klikens

I live in Tennessee. I contacted one place, but they want twice as much as the place I am going to do the fills. I am currently paying $250 and they charge $500 for the first and $400 thereafter.

Can I go to a doctor other than the one that did the surgery for my fills? What is the process/what information will they want?

I have been banded 6-months and have lost 35 lbs without much efforts. I have ordered the 6-week body makeover program and am wondering how you are doing on it so far or if you are still doing it.

I was banded 1/17 and have lost 40lbs as well. I understand your concern - I feel alot of days that maybe I am not working it the way I should; however, I have never dieted, lost and maintained the loss - so I try to look at that part of it.

I had my surgery on 1/17/07; to date I have lost 30 lbs. - my first fill was 3/3/07 at .8cc - I have not had much restriction at all - had another dr visit month after fill, explained to dr. that I wasn't having much restriction and in fact I hadn't lost any weight since the fill. He said to wait another month and if I didn't lose anymore weight we would do another fill. I asked him if the restriction was likely to kick in within the next month and he said no. To which I replied "what is the purpose of waiting another month?". His reply, "Well, I can't just give you a fill every week". So I am not sure what his deal is (it can't be insurance, I selfpay $250/fill) - however when I go back this week, if he is still hesitant to do another fill, I plan to find another fill doctor. Any other suggestions? (I have lost a total of 6 lbs since my fill)

I had my surgery 1/17/07; first fill 3/2/07 - to date I have lost 28 lbs. - but no, I did not feel restriction before my fill nor after - the weight I have lost has been me pushing back the plate - not the band. Everyone says that it may take 2-3 fills before actual restriction takes place. I am right there with you on the waiting thing - very discouraging I know, but I try to remind myself that I didn't gain 100 lbs. in 2 months, so I am probably not going to lose it that quickly either. Good luck!

I had my first fill on 3/2 - and also have had little restriction. What is weird is that some meals - after a few bites I am full while with others - I just stop eating after my alotment, not because I am full. I am also curious as to why it wouldn't kick in immediatley - I plan to ask my doctor this week.

I have read on various threads about people getting 2 to 7 fills within a short period of time. Being a self-pay, each fill costs $250 a pop - which I budgeted for; however - am I going to be expected to pay this each time the band "absorbs" part of the first fill and I need go for another fill within the first couple weeks or if I go in for a second fill and then have to have an unfill? Because that could add up to alot of money in a very short amount of time. I understood from the seminar I attended that the band only required 4 adjustments the first year and then annually thereafter.

I am four week out as of the 17th - nice to know that others at this point are having the same things going on - I am eating about half of what I was before, but that is due to self control, not lack of being able to - but there is no way that I deal with only the 3oz or protein/3x a day that my doctor recommended. I know myself well enought to know that if at this point I tried that I would eventually binge. I have discovered that when I do eat that I tend to stay full alot longer than before, which is encouraging. I am excited about my first fill - would be interested in knowing how others are doing after their first.

You may want to make sure that you are taking a high dosage level of Vitamin D. I could not find a high IU level vitamin d product at regular vitamin stores, but my doctor's office recommended www.bariatricadvantage.com - they carry products especially formulated for bariatric patients. They have a Dry Vitamin D (goes down easy) at 5000 IU. The prices are very reasonable (60 caps for approx. $8) - I started these right after my surgery and so far have not had any problems with my hair or skin.

I am approaching the end of week 4 of being banded. Like others that have posted, I have very little restriction, but I am still only eating about half of what I normally would. So far, I have lost about 14 lbs - while that is more than I would have before being banded - I read other posts that say they have lost 20-25lbs in the first month. What is normal for the first month? I know that once I get my fill along with exercising, my eating will decrease, causing weightloss along, but I am curious as to what is normal average weightloss after a fill.

I am four weeks out (Jan 17th). Most breads and soft tortillas are a big no-no; this past weekend, I tried a baked potato (extremely mushed up) - never again - I spent the rest of the day feeling like I had a sock stuck in my throat (it wouldn't come up or go down). So, for the most part I am staying away from all starchy carbs.

Thanks for the feedback - I searched for "back pain" and found some other ideas on the back pain as well. So hopefully, this too shall pass.