mbanja

I haven't had my first fill yet, but I am scared the same will happen to me!! I have read many posts that say that some of the saline will come out of the port. That is why we have to continue getting fills. I have also heard of a synthetic solution that is thicker than saline that some doctors use to prevent so much leakage. I have also heard that not many doctors use it because it reduces the # of fills one will have to get and it inturn doesn't make the doctor much money. Maybe it is not a good idea to test your band by taking those big bites to see what you can get down there. It would seem reasonable to think that big bites could squeeze the saline up to the port so that it leaked out? I don't know though, it is still a learning experience for me. I am glad though that we have this site where we can get nonbyist opinions from people (even if they are not doctors) to help us with our journey! Good luck hope things tighten up for you!!

I have read some posts that people get the band and their weight loss is good so they have decided not to have a fill. I am sorry I can't refrence them at this time but I will do some digging and see if I can find the posts I read. To summarize what I can remember, some people feel that they have enough restriction with the band unfilled that they continue weight loss with out a fill. Keep in mind too that some people heal faster than others. If you feel comfortable with no fill that is okay! I am sure that in time you will feel that it is time for you to have a fill. In my case, I was worried that I would not know when to have it filled. Let me tell you though, I am now counting down the days until my first fill, It can't come soon enough. Don't get discouraged, if you have restriction still, which it sounds like you do than all you may have needed was the band itself and you could be at your "sweet spot." Hey since I am a self pay, I don't think I would have minded not having to go get a fill. Just listen to your body and it will clue you in. Have you tried eating normal food in super small bites and chewing it really well?

Well, Andielmt. If you want the surgery and it is comming up in Oct. I say go for it. But be sure, like with everything elso KNOW the pros and cons. I know how it is to have to sit and wait. If you are sure and know that this is what you want go for it. If you are nervous about a fill from this doctor, there are other places that do fills. I got my surgery done in Mexico because I was a self pay. I made sure that there were places locally that I could get a fill so I wouldn't have to go back to Mx. There is a place called Fill Centers USA that do the after care and fills for lap-band. Or investigate other local doctors that could do the fill and find out if they would be willing to fill your band if they didn't intall it. I am sure that they would understand if you told them that you were no longer comfortable with the surgeon who put your band in. Hope everythings works out for you. TRUST YOUR GUT, MAKE THE DECISION FOR YOU NOT YOUR DOCTOR OR ANYONE ELSE!!

I have noticed that since I have to chew foods very well that some things don't taste good at all. For example I had a bite of my DH pizza the other day and because I chewed the heck out of it the cheese got all rubbery and cold and nasty. I think that is why we tend to eat so fast, the cheese stays hot and gooey. LOL

First off I want to thank you Susan for being brave enough to post this. I too have not had my first fill yet and have gain back some of the weight I lost in the first few weeks. I have gotten so down and depressed and am seriously looking at the date every few hours trying to will the 22nd to be here so I can get my fill. I have even been avoiding this site because I am sooooo ashamed of myself. Secondly, I want to thank all of you that have responded to Susan's post because you all have given me the hope and encouragement that Susan and I need right now. By the way Susan I am sooooo jealous that your fill is on the 14th and my is on the 22nd. Just kidding I am happy for you. It makes me happy that there are so many cheerleaders in our court who don't even know us. Thankyou all so much!!!!

I had a friend who got the bypass and she only lost about 30lbs before she started regaining. Now I have a gut feeling that she didn't and still doesn't eat right. What I am trying to say is that the bypass is NO GUARANTEE. Plus, when doing my research to decide lap-band vs. bypass, I had found that some people had gotten the lap-band after a FAILED BYPASS!!! I chose the lap-band because I am not done having children yet, plus with the lap-band my stomach and intestine are not cut and re-routed. Not to mention that with the bypass you drop weight fast and most people will tend to have to have reconstructive surgery to remove excess skin folds. I agree with everyone else, do your research, KNOW the pros and cons of both, and then make your decision. Both are a life changing event and with both you WILL have to modify your eating habits and behavior to make either successful. What turned me onto the lap-band is that it can be filled when you start gaining weight, and unfilled when you have reached and maintained your goal or when you want to get pregnant. I don't know if you are planning to have any/more children but look at Carnie Wilson, she had bypass lost all that weight and then got pregnant and is now working her but off to lose the baby weight. I say go with your instinct but do your homework. In the end if you feel bypass is for you, GO FOR IT! This step is for you and you alone, don't let a doctor (who may or maynot be persueded by $$) make the decision for you. A second opinion won't hurt.

I also agree with Tsunami1967 and Boo Boo. I thought this site was for support not judgement. We all know the problems that all of us face. Instead of criticising we should offer support to others having problems. I did research on Gastric by-pass and lap-band and chose the lap-band because the weight loss is slower. That is what we all have to remember. It is better to loose it slow than have it fall off very quickly! I for one want to give my body and skin the time to adjust to the weight loss. I was under the impression that it was supposed to come off at a rate of 2lbs. a week. I've seen friends who have had rapid weight loss and now need plastic surgery to fix the sagging skin. Now I am not saying I won't have that, but if I can prevent some of it I'd prefer that. We have to keep in mind that this is not a quick fix. If you think about it, in 6 months the average weight loss according to the suggested weekly weight loss should only be 52lbs. I congradulate the ones that have lossed 30 to 40lbs and I know they feel better about themselves for it. If any of you are having problems, you can talk to me and I will be your own personal cheerleader. Once again lets support each other and not judge each other!!!

Hey, no harm in resulting to the pain meds. That is what they are there for!!!!

Yep, just like Doxielover said walk, walk, walk, walk, and gas-x. I am surprised your doctor didn't tell you.

Hi crikkit, I just had my surgery in TJ, Mexico on the 9th by Dr Huacuz. I was worried just like you, thinking what if I get there and they can't do it. Well everything was fine and your coordinator is right as long as you have no severe medical conditions it should be fine. But, to make you feel better, all they do is an EKG to make sure your heart can handle the surgery and a simple blood test (i have no idea what they test for probably blood sugar levels, cholesterol,etc.) They also ask if you are allergic to any medications. When I arrived around 1 p.m. I filled out my paperwork, met with the doctor, was instructed to take a shower and get into the gown, got my blood drawn and I.V. put in with a bag of fluid, got my EKG, met with the psychologist, met with the anesthesiologist, and then was wheeled into surgury and it was all over at around 5 p.m. If you see a doctor regularly and have had normal checkups you are more than likely good to go! Hope this was helpful.

Hi. I know this thread is kinda old but I just wanted to let you know that I had all the same fears about going to Mexico, i.e. going by myself, where to get the fills, etc. Well as I was doing research about the lap-band I came across the web-site for Group LapBand trip to Mexico. Long story short this site coordiantes a group of people to get together and all go down to Mexico and get the surgery at the same time. Dr. Huacuz is the surgeon and he is great. The place is clean, they take good care of you and it is all for $8000 - $8500 including airfare. Now I can go back and get fills there but Melissa (the coordinator) told me of Fill centers USA that are all over the country that fill your band. All you have to do is go to their website at Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support and go to the bottom to find a location near you. They charge $299 for the first visit and $150 for each additional, most sites also do the fluoro (barium swallow under xray). Also the good thing about Dr. Huacuz is that they give you your medical records on the proceedure in english and send you home with an xray of your band. He is wonderful. I hope this helps and if you already have the info sorry for the belated post!!

Hey Iluvlongnecks, My fingers are crossed for you! I am 5'5", 230lbs, with a BMI of 38. I am as healty as and ox and 20lbs away from being morbidly obease. My Ins won't pay for mine because I don't have any health related issues (YET!!!) Which I think is stupid for them to wait until I do, but anyway. I am not going to binge eat to pack on 20 extra lbs just so I can try to get my ins to cover it. I have decided to pay for my own out of pocket. Since you have severe health issues though, I have heard that Ins will cover if you are over 35BMI. I have also heard that specialists are on the patients side and will work very hard at getting you your surgury. Best of luck. Head up it will work out!

Hi all. I did my research and decided lap-band was for me. I accidentally found the group lap band trip to Huacuz Surgical Center while researching. I thought it would be great to do it with other people, sort of a support thing. I am going to get my band August 9th. I am excited, nurvous, and hopeful. My family has already tried to talk me out of it, but my husband is supportive, so I am determined to do it. Anyone going to be on this trip with me?:clap2::whoo: