tmarie07

Haven't had a fill in 5 years - was sitting at 7 out of 10 on fluid and doing fine during that time. During a hospital stay for gallbladder issues, they had to unfill my band for a procedure, and now I need to get some fluid back in. My doctor retired years ago, True Results is gone now and I know my insurance won't cover fill - wondering if there's any other type of "clinic" or doctor that will fill now without charging an arm and a leg! Any insight to what others are doing for fills? I'm in the middle of the DFW metroplex.

I've had HPB for about 15 years, always under control with medication. After the surgery, at my fill appts, I noticed it was way up, like 160 over 100. Went to my doc, said what's the deal? She added a diuretic to my meds, now it's back under control. Her explanation for it....I'm getting old! Ugh, so not what I wanted to hear, lol! She says with more weight loss, it might go down, but as said by another poster, it just might be the way it is! Tina

I'm good with the Dutch chocolate Isopure. Tried the Myoplex EAS ready to go little bottle containers (like a mini milk carton), and I really wanted to like it, but it had bizarre lumps in it, which i only found while drinking, so almost puking in the sink kinda turned me off. Maybe I got a bad batch...cause I'm betting it's not suppossed to be like that! I dont mind the Syntrax nectar fuzzy navel. Not that great, so I didnt vote for it, but it's doable if I'm bored with the chocolate. Tina

I found it on Amazon, they had the best price I could find thru one of their retailers. It's ok, I can definately drink it, but I dont crave it, of course, i havent found any protein drink crave! I've got the Fuzzy navel one. But, taste is subjective! If you've gotten a sample from your doc, at least you'll get to try it for free!

Yes, smoking is evil, especially to those who used to smoke. Yes, it will kill us all slowly, and we should quit for our health. That aside, my doc had no issue with it. I'm sure plenty do, and I totally understand that. Same as any other demographic, some accept, some dont. Now, the people who do my fills, did make the strong recommendation to quit for the following reason. Mucus. Everyone has mucus buildup in your stomach when you sleep. It's much more for smokers. With the restriction you get from the band, it will take longer each day for that mucus to dissolve, or whatever it does. I know most people with the band are tighter in the morning hours, and with increased mucus build up, it could take longer until you are able to comfortably eat during the day. Personally, I dont eat until after 2pm. Some days I can eat before then, others I cant. I didnt like the crap shoot of knowing if something would go down, so I picked a time that had consistently worked for me. I can drink anytime of the day just fine, and have my Protein shake in the morning. Just something to consider along with all the other input on the smoking/nonsmoking debate for lap banders. I'm not a doc, or a trained medical professional, but what the fill nurses said about the mucus makes sense. Tina

Sounds like there's a couple variations. I went to one my docs office recommended, and the minute he sat down he basically said "you're not going to "fail" this, I just to chat with you as part of protocol". And then he asked me family history, why I wanted it, did I understand it, was I ready for the change etc. Lasted maybe 30 to 45 min at the most. No written exam required. Paper was sent over saying recommended for surgery. Tina

Ugh, I weigh every day, and it drives me mad. The constant messing around with 2 lbs. I'm trying to wean myself off of daily and work my way to weekly....I know I'll see a more "real" number that way...but it's so hard! Cause some days, you really do see a 2lb loss that sticks, and that keeps me going back to the scale.... Tina

I think it's up to each individual surgeon. I was banded 6 months ago and my doc says you can come see him anytime you want, but he quit scheduling any real follow up after post op a few years ago as he'd found a majority of his patients werent really needing anything scheduled, and were coming to him if they felt they had issues. So no blood tests here. I'd say call your surgeons office and ask if he does them, or if you are worried about anything, your regular doctor should be able to order blood tests and review for any abnormalities as well. Tina

I went in for my 4th fill last week, but I'm apparently losing "too well", and they asked me to take at least a week and log my food intake, try for protein from a meat at every meal, and evaluate when I'm hungry by logging the times of day I'm hungry, and try to make changes. I hadnt realized it, because I've been messing with the same 2 lbs for the last 3 weeks, but I've lost 24 lbs in 2 months, and they prefer 7 lbs per month. So if you're not feeling restricted, etc, I'd recommend what they asked me to do. They will give me a fill, they just want me try this first, and you know, I've already realized I'm not always using real hunger as indictator, but head hunger instead. I'm actually going to put off my fill for more then they asked me to, as I really dont want to be overfilled if I can do this as the fill point I'm at. Tina

I've got IBS, also diarrhea type, and for me, it's been great in that respect. I havent had a "flare up" in several months, and now I'm experiencing constipation for the first time in my life. But for me, I'd rather have that, as I have so far been able to easily resolve it with meds and it has not been disabling like diarrhea can be. As I was before, sometimes it was difficult to leave the house, now, I may have some discomfort from the constipation, but as it's not gotten excrutiating, I can leave the house anytime...huge benefit for me! Tina

Absolutely the same thing! I lose good right after a fill, and then play around with the same few pounds for weeks. My fill nurse said she thinks it's because of the high cal/low cal's that we're more conscious of right after a fill, giving your metabolism a kick start, but really I don't know. Either way, I eventually start losing again. Tina

Moms, gotta love them. I made no secret of mine, but only told a handful of people before the surgery that I felt needed to know. The day after surgery my mother takes my son to school for me. She proceeds to chat with the school receptionist who she's known for years. Guess what she tells her. A week later, I take my son to school, and here comes the Music Teacher, with all kinds of questions about it! 3 months later at the school field day, some mom I've never spoken to comes up and asks me how it's been after the surgery, because she had it too. Schools are such havens for gossip! I'm not offended and everyone's been really nice, but I'd rather have told them myself. And believe me, I do ask them who told them each time someone brings it up...and it's a different source of the info every time, confirming my lap band surgery news ran rampant! Tina

My period used to be regular regardless of my size, but since the surgery, it's messed - I usually have 2 a month. My doctor says that the loss of body fat can cause your body to freak a little, and mess up your cycle. She wasnt overly concerned about it, but said we could try to sort it out with progestrone cream - she the cream for two months to see if it helps, then she'll test my levels to see if I'm getting back to normal. Month one did nothing, but I think it may have to build up a little. We'll see how it goes. And I do (literally) feel your pain! Tina

Michelle - I'm relatively new to this having only been banded since December, and not really having any trouble getting food down, but my first thought would be are you getting enough Protein, especially if you are losing a lot of hair. You may not be getting enough calories and your body could be in starvation mode. Are you drinking a high protien drink every day? The doctor suggestions are somewhere between 40 to 60 grams of protein a day. Tons of options out there, like Isopure, nectar, Slim Fast, etc. I'm sure others will come along with more thoughts, but thats my two cents! I'm sure you can work through it! Tina

I'm 5ft 4 and weighed 373 prior surgery. I've heard that some doctors feel that if you're over a certain weight or BMI (I guess whatever number they personally decide on) that they feel you need the more drastic Gastric Bypass to successfully lose weight, or that with other issues (HBP, etc) you need the quickest approach to getting your health back in order, regardless of what the "side effects" could be with GBP. My brother had the GBP, and has been extremely successful with no real complications. I looked at that operation myself ,but it wasnt for me. I went to a doctor that only focuses on the Lap Band, so there were no questions about which one I should go with, he only recommends one. Either the doctor will come to your way of thinking, or at the least you'll understand his reasoning better, and then move on to a doctor willing to work with you on what you want. Best of luck to you! Tina

I'm a lap bander with IBS too (diarrhea kind) - mine has been greatly improved since the surgery (although now I have to admit I've had constipation for the first time in my life! not sure if I prefer my old IBS symptoms, or the new constipation...neither is comfortable!) I talked to my regular doctor prior to the surgery because I didnt know if the surgery would fix it much, and I was taking 6 giant pills a day which I knew I wouldnt be able to take anymore, and she switched me back to a powder med she'd given me years before for IBS - she said this would help with both diarrhea and keep me from being constipated. Since i've been greatly improved, i really havent used it as directed, but it is "suppossed" to help keep me regular. If the over the counter stuff isnt working for you - ask your doc about CHOLESTYRAM powder, and see if they think it might help you out. It mixes with a few ounces of Water, not a pretty taste, mine is prescribed for 2 packets a day. Again, I've not really had to use it for it's prescribed use yet, but just a suggestion to talk to your doc about. Best of luck! Tina

I know that the denial stinks, and I'm sorry to hear about it, but know that it's not over at all, and having to do either 3 more, or a full 6 more months of diet, really will just help you prepare more for the surgery! Both mentally and physically...doesnt feel like it at the moment, but it really is true. This is a life change, so while time is usually the enemy to those of us overweight, when you have the goal in mind of surgery, it makes it easer to focus and find success. Best of luck! Tina

I'd talk to the Bariatric Surgeon to be sure that's an insurance requirement or the surgeon's requirement. Not sure what it would do, but at least you'd know where it stems from in order to plan your next steps. My regular doctor had nothing to do with my decision for Lap Band Surgery, and it was all handled via the surgeon (actually True Results, but that's like a clearinghouse for the docs they work with), and none of my pretests were associated with my doctor. All my doctors office did was provide my medical records, which they have to hand over regardless of how they feel. I've not heard of your situation before, but I havent heard them all yet! I just cant fathom that this would put a stop to the whole thing....I could be wrong, but I'm really hoping with some legwork you can get past this and move on to a successful surgery! Best of luck! Tina

I'd say you havent had any swelling or anything from the fill - yet, but it could still happen. But I dont think it's extremely unusual. To stave off the hunger some, I'd recommend your high Protein drinks - they do help some, and will help you get over some hunger so you're less likely to run off the rails with solid food from the hunger! I know when I'm doing liquid after a fill I make sure to have 2 of my shakes a day. Tina

Havent updated my ticker yet because I like to get the official word from the doc's scale, but my scales show me at 63 lbs down. It seems to be going slow, but all of a sudden it's like, wow, that's really NOT slow! Congrats on everyone's weight loss! Tina

Jak - best of luck to you - the waiting game with the insurance is the hardest part! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! And I'm right across the 114 in Grapevine, so here's to hoping I hear whooping and not crying! Tina

Same boat - 3 fills, no real restriction. Actually felt like less restriction after fill #3 settled in. Lost about 5 pounds about 2 or 3 weeks about,been playing with the same 2 lbs the last 2 weeks. I'm due for another fill, going in at the end of May. Willpower is hanging on by a thread, so really hoping to get more restriction on fill #4 - at the very least the liquid/soft foods diet after will kick in a little more weight loss until the next fill. But at 5.2 cc's in a 10cc band, I'm thinking fill 4 might do the trick. Here's to hoping! I've had some sliming in the last few weeks, but no pb'ing which is good, and I think it's from eating too fast. At least after the sliming you definately walk away from the table - who wants to eat after that pain! LOL. Tina

My doc is Dr Marsden, he just happened to be the Doctor doing the AIGB/True Results seminar the night I went, and I was highly impressed with him, and he hasnt let me down since. Tons of experience, cardiology background prior to banding, wife is a doctor too, last published count I saw of his surgeries was a few years old and it was over 3,000 at that time - I would recommend him to anyone. You can see him anytime you want to, but aftercare such as support groups and Fills is through True Results, and my experience has been good with them too. Best of luck to you in picking a surgeon that's right for you! Tina

How funny - I noticed this on myself recently too! It's like it's extra squishy too around that part. The rest seems to be going down some, as I've lost 2 sizes in clothing, but I look down and this part is a little more distended then the rest, and just looks funny! Glad I'm not alone! Tina

My letter of approval from Aetna had the location on the approval letter, I actually had to tell Dr Marsdens office which one it was, as they hadnt recieved it sp they made a copy of my letter (I think their gal that handles that might not have forwarded it to his Hurst office with my file info). The Hurst Surgery Center is suppossed to be excellent, so I'm sure you'll be fine! It'll just mean a little longer drive home, but you'll be so medicated it wont really matter! Tina