grammycoach

Your comments have helped me relax. Thanks! I was able to eat grits (and I do love them) until today. But, as I said, my band seems to be tighter today than it has been. I'm hoping it will loosen with time, as I really don't want to go for an "unfill" already. I just had my first fill and it's only 1.8 cc in a 4 cc band.

Thanks for your reply. I'm relieved to know that I haven't actually thrown up. I was beginning to worry that it would cause my band to slip. I forgot to mention that I also have several bouts of "hiccuping" during the day. This happens even when just drinking. Any words of wisdom?

I need some help understanding terms. What does PB mean? I'm pretty sure I know what "sliming" means...as I think I've been doing that frequently lately. I'm not sure if I need to be concerned that I'm actually throwing up though. I had my first fill 10 days ago and it seems that the tightness just increased again. I tried to eat some grits today and I couldn't stop from gagging it back up. My saliva glands go crazy and bits of the grits came up with lots of slime. Is this technically throwing up? How worrisome is this? I ask because I didn't have any restriction until my first fill and I'm trying to give myself time to adjust. I'm not in danger of dehydrating, so I thought I should try to wait it out and see if the band loosens. It does seem to be better in the evening...but today's tightness was quite a surprise. I need advice.

Thanks for your recommendation. I did end up driving from Tallahassee to St. Pete for my first fill with Kathy. She is truly amazing. I will continue to make the long trip (5 hours each way) for future fills...even if they open up a fill center near me. She is that good!

I though I'd post an update. I ended up having to drive to St. Pete for a fill. However, Kathy Gonzalez at the Fill Center in St. Pete is definitely worth the 5 hour drive (each way). I look forward to returning to her for any future fills. I highly recommend her!

Thanks for the encouraging words. I did cheat by having pizza the other night. But, for the most part, I've stuck to my doctor's plan. I'm on mushies right now. I'm going to try to not cheat any more. My first fill is planned for Feb. 26. I hope I can make it.

Please don't drink Muscle Milk. My good friend's son was using Muscle Milk to "bulk up" and he almost died from it! He was very lean and the Muscle Milk starting eating away his muscles. His heart, kidneys, and other muscles all started to fail. He was in the hospital for months and in rehabilitation for a year. This was a healthy 17-year old. The doctors told my friend they've seen several such instances of a bad reaction to Muscle Milk.

I wish it was harder for me to eat breads. I was banded on January 17 and just ate my first piece of pizza last night...with the crust. No problems whatsover. I'm hoping that my first fill will provide me with some restriction. I don't seem to have any right now. I seem to be able to eat anything and I'm hungry all the time.

After calling several places, I've found the closest fill center to be in St. Pete. So, I'm driving over 5 hours each way at the end of this month...just to get a fill. I sure hope somebody opens a fill center close to Tallahasee soon!

I paid $7000 last month as well. You can't beat it for all the services that he and his staff provide. Of course, now, the trick is to find a place that will provide my fills. I've been unable to locate anyone closer than 5 hours away that will provide fills for Mexico-banded patients. I'm in the Tallahassee, FL area and not having much luck.

Do you have his contact information? Do his fills include fluoroscopy?

Can you give me more details please? How much does she charge? Does she use flouro? What is contact number? I live in Tallahassee and I'll drive to Moultrie if necessary to find a fill center that takes Mexican-banded patients.

I'm so frustrated right now. I was given a list of fill doctors in the North FL/South Georgia area before I went to Mexico for my lapband surgery and there appeared to be several within reasonable driving distance. Of course, now that I've called 6 of the names/centers closest to me, NONE of them will take on patients that were banded in Mexico. Does anyone know of a reasonable fill doctor near Tallahassee, FL? By near, I mean I'm willing to drive 2 or 3 hours if need be. Please help! I need a fill now. :tongue: If you have a suggestion, can you also share with me the costs? Thanks!

How are you doing with your lap band? I hope the experience was very positive for you. I'm doing great, but I know I'll be ready for a fill by the end of the month. I called Dr. Bagnato's office and the receptionist told me that he won't take on patients that didn't have the surgery performed by him. If you get a chance, can you please check with him directly? I'm getting desperate for a fill doctor.

Oh dear! I've called both Dr. Croom's office and Dr. Bagnato's office and they both claim they will not do fills for patients they did not perform the surgery for. Help!