aussieokey

Barb I was just re-reading all the August bandster posts, and was wondering if you managed to a) get your doctor to give you a fill, or find a fill doctor willing to work with you? I have had 4 fills now, and I am finally at a level that works for me. I have 7.0cc in my size 11 band now. I can eat between 1/4 and 1 cup of food, depending on the time of day (more in the evening). I only got to this level 5 days ago, so haven't noticed significant weight loss yet, but I know this time it will start to drop off.

Karen, although my doctor is good at blind fills, I do believe I would have found my correct restriction quicker if I'd had a fill under fluro. It's a little hard to judge if you are restricted enough just by drinking water at the time of the fill, whereas under fluro, there would be no doubt when you were tight enough. I'm glad you got a good fill today.

I don't know how Dr.'s can do "good" blind fills... My doctor does blind fills, and he does a great job! I feel a 'jab' as he puts the needle in the port, but no real pain. The only time I felt any pain, was when he filled the band really tight, then let some out, and it felt like it pinched my esophagus. It only lasted a second or two, and then it was fine. Even sitting up with the needle still in my port is not painful. A little uncomfortable, but not painful.

I hope you get good results from this fill. Remind your doc it takes approx 7.0cc to get it right with our larger bands!! I could even go a little tighter, which is great for when I plateau again down the track. I know this because I can still eat a small amount in the morning - but I can feel every bite going down, which is tight enough for me right now. Compared to what little restriction I had at 5.5cc, where I almost felt wide open and ate everything in sight and felt discouraged and completely out of control, this fill is wonderful! Let us know how you went with this fill after you get back.

I had my 3rd fill on Tuesday afternoon, he added 1.5cc to take me to 6.5 total. I 'tested' it that night, and I guess I ate about 1 cup food. I went back the next morning, and he topped me up a bit more, he added another .5 taking me to 7.0cc in total. He did not charge for the second visit, it was all included in the cost of the fill the day before. I believe I am at the right restriction level now. I just ate one of those 7.5oz mini meals you heat in a microwave, and it was definately enough. I am pleased with this level, and am now looking forward to being a loser! For those of you with the large size 11 band, hang in there, it takes a lot to fill it!

Yes, my doctor charges for every fill, regardless of how much restriction I have afterwards. I paid $225 for the first one, and $185 for each one after that.

Karen The first fill, Dr Keith put in 4cc's, as is recommended by AMI who make our bands. The second fill he added 1.5, bringing me to 5.5. This time I am really going to make sure I have a nice tight fill before I leave the city. What happens is that we go down to the city, it's a 4 hour drive, I get filled, head home, and because I am on liquids for 24 hours, I don't know until the next day if I am restricted enough. By that time, we are again 4 hours from the doctor, and I find out my fill was still not enough. The last time, he asked me what I was able to eat, and said that was too much, and that we needed to do something about that. I am his first patient with the 11 band, so this is new to him as well. He wants me to get the right level, so I think between him and I, we will get it right next week. I am going to stay overnight in the city this time, and if it's not right before my hubby and I leave town the next morning, I will call Dr Keith and see if he can add more before we leave.

Karen, you were banded the day after me, I also had Dr Sanchez. I have had 2 fills so far with Dr Keith in Oklahoma City, and I am scheduled for my 3rd fill next week. As I have the large 11cm band, it seems to take a lot of saline to fill it, and as a result, I'm still no where near where I need to be restriction wise and getting VERY discouraged. I was wondering if you are finding the same thing?

Barb Oh that sucks! I would be finding a new fill doctor as well! You are right, if we could diet and excercise, then why would we need the band?? The whole idea is that we know we can't do that, and need the band to control our eating. Without the right fill level, that control is just not there. My doctor did my fill last Tuesday, one week ago, and told me that if it wasn't right, to come back this week and he would add more. Seeing as we are in the middle of moving house, and also run our own business, going for a fill is not as easy as it sounds when it's 4 hours away. But it just shows you the difference in doctors. I am in Oklahoma, and not familiar with any fill doctors in your area. Why don't you post on the fill section of this board, asking for fill doctor info in your area? I am sure there are other bandsters in your neck of the woods that could help with this.

Barb I know just how you feel, I was banded August 5th, lost 17lb in the first three weeks, and nothing since. I have even gained 3lb. I had my first fill on 9/11, he put 4cc in (I have the AMI 11cc band). I felt no restriction at all. I had my 2nd fill last week and he put in another 1.5cc, bringing me to 5.5cc total. There is some restriction now, but nowhere near enough. I am trying not to get discouraged, but it's hard not to. I feel like I am eating everything in site, simply because I can. I need the band to be tight enough to make me stop, but it's not there yet. I need another fill, but at $185 a pop, and 8 hour round trip and a motel stay, I can't bring myself to tell my husband yet that we need to take another trip to the doctor.

I hear you on the 'how much weight have you lost now?' People ask me that all the time, and continually look at me if we are eating together, asking me 'are you getting full yet?' I only lost 17lb initially, and have not dropped anything for 7 weeks. I keep gaining and losing the same 2lb! People keep telling me I look smaller though, and when I measure myself I really am losing inches. I wonder how that happens?! You weigh the same, yet your body shape is changing? I guess I also have similar NSV's - clothes fitting better, my calves are not 'bursting' if I bend down, and a little more confidence in my step. I get my 2nd fill tomorrow, and I am so looking forward to real restriction to kick start my weight loss.

My port is about 3 inches above my waist and then 3 inches to the left. My fill doctor (he did not do the surgery) was surprised, he'd never seen a port on the left side! But from what I have seen, a lot of people have theirs on the left side.