pronetus

So I went in for a fill under floro and they took a pic and measured the pouch. The Doc said everything was OK and as it should be, but I am curious. Does anyone know the range of size of a healthy pouch in MM's? Sometimes I worry about dialiation because I have never had great restriction. What are the guidelines that the Doc's use? Thanks!

I was banded in Aug 07. I am only about 30lbs down, now I did have a complete unfil for almost a year. I am going back in tomorrow do do a fill under floro. I feel that I have never gotten to my sweet spot. I have some restriction now but not always. Every time I got close to good restriction I had horrible reflux at night and had to get an unfil. I own the fact that a lot of it is me not exercising enough or making poor food choices, but I was hoping to get a little more help from the band with regard to portion control I am very frustrated, but not quitting yet. I know If I can get down 40 pounds, I will be off and running! Literally. I have about 100 to go to goal. I am a little frustrated. I was wondering if there are any success stories out there? I need a little motivation right about now.

Ok Not sure if this is the right place. I found out in April that my wife of 15 years hasn't been in love with me for the past 5 years. I was deployed to Pakistan at the time. I am returning to the US (N. VA) to take custody of my 2 wonderful boys. I was banded in Aug 07 but have only lost 40lbs. My fault I accept it. I am back on the wagon and trying to start a new me by getting to my goal weight by next Feb. Any of you all have any experience with becoming social again after long relationships? Self esteem is in the toilet, I was a supportive and faithful husband and got blindsided. I admit I had my faults like any man, but never saw this coming. Got all the bad stuff out of my system and am interested in meeting new people and hearing experiences of those who have been banded and got back into the single seen. What is the Water like in that end of the pool?

Gents, I was banded Aug 07. I have lost only about 40 from surgery, but I haven't gained any back which is good. I also had a year with almost no restriction. I have climbed aboard the fitness wagon yet again and I am making progress. My challenge with my AP-L band is that every time I got clost to good restriction (circa 9.7cc) I would develop BAD reflux and need to have an unfill. I tried meds, lifestyle modifications everything. No joy. So now I am wondering, if any of you have experienced the same thing. My hope is that If I can drop another 20 lbs or so, the reflux issue may not be as bad. Or am I just dreaming? I don't want to lose any of this great progress that I am making due to the hard work I have been doing in the gym. Also, when I do get closer to my goal weight I would like to have the band there to back me up and help me maintain. I welcome any thoughts and experiences. Today is the 11th. NEVER FORGET

I like unjury. Chocolate with whole milk tastes just like a melted Wendy's frosty to me. The chicken soup wasn't bad either. I wouldn't do it every day but for a change I liked it.

Ok. I have had my band for a while and never had optimum restriction. I have an AP-L and currently have 9.4 cc fill. I have minor reflux now, but it is manageable with prolosec and better food choices. I want to get to my sweet spot so I can start losing some decent weight. I just started working out again and need that first 20-30 lbs off so I can ride that wave of momentum. My questionn is the following: If I have minor reflux problems now, will it get worse with more fills? I think I need .5-1cc more of fill to get to my sweet spot? I am doing OTC now 150mg prilosec 2 times a day. I don't mind enduring the reflux for 3-4 months to get my weightloss rolling and my exercise routine engrained in my daily routine. I just need that jump start. Thoughts? Experiences? Thanks

UPDATE: I went in for an unfil today. Immediate relief. The PA told me that the symptoms that I was experiencing would not be relieved much by diet and medicine, but it was a "mechanical" reflux. I imagine responding to the band being too tight. The sad part is that with the inflamation I finally had close to ideal restriction at 9.2cc (AP-L). I hope that I can creep back up there a little slower once the inflamation goes down. Anyone else able to increase restriction after experiencing and recovering from reflux issues?

My goal for the year is to get my body to do what I want it to do, not what it wants to do. I am determined to lose 100lbs over the next 10 months and run the Marine Corps Marathon in DC on 31 Oct 10. I have just completed 2 consecutive days of walking/jogging (a lot more walking) for 1 hr 10 min. I think tomorrow I will try to time myself on a mile just to see what my time is like. I am determined to run/walk at least an 1 hr 15 min 6 days a week to start the weight loss on a good solid roll. I weigh 268 (BMI 41.4) now, and if I can get under 220 relatively quickly, I think I will be able to get the running thing really going. One day at a time. The only easy day was yesterday!

OK so I am not following the program exactly but I have done 2 consecutive days of 1hr 10 min alternating jogging and walking. My goal is to lose 100lbs in the next 10 months and run the Marine Corps Marathon on Halloween in DC. One day at a time, but at least I started!

I just wanted to give a heads up to the folks in Northern Virginia /So Md that Dr Robert Pinnar split from his son Eric. They used to have a practice together. Eric (son), sold his half of the practice to a big corporation and has moved to an office next door. Robert, stayed on his own and kept his long time PA Paul Marino (fill guy). Paul rocks! Both are good doc's. I am a patient of Dr. Robert who is in his 60's. OUTSTANDING SERVICE, great people and after care. I highly recommend him. The procedure at Reston hospital was fantastic. I stayed overnight and my 2 nurses were top notch and very caring. Before Dr. Robert Pinnar did not take insurance and all was submited after the fact. I found out today that he now is in-network for BCBS, so cha-ching I just saved approx. 5K! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM AND HIS STAFF! Excellent all around care to include nutritionist and physical therapist. I can't say enough good things. Link below. Pinnar Surgical Associates, Ltd.

Thanks for the words. I have been looking into some single parents activity groups and think I'll give that a try to be social. I have never really had a problem with confidence, I am pretty secure in who I am. I am a very open and supportive person and get along with everyone. The really tough thing about getting back into the dating scene after so many years is that for the past 15 years I have lived for my wife and family. It's hard to say what I like to do as a single guy because my job is so demanding and I travel overseas a lot when I was with the family I just dedicated to them. I guess before I got married, I used to love to play golf, go skiing, shooting, movies, and I am getting into digital photagraphy. Restaurants of course. and I love travelling. I'll keep you all posted. If anyone is near the Northern Virginia area let me know if there are any fun events that you will be attending. Take care

Ok Guys, any one experience serious mood changes when losing the weight. I was banded in aug 07 and I have only lost about 40 lbs. MY Fault, I OWN IT. I am getting back into the swing by exercising and eating right now. On the rightous path again. I have suffered from pretty severe anxieties for a while now. Almost to the level I should seek professional help. I notice now that I am tracking my food intake with fitday and started P90x, albeit modified that my attitued and anxieties are much better. I found some reports on the interenet linking obesity and anxiety disorder, but wanted to get some first hand experience from you all to see if you have experienced any changes with the weight coming off. thanks

Anyone know if there are any Doctors in Guatemala City that are LapBand certified? I will be going there soon for an extended period and was thinking about waiting for my next fill. I also wanted to make sure I could get medical care if i get sick. Thanks :rolleyes2:

smolked salmon in a blender with some olive oil mayo. high protien. lil lemon maybe a few capers too.

Ceradad how did the PT test go?

Anyone every have any experience being banded, wearing body armor for extended periods of time? Hard Plates? How about tactical operations body drags etc? Any feedback from anyone? Kinda curious.

just got another fill currently 6.6 cc, I was at 5.4 and had some restriction. I am hoping this does the trick. I'll keep you posted.

Ok So 31 lbs down since Aug 8. I just went in for my 4th fill. I am up to 6.6 cc's with an AP large. 5.4 cc's had ok restriction i think this one will do the trick. I have done a crappy job of sticking with exercise and have cheated a little. I think I got comfortable eating pretty well and was nervous to go for a more aggrerssive fill. I finally threw down the gauntlet today and got another fill. The band has stopped me from eating doughy bread and pizza which is good, but I din't get in this to lose a little weight. Time to get to work. Wish me luck. I'ts actually a comfort to know that the band is here waiting for me to get going and down to work. No turing back now. I am going to try to do a week of liquid protien to jump start things and drop a quick 10. Nothing like losing weight to motiviate you to lose weight.

I have a AP-L. I think it holds 12cc. I am also waiting for the full feeling. 1st fill was 3.6 cc. 2nd fill 2 weeks later he pulled out 2.6 and refilled with 3.8cc. 3rd fill one week later (this monday) he pulled out 2.8 and filled with 4cc I still fell like i can eat too much. And where did the Fluid go between fills? PA said is was likely air seaping out of the band, i guess there is some aire in it when it is manufacturerd and the initial placement and fills helps displace it. I am a little worried. Anyone hear about this?

Hey Guys, I was banded 8 Aug with an AP-L band. I'm down 27 lbs. Can't say that I have suffered that much cause while I have stopped eating bread, I have not been too religious on my carbs. I had a quick question. I went in last week for my 2nd fill 3.8 cc (the band holds 12cc max). I had good restriction at first 3 days, but now i can still eat more then I need to be eating. I can definitely eat more then a desert plate. My question is, when you get more restriction does it feel like you have food a little stuck when you eat too much? I have yet to get that, I'm full sensation. it's been more like, Oh Shite, that feels like a rock in my stomach then it passes and shortly after i'm hungry again. Will my stomach develop a pouch and give me a satisfied sensation? Sometimes i dont feel hungry, but sometimes i still get strong cravings and hunger shortly after eating? Any advice? Other then excercise more, I know i need to do that!

One good day. Start with one good day. Build from there. Walk, eat right. NO liquid CALORIES! Crystal light or some other flavored Water. Try 2-2-2- again, to think you are starting over. 2 days liquids 2 mushies, 2 soft regular. Ditch the scale for the first week and focus on reducing sodium intake, and carb intake. Start doing a food jornal again. Go back to when you were excited and start just like that. ONE GOOD DAY! NEVER QUIT.

I got my first fill today. PA comes in and sticks me with a needle and says "here hold this and don't press the syringe!" Tube and all sticking out of my port. Trippie! Anyway, i'm standing watching the screen and take the first sip of barium. Cool! Then squirt 1... Sip ..not much effect... Squirt 2 ...sip NE... Squirt 3...Sip...little better.. Squirt 4 ... DUDE THAT IS COOL! Trickle trickle trickle. I have a APL band and had a lot of space around my stomach when the band was placed. PA says band is in perfect position, and 2-2-2 (liquids, mushies,solids) Come see him in a month. 8 minutes from beginning to end. Watching your band take effect is really cool. I highly recommend it. I am gonna ask if I can depress the syringe next time. I am down 26 since pre-op. Last 3.5 weeks I have had no restriction and have not been watching my carbs, so I haven't lost any weight. Good thing is I haven't gained either. Like the PA said, today is the first day of my weight loss program. Time to get to work! 120 to go!

Try Keeping Carbs under 25 grams, increase your walking, split it up, once in the morning once in the afternoon. eat more of your solids at the beginning of the day and lunch, less as the day goes on and have a protien shake for dinner. keep your Water intake going all throughout the day. watch your sodium (can retain water) watch your protiens, make sure they dont have too much fat. watch the artifitial sweetners (my body reacts like they are sugar and sends me into a plateau every time) Cut out all caffine. (plateu'sville for me too) Keep your food log with Fit Day or similiar. check to see if any meds are affecting water retention etc Take a deep breath and remember it is a marathon. Keep Telling your-self One Good Day. All I need is one good day. Ride the momentum from your good choices. if you fall off the wagon don't throw yourself under the wheels from guilt, grab on and climb back up. DON'T STOP! EVER!

I have BCBS FEB, Still waiting on the insurance for surgery, but Doc and hospit are in Network. Unfortunately the Shrink for the psych eval wasnt. She charged me $500, Submitted 2 bills to INS totalling $1265 Insurance says out of network is not covered and wont pay. the have given me net to nothing for credit on the out of pocket for it either. VERY FRUSTRATING. Any help or advice on how to fight that? I want $500 back form ins at least! I was on the phone with 2 incompitent ladies today. could not explain it to me and said that the allowable expenses were caluclated by using medicare fee schedules for my area for similiar services. WHAT THE F' OVER? They had no idea where these shcedules came from, but that they were in the system. They were annoyed that I could not understand. THEY WERE ANNOYED?! Any Help?

Ok i was banded on 8 Aug too. I am on full solids, no restiction. I feel it if i eat too fast. My Doc showed me pics of the surgery. I have a large AP band. Basically, he said that I did not have as much fat around the upper stommach as some of his larger patients, and he showed me the pic of the space between the band and my stomach. Pretty big gap. He uses it as a reference for the first fill to have an idea of how much the first fill should be. He told me not to worry, that the fills would kick in. I lost 18 lbs from beginning of pre-op diet until now, but have stalled since eating solids. Fairly soft well chewed solids. Good thing is that I have not gained since. So don't worry AP'ers Maintain and try to do a regular low carb diet. Chew well and try smaller portions. Fills will kick in soon.