DrewsLou

JeannetteW... I didn't see anyone berating you... myself included. You stated that you are 4 weeks out and feel no restriction. I was responding to your post. In answer to your question about fills... I have had 2 fills and I'm 7 weeks out from being banded. My first fill I was very nervous and had no idea what to expect... just what I have read here. It went fine and he placed 1cc in my band that I believe holds 4cc's. I went for my second fill yesterday as I was no longer feeling any restriction and was suprised to learn there was only .5cc's in my band. My doc says this happens sometimes where a fill "disappears" and not to stress about it. He put a total of 1.5cc's in and I feel decent restriction now. It's not what I'd like it to be at this point but I have learned here that it can take awhile for a fill to "kick in" so I'm going to wait a week or so and see what happens. I am lucky in that my doc is 15 minutes from me and I can go see him whenever I need to. I appreciate his filling me conservativily. My biggest fear is being too full and having some of the problems that others here have had. I'm sorry if you felt jumped on... I don't think that was anyone's intention. I hope this answers some of your questions. If not... ask! Peace!

I think expecting restriction without a fill is a bit unrealistic and probably not going to happen. I have seen a few posts here and there from people who have never had a fill and have lost but........ by and large you need a fill for the band to work. Peace!

Just got back from my second fill. The first fill was 1cc.... there was only 1/2cc left in my band! What the hell? He said he has seen that happen a few times and that it's really nothing to worry about. Anywho..... I know have 1.5cc's in my band! Accordning to his scale I have lost 5.3lbs since my last fill 3 weeks ago. Not too bad I guess but I would like it to be more! I guess the fat didn't come on overnight it's probably not going to leave that way, eh? Peace!

I am in Denver and I paid $9995.00. That includes 3 months of follow up. After that fills are only $100. I'm pretty happy about that!

5'7" and my goal is 170ish!

Your political compass Economic Left/Right: -5.63 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.62

When I first went in for my consultation with my surgeon in January he had only done a dozen or so bands. When I went back for preop in April he had done somewhere are 50 or so. I got quite a bit of grief via PM about choosing a "less experinced" band surgeon but I am totally happy with my choice. He has been doing laproscopic surgery for over 20 years and pioneered the laproscopic galbladder procedure in Colorado. I feel that because he is not turning out several bands a day he has more time to focus on each patient and make sure things are going as they should. I feel like I get a lot more personalized attention from him and his staff. My appointments usually last 30 minutes or so! I really appreciate the way that I am treated as a patient and as a person by him and his office. I'm not trying to knock anyone elses choices with going with a doc that has done thoudsands of bands... just trying to explain my feelings and what brought me to my choice. Good luck in your decision!

My husband has had several surgeries in the past few months to remove infected bone form his hips and they have always put the antibiotic beads in the cavity before they close him up. They are awesome!

Hi everyone... Well I am now 6 weeks out and have lost just under 25 pounds. I got my first fill 3 weeks ago and since have lost about 5 pounds. I have decent restriction I guess but I think I am still eating too much at a time. I'm hoping to eat about 1 cup or so and be full. I am currently eating probably more around 2-2 1/2. I do stay full for at least 3-4 hours though so that's good. I am going to go in next Monday for another small fill. I just want a smidge... just enough to get me to that sweet spot. I am afraid of being too full though. I am pretty lucky as I can eat anything as long as I eat slowly and chew well, no problems with meats, bread, potatoes or pasta but I'm afraid with another fill all that might change. I joined the rec center in my town last Sunday and was able to put in 30 minutes on the treadmill walking at a pretty good clip. I plan on going 3 days a week at least. Monday I walked with my cousin, we did almost 2 miles. I was hoping to get a workout in last night but she wanted to take me out to dinner for my bday that is coming up so we went to Red Lobster. It was awesome to just have a bit of everything and not eat everything in sight. But going to dinner meant I didn't get to the gym. My hubby is in the hospital and has been for the past 3 weeks. We were hoping he was going to come home next week but there have been some additional complications and things are up in the air right now. So between work and going to the hospital I don't have much time for working out right now. I just have to make that time and it's hard! Tonight I'm planning on going to the hospital for awhile after work then head home and get changed and hit the gym. Hopefully things go as planned! I am so proud of all of us May bandsters! Everyone seems to be doing well. Let's keep up the good work! Peace.

Hi! I'm Amy... I will be 31 in less than 2 weeks.. ack! :cool: I have been married for almost 4 years and live in Colorado. I was banded May 2 in Denver by Dr Kirshenbaum. Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Feeling full.... now that's a new one for me. I am just now.... 5 weeks out.... learning to recognize what that feels like. I find myself having a hard time leaving food on the plate and being done with it. I have really struggled with that up until a few days ago and then it was like a light bulb went off in my head. I DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN MY PLATE! Noone is going to take away my birthday if I leave food uneaten. Coming to terms with that has given me a different outlook on food and the choices I make. Funny how much of this crap is in my head!

My experience was really easy. Arrived at the surgery center at 7am and went back to preop. Started my Iv and got changed and stuff back there. Next thing I knew it was time to head to the OR.I was in for about an hour and I woke up in recovery at about 11. Had a few ice chips, some juice and some pain meds and was home by 2 feeling tired but great!

1) I live in CO 2) fills are $100 after my three months of covered care. My fills are done without fluoro but if I were to get one with, it would be covered by my insurance. 3) My band surgeon does my fills himself. 4) I don't really understand this question. Are you asking if he is banded himself.... no.

Hey Chicas! I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well and came through surgery like champs! I am almost 5 weeks out and had my first fill last Tuesday. I am doing great. I gained back 5 pounds from what I lost on the liquid phase when I started mushies but have since lost 4 of that since my fill. I guess 4 pounds in a week isn't so bad! I am just so ready to start seeing more drastic results though. I am down a size in shirts already, to a 22/24 and can now fit very comfortably in a size 22 pants. Some are even too loose! The first place I noticed loss was in my feet of all places. I'm hoping to get out of wide shoes before too long. I can now also take my wedding ring off without greasing myself up... pretty cool! My bday is coming up soon, June 20. I will be 31 and am excited that this year marks a new me and a new way of life. I feel like I have so much more to look forward to now that I am working on getting healthy. My husband and I are planning on adopting a couple of kiddos here in the next year and for the first time I am not afraid that I won't be able to keep up and play with my kids like I want to be able to do. I know it sounds cheesey but I really feel like I have been given my life back. Each day is a gift that I am finally starting to feel worthy of. Keep up the good work my friends! Peace.

HI Jaclyn! I am also from Colorado and was banded May 2. Holy crap! 300 pounds!! You go girl! Who did your surgery?

I get pretty rumbly in my tumbly too. I am just 4 weeks out and it has happened since I got banded. Dunno what it means!

I got my Magic Bullet on Ebay for 35 bucks! It is the complete set, juicer, party mugs and all!

Had my first fill yesterday. Once the doc found the port it was pretty easy. I did notice a slight popping sound/feeling when the needle acessed the port. The whole thing was over in like 10 minutes. No biggie really and I'm a wuss when it comes to needles!

:deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse:

I go for my first fill this afternoon!! I have now officially been banded for 4 weeks today. It sure has gone by fast. My recovery has been incredibly easy, just some tenderness around the port area but other than that I'm good! I will report back with my fill experience later on!

I need some support today. My husband is undergoing pretty major surgery to remove some bone in his hip this afternoon. He is parapalegic and has had some major health issues the past 3 years. In fact, I have almost lost him a few times. Soooo... any good thoughts, prayers, white light or whatever your thing is sent my way would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. Hubby came through surgery like a champ. It was a pretty complicated operation per the surgeons but all went well. He didn't even have to go to ICU after! This has really been a tough past few years with his health and I'm hoping we are finally going to see a light at the end of the tunnel... just hoping it's not a train! He will be in the main hospital at least through Tuesday and then may move to a step-down unit for a couple of weeks. So much for a fun 3 day weekend!

I did not have a catheter, but I was only in surgery for less than an hour!

Good luck and best wishes 3loves! Keep us posted on how you are doing! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: