pennreporter

Banded 6/1/09 and had first fill yesterday (3cc) and have my next appointment in a month, but another patient at the same hospital who was the appt. just before me with a different doctor, got the same amount of fill but now she doesn't get another appt for 8 weeks. So even within the same clinic/hospital it can vary. But I think my daughter was 4-6 weeks out and first fill was 3 ccs also. So I'm assuming it will take about 3 months to get up to 5-6 ccs. But the 3cc was at least better than what I expected. I went in thinking I would get only 1-2 because of facility being conservativte on everything else. Good luck Trisha

I was banded 6/1/09 and had my first fill today, 3cc. I had watched my daughter getting a fill a couple of weeks ago so I could see what the procedure was like. Clearly my doctor hasn't done it as much as hers. They just switched to the Realize band, so I'm also one of their test rats, lol. Just curious to hear from other Realize banders if the needle the doctor uses for your fill is huge? Thank gawd he did a numbing shot beforehand and luckily I really do like him and pretty much trust him, but I knew going in that he hadn't done hardly any bands, lots of bypasses, but I also knew he was a little more aggressive than the chief of surgery (who also attended while my dr. placed band). My daughter's doctor, the needle she used didn't look much different than any other needle. My needle was about six inches long. My daughter thinks I'm exaggerating. So I'm taking a pic next time just to prove to her...lol. Was very glad to get the fill because the last two weeks since swelling had gone down, I wasn't having any restriction. So life is good and go back again in five weeks. But I was released to eat veggies now and can't wait to have my first salad. Could care less about red meat and potatoes. :biggrin: Trisha

My daughter has the Allergan band. I've just been banded so I'm not anywhere near getting close to max fill. But I know with my daughter who was at 6.00, had a fill to 6.5 and it was too much and went back down to 6.25. So even a half could be a big difference. But when she had plastic surgery recently, they had to remove the fill in case she needed to throw up after surgery. When they removed it, she actually had almost 7 cc in there. My dr. said that there's not an exact science to it all. That sometimes there's more or less in the band than they think, that they can be off. That's why they remove it all before putting more back in. So good luck. The next fill may just do it for you. Trisha

Was banded June 1. Had first fill today, 3ccs. I had went a couple of weeks ago with my daughter when she went to get a fill just so I could see what it was like. Clearly her doctor who has done 700 bands, it's much easier for her, took no time. My doctor, although I think he's great, when he pulled out the mother-of-gawd long needles (about twice the length of my daughter's doctor), my first question to him was "surely you know what you're doing." He did an initial numbing shot...thank god. So otherwise, I didn't feel anything, bled just a little. My daughter thinks I'm exaggerating. So when I go next month for a follow-up/fill if necessary, I'm taking a pic of it. I won't say I feel as full as the two weeks post-surgery but a vast improvement over the past two weeks where I had no restriction at all. Weight loss is 19 lbs since June 1, which I'm fine with. I'm actually okay with the Weight Watchers suggested weight loss of about 2 lbs a week. But I will tell you the needle was huge. Luckily my doctor and I joke around with each other all the time and that took the stress off...just told him if I felt pain he might get kicked...:biggrin: But i'm now off all restrictions on foods. Finally can have veggies and don't have to see the nutritionist for three months. So all is good. Good luck to the rest of the banders who are coming up soon. I was shocked to hear a June bander has already had two fills and going for the third. I haven't heard of any doctors that aggressive, even my daughter's doctor who is one of the original team that introduced the procedure to the US and has done 4,000 plus waits until at least 4-6 weeks post op for first fill. Just goes to show the variation in practice/diets post and preop that is out there. Trisha

I think my doctor will be on the conservative side also, but 3cc is not an uncommon first fill. I should be so lucky...:smile2: trisha

Also, some surgeons leave a certain amount of fill in at the time of surgery. So some people do have more restriction right from the get-go. I'm almost four weeks pre-op. don't really have hunger but definitely can eat just about anything. I do take it slow but it's clearly not the 1/2 cup of food anymore that does it. My first fill is July 7. Can't wait for that because, along with you, afraid old eating habits of grazing will return. Hang in there. It did help when I could add solid food but with no restriction I have to be very careful. Trisha

my hospital/surgeon will not approve lap-band for higher BMI patients. I'm not saying I agree with them. But anyone with over a hundred pounds to lose, they will not approve for banding. I've asked them why and don't ever get a straight response. I think they just believe that with the higher weights, they need to faster weight loss of the bypass. I personally would have never agreed to the bypass even if I had been in the higher BMI range. I would have saved my last penny and gone self-pay elsewhere. But even with my lower BMI, every time I went in for an appt, I had to always make them aware that I was only going for banding because they would always ask if I was doing bypass. I even wanted to write on my stomach BAND ONLY just to make sure they didn't make a mistake. So there are doctors out there with that mindset out there. Trisha

Big Medicine isn't on here anymore on DirecTV in NE Pennsylvania. My daughter had her lower body lift done by Dr. LoMonaco from there. what a sweetheart of a guy he is and so far (only three weeks out) does really great work, but it's still early. Daughter started at 265 and is at 170 but is five-ten, will probably go for another 10 and then she's done but she lost at a good healthy Weight Watchers recommended weight loss, 1-2 lbs per week. I will be thrilled if mine keeps that pace. Even five pounds a month would be better than I did before, especially if it stays off. Good luck all trisha

since you are very close to goal, have you considered removing some fill? I've not my first fill yet, but my daughter is banded. She never started having any reflux problems until she went to over 6ccs, but she stayed at 6.25 ccs because she was losing really good at that fill. But not that she's within 10 lbs of goal, she's going to remove a cc and start figuring out where her maintenance level should be. Also, like, how can a job fire you for a medical procedure? I work in the legal field and I've never heard of that. Lots of folks have problems with reflux and have to take meds. My daughter also figured out that if she drank just a very very small amount of a carbonated drink before she went to bed it also helped her...not sure wht the logic is in that. Good luck trisha

I was banded June 1 and go July 7 for mine, but went with my daughter recently to watch hers being done. Now I'm not comparing her doctor to mine because hers has done hundreds of bands, mine not so much...but I at least I wanted to get an idea....it truly took the doctor about five seconds. Now she didn't have to drink the Water until she got up off the table before she left. My doctor also doesn't do it under fluoroscope and neither did my daughter's. There's mixed opinions on that procedure...some people on here say it's the only proper way to do it. My doctor's comment is "why would I subject you to more radiation?" My daughter's doctor just used a syringe/needle also. As little time as it took, I'm thinking it will be fine. Good luck, and let us know how it goes. trisha

The only choice I had was the Realize band, that is of course unless I wanted to self-pay, which was not an option. I'm only banded since June 1 and haven't had a fill yet. So I have to hope my surgeons know what they're doing. They switched because of the low-pressure blah, blah, blah. In reality (and I've had another bariatric doctor tell me the same thing) the hospital probably got a better financial deal to switch to Realize, but the chief of surgery has a good reputation and again, it comes down to trust. In the end, hopefully they all do the same thing and that's all I care about. Stomach sleeping was never an issue for me because I sleep with a CPAP machine but I received an elastic abdominal binder at the hospital which helped with side sleeping for the first few days and have been side sleeping ever since. Good luck Trisha

StartingOver, I'm going to show my ignorance here. I was just banded and haven't had my first fill yet, but I've gone with my daughter to her doctor to get a fill just so I could watch. What "machine" are you talking about? Her doctor just had a needle and syringe. So I'm confused on what you're describing. My surgeon has said he doesn't use the fluoroscope. Is this what you're speaking of? thanks Trisha

Are you a Realize or Realize-C? The C holds more than 9 ccs, I believe it's 11 ccs. Trish

I like the Isopure drinks...40 grams of Protein, very very low on sodium, no carbs and fruit flavored. got to where I couldn't drink the soy based drinks anymore. Trisha

I was banded June 1 with the Realize-C. I didn't have a choice unless of course I wanted to self-pay..NOT. My surgeon said they switched to the Realize because of blah, blah, blah. I'm pretty sure the hospital just got a better deal from them than Allergan. That was kind of confirmed when I went with my daughter to her doctor's appt to get refilled after having plastic surgery. Her surgeon does both, mainly Lap-Band but she said usually when a facility changes completely to a different brand it's because of financial reasons. But in the end, they both do the same thing (at least hopefully they do...lol). I go for my first fill on July 7, but I have a feeling my surgeon will be extremely conservative and not do more than 1 or 2 ccs. Trisha

DanBar, what an incredible journey your whole family is doing. Talk about a support group!! That's amazing that you are all doing it together. My daughter had hers last year and tried to get me to do it at the same time, but I wanted to wait. Banded June 1. But you guys win the award for the family support group. Good luck to all of you. Does your son live at home? Will you guys have someone with your for at least the first day? Although you don't need much (just the pain meds for a day or so), but it's nice to have someone there if you need them. Again, kudos to all of you. Trisha

Brock, my daugter just had her lower body lift and breast reduction done by Dr. LoMonaco from Big Medicine. What a sweetie he is and, according to my daughter, just a big flirt. She also had her band done in Houston. She lives in NYC but houston has such incredible doctors. And judging by her recuperation, Dr. L has done an incredible job. She had her surgery two weeks ago tomorrow and is flying back to NYC tomorrow and returning on a shorter schedule to work on Monday. So I would think anyone that he's associated with on the show is probably a top notch surgeon. Trisha

it will be here before you know it and it really is better to be safe than sorry because should that have caused a problem with incisions it really wouldn't have been fun. Good luck! Trisha

Congrats!! Welcome to the loser's bench. Just remember to take it easy for a few days, take your pain meds if needed...you will be amazed at how little you will be eating these days. My daughter goes to Dr. Kurian in NYC, surgery tho was done in Houston. But she's lost almost a hundred pounds in 15 months. (and gained a new boy-toy..lol) So good luck on the next leg of your journey Trisha (pennreporter)

I'd find a new doctor. Speaking to him probably isn't going to change anything. If he's a jerk, he's a jerk. There are jsut way too many doctors doing this procedure now and there's even Fill Centers USA that will do fills. You don't need the stress. If it's an insurance thing and he's the only one your insurance company will pay, then I'd have a serious talk with the insurance company about changing doctors. 30 lbs is 30 lbs...and you may have lost inches also instead of lbs. I'm a big believer in having the best possible relationship you can with your doctors, and sometimes you have to shop around until you find the right one. My daughter's surgeon was in Houston, she lives in NYC and pays for her owns fills ($100). Good luck. And to quote Beyonce, "move it to the left" There's plenty of other doctors out there.

GonnaLoseIt, you've done an incredible job in keeping up with all of this. Your day is almost here also!!! Best of luck to you. You have been so great with the forum. Have a great new band-day and have a speedy and smooth recovery!!! Trisha Pennreporter

I'm not a drinker so it's not a big deal. My daughter who was banded last year, it has sooo not been a problem. Again, nothing carbonated but that leaves a wide variety open. She's very social so she's out a lot and drinks...but it's slow. She may nurse a drink for a couple of hours. good luck trisha

No regrets. I was a yo-yo dieter for years. Each time it came back with more weight than I started with. The last time the cholesterol shot through the roof and BP was barely controlled with meds and then the sleep apnea had gotten so bad I was only sleeping about 3 hours a night. My daughter was banded last year and lost 95 lbs and just seeing her journey made me convinced that this is what I needed to do. Now I was only banded June 1 and had one fleeting moment after surgery of "what have I done, surely I could have just kept my fat mouth shut and lost weight." But it was a fleeting moment. Almost two weeks out and still no appetite or hunger. I eat because I know I need to eat. I have no doubt this may change, but again, like the other poster said, I don't have a problem dieting. This is just giving me a tool to help it all come together. I've lost 15 lbs since weigh-in two days before surgery but the big plus is no pain in my knee that's been bothering me ever since this most recent weight gain. The band is not the end-all be-all. You still have to live with your band and still have to do portion control and watch the foods you eat but when you get full fast or you're forced to eat slow it helps tremendously. Good luck on your decision. I have absolutely no regrets at all so far. I didn't have to do so much research because my daughter had done it all. The big difference between us is we have two different types of band, so we'll be able to compare if there are any differences. Trisha

If you trust your surgeon, that's all that matters. That's great with no pre- or post-op diet. For me personally it helped to have that time to adjust eating style. Although don't know that it really would have made a difference since I have no appetite now at all. Now that I can add eggs (eggbeaters) and cottage cheese, at least I don't have to do the shakes anymore. I got to where I couldn't even stand to smell one. Another week and I can have chicken/fish...woo-hoo. trisha

Saffy, did they use staples on you instead of surgical adhesive or did you have to have an open procedure? Trisha