ginger

I got my first fill last week and so far, it is going well. However, I was poked four times before the doctor got the needle in the right place (no flouro). Has anyone ever developed a "leak" from the fill needle being inserted in the wrong place? I don't suspect a leak at this point, and am probably just being paranoid. Please share your experiences.

How is pouch dialation diagnosed? Does it have to be under Flouro, or will an xray or ultrasound show it? What about a barium swallow? Just curious cause I feel like I can eat more than usual lately. I don't have reflux or any other symptoms. I do have (just started today) a sort of "pinching" feeling where the band is...not the port...I think the actual band. I am at 2.75 cc in a 4cc capacity band. Sometimes I still have excellent restriction and sometimes not, so I'm not sure what's going on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Call Dr. Wiljon Beltre. He is on Palm Springs in Altamonte Springs. I was Banded in Monterrey, Mexico and he does all of my fills and follow up care. You may want to check updated pricing, but it was $500.00 initially and $100.00 per fill thereafter. He is wonderful and it sure beats having to drive 2 hours to Tampa.

Can anyone recommend a good exercise video. I need to target upper and lower abs, butt and thighs. I already walk, so a walking video is not really what I want. What you use and what works would be great information for me. Thanks

Sara...Dr. Beltre was happy to do my follow up care, even though I had my surgery in Mexico!!! He does not do fills under fluoro, but he is pretty good at doing them without. You should probably call his office just to verify that his rates haven't changed, but I believe he charges $500.00 initial visit (includes fill) and then $100.00 for every fill thereafter. His office is VERY busy..so be prepared to wait for a while when you get there (I'm never there more than an hour though). I like him very much. He is kind, gentle and will take the time to talk to you...not in a hurry like most doctors, to get you in and out. The best part is that his is less than one mile from my office...beats Tampa or Celebration anyday. Good luck

I live in Longwood and use Dr. Beltre. I notice you said anyone BUT Dr. Beltre...have you used him before? Problems? I have been using him for quite awhile now and I like him very much. But, I'm curious as to why you don't want to have him do your fills.

Can anyone recommend a good exercise video. I need to target upper and lower abs, butt and thighs. I already walk, so a walking video is not really what I want. What you use and what works would be great information for me. Thanks <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

I had my 3rd fill yesterday, of 1cc. I now have a total of 3cc's in a band that holds 4cc total. I can barely keep liquids down. So far, today is a bit better than last night. I was able to keep soup down, but a few hours later I drank a soy milk and it all came up. I also woke up choking in the middle of the night, and struggled to catch my breath. Should I wait a day or two to see if I loosen up a bit, or should I go ahead and get a small unfill? I hate to jump the gun and get unfilled too soon, if there is a chance that I might loosen up somewhat. Anyone else have this happen, and how long did you wait? I am not in pain, just a bit uncomfortable.

Julie...sure, glad to share. We actually got this idea while in Jamaica. I think we copied it pretty well for not having the actual recipe. Ingredients: Tilapia fillets croutons canned peaches olive oil blackening seasoning (optional...but takes away some of the fishy taste) I don't have measurements or anything, but here it is: Take thawed talapia fillets and marinate with one can of sliced cling peaches, juice and all. Marinating overnight has best results, but a few hours will do too Crush croutons to a medium-fine grain (I put in a large ziplock bag and use the botton of a coffee cup or rolling pin to crush) Remove tilapia from peach marinade season with: salt, pepper and a little blackening seasoning Lightly dip tilapia in olive oil on both sides Then immediately coat with croutons, pushing them in the fish a little so they don't fall off Put on flat cookie sheet Take sliced peaches out of marinade and put a few slices on each fillet and bake for approx 40 minutes (I like mine well done). Not necessary to turn or flip Good luck...these are really good. Tell me what you think.

Help...I am 5 months post op and am also having problems with the right food choices. I am a vegetarian (no beef, pork, chicken, etc.). I do occasionally eat fish. With that in mind, I need some healthy food choices. I eat alot of salads, but need a change of pace. I find that I am starting to make unhealthy choices, ie. macaroni & cheese, macaroni salad, etc. I absolutely cannot eat eggs, grits, oatmeal or bread (makes me PB). Pasta goes down fine...but I am not losing as fast as I would like. Approx. 1lb per week. Anyone else a vegetarian?? If so, what do you eat? I also am not much of a cook...I'm a grab n go kinda gal :help: <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Help...I am 5 months post op and am also having problems with the right food choices. I am a vegetarian (no beef, pork, chicken, etc.). I do occasionally eat fish. With that in mind, I need some healthy food choices. I eat alot of salads, but need a change of pace. I find that I am starting to make unhealthy choices, ie. macaroni & cheese, macaroni salad, etc. I absolutely cannot eat eggs, grits, oatmeal or bread (makes me PB). Pasta goes down fine...but I am not losing as fast as I would like. Approx. 1lb per week. Anyone else a vegetarian?? If so, what do you eat? I also am not much of a cook...I'm a grab n go kinda gal :help:

I am almost 5 months post op and I am still nervous about doing crunches/situps. I walk 2 miles per day and do some minor leg/arm exercises daily, but the way my port feels when I try to do stomach exercises is weird (I can feel my port moving, or something). My upper and lower abs are really what I need to target, so I guess I just need some reassurance, or to know if anyone has experienced problems by doing stomach exercises. Thanks.....

Julie...we do sound alot alike. Crab is really the only seafood that I really like too. You say you get crab cakes from the deli. I usually get the frozen ones. Are the ones from your deli less calories/fat than the frozen? My meals usually consist of: Breakfast: lite-n-fit yogurt drink or a few crackers with fat free cream cheese Lunch: salad with sunflower kernels, macaroni salad or easy mac Dinner: another salad or boca lasagna or a pina colada smoothie Pretty boring huh? Sometimes on the weekend, if I feel like cooking, I will make my husbands famous recipe: crouton crusted peach talipia or some type of soup. I have trouble with leftovers, reheated in the microwave, so I can't really cook ahead of time, which is why I'm more of a grab-n-go eater. Thanks for sharing your ideas with me. You've lost so much weight, so what you are doing must be working.

Anyone's advice is appreciated. So far I have lost approx. 30 lbs...all in my butt, boobs, arms and legs. Nothing seems to be coming off of my stomach (upper and lower abs). I have been exercising (somewhat)!!. What are you all doing to lose the belly pooch?? I don't need a tummy tuck, just some really good ways to get rid of the stomach flab.

Me too...always tired and don't know why.

I am an August Bandster!! Banded August 22, 2006. I have lost 28 lbs to date. A bit slower than I had hoped, but I am still pleased. I have 37 lbs to go. I was beginning to think there were no August bandsters either!!

I am 4 months post op and have lost close to 30 lbs. But I noticed that lately I am ALWAYS cold. I live in Florida, so it's not too bad, but even today, it is 74 degrees and I have the heater on in my office. Anyone else always feel cold since their surgery?

I went from Florida to Monterrey Mexico alone for my surgery. It was really no big deal at all.

kwhenrykerr: when I called Fill Center USA in the Tampa/St. Pete area, they told me they did not use flouro. Did that change?

I just returned from my fill Doc and it took him 12 pokes to find my port. The first 8 were without lidocaine. ouchy. It usually only takes him 2-3 times. He finally realized that my port was a bit tilted, so he has to go in kinda sideways with the needle. Hopefully, my next fill will be easier, knowing that my port is a bit tilted. OMG, I DO NOT want to go through that again!! Happy holidays to everyone.

I was banded in August 2006 and never really had any port pain. I had my 3rd fill last week and noticed a small amount of pain. But about two days ago, I PB'd pretty bad and ever since then, when I breathe or even move, I have moderate pain in the port area. Feels like a side-split or even a cramp, but comes and goes. Should I be concerned?

Is walking alone enough to assist in the weight loss process and to keep toned? Knee and elbow problems keep me from doing any rigorous exercise and I hesitate to join Curves, etc. because of my limitations. Does anyone JUST walk and have success?

Do anyone else wake up in the wee hours of the morning STARVING??? I do this almost every night around 12:00 to 3:00 am. I usually reach for a chocolate soy milk, then I can go back to sleep. Am I not eating enough at dinner maybe?

Was he talking about the life expectancy of the person or the band?

My doc doesn't use lidocaine either!! I just had my third fill a few hours ago and it took 5 pokes to find the port. It is uncomfortable, but not unbearable.