99ways

@ PixiStix: I am in Modesto, CA @ everyone, thank you for writing back. I had one encounter with a surgeon who asked for $800 upfront to see me. He says that is his liability fee. I think it is a BS fee, since adjustments do not provide much profit for him, and from what I have read online, a lot of surgeons do this liability song and dance for this very reason. Man, hand me a syringe, I could do this myself! (of course, I wont tho.. just saying) Anyways. My search continues. If you know of a surgeon who isn't a crook and willing to help by taking in other doctors' patients, please let me know. I will be willing to fly out of state even. Thanks!

I am at my wit's end here everyone. I had my lap band surgery in Lebanon in 2009 and since then have moved to the US to be with my husband. It's been a year since my last lapband followup, why so long? No US doctor (in my area and nearby) is willing to take me in and make sure all is well. I am now pregnant and still in the same predicament. I am concerned for my unborn child and the nutrition it will be deprived of as a result of my band. I cannot find a doctor who is willing to unfill me for my baby's sake without giving me the old liability song and dance. I just do not know what to do. Please, if anyone out there can help me, please please. If you know of a doctor who is reputable and willing to take on another surgeon's patient, please tell me who. Help me and my baby. Thank you!!

I have one word to say: BANANAS! I find it takes care of my constipation. Forget all the chemical-ish bowel "movers". Nature has natural fruits and veggies to help with this. Also EXERCISE! easier said than done, bit when ya move yer booty, •everything• follows! Best of success! 99.

Pleeeeease, somebody answer me!:-(

I just ate 1/2 a chicken!!! Albeit, very slowly, they consisted of a drumstick, thigh, breast and wing! Sigh! Can too much overeating cause slippage? (I never vomit!) Odd, cause I feel I CAN eat this much, if done slowly. I just want to know the effects of not eating less. Thanks!

Get your doctor's cell phone. I have my surgeon's cell #. Another patient of his told me how he even left a party to go take care of her cause she had flown in to see him specifically! That is the kind of commitment and service you ought to be getting. Tell your doctor that you would prefer to deal with him directly, given your traumatic experience. I dont think he will say NO to you:-) G'luck!

1) Although I never chose the cc capacity of my band, I was wondering why I had a 4cc as opposed to most people who have 10 or 14cc. 2) Also, I read that in the end, when filled to the max, all bands (regardless of cc #) all have the same diameter. Is this true?

Seems like most of you have the 10 or 14 cc band "installed". Im looking for others who have a 4cc, like myself. Let's talk. Make yourselves known! :-)

I have a 4cc. I read that when band is filled completely (regardless if its 11, 10, 14 or 4 cc) the open space is the same across the board. Right?

Just curious to know if anyone here is working out while banded, or perhaps you're not working out. Do share and tell. Thanks!

I dont see any photos... :-s

I recently had my second fill. First fill was on Aug. 1st. Doc injected 2cc into my 4cc band. and even though I have very slight restriction, I pretty much had no difficulty eating most things, and after a couple of weeks was not losing any. So I went back for another fill. He then injected .5cc into my port and although I told him to add a full cc, he expressed concern that it might cause some tearing (of what, he didn't say) if he added that much so soon. So I let him do what he knows best. I have lost a little more, but now feel like things are sloooooow, even though my last fill was 9 days ago! Does this mean I've not hit my sweet spot yet? Maybe I have unrealistic expectations about how I should be losing weight and as a result they are not being met? Maybe I should stop weighing myself every day! Do you feel like you're filling but not losing?

Why would you want mac and cheese? To boost the effectiveness of your surgery, try replacing pastas and carbs with veggies and ground up roast chicken.

I've been banded for almost 2 months now, and once in an occasional while, I will feel a little, tiny sharp pain on the right side of my midriff. It lasts a second, and I will feel it once. Then nothing for a couple of weeks or more. I've felt it 3 times in the last 2 months. Anyone experienced this?

Be cautious, cheating so early on might not have immediate effect, but (according to my surgeon) might make your band likely to slip months later down the line... your stomach needs to heal and allow itself to secure the band. you can do it, just think of the huge change you just went through with the surgery, not to mention the money spent (wel, in my case hehe, was out of my pocket). Would be a shame to undo it all over a few pieces of veggies and meat.

I took 10 days.

I'm sure the person wasn't intentionally trying to be mean, despite how their comment may have sounded. So don't react defensively back to them. Sometimes, when someone is around you day after day, it is harder to notice weight loss as opposed to someone who hasn't seen you in a while. Could this be the case?

Hello everyone, Ever since I was a little girl I've slept on my tummy (Ive been told it's not the best position, but oh well). I got banded on July 2nd, and have managed to "force" myself to sleep on my sides, however, these last few days I have reverted to my beloved tummy-down position. I sometimes worry that this might not be good, and I still have slight discomfort when I do sleep this way... Is there anyone else out there in my boat? Thanks!