SueAZ

I have another insurance but at the seminars you can attend they will tell you what each insurance requires. Or you can call Banner Bariatric/Bridges Weight Loss/True Results along with other doctors offices. Most of the office people are really knowledgeable. I used St Lukes out of PHX but St Likes in Tempe has a program too.

I had a first fill of 4.6 seven weeks after surgery. I felt alot of restriction the first few days. Now 2 weeks later the restriction has lessened. I do feel that less fills me up but I still have alot of head hunger. I'm hoping not to fill for a while but weight is slow.

The Phoenix area has a few surgeons. Depending on if you are going insurance or self pay. Dr Simpson is very well known. I used Dr Fang out of St Lukes/Banner Good Sam. The Weight Loss Insituite out of Tempe has 2 surgeons. Scottsdale has Dr Blackstone. Most don't have a set weight just that you are above 35BMI. Most all these doctors have seminars that you can attend.

Madcap, I think you are right on target. I have to constantly watch the carbs. I 'm a carboaohlic.. There must be a group for me.

Once you get your medical records, I would write down your own experiences, on those same dates. They may says fill on date, but not list 8 attempts before sucessful. This info would be important of you found a leak from prior sticks. Also I would ask for a refund of fill services not received. You have been so good after all that has happened to you. You definatley are on you way. Congrats

I was banded 5/23. After the required liquids and mushes I noticed I could be satisfied with alot less. I can still eat anything. I have to listen and feel my body to remember not to overstuff. My doctors office says 1/2 cup protein and 1/2 vegies per meal. I have a hard time with this. They are more about volume than ounces. My mind says that can't be enough. So I do struggle with this. Since my first fill 4.6 in 10 band I feel the restriction faster, I really try and watch small tiny bites. Although my weight has slowed down.

To Miamichick: Alot of the hunger you read about is HEAD HUNGER. We are so use to eating that not to is unusal. I can walk into the kitchen open the fridge door and wonder why!!!! I'm not really hungry maybe bored I'm just so use to eating anytime at all.

I decided in January 08, met with my PCP to ask for a referral for lapband surgery. February 14 met with Surgeon and got list of requirements. That took through March. My surgeons office was on the slow side in submitting to insurance. Once submitted the surgery was approved in less than 2 weeks. 6 month diet not required by my insurance.

I had my first fill last week too. At first I thought I was really tight, but now it seems like I can eat more than I should. It seems like I'm gaining a pound or two. I like carbs (fruit & bread) and maybe that's my problem. I eat protein too, maybe just to much.

Thank you Hootie for all the updates. Joan in still on out thoughts and prayers.

I had my first fill on 7/11. Boy did I feel Restriction! The nurse started with 5cc then backed off cause I couldn't feel it go through so I ended up with 4.6 and wasn't sure about that because I seem to feel so different. I stayed with liquids for 30 hours then tried some real food. Ate really small bites and was okay. Still I was very cautious till monday. Instant breakfast then a tuna sandwich for lunch with some cherries. All went down okay. Funny I still THINK I should be hungry but actually I'm not. The brain can really be a pain sometimes. Smaller amounts do fill me up.

Check with your doctor but usually if it can go throw a straw( Not that we can us them) it's consider liquid. So like a fruit smoothie would be okay for most docors.

I couldn't stand most protein shakes to. But there are other things you can use instead. I used carnation instant breakfast 5 protein but when you add milk you add more protein. I found 1% chocolate milk with 17 protein and only 210 calories. GNC has protein shots with 42 protein. I usually split them in half and just put them in any juice. I found that I always want what I can't have it's a mind game. Right now you are in a transition period and you need to give your body and mind a chance to get used to the new way of life.

Depending on how long your vacation is I would probably wait. I just had my first fill and I wouldn't be comfortable going on vacation. I haven't PB or anything but just not sure of my stomach yet. I think I might stress myself out always thinking about my stomach and food and not enjoy the darn vacation.

I had a first fill today too. 4.6 in realize band. They started with 5 but I couldn't take that. I feel different not bad but different. I can take sips of liquid and have no problem. I have read on alot of posts that there my be swelling after a fill. I'm just going to take it real easy and may stay on liquids longer if the feeling persists. Other than loud stomach noise I seem to be okay.

I can so relate to the airplane story. If you fly Southwest the only other thrill will be when somebody takes the middle seat between you and somebody else.. WHY, because that means You guys look skinner than other people on the plane. That's a NSV....

I just got back from my FIRST fill this morning. I don't know what to expect and the nurse said that she does 5cc with the first fill for Realize band. She had me lay down shot of numb stuff and stick of the fill needle. Move to sitting position and she puts in full 5cc . Drink about 6-8 ounces of water and asks how it feels, I think maybe it stuck, she pulls out .04cc and I can feel the the water shoot through. I was amazed. Drank water again felt full but not like first time. She then says I'm good to go. Lasted about 5 minutes total. So now I have 4.6 in the 10 realize band. I can't believe how quick and painless it was. Now I hope it works.. does this sound like the usual first fill ???? :thumbup:

I posted eariler and just got back from my FIRST fill this morning. I don't know what to expect and the nurse said that she does 5cc with the first fill for Realize band. She had me lay down shot of numb stuff and stick of the fill needle. Move to sitting position and she puts in full 5cc . Drink about 6-8 ounces of water and asks how it feels, I think maybe it stuck, she pulls out .04cc and I can feel the the water shoot through. I was amazed. Drank water again felt full but not like first time. She then says I'm good to go. Lasted about 5 minutes total. So now I have 4.6 in the 10 realize band. I can't believe how quick and painless it was. Now I hope it works..

I would ask the doctors office for a copy of your records and the reports should have the amount of fills. I would wonder about the amounts also.

Fantanstic story. I love to read about the successes of fellow bandsters. Yep, men usually lose quicker but it is not any easier. We all have to avoid our person problem foods. Again continued success on your journey.

There are a lot of us over 50 on this board. That's the great thing about lapband. Age does not matter.

I liked carnation instant breakfast made with milk, gives you not to bad protein count. GNC has protein shots that have 42 grams of protein. I usually split it into because the body only will take so much. I usually add it to water or juice. It is hard at first to get into a eating routine. I still alot of times find myself not really hungry but will eat just because it what I've always done.

Check out the doctors and hospitals forum here. There is a lot of info there on people that have used Mexican doctors and how to check out the doctors south of the boarder.

My process took from Feb to May. I had to attend a seminar get a referral from my primary care doctor. There are different requirements from insurance also. Some require different tests and approvals from cardio doctors. So be prepared for a few months.

I am so sorry you are going through this. Probably the only thing I would do, is ask for written instructions as to what they expect you to do prior to surgery so NOT to have a repeat. If a certain weight loss is required. How much? This way there should be no unexpected surprises. We are at their mercy even though we are the ones that pay them.