fire_bellydancer

I live in Coconut Creek. I was banded back in 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida but unfortunately, I didn't make the lifestyle changes needed and I haven't lost any weight. I still eat and drink at the same time and I'm still consuming regular Coke. I just had right hip replacement in January due to a blood disorder and I'm hoping to get back on the wagon. Looking for support groups in this area. Dr. Shillingford is the physician that continues to fill my band. There are no issues with the band as he has done my fills under fluoro. So, the blame on not losing weight is on me.

Is the fact that I'm able to eat and drink at the same time without any issues of the food backing up point to the fact that the band hasn't reached the sweet spot or that it is not tight enough? I have another appointment this coming Thursday and I want to make sure that I mention this to the surgeon. Again, is that a problem? I keep hearing of people not being able to drink at the same time, even little sips. I know that I'm not supposed to eat and drink at the same time but sometimes I do it without even thinking about it.

Amazing that on your second fill, you already have 6cc. I've had my band for three years and just reached half. I've actually gained weight. Damn.

Still not feeling much restriction so I want to ask how much should I be eating per meal. I know that I'm supposed to start with protein. Thanks. I never received the nutritional education that many of you did. Thanks!

The issue is not my son but my inability to control how muck coke I drink

That's the same as my surgeon but I don't think that I should be able to eat three fish tacos the day after getting a fill..I believe that he added almost 2cc. How long do you take to eat? I always start with protein.

What steps did you follow to accomplish such an amazing goal? I'm struggling big time!

Maybe I'm a freak of the lap band nature but I have never experienced any discomfort when I drink Coke. No belching, nothing. I'm sure that if I felt something really bad, I would definitely quit.

I was banded back in July of 2010 but wasn't able to continue getting my fills because I moved away from my surgeon. I have finally found a surgeon who has no problems taking care of me even though he didn't do my surgery. Because of that, he does my fills under fluoro, which I think is great. My band holds 14cc and I believe he stated that it is halfway full. I admit to not following the not drinking while eating. But, I have heard from other people that if they are properly filled, they can almost not do it (when they do it without noticing) because the food is still in the pouch and drinking causes them pain and nausea. I have never suffered that. I know that the band is a tool but I would think that it would help me more. Before I get people all upset with me (lol), how long do you guys take to eat? I know I shouldn't have done it but I ate three fish tacos two days after my recent fill on Monday. More suggestions, please!!

I just got a fill on Monday, did the liquids for twenty four hours like my doctor recommended then did solid foods. He allows to go from liquids then solids. I've been able to eat anything since the fill. No restriction! What the hell???

I would love to just flat out quit drinking Coke but the few times that I've quit it, I relapse (just like and addict) and then binge on it big time! So, I figured that if I drank a little can a day, my urges will be reduced.

I'm well aware of the issue of drinking Coke but I'm totally addicted to it. I bought the small cans, which my son keeps hidden in his room, in order to control my addiction. My band was filled under fluoro last week and it's working good. Not too much restriction but I have another appointment on the 10th. My question is: will drinking one small can a day be too bad? After this last fill, I can tell that it takes me longer to drink the Coke.

Aside from the disgusting taste of the barium, everything was smooth. The band is in place, no leaking noted. Surgeon put in 3.5cc of fluid in the band. He thinks that this should get my weight loss moving again. It's interesting how different surgeons have different rules. I'm to be on liquids (clear and full) for the next 24 hours and then I can try solids. I'm truly hoping that this will the beginning of my weight loss...yet again!

How does that work? My new surgeon wants to do my first fill with him under fluoro to verify placement and if it's working. I'm looking forward to it. He said that he is planning on making sure that he gives me a good fill seeing as it is over two years since I had my band and no success.

I have an Allergan band that holds 14cc. Not sure now much I have in there but whatever it is, it's not working.

Thanks! I'm hoping that this new surgeon will get me to the correct path of the lap band.

Thru persistence, I was able to find a surgeon who has no issues taking my insurance and is willing to do the fills even though he didn't put my band in. The office manager said that, if the doctor thinks that there are any issues, he will fill my band under fluoro. I'm very excited about this. I know that I need to make changes but I feel like once the band hits that sweet spot, things will be better. Very excited! My appointment is on Wednesday morning.

Be careful if you pay for your fills out of pocket and then you are able to get insurance that covers the fills....there are certain physicians that will not take your insurance once you started as a self-pay patient even if they are a contracted provider for your insurance.

Be careful, though, with self-pay and then getting insurance. There are some physicians out there that wil flat out refuse to accept your insurance (even if they are contracted with them) because "once you start as a self-pay patient, you have to remain as such". Word to the wise!

After seeing my surgeon for over a year and paying out of pocket, now that I have insurance, his office is telling me that they will not take my insurance. That once I am self-pay and I will remain self-pay. This is absolutely ridiculous! I feel like thru out the time that I was a self-pay and forking over $150 a pop, I wasn't getting much of a fill. I haven't felt any restriction for the longest time. And, at $150 a visit, I cannot go as often as they recommend I do. Now, I'm stuck. I'm gonna have to find a new surgeon that will take me even if they didn't perform my surgery. This is very frustrating. I chose the higher insurance so that it would cover the fills. Now, this is putting a dent into my plan. Any suggestions? I called United and they told me that my fills will be covered, regardless of who paid for the surgery. One option is for me to self-pay and submit it to the insurance company. I realize that it will be extremely hard for me to find another surgeon who will fill a band that they didn't put it. I am so disappointed because this surgeon was highly recommended to me and we work for the same facility. I know the band is a tool but if there is no restriction, why even have the lap band?

I was self-pay for almost a year (after losing my insurance. Aetna PPO covered my surgery in 2010) and now I have insurance again (United Healthcare PPO). My insurance company will pay for my fills, even though they didn't pay for my insurance. I have it in writing from them! But, my money hungry surgeon...has decided that once you are self-pay, you cannot use your insurance. What a load! I guess he prefers the $!50 that he would get from me as opposed to the contracted rate that he would receive from United. He is a preferred provider for United. Absurd!

I am posting a new chapter to the story....he won't take my insurance now so he wants me to remain self-pay! If I knew how to control my portions, I wouldn't need the lap band. This is why it is important to me that I feel restriction.

I have no issues with scrambled eggs...actually, I have no issues with any foods no matter what time of the day...

You can try and ask him. I currenty live in Fort Lauderdale and I had my surgery when I lived in Jacksonville. Obviously, a six hour drive is out of the question for me. I asked a physician that works at the hospital where I work and he is seeing me and waived the program fee as professional courtesy.

The reason why I think my surgeon was so conservative with the fills is because I am a self-pay. Once I start using my insurance, he will not get the $150 that I was paying. He will definitely get much less. So, I was thinking that as long as I was self-pay, he didn't have a reason to fill me up. I'm sure my fills will change once I start using my insurance. It's a business...