Marlluvia

Hello Lianna, I'm in Houston, but I found Dr. Lozano by chance. My husband went to see him for another health issue and he gave me his card and mentioned he did lapband surgery. I jumped at the chance to get a fill because I have not reached restriction yet and can eat a good amount. I hope my next fill will be the right restriction for me.

Thanks for the info. I also got a fill from Dr. Lozano in Matamoros, Mexico. He charges under $100.00 without fluro, but I believe he does have fluro if you request it. I am planning on going back for a fill in mid April. Matamoros is just across the border from Brownsville, Texas.

Denise, I think you should be okey. It's only been 1 day since your surgery and you will be swollen and have lots of gas for the next two weeks at the least. I was only able to drink small amounts in the beginning, but after a week or so, I was able to drink and eat more. Best of luck.

I'm glad you're ok. It sounds really scary. I hope you heal nicely and will keep you in my thoughts.

Kimberly, don't give up because I know exactly how you feel. I am six months out and have only lost 25 lbs. I could have lost more by now, but I made some wrong choices in eating. For instance, chips, sodas, and ice cream. I have little restriction in what I can eat, so a fill is on my agenda also in the very near future. I also need to exercise, which I have not been doing either. So you are not alone, refocus and ask yourself what you're doing wrong, if any. Good luck!

It's Gotta to Go I hear your cry. My girl cousins seem to have nothing better to do than to ask how much weight I've lost everytime they see me. I really hate it, because in reality I haven't lost any in 3 months. It's my fault though, because I need to exercise and eat smaller portions.

Ladies, what can I say, I am guilty of all of the above, and that may be one of the reasons I've hit a plateau for the past 3 months. Not to mention I also need a fill. I can easily eat a 10 oz. Lean Cuisine plus 2 oz yogurt. In addition to that, I've been having a burning sensation in my stomach, and that has me worried.

I am having trouble finding a doctor for aftercare in Houston. I was banded by my doctor under a different insurance and now he does not take my current insurance and self pay for adjustments under fluro are $750 dollars a pop. I called my insurance company for a listing of bariatric surgeons and have called five doctor's offices with no luck. They will not see me for adjustments even with insurance. They will not accept patient's who were banded by other doctors. So now, I'm stuck with a band that is doing nothing for me and doctors who refuse to see me. One doctor stated he would do adjustments, but I would have to pay for them. What's the point in having insurance then? Any suggestions?

I have this same problem and I see my doctor tomorrow, but my conclusion from reading this site and personal experience with the band, is that I am overeating. Instead of stopping when I feel satisfied, I go on to finish the full portion of whatever it is I'm eating. I know it's wrong, and I need to stop because it could ruin my esophagus or band.

I asked my family to keep it between us, but my mother decided she needed to tell her sisters and nieces about it, needless to say, I don't get along with any of them. I don't see them much, but they're always asking my mother if I'm losing weight.

How interesting to hear all this from everyone. My doctor won't fill me more than .5 cc every three months and he told me he won't fill me more than 3 cc in a 4 cc band. I guess my doctor is too conservative on his views of the band. What do you think?

I have the very same symptoms you are describing and haven't been able to determine what it is. I have seen two doctors and they tell me it's acid reflux, but I know better than that. Acid reflux doesn't hurt like that. Maybe Dr. C has an idea, let's keep in touch maybe someone on this board knows what it is.

My doctor put me on glucophage for insulin resistance, but I had severe abdominal cramping and had to run to the restroom almost immediately. Not pleasant, I stopped taking it after a week.

I'm in the same boat Kat, my new insurance is Texas True Choice, does anyone know any doctors in Houston that will take on an existing patient?

I would have waited 2 months longer for my surgery. My employer changed ins. companies and I was afraid the new carrier would not cover wls. Bottom line is, the new carrier does cover it, but my doctor does not take my new insurance and now I have to pay out of pocket. The worse part is that if any complications arise, I would be up a creek because no doctor wants to touch another surgeon's patient. I have tried to switch doctors, but they all say no.

I can relate to this one. I've lost about 22 lbs since surgery and have gone from a size 7 1/2 to a 7. Which to me really sucks since I had just bought some really cute shoes that I only wore maybe twice before they were to big. :thankyou: :tea:

Hi everyone, glad to see everyone doing well. I haven't posted in awhile, so I was wondering what happened to the before and after pics? Are they no longer on the site?

I have 1 cc in a 4 cc band. My doctor refuses to give me a fill before 6 weeks and that means I won't be able to get another fill until after Thanksgiving. I am at a standstill with my weight and can still eat alot. My doctor also told me that once I get to 3 cc, he will not fill me. Has anyone else had this experience? My doctor keeps telling me it's not a miracle cure, just a tool. I understand that, but I am becoming really frustrated with the long wait in between fills.

Hi TrueBluSue, I live in Baytown and was thinking about changing GP for the fills. How much does your GP charge for fills or does insurance cover it as part of the aftercare? My insurance carrier changed and now I'm stuck with having to pay out of pocket for fills with my doctor? Any help would be appreciated.

My doctor won't hear of doing a fill prior to six weeks post op. I had some restriction after surgery, maybe about three weeks. After that forget it. I had my first fill on Aug. 21, but only .5 cc, which gives me very little to no restriction. I have not gained any weight, but have not lost any since before my first fill. I go next Monday to see my doc., I will certainly push for another fill, because he won't give one if you're losing. In my case, I haven't lost any.

I personally don't know any of the doctors in Mexico, but if you do a search above for doctors in mexico, you will come across several threads that might be of some help. Good luck!

My doctor is very conservative about fills. I rec'd .5 cc on my first fill, which was on Aug. 21. That was six weeks after my surgery date; and even then he wasn't going to give me a fill. He told me I was losing weight without restriction and didn't need a fill. I can eat more than 1 cup of food and then some. I have not lost any weight since Aug. 21, and my next appt. will be on Oct. 16. I hope to convince him in doing a 2nd fill for me then.

Gosh, I feel way behind everyone else. I was banded on 7/11/06 and only have .5 cc in my 4cc band. I need a fill because I can eat alot. I have not lost any weight since my first fill on Aug. 21 and feel really discouraged. My doc won't give me a fill until Oct. 16.

I think it just depends on your doctor. My doc wanted to wait six weeks after surgery and then only gave me .5 cc fill. Needless to say, I feel very little restriction and have not lost any weight since the fill. I don't see him again until Oct. 16, so I'm going to wait it out.

I was only given .5 cc fill back on Aug. 21 because my doc said my weightloss was progressing fine without a fill. I had to convince him to give me even that much. I need another fill though, because I can eat lots. Not what I consumed before surgery, but definately alot. I don't see my doc until October 18 again, so I'm just going to wait it out. I haven't gained any, but have not lost any either since getting the fill.