Candle

That's awesome!!! I was wondering when I'd have to see my PCP again and do new blood work. I thought my surgeon had mentioned around the 3 month mark but I forgot to ask at my visit last week. I'm curious to see how my cholesterol is doing as well. You are doing so great!!!

I had to do a Barium Swallow and x-ray after surgery to make sure the band was in the right place and that liquid could go through. Before surgery, I had an EGD (where they put the camera down your throat) and I see many people mention they had to have the upper GI done. I don't think either BEFORE surgery would have shown the esophagus spasms though. Right? In some people, isn't that an unfortunate reaction to the band? I'm sorry things didn't work out for you.

I'm freezing too - ALL THE TIME! I used to always be hot. I'm constantly turning up the heat. (and my boyfriend turns it back down - lol) I almost cried when I got the bill for the oil delivery the other day. How much more expensive can oil and gas get?!?!

I have a GHI PPO plan. I was approved within a week. You have to do a 6 month supervised diet for them. Start it with your PCP NOW ... even if you are still just researching WLS. Get the ball rolling. Good luck

This thread inspired me. I had my first session today. It wasn't pleasant. A little more uncomfortable than I remembered. But quick! 1 down ...

I had one and they put it in, after I was out. I had my surgery in the early evening and mine ended up having to stay in until the next morning - over 12 hours. I wasn't "producing enough" ?

You should be on liquids for a few weeks, right? The APL band holds 14cc's. I'd be surprised if you only have 3cc's in it after 3 fills. Some doctors are even placing the AP bands with a small fill in them already - usually around 3cc's. Good luck

For most people it takes 2-3 fills to see a difference and usually more before you hit your sweet spot. I have the 10cc AP band with 1 fill of 2cc and I feel nothing.

Another vote for Dr Geiss

Read back through this thread - there are quite a few patients of Dr Geiss, myself included. Wow - thanks!! Good luck - keep us posted on your progress.

I'm still here :thumb:

Mine was a breeze. He gave me a small needle with numbing stuff first. There was a little burning as it went in. After that, I didn't feel anything. He put the long needle in, showed me what he was doing, and then I drank some Water.

Wow - you're kickin' ass! It takes me about 40-45 minutes just to walk 2 miles. Half the time I'm dragging my dog because she wants to stop and sniff EVERYTHING!! I'm in NY and the weather sounds like it's about the same right now. With the weather and it getting dark at 4:30 - I haven't been walking much at all. I need to start walking at lunch time instead. I MUST STAY MOTIVATED! I think losing all this weight so fast is screwing up my body. I am so cold ALL THE TIME, I just can't shake it.

Same thing with me - I've been working VERY VERY hard. I log all my food on fitday.com and plan my meals. I've also been working out a lot which has made a huge difference! (although since getting back from vacation almost 2 weeks ago I have been slacking BIG time :phanvan ) I really had to beg for a fill the other day because I've been losing so well my doc didn't want to do it. errrrrrrrrrr!!

I had my first fill on Monday too! (I don't feel any different though)

That was suppose to be the frown face - lol

How long does it take you to walk 5-6 miles a day? I've only been doing about 2 miles and now that the weather is changing and it's dark so early - I haven't been walking at all :cry

I just got my first fill of 2cc's yesterday - so far, no difference. -0- restriction

How much potassium are you suppose to get in a day? Hope you feel better soon.

Definitely. It just started getting really chilly here in NY and my boyfriend yelled at me last night for turning up the heat so much lately. (Oil prices are insane right now!)

That's my doctor too! I agree with you completely. NYU has an amazing reputation as well.

My old Dermatologist told me not to even bother with Vaniqa because it's so expensive and almost never covered by insurance. She did see some success with it but it was very limited. I did the laser on my neck/chin and upper lip about 4 years ago - I had 8 treatments and it was about $1200 I think. At that time, I was just starting to understand PCOS and in hindsight should not have wasted all that money. The hair did have to be shaved. It was NOT painful. Every once in awhile I felt a zap (that snapped rubber band feeling) but it was not a constant. The biggest pain in the ass was that my face would be read and blotchy for about 24 hours after!! It worked REALLY well but because of my PCOS and continuing to gain weight, here I am 4 years later and pretty much back to where I started, if not worse. My upper lip is still in good shape but I think that's because that was just a little dark hair that was natural - not related to my PCOS. I'm getting ready to start the process again now that I am losing weight and optimistic that with the band I will be able to keep it off and get my PCOS under control. Good luck ladies!

I had my first fill today. As I suspected - it wasn't an easy sell. He really didn't want to give me a fill because I lost 11 lbs this month. He finally gave in and gave me 2cc's. It was pretty painless. So far I don't feel any different. Brandottie01 - Any news on your port revision? I'm wishing you the best. All that insurance red tape is a pain in the ass.

The shoulder pain is probably gas. I was luckily and didn't really have bad gas pains but when I did get them, it was at about 4-5 days post-op. I took Gas X (I don't know if it worked but everyone said to use it - lol) and lots of walking. I think most people complain about pain in their left shoulder. Is that where yours is? I'm not familiar with the "feeling the band" sensation you reference but I have seen other people mention that. Sounds like you are completely normal and on track! Congrats!!! Sooverit - Good luck with the insurance approval. I was freaking out over that too! The 6 months really does go by faster than you think. It feels like just yesterday I was bumming about having to START the 6 month diet and now I'm already about 10 weeks post op.

Wow - I see a big difference in your face! I took before pics although they didn't come out that great - stupid camera phone but I now have my regular digi camera back. I haven't taken any in-progress pics yet but I plan to in the next day or two and I will share. I hit the 50lbs mark yesterday so I'm hoping to see a big difference.