karri68

I had my surgery in Galesburg they just started doing it here in town in June 07 I think it was.My dr. did his inturnship at Peoria though. I have had 3 fills trying to decide to get another one or not my free fills run out in about 16 days I have 3cc in a 10 cc band right now. My acid reflux was terrible for about 2 wks after my last fill of 1.5cc so trying to get it under control again but no real complications:-) I am down to a size 16 jean from a 24 my top half isn't coming off that fast still wearing my 2x tops for the most part don't like my flap blulging out lol. I wrote your name down next time I know I am coming to Peoria I will PM you if that is ok with you.

one of my bills was 2071$ insurance paid 1576.62 and a 287.28 discount which I got a bill for 207.10 for out of pocket. anesthesia was 1360$ ins. paid 901 and discount of 300$ left me 159$ I have a few other for pre op consult., labs ect. but I am still waiting on the big on I have a break down of 38,043.15 waiting on finial tally of that I have a 2k out of pocket max. so I most I should have to pay is around 600 keeping my fingers crossed. But I agree I about crapped when I got this bill , no wonder ppl go to mexico if they don't have insurance it is a rip off I was under only about 40mins, never even got put in a room just stayed in pre/post op area the whole time I was at the hospital left the same day. I figured all the bill total was approx. 43k us dollars

I am feeling the same as you caligal I am at 198.5 as of about 5 mins. ago. I started the journy at 226 in Dec. I am debating another fill. What size is your band and much fill do you have? I have a 10cc band with 3cc in I believe.

I am in galesburg I go to peoria at least once a month it seems like. I was banded 12/19/07. I just turned 40 last wk so around the same age. Oh and good luck Carol I sure you will do just fine.

I was banded on 12/19 I bought a treadmill been using it, but I need to tone my stomach and my arms bad so I took the first step and called to set up an appointment(they will go thru all the equipment and set up on excises for a good workout on your problem areas) today for a wellness center, I go next tuesday at 4pm want to go at least 3 times a week. I am down 27 pds so I am happy about that.

I would say experience trumps U of C center of excellance and a yr of free fills I have never heard anyone offering that.Most only 90 days of free fills.Only one person has stayed the night in my support group(we had the option where I was banded) everyone else felt well enough to go home. Like my Hubby said you always sleep and feel better when you are at home. I would also advise like Jack said ask questions on back up plans and then make your disicion.Let us know what you do. Good Luck

I went shopping today trying to find a shirt for my 40th d-day next thursday my DH and I are going to a comedy club and maybe spend the night at a hotel. I was happy but a little disappointed I can fit into a 14-16 but the only problem is my upper arms and shoulder area kinda of tight and next size up was to big don't want to spend a lot of money when I know I still have a lot of weight to loose yet. But I did buy a coat for next yr. in a size 14-16 I like my coats big anyway figure by next winter it will be fine it was 75% off clearance I love a bargin lol.I been exerising 3-4 times a wk on my treadmill and i just got THe BEan workout only used it once so far. I seen a friend that had moved away which i had not seen in probably a yr. and the first thing she said what did you did you have lost so much weight(which made my day) so that was cool.So that was my day.

I was cleaning my jeans out of my dressers or I tried on my favorite pair from pre-op and I couldn't believe it they were so loose around the waist for the butt and thigh area was the loosest I showed my DH and he said I told you so(about my legs and butt) I didn't believe him after trying those pants on I believe him now. I got the bean exerise bag and did the 7 min abs tonight for the first time not to bad really see if I can get some of this gut off now.

I am not sure what to do. I got my 3rd fill about 10 days ago, ever since then my heartburn as been off the chart when I try and eat. I don't think I am over filled b/c I am still able to eat more then I should ( but not doing it) so I want another fill but kind of scared. I have been on prescription acid reflux meds for about 6 yrs. now it has taken care of it until now, I had a PB on monday at work that was fun.lol I know I have to slow down and take smaller bites.

Since my last fill a wk ago today my acid reflux is back were it was at before the dr. put me on meds for it 6 yrs ago. I was eating at work and got a bad chest pain ended up running to the bathroom and PB it all came up, then I had reflief for the most part. I only have 2.5 or 3cc in my 10cc band.

I got my 3rd fill last monday I finially got some restrictions today, I only have a 20 min. lunch at work I had a south beach diet meal it was like a chicken taco thing. I think I was eating to fast I had a PB. It was more like the acid reflux of old. I am on meds. from the doc. been on them for about 6 yrs and no problem now after this last fill I have it bad again. Bad chest pains when I eat. So I guess I will try slowing down and maybe just taking a shake for my lunch so I don't have to eat so fast and see how that works.

thats what you have to do, we are only human and none of us are perfect so just appect your gain and get back on track. I didn't walk for a wk but i jumped back on last night. I was banded the same day as you cerrin I just got my 3rd fill I have 3cc now in a 10cc band will see how tomorrow goes been on liquiods last 2 days I want some restrictions. I am down 25 pds to date.

My husband has been complaining they are shinking, I think he will survive :-)

I had my first fill 4.5 wks after surgery it was very tender and sore that day and the next, I have had 2 more fills since then and problems.

I live in Galesburg Dr. Parungao did my surgery and my fills,his number is 309-343-7773, he is in Galesburg mon,wensday&fridays. Tuesday and thursday he is in kewanee which might be closer. Would have to ask if he would do patients that went to Mexico. Good luck

I was getting upset with my surgeon first 3 fills .5cc in a 10cc band so I copy and pasted from this forum about how they filled ppl up then had them drink until it would pass though the band and sent it to him and today he said he would do it. I couldn't believe it. It was weird seeing that needle sticking out of me lol. anyways I am on liquiods for 2 days then we will try this out. I have had NO restictions at all, I have 90 days free fills and I was afraid at .5cc a fill I would run out of time before I had to start paying for them so hopefully this works.

I was sweating getting the bill I got the bills from the hospital a total of about 42k I was about to die when i seen it. I got the bills after the insurance pd I about died again (if that is possible) the way it looks now I will only have to pay approx 600$ out of pocket after the ppo deductions ect. I could cry I figured about 1600. I am very pleased with anthem bsbc. Hope everyone else does as good if not better.

I am getting a little upset as well with my dr. he only give .5cc at a time I tried last time and the asst. talked me out of it so when I call sometime next wk. I am going to try and insist on more I have free fills for 90 days at this rate it will take more then the 90 days to hit my sweet spot I only have 1.5 cc in now in a 10cc band.I think I would rather be a little over filled and have to get an unfill this to cont. on with this .5cc crap at a time, I can eat as much as I want w/ no problems though I don't I stop myself thank God himself. just needed to vent on this subject thanks

Well the dr. called to today and had to reschedule my 2nd fill so I ended up going today instead of thursday. Only gave me .5 so I have a total of 1.5 so far don't feel any different at all hope something kicks in. I am loosing so guess I shouldn't be bitching. But I still hardly crew and take big gulps of water and nothing. Found there isn't anything that I have tried that I couldn't eat but I have been making good choices lol. Keep up the good work everyong just had to vent a little.

I just went and got my 2nd fill so only have a total of 1.5 cc really wish he would of given me more but he wouldn't grrrrrrrr. So far I have drank a slim fast then later a protein shake and so far nothing no problems swallowing or anything I have lost 24 total now banded 12/19 also.Dr. has me on 2 days of liquiod diet after a fill.

mine needle hole from my first fill was right in the middle of my insision but everyone is probably different.

I am doing the same with the clothes in the closet, my friend gave me some smaller jeans so when I put big in and take the smaller out it is kind of fun. I think it would be cool to start an exchange with clothes since you go thru sizes fairly fast at least in the beginning like in support group meetings if someone needs size 24 and say I am into 20 nows give them my 24's and just keep passing them around as new ppl join. Just a thought I might mention this to dr.

Kind of got off track today, had a little party here last night into the morning was good for that, but today didn't get up until about 10a.m ate a 1/2 small tenderloin for breakfast i guess u would call it lol, then dh wanted to go to texas roadhouse for lunch(my favorite)i had the"roadkill" 5oz hamburger with onion and mushrooms and cheese on top with a baked potatoe and green beans. I asked for a box as soon as waiter brought the food which I was proud i cut everything in half and put in box still couldn't eat all the potatoe so put more in box :-) and bought in home I don't eat onions so didn't eat any of them. just had a protein drink for supper I am pmsing also so I really have to watch this wk. going to have a 2nd fill on thursday afternoon can't wait. I don't feel any restrictions as of yet. been walking 2 miles about 3-4 x a week going to join a rehab center tomorrow heard they will plan a workout for me.

I had my first fill last friday don't feel any restrictions at all,call chug water take big vitamin pills,eat a cup of food and not feel full(but I stop) so I called today going for my 2nd next thursday hope he is more aggressive this time only put in 1cc last time. He said that is what the makers of the band recommended then .5cc the next time. My mouth dropped when I read on here ppl where getting 5cc there first fill. I copy and pasted some threads and sent them to my dr. lol see what he says.

Had a pretty good day actually all wk was pretty good, I walked 2 miles on my treadmill tonight,not snacking, and getting my water in. I bought a new smaller size of jean this wk also :-) I called to get another fill today going on thursday so took friday as a vacation day (was a little sore after my first fill) going to see my folks they haven't seen me since the surgery last month I am down 23 pds. Hope everyone else is doing well.