prasman

I am reading my surgical report and it says I have a 10cm band. I just had my second fill on thursday, I went from 1 cc to 4cc. I still have NO restriction at all. I thought that I had a band that holds 10 cc, but I keep reading on here that a 10 cm band only holds 4 ccs. I went to Inamed and the serial number they list for the 10cm band is the same as mine on the report (b-2220) I am so confused, others on here are at 1.8 or 2 and have total restriction, is it possible I am filled to the max and have none?????? I was self pay and am going to burst into tears if this is the case. Please if anyone is awake let me know what is the truth!

How many people go to a fill doctor that uses neither ultrasound or fluoroscopy to find the port and just relies on "feeling" for it. I am curious to know what is the general standard on this

When I started this thread I thought that I had a fill and was not feeling it, but since found out that I never had a fill before because the fill doctor missed my port on all three occasions that I went in. I finally have a fill and things are much easier now. I am able to eat a varied diet because the portions are so reasonable. Apples seem to keep me full, so does any type of fish or chicken. When I feel the urge to eat for reasons other than hunger (boredom, comfort etc) I drink Water or crystal light, and if I still have urges I have a lollipop, sugar free,usually, but sometimes tootsie pops. They take so long to eat they get rid of my craving to eat something major when i am really not hungry

Hi everyone, I was banded at the end of september and afterwards had no natural restriction at all! I got my first fill and am still feeling barely any resriction. I go back on 11/07 for another fill and hopefully that one will work. In the meantime I am eating the healthiest I can via willpower and exercising. Here is my dilemma/question. I have an event in mid december and I am really wanting to lose as much weight as possible (but still stay healty) by then. I am already exercising daily, but once I feel restricted I want to find a food that will make me feel full for a very very long time so that I am not eating too much-I want it to be something high protein/low carb. I was thinking canned tuna or salmon, but is this too mushy to have long term satiety occur? I will drink a low card low calorie protein drink in the am and then have my 12 glasses of water and liquid vitamins, so I am mainly looking for that "perfect food" for lunch and dinner. This is just a kickstart, after this dreaded event I plan to eat a much more varied diet, I am just trying to lose about 20-30 pounds by mid december. Any help would be soooo appreciated-I am really anxious over this.

Dr. K is truly the best!

HI everyone, well it turned out that the Dr. missed my port all three previous time she tried to fill me (thank goodness that I do not have a problem!) He found the port this time and put in two ccs to see if I felt restriction. I sat up and drank a sip of water and BOY did I ever have restriction! I was so happy to finally feel something!!!!!!!!! He took out .75 so I have 1.25 now. I am thrilled this was the problem and not a leak/disconnected tube/port flip or any other scenario I was imagining. Thank you all for chiming in and helping me through this. Hopefully one day I will have enough experience to offer help and not just recieve it!

thank you for sharing, My band only holds 4 total! I have the 10cm not the 10cc!

If you have a different doctor doing your fills than the doctor that did your surgery, and you develop a leak, who pays for the repair surgery? The first time I went in for a fill they used no ultrasound or fluoro and stuck me 4 times at least 2 inches higher than where my port ended up being at. I was stuck 9 times inthe general area of my port before it was found. I have a 4 cc band, 1st fill was one cc (no restriction, done 27 days after surgery) second fill was 3 ccs (done 37 days after surgery) I now have 4 cc in a 4cc band and have no restriction. When I say no restriction I really mean it, I just ate a sandwich made with soft white bread to make sure I was not crazy. I can eat just as much as before my surgery. I do not drink EVER when I eat, nor for 2 hours after. Any advice would be appreciated. If the problem is not due to a leak from the fill, am I expected to pay for whatever other problem may be there, or is that something the surgeon would be responsible for?

Did anyone ever have trouble having the doc find the port without ultrasound or fluoro? I am just wondering if my experience was atypical?

Leatha, I forgot to thank you for looking up that info, I appreciate it. Very anxious today and not myself!

I have a different doctor for fills than for the surgery (I live in a different state than my surgeon) The fill doctor did pull out th einitial 1 cc. I thought the same thing about the .03 vs 3cc thing, but I called him and confirmed, and yes I do have 4cc in a 4cc band. I am going to see him monday and he will pull out the fill and see how much is there. I am pretty distraught at having paid out of pocket for the surgery less than 6 weeks ago, 500 for the fills and now another couple thousand in surgery costs, plus airfare, hotel, rental car etc..

I have to pay for a repair even if they caused the issue? I was banded in the US

Leatha, are you asking me to look at that info? I did last night when I looked up the band capacity. Am I missing something?

I am definitely going to see what he can pull out of monday. If he pulls out all 4ccs then I have a major problem. Has anyone else had this happen? If so, was it a punctured tube or another problem?

the serial number of the band is 11857323. My Dr. thinks I may have a leak. I am quite upset about this. He states my band holds up to 5cc and that something is def. wrong with no restriction at 4cc

is it a 10 cm band? That is what I have and I have NO restriction after a 1 cc fill either! I am going back in 10 days for more thank goodness. I am really nervous I spent all this money for nothing!

i had my fill tuesday (first one) and am having same problem

it is a surgical center, specially designed for outpatient surgery, the hospital is across the street.

I have been pleased with everything, I had my band done at 10:30 and was back at the hotel by 2:00 or so, no problems at all. I amnot local, I Did my pre op through my doc so my insurance would pay that, sent him the results, hubby had surgery tuesday, I had it today, we see Dr. K againon friday for follow up, then fly home on Sat. We have a local doctor that will do our fills. Dr. K also does fills and offers a reduced price of 15 dollars a fill if you are self pay. His bedside manner is AMAZING as well as his skill. Marilyn in his office will accomodate any questions you may have. While I was in the surgical center getting ready I met a nurse that was also one of his banding patients. They all love him there! There was nothing I did not like, I have been fully satisfied thus far. He also offers you the services of a very skilled nutritionist to help you, that is included with the price.

My Husband was banded today, and I am getting banded in the morning-Everything has been great so far-We both really like and have a lot of confidence in him. He has a ton of experience and has taken a lot of time talking to both of us to make us comfortable before during and after the fact. He really believes in the surgery- he told us he set his prices as low as they are because he wanted to give patients that are self pay an option besides Mexico. I give my highest recommendations. We had originally planned to go with Dr. Felix Spiegel but were turned off because he would not talk to us on the phone beforehand. Dr. Kirshenbaum talked with us 3 or 4 times prior. Hope this helps, email me if you have any questions!