AZA

I've read different things about it. My own surgeon doesn't have a problem with it. But you're right, better safe than sorry. I don't want to go through another operation just because I drank soda. So no more soda for me! Goodbye Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Root Beer and Diet Cream Soda....sniff, sniff...I was relying heavily on these to satisfy my sweet tooth. Hi Annie, you should really find out from your surgeon what size of band you have and if he put in any cc's during your surgery. Check out the thread in the fills forum about how many fills it takes before feeling restriction in a 10cc band. I would get fills in 2cc increments until you reach around 6cc's then go by 1cc until you feel restriction.

How's everyone doing? I just got my third fill so I'm hoping to finally start feeling some real restriction. I've been drinking soda without any problems but when I tried to take a sip tonight it hurt going down. No more soda for me!

Frenchie, I sent you a PM.

Thanks! I'm booked an appointment to see him. I feel like I'm "cheating" on my own doctor LOL! But the thought of driving 10 hours to my own surgeon during the winter months has convinced me to stay closer to home.

OK this is probably crazy but would it be possible to do one's own fills? Has anyone tried this? I'm to squeamish to poke myself with a needle but I know plenty of people inject themselves to deal with various medical conditions.

I voted other - I've been banded almost 3 months, have 6cc in a 10cc band but I still don't feel much restriction.

Congrats on the weight loss! So what kind of doctor is Dr. Gustaukas? Where did he learn to do fills?

Annie, who will do your fills for you?

I too have a 10cc band. I just went for my second fill and I'm up to 6cc and I finally feel a bit of restriction. When I was at 4cc I felt zero restriction - I felt like I wasn't banded at all.

Well I finally felt restriction! And I vomitted! Seriously, while the whole episode was painful, I was happy to finally feel like I'm actually banded. And no more McDonalds french fries for me LOL! I got a 2cc fill this week - I'm up to 6cc in my 10cc band. I definitely feel like I have to eat slower and chew my food more. I'm finally hopeful that I'll start losing! SD Chick, 1cc in a 10cc band is not a lot! Have you read the tread about how many cc's it takes to finally reach restriction? For most people it doesn't start until 6cc. I would question your doctor on why he's not being more aggressive with fills.

I was banded July 31 and so far have only managed to regain the weight I lost during the pre-op period. I'm going for my second fill next week so hopefully I'll finally get some sort of restriction. Right now I feel like I don't even have a band - it's somewhat discouraging.

No I'd never do this myself (for all the reasons mentioned above) - I was just curious if others had done it. Thanks for the link to your poll - I'm off to read the thread.

Does anyone know of any Ottawa and surrounding area fill doctors? I don't care if I have to pay or not...I'm even wondering if there's a U.S. doctor close to the border.

Just coming here to answer my own question. Dr. Bishop on Carling, does fills. Unfortunately it's only for Dr. Cobourn's patients from Toronto.

I'm also in the Ottawa area (on the Quebec side). I'd be happy to get together with others in the area. I just found out there is an Ottawa doctor, Dr. Bishop, who does fills. Unfortunately it's only for Dr. Cobourn's patients from Toronto. Right now I'm travelling to Drummondville for my fills and it's FARRRRRRR! BTW, Quebec residents only have to pay for the band (about $5000). I did have to wait 9 months on a waiting list though.

I've had one fill so far but I have no restriction. I've gained back all my preop weight loss. It's so frustrating! I have to wait another 2 weeks for another fill.

Just posting a quick follow-up - it's been almost a week since my surgery and everything is going well. :clap2:

After many months of postponed surgery, I'm finally getting banded this Monday. Anyone else?

Add me to the list of lucky sevens! I'm finally getting my band this Monday, July 30. I'm looking forward to finally starting a healthier life.

Glad to see everyone doing so well! I was supposed to be banded in November 06 but I'm finally getting my surgery on Monday! Looking forward to sharing in your sucesses.

Hey! I adopted my two daughters as well! I want to be a positive role model for them - I don't want them to have the same food and weight issues as I have.

Congrats on getting banded! What are you eating? Even in tiny bits, I don't think it's recommended to eat any solid food for a few weeks.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope you find relief from the on-going pain. This is a risk that we should all know about prior to surgery.

Well it's official...I'm no longer going to be a November bandster! It looks like the earliest date I can get now is first week of December. Still working on getting this stupid anemia resolved.

Chris, thanks for putting together the list! I didn't realize there were so many November bandsters!