Debster21

12,500 and I also believe it was worth every penny

I had my surgery in Texas and then moved to Los Angeles. I decided to go with fillcenters USA as I move frequently and each and every doctor was going to charge a crazy "initial visit" fee. So I figured I'd pay fillcenters initial fee and then if I move I won't have to pay that again. I've been to a Dr. in Huntington Beach and I just recently went to Apple Valley to a Dr. Smith because they were offering free fluroscopy. So there are places available just a bit of a drive.

So is this normal.... yesterday I went through the day with no trouble, even had a bit too much to eat at lunch if I'm honest and NO trouble what so ever. Was even thinking that maybe I'm due for a fill. Today....Had my greek yogurt for Breakfast with no trouble. THEN ..I take 2 bites of my lunch and I'm STUCK....really stuck....painful ....sliming....PB'ing...YUCK. So obviously I didnt chew those 2 bites well enough thats a given.....but it was nothing different than I ate last night at dinner. It was leftovers. I don't think I chewed any different last night. Normal to have days where you can pretty much eat anything and then days where you are so tight???

Ok, I went for my second fill today. I was told that my dr. put 3 cc's in my band at the time of surgery. At my first fill the nurse withdrew it (3 cc's ) and told me she put it back...and added 2 more. For a total of 5 cc's in my 10 cc band. Today....the dr. could only pull out 3 cc's. He put it back ...sat me up and had me drink water while he inserted 1.5 cc's more. (actually put in 2...but then i couldn't swallow...so he pulled out 0.5) Do you think the nurse forgot to add 2 cc's? Does it evaporate? Do i have a leak?? If i have a leak...how come more didnt leak out? Why do have restriction with 4.5 cc and I havent had any with the supposed 5 cc i've had since March? So many questions......UGGGHHHH

I was about 8 weeks out before I tried a beer. Its considered a fairly big NO-NO considering the carbonation. I enjoyed it and had no real adverse effects (might have burped a bit more than usual? ) The biggest difficulty with alcohol is the calories. Any high calorie "drink" that slips on past the band is always best in moderation. There are other ways that alcohol hinders our greatest goal.....to be healthier and thinner...if you are interested check out this article. Just How Bad Is Alcohol for Weight Loss? Read more: Just How Bad Is Alcohol For Weight Loss? | LIVESTRONG.COM

Your band is a tool.....it will help you, it won't do it all for you. If you follow the rules, eat 3 smalls meals / day.....you will lose weight. Its not a miracle maker....if you are still eating the way you did pre-band then its not going to work. Yes restriction would be nice...and make it easier....but it doesnt come right away. I was banded in January and I still have very little restriction. I have been "stuck" as people call it...once...and that was shortly after the one and only fill I've ever had. Another fill maybe will help you? limit your intake and get your exercise....it will come off....

I was banded in Jan 2010 and to date have only had one fill. My doc goes by both weight loss (which has been consistent) and also by how I feel, as said by someone else. If you are starving and fighting to stay on your "diet". Then you are likely not making the best use of your new lapband. Its supposed to help along the way. As my weight loss slows....i'll have him "snug it up" a bit to help me along. If you feel good and are not struggling...more power to you!! You'll know when you need a fill :biggrin: Good luck and congrats!!!

I used BeneFiber twice a day for about the first 6 weeks and then i was fine. I think its your body getting used to the drastic change in diet. Seems to be a common thing to happen

I was on clear fluids for the first week. Nothing but water, crystal light, broth and sugar free jello. I can't even have imagined having a protein shake. Hydration is the key in the early days. The rest will come with time. If your doc has told you to drink 3 protein shakes / day then sip them slowly all throughout the day. Good luck...it will get better !!! :thumbdown:

I also had a hiatal hernia repaired when I was banded that I did not even know I had. Knowing you have one might be beneficial (if you are not covered by insurance) a friend had her bariatric surgeon agree to fix her hiatal hernia..(covered) and he agreed to put the band in at the same time ..charging her only about 1/2 the price because the hospital/ anesthesia etc was covered by the hernia repair. Wish I'd known I had one........hmmm hindsight is always 20/20. I'm sure he'll just fix your hernia and band you up :thumbup: good luck

Definitely depends on the region and on the surgeon/ clinic. I was self pay in Texas and it was 12,500.00 with a years worth of fills/ doc visits etc.

I use myplate on LIVESTRONG.COM - Health, Fitness, Lifestyle | LIVESTRONG.COM it has an iphone app I like it....

You are only 1 week post-op , give your body some time to heal. Of course if you are really worried touch base with your dr. but I really didnt feel NO pain till after the second week... felt more normal by the 3rd week. As for the hiccups. Well I still get them, they have become my cue that I'm DONE eating. I've not had any difficulties with PB'ing or anything. I just get HUGE hiccups that actually hurt!! I've become used to them and I listen to my body telling me ENOUGH food. Not complaining.....I LOVE MY BAND

Met and beat my goal of 248 (246 this morning!!!! ) that brings me into the 30's for BMI. I NEVER liked the term morbidly obese......GOODBYE...adios.....chow baby!!!!! Next goal...231.....onward and downward.... wooooohooooo....yeah for me :wink:

Well Done !!!!!! what a great feeling huh?????

The chin hairs go away??????????? Riley ?? is it true??? senora to those!!! i'm so tired of plucking and waxing and whatever else to make em GO AWAy but they keep coming back.... Great post!!! so much fun to read ...very inspiring!!!!

I'm pretty new to this game, having been banded only about 6 weeks now. But here is how I am feeling about this topic.... I made a serious huge decision to have WLS and I have decided to make a serious huge commitment to making that work for me. I don't see where you would go to next if you allow this tool to not work for you. I'm making the most of this and I"m hoping that the things I'm learning on the way will help me to not only lose 100% of my EW....but maintain it. Its great to see someone paying it forward...you are an inspiration and THANK YOU!!! for your story and for your time.

Good luck with it!!!! I'm sure you'll do just fine considering how well you've done up till now!!! Impressive

I am 4 weeks post-op and going in for my first fill this Wednesday. I have had very little hunger for the entire month. A few days I've forgotten to eat from morning till evening. ME??? forget to eat??? unheard of!! Now I make sure I eat my 3 small meals / day. If my Protein is low I add in a Protein shake in the evening. The only time I thought I was hungry .....I was bored ...so I found something to do and I was just fine. Boredom was always a tough one for me. Now I take my bored butt out for a walk

Ughhhhh I always wonder why people think we don't know that we are heavy. Like I didnt haul this fat ass out of bed this morning?????? Makes me crazy that people are so insensitive. I'll agree with John on this one and go with the old standby: " I may be fat lady...but you are ugly....and I can diet " and just smile

I also woke up to find that I had a hernia repaired that I did not even know I had. Seems from reading the boards that I had a typical recovery and no extra discomfort or time from the extra lil task he performed. H. Hernias can cause serious problems with the band in the long run...so best its all fixed :thumbup:

I'm almost at complete solids and mine still grumbles and growls. I don't think of it as being hungry....i think of it as saying thanks for not stuffing me full anymore!!!! And yes...it can sometimes be very loud and embarrassing..haha oh well....there are worse things !!!

I put in a couple of spoonfuls of smuckers sugar free strawberry perserves. MMMMmmmmmm

I use Benefiber (no flavor) I add a teaspoon to my coffee in the morning and one to my drink in the evening whatever I have. Mixes up and you don't even know its there. Its fixed any problem I've had. Hoping to have enough fiber in my diet to stop it eventually. But right now I'm just starting mushies and I'm only getting in about 550 calories / day