lonestar5212

Yeah, not fun when that happens. I had a painful chicken experience about 4 months ago. It is all about the chewing. We know that, sometimes just get in a hurry, but the band reminds us quickly!!! I have eaten chicken since, this time chewing slowly and completely and have had no issues.

Hi There! Wanted to share my experience. I have had my lapband for over a year now. I was getting fills almost every month in the beginning, then I got good restriction and didn't need them for awhile. After losing about 87 pounds, I lost restriction so I started getting fills again. Once again I was on the month to month schedule. Then about 2-3 weeks after my last fill, wham, great restriction. I can't explain it, but I hit my sweet spot. I haven't had to have a fill in about 5 months. Just wanted to let you know that it happens sometimes that way. If you can eat your protien and a proper diet, you are okay, but if you can only eat mushies, I would talk to my doctor.

Ditto to everything everyone has been saying. This past winter was a nightmare for me! I was always the one who hated the heat, now I am looking for sun to stand in all the time! And I can't believe I have to wear socks and sweaters all the time. BUT, well worth it, huh guys?

My port is also tilted, but all my fills are done the flouro way. My ins. company won't pay for them this way, but because of my tilt I am afraid to do it any other way. Still trying to find exactly the sweet spot, but I haven't ever had to have an unfill. It doesn't sound like fun at all! Hope we all get it right soon!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your reply to my post. I did exactly what you suggested and I am glad I did. I only got .2ccs today and then I will go from there. I scheduled another appt. for 1 month from today and will see where I am at that point. Thanks for your help!

Supposed to get a fill in the morning. Here is where I am. When I eat, not able to eat alot, maybe 3/4 cup of protien. Getting hungry a couple of hours later. Some things like fruit, chili, I could eat alot of but draw the line and just stop. My weight is down a couple of pounds, up one, down one, up two etc., etc. Don't know if I should get a fill. I am so afraid of getting over-filled, but at the same time I want the best restriction. What would you do? Have been off my exercise routine this month, but just got back on that. Help!

When I lived in Florida for ten years and was hot and sweaty, I complained constantly and could not believe anyone would want to retire and move there. Well, here I am 18 years later in Dallas and freezing!!!! I can only long for the hot and humid days in Tampa!!!

My insurance didn't cover any of my fills at all. I have been paying $150 a fill.

Beyond happy. I am finally becomng the person I think I was meant to be my whole life if my weight had not prevented me from completely blossoming. You are right, satisfied customers tell one person, unsatisfied customers tell everyone! Just to let you know, I had my surgery in March of 08, am down 70 pounds, have never thrown up, not even once. After last months fill, I have had a couple of times where I didn't chew well enough and it was a little uncomfortable going down, but that is it. I had great restriction after my 4th fill, and took a few months off of getting fills because I just didn't need one. When I lost the 70 pounds, things loosened up and I got back on the fill wagon. I have had three now, and I am back where I was as far as restriction goes, and things are going well again. There is lots of success and happiness out here. You can be one of us, you just need to talk to your surgeons office and figure out what is the missing link in your journey. This is a life alternating decision. You will be forever changed and forever happier.

Hi Katie--and fellow Texan!! I was banded in March 08. Did great until August when I started getting hungry, eating more, and staying the same, not losing. I had lost about 60 pounds at that point. I went and started getting fills again in Sept. I have had three fills now and I am back to where I was the early months after surgery, not hungry, getting full after a small amount, and losing again. It did not occur to me (dumb) that losing weight means the band may get loose so you need to start fills again. This remains a learning experience as you go along. I just joined a gym also and think that will help me stay motivated plus feel better. I hate to go, but once I do I can't believe how good I feel. Hopefully, eventually, that feeling will make me look forward to going a little more. Hang in there, this is so worth the journey!!!

It is stupid, but I have been told by Aetna that they believe the fills should be included in the total cost for surgery, which they have paid. The surgeons believe the fills should be charged for separately after the surgery, so here I am in the middle until they come to some kind of agreement down the road. If I don't get it done under fluoro I can get it covered as an office visit at some places. HOWEVER, my port is tilted, has been since they first looked at it after surgery, and they have a hard time even with fluoro getting it right. It always takes some real guidance with lots of specific direction for them to get it, so there is no way someone would be able to get it without seeing it without stabbing me a hundred times. Time before last, I had to be poked 3 times, and that is with the visual aid of fluoro. I will just keep paying and enjoying my band. I feel so blessed that they paid for the surgery, I guess I should just shut up.

I have Aetna. They paid for my surgery and all visits to my surgeon, but they won't pay for my fills. I spend $150 everytime I get a fill using fluoro.

I had my surgery in March, 2008. I went in April for first fill, and May for second fill. Neither one was painful at all. I was pleased, even though my port has been at a 45 tilt since day one. I then took off June and July because I felt full when I ate, not hungry, and I was losing well. Then I started getting hungry and the weight loss slowed, so I started back with fills. August fill was a piece of cake, so was Sept. Then in October, I walked in and there was a new person giving the fills. It took her three tries to find the port and it was very uncomfortable. I went back on Monday of this week for another fill. It was the same person and I was a bit nervous, but this time she found it the first time. She is a little rougher that the person who did it before, so it was a little uncomfortable, but I was happy for the one stick. The person doing the fill has alot to do with your experience that day. Oh yeah, I always get it done with fluro.

Last month it took three tries to get in. New girl at surgery center. First time I ever had an issue. My port has been tilted since surgery, so they must use fluro everytime or I might be there for days each time I go for a fill. I had another fill yesterday, with the new girl again, but this time she got it on the first try. Was a little rougher than the old girl used to be, but I am thankful for just one prick.

Yep, happened to me too. Had surgery in March. Started to notice in July that my hair was really coming out. I normally have very thick hair, so it has been an adjustment, but it has definitely slowed down now. My daughter is my hairdresser and she says that there are spikes about one inch long growing all over my head now, so I guess it is coming back. I too take the Biotin now.