fillerup

Kirsty49, I am in the same situation as you. I was banded Nov 24, 2008 and have lost 55+ now. I don't think I'll be getting another fill, as I too am finding myself "burping up" quite a bit (nobody told me about that), especially if I eat too quickly. Only 10 pounds to go until goal weight is met. It's been quite a journey and I'm sure glad I did it. I ride my bicycle quite a bit, but that's about it for exercise. Food choices haven't really changed too much, just a lot less eaten. I encourage others who are on the fence about having this procedure to do it. My family pics from last year, hell, even 7-8 months ago are hilarious! I look and feel so much better now. Anyone else look back at their pre-surgery pics lately and smile? Steve

Just checking in after a lengthy hiatus. Glad to see everyone is still losing and making it from day to day on this jounrney. I know mine has been tough, but successful. I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary (like most) and have finally broken the 200lb mark (197lbs) after being a high of 247lbs last year. Keep up the good works and keep the thread alive. Steve Banded 11/24/08 14 cc band First Fill 01/30/09 6.0 cc Second Fill 02/24/09 1.5 cc Third Fill 5/13/09 .5 cc Fourth Fill 8/16/09 .5 cc Starting weight 247lbs Present weight 197lbs!

I'm with some of you on the PB'n thing. It seems I really can't eat anything other than soups and some types of chips. It seems I yack up everything. I sure hope it gets better. I'm losing weight though, a big plus. Steve

Keep it up. I got banded 11-24-08 and didn't get any restriction/benefit until after my 3rd fill. I was stuck at 220 lbs for over 6 weeks and could eat almost anything, except fish or ground taco meat. Once the band was filled and I got proper restriction (last week) losing the weight has been no problem at all. Lost 5lbs like that! Not feeling hungry at all and it severely limits your intake to the "full" point like you won't believe. You will get full on almost nothing. All I can say is hang in there. It's a long journey and the band will work as promised/advertised. Give it a little time. I was concerned as you are now. Don't be. It will happen. Steve

Banded Peeps, I recieved my 3rd fill 2-27 09 for a total of 7cc in a 14cc band. Finally got restriction. Lots of it. I also was able to finally break my 6 week plateau and lost another 5 pounds! Hang in there. This is great. I don't feel hungry and boy does the band limit my intake. I was getting concerned, like some others, that it would not work and was becoming quite discouraged. No more. Steve Pre-band /started pre-op diet ~247lbs Banded w/1.5cc 11-24-08 237lbs 1st fill Jan 6 - 2cc 220lbs 2nd fill Jan 30 - 2cc 220lbs 3rd fill Feb 27 - 1.5cc 220 CURRENTLY 215LBS! :confused:

Well, I had my third fill today. Banded 11-24-08. Been pretty much at the same weight and feeling not much restriction at all. Now have 7cc in a 14cc band. I will be doing my walking religiously and watching more what I eat. Stay with it Novembers! We can do it. My doc says I am getting extra calories and need to better monitor my intake. He's right of course. I encourage others to also examine their intake and make sure they are making every effort to better their health/lives, We all need these reminders. Fillerup

Heather, You and I are in the same boat! I need to re-motivate myself also. My walking hasn't suffered, just the eating part. I find that I can still eat just about anything, except fish or ground taco meat. Both get stuck with the first bite. Burgers, chicken etc,,,all go right down. Even tri tip. Go figure. I've had 2 fills and now have 5.5 cc in a 14 cc band. Going to the docs at the end f the month for another fill. I sure hope it gives some restriction, or at least the sensation of "fullness". Man, I hate dieting. Hang in there and get back on the wagon. I'm rooting for you. Fillerup

I'm still not willing to let the Notorious Novembers go to the back-burner yet. I was banded November 24th 2008 and just had my second fill, to 5.5cc in a 14cc band. I'm finally feeling some restriction and burping up a lot of the steak/chicken that I've eaten. The band will definately be helping me make good choices. I am still the same weight as 2 weeks ago, but am looking forward to small weight loss each month. Good luck all and keep up the fight. It is a fight afterall. Steve

Well, I had my first fill on January 9th. I'm not feeling any restriction yet. Scheduled another for Feb 6th. Hope it works better. I had 1cc in a 14cc band and he gave me 2cc for a total of 3cc. Stuck at same weight for last 3 weeks or so. Fillerup,,,,,please!

So is it the losing of weight/fat around the inside of the band that is responsible for another fill being needed?

I don't have much to add to this thread, as I am still awaiting my first fill (banded Nov 24). I just don't want to see this thread, and my banded Novemeber tribe, relegated to page 2 or 3 just yet. I take it back. I do have to admit that I'm in bandster hell right now. Not a pretty place to be. No weight loss in last 2-3 weeks and starving all the time. Staying strong, but hating it. I sure hope a "fill" does something. I had no fill when it was installed and my surgeon told me he had to give me the bigger band, as I had a lot of fat around the stomach etc... January 9th is my first fill date. Hope everyone had a good holiday. Steve

I was banded on November 24, 2008. I'm trying to keep my diet mostly protein, but it's really difficult when breakfast is oatmeal or grits. I'm just getting out of the "mushies" stage and will be going to semi-solids this week. I've had some other foods, which were chewed to the point of "puree" and have not had any problems so far. I can hardly wait for my first fill on January 9, 2009. I don't have any noticable restriction right now, but it does get a little "tight" or uncomfortable after eating or drinking a certain amount. Is this restriction, or just the feeling of a full pouch? Oh, I started seeing my doctor at 251 lbs, lost 10 pounds pre-op and another 20 or so post-op. No complaints, just starting to get really hungry now and was really getting bored with the limited diet options pre and post op. Steve

I agree, take in more fluids. Try a sugarless mango slurpee from 7-11, they're the bomb! Steve

I found that 7-11 has sugarless slurpeez. They have a mean crystal light mango drink and it really helped me. I got a pill for the nausea, but it didn't seem to help me much. I am much better this evening. It is getting better. Steve

I'm with you on this. I got banded 2 days ago also. I didn't sleep for nearly 38 hours because of all the pain and discomfort. The gas pain was nothing less than incredible. It still is causing me pain, but not nearly as much as the first 2 days. Yeah, I too know a lying sack of @#$!# who said he was back to work in two days. Not on your life! I'm not a stranger to pain and this was way too much to even consider driving a car etc... I feel your pain. Hang in there. The worst is almost over. Steve

I have been lurking for quite some time and saw my surgeon today. I will be self-paying since I have Kaiser and my BMI is not high enough. I do have hypertension and am pre-diabetic. Both were learned recently. I understand having to pay for the surgery etc... but what I really would like to know is has anyone else had to pay for the stuff required before the surgery, or did Kaiser cover it? My surgeon requires blood lab work, 12 lead EKG, psyche eval, physical for General Anesthesia clearance and chest xrays prior to surgery. Did Kaiser cover these expenses for anyone? I called and spoke with an advice nurse and will not hear back until Tuesday.

Formyboys, I don't mind having to get all the tests. I agree it's a good thing and they need to know all they can before they operate. I think Dr Kirshenbaum does all the tests during the 3 day visit to his center. My problem for now is who pays for them and if not my HMO, then where do I go to get them done and how much can I expect to pay? My surgeon has not provided me with any suggestions, only his required tests for surgery clearance. The rest seems to be up to me to research and get done. Some definate hurdles.

I also contacted Dr Kirshenbaum, but could not find any fill centers near my home. I think with the follow-up appointments to Denver requiring airfair, hotels and car rentals , it would end up costing me about the same amount. The scary part for me would be the time and distance from my surgeon should something go wrong. I sure hope my insurance carrier foots the testing bill. Good luck in Colorado. Let us know how it works out.

Thanks. Sounds like I picked a great surgeon. I sure hope Kaiser covers all the pre-op tests. My surgery will be at a surgical center on the north side of the Golden Gate in Marin County.

I was quoted $14.2K total for both the surgeon's fee and anestheologist etc... Did you pay for your lab.chest xrays, EKG etc..? Or did your insurance company? If you paid, did you go through Dr Feng, or??

I had my initial consult with Dr Feng this afternoon at his Lodi office. He seems like a wonderful doctor. If you don't mind my asking, were you a self-payer, or did your insurance cover the procedure and testing? =