I had my lap band surgery July 24, and I'm happy to report the surgery went extremely well. I ended up not needing an endoscopy after all since it had been a year and half when I had my first lap band removed.
Although it's the same doctor who put my first lap band in, I'm amazed at how much better this surgery went vs. my first band. I credit this to being in much better shape physically and that I followed the doctor’s instructions to the letter this time. In addition I’m pleased that Dr. Ortiz’s staff has gotten even better in every thing they do over when I had it done the first time 4 years ago.
Here is a quick recap and time line of my second lap band experience:
July 16th
- Started reduced pre-operative daily diet of 2 protein diet shakes, 1 Lean Cuisine meal plus fruits and vegetables, about 600 calories a day;
- Continued walking 45 minutes 5 days a week;
- Stopped drinking alcohol;
- Lost roughly 8 pounds over this week.
July 24th -Surgery Day
- Arrived at the Obesity Control Clinic (Dr. Ortiz’s clinic) at 9:15 a.m met with the Nutrition (a doctor) who ran through all of the facets of the 21 post operative liquid diet, got weighted and measured, discussed weight loss expectations, and all facets of the how to eat with the band after the 21 day liquid diet;
- Met with their Cardiologist; answered health questionnaire, got an EKG;
- Met with the Post Operative doctor to go over more details of care after the surgery;
- Got prepped for surgery;
- Rolled me into surgery around 11:30 a.m., and was done around noon;
- Woke up in recovery an hour later, feeling pretty good and was moved to a private room where I was given some pain medicine and anti-nausea medicine in my IV;
- Around 9 p.m. that evening they removed my IV;
- Spent that evening in the clinic.
July 25th Friday
- Checked out of the clinic by 8 a.m. -- went back to our Hotel room;
- Had some clear chicken broth (Hotel Lucerna has the best);
- Felt so good we booked an earlier flight back to Phoenix to leave at 2:10pm from San Diego Airport (1 day earlier than planned);
- Took shuttle bus at 11:30 a.m. back to San Diego airport. At the TJ border they had closed the bus line down for a while so we had to walk through customs and show our ID and caught another shuttle bus outside the gate which took us the rest of the way to make our 2:10 p.m. flight back to Phoenix;
- Arrived back in Phoenix around 3:10 p.m;
- It was great to be back home in my own comfortable bed;
- Still feeling very good just sore.
July 26th Saturday
- Just took it easy around the house;
- Drank Broth, Coffee, Gatorade, ate popsicles, drank herbal tea;
- Surprisingly, I was not really hungry
- Took some Tylenol for the soreness but felt pretty good, just sore when I got up and moved around a bit.
July 27th Sunday
- Got up and took a 1 mile slow walk around the neighborhood;
- Still drinking clear liquids;
- Feeling really good, not hungry, just a bit sore;
- Planning a trip out to get pedicure today;
July 28th-Monday
- Back to work
When I was in the waiting room of the Obesity Control Center waiting to be checked in I met a woman from Texas who has just had a second band put in.
Dr. Ortiz did not do her first band but instead a doctor in the US put it in. She told me that she had her band over filled so that is was really restricted. This allowed her to eat very little but also caused her to PB a lot. She went for a long time with this over restricted band and one day the band slipped which did not allow her to get any thing down. She told her doctor she thought the band had slipped but her doctor did not believe her so she flew down to Obesity Control Clinic and sure enough it had slipped.
She had to be hospitalized for several days because her band was impacted in her esophagus. After many months her esophagus had heeled and she had Obesity Control Clinic put a second band in. To this woman, I wish her much success with her 2nd lap band. I have not doubt she will make this one work.
I will file another blog about mid week on how I am feeling and doing.
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Add a Comment6 Comments
Dr. Ortiz is the best. I had my surgery there July of '07. I agree 100% about the clinic being state of the art. It is so sterile and puts most of our clinics and hospitals here in the states to shame. I had to call Dr. Ortiz just a few weeks ago about a problem I was having to make sure my band had nothing to do with it. He still answers his cell phone!
I also went back for my 1st fill and now get my fills through US Fill centers and there are now other Dr.s more willing to see Mexico patients here so more options are open.
I can not say enough praise for Dr. Ortiz, his staff and clinic!
Lisa T
September 26, 2008 - 6:52pmHouston, TX
lost 70 lbs so far
This Comment
Hi, I am also in Phoenix. I am thinking of having surgery with this doctor. (I am loving your entries!) I am scared to death because I do have a minor outside complication (blood disorder) that can sometimes complicate surgery. How will I know if they are going to take that seriously at all?!? What if I did suddenly develop a blood clot - would they have the tools to identify that and treat it?!? I understand that you don't necessarily know... but? what is your impression of their professionalism? Also, I would be interested to know about your contacts for fills in Phoenix... if it was possible for you to share!
August 20, 2008 - 4:56amThank you so much!
Nicole G.
This Comment
Hi Nicole:
I am confident this doctor is well equipped for emergencies that may occur during surgery. Their facilties are state of the art and they have 2 surgeons in the OR, as well as a full staff of other doctors and nurses. Given your special situation, I would not commit to having them do the surgery until you have done a quick conference call with Dr. Ortiz to discuss your concern and have them explain how they are equipped to handle any emergency that may arise related to your blood disorder. You need to be 100% confident they are equipped to handle your blood disorder and they should be able to put your fears to rest with a quick phone call. Dr. Ortiz is pretty good at taking time out to address potential and current patient concerns.
As far as fills, I am getting my first fill with Dr. Ortiz and then will get any other adjustments or fills here in Phoenix. There are 2 options I have heard of, the Fill Center with several valley locations and there is a nurse who travels down to Phoenix once a month that does fills. Although I have nothing in my band currently I do have a very small amount of restriction so I will probably put off my first fill a few extra weeks. If you have any more questions or you would like to call me let me know I would be happy to help in any way I can. Much Success!
August 20, 2008 - 9:46amThis Comment
My weight before surgery was 214 which gave me a BMI of 32.5 which is in the Obese range. I am 5'8" tall. The Nutritionist calculated that in order to get my BMI into the normal weight range (BMI range 18.5-24.9) my goal weight would need to be between 155 to 160 pounds.
As far as my adjustments,after my blog about not getting adjustments my doctor told me that if you follow the rules of having a lap band you should not have to get multiple adjustments and that the majority of his patients get only a few adjustments over the life of the band. That being said I do have 2 resources here in Phoenix where I can get adjustments as needed.
I'm on day 6 of just clear liquids which means clear broth, Gatorade, Popsicles, vitamin water. I DO MISS chewing but I'm happy to report that I feel pretty good considering my liquid diet. I will start to incorporate liquid yogurt and protein shakes over the next few days.
I will get on the scale tomorrow and post my weight in tomorrow's blog.
July 29, 2008 - 1:28pmThis Comment
Kelley,
Thanks for writing about your personal story--it is so interesting and I'm looking forward to hearing about your progression. Do you mind sharing with us your current weight before surgery, and then each week what your progress is? How did you determine your weight loss goal, and over what period of time?
I remember from one of your earlier blogs, that you wish you had gone in for adjustments of your band more often than you did, as that could have contributed to a more successful experience with your first lap band. Are you planning to go in for adjustments more often?
Ok---and I've gotta ask since you are on a liquid diet for 21 days...you have to let us know if you miss chewing!!
July 29, 2008 - 12:56pmThis Comment
I can't believe you were up and walking around the block just a few days after surgery! I can't wait to read your next entry.
July 29, 2008 - 11:26amThis Comment