pattyann

I'm not a huge drinker but now that it is getting warmer, I've had a craving for a nice cold glass of beer. I was told by my nutritionist that the carbination will stretch the stomach. I was just wondering if a couple of glasses once in a while would really hurt. Does anyone have any advice?

Hi all! I was banded on March 8th. I was 215 to start, lost 7 the week before surgery and am now 182. Total lost= 33 lbs. I've had four fills, now filled 2.4cc's in a 4cc band. I'm finally feeling real restriction, I hope it lasts. Good luck to you all!!

Hi all! I just had my fourth fill, now I'm at 2.4cc's in a band that holds 4cc's. I finally feel like the band is working, I cannot eat more than a few bites of pizza, when two weeks ago I could eat two slices. I'm going to Scotland to visit my husband's family this week and my doctor said to me after my fill, to make sure my band isn't giving me too much restriction before my trip because if it is, I should have some fill removed before my flight. Evidently, your band tightens when you fly. Has anyone heard or experienced this? I'm a little unsure about wanting anything taken out, I finally feel real restriction. On the other hand, I don't want to be stuck not being able to eat or drink because the band is too tight. Can anyone give me some advice, I would surely appreciate it. Thanks, Patty Ann

I like to sometimes drink beer and I just recently discovered a way to make it flat, no more carbination. If you swirl some milk in a glass and then just rinse the glass with water, anything you pour into that glass will fizz out and become flat. There is no milk taste.

Hi all! I spoke to my doctor again today about flying. I had an appointment for an unfill on Friday before my flight but today she said that it would be okay to go without the unfill, it will only tighten slightly. She said we should be concerned if we are flying right after a fill because we wouldn't yet know how much restriction we have and then the band may tighten because of the flight and it might have been too tight. Anyway, I'm going to take the chance. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the responses.

Hi Barbara! You'll be fine because most bands are empty until your first adjustment, 4-6 weeks after surgery. Good luck with your surgery!

Congratulations Jeanette! I agree, babies are gifts from God, I have three myself. We will pray for you and your family. Hope you have an easy pregnancy and delivery. Good luck!

I know, I've been eating Ice cream for the last two days because it goes down so easy. Then I think about what I felt like after surgery, the twelve thousand I charged to get banded and then think what the hell am I doing. I've stuck to diets hundreds of times, I have to make this work. So I say to myself, suck it up and stop eating or else this is for nothing. I hate to be blunt but why do we do this to ourselves? I hope you get back on track and feel better.

Thanks for the feedback! But I wonder how much it fills and how long it lasts? I think I'll get some taken out, just in case. I wouldn't want to ruin it for the rest of the family if I had to end up in an ER in Scotland. It's better to be safe than sorry. This way I'll get to enjoy eating a little more anyway. Thanks again and I'll check-in after the trip. Patty Ann

Good Luck, Joe!!!

Okay! I hope someone can tell me what this feeling was. Today I was cooking chicken for the family and of course, when I cook, I pick. I have to taste it before I feed it to the kids, right? Anyway, I guess I wasn't paying attention to the chewing. I got this severe pain in my chest, I took a sip of my husbands Pepsi thinking it would make me burp and the feeling would go away, well the pain got worse and lasted about 4-5 minutes, then I burped two or three times and it went away. During those 4-5 minutes, I thought I was having a heart attack, the pain was from my chest into my throat, I felt like I couldn't breath, I broke out in a sweat, it was terrifying.

I am part of that low BMI clinical study that Dory Ferraro is running through Columbia University in NYC. I was banded in March at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY.. Columbia, along with Dory and the Surgeon, Dr. Dan Davis are set up with Lawrence Hospital because Lawrence is willing to charge a lower fee for the surgery than Columbia would be able to offer. I paid 12,000, that included everything and three months after care. You have to go back every month for a year for check-ups as part of the study. I can't say enough about Dory Ferraro and Dr. Davis, they were great. The hospital and staff were great,too. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Congratulations Krystal!!! Hope you have a quick recovery!!

I didn't feel much restriction after the first fill. I was still able to eat two slices of pizza at one sitting (I know I'm not supposed to have pizza). I was only filled 1cc. I did feel different though. I would get a burning sensation in my chest if I ate too fast and I didn't have that feeling before the fill. After the second fill, I am feeling alot more restriction but not enough to see a weight loss. I seem to lose 4 or 5 lbs. in the two days following a fill because I'm on liquids and then nothing the rest of the month but atleast I'm not gaining any back. You'll probably feel some difference after your next fill. Good Luck!

Hi Danyielle! What's your BMI? I would still try your insurance company, the worse thing that can happen is they say no. It's worth the wait. My BMI was only 38 so my insurance company wouldn't cover anything. I found out about a clinical study that Columbia University in NYC was doing for people who had a BMI between 30-40. I had to shell out(charge) $12,000 before surgery, that includes three months after care and fills. Believe me, I wish I had that $12,000 to buy myself new clothes when I reach my goal weight. I've heard great things about Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico and his staff but remember , you'll probably have to find someone to do your fills here in the U.S.. What if there are complications after, you might have to go back to Mexico. Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck! Take care!

I tried one today! Low calorie/low carbohydrate beer. I poured it in a glass and put it back in the refrigerator for a while to get rid of some of the carbonation, it wasn't exactly flat, but close. Believe it or not, it tasted great!! I won't drink it too often, because of the calories and all but it was very refreshing on a warm day like today, after working in the yard all day.

Hi all! I was banded in March of '05. I lost 7 lbs. pre-op and 6 lbs. the week after surgery. In the last two and a half months I have only lost an additional 12 lbs. I know that sounds like a lot to some people but if I went on Atkins I would lose that in three weeks. I just feel frustrated because I spent so much money on this surgery and I am not seeing the results I thought I would. Am I being greedy? I've had two fills and I am scheduled for my third in June. I feel like I could still eat a lot and pretty much anything I want, except rice. Please let me know if anyone else feels this way and will it get better after the third fill?

Hi, thanks for all the replies. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I guess I thought the band would do a lot more of the work. I am not really trying very hard, I'm not eating the right way, you know, protein first. Sometimes it's just easier to grab a bagel on the way out the door or have pizza on soccer practice nights. I have three children 4,6, & 7 and don't have much time to make myself a piece of broiled chicken or something like that. I know, I've been using these poor children as an excuse for being fat for seven years, I can't join a gym or go out walking because I have the kids at home. I guess if I really suck it up and stick to a diet and exercise plan I could find the time and I would lose weight. I have to get into the right frame of mind. Anyway, thanks for the support. Patty Ann I had my surgery on March 8th, 2005 at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY Dr. Dan Davis and Dory Ferrarro,NP My BMI was only a 38 so I went with a Columbia University Clinical Study for patients who had a BMI under 40 I started at 213 and am now 188, 12 weeks later.