miller

I was self-pay patient and I had my surgery in Mexico. I live in Northern California and I am a Kaiser member. Has anyone had success in getting Kaiser provide your aftercare if you didn't have your surgery with them? If so, what was the procedure? Was getting the approval for aftercare easy or difficult? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

I was served salad, rolls, big dinner, dessert.

As I am still a new bandster (3 months), I had the perfect reality check last night as to how great this tool is. I went to a staff holiday dinner. I ate salad, rolls, big dinner, dessert. Mentally, I wanted to eat it ALL. And pre-band...I would have. But, I ate no salad, half my meal, a roll, and dessert. I was kinda beating myself up for "eating so much" but I realized that preband, I would have pigged out and eaten every course. I don't think it was my will power that got me through last night.... but my band. Use your tool!!!!

I was banded 2 months ago. I have good restriction @ 2.3cc's and I am slowly losing. I have no regrets and no complications. However, eating has become a burden and there is no joy in it anymore. On one hand i am saddened about this and, on the other hand, I feel OK (not happy, but OK) because for the 1st time I am not overeating. I think what is really going on for me is that food was my ONLY joy and pleasure in my life. Now, I am faced with having to expand my world and find new things that give me pleasure. I know this is a good thing but it is not easy right now. It feels good to have this part of my life under control but I am also bummed at the same time. Can anyone relate? :phanvan

I weighed 208 pre-op and weight 201 at surgery. I had a few false starts with attempting to do the liquid diet. At the end of the day...for us lower BMI folks...they just don't want you to gain any weight before surgery and they want you to get mentally ready for life Post-OP. ~Holly

1st fill is given 6-8 weeks after surgery. This is standard practice.

My doctor (Ortiz, TJ Mexico) had me wait 6 weeks from surgery for my first fill. After that it is a minimum of two weeks between fills. However, he uses floroscopy which makes it easier to estimate a proper fill. After 3 weeks if you don't have the desired restriction, you should be able to request a fill. 2 months is conservative.

If someone does have a list of fill doctors in the Sac area, can you please post it on this thread? Lots of people have inquired about "a list" and ,if it exists, let's post it for all to see. For being such a big city, our options are slim here in Sacramento. To all fellow Sacramento lapbandsters, where are you getting your aftercare? :girl_hug:

I just got my 2nd fill; 2.3 ccs. Definitely feel some restriction and find myself having to eat much slower. However, when eating,I find my stomach making regular, strange noises. Kinda grumbling but not quite. It seems almost like they are coming from the bottom on my eshopogas. Anyone else experience this?

I was banded on 9/20/07 by Dr. Ortiz. Great experience and no complaints. I had my 1st fill yesterday...again...a seamless experience. I am happy I chose to have him do my surgery.

I was a self-pay patient. Is the surgery, fills, and travel expenses (airlines tickets) related to surgery tax deductible?

Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support There is a Dr. who recently started doing fills in Roseville. I have not tried him.

How long after surgery before I can do sit-ups? I am 20 days post-op.

Today I am 18 days post-op and my body has told me that it is sick and tired of eating like a bird. I, too, enjoyed feeling full after eating very little in a day but that has all changed in the last day or two. Be careful in how you respond to that hunger. I over ate tonight and I don't feel so good. Feels like I have a rock in my stomach.

Hi there, I was banded on 9/20/08. I feel great! Except the gas is getting old. I walk, take gas ex, etc. Just lots of air bubbles in my tummy with nowhere to go...I feel them popping all day.When does it stop? Thanks! :nervous