nat's_back

With Fills I feel like Goldilocks...it has to be "just right". I was doing great with my 1.5cc, then I went to get more restriction. I got .75cc more, I gave it three days, and ended up in the hospital with dehydration. So I panicked and had it ALL taken out. I never went back....guess what, I gained the weight back again in two years. So I am getting back on the Lap-band wagon. Last week I went for a fill for the first time in two years. I got 2cc. And it was like starting all over again with surgery. My doc told me, it will be a shock to your stomach, so liquids for a week and a half (Vitamin Water and broth). Then again pureed food for a week, see how that goes, then you can get back to small portions and sips. OK, it has been a week today. Yes I am on liquids, and yes it does go through SLOWLY. But that is ok, my body is getting readjusted to the pressure. I am taking it slow right now, but I am not giving up this time.

Hi everyone, I was banded in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. De La Garza. He is wonderful, he is on the American Board of Surgeons, is an Inamed trainer, which means he is coming over to the US to train the surgeons here because the lapband is newer here in the US. I was very happy with the state of the art facilities. The program is called lite n' free (www.litenfree.com), the staff is English speaking, and they are with you all the time. It is a real hopital that you stay at, so they have 24 hour nursing staff with ER. Your recovery is in a suite, very nice. The cost I believe is $8,000, and that covers all surgeons fees, tests, anesthe. fees, nights stays for your family members in a hotel. But I think they have another program that includes flights. Also, I could not get covered by insurance here because "Technically" I was not morbidly obese. I weighted 200 pounds, so my BMI was at around 32. Here in the US in most cases it has to be more around 40.

I know, Dr. had told me that too. But sometimes I am bad and start eating more solid type foods at about the 12 hour mark, maybe I stretch it a little longer. Now that I hear you say it, about being a vicious cycle, I realize you are right. I am only doing it to myself as well. However, even when I haven't PBed for several days, then I attempt to eat something like chicken salad, or tuna salad (things I should be able to eat), and I get really really sick, then that is when I feel that something is not right. I feel that I may have too much restriction. You know?

WOW!! yes i do have a lot of drainage...never thought of that!! Thanks.

WOW, that is amazing. I went to Dr De La Garza, and thankfully had a completly different experience. This just sounds like a nightmare experience for you. I was just wondering... I mean we all had the surgery and we know where are scars are right? THey are pretty high up on our torso. How is it that his colon and liver, which are way below your belly button got punctured? I am not saying he is a lier, I am just saying how could that happen? I did a lot of research on Dr De La Garza and found that he is the BEST!! He is the one coming over to the US to train the doctors here on how to perform the surgery. Something does not sound right to me. I have seen dr. De La Garza three times, and he has gone above and beyond the call of duty. He saw me three times in person when I was at the recovery suite. He has responded to all me emails promptly. I have made many friends that are patients of his, and they all say the same thing. THis just sounds out of character. Either way, I wish you all the luck in your recovery.

Lori, I have been banded for 4 months now, and I have a fill of 1.8cc. I have a lot of trouble keeping things down, especially Protein (tuna & chicken) even when I chew chew chew and eat slowly. I don't even attempt to eat solids at Breakfast anymore, and lunch is iffy. By dinner I can keep more down, but I still battle it. I am thinking of going and getting a slight un-fill just to see what happens. But PBing all the time is horrible. I am with you. I know most people do not go through this. All in all, I am happy I got it done. No regrets.

Amoro - I got my surgery with Dr. DeLa Garza at the OCA hopspital. I have nothing but high praises for both. Good luck.

My doctor's nutritionist put eggs both scrambled and hard boiled on the list of ok foods. But OH MAN!!! No way, I can't do them. I don't even want to see another egg again. I emailed the nutrionist last week to tell her she should take that off because I have been reading in the forums about how many people have trouble with eggs, and she hasn't responded. Emmy - don't get discouraged darling, try something else. Try chopped up chicken salad, and you will see it wasn't you, it was the food.

I knew I needed a fill 5 weeks post-op because I was able to eat without feeling restriction. Yes, I had to eat slowly, but I could pretty much eat anything slowly. Also, I stopped losing weight. I knew I was supposed to be losing at least 2 pounds per weeks this early on, but I wasn't. Taking all this into consideration, my doctor had me come in for a fill. He filled me pretty aggressivly (1.8cc), It all went fine until day 3, then I really felt the restriction like never before. Be prepared. I thought it would be like the first two weeks after post-op but it wasn't. It was much harder to eat. After post-op I never threw-up or had PB, until the first fill. I don't think I was phycologically ready for this. Had I to do over again, I would probably get 1cc then wait a few weeks (3 weeks) than the other .8cc. OK the weight loss was immediate, and I am happy for that. Since my first fill I have lost an additional 8 pounds in 2 weeks. YEAHH! But it has been very diffucult for me to ajust to the restriction. Just remember, every one is different, and everyone handles restriction differently. I don't know how I would have gotten through these last few weeks without these boards and all the great support from everyone here. Thanks.

Well I posted this on the fill forum, but I have had a lot of trouble with any kind of eggs since my fill. I have given up on them.

WOW Greg, that is amazing. It is good to know it isn't just me. Ok so I have learned my lesson on eggs. Anyone have anyother no no foods that have caused them problems? just so I know to stay away or approach with caution.

Thank you for all the support. Sometimes when this happens I feel so alone and sad. It is just such a learning curve, and it is like if I try something and it doesn't agree with me, then I lose an hour of my day because I feel so awful. I question if my fill is too much (even though inside I know it isn't). I feel like calling my doctor and crying to let some out, but then I won't lose. AHHH it is so frustrating. OK stupid question...what does PB stand for? I assume it means when your food comes back up? Thanks all, keep the support and advice coming, I need all I can get right now.

Hi everyone, I am really down today :cry . I had my first fill a week and a half ago, and I think there is something wrong (I got 1.8cc). I can have Soups and my Protein Drinks, chopped up chicken (like chicken salad), and even a Protein Bar (like pria). But the thing is, I tried scrambled eggs today, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. The pain was incredible. I don't understand. This has happened for the last week, I think I can eat something, and then BAM! :eek it hits me like a ton of bricks. I know my fill is what it is supposed to be, because they did a fluorio and counted the seconds it took for the liquid to go through. The doctor said it had to be at least 30 seconds, anything less would not be enough restriction. After several tries it ended up at 1.8cc. However, when does this awful heart attack feeling go away? Does it ever? How do you know what you can or can't eat? I mean scrambled eggs?? I thought this was a good choice, or am I way off? Please help...I need advice and support to get me through this, I am beggining to wonder if I made a mistake.