NINASCUSTOMER

No, they don't fill the band when you have the surgery. Usually people get a fill around 6 weeks. For me, it was 3 months.

If you don't plan on having the fills, the band is not for you. What makes the band so wonderful is that it can be adjusted. As you lose weight, the band will need to be filled to make you feel full. It is different for everyone, too. With proper restriction your appetite will be small, and you will be satisfied with small meals.

My stomach doesn't really make a lot of noise. I do burp a lot if I eat too fast.

I have loved the band, and I am sooooo glad I did it.

Like I said, I never looked at the needle.

Oh, and I was very anxious!!! My internist was there too because he is learning to do adjustments. Both Dr. Davytan (the surgeon) and Dr. Cohen (the internist) have the lapband, which is great. Dr. Cohen was holding my hand and reassuring me that there was nothing to worry about, and he was right. Piece of cake. Glad to have the first one out of the way. Now I know not to worry.

There is absolutely nothing painful about the fill. He said there would be a little prick from the anesthetic, but I hardly felt a thing.

I purposely did not look at the needle. I have heard that they are very long, and I didn't want to see it.

Dr. Davtyan put in some saline, and then had me drink water until I felt uncomfortable. Then, he takes a little out. I am on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. It's great, I don't feel hungry at all.

First adjustment today! Then 2 weeks on a liquid diet.

The sandwiche I tried to eat gave me a "fill". I guess drinking fluids for a couple of days would have been the answer. I'm much better now, and I will be getting my first adjustment Sat., November 7th. That' will be exactly 3 months after I was banded. It has been 3 weeks since I have lost weight, so I am excited.

That was my first glitch in this otherwise wonderful experience.

I have not even had my first fill, so I know that I don't need an unfill. I threw up a week or so ago for the first time, and ever since then I have sour stomach with some reflux. Should I be concerned?

I had heard of sliming, but got to experience it first-hand today. Visiting my home town of Chicago I decided to share a hot Italian beef sandwich with my sister. I had been dreaming about one for quite a while. Well... one bite and I was miserable. I actually ended up throwing up about 5 or 6 times. The only thing coming up was "slime". That is not something I want to experience any time soon. It took over an hour or so to feel okay, and I haven't really felt that great the rest of the day.

171 = 32 lbs

banded on 8/7/09

Almost half "weigh" there.

10/10/09 50th birthday today! Celebrating my 32 lb weight loss, too. Got certified in Open Water diving today. Life is good!

I now weigh 171. I started at 203 on 8/7. I will go for my first fill on the 22nd. Thanks for the congrats.

172.8 :thumbup:

I would not have wanted to go back to work for a week. I don't work, so I could take my time which was great. I probably could have worked after 3 days.

I think my doctors covered everything!

May 12, 2009 - met with Dr Davtyan

June 10, 2009 - met with psychiatrist

June 12, 2009 - met with nutritionist

June 30, 2009 - denied by insurance because BMI was too low. 34.6. Needed to be 35 with co-morbidities

July 18, 2009 - met with Dr. Davtyan and decided to proceed with surgery w/o insurance. Yikes! $14,500. I think it’s money well spent and I am very excited.

July 21, 2009 - Complete physical – EKG – discover heart murmur

July 22, 2009 - ECHO test, chest x-ray (heart murmur benign)

July 23, 2009 - blood work drawn, upper GI

July 24, 2009 – Sleep study at Casa Colina—found out I have severe sleep apnea--came home with the CPAP machine.

August 3, 2009 – Met with Dr. Cohen - test results all normal—except what I already knew. high BP, high cholesterol and triglycerides. Had ultra sound of legs and carotid

August 4, 2009 – Dr. Cohen-- treadmill stress test – normal, results of yesterday’s leg and carotid ultrasounds were normal

August 5, 2009—gallbladder ultrasound (normal)

August 6, 2009 - pre-op with Dr. Davytan

August 7, 2009 – Surgery- 11:30 am J

Pre surgery weight - 203

Measurements – neck – 15

Chest-47.5

Waist- 44

Hips 45.5

Thigh-28.75

Calf- 15

Still losing without adjustment.

176 today. Down 27 pounds!:tt1:

It's kind of like a magic tool! I am 6 weeks post-op and the only regret I have is not doing it 5 years ago.

As surgery goes, it is quite a simple surgery.

The recovery is fast! Of course, I was scared too, but I am SOOOOOO glad I did it. For most of us there is more risk NOT doing it.

6 weeks post-op

203>178>137 :thumbup:

That's 25 pounds!

I was scheduled for an adjustment today, but I think I will cancel. I'm still losing and I am satisfied by small meals.

24 lb loss today! I am so excited.

179! I haven't seen the 170s for years. :thumbup:

Ok so I have had a rough past few months and have started drinking soda like crack. Went to the dr today and he says that my stomach has stretched and possible band slip. I have to do liquids for the next week and he has placed me on a band fill diet, and he said it is possible that I may have to get the band removed. Has this happened to anyone? Please let me know, I'm praying that he was just trying to scare me and everything will be ok. PLEASE ANYONE....:thumbup:

I sure hope it all works out for you. I miss diet cokes, too.

Your post has been helpful because I now know absolutely not to drink soda.

Good luck!

There is a woman on this site who went in for her surgery and was unable to have it done because her liver was too big. That's the reason for the pre-op diet. It is possible your doctor won't do the surgery if you haven't lost the weight he or she asked you too. Good Luck! I hope it all works out for you.

I get my first fill Monday, Sept 14th. I have lost 2 pounds in the last two weeks, so the weight loss has really slowed down. I know it's supposed to, but it was fun watching the scale go down every day while it lasted. :thumbup: I was feeling quite hungry last week, but this week I started eating regular meals, and I am feeling more satisfied. Now I am questioning whether or not I should get the fill.

I'm sure getting the protein in is a challenge if you don't eat meat. I have considered giving it up. Maybe down the road.

Thanks! Can you believe I'm allergic to eggs. I would eat eggs every morning if I could.

At lunch I can eat very little, but by dinner I can eat much more. Have any of you had that experience?

Today is week 5, and I am feeling great. I have lost 22 pounds, but I have also come off my blood pressure medicine already.

What are most of you eating at this point?