Hello

November 9, 2003

Hello, My name is Jacque (jackie) and new to this site. I was banded on Oct 6, 2003 by Dr. Pilcher in San Antonio, Texas. I am from Austin, Tx. I am a 35 (soon to be 36) single mother of 2 girls. I have the Swedish Adj Band. I was banded through a research study. I feel very lucky especially after reading all the post about people having trouble with insurance, and insurance not paying. I did not qualify under my insurance for the band because I am a pretty healthy obese person. I wanted to do something before I started having the health problems. I was lucky to hear about the research study and qualify for it. As of my last weight in which was the 5th of this month I have lost 19lbs. I had my first fill on my last visit. I lost most of my weight the first 2 weeks post-op when I was on liquids. I only lost 2 lbs from my post-op visit until my visit on the 5th which was kinda upsetting but then I was also happy that I had lost and not gained. My Dr. said that I had done good because I had lost the weight pretty much by myself without any restriction. I now have had my first fill and I feel no different. I really don't feel any more restriction. He put in 3.0cc.

I look forward to being in this group and gaining all kinds of helpful information, and passing on any that I may have.

Jacque

10/06/03

Dr. Pilcher

227/208/150

Alexandra · November 9, 2003

Hi Jacque! Welcome!

Congratulations on being part of the clinical trials. That is indeed a stroke of luck! I hope you and all your co-guinea pigs have wild success and the band becomes the treatment of choice in the future. Inamed, J&J, who cares who makes it! As long as the principle is there.

Congratulations on your pre-fill weight loss, too! Did you have your recent fill under fluoroscopy? Did you feel restriction on the day of or on the day after your fill? I'm curious as to whether the doctors in the study are filling the band to a predetermined level or if they're working with each person to find the right restriction.

November 9, 2003

Thanks Alexadra.

Yes, I had my fill under fluroscope, only because the incision above the port was a little red and inflamed the Dr. didn't want to hurt me by not hitting the port the first time, and having to dig around. I don't think they have a set fill they do for the study becaues I have met someone from FLA and CA who are also doing the study and their fills were different. I really don't fill like a guinea pig I was just lucky to have been accepted to participate in this study. This band is made by Ethicon and the only difference in this band is it is a little larger and just made by a different manufacturer. Just trying to get it approved by the FDA so it can be used in the U.S.

Jacque

10/06/03

Dr. Pilcher: