Surby

I have had 2 fills and haven't felt a difference yet. It's very frustrating. I have lost around 25 pounds (surgery was Aug. 24), and I can't get my ticker to change!!! I have to wait 4 weeks on my next fill, then hopefully I'll feel restriction!!!

I am a self-pay patient, but my fills are only $50 for the first year....and that's an unlimited number (he will do them only every 4 weeks). After that I have no idea how much they are, but it's probably pricey because he uses fluoro every time.

Hi Ginger, I was banded on 8/24.........just 2 days after you. I got my 2nd fill today, and I still can't feel restriction!! Did you start with the PB's right away?? I'm supposed to be on liquids for 2 days, but I feel like I can eat anything!! I've never had restriction at all!

How long does your surgeon require between fills??

I was banded Aug. 24 and have felt no restriction at anytime. I had my first fill 2 1/2 weeks ago, and I can't get another one until Nov. 1. I have done OK, losing a pound a week or so, but my WILLPOWER is slowly slowly slipping away. I can eat anything in any amount. I had completely given up snacking and have been trying to eat as if I have restriction, but I'm finding myself slipping back into the old habits again. Anyone have tips/advice???

I did the dry heaving thing about a week after surgery. It was the craziest thing ever. It sounded like a bear was growling from my stomach, but absolutely nothing came up. It finally stopped.

Don't expect very much restriction with your first fill either! That was disappointing to me. My doc makes you wait 4 weeks between fills. I'm scheduled for another on Nov. 1. I cannot wait because I am SO hungry all the time!!! Just hang in there!!!!

OK, so I had my first fill on Thursday (2.5 cc), and I still feel NO RESTRICTION!!! Is this normal?? I honestly think I could eat a full meal of chicken fajitas with chips and salsa and be just fine. The doc used the fluoro, and I could tell that the barium slowed down.....I don't get it!!

Oh my gosh, my burps sound/feel as if they are coming from my toes!!! It is very strange..........even when I'm hungry!!! The only way I can think to describe it is "hollow."

Mine is smack-dab in the middle.............right under my bra line which drives me insane!!!!!!!

HI! I live in Cleveland, TN, but my surgeon, Dr. Paynter, is in Chattanooga. Anyone else out there from this area?? I saw several posts, but they weren't very recent. I'm having surgery in less than 2 weeks. I'm really worried about hair loss.........any suggestions??? Lisa:rolleyes:

I'm so frustrated!! I had my first fill last Thursday (it was very very painless, by the way), and I feel NO restriction whatsoever. I called today to try to get an appointment for my next fill, and the receptionist said that my surgeon requires a 4 week wait between fills........no exceptions. Grrrrrr......... I should've never called on Friday the 13th!

I had to wait 6 weeks for my first fill as well........no exceptions. I called back today because I still have ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTION........they won't even consider another fill for 3 more weeks! I'm getting very frustrated. I fell like I don't even have a band!!!

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!! I'm FINALLY getting my first fill next Thursday. I'm SO excited, but I'm really scared! Does it hurt much?? I'd appreciate any advice/tips for before and after the fill! Thanks!!!

HI! Dr. Ponce is considered one of the lap band pioneers!! Dr. Paynter banded me, and he is in the same practice with Dr. Ponce. I have heard nothing but EXCELLENT things about both of them. I had my surgery on Aug. 24 in Dalton, but I go to Chattanooga for my appointments. Good luck!

I LOVE Carnation Instant Breakfast!! Lots of nutritional value too!

My underwired hurts my port, BIG TIME! I was banded Aug. 24.

IT AIN'T EASY, but it's SOOOOO SO SO worth it!!!!! I consider it a lifesaving thing!! GOOD LUCK!!!!! It gets easier by the day!!!

GOOD LUCK to all you October Bandits!! I was banded Aug. 24, and I have NO REGRETS (although I did for the first 2 weeks)!! If you're having a difficult time those first few weeks, just remember that it'll GET BETTER!! I cannot believe how much better I feel........... I'm off Diet Cokes and off sugar, and my cravings have almost completely disappeared! You'll all do great!!!

I have lost 20 pounds (don't know how to change my ticker, and don't have time to figure it out!). I have gained back 2 pounds since I started solids. I need a fill! I am SO hungry, and I could eat a whole lot more than what I am!!

The belching is unreal for me! I can burp like a big ole man now!!! I don't have restriction yet, and it feels as if it's coming all the way from the tips of my toes. I wonder if that will change once I get a fill??? It cracks me up, especially when I'm in a place that I can't let 'er rip!! SOMETIMES I have to ACT like a lady, anyway!!

You are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this area! I live in Cleveland, about 30 miles north of Chattanooga. It is AWESOME!! The Gastric Band Institute is great. I used Dr. Paynter, but Dr. Ponce has an excellent reputation. Brooke is their clinical coordinator/nurse, and she is in the Inamed infomercials. They are a great group! What area are you looking to move to?

I had a HORRIBLE time with the nausea, and I, too, couldn't really eat or drink anything but water. I hate Isopure.......ugh!!! I think it creates a cycle. You're nauseated b/c you can't eat and you can't eat b/c you're nauseated. However, your body will begin to conserve too much if you don't get some calories. My doc told me to eat jello with sugar, sweetened ice tea, and popsicles with sugar, so that I could get some calories. AND STAY HYDRATED! I made it through, but it was rough for a couple weeks!

I read some research once that said that it took an average person 4-5 days to show true weight gain for something they had eaten. In other words, if I pigged out today and was all excited because it didn't show on the scales in the morning, then I should WATCH OUT on Thursday!!

Best wishes!!! You're starting your new and improved life on my birthday!! I did the exact same thing as you. Surgery on Thursday, Aug. 24, and I TRIED to go back to work on Monday. I thought I was OK, but I only lasted about 2 hours. I wasn't really in pain, I just felt HORRIBLE!! It took me exactly a week to begin to feel normal again! It's very very different for everyone. I'm 39, so maybe my age had something to do with it?? I'm also an assistant principal at a large high school, so I go go go non-stop all day, as I'm sure you do in a doc's office!! Just play it by ear. And if you don't want to tell people, then don't!! GOOD LUCK!!