sundance

:help: I have an appointment for my first fill with Dr. Lisa Harris at Chase Wellness & Research Center in Virginia Beach. Has anyone had a fill with her? It is 3 hrs away, does anyone know a Doctor in Eastern North Carolina that will do a fill on a person that was banded in Mexico?

I am from eastern North Carolina

Maybe I am a little too tight. When I first got this fill, I could not hardly swallow water. I stuck it out and it got a lot better after about a month. A long month of drinking hot tea with lots of honey to make it go down. Then I could eat but not until after 2pm. At supper, I could eat with only a few problems. Now it seems that it has somehow gotten tighter. But I can eat a few crackers or nabs in the morning and very very little at night. It has kinda reversed itself. Every great now and then, the last time was about 3 weeks ago, I ate about 10 shrimp and a couple bites of potatoe salad. I am kinda wondering if the weather has anything to do with it. It has started to turn cold...Is that even possible??? I fear a slip. My doctor was (of course) in Mexico and no doctor in my town will touch me. I see a fill doctor from FillCenters USA about 5 hours away. He does not have flouro, but says "you will know if you slip" but lots on her do not know. I don't think he is a surgeon that could fix a slip either. I think he just does the fills. A year ago, when I was considering this, I saw not complications. 1 month after, all I see is complications. It makes me very scared. I think I am going to do the liquids for a few days and see if things get better. I have not lost any weight in like 3 months and my 7 pound dog eats more than me. What gives???

I can eat soup and drink with no problems. I can also eat crackers ~ if that makes sense??? Maybe I am just so hungry, I am not chewing good enough. You would think after all this time I would know to chew well. But after eating only 1 chicken nugget you get really hungry. I think I fare worse when I go long periods without eating. Then things don't go down well at all.

I have the exact symptoms as you do.

I have not been all that successful with the band. I am starving all the time and eat very little but have only lost 40 pounds. I through up almost daily, which makes me afraid my band will slip and there you go ...another surgery...I have a friend that had gastric bypass 3 months ago and he has lost over 100 pounds already. I wish I could have the gastric bypass now and I would not have to worry about fills, slips, throughing up, etc.

if I had a choice I would do gastric bypass hands down. No question about it.

I have only lost 10 pounds and I am very unhappy with my band also. My thyroid is underactive also and I just started on thyroid meds. The meds have made me feel better, but have not helped with weight loss. I eat so little and exercise, but the scales do not move.

I have extreme gas also. I do not have gas pains just alot of noise. I can't tell that one particular food does it. After I eat anything, It starts up. My husband just laughs and says he wishes he could as loud as me. It is however very embarrassing.

who did you conversion?

If I had to do it all over again, I would do the gastric sleeve or the bypass. I have had very little success with the lapband and I have followed the rules. The fact is it doesn't work as well and I think you can have just as many complications or maybe even more. And the inconviences of fills...If it were me, I would definately choose not to have the lapband.

Who is going to do your band?

Where in NC are you at?

Hi, I am from Greenville, NC.

have you found a dr that will do fills on you yet?

snowbird, how did you submit everything to BCBS. I went to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico also. I have BCBS and my BMI was 35 too. I would like to submit everything but do not know how. Did Dr. Ortiz give you some kind of detailed billing. I just got a sheet of paper that says $8500 for everything. I would really appreciate any information you can give me.

What is the cost for a fluro fill with Dr.Ahigian, in Denver, NC?

Yes the first visit was 299 and its 150 for each visit after, unless they cannot give you a fill. Then you only have to pay 75. But...She does not do a fill under fluro. If you need to have the fluro done, I'm guessing they send you somewhere else.

Yes, I did go through Fill Centers USA.

I was a little nervous because she had only done 4 fills before me. She did get the fill in on the first stick. She was very nice. I felt like I had some restriction the first few days but now not so much.

It sounds better than it really is, I've only lost about 8 pounds since being banded. Most of that was during the clear liquids for 2 weeks. I have not lost but 4 pounds since october 23. I am really trying hard to not eat very much, but I could easily eat an entire pizza even with my fill. I just thought I would loose about 2 pounds a week, I have been eating around 800 calories a day and doing an hour on the treadmill 3-4 times a week. I just thought it would come off a little faster.

Wendell, You seem to have a better understanding of the band so if I may ask you some questions? I have the 9.75 band which holds 4cc's, my fill doctor said she could only put 3 cc's in that size band. I had my first fill of 2 cc's and still no, none, notta any restriction at all. What happens if at 3cc's still nothing? And Why does it sometimes take 2 weeks to feel the fill? I don't quite understand that? Thanks for answering.

I am also on medications and Its looking like I may need to add a new one for..... depression since I am getting very depressed since I am not loosing any weight.

I went and really liked her. She was extremely nice and we talked for a while and I did not feel rushed at all. I will probably go back to her.

My BMI was 33 when I had mine done. I am 5'1 and surgery date weighed 167. I think the lower bmi you have the harder you have to work. The band doesnot seem to be as tight after surgery and I was/am able to eat just like before surgery. I had my first fill last Thursday and I think I may have a little tiny restriction, but no where near what I want. My fill doctor says some lower bmi patients don't have quite as much fat around the stomach therefore after the swelling of the surgery, you have no restriction. That was my case. Have to use alot of willpower and fear. Fear that since I can eat too much I will somehow damage the band. :faint: