Advice Please

[stacifowler 0]

I was banded back in 2001. I did well for a while but stopped getting fills after I lost my health insurance. I have to go through Flouro for a fill which is VERY expensive.

Anyway, I have gained back almost all that I lost, but am recommitted to the band and have health insurance again.

My original doctor has now left the practice. The doctor I have now just isn't filling me as aggressively as I need him to. He is putting in 1cc to 2cc's at a time and saying it is aggressive, but within a couple days I have no restriction.

Should I keep going to him? Should I ask for another doctor in the same practice (they are now a bariatric center rather than the small practice they were when I was banded)? or should I seek out a new doctor at another practice or center? Would love to hear your thoughts.

I really need a doctor that is going to tighten this thing and I have given my current doctor a couple shots at it and still nothing. (which is especially frustrating when I didn't have health insurance and I told him I was paying for the fills out of pocket at the tune of 3000 per one)

Thanks in advance.

[comtemplating 0]

Well- you could shop around for another dr. that does fill aggressively because lord knows all dr's do things differently!!! It is amazing to read the posts and hear the different fill levels that people receive. Because you have been through this before I imagine it is difficult to have a dr. that does things differently. My dr. only fills 1 cc at a time and I go in every two weeks. I belong to the school of thought that it is better to go slowly (I am brainwashed) :tongue2: This is going to be a decision for you to make- I know you must really be ready to get things going. There are plenty of pros to going slowly but you will likely get some responses from those that have had aggressive fills and have done just fine. Good luck on your decision- I didn't have the choice to change dr's which made at least that part easy. Take care.

[katwmn63 0]

i am not an experienced bandster by any stretch, but i am curious as to what the time frame is you got your 2 fills? if they were a month or more apart...i might get aggravated with 1cc at a time. if it has been less than a month, perhaps he is being careful to move slow to be sure the band gets reacustomed to fills.... does anyone really know for sure what happens to the band after very long term non-use??? 8 years is a long time and perhaps why he is taking it slow.

as i said, i am a novice, but it is just something that came to mind after reading your post. so glad you decided to get back on track however, and i wish you the bst of luck!

[stacifowler 0]

The fills were more than a month apart. Which is why I am so frustrated. 8 years is a long time with no use. This is one of those times that I wish the band was self adjustable. I know what I want and would be cool with being slightly TOO tight, but too lose stinks. If I was too tight, I could justify spending the extra money to get some taken out...at least it would feel like I was paying for something productive.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You've waited this long, what's a little longer? (devils advocate here) Actually there are pros and cons to conservative fills vs aggressive ones. My doc is conservative and I did get exasperated but now that I can eat anything and am at my sweet spot I see his logic. No reflux, no issues, can chow down on untoasted white bread...BUT I'm full quickly and stay full long. I think that's partly the conservative fill schedule..gave the old body time to adapt.

You have to do what is right for you though.

[innwtitdtity 57]

monkey..just curious, what level r u to be at your sweet spot?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

It's different for everyone but I have 7 cc's in my 14 cc band. I was good at 6.5 but better at 7. for example at 6.5 I could eat an entire hot dog and bun...but at 7 can only eat about 2/3 of one. Small difference but it adds up! :thumbup:

[innwtitdtity 57]

Thanks, I know it is different and I think I may need that .5 fill to get me there. I am at 8.5 in a 14. I can feel my food going through the band. I have been like this for 2 months. I kept thinking that I might be a little tight, but I chew my food to death and I can still eat more than a cup of food. I think I just need that little extra to get me to that sweet spot. I have an appt a week from Friday to find out.