spicergroup

I see my surgeon about once every 4-6 weeks. Last visit was Jan 30. Monday, I had lost 5 pounds, but after some coaxing, allowed doc to give me .5cc.( I have NO clue how many cc's I have total, nor do I remember the capacity of my band!) This was the first time I had been filled @ 8:30am, and they gave me icy Water to check for tightness. (I do not do icy water, or any food early in the day, I am too tight) I didn't make it out of the office before the icy water came back up. Monday evening I had some sf/ff cocoa, nice and warm, went down & stayed down. Then tried some tomato Soup, again, went down & stayed down. Tuesday morning........could not keep cocoa, warm water, tea, even my own slime would not go down. And forget about blood pressure meds, not gonna happen! (Sorry, gross, but if anyone gets it, it is fellow bandsters.) I tried to tough it out, thinking somehow it would get better with time, but NO! I ended up calling the clinic @ 2pm, and had the .5cc removed around 4. The relief was immediate! I have learned, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! I am so glad I didn't wait to have the Fluid removed! I am back on liquids until tomorrow, then mushy and so on. Haven't figured out the ticker, but I had my surgery in 2004 (you read that right!) No fills till 2011 when insurance decided to pick up the cost.......I actually gained weight post surgery in the 7 years, (who would have thunk it, if you don't use the tool right........)Anyway, first fill in October 2011, have lost 50 lbs so far. About 120 to go! It's easy being GREEN!

Agreed! It's the "slime". I can tell when I'm about to PB by the amount of saliva I start to produce. "If you're droolin', you better be toolin' to the potty!"

Absolutely! I just left Dr. Bhesania's office this am. (He is seeing us at his Huron Surgical office 1522 Pine Grove, Suite C.) Get the word out, I for one did not choose PHH for the facility, but for the Surgeon! You are right, it sounds political to me, too. Can't wait to see the new office @ Mercy! I heard it is beautiful!

Same thing happened to me! Waitress came by to see if everything was alright, since it takes me FOREVER to eat anything. So, I quickly swallowed (it was a dang shrimp!) and answered that everything was fine. Mom taught me not to talk with my mouth full, damn her! And everything WAS fine, for about 35 seconds. Then I had to hit the ladies room. I thought I would die of embarrassment, too, till my dear husband remarked how he bet the wait staff never met a 300# bulimic before! Got to admit, that is funny! Luckily for us, we are regulars at this particular restaurant, and explained it to our server. She got a giggle over the 300# bulimia story, too. (Turns out she knows 3 or 4 people who have been banded, and she was very understanding) See, even the awful moments are learning experiences! And I agree, know your exit strategy! Find the ladies room early! Laura

As others have said, I am glad I am not alone. I was banded in May 2004. My surgery was covered by my insurance, BC/BS. Went in for my first fill, and was told the charge was approximately $120. I did not have it, but paid, and hoped for the best with the one fill. Never went back. Not in 7 years. I simply could not afford it! To say that I was dissapointed is to underestimate my feelings. I had lost 30 lbs, and it seemed my journey was over. I became depressed, and got a "whatever, I will die overweight" attitude. Nothing mattered. I gave up caring about myself or my health. Of course, I gained every pound back, plus one. This October, I called the clinic, in tears. I knew something had to be done. At this point, the money was the least of my problems. The abject SHAME I felt was overwhelming. I was embarrassed to call, embarrassed to go in, yet desperate enough to beg my wonderful Dr., Dr. Bhesania, to see me. I went in on 10-3-11, received a 1cc fill. (He told me the band was dry.) I have been back twice for more fills, 1cc then .5cc. To date, I have re-lost the 30 lbs., and 10 more. I must add here that the compassion I received at the clinic was astounding. Never was I made to feel a failure. I know I failed the band. But the band did not fail me. The tool is working, and I am back on my way. If I can inspire just one person who has fallen off the lap-bandwagon to get back on, I will be satisfied!

I concur. I am always, waaaayyyyyy tight in the am. I often wait till 10 or later to attempt my medications. HTH ( Oh, but I agree, stress can cause me to "forget" how to eat.) Most recently, a waitress came to our table to see if my food was ok. (I eat like a turtle!) I gulped down a partially chewed shrimp, and said yes, I was just taking my time. 3 minutes later, I was in the ladies room. Shoot.