redcat

I feel your pain!! I have 17 lbs to go until goal. I lost 10 of those lbs (wasn't easy!)...then gained that 10 lbs back (very easy!)...now still have those 17 lbs to go. I want to weigh what my driver's license says I weigh. So close! Gotta get there! We can do this!!

You're not alone...From Atlamta area here! Are you banded?

My 6th fill was on 7-2-09. The medical director of True Results saw me today. He was alarmed at how much fill I have received (8.6 ccs total), saying that that was likely more than anyone else they saw. I have been concerned for quite a while, but the NP keeps reassuring me that everything is fine. The dr decided to withdraw all the fluid to see how much I actually have in my band. He could only withdraw 2.8ccs!!! He said "Where is all your fluid?!" He withdrew the fluid about 3 times to verify, and each time got only 2.8ccs. Clearly, there's a problem. He put another 1cc of fill in my band...so I've had 9.6ccs put in there, but only actually have 3.8ccs in there. Needless to say, I'm very worried. I called the dr after getting home to see what the next step should be. He wanted to talk to the surgeon (on 7-14-09) and call me back. I talked to him on 7-16-09, and he said he wants me to come in for my scheduled fill on 7-20-09 and he would fill me up and see what happens from there. I expressed my concern about money, as I am self pay. He said I shouldn't be penalized as far as how many fills I've had so far, and shouldn't have to pay for further surgery if it is necessary. That's a relief, but I'm still very worried. I hope he knows what he's talking about as far as the money is concerned, and I don't like to idea of more surgery...especially the inconvenience for my husband...but I'll do it if necessary. It appears that I have a leak, and there doesn't appear to be a good way to find the specific location of the leak. Weight 7-2-09 189.0 Total fill received 9.6ccs Fill amt actually in my band 3.8ccs

My 6th fill was on 7-2-09. The medical director of True Results saw me today. He was alarmed at how much fill I have received (8.6 ccs total), saying that that was likely more than anyone else they saw. I have been concerned for quite a while, but the NP keeps reassuring me that everything is fine. The dr decided to withdraw all the fluid to see how much I actually have in my band. He could only withdraw 2.8ccs!!! He said "Where is all your fluid?!" He withdrew the fluid about 3 times to verify, and each time got only 2.8ccs. Clearly, there's a problem. He put another 1cc of fill in my band...so I've had 9.6ccs put in there, but only actually have 3.8ccs in there. Needless to say, I'm very worried. I called the dr after getting home to see what the next step should be. He wanted to talk to the surgeon (on 7-14-09) and call me back. I talked to him on 7-16-09, and he said he wants me to come in for my scheduled fill on 7-20-09 and he would fill me up and see what happens from there. I expressed my concern about money, as I am self pay. He said I shouldn't be penalized as far as how many fills I've had so far, and shouldn't have to pay for further surgery if it is necessary. That's a relief, but I'm still very worried. I hope he knows what he's talking about as far as the money is concerned, and I don't like to idea of more surgery...especially the inconvenience for my husband...but I'll do it if necessary. It appears that I have a leak, and there doesn't appear to be a good way to find the specific location of the leak. Weight 7-2-09 189.0 Total fill received 9.6ccs Fill amt actually in my band 3.8ccs

Good luck to you Carissa. Yes...some drs won't do fills on other dr's patients...but some will. If you should happen to need as much fill as I have (8.6ccs) to get restriction...that's 17 fills and $3400!!! That's a tremendous amount of time and money!! Hope you can get with another dr soon...maybe one that uses fluoroscopy, so you won't waste too much more time. Sorry you've had this trouble...

.5ccs at a time?! Sounds like you'll likely go through a lot of $ before getting restriction. I got 4ccs on my first fill. Now after 5 fills, I'm at 8.6ccs in a 10cc band. I just got the fifth fill...so not sure about my restriction yet...but I think I probably have moderate restriction now. Can you go to another facility for fills?

looking forward to hearing about that first fill!!

I got a big fat fill on Monday...1cc...for a total of 8.6ccs now. I just started back on solids today (only mushies for the day after the fill). I can tell a difference! Still not as dramatic as I hear from some folks...but I've been satisfied with less food today...and stayed satisfied longer. That's the whole idea, isn't it?!? So...I'm optimistic about the weeks to come. My family has noticed some weight loss...yay! I head to the beach on about 10 days, and would love to be at 185 for that. 6-9-09....192 lbs Total fill... 8.6ccs in a 10cc band

I got a big fat fill on Monday...1cc...for a total of 8.6ccs now. I just started back on solids today (only mushies for the day after the fill). I can tell a difference! Still not as dramatic as I hear from some folks...but I've been satisfied with less food today...and stayed satisfied longer. That's the whole idea, isn't it?!? So...I'm optimistic about the weeks to come. My family has noticed some weight loss...yay! I head to the beach on about 10 days, and would love to be at 185 for that. 6-9-09....192 lbs Total fill... 8.6ccs in a 10cc band

I had lapband surgery with a BMI of 34....and yes...I got some comments about not needing it. I love exercise, and can just about get obsessed with it. Food is my problem....and after losing and gaining the same weight for 3 decades....I am banded. Glad I did it. I have always battled with my weight...even as a child. I need this tool...just so thankful to have it. Do what's right for you! BTW...I didn't tell my friends and family (except husband and children), and I'm glad I didn't. I know of some that would not be supportive...just a thought. It's a very personal decision...

I got my 4th fill on Thursday, May 21, 2009. She gave me .6ccs...for a total of 7.6ccs. I'm just getting back to solid foods now, since the fill, and I THINK I have some restriction!...not like I read for some people...who eat 1/2 cup of food and they're full...but I am getting satisfied with less food, and the satisfied feeling seems to last awhile! Hooray! I know it's early to tell...and I've only mostly had mushies so far...but I'm feeling like this one did something! My knee is slowing down my exercise now. I'm strength training my upper body, but having to be very careful with lower body, after my knee became very painful and swollen following an active 24 hours of soccer, tennis and lower body strength training (won't do that again within 24 hours!). The orthopedist said my right knee is now bone on bone...no cartilage...ugh. I go back in June to discuss injections to give some artificial cushioning to that joint....so I'm hopeful. I'm optimistic that I'll get some meaningful restriction and wt loss in the coming weeks. I'm really working with my food...journaling what I eat, and trying really hard to 'follow the rules'! May 21, 2009....198 lbs

I got my 4th fill on Thursday, May 21, 2009. She gave me .6ccs...for a total of 7.6ccs. I'm just getting back to solid foods now, since the fill, and I THINK I have some restriction!...not like I read for some people...who eat 1/2 cup of food and they're full...but I am getting satisfied with less food, and the satisfied feeling seems to last awhile! Hooray! I know it's early to tell...and I've only mostly had mushies so far...but I'm feeling like this one did something! My knee is slowing down my exercise now. I'm strength training my upper body, but having to be very careful with lower body, after my knee became very painful and swollen following an active 24 hours of soccer, tennis and lower body strength training (won't do that again within 24 hours!). The orthopedist said my right knee is now bone on bone...no cartilage...ugh. I go back in June to discuss injections to give some artificial cushioning to that joint....so I'm hopeful. I'm optimistic that I'll get some meaningful restriction and wt loss in the coming weeks. I'm really working with my food...journaling what I eat, and trying really hard to 'follow the rules'! May 21, 2009....198 lbs

Like all you bandsters, I've tried most everything to lose wt...all the food and exercise plans...even had a 'gastric pacer' implanted...part of a research study. It didn't work. I've been able to lose wt in the past...I got down to 127 lbs on Nutrisystem...but haven't managed to come up with the self discipline to keep it off forever. Soooo.... Feb 17, 2009, I had lapband surgery. I've had the band for 3 months now, and I've only lost 4 lbs since the surgery. I am feeling almost no effects from the band yet, but the nurse tells me...'no worries'. I'm just not in the 'green zone' yet. But...today, I've decided to buckle down anyway. The band is helping a little, I think, and I'm determined to come up with more self control than I've mustered in the last 3 months. I have a friend that is getting banded tomorrow, and I want to start fresh now...along with her. I have NO problem with exercise. Sometimes I hit a lull...but, mostly, I love exercise. I play tennis 2-3 times a week, and soccer once a week, and plan to get back into my strength training right away (got out of it for surgery). My knees, especially my right knee, is not happy that I'm playing tennis and soccer....so I need to get some of the stress off of them. I'll get an 'official' weight at the dr's office next week, and I'll post a picture here (if I can figure out how to do that). For the record....I've had 3 fills Feb 17, 2009....lapband surgery.. March 19th, 2009...1st fill...4ccs April 7, 2009...2nd fill....1.8ccs (I think) April 28, 2009... .8ccs Total fill amt is 7ccs...(a little bit of fill in band at surgery)

Like all you bandsters, I've tried most everything to lose wt...all the food and exercise plans...even had a 'gastric pacer' implanted...part of a research study. It didn't work. I've been able to lose wt in the past...I got down to 127 lbs on Nutrisystem...but haven't managed to come up with the self discipline to keep it off forever. Soooo.... Feb 17, 2009, I had lapband surgery. I've had the band for 3 months now, and I've only lost 4 lbs since the surgery. I am feeling almost no effects from the band yet, but the nurse tells me...'no worries'. I'm just not in the 'green zone' yet. But...today, I've decided to buckle down anyway. The band is helping a little, I think, and I'm determined to come up with more self control than I've mustered in the last 3 months. I have a friend that is getting banded tomorrow, and I want to start fresh now...along with her. I have NO problem with exercise. Sometimes I hit a lull...but, mostly, I love exercise. I play tennis 2-3 times a week, and soccer once a week, and plan to get back into my strength training right away (got out of it for surgery). My knees, especially my right knee, is not happy that I'm playing tennis and soccer....so I need to get some of the stress off of them. I'll get an 'official' weight at the dr's office next week, and I'll post a picture here (if I can figure out how to do that). For the record....I've had 3 fills Feb 17, 2009....lapband surgery.. March 19th, 2009...1st fill...4ccs April 7, 2009...2nd fill....1.8ccs (I think) April 28, 2009... .8ccs Total fill amt is 7ccs...(a little bit of fill in band at surgery)

Hi work! I just found your blog! How do you do this? I want to do one too! Grocery list Oatmeal Cream of Wheat Cream of Tomato Soup (Campbell's V-8) sugar free pudding applesauce

work in progress....who is your insurance with? What is your BMI...and do you have co-morbidities? Dr's office said I would have to be self pay...but after chatting on this site, I'm wondering if I should try for insurance. My BMI is 35, and (this is a stretch) I have arthritis (like anyone my age) and I take an antidepressant... Don't know whether to try for insurance...but if that's hopeless...I want to go ahead with surgery. I'm psyched for February!....

Snowboots...how are you doing? I'm considering using Dr. Hart. I just went to the first informational appt. I didn't go to the seminar due to scheduling problems. Should I try to get to one of those? Tell me everything you can about Dr. Hart and your experience. Do you know how many lapbands Dr. Hart has done? Does anyone know if it's important to try to get a certain 'brand' of lapband? I see them mentioned on the board, and I'm wondering if there's any real difference. Thanks in advance y'all. This board has been VERY helpful!!! I read EVERY post! Work in Progress...I'm in Conyers too!

Missy...how are you doing now? I'm considering Dr. Hart too. Did you do a lot of research on docs? I'm wondering how to be sure I have a really good one...