Hapygrl

Hi Kity, Although I had never heard of this either, my doctor did the same thing on the second fill that I had. He told me that when I could not swallow, I was at maximum capacity. He then decided how much to put in me, based on his experience, and the way it felt. He did admit that he would not know how it was for a few days though. This fill has been good, but it does change. The first few days, I could not eat certain foods then I could, but appetite was controlled, and just starting yesterday (4 weeks after fill) I am quite restricted again. I know that people say this can happen near the start of menstrual cycle, but this is not the case for me. Strange stuff, this band.

I need your help! :help: I will be moving from NY to Jacksonville, NC in a few weeks and am looking for a new fill doc. I am still in my early stages of having the lap band as I am only 7 weeks out from my surgery. I had one fill and scheduled another one, but likely won't be able to keep the appointment due to the move. Do any of you know of any fill docs in or within 2 hours of Jacksonville, NC? I appreciate everyone's feedback! Thank you, Lisa

Dear Bigtime, I agree with supergenius. I think that my experience with Dr. Joya was more than mediocore. Like Supergenius, I traveled alone. This was fine with me as many of my questions were answered in advance, like who to look for at the airport and how would I get to the hospital. I researched the surgery for approximately 3 years before making my final decision to go through with it. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities and with being set up in a private room. The total was $8000, no catches. They were straight forward with answering my questions regarding what would increase costs. I think that if you don't ask the questions though, you might not get all of the information. I don't necessarily believe that Dr. Joya or his staff are being negligent, just their way of doing things. I never had a problem having a question answered though. I always take it upon myself to gather info on my own and try not to depend on a practioner to provide it all. Proactive, if you know what I mean. The doctor I went to for my fill provided me with much more in depth information regarding aftercare and now wants me to meet with a MD nutritionist. He also would like me to attend a monthly support group. He discussed bringing ppl to their best rates of personal success sing all of these tools. Since I was a self pay though and my insurance company will not pay for aftercare, I have to consider what I can afford. I find that this forum has been very informative. Dr. Joya did provide a good example of a diet following surgery and had a handbook that was able to answer many of my questions. I am one that does not like to be coddled over though and this made my experience with Dr. Joya more pleasurable. The nurses were attentive, but not annoying. Sorry nurses out there! Just my style. I also found Dr. Joya to be very caring and gentle. My scars are also healing nicely and they are clean. I definately recommend Dr. Joya and would choose him again before considering another doctor. Hope this helps with your decision. :nervous -I also prefer this forum to the yahoo forum, but did like that forum to learn more information about Dr. Joya and his reputation. I recommended checking out that forum for more direct questions about this particular doctor. You can find a link on his webpage if you have not already discovered it.

I have wondered about my port since day 1. I could always feel it. When I asked the doc about it, he said that I did not have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat and that the port could be more noticeable. I went for my first fill the other day though-different doc since it is actually more expensive to travel back to MX, and he told me that my port is beginning to tilt. I asked why and he said that there are events that occur in ~4 % of people. I have been following the rules as well, so I know that I have not caused this. I have a VG band and the doc stated surprise :eek: and said that he probably would have used a smaller band with me. I am only 5 feet tall and apparently, because I am lower BMI bandster, this was his recommendation. Oh well, too late now! He said that he will continue to monitor my port and if it moves more, he is going to try and reposition it to the correct placement under fleuro. I guess he does a lot of poking and prodding to try and manipulate it with his hands. Has anyone else ever had this done? I don't anticipate that will be very comfortable, but if it works, that will be better then another surgery. Of course, if the port completely flips then I will require another surgery if I would like to continue with fills and good weight loss. I hope that if my port flips, then it waits until I have lost most if not all of my weight! **Sigh**

Dear lilnena, Thanks for responding. I have actually heard of Dr. Singh through this board. I contacted them and was able to work together with his office to allow me to have my fills done by him. I am pleased about this as I was not really looking forward to driving about 4.5 hours one way for aftercare. I scheduled a fill for March 1 and really feel like I am ready for one. Following surgery, I had some feeling of restriction, but now I am getting hungrier by the day. I know that this is as a result of my body healing, but I don't like it. Makes me feel like I am on another fad diet. I know that this is not the case and the band will be more effective once fills start happening. I just have to be patient and just don't want to be! :rolleyes Keep in touch and let me know how your surgery goes. I will be looking forward to hearing and following you progress.

Hello all, I am searching for a follow up care/fill doc that is near the North Country (in NY.) I have found a doc through the USA fill centers, but the doc is in Maryland and this is about a 4 hr drive for me. I was banded in Mexico and this is likely important to know since some docs won't follow unless they placed the band. I am in Plattsburgh, NY, which is about 1 hour south of montreal and a rock's throw to Vermont (just to give you all an idea.) Albany, NY is not too far-about 2.5 hours. I would like to find something within 3 hours from here if possible. :help: ! Thanks in advance for your input! Lisa **OOOPs!:omg: That would be RI that I have to travel to, NOT Maryland as I previously stated. My bad!

Thanks. There is a doc in Albany, but I am not sure that he would pick me up being that I was not banded by him. I did send an email to Albany Med, but have yet to hear back. I would also be willing to travel to Rochester, NY since I have family there and could always make a visit along with the fills and checkups. Syracuse is about 4 hours from here, so I would just stick with RI, which is a bit under 4. Lisa

I used Dr. Joya in Perto Vallerta, Mexico. I am very pleased with everything I received there. Everything was very sanitary, I think more then my experience with hospitals in the US. I went alone, without knowing any Spanish, and did just fine. Enough people speak English. I brought $200 extra spending and had some left when I got home. I even stayed an extra day. The cost was $8000 all inclusive. This includes all the pre-op tests, the surgery, anesthesia, plane, hospital stay, and hotel for one night...which was on the Pacific Ocean and was a resort! Nothing scary about this although most thought i was NUTS for going to MX alone. The only thing I had to do alone was get back to the airport, and even that was simple because one of the valets caught me a taxi. Nothing more was really over $5, except for room service. That was about $9. Good luck with your search! Lisa

Hello everyone, I am also from Upstate NY, Plattsburgh area. I was banded in Mexico and thought that it went very well. Dr. Joya was the surgeon and he has banded 100s of people. He has banded more individuals than any American docs (at least my research said so.) You can check out his site if you are interested. I don't want to sound too much like an advertisement for him, but I was really impressed. I am not looking for a fill doctor close to this area. I went to usa fill centers, but the closest doc they have is 4 hours from here! I would like someone closer. Has anyone else gone out of state and use a fill and follow up doctor closer to this area? I hear that there is Dr. Singh in Albany, but don't know that he would do my follow up being that I was not banded by him. I will check, bot others assistance/feedback and comments with this are always welcome. Thanks!, Lisa

I was banded on January 5 with Susan! in PV by Dr. Joya. I also felt that this was a good choice. He is one of the most experienced drs with wl surgery. His fee was acceptable and doable, although I am left with a loan. I encourage you to research your docs, for their experience with the sleeve. Also, PV is beautiful and hotels are inexpensive if you chose to stay an extra day or two. Of course, this is not a deciding factor of which doc you use (I hope.) Good luck with your journey. Lisa

You can try revival soy protein drinks. They are at www.revivalsoy.com They are 110 or 120 calories (I don't remember), can be made with water or milk, which increases calories. They are also 20 g of protein each. They taste ok as well. Also, Wal Mart sells a low cal protein drink mix. Abut 10 more calories than the revival, but a lot less money. They only have 2 flavors though where as revival has many. Good luck!