Syrah

Sorry Denise! Is this better? It looks fine on my screen. What browser are you using? Try Internet Explorer... I am probably not a great person to answer questions about fills. I've only had one and have not had a lot of restriction, but others here may have some great advice.

Most places will schedule the surgery after all the pre-op tests are done. In my case, I had to have an upper GI and the psych evaluation before they would schedule. Then after they schedule, they will have you come in a week ahead of time for any other last-minute tests (in my case, it was a chest xray and an EKG). Good luck Wade.

<p>One thing about anesthesia: When they put the mask over my face I hated it and felt very clausterphobic. In my pre-op interview, they warned me that this could happen and they told me simply to turn my face away from the mask if this happened. I was a bit drugged by then but I do remember turning my face away. I felt like I would suffocate so I turned my head to the side. The anesthesiologist was fine with this because he held it over my face (about 1/2 inch away) and then (I assume!) put it back on me when I was out.</p> <p> </p> <p>For the group that I used, they always use a breathing tube just to protect the airway in case something goes awry. I think this is a good practice, frankly.</p>

Thanks for further explaining, FurEllie, even if you avoided some of my questions. That’s ok. :eek: Don’t confuse a hot-button issue with a spirited discussion. I just remain confused about this quest for the best surgeon ever, when this procedure is becoming quite common across the US – thanks, in large part, to surgeons from other countries who have trained them. Maybe I’m a bit more relaxed because I’ve had several surgeries over the course of my lifetime, some of which were more complicated than lap band. Magnolia, I think the reason you felt full (and me too) right after surgery had more to do with the trauma of surgery (to the stomach) and the swelling / healing, etc. I still never get a huge appetite, but I would like to feel full after eating ½ cup. Maybe some day!

Hang in there Driver! How soon can you get another fill? If it makes you feel any better, I don't notice much difference between an unfilled band and a 3 CC fill. L8bloomer, thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

That should be "plane ticket." What the heck is up with the editing function on here?!

FurEllie - I think you are generalizing about doing the math. How can you possibly assume so much knowledge about others’ situations? Do you really think a lot of people choose self-pay over insurance coverage, simply so they can go to Mexico? You said that you know of 3 such people – out of a board with 1,000+ members. To keep insisting that isn’t a huge minority is silly. My costs = a $10 co-pay for each fill or office visit, and that’s it. The entire surgery was covered by BC / BS, save for $200. The travel time is one hour. Add it all up and it would be way less than one round-trip lane ticket to Mexico, from where I live. “Why would it end?” Because most people don’t have the resources that you apparently have. I am not sure if you live among super wealthy people or not, or whether you have any children who depend on you financially, but that kind of thinking is not the reality for most Americans, WRT healthcare.

Lizrbit – I have the 10 CC band as well and have 3 CCs in it. I go back for another fill in July, or possibly sooner depending on the rate of my weight loss. I would like to have a bit more restriction. But mostly I have to get my head in the game more!

FurEllie -- I realize we are getting off-topic here but I think this is an interesting discussion. I may be confused. Most of what I’ve read here at LBT about Mexico – with some (but very few) exceptions – involves people going to Mexico precisely because of cost, precisely because their insurance will not cover the surgery in the U.S. Every time a newbie comes online and tells a story about not being covered by insurance, the issue of Mexico comes up because it is more reasonably priced. (Also as I read around here, I see people opting to self-pay and going to Mexico partly because they wish to avoid the pre-op tests and other requirements.) Maybe I wrong about that? You mention that you know 3 people who chose Mexico even with coverage. That, I am saying, is the exception. That really isn’t many people. And I don’t really understand that (again, just my opinion). My surgery was completely covered by insurance. I am curious – are you saying that you were you approved by insurance locally, but chose to go to Mexico instead? For people who make this choice strictly in the Quest for what you believe to be the best the quality care -- would you travel to another country for a C-section? A tonsillectomy? A C-section? Gall bladder removal? How about oral surgery? Where do you draw the line? How about your kids? Are you willing to pack them up and go to Johns Hopkins for ear tubes when you can have it done at your local hospital? Of course you are going to get gold-standard care at Johns Hopkins, but is that realistic for most people? No. I'm just saying - it's great to have those kinds of options but most families do not. Heck, many families do not even have health care coverage in this country. I guess my point is that all these things are fairly routine (even lap band is becoming that way) and yes, you can probably always find someone somewhere else who has done more surgeries than anyone else and has great qualifications, but if you do that – and everyone in your family does that – where does it end? You could spend all your time and money traveling the globe for medical care that could be done locally or regionally.

Lizrbit - which band do you have?

Wallygirl, what is your doctor telling you regarding another fill? Taht should be a discussion between you and your doctor. Have you tried to eat less and to chew your food really well?

FurEllie, I am not criticizing your actions or comments but I do hope you realize that you are in the minority in this country (and likely on this board), if personal finances are absolutely no obstacle to you in obtaining healthcare.

And even longer in Europe, so why not go there?

Can't edit! Actually there is a Bariatric Center of Excellence in my own town, but they only do RNY.

I'm guessing you are in the minority though, Stacy, and that most people who travel to Mexico do so sheerly for cost reasons. Many of us don't have the resources to travel to another country for a surgery that we can have done nearby, assuming insurance covers the treatment. I live in a rural state and there are at least five Bariatric Centers of Excellence in my state -- two of them within an hour's drive. This isn't the rarest, most specialized and delicate surgery in the world. It becomes more common every day. So I don't undestand the desire to travel for any reason other than cost. But this is simply my opinion and I mean absolutely no offense to you -- to each her own!! I'm very glad it has worked for you. Lizrbit, I haven't tried any beef. I am too afraid! So far I've had chicken, salmon and a bit of turkey. I think that fear alone has kept me on the straight and narrow, to some degree.

I was worried about this too, and I even worked for an anesthesiologist at the time I had this surgery so I knew better, lol. The risk is relatively low, seriously. You are worrying needlessly. I expressed this same concern here before surgery, and someone told me, "Your chances of dying are probably higher when you get into your car and drive to the store." That helped me put it in perspective. Someone mentioned the surgery taking an hour. I was under anesthesia for two hours. Interestingly, if you are sliced open (vs. worked on laparoscopically) the surgery takes less time. Don't be too freaked out about the time period. You'll do fine.

but most going outside the US do so because of insurance problems we have here and self pay. I had assumed this to be the case. I'm guessing that about 99 percent of the business that goes to Mexico = self-pays who can't get insurance coverage in the U.S. So to hear that 55 percent of bandsters here went to Mexico also tells that almost 55 percent of bandsters here are also self pays. Not a slam on going to Mexico for the surgery – I may have done so myself, if that was my only option.

For the first time since banded, I think I overate. I am uncomfortable. I have a 10 CC vanguard band and it has a 2 CC fill. I haven't felt a lot of restriction, overall. Today I had a Protein shake and 1/2 of a Slimfast snack bar for Breakfast, then a small bag of popcorn at a baseball game (chewed it very carefully) and then ate dinner even though I wasn't that hungry (a half portion of grilled salmon and a salad). I feel SOOOO full. I am afraid I might have stretched my pouch, I'm so full. How do you know if your pouch is stretched? Should I do liquids for the next few days, just in case? It was bad behavior because I wasn't even truly hungry. ugh!

ja9va -- not all doctors have the same pre-surgery rules. I was simply told to cut back on carbs and fat but my understanding was that higher BMI patients at my surgeon's office had stricter rules. Some doctors base it on your BMI and your eating habits. Don't be freaked out by one scary story. This person who was used as an example may well have been eating fried foods and chocloate sundays, day in and day out until surgery. The important thing is to follow YOUR doctor's rules.

Welcome Wallygirl! You must be new. Introduce yourself. What's your history?

Another Vanguard bandster here. My surgeon told me that he mostly always does Vanguard now, as someone else mentioned. I have a 3 CC fill 6 weeks after surgery. I've lost about 15 lbs so far (though I've not weighed for about 2 weeks).

Thanks for the info, Demmemoon. However, you are talking about the Inamed bend, right? Because I think the Inamed band and the Vanguard band seem to be different sizes.

WABB, I will agree to a truce, but I will comment whenever I think posts are misleading or over-generalized. And btw I am talking about initial banding, not fills. (You and I both know that. :mad: ) .But first - I ask you to have a bit more compassion for others and to consider other opinions that are different than yours. You are quick to demand stats and back-up info, when you never seem to present that kind of information yourself. And even if these discussions turned to statistics, we all know that those can be bent and skewed for our personal use. Of course all doctors are going to differ. To come out swinging and insisting that someone else’s doctor is wrong, yours is right, and backing it up with nothing but opinion – that serves no legitimate purpose. You should let others express their views and different theories they have heard (as well as their doctor’s views), without getting so defensive. I just thought you might like to hear how you are coming off sometimes. I’m glad you are enjoying the board. Have a good day.

Hi Joanna: You should already be taking them, in my opinion. I have taken chewables (Flintstones - lol) from Day 1 and I take calcium pills by cutting them in half and sipping them with Water. I was told to get the Vitamins in from the start. Good luck.

Kacee, I wouldn't worry too much about protein those first few days. I was told that above all else, I needed to get my water in, as well as my vitamins. I don't think you need your MB at this point, until you start making protein shakes.