SVM10

I went for a fill on Monday and I was told that I had 5.5ccs in my band. The fill FNP told me that when she took out what was in the band, all of it never comes out. She said that 1-1.5 ccs could not be pulled out so it is hard to get an accurate amount of ccs in the band. Okay according to what I kept up with for my 4 fills, I should have 7-7.5ccs in the band. She told me Monday, it was more like 6-6.5ccs. That concerns me. My doctor and the fill FNP (I see them alternately for fills) tell me not to worry about how much is in my band. I just want to be informed so that I know exactly where my sweet spot is and what I'm working with. My insurance paid 80% of everything, but my 20% was no small feat. Has anyone else had this happen.

I have definitely read them and am thankful for all the input. I really wanted to know if that was common and how I should handle it. To me, it should be my right to know what's in my band. I am not at restriction and have a little way to go to get there. However, I do want to know where I stand. As time goes on, it may not be important to me, but it is right now. Thanks to all of you that responded.

I got banded 3/15/10 at age 39 (turned 40 this summer) because I have struggled with my weight since the 3rd grade. My metabolism was tanking and my weight increasing. I went to a WL seminar about 10 years ago and a couple others during those 10 years. Finally, my insurance company BCBS of MS decided to do a pilot starting this year and for the next 2 years. They are choosing 100 state employees' applications over the 3 year period for WLS. Thank God, I was in the first 100. So, they will track our progress and if we do well, they will open it up to everyone that qualifies for it (after the 3 yr. pilot). So, I am doing it for myself and hoping that we do well so others in our state get to do it as well:biggrin:.

I'm in for 20 lbs. by Christmas!

You look great. I was like you and initially did not want to take pictures. I have taken a few along the way and am keeping them for myself right now to remind myself that I have made progress. I am also halfway to my goal. 44.5 down and 36.5 to go. Let's keep each other motivated.

I have been getting fills every 6 weeks. However, on my last visit on 8/30/10, I was told that my insurance company is allowing every 4 weeks now. This is really good because my deductible starts over Jan. 1, 2011, and I will have to pay full price ($150) for them until I meet my deductible again. I would rather pay 20% for a couple more fills than full price. I am hoping I will get to restriction by the end of the year. I really think I will be there within a couple more fills.

I have the same problem at my doctor's office. I also live an hour and a half away from my doctor's office. I actually vented about it on the Labor Day Challenge board (didn't know this was here). I really don't know what's in my band. They seem to be guesstimating. I got the first 3 fills free with the surgery, but the rest are $150 each, of which insurance pays 80% and I pay 20%. My insurance also paid 80% for my surgery and I paid 20%. Why is it such a big deal about telling us what's in our bands? We deserve to know.

Okay fellow bandsters, I'm really disappointed. I was so optimistic about the prospect of getting my fill yesterday and losing 4-5 lbs. by Monday. NOT! I got my fill yesterday, but I don't feel anymore restriction, if anything I feel like I can eat a little more. That sucks. I also feel like I'm getting the run around about the number of ccs in my band. I was told that I should have about 5.5-6ccs. I thought I had that 2 fills ago. Ugh!! Needless to say, I may not meet my goal this time either, but I'm going to try and get as close as I can. 4lbs. by Monday is going to be hard, but nothing about this has been easy. Sorry for venting, but best of luck to everyone.

I am so excited to finally be in Onderland as of this morning. I didn't make the July 4th challenge, but I feel pretty confident that I will make the Labor Day challenge. I have 4.5 lbs. to go and I get a fill next Monday. Finally...I was stuck for over 2 weeks, but I have been working by butt off, literally in the gym. Good luck, everybody.

I love CIB french vanilla. I am about 5 months out and have it for breakfast almost every day. My 14 year old daughter who rarely eats breakfast has started drinking it too. It is a fairly good source of protein with fat-free milk added to it. It keeps me full until lunch time.

It took my discoloration from bruising about 3 months to finally go away. Hopefully yours will heal and go away soon as well.

Ughh, no weight loss this week. The swelling went down after my last fill (2 weeks ago) and appetite came back some, too. Praying for sweet pot on August 30th!

I am 4 lbs. away and I am hoping to be there by the middle of next week. I can't wait!!!:scared2:

Joe, I also lost 4 lbs. over the weekend after getting my fill Friday morning. I sure hope you are right. I'm pretty sure that with one more fill I will be at the sweet spot. Hallelujah!

Kimmy, you have done an awesome job having lost 40 lbs. in less than 2 months. That is a major accomplishment. Just keep up the good work for yourself and not others.They are probably excited for you and don't know what else to ask. I have a cousin that looks at my feet every time she sees me (weekly at church) and asks have I lost a shoe size yet so she can have my shoes. Talk about pressure, LOL.

I have noticed on this site that most people are told to drink water at their dr. office when they get fills. I have never been told to drink water while there. I have not been able to feel water trickling down since a couple weeks after surgery. Also, most people talk about starting all over with the phases after a fill. I was told 2 days of liquids and 1-2 days of soft food then full solids. Therefore, solids can be eaten 3 days after a fill. It is amazing how doctors tell patents very different things.

I am having somewhat the same experience. I had my 3rd fill yesterday and it was more painful and swollen than the previous 2 fills. Also, I was still recovering from some jet lag (unsure if that matters). I really can't tell much about the restriction yet. I had my fill at 10:00 am and was able to eat soup and salad at about 3:30pm. My daughter and I walked a lot that day shopping at various centers (my dr. is 2 hours away). I ate graham crackers at about 7:30pm and a chicken breast at 9:30pm. I went to bed at 12:30am and felt really full. I have not eaten or drank anything yet today (1:00pm) but I am getting a little hungry. I hope that the restriction will set in soon. I hope the 3rd fill is the charm, if not, I will be ready for the 4th fill on August 30th. I hope you do well. Keep us posted.

My doctor's office advised me not to eat 2 days before or after a flight. I was told I could drink fluids only during that time. I flew from Mississippi to California, stayed for 2.5 weeks (my brother lived on a steep hill-ears popped driving up and down to their house) and vice versa. I felt some port pain and discomfort while there and a couple days after I returned. I still don't feel the same as I did before I left, but the pain has gone away.

I totally understand, I was banded on March 15th and have lost 35lbs. (Get fills every 6 weeks) I am so very confused right now. I was told for my first fill on 4/28 that I got 4ccs and that I got 1.5ccs for my second fill on 6/1. Well, I had my 3rd fill today and my dr. told me that I only had 4ccs in my band and he was adding 1cc. WTH? So, what exactly happened during the second fill visit? Sure my insurance paid 80%, but my 20% is nothing to sneeze at. I work a full-time and 2 part-time jobs and my husband works a full & part-time job. I can't afford to waste my money. I tried questioning my doctor but he was very dismissive and told me I didn't need to worry about the # of ccs in the band. I beg to differ, it is my right to know. I have emailed his nurse to please provide me with the needed information. She is usually really good about getting back to you about questions or concerns. It is so aggravating that he was very attentive during the visits leading up to surgery, but post-surgery, he spend less than 10 min. in the room with me including the time he finds the port and does the fill. I got the FNP for my second fill and she was very nice and attentive, my next fill is scheduled with her. I just need to make sure something is actually going into the band. I was told after my first fill that each subsequent fill would be 1cc. I need restriction before January 2011 and my insurance deductible starts all over again.

Hey, I did not meet my 19lb. July 4th goal. I lost 12lbs. I have not updated my ticker in a few weeks. I am down 1 more lb. than it shows. I am now going to set a more realistic goal of 12lbs.for the Labor Day Challenge. Onward and upward.

Okay guys, unfortunately I did not meet my July 4th goal. I think I aimed too high (19lbs.) I lost 12 of the 19lbs. I wanted to lose. I am going to be more realistic this time and go for 12lbs. which will take me well into Onderland. Good luck everybody.