alcambra

Oh that is good that your appointment is early. You will not get trumped by surgerys that ALWAYS makes Dr. Akkary to run behind. Therefore you may luck out and get out of there pretty quick. You don't live far from Morgantown. I lived at Cheat Lake for about 20 years and now live closer to Fairmont. I live about 20 minutes from WVU. But work just across the street for the hospital, so that makes it nice for Dr appointments. Good luck on finding someone to do your psyc evaluation. Please keep me posted.

Ask as many questions as you like. I will try to answer them. How long did the process take? Well, it took a LONG time because I began the process under another Dr. (Dr. Longie) he left WVU and they did not have a Dr to do the Lapband. I waited over a year. But now things go pretty quick.A lot depends on your insurance. So that questions is one that I am unable to give you a good answer. How often do I see Dr. Akkary? After you meet with him in March you may not see him again until you get closer to your surgery date. Then you will see him between 1-2 weeks after surgery as a follow up. Then your first fill is about 4 weeks after surgery then about every six weeks you will see him either for a fill or a follow up. More often than not you will also see Ann during those visits. Does he do the fills? Yes, he is the only one that has done my fills. I can tell you this Dr. Akkay and his staff are all about making your Journey successful. Oh yeah if you haven't started an exersice program you should think about starting one. If you just begin walking a little each day and keep record of that. Hope this information is helpful. What time is your appointment if you don't mind me asking. You may want to plan on being there for a while! Tresa

aliciaj, I am from Morgantown, I had my surgery done by Dr. Akkary at WVU. I want to tell you that he is SOOOOOO AWESOME! We just love him. (my husband thinks he is so cooool) He will take the time to talk with you and make sure you uderstand what is happening. He also has a wonderful bedside manner. You will meet with Ann the dietician she will help you a lot. She is SO BIG on keeping food logs. (so start keeping those logs) You will also work Dorrine in the insurance department she is great to work with. Best wishes on your adventure!

Hello On my Way, I am also about 3 month out from my banding. My personal position on taking pictures is, I took a few the day of my surgery and then take the same “poses” on the anniversary day each month. (oh yeah I also wear the same clothes as I did the day of surgery) You will be SO surprised how much you change. I will not look at the pictures until AFTER my husband puts them on the computer next to the previous pictures. THEN he will tell me the changes that I don’t see. After reviewing them then they are filed until next month, so I will not keep obsessing on the images. Also keep in mind that each of us are different and all loose our weight at different rates. Good luck!

Try putting your hand in ice water for several minutes (I know BRRRRRRR) this may help. You can also try holding your hand up over your head for several minutes. The suggestions from luluc should also help! Good luck!

Hello, To answer your questions:confused:... Based on my experience… Does it hurt? No. You may fill a little pressure when the Doc is looking for your port. The doc pushes in your port area to locate the port. What do they give you to kill the pain? The doctor will give you shot in the port area to numb the area. Like you get when you are having dental work done. Do they knock you out? No they do not know you out. They will do the fill as an office visit. The Doctor will put saline in the band while you drink small amounts of Water. How long does it take? It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. Then you need to hang in the office while you drink water to a make sure it going through your band. You maybe a little sore and a little bruising the next day around your port area. BUT nothing that will keep you from your daily activities. I have my fill done and go back to work. Easy as 1,2, 3. Hope this helps. Tresa

I take 2 chewable Flinstones Complete and Caltrate chewables.

I was glued. You will not rip open. Just don't over due it. I also had some spoting around the larger incision, I just put a band-aid on the incision and it was fine. As momcof3 said DO NOT PICK at the glue it it come off by its self. RELAX it will be fine. Good luck.

I use The Daily Plate on LIVESTRONG.com - Calorie Counter, Weight Loss, food Calorie Counter, Nutrition Facts | LIVESTRONG.COM You can track of your Calories and exercise. Plus the search for any food, restaurant or by brand is pretty good. Good Luck! :laugh:

Cassy, I WAS taking Wellbutrin before my surgery. Unfortunately, this medication can NOT be crushed because it is a TIME release medication. Since this medication is time released it is not available in liquid. You should talk with your prescribing Dr. to see if you can take some other type of medication for a while. My Dr. gave prescribed Prozac until I am able to take pills or tablets again. The Prozac can be opened an taken. They are not to bad to get down. I would take the Prozac with Water and then take my chewable Vitamins to “kill” the taste of the meds. As restless said if the med is not to large you can take smaller dosage. However, the pills are not small enough to take post op. Good luck in your journey and hope this will help you.

I am in the same boat. I had my first fill experienced the same thing. I also asked the same questions you are asking. The responses I have received that it may take several fills before we hit the “sweet spot” I understand that when a fill is done that it causes swelling and that is why we feel restriction at first then when the swelling goes down then we are hungry and the food will go through faster therefore able to eat more. I have scheduled my second fill for this Thursday. When I called the Dr. office they asked if I was hungry? I told them yes so they told me I need another fill. :cursing: We just need to be patient. :thumbdown: Best wishes

I take Clatrate. They come in a several flavors and are chewable.

Hello, I am 8 week post OP. I have had one fill on 9/11/08. I have made another appointment for another fill this Thursday. My Since this a new experience for me WHAT:confused: exactly should I feel when the Dr. does the fill. At my first fill when the fill was happening, and I was drinking water I felt that I was going to toss my cookies and the Dr removed some of the fill. While in the office I felt it a little restriction when I done the water drinking test. However, the next day I was back to eating normal food and do not feel full. I understand that it may take several fills to hit the sweet spot. Did I do something wrong at the fill? Can someone tell me what or how to know that the fill is going to provide me with restriction? Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. :thumbup: