Molliegirl

Beck, I know how frustrating this can be for you. I experienced similar episodes. Apparently I can only tolerate .5cc fill. I had two previous fills and suffered terrible reflux, uncontrollable. Finally called the dr and they brought me in for an upper GI which showed barely a trickle getting through my band. That was on a Friday. They called me that afternoon after I got home and told me to come back Monday for an unfill. My esphogus was very swollen and that is not good. I had the unfill and had to wait 6 weeks to heal and then went back for another try at a fill. Let me tell you that I still had restriction even with no fill. My previous fills only took me to 2cc. Anyway, when I went back for the fill they tried 1.5cc, under the flouro so they could see what was happening when I drank the barium. I was already refluxing, so they laid me down again, took out .5cc's and another test. Still too much. I ended up with only .5 and I am fine. That was 4 months ago and I haven't gained any weight. I was only 3 lbs from goal so I am satisfied with current restriction. There have been others on this forum that have gone through this too, so hang in there. You may also be one of the few that can get by with a lot less fill. Be very mindful of how you feel. You shouldn't be vomiting and such. That is not the way the band is supposed to work, and you don't want to have problems with esophogitis (not sure of the spelling). That can be very dangerous. Hope you get where you need to be and can enjoy life with the band.

There is always a reason....and God has a plan for you, believe it!! I was downsized in August. Had a small severence and was starting to panic, then I prayed for guidance and thanked God for what I DID have. What did He want me to do, where did HE want to be. Then, family tragedy struck, with a terminal illness... Well, now being unemployed I am able to go to my sister who lives out of state and care for her as she faces a terrible ordeal with brain cancer. She just lost her son not two months ago and is facing an even tougher battle with this cancer. So I know that this was the plan God had for me. And I will take on this challenge, knowing that when one door closes, another one opens. And God can do amazing things. Now my sister will not have to face this illness alone or with strangers. Hang in there, pray for guidance, and have faith. You will know what to do when the time comes. God Bless. Oh, and don't worry about your band.....God knows, and will help you through that too!!

Hi fellow bandsters, I have a question on Biotin. I went in to GNC and noticed they sell the biotin in 300, 600 and 2500mcg doses. This is just for the biotin. Then they also have a product for skin, hair and nails for women which includes 2500mcg of the biotin along with a lot of other essential Vitamins. The Biotin alone is much more expensive than the cost of the multiple Vitamin with biotin. Don't understand why such a large price difference (?). So...what is the recommended amount of biotin to take to minimize hair loss? Would appreciated any feedback from users of biotin or any info that they can share. Thanks.

I have UHC and called them way before I even made my first appointment. It was covered. They didn't even ask me any questions. The surgeon's office submitted all the paperwork and submitted all my medical documentation from the tests I had. I also had to fill out the history report and of course, like many others here, for the last 20 years or so, I tried ALL the diets with no permanent weight loss. Always gained it back. I did find out I had sleep apnea along with the existing asthma condition. All was covered 100% (since they were participating in UHC plans) except for the nutritionist and the psych evaluation. I would love to know what they submitted, but I guess that is moot now, since all was approved and I have now had my band for a year this month. I am 5 lbs from goal and would do it again in a heartbeat!!

Hi all, I need some advice. Banded November 22, 2005. Had my second fill on April 3 which gives me a total of 1.5 cc. Definitely more restriction. Have lost 35 lbs so far. On Wednesday of last week, and Thursday and Friday, I had terrible time sleeping due to reflux. It was so bad that it was literally coming out my nose. This went on the entire night, I know this sound gross, but I couldn't sleep at all. It was like a bloody nose at times, just pouring out. Thought it was maybe eating too close to bedtime. Called the dr. Friday morn and spoke with his nurse. She told me to go back on the prilosec, 2x a day for the next 3 days and not to eat too soon before bedtime. Okay, I did that. Sunday night wasn't too bad but I had to sleep elevated. My new restriction only allows me to eat 3-4 mouthfulls before I get a really tight feeling. And it stays for a long time. ThenI will get the hic-ups. Am I just not doing what I should....I eat slow and chew really well. It is now 3:45am and I haven't eaten since 7:00 but I have been drinking sips of Water for the past 2 hours. I am literally afraid to go to bed, that I might have the same problems. Anyone have some suggestions. Do I just need to get used to this new fill? Thanks for your help.

Hi all, Just wanted to update you on my situation. I was banded last Nov (2005), had my first fill in February and my second fill in May for a total fill of 1.5cc. A few weeks after my second fill, I started having problems with reflux at night, a lot in fact. Couldn't sleep, or eat and was totally miserable. I called the doc and was told to restart the prilosec. Didn't help, and was actually getting worse. And I was PB'ng all the time. I called again a few weeks after and they set me up for another upper GI which the tech told me the day I had the test, that it looked like I was too tight. So they brought me in 3 days later and did a total unfil. Up until this time I had lost 68 lbs so I was okay with the weight loss and only 15 lbs from goal. But I didn't like how I felt the last few weeks before the unfill. So....I go 6 weeks to give my dilated esophogus a chance to heal. Today I went back in for my fill. They started with another upper GI to make sure all was back to normal, and it was. Then they proceeded to give me ony 1 cc of fill. More pictures and drinking more barium. Well, I was refluxing the barium so they lay me down, poke me again, and remove .5 cc's. Now the weird thing is while waiting for my turn I met several other bandsters scheduled for fills and all had so much more than me. I know that we are all different and our bodies react to different amounts of fill but only .5 cc's? They told me this was just my body and that I could only accept that amount. I have a 10cc band, but only .5cc's today and I guess that is my limit. We will see. Although I have to say that I STILL had restriction even with an empty band. Anyone else experience something like this? I guess I can't complain as the band has totally changed my life. I can now fit into size 8 jeans and am so close to my goal, I would do it again in a minute!! Well, thanks for letting my get this off my chest. I lurk around here a lot and read all the posts and get some really good information here, so thanks for listening.

Gosh Alexandra...you just answered a question I have been pondering about for 6 weeks. I too suffered with the reflux, not sleeping, eating, etc. after my second fill. I only had a total of 1.5cc in my band, but I was totally miserable too. Not being able to sleep and being afraid of what would happen during the night with the reflux, I was keeping towels across my pillow and tissues by my bed. Terrible to have to go through. I finally called back again and told the office I couldn't deal with it this way and they set me up for another GI. (My first call resulted in a prescription for Prilosex, which did not help). Tech guy told me after the test that it looked like I was too tight. So they set me up for an appointment with the doc and a possible unfill. Got the total unfil and was surprised when the doc first came in and said "you've got quite an impression x-ray there". So I know that the fill was definitely my problem and caused my upper pouch to swell. Even with the unfill I had restricition and my hubby said he thought that I was still eating like I had the full restricition. In other words, I still was eating very little. I am scheduled to have a re-fill on Monday and I am tempted to tell them to either keep it very very small or possibly not give me an adjustment at all. I have lost 70 pounds, can wear a size 6 now and haven't gained any weight since the unfill so I may just take the path the says I am where I am meant to be. The band has changed my life so much!!! Bless you for sharing your experiences with us and I look at this board almost every day. Not posting much at all, but it is definitely my support group and keeps me going. Thanks again!! Hope you know how many people you have helped!

Hi Patticakes, I don't think I was losing at a slow pace. Seems like a decent rate, however, today I had to go in for an upper GI as I was having too many nights with reflux. Lo and behold, I was too tight. Been telling them that for 6 weeks. Was told before to continue with Prilosec and elevate my bed. Still no relief. So today at my visit I found out the problem was being too tight. Doctor is on vacation this week so they are putting me on next Monday's schedule for a little unfill. liquids and mushies all week til then. So far though I have been extremely happy with my weight loss rate. Don't want to lose too fast. You need to allow your body to adjust to the loss. Don't worry about losing to slow, as long as you are losing!

Whoa...a lot of responses here. My hubby and I met in hs, we just celebrated our 40th on July 23. Have 2 wonderful kids and 1 grandbaby. I don't think he ever cheated, but I know he has looked. Plenty. He is a junk food eater and used to be a beer drinker and smoker. He quit the smokes and the beer and NEVER gained a pound. Always thin. Me on the other hand just packed on the weight until I was 215 lbs before banding. It was one of our biggest arguments. I just couldn't control the weight. Now I am down 66 pounds and in a size 8 from a size 22. Banded in Nov of '05. And yes, my losing the weight has made a big difference in our marriage. We really do love each other, but I was always embarrassed to go out with him. Now, he won't leave me alone and is following me around like crazy. So....we did stick it out and I am glad. Looking forward to the next 40 years!

I agree with most everyone so far. You need to change your diet. I was banded in November of 05 and have had two fills. My starting wt was 216 and now I am 148. It was slow at first, but once you see some of the weight coming off it gives you more determination to continue. Also, I DO NOT weigh myself more than 1x a week. My biggest challenge is getting in all the water. You really do have to change your whole way of looking at food. Now, with the restriction, I cannot eat a lot of things, especially red meat. Chicken is okay if I chew it really good. I hate fish, so that is out. But here is my list of changes. No soda or pop whatsoever. I have given up all the "white stuff" as Oprah puts it. Don't miss it anymore and it usually only getz "stuck" anyway. If I feel I need to have some bread, which is once in a blue moon, I toast it first. But it's not worth getting stuck over. I have had some sherbert as a treat. But I no longer gorge on the muffins, donuts, etc. Don't want to anymore. My life has changed now and I am no spring chicken either. I will be 60 in August and the older you are, the harder it is sometimes. Hang in there, try to focus on you and what you need in your body. Skip the pizza, spaghetti etc. Try some other foods that are healthier. I know it is hard with kids around as you cook for them and then you need to find the time to make your own meals. But....this is now about you and you need "your time". God Bless...you will make it.

i had my surgery 11/22/05 at HUP in Philly. I went alone. Had my sister drop me off and pick me up. No problems at all. I came home the next day. Dr's and nurses took good care and pain meds were administered. I just didn't need someone staying with me while I was pretty much out of it and then only staying overnight. But that is just me. Others may feel more comfortable with someone by their side. I had my Lord and Saviour and I was very confident of the turnout.

HI, I also used Dr. Noel Williams. He is at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. Great doctor and his staff is sooooo understanding and always there for you, but previous poster is right, he is busy. I started researching the band procedure last January. By April I knew it was for me. My required additional medical clearance appointments were done within a six week period and I was done by September will the cardio, psych, pulmonary, sleep study, nutrition, chest x-ray, upper GI, etc, but I couldn't get a date until late November. So if you plan to go ahead with getting the band, be patient if you use Dr. Williams.

Hi All, I have been lingering around the boards for some time, actually since I started my research on the banding procedure. I was banded 11/22/05 and will have my first fill on Jan 30th. It was through reading all the posts and information I could find on WLS and the band, that made me go ahead and take the necessary steps to change my life. In response to the attitudes on WLS, I must admit my own hubby thought it was the easy way out...until he noticed that even without my first fill I have lost 17 pounds. He has never had a weight problem, and was always on my back about my weight. Nagged me constantly about it. I was not extremely obese, but I didn't want to continue the route I was on....I knew I had lost control. My highest weight was 215 but I had other problems that were getting worse with each pound I put on. No one at work knows about my surgery, they think it was for something else. My family knows though, as my niece had gastric bypass last year at the same hospital in Philadelphia. She is looking fantastic. So yes, most will be supportive and to those that are not, who needs negativity?? I thank God for giving the surgeons and doctors the knowledge to be healers and doctors of medicine and now I say to myself "One day at a tme, sweet Jesus".