Mangofish

I was totally scared of getting a fill. It was slightly worse than getting blood taken. Unfortunately, I barely have any restriction and the doctor said I can come back in 3 to 4 weeks for another fill. I had 3 cc's put in.

I just got my first fill today. Took me forever to get it done for a variety of reasons - had surgery in late August. This is a good thread. Wish everyone luck!!

If your attitude is that if the band fails then you will ask your insurance to cover gastric bypass is really galling. How about going to seminars and asking doctors and talking to people who had both surgeries and then going with the attitude you will give it your all for whichever surgery you pick. NEITHER surgery is easy an weight loss solution. You still have to exercise and watch what you eat. The Gastric bypass - you will have a honey moon period that may last a year where no matter what you eat you will lose then it stops and if you still can't control you sweet tooth then you will stretch your pouch and experience dumping (described by 1 doctor in GA as wishing you were dead). I've had a friend who had GB and went from size 24 to a 14 then back up to 20 and still can't eat the normal way. With LAP-BAND® - same thing. The psychiatrist who I had to see told me many people had LAP-BAND® who were still fat b/c they saw it as a magic cure all. You still have to change the way you eat b/c if you just eat sweets - guess what? You may lose you hair (which my GB friend experienced) b/c of lack of protein. Sorry to be so harsh but as someone who had to pay for the LAP-BAND® myself I get mad when I see people thinking this will change the way you eat - no, it is all up to you.

Great question. I was about to ask myself. I was suppose to get my first fill yesterday but do an emergency of a friend I will get it tomorrow morning and I'm nervous. I feel restriction now to a small degree which is how I've lost 15 pounds (that and running) w/o any fills.

I get my first fill tomorrow. I had to come up with the $$ and am finally able to do so.

I bought Nike and Adidas sports bras thinking name brand would equal quality. Nope. They were stretched out after a few uses esp the straps.

Do you guys think that some doctors let their patients drink cokes because of the way they stitch in our bands? Some use new stitching techniques where it's harder for the band to slip. I just went ahead and quit b/c of the acidity which is bad for your teeth. I need caffeine so I ordered the Avitae Caffiene Water - will mix it in with my crystal lite.

I am 9 or 10 weeks out. I get fully very easy. I am too broke at this time to get a fill but one normal meal will nearly last me the whole day and that's a mean I still can't finish. I did around the 6 week mark hit a short period where I was hungry all the time but it's gone. I am scared of getting a fill b/c I don't want to PB. Let us know what your doctor says tomorrow and Good Luck!

Mine sticks out. I think if people ever saw me in a bikini (yeah right!) they would be able to tell but mostly b/c the 3 inch scar is right on top of it.

Did everyone lose their boobs? Granted, I would rather be skinny and flat than my weight with my bra straps grinding into my shoulder.

Maybe he said a 130 pounds. It's was right at the BMI before you are considered underweight b/c there was a chart I remember seeing.

My doctor said I could get down to 125 or 130. I just looked at him like he was crazy - I'm 5 feet 9. I'm aiming for 140.

I am in bandster hell right now waiting for my 1st fill. Don't feel too bad. I ate pizza - not 1 - not 2 but 4 slices!! I was hungry and it tasted insanely good but then it just sat on my chest (not painful) for half an hour. Not doing that again but I cant wait for my 1st fill.

Heck to the No on the bypass. My friend had it done - she was in ICU and in major pain for while - yes she did lose like 75 pounds or so in like 6 months even tho she was mostly bedridden but now she's gained most of it back and lost so much of her hair that she has to wear fake pieces from such rapid weight loss. Another person I know who use to go to church with me became very skinny on bypass but when she did started eating large portions and stretched out her pouch and she got an infection that sent her to the hospital for ICU. Granted, these are only 2 stories. Also, i want to have kids someday - can you even do that with bypass since you have to eat for 2? Is there any way you can go to another place for fills? I refuse to beg for them if a doctor is going to make we wait that long. Granted I am self-pay and I understand your insurance may not let you. Goal150 - I am in Atlanta - where are you getting your fills at? The cheapest place I've found is Dr. Hart at Emory Suwanee location. $500 for 1st visit/check which includes fill and then each fill afterwards is $150.

Anyone been to the Roswell Fill Center USA place? Wondering what your experience and costs were?

I felt reassured at his office when I saw a Yale University residence training certificate on his wall. He's brisque so don't expect Mr. Manners. His staff is really nice. The psychiatrist is really nice. When your at the hotel - be sure to stock up on broth and Water or low calorie gatorade. Get your hotel near the hospital - I think they are using Southwest General b/c you don't want to be fighting rush hour when you are released. Tell them prior to surgery at the hospital you get severe nausea - they gave me extra stuff for that so I didn't have to worry about it like many people on here. Bring a book b/c you will be in the waiting room for a while laying on the cot. AND Finally - ColtonWade (the 1st poster on here) - read her blog and then tell Dr. Rincon she gave you a recommendation b/c she's probably very happy to answer any question's her blog doesn't answer. I'm 1 month out and very happy.

I'm from Atlanta. Currently looking for a doctor here in town. Had my lap band done on Sept 21 in San Antonio w.Dr. Rincon. The 1st week was the worst but bearable. Be sure to stock up on food such as popsicles and broth before surgery so when you're home you're good to go.

Screw that!! 8 weeks - I'd find another doctor. There is another thread were someone was begging to their doctor to give them a fill too. If your self-pay I wouldn't waste my time begging for fills. I haven't got my 1st fill yet - so I understand the feeling of hungry. Hang in there!

I did the lap band by myself in another city. I decided to go to San Antonio from Atlanta, Ga. because Dr. Rincon's office was offering an 11K deal which was good since I was self-paying. So I flew into town a couple of days before and had my tests done and psych counsel which was good in that the psychologist drove home the point that he sees plenty of people who had the lap band done and did not lose weight b/c they didn't follow the rules. I got to the hospital at 5am at Southwest General Hospital. The hospital provided a van free of charge and the driver was very friendly. The lady signing me in didn't help when she said I didn't need the surgery b/c at that point I was wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into. I had only told a few friends and none of my family. I really was by myself. I was quickly led into a room and changed into a hospital gown. The nursing staff was amazing!!! They knew I was this 20 something alone from out of state and made me feel very comfortable by bringing me socks, warm blankets, and cracking jokes. Dr. Rincon came some time later so in the meantime, I slept in the waiting room & they dimmed the lights. It was nice except the 2 big IV's on each arm pumping saline into me so i wouldn't be dehydrated. Next thing I know they are wheeling me out of the waiting room where this nice lady, the anesthesiologist, said she gave me something nice and if I feel weird to close my eyes. I don't remember anything else. I woke up feeling ok just really sleepy. 2 new males nurses kept bringing me warm blankets. I was happy b/c I had no nausea. I had a prior patient from Dr. Rincon's office help me drive me back to the hotel. I was fine - walked in by myself carrying my stuff. After the 1st 24 hrs, I started feeling weak and very sleepy. To make it annoying I had to give myself heparin shots every 8 hrs. I ate chicken broth,jello, apple juice, and water the first few days. So far so good.

I did the lap band by myself in another city. I decided to go to San Antonio from Atlanta, Ga. because Dr. Rincon's office was offering an 11K deal which was good since I was self-paying. So I flew into town a couple of days before and had my tests done and psych counsel which was good in that the psychologist drove home the point that he sees plenty of people who had the lap band done and did not lose weight b/c they didn't follow the rules. I got to the hospital at 5am at Southwest General Hospital. The hospital provided a van free of charge and the driver was very friendly. The lady signing me in didn't help when she said I didn't need the surgery b/c at that point I was wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into. I had only told a few friends and none of my family. I really was by myself. I was quickly led into a room and changed into a hospital gown. The nursing staff was amazing!!! They knew I was this 20 something alone from out of state and made me feel very comfortable by bringing me socks, warm blankets, and cracking jokes. Dr. Rincon came some time later so in the meantime, I slept in the waiting room & they dimmed the lights. It was nice except the 2 big IV's on each arm pumping saline into me so i wouldn't be dehydrated. Next thing I know they are wheeling me out of the waiting room where this nice lady, the anesthesiologist, said she gave me something nice and if I feel weird to close my eyes. I don't remember anything else. I woke up feeling ok just really sleepy. 2 new males nurses kept bringing me warm blankets. I was happy b/c I had no nausea. I had a prior patient from Dr. Rincon's office help me drive me back to the hotel. I was fine - walked in by myself carrying my stuff. After the 1st 24 hrs, I started feeling weak and very sleepy. To make it annoying I had to give myself heparin shots every 8 hrs. I ate chicken broth,jello, apple juice, and water the first few days. So far so good.

I thought it was just me! I felt like a failure. I am actually glad I haven't started gaining weight b/c I am not exercising which is my fault. I can't wait to start running and get my 1st fill.

Good Stats! This board puts the fear of God in you about band slippage. To the OP: I was banded on August 21. When I ate the pizza I chewed it up so much it became mushy & had no problem. During the clear liquid stage I added Protein drinks & ensure drinks b/c I felt like I was dying: bed-ridden, no energy, felt like I was starving! Thank guys for the kind words. I really liked this guy but apparently it doesn't matter if I'm intelligent & nice. It just matters if your a size 2. Sigh. :thumbup: BTW, have you guys tried Welch's 10 calorie Black Cherry juice?? AWESOME!!!!

This is so true NJBouncer. I could easily eat 4-6 slices in a sitting and then the rest of the pizza w/in the hour. I think the more serious issue isn't so much your conscience but band slippage.

Well I hadn't slipped up either unless you count letting a handful of small plain M&M's melt in my mouth. My family would've known something was up if I hadn't ate the pizza. I mostly just ate the cheese and toppins but did eat some of the bread. No problems - thank the Good Lord! I chewed like crazy to make it "mushy" and ease my conscience. As for the guy I've crushed on - does anyone feel like your dating life is at a standstill b/c you want to lose weight before meeting folks of the opposite sex? Not to hijack this thread - sorry. It's really ridiculous b/c I'm the same person underneath the extra 80 pounds.

Looking hot is a great motivator too! I wished I could yell at him & say "Wait, I can be just as pretty as the beauty pageant girl you're going to ask out! Just give me few months!"