December Bandsters 2009

[Vivinthewoods 0]

Vivinthewoods...when I had my 2nd fill a week ago today, the doc would make me drink (gulp) Water down as he was filling and if I felt the water was getting "stuck" he would take out a little. Wierd but when I eat, I kinda get full quicker than before the surgery but I'm still hungry. So I feel full but my stomach is still growling!

I think you have done marvelously, as you have only just had a second fill. How many cc do you have in your band? It sounds as if you have some restriction, but not enough to stop you feeling hungry for 3 - 4 hours after a meal. I hope your surgeon helps you with better restriction, but without that stuck feeling. Do let us know how things workout for you. Take care.

[rbailey60 0]

I think you have done marvelously, as you have only just had a second fill. How many cc do you have in your band? It sounds as if you have some restriction, but not enough to stop you feeling hungry for 3 - 4 hours after a meal. I hope your surgeon helps you with better restriction, but without that stuck feeling. Do let us know how things workout for you. Take care.

Each fill the doc fills w/1cc. so I guess 2 cc is all I have so far since 12/21/09.

My goal was to lose 50 lbs by my 50 bday which is only 2 weeks away! :thumbup::crying::smilielol5: Oh well...

[Doer 14]

Hi everyone! I'm still amazed at how we're all having different experiences. I've lost a ton of weight (don't get me wrong - I don't want it back!) but have been having a ton of reflux in the past few weeks which I never expected out of nowhere six months out. I had the doctor take about .3 cc out of the band, but I still have reflux and now I'm hungry again to boot! So tomorrow I'm going to have him put it back in. If I'm going to have barfy gook in my mouth and choke on it during the night, I may as well be full and losing weight, too! For the past two weeks I have maintained! All in all, though, I am so grateful to my doctor, the band, and all of you for the wisdom and experiences you share. Being a size 12 and 14 feels amazingly better than being a size 22! I'm looking forward to size 8 again, and starting to believe it's coming!!

[illuminationlady 7]

Hello December Delights! I'm still here. I've been lost in Farmville on FB. I know, silly...anyways..I'm down 57 lbs. Had my 6 month bandiversary a few days ago. The doctor is really pleased with my progress. Will be making my appointment for knee replacement soon. I'm nervous about that but you've all heard me whine enough about that! I'm working on a 1000 piece puzzle..and it's interesting....it's a picture of a butterfly but it's made up of 1000s of little photographs. Very difficult but fun. I joined the YMCA. Water aerobics 3 days a week. Recumbant bike 5 days a week. Weights and Strength Training 2 days a week. It's already made a difference and I think I'll be stronger to have the knee surgery. Everyone says it makes a big difference if you're in better shape. Besides that nothing is new. I read all the threads and am thinking of you all...hugs...Dottie

[rbailey60 0]

Hi everyone! I'm still amazed at how we're all having different experiences. I've lost a ton of weight (don't get me wrong - I don't want it back!) but have been having a ton of reflux in the past few weeks which I never expected out of nowhere six months out. I had the doctor take about .3 cc out of the band, but I still have reflux and now I'm hungry again to boot! So tomorrow I'm going to have him put it back in. If I'm going to have barfy gook in my mouth and choke on it during the night, I may as well be full and losing weight, too! For the past two weeks I have maintained! All in all, though, I am so grateful to my doctor, the band, and all of you for the wisdom and experiences you share. Being a size 12 and 14 feels amazingly better than being a size 22! I'm looking forward to size 8 again, and starting to believe it's coming!!

Just wondering if the doc charges you each time you go in for your band adjustments as mine does. I have to pay $150 for each adjustment so that is why I havent gone in as much as everyone else is because of the money issues. Since I had my second fill less than 2 weeks ago & am still starving, I dont know if the doc will charge me to come in so soon to have more fill. I am so happy you have lost so much weight, wish I was as lucky.

[Vivinthewoods 0]

Just wondering if the doc charges you each time you go in for your band adjustments as mine does. I have to pay $150 for each adjustment so that is why I havent gone in as much as everyone else is because of the money issues. Since I had my second fill less than 2 weeks ago & am still starving, I dont know if the doc will charge me to come in so soon to have more fill. I am so happy you have lost so much weight, wish I was as lucky.

My insurance pays for most of my fill charge, I pay $35. If I did not have insurance I believe I would have to pay around $150. What gets me is, my doc bills my insurance $1500.00 for each fill!!!! He settles for $650.00 - but that seems so wrong to me.

I have had three fills of 2cc's and one of 1cc. As you have so little in your band I wonder if your doc would give you a 2cc fill - so you get more for your money. Good luck with that next fill.

Edited June 22, 2010 by Vivinthewoods

[Irusan 0]

I'm also kind of amazed as I read through the lists the ranges of information and support that people get, or don't get. I feel lucky to have gotten all the information and support that our center provides, but we had some options in this area and vetted them pretty well. All they do is bariatric surgery, and they give good information about the different surgeries and not only what they want you to do after it but why it is important to do those things. They do charge everyone a 500$ program fee at the time of surgery which is non negotiable and they will not accept insurance for it. It covers weekly support group meetings after surgery, access to their exercise physiologist and nutritionist, and the original psych consult. (They say you can take 175 off and get your own psych consult but we spent weeks trying to get one through covered providers and just got the run around.) My physician offers both types of fills, those under x-ray and just the standard in office ones. I have had one of each - the first one performed by the Dr under x-ray where they put in 4.5 cc's to get the appropriate restriction so that the barium trickled through slowly. The second one I just had was by a PA in the office and she puts in .5 cc at a time but says if you still aren't losing weight and getting no relief from hunger you can get another in a week or two and that if you have a co-pay that it covers all fills for a two week period.

So far I've lost 50 pounds in the six months, gone from a size 34 pants to a size 28 and am pleased with the results. I am meticulous about the amounts I eat - I sometimes even carry my food scale in my purse so I can weigh my food at restaurants. I do try to make sure I include at least some Protein every time I eat and focus meals on starting with protein foods. I am still physically able to eat everything and so far (knock on wood) nothing has ever gotten stuck - no PBing and no sliming. If I am still hungry a half hour after eating I do eat again though, and this happens frequently with Soups and really lo cal meals. I haven't done as well at the activity, my arthritis really kicked up this winter and spring (though we called it Spriter this year since we were still getting snow the week of Easter) but I am hoping to improve in this area.

[illuminationlady 7]

In need of thoughts and prayers. My first knee replacement surgery is Tue. of next week. They took all the Fluid out of my band about an hour ago :smile: I had lost another 5 lbs. in one week. Total of about 60 lbs. She said to expect weight gain right after surgery because of all the fluids they give you. She said I could gain up to 5 lbs. but will lose it quickly after I'm off the IV. Anyway, my band is empty! Oh No!!! I haven't been hungry at allllllllll. I wonder if this will turn my hungry switch back on. We shall see. I can get the fluid put back in two weeks. Wish me well and think of me!!! I am looking forward to improvement in my mobility. Love, Dottie

Edited June 25, 2010 by illuminationlady

[Vivinthewoods 0]

@ Dotti - I'll be thinking of you and wishing you a very speedy recovery after your surgery. You will soon be up and running (well walking) in no time and with your band refilled. Hopefully you will have time to complete that big puzzle and work on your FB farm. It is so hot here in Texas, I have been working on my hobby and staying in the air conditioning (hobby can be viewed at Embroidered at Midnight!).

Keeping you in my thoughts for Wednesday.

[Marine mom 3]

Dottie, you will remain in my prayers. I am so glad that you aren't hungry. I find that when I am in the habit of not eating much, I can stay there as long as I stay away from my trigger foods.

[Melinco 1]

Dottie, why would you have to have a complete unfill for surgery? I had my gall bladder out and they left my fill in. Even had to have an ERCP (scope to check my bile duct for sludge/stone), and they didn't unfill me. Just curious as to why they thought you needed to be unfilled.

Good luck with your surgery next week!

[New Joy 0]

I didn't realize we were using two different threads to post.

Does anyone care if we move to a new titled thread since we are 6 months down now???

[texasnewf 104]

That works for me

[Marine mom 3]

i'm good with a link.

[policy34 0]

hi , i'm in the same boat with you..i have only lost a total of 15 to 16 lbs. since 12/28/09..I just had a another fill last week which now i'm at 7ccs..my nurse advised some people get to their sweet spots at diff cc's..so hopefully we both can get there and we can lose more wait..I just had foot surgery on today and can not walk..so I will be non mobile for a couple of weeks.good luck.