Zoe

. . . by that I mean BY a beginner, for other beginners. I had my first fill today. I found other descriptive posts very helpful in answering my questions and allaying my fears, so I thought I'd post a little step-by-step guide of my own, in case it helps any other readers who wonder what a fill involves and feels like. First of all, I should mention that I was banded in Mexico and am getting aftercare in the US. This was made relatively easy because (1) I live in a big city, and (2) one of my surgeon's former students has a large, well-established Lap-Band practice here, and this doctor agreed to do my fills for a fraction of what he usually charges other docs' patients ($250 vs. $1000). My surgeon, Dr. Rumbaut, had told me that I'd probably want a fill after six weeks; no matter what, he said, I shouldn't get one any earlier, and I may not need one until later. The day after my six-week anniversary I started feeling hungrier, and was able to pack away more food than before. I figured I should at least get checked out. My appointment was at 2 pm today. I arrived at Dr. Horgan's posh Michigan Avenue office 15 minutes early, completed a new-patient info form and a questionnaire about obesity-related health problems and whether I'd noticed a change since banding, and just after 2 pm I was shown to an examination room where an assistant, Michelle, weighed me on a body-composition scale (photo #2 below) and took my pulse and blood pressure. I was asked to change into a giant hospital gown. (I should mention that both the gowns and many of the waiting room chairs are sized to accommodate very large people. Someone was thinking ahead.) I asked Michelle if I could take pictures, and after an initial hesitation she said yes, and suggested that I ask for a duplicate copy of my fluoroscope image. She then led me to the room holding the machine (photo #1). In a few minutes Dr. Horgan and a male technician came in and briefly explained the procedure. I should mention that, except for the gown replacing my blouse, I was wearing all my clothes. Dr. H asked me to lower my trousers so that he could get access to the port, which in my case is a few inches above my left hipbone. He guided me into position in front of the fluoro machine. I remained standing the entire time, and never actually touched the equipment. To my disappointment I realized that I would not be facing the image of my belly, which (weirdo that I am) I was kind of looking forward to. So far, easy as could be, no discomfort of any kind. Next, Dr. H sprayed a "freezing agent" near my port; I forgot to ask what it was. The freezing agent really did feel cold, and it looked as if a half-dollar-size spot on my belly had been in the back of a refrigerator that needed defrosting, little ice crystals and all! Still no discomfort. He asked me to take a swig of a thick white barium drink. It wasn't as bad as I expected (the technician joked that Starbucks was selling it, but that's pushing it) -- just a little chalky, with a slight vanilla scent and taste. The barium makes its way down the esophagus to the stomach (and, later, beyond) and allows the technician to see a rough outline of the patient's insides. At this point I noticed Dr. H preparing a big hypodermic needle. Yikes! After adjusting my position, he aimed right for the port. I won't lie -- I definitely felt it. I know many other bandsters don't even notice the needle go in, but not me. However, it wasn't bad, and I think if I hadn't expected the entire procedure to be a total breeze, it probably wouldn't have bothered me at all. Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture of the needle going into my belly, because I had to hold my arms straight down at my side -- and I sure didn't want to ask the doc to drop that giant needle and pick up my camera! I think it was at this point that I took another swig of the barium drink so they could monitor the response of the band and my body. That needle was definitely in, and the doc injected some saline. I blithely thought I'd get 1.5 cc, since that seems to be average, and so far I'm your average bandster. Nope! First I was injected with 1.4 cc, then as the two guys watched the fluoro, Dr. Horgan said, "Oh, that's too much. Let's take out .2." So he did. So here I am with 1.2 cc of saline in my Inamed band, which Dr. H said should give me good restriction. I did get a copy of my fluoroscope picture (#3). Hey, I've had less flattering photos! By the way, the small bit highlighted by the ink rectangle in the left image is my band, and the dark hairy-looking bit is the barium drifting through my stomach. I had to ask. Well, I'm on liquids for 48 hours, then onto the real bandster eating routine. Dr. Horgan said I should lose two pounds a week. When I said I didn't mind losing more slowly, he was adamant, and said if I didn't lose those two pounds every week I should give him a call. He wants me to see him in another two months -- sooner if I have trouble. And in case this initial fill is too tight or too loose, I can have it readjusted for free as long as I do so within a week. One last thing I can't resist adding: Dr. H asked me why I had surgery in Mexico. "Financial concerns," I said. "What kind?" he asked. I was taken aback. "Well, it's a lot cheaper in Mexico," I shrugged. He didn't have a response to that! Good luck to everyone getting their first fill -- it's not bad, and the whole thing, including paperwork and tests, took about 45 minutes.

Great news, Betty! Just think, the 18th is less than a week away. Try to distract yourself over the next few days -- it's hard not to obsess about the band and the upcoming surgery, but the time will pass, and you'll be banded in no time!

Let me second what everyone else has said about each person having different fill requirements. I blithely thought I'd get 1.5 cc, since that seems to be average, and so far I'm your average bandster. Nope! First I was injected with 1.4 cc, then as the doc and the technician watched the fluoro (which I couldn't see because my back was to the machine at that point), Dr. Horgan said, "Oh, that's too much. Let's take out .2." So he did. And here I am with 1.2 cc of saline in my Inamed band, which Dr. H said should give me good restriction. Even though they sprayed a "freezing agent" near my port -- I forgot to ask what it was -- I did feel the needle go in. It wasn't bad, though. The freezing agent really did feel cold, and it looked as if my belly had been in the back of a refrigerator that needed defrosting, little ice crystals and all! I'm on liquids for 48 hours, then onto the real bandster routine. I've moved the detailed description of the fill to a "Beginner's Guide to Fills" thread.

According to the guy's receptionist, he uses fluoro. If I can get a picture of my barium plumbing, I'll post it! Now I'm off . . . will report back, filled.

. . .well, not where no one has gone before, but *I've* never gone. I'm off for my first fill at 2 pm with Dr. Horgan, right next to Bloomingdale's, so I'd better behave myself and come straight back to the office instead of shopping like a madwoman. I'm taking a camera with me and, if the doc has no problem with it, I'll take a few pictures & post them so other newbies can see what the experience is like. No fair laughing at my scars, though!

Hey DeLarla, I'm glad those jeans fit! It's great to have someone who doesn't have to hem my stuff. And those burgundy cords were mine, although the flowery shirt wasn't. What about the black velvet pants? They were probably too big for you, but maybe someone else got 'em. LisaGreen, I'll start a thread in the talk lounge later with a lyric sample, and you'll see why I'm not in LA or Nashville!

When I first signed up on this board, I discovered there were so many other Lisas (including two other Lisa Gs) that I decided to use the name of one of my other personalities! Zoe writes bad spoofs of song lyrics a la Allan Sherman, so I figured she'd be at home with this crazy bunch. That's my story, and my name, and I'm sticking to it! I divulged my secret agent identity when I sent DeLarla boxes of clothes, in case there was any problem with the delivery . . . now I'm going back underground as Zoe Fiasco.

That's great news, Brenda. You deserve a big pat on the back for following up with your doctor's office; someone less determined would have taken the insurance company worker at her word and given up. I think as more insurance companies realize that the Lap-Band can actually save them money since they won't have to shell out so much on heart medication and surgery, high blood pressure control, cholesterol blockers, insulin, joint problems, and apnea devices, they'll start to come around and pay for banding. Good luck, and let us know what happens next. We're all rooting for you.:banana

I walked around the park for about half an hour this morning with Sophie -- also got a great upper-body workout pulling 80 pounds of that crazy dog straining on the leash trying to get to the squirrels. The pedometer is great. It's helping to keep me on track, and it's fun to see that I really do move around some at my desk job, running around to my boss's office, the secretary's office, downstairs to the Fed Ex dropoff . . . and to the kitchen, where I missed the boxes of donuts yesterday. Hey, every little bit helps!

Sarah, when were you banded? That's an important bit of info. Let us know, and I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice!

I've read this thread with interest, because I'm getting my first fill tomorrow. I had pretty good restriction until about a week ago. I still have to chew my food very thoroughly, but it takes a lot more to fill my belly than during the first six weeks. Luckily a well-regarded local protege of my Mexican surgeon has agreed to do my fills, and to my relief the guy uses fluoro. (I'm not looking forward to the barium stuff, but I want to make sure everything's moving right along, and I have a macabre interest in my own medical procedures.) Thanks to all the info I've read here, I'm expecting everything to go smoothly with minimal pain. Thanks, Shireen, for asking the question, and to everyone else who posted here.

Congratulations! That's just two weeks away. If you have any questions, be sure to look at previous posts on this board, both in Introductions (where a lot of us have talked about the surgical experience), General Discussion, and the themed sections (Food, Support, etc.). I am so grateful for the frank information and opinions I received here. And if you have a question that hasn't already been addressed, just ask! We've all been where you are in your band journey, so you'll have plenty of help. Good luck!

Laissez les bons temps roller! But are we already too late to get hotel rooms for 2005? (That's one good thing about the pity party -- no reservations required.)

Count me in. I bought a pedometer yesterday & have walked 8,529 steps today. . . my goal is 10,000 steps at least three days a week. Walking is my main exercise; I'm going a little farther and a little faster these past few weeks. It's not only good for me -- the chunky dog is looking a little sleeker too, and loves spending more time outside during the height of squirrel season. In a burst of enthusiasm I bought two five-pound weights at Target. I know, I know, that's a wimpy size, but I have back trouble -- that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I dragged those weights into the house last night, then I realized that I was dragging double that before I was banded. This lesson was underlined when I tried to lift a 20-lb. bag of dog food -- and to think I was carrying that 24 hours a day. Just think of the bags of dog food all of us have lost since banding -- enough to fill a PetSmart! Maybe we need a bandster Olympics for all you budding athletes! My event of choice is a sweaty game of Scrabble.

Lots of us have posted threads on our Mexican experiences; check out old posts in the introductions & general discussion sections. Yeah, pack light, wear clogs & baggy clothes, and buy some good liquids for your pantry before you leave -- you probably won't feel like grocery shopping right after you get home. Good luck!

I feel weird writing on such a personal subject when I don't know any of the people involved, but I just can't help myself -- I'll try to shut up after this! (Yeah, right.) Lots of us had wonderful loving adults in our lives when we were kids -- adults outside the family who loved us and played with us and accepted us for who we were. Do any of you get all teary and sentimental remembering them? I sure do. And I know that whatever else Chloe is going to remember from these years, she'll forever have the memory of her kind and loving neighbors, not to mention the wild party ladies who came to visit and showered her with the most precious gift of attention and laughter. Chloe's little life may be a mess, thanks to her mom and dad -- but no one can take away her memories of the good times. All of you (especially of course DeLarla) are giving her some much-needed emotional nourishment, and that's what makes a real parent.

What a mess. . . and I don't even know these people. Do you know if Babs has any normal family members who might be able to step in? Here in Illinois, the child-protection services people seem to turn to family members first, rather than friends and neighbors, before placing a child in a foster home. That's a drastic step, but it sounds as if these wacko parents are endangering at least one of their kids. Blessings on all of you who are providing love and stability (and limits) for this little girl. She looks adorable in the pictures, but as you say, they don't tell the whole story.

This is so cool -- I wanna meet everybody! You know it's a great party when the dogs are getting in on the act . . . and I think that big portrait photo of Sachi with the boa is suitable for framing. Any news on the clothing exchange? I'm wondering if all you ladies are now too small for the stuff I sent.

Excellent news, Katie! You'll break that 300 barrier in no time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now go get some much-needed rest. The pity party awaits more pictures from your happy guests. Is it too early to start thinking about a 2005 gathering, if not in Vegas (in case the hostess hasn't recovered after 12 months), then somewhere else with a good flight schedule and plenty of liquor stores?

Hi Lisa -- Glad to hear your husband at least apologized, but it sounds as if you know there's still anger simmering. What a shame that your band is bringing out his bad side, just when you need his support. You've taken a huge step to become healthier and happier, and it's a shame he's not really at your side for the journey. Is it jealousy and fear? Earlier anger issues coming to the surface? Who knows. All we know here is that you're doing great -- look at those weight-loss numbers! -- and you deserve to be treated better. I hope your husband realizes that if he doesn't change his ways he's going to lose a good woman who's been willing to look the other way with his own weight issues and who's beautiful at any size.

The big smiles say it all! Everyone looks beautiful and happy. And by the way, DeLarla, your husband's a hunky guy. Thank you so much for posting these pictures so we stay-at-homes can be part of the party. Keep 'em coming!

Darcy, where did that belly go? Amazing! And the rest of your body, including your arms, looks thinner too. Glad to hear you're feeling better as the pity party is going into its last day (for now).

Hey, Brenda, this band can turn your life around. I hope that before long you'll be saying, "This time I got something I really really wanted." Find out as much as you can. I'm happy that your insurance may cover the procedure; that'll let you clear one of the biggest hurdles for us Bandsters. When you have some free time, read some of the old posts, especially in the Introductions sections. Lots of people have shared their experiences and will tell you exactly what they went through in surgery and immediately after. But I am going to try harder and fight like hell to get it. That's the spirit! Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Kim, your old gray sweats are as slutty as you want to make them (knock yourself out!), and are perfect pity-party pajamas. "I can smell pity coming out of my pores!" -- Darcy, I think you've just written the first Pity Party Country Western Theme Song.