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