KarenB

Thank you for the kind words. I hope you know that when I wrote "Many of you want to be tight to lose more weight... that those were his words---I would never be presumptious to say "you". It's all about us!

I got my period on Saturday & since then, my what I thought wasn't a tight enough fill became too tight. I can only swallow liquids & it hurts sometimes. I hemmed & hawwed since yesterday then today decided I'd better take my own advice & call the doc. Dr. Martinez said this could possibly still be from my period. As long as I can swallow liquids, I'm not in immediate danger & to continue w/the Maalox & liquids & if it doesn't loosed up, go to Dory (my aftercare person here) and have the .2ccs's removed on Monday that she added 3 weeks ago. (She's only on Long Island on Mondays) If by chance I loosen up by then, then that's great. He said he hears this a lot. In his words: Many of you want to be tight to lose more weight. This band is supposed to be for life & if we eat correctly, we will lose weight. This is not a race. It is dangerous to have a too tight band. (I'm not talking post-op--this is all about after the 1st fill & beyond.) Again, please don't misunderstand: it takes time to adjust to the band & many of us do PB a few times until we know what foods we can & cannot tolerate, etc. In the beginning it's to be expected. I'm talking about down the line when we've been at this for a while. This is what my doctor said and I trust him. I am just sharing my experience both because I need support & in the hopes it might help someone else.

Gotcha, Alex. I checked the web-site & think it's pretty lame too. I think I'll pass.

Hey Penni. I'm on Long Island, about 45 min. from NYC. Where are you staying?

"To help get this done they are offering 1yr of free fills to anyone that finds a doctor to get trained through them and do fills." Wasn't quite sure what that means...could you please explain? One year free sounds great, but I don't want someone poking around who's not experienced.

Ditto for me! When I had to be unfilled for about 15 days I gained about 5 lbs. I need this band!

Congrats from me as well to both of you. Glad thing are going well. Looking forward to sharing your journey.

Kind of a glue/betedine over the whole stomach area. No steri-strips. Could shower right away.

Anyone know if Ortiz numbs ya first? Hi Kare. Dr. Martinez usually does the fills & he's EXCELLENT at it! He gives you the choice of getting a numbing shot, but why have 2 shots? It only hurts like a pinch for a split second when he puts the needle in. If my chicken of a 17 year old daughter could do it, believe me anyone can. She walked out & said "Mom, that was so cool!"

Penni, that was so thoughtful of you to post the pic. Lisa, if that's the same one, can you put more than 8oz. in it? My magic bullet only has the small cups & I refuse to buy the blender attachment. If I put 8oz of milk, Protein powder & frozen strawberries in it, it all doesn't fit! If it is, I'm running to Walmart--It's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying that stupid blender attachment. The bran Cereal sounds great, I'm having big time issues with that. You all don't want to hear about my problem, but let it suffice to say that it makes me bleed a lot!

To Vinesqueen & Alexandra: Thank you for noticing that I was actually asking for opinions! V, wasn't it Luke & Laura?

Gabriel, you don't say where you live, but I do know of a low BMI study in Westchester, New York. I believe the cost is $12,500, don't know their policy on fills. If you're interested, please let me know & I'll give you the info. (It's on this board somewhere). By the way, I was banded in Mexico & very happy. I was not low BMI, but still my insurance never would have approved. I too would have still been fighting them. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I really like Dr. Pleatman's posts, and I thank Christina for asking him to introduce himself and Dr. Pleatman for doing so and for taking the time to answer so many questions. I think it's important to know there are choices for self-pay patients to be banded in the US as well as out of the US. I didn't know there were those choices, but I still don't regret my decision, not for one minute. That being said, I can't help but wonder what LBT'ers would say if, Dr. Rombault (sp)., Dr. Kuri, or Dr. Ortiz posted here. Anyone?

Hi Mercedes, congratulations on being banded. Yes, I love them both. I don't know of anyone who has had a problem w/Dr. Martinez accessing the port. But I certainly didn't take a poll on Dr Martinez fills, so I don't want to make any blanket statements. When you evenutally need a fill--it looks a little scary at first, but it's really not bad at all.

I too am addicted to the scale. I go on first thing in the a.m., maybe when I get home from work & before bed. I find the fluxuations very interesting...I can pretty much predict them now. I know it's way way too much. Let's start scales anonymous. Hi I'm Karen & I'm addicted to my scale.

Jane, when my husband was hospitalized in June, my stomach went in to spasms every time I walked in there. My restriction, which had been fine, suddenly became super tight & I had to go on liquids, mylanta & finally unfilled till I calmed down. I was told that major stress (not the everyday kind we all have) can cause major restriction. Hope this helps & that things go well for you.

I have had fills both w/fluoro & without & NEVER been numbed. Both people who have done the fills find the port the 1st time, & neither of them hurts. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have heard & picked up from reading here that the skill of the filler has a lot to do with it. I'm so sorry some of you were poked so many times & hope that no additional procedure will be necessary.

I was also told that there's no advantage w/ or w/o fluoro. At Dr. Ortiz's office they use fluoro & they can see the band. At my Long Island fill office, she doesn't use fluoro, hits the port every time on the first stick & prefers smaller fills. When I was overfilled, she sent me for a barium swallow, saw the film, saw the band was o.k. & unfilled some. Apparently, if there's a leak, it's pretty obvious & again, can be confirmed by x-ray w/barium. Maybe Dr. Pleatman can clarify...does that sound right to you?

I was on it for a while, prescribed by my psych. as an anti-depressant w/bonus of weight loss. Didn't work for me for either. I was so desperate (on both counts) I asked to try it again about a year later. Didn't work then either.

Sheri, I'm sorry you went through all that. To quote Kelly Ann, again we ask, who was this surgeon????????????

Nykee, it's so good to hear from you again. If you don't mind my asking, who did your fill? I know Dr. Martinez says 48 hours of liquids then on to regular food. I know getting down to TJ was gonna be difficult for you, did you find another place to go that's closer to you? I really hope this works out for you. How are you feeling now? If not better, then I would have to agree w/Sarah that you might be just a tad too tight?

Karen, they sound like real jerks. I agree w/Sarah, you really do have your head on straight, despite the jerks. Your weight loss is great!

I always thought the guideline was to eat 1/3 to 1/2 the amount we used to eat before; protein first, etc. I usually eat more than 1/2 cup per meal.

Hi Christina, hope your fill helps you find your "sweet spot". Just out of curiosity, does your doc use fluoro? My TJ doc does, & my Long Island fill person doesn't. The both do a great job accessing the port, but she only gives tiny fills here on LI. It's a good thing I paid her for a year's worth of fills, or else I'd be broke by now! Let us know how the solids go.

Terri, I kind of liked it, you had to add all these food flavorings. I can't believe I remember all this so clearly! I did hear a lot of people got sick from it. Maybe that's why it's not around anymore!