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Had the second "stab" at my first fill yesterday - and it worked! The other Dr (who I won't be seeing again) couldn't find the port 2 weeks ago. This doc had no trouble finding it, and he used a local too, the other doc didn't even do that, much more comfortable! He put in 2cc's, had me sit up and drink a glass of water, went right down, so he added a bit more...I think I have 2.5 cc's now. Feels perfect, I can sip slowly, and just a teaspoon of cottage cheese last night was enough! AND I lost 3 lbs since I'd been there 2 weeks ago....I thought I'd gained! Yippee ! It's all good!!!! :mad:

Oh, Alex you made me laugh! But of course you're right - "normal" people wouldn't give a second thought to having one piece of pizza - jeez, pre band I would have had 3 minimum. I guess I'm am in the mind set that I (or any of us bandsters) can't eat normally. And I don't want to go back to being a big 'ol pig!! I am feeling a lot of restriction with this fill, it's only been 2 days though, will it loosen up and will I lose some of that restriction as time goes by? I already have another fill appt. in a month. I don't actually get the real full feeling - I'm not at the "sweet spot" that I hear about I guess. How does that work?? Yes, BigDog I did go to Tacoma, but I saw Dr Earl, and I think he did a great job, I will stick with him. I told the office that I did not want to see Ross again. It's almost your big day, isn't it? (BigDog's getting banded!) Next week, right? The best of luck to you, and please post when you get back to let us know how you are doing.:mad:

Thanks Kathy!! I couldn't actually feel it tighten around my stomach as it was being filled, but could definatley tell it was full when I drank anything. I bought an Odwalla Super Protein drink after the fill, and it took me 3 hours to drink it! No, I'm not supposed to have anything other than liquids for 48 hrs after, but I was hungry when I got home late last night, I thought a little cottage cheese would stick with me, just one spoonful chewed up real well and I could feel that pressure between my boobs that told me I was "full". I was super anxious to get my fill because I had been able to eat like normal...I ate a whole piece of pizza the other night and kicked myself over it! I really had been able to eat anything, that's why I was afraid I'd gained, but guess not! I'm down 30 lbs since I was banded on March 2nd. :mad: I think this band is going to be the best thing I've ever done for myself in my whole life!!!

There was a question in my last thread (first fill - did he miss) that asked about band size, and how much it holds. Mine holds 5cc's. Is this good... bad?? I didn't realize there was a difference in amount they hold. How 'bout you all?

Thank you for this link! It looks like a great source, for both support and the supplements that we need!

I just got my first fill. The Dr. wasn't sure he'd "hit the port"(after jabbing me 5 times with the long needle) He told me I should go home and "test" it by eating some white bread, or pasta. I came home and ate half an almond butter and honey sandwich on white bread, it went right down. This can't be right!! I am soooo frustrated!! I should feel quite a bit of restriction now with the 2cc's he "might" have gotten in there - shouldn't I?? Please, has this happened to anyone else? I could just ball my head off right now:(

I think this deserves a new thread. I'm gonna post one. I didn't know there was such a difference

I don't know about band size(s). I just know I have a 5cc one. Anyone else know the different band sizes??

Thank you - Mr & Mrs Big Dog! I will go to Tacoma Radiology and have a flouro and fill. I just called them and I can schedule my own appointment. I have the Inamed 9.75cm band (5cc ballon). I Loved Dr Rumbaut, he did my surgery, I wish I were closer to him and I would have him do fills, but since I'm here (Kitsap Peninsula) I'm stuck with having fills in this area. I think Dr Oh in Auburn will also do fills for Dr Rumbaut's patients. I will check into him as well. I sure don't want the band damaged! Fox poked me 5 times without knowing if he'd hit or not, damage certainly could have been done then, I think a flouro is in order. Thanks for the wake up about Fox's office!

Yes! I did go to Dr Fox! Did you, or someone you know, have the same experience with him?? I have an appointment next Tuesday with his son, (Earl) who is now in practice with him. I have seen Dr Earl before, and am hoping he will be able to do my fill. Yikes....you've "red flagged" Dr Fox for me now! How worried do you think I should be about his office??

Thank you, Alexandra for your reply. Yes he really did say he wasn't sure he'd hit the port. He is an experienced Dr, he told me he'd filled ports thousands of times. He was not my surgery doc, I am self pay so I went to Dr Rumbaut in Mexico. The Dr here is to be my follow-up Dr (or then again maybe not!) I asked him what he does if he can't find the port, he said then he would send me to x-ray - of course for an additional charge. I am already thousands upon thousands of dollars into this, and sure didn't anticipate having this trouble with the fills. I don't feel any more restriction than I did before this so called fill. I haven't eaten much other than soft foods and found that only if I ate too fast would it come back up, I just hoarked down some baked tofu real fast as a test, and it was no problem. With a supposed 2 cc fill I would think I wouldn't be able to do that. CRAP he did miss it didn't he?? Or do you think if I really did get 2 cc's I wouldn't feel real restricted?

I was banded 2 1/2 weeks ago, and sure wouldn't mind having a cocktail or two. Can this hurt the band? What are some of your experiences with being banded and drinking? I would be sticking to the liquid diet!

Whoa! Did I ask a loaded ,no pun intended question, or what? I think everyone has made good points, and thanks to all who replied. I tried a drink myself, vodka and - diet- cranberry, it didn't burn or anything, but first off I thought, "boy wouldn't some cheese and crackers be good with this?" And I sure don't want to fall in to that munchie trap. The drink didn't taste all that good to me, plus I felt guilty for taking in the extra, empty, calories. I'm 3 1/2 weeks out and have lost 18 lbs - Yippee!! The focus of my journey here is to lose weight, and I don't want to jeopardize that, though I think a drink or two now and then probably can't hurt, but why chance it? I have enjoyed drinking in the past, and I might again in the future. I think for now I would get a bigger buzz by losing another 5 lbs. than having a night of drinking. Cheers everybody!

Hey Bullit I bet you're feeling better by now, huh? From this site I can sure see that every Dr is so different in what they recommend. Personally, and what my doc says too, is we really need the protein, I've never heard anyone say protein turns to fat, I've read more things that say the more protein we get the weight loss is accelerated. I've been using the Atkins shakes, they're spendy, but thicker than the powered protein that you mix up, so they seem to stick with me longer. Hummus, cream of wheat, and soup (in the blender) are things I have been eating a bit of. I really haven't been too hungry since I've added the soft foods. It's been 3 weeks today and I've lost 18 lbs, I know this period is a bonus weight loss, but I'm liking it!!! I will have my first fill on April 14th. Good luck to you, and keep us posted!

Sue - Thanks for doing the "research". I think I'll hold for for a while, (on the booze that is Hope you had a great night!

Stomach irritants - absorb the band in to my stomach!! YIKES, I sure don't want that to be happening! I think I'll chill on the alcohol. Besides, Sue's suggestion sounds like so much more fun! I think I'll remind the hubby that is IS Friday night! :eek:

Hi Bullit - I hope your port area is feeling better. My port is about 4" under my left boob, seems low to me - I hope it doesn't drift to my thigh as I get thinner! Yes, I also felt weak the 1st two weeks or so - our bodies are in shock, and having hardly any carbs or calories does make you weak, that too gets better as our bodies adjust, adding just a bit of soft foods (tofu, hummus, yogurt) has helped me. Are you drinking your protein? You should try and get at least 60 gms a day. I've been doing pretty good on drinking my water, and you will find as your post op swelling goes down it is easier to swallow, though I think the post op swelling gives us a feel as to what a fill will feel like (?) I know when I go back to work, next week, getting all my water in will be harder to do. I was banded in Mexico (DR. Rumbaut) and have my follow up/fill Dr. Fox, not too far from me in Tacoma. Hang in there - We are doing great!!!

I think an occasional drink probably can't hurt, and I'm not a kid - I'm 51 (and how did THAT happen??). But, like everything else - in moderation. The empty calories are definatley something I don't need, vodka and diet cranberry would be my choice. The munchies that go along with drinking is what scares me, I've just started this journey and have lost 15 lbs so far, I don't want to blow it now! It is all about learning self control, If I'd always done that as far as eating right, staying away from processed foods, sugar, junk food etc., I wouldn't weigh 260 lbs! As far as eroding the band, I don't see how that could happen as it doesn't come in contact with it, since it is on the "outside" (?) My husband will have his usual Friday night pizza and beer tonight, I may try a drink so I won't feel so deprived. Or I may stick with my new discovery - peppermint tea with a dollop of "Oscar's SF, 0 cal. Bavarian Chocolate syrup" - my mouth thinks I'm eating Junior Mints! Maybe I'll throw a shot of vodka in there!

Hi, Thanks for your replies. Of course I knew the answer, I guess I was looking for "go for it, it can't hurt a bit":rolleyes: I know it is empty calories, and yes, the munchies! I'm still on vacation, I took 3 weeks off, am feeling so much better, will glad to be back to work next week, and not be sitting around thinking about eating and drinking!! I really appreciate this board and all your support!

Hi Everyone I discovered this board about a month ago, and so, so glad I did! I was banded 2 weeks ago and have found invaluable info, and the support you all show. To be able to read things people say that are feeling the same way I am.......I'm hungry mostly, and a bit fatigued, but I know that's normal from what I've read here. I am so ready for this journey! My name is Mary, I live in Washington state, and I'm glad to "meet" you all!!

Thanks for all your congrats and warm welcomes! I'm feeling pretty good, I've started eating some mushy foods, so that's helping the hunger. My Dr. says just clear liquids for a month, but I couldn't do it, it seems that most of your Dr. have you on only liquids for 2 weeks, sounds more reasonable to me! My first fill will be April 14th,can't wait for that! Kathy from Washington - good luck and congrats on your band,thanks for youir reply. I live on the Kitsap Peninsula. I used to live in Kirkland, I see that's where you're having your surgery done. Keep us posted!

I was banded 2 1/2 weeks ago and my port site was the only site that really ever hurt. Last night was the first night I was able to sleep on my stomach, but it is still a bit tender. It does get better! My Dr. wants only liquids for a month! I bailed on that and started eating mushy food a couple days ago. I just had a couple tbls. of hummus and it satisfied my hunger. From reading this board it seems that most people's Dr.'s have them on liquids for 2 weeks, then on to mushies, makes more sense to me, just as long as we don't have any "heavy" foods. What do you others think? Congrats on your band! We're on to being Big Losers!!! Yippee

Hi Sam I went to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, and loved him! Very caring and sincere man, he has a lapband himself. Hospital there is state of the art, found it to be top notch no problems at all. As for follow-up with him it really wouldn't be cost effective to go to him, as you would have to go to Monterrey for fills (is there a local Dr. for you to see for that?) My follow up care and fills will be through Dr. Fox in Tacoma. I'm just 2 weeks out and will not have a fill for a month. I am self pay and paid $10,500 for the surgery with Dr. Rumbaut and initial follow up and 1st fill with Dr. Fox. Good Luck!