turkey lunch meat as I was making lunches for tomorrow! No problem, but I will behave for the next couple days, as I surely don't want to do any damage.

If any others are worried about the fill process like I was, I just want to let you know that it was a very easy and painless process. It was a bit weird to sit up and have this syringe hanging out of me, so I just didn't look at that, and it was kind of interesting to watch how the fluids go down on the monitor. I just hope this gives me some good restriction now, I'll keep you posted. Hope everyone is doing well!

Kim

[LoriBecky]

Hey,

Yes... the man that needed the unfill is doing just fine now. It happens sometimes, a bit too much restriction - you feel OK at the clinic - but he must have swollen a bit from the fill and that caused it to be too tight - but he's OK I spoke with him right after his unfill.

Here is the link to the info about the passport changes - no worries about driving across the border for awhile.. its proposed to change January 2008 - but that's just a proposed date: New Passport Info

There's also info there on how to apply for a passport and even downloadable forms

[Kim927]

Hi, well I guess I have some restriction now. It's kind of odd to get used to. I didn't notice any difference at first when I started eating solids again, but then on the second day of that, I tried to eat some scrambled eggs that kept getting stuck, so I gave them up and waited for a couple hours to eat again. Fluids go down just fine, as do lots of other things, but I feel the restriction with meat items mostly. Eating chicken for the first time was uncomfortable, but I'm learning to just eat very tiny bites and chew them to death! That's fine, I'm assuming that's the way it's suppose to work, so I can do that! The other day I was able to eat almost a whole bag of those Quaker rice snack things, expecting to get full on just a few, but never did, which surprised me. I was kind of testing how much restriction I had, but I guess that's just a food that will pass easily, so I'll have to watch myself when I eat those again!! I think the thing I'm having the hardest time with is getting enough fluids in. I was one that would usually drink most of my fluids at mealtimes, so I just forget to drink as often as I should during the day. I'm trying to work on that too.

All in all, I think it's going pretty well. I'm down 24 1/2lbs. now, still going slowly, but as long as it's moving in that direction, I'm happy! Thanks Lori for letting me know about the gentleman that had some of his fill removed. He did seem like he was doing much better after that. He was very nice and gave me lots of ideas. It's always fun to meet people in the clinic and listen to their experiences. Glad to know that the passport thing isn't a problem for now as long as we're driving over.

Kim

[Kim927]

Hi, just wanted to let you guys know that I hit the 25lb. mark yesterday. It's still going slow, but I have started to notice my clothes are getting pretty loose, no problem there, as I have at least 3 sizes smaller to still wear in my closet!! The most exciting thing lately is that while I was typing earlier today I noticed that I have wrists now! What? Yes, wrists! Before, several of my bracelets were getting too tight to wear, just imagine how embarrassing it is for your husband to give you a pretty diamond bracelet (which is VERY rare) for Christmas, in front of all your relatives, and it's too small!!! Well, actually I could get it on, but it was tight, but the good news is that it fits now and is even loose! Before, my wrists looked like pillows with a rubber band around them, but now they look like....well...just normal wrists! Yeah! This probably sounds silly to most of you, I guess it's a girl thing, and at this point I'm learning to celebrate even the smallest things, and NOT with food!

Smiles, Kim

[Teri]

Hi, just wanted to let you guys know that I hit the 25lb. mark yesterday. It's still going slow, but I have started to notice my clothes are getting pretty loose, no problem there, as I have at least 3 sizes smaller to still wear in my closet!! The most exciting thing lately is that while I was typing earlier today I noticed that I have wrists now! What? Yes, wrists! Before, several of my bracelets were getting too tight to wear, just imagine how embarrassing it is for your husband to give you a pretty diamond bracelet (which is VERY rare) for Christmas, in front of all your relatives, and it's too small!!! Well, actually I could get it on, but it was tight, but the good news is that it fits now and is even loose! Before, my wrists looked like pillows with a rubber band around them, but now they look like....well...just normal wrists! Yeah! This probably sounds silly to most of you, I guess it's a girl thing, and at this point I'm learning to celebrate even the smallest things, and NOT with food!

Smiles, Kim

Congrats Kim on celebrating things without the food, and your awesome weight loss. I dont think it sounds silly at all, all of us have experienced the awful sight of something that looks to small on us. #-o Your doing great!! Teri

[cleo6666]

Your wrists with your braclet is what I've heard called (by my lapband buddies) an NSV.

"NON-SCALE VICTORY"

Yeah! =D>

I'm having a similar one today, but it's with my pants ( bought when they were too tight last august). I have to keep pulling them up. LOL.

~M

[Kim927]

Thanks Ladies, we've got to be able to laugh at ourselves, right?! Hope everyone had a nice Valentines Day, and survived it without going into a chocolate coma! Unfortunately, that's a holiday that is usually lost at our house. It comes a couple days after one of my sons birthday, and right before my husbands, therefore is often ignored. But wouldn't you know it, my husband decides to acknowledge it this year by bringing me home a large box of yummy looking chocolate covered strawberries!!! He goes, well, you can have one a day, it won't hurt you. He just doesn't get it! One, they wouldn't last that long before they went bad, and two, I don't want to open the fridge and see them staring at me for that long, calling my name. Soooo, I had to eat a couple (just so I wouldn't hurt his feeling of course!!) and then I fed the rest to him and my son for dessert. Actually, I really think that was his plan all along, but I'll forgive him!

Michelle, now I have your NSV thing stuck in my head, and I'm having fun with it! My scale has been whacky lately. I was down 25 lbs., then one day the scale showed I was down 28, then the next 25 again, and then 25 1/2, and then today it was back to 27 1/2, so I've decided I'm claiming at least 27 and not going to jump on the scale for a couple days. Maybe by then it will stick!! But the good news is that I'm finding lots of new NSV's, like a size smaller in my jeans, my tops are loose, more energy, and my fingers aren't swelling because my rings are too tight! Of couse along with those things, comes the areas that are starting to sag some, but I don't care if I have to hold everything up with bungee cords when all is said and done, I'm still going to do this!

Becki, if you read this, your new picture is sooo cute, darling girls!! Now for the dumb question...How do I put a picture on here?? I hate having my picture taken, but it makes this so much more personal and I feel like I know each of you more when I have a visual.

Lets keep having fun!

Kim

[Kim927]

Hi Everyone, thought I'd give you an update. I'm down 30 lbs. now, but haven't lost anything in the past 2 1/2 weeks. I just spent 2 weeks in the Denver area, spending time with my son, daughter-in-law and 5 mo. grandaughter, who I could hardly stand to leave. I sooo enjoyed spoiling her while I was there! I'm not sure if I need another fill or not at this point. I still struggle getting down my proteins, but it's not as bad as before. I have found that many other things go down just fine, and in quantity! I've been trying to stay away from high cal stuff, but have been eating too many carbs, and I'm sure that's why the weight loss has slowed. I really have to get back on board with eating healthy and up my excercise program (and by that I mean...get an excercise program!!). I've been letting the old "craving demon" get to me lately and I have to put him to bed again! I saw a program on TLC tonight about a man that was 1000 lbs., so if that wasn't incentive enough, I don't know what is, poor guy! I started at 235, and am now down to 205 and I'm looking forward to breaking that 200 mark for my next goal! Wish me luck!

Kim

[Teri]

Hi Everyone, thought I'd give you an update. I'm down 30 lbs. now, but haven't lost anything in the past 2 1/2 weeks. I just spent 2 weeks in the Denver area, spending time with my son, daughter-in-law and 5 mo. grandaughter, who I could hardly stand to leave. I sooo enjoyed spoiling her while I was there! I'm not sure if I need another fill or not at this point. I still struggle getting down my proteins, but it's not as bad as before. I have found that many other things go down just fine, and in quantity! I've been trying to stay away from high cal stuff, but have been eating too many carbs, and I'm sure that's why the weight loss has slowed. I really have to get back on board with eating healthy and up my excercise program (and by that I mean...get an excercise program!!). I've been letting the old "craving demon" get to me lately and I have to put him to bed again! I saw a program on TLC tonight about a man that was 1000 lbs., so if that wasn't incentive enough, I don't know what is, poor guy! I started at 235, and am now down to 205 and I'm looking forward to breaking that 200 mark for my next goal! Wish me luck!

Kim

Good Luck Kim!!!!!!!!!!!! Breaking a goal is a fantastic feeling, especially a weight loss gaol.

Teri

[Pamela]

Thanks for the update!! You are doing good. Just add some brisk walking exercises into your weekly routine and you should be fine!!

Good luck!