Jodi73

Just curious....How many of you guys get fills with flouro? This is now the only way my doc does them. When I was first banded, I had the option of with/without. I went in last month for a slight tweek, and he automatically led me to the flouro machine, and did my fill that way. I asked about just getting the fill without, he said they just don't do that at all anymore, since the fill under flouro is so much more exact and effective. Well, that's what we all want, right?! At any rate, when I got the bill, I was absolutely shocked. They charged me over 3500.00 for a measly less than 30 minute office visit and fill. Now of course, insurance negotiates that amount down, so I am out of pocket around 650.00, but good grief! I just wanted some others takes on this, and maybe your experiences etc.

Pastor O...Pending the outcome of this, I just might do that! Catfish...that is fascinating seeing your EOB. I have Aetna as well, also an 80/20. Unfortunately, I have not met my deductible yet this year. I cannot figure out how to attach a file on here, but I saved mine to post on here. Mine actually says "Gastric Band Adjustment" where as your says Flouro something.....but the cost is staggeringly different. I think I will be making a nice little phone call Monday morning to see what I can do about things. If nothing else, I will say my piece, and make myself feel better!

Yes, that would be great! I looked back at older claims from past fills, and the costs have dramatically increased. My last actual adjustment was in 2010. It was billed at $1100, and negotiated to $320. This one was billed at $3500 and negotiated down to $510, then of course the "office visit" was tacked onto that as well. I don't think the rates should have changed that much!

I understand completely! Remember you are not a failure! We are all "under construction". Loosing weight is the hardest thing most of us have ever had to do, so don't discount that. Start small...work on getting one thing back on track. Like the water for instance. I'll help you out as much as possible! I have come a long way, but I make mistakes everyday still. We just have to remember, none of us are perfect, and that's OK. If we can do "mostly" good "most" of the time, we will be successful. That's my mantra anyway...!!

You look beautiful! Keep it up!

Wonderful post! Thank you for the update! Success is so sweet!

Its been an awful beautiful ride! Yes, I still get stuck. Yes, I'm still somewhat overweight. Yes, I wonder if I should have made a different choice like the sleeve. Yes.....I am thrilled to be 180 lbs and almost 40 and be in the best shape of my life. Yes, I love wearing size 14, for some that's huge, for me that's amazing and wonderful. Yes, I went to an amusement park this weekend, and I didn't even think about not fitting. But, it broke my heart for those that didn't. Yes, i love riding and walking and running and hiking with my family, and not being "the one that can't do it". Yes, I, Me, Moi, has lost 100 lbs! And I couldn't have done it without my band. Yes, its been hard. Yes, its worth it! I'm worth it! Your worth it!

Gas x strips!

Just wondering if anyone who has hit an extended plateau has used phentermine to help them? I have been at or around 215 for about 6 months now, been as low as 209 but as high as 218 I just cant seem to get goin on the loss again! I started out at 287, so I am thrilled to be here, but I need to get my weight down to be healthy, and I just cant seem to get there! I do exercise, nothing huge but about 3x a week, and my fill is at 9.0 ccs in a 12 cc band. I feel pretty good there... slightly tight at that time of the month, but otherwise good. Thanks! Jodi

My one year anniversary will be 9/30/10. I have lost 70 lbs so far and hope to loose 87 by then. That would put me in ONDERLAND at 1 year out. I would be thrilled with that. Frankly I am thrilled about where I am now! Best decision I have ever made!

What about stress or your period? I know I get way tighter that time of the month or when I have a lot going on at work etc.

I asked about this very thing at my last appointment. I have an 11cc Realize band, with around 9.5 ccs in it. I have good restriction now, and was one of the lucky ones that have a great doc who knows the band is useless with the fills! He gave me 5ccs my first fill, then it just took two more to get me where I'm at now. He told me it all depends on how much fatty tissue we have around our actual stomach, not what we weigh etc. The less fatty tissue on or internal stomach, the more fill you will need to make the band tight. It makes sense to me. SO.....take it with a grain of salt, thats just what my doc says....

I have an 11 cc band, and have 9 ccs in it right now. My doc said they can actually fill it to 15 ccs. Get this, he said they have tested them up to 300 ccs! Imagine that! So, at least according to him, there is plenty of more room in there to fill, dont worry! I have really good restriction right now, and am loosing around 2-3 lbs a week. I am ecstatic with that! Good luck, PM me if you would like to chat! Jodi :blushing:

Marci, I was banded one day before you (9/30). My weight loss has been slow too, maybe 20 lbs or so after surgery. I got restriction on my 3rd fill as well, sounds a lot like yours, sliders go right thru, I may have an issue if I eat to early in the day. I am very tight in the a.m. I try to stick with high Protein boiled eggs in the a.m. after coffee, I can eat them pretty well, just really slowly! lunch I have a grilled chicken salad usually, no dressing, and very little of the lettuce etc. I do eat what little cheese is on there, maybe an ounce. We need a little fat ya know! dinner I have the least restriction, I try to eat a portion of whatever we have, I crockpot a lot too, white chicken chili is one of my favorites, high protein, low fat, and slowcooker salsa chicken, it has a spicy kick that I like. I can eat just about any sliders I want to, chips, cake, Cookies.... I did notice one day I let myself eat some Doritios, and after more than enough, I did get a little stuck feeling, but just had to walk around, and cough a little, and it went on down.. That was a good thing! At least I know that the band will keep me in check in extreme binge moments! We have to have will power to some extent still. Thas just how it is! What has worked for me is to really set time aside to eat, sit at the table, turn off the t.v., and focus on your body. I tend to hic-up when I am full, if I have one more bite after that, wham, pain! Pay close attention to your chewing, take baby bites etc. You can do it! PM me if you want to chat! We are on the same journey, at about the same rate it appears, maybe we can encourage each other! Jodi:thumbup:

You look great! Wpw 50 lbs in sch a short amount of time! I see your sportin a nice snug belt too with TUCKED in shirt! Jodi

THANK YOU JODI! Can you explain the difference you feel from 6.5cc's to 8.5cc's? __________________ I think the difference is that my band is working. It is doing what we have all saw it do for other pople. I eat a small amount and am full, I am satisfied for around 3 or 4 hours. I am loosing weight like crazy, at least for now, I am sure it will slow down soon....thats OK though. I know the band will still keep me in check, and keep me loosing that 1 to 2 lbs a week. I literally cant eat more than I should. As long I am eating the right things, ie. no sliders. I get stuck now if I eat too fast, too big of bites, or do not chew enough. I am really not hungry till about 10 a.m., at that time I eat a pack of oatmeal, or 2 boiled eggs. At lunch, I eat a Lean Cuisine or a Grilled chicken salad, maybe half of it, so like half of an 8 inch plate. For dinner I do high Protein Beans or chicken or pork, with a side. Nothing really any different than my family, just less of it. I do not snack at nite, never after 7 p.m. If I do need an after dinner snack, I have an orange, or a low fat yogurt. Oh and lots and lots of Water all day! I drink roughly 100 ozs a day. It really helps! Hope this helps! I know you can do it! Jodi

I ws banded on 9-30-09...I have 8.5 cc's in an 11 cc Realize band. I just got that last fill on Friday. It brought me from 6.5 to 8.5 and boy the difference. I was having my doubts as well. I wasn't loosing all that much, i had no restriction. Doc made me feel better about things tho, he said it was very normal, to keep doing what I am doing, and the weight WILL come off! Sometimes we just need to hear that. THE WEIGHT WILL COME OFF!!! You are doing all the right things, dont get down on yourself! Remember, if you got instant restriction, you would be in shock! Things would get stuck all the time, you would be starving and miserable! Think of this time as a learning curve, getting you ready for the big test! Hold on , be patient, be diligent, it will happen! Good luck ! Jodi

Since my last fill, I hiccup quite a bit after about every meal. Does this mean, whoa, stop eating, or does it mean I am just eating too fast or what? Just wondering about others experiences with his Thx! Jodi

I cant believe how some people are! the guy should have just owned up to his mistake! Good for you for standing your ground! Congrats on the great loss and have fun on your cruise....I'm jealous! Jodi

TZN...don't be embarassed! I was banded on 9/30 and have been eating mushies since like a day after surgery. No problem for me whatsoever, I have lost a little weight since surgery, like 3 lbs, but I couldnt even stick to liquids for a day! Geeze, thats pathetic! But...I am having very little pain, I and have zero restriction! If we could stick to a good healthy diet, we wouldn't have had to have this stinkin surgery! I am not gonna beat myself up, I am still eating far less than I was, and making high Protein choices like soft eggs, refried Beans, yogurt, etc. My anniversary was yesterday, so we went out, the only place I knew had a Soup I could eat was Applebees, so we went there. Really swanky huh?! Didn't make good choices there, but it was our anniversary! I had some french onion soup, minus the glob of cheese they put on top, and a baked potato with a little butter. I could have ate WAY more! My well meaning husband was like, your gonna order TWO things! You cant eat that much can you?! I was like , oh yeah, I can definately eat it ! He just shut up and smiled like a good hubby should.... My point is, we are doing our best, good choices will eventually get easier to make, and they will outweigh the bad. We choose this surgery because we CAN and should have a piece of cake or some ice cream occasionally, its OK. Its the rest of the time when we make those better choices... that will get us where we want to be! You can do it! PM me if you like, or email, we both need al the support we can get! Jodi

How bout oatmeal, applesauce, refried beans with a little cheese. I am so sick of creamy soup, and I am sure the sodium in it can not be good for me! Just some suggestions...

I couldn't wait either. I stepped on the scale the day after surgery, and every day since. I love seeing the numbers drop, it keeps me motivated!

Congrats! Welcome to the banded side of life! I had mine on the 30th, and today am feeling a little more normal, still VERY sore, but more normal! You can do it! Good luck!

Good luck! This journey is all what you make it ! You are already making better decisions for yourself, pretty soon they will become habits! Welcome to LBT! There are so many great people on here, ready to help and offer support. You can do it!!! Good luck! Jodi:thumbup: