Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Had enough of Dr Max Bowater!! Can any Perth people recommend another fill doctor?



Recommended Posts

You should be fine with Maria. She was great - listened and paid attention to what I was saying, unlike Bowater. I could not only eat a bowl of rice, I've been eating 3 course meals - Soup, mains (including rice, Pasta, steak, whatever's going!) AND dessert, with bread on the side!! EEK!! Trying desperately to make good choices for the mains but even with all that, Bowater threatened to take some fill OUT!

This last fill has made it a little easier to have some measure of self-control, but I can still eat anything and lots of it, if I'm not careful. I'll do what I can this month and go back again until we get it right!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm glad you've finally got someone listening to you, Fanny. I think you needed it, for sure. It shouldn't be this hard for anyone to get the restriction they need. Esp if you're gaining!

I am in a slightly different situation, and I hope it will still mean I can get a fill. I am not unrestricted, I just am far less restricted that I am happy with. I like not fighting hunger, and I am fighting hunger now. But whether a fill would make me lose more when I don't need to lose more, is I suppose is what she will have to weigh up.

It may be I have enough restriction for maintenance. For a while, due to work stress, I was even losing despite poor restriction. But now my appetite is back and I don't like it.

I guess I personally don't feel comfortable with the restriction I currently have. But it may be that I actually don't need a fill per se, and I should be eating more at this stage, to maintain. So we'll see how we go on Tues, when I see her I guess.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all, i go to Kevin Dolan at Joondalup....awesome! you can get either of 2 other docs do your fill, but i just tell them what i want and they do it!....at this stage (9 months post surgery) I know what I need now:biggrin:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just thought I'd update that I saw Maria on Tues and she was really wonderful. Even though my weight was lower than ever, I explained that I was gaining a little, and was eating more than I considered normal, and wasn't really getting stuck on anything anymore. So she gave me a 0.25ml fill.

Now I know that I really did need it. I am still not as restricted as I was at my sweet spot, so I can only imagine how much less restricted I was before this fill.

She actually said that she believed that I needed a fill if I was gaining, no matter how slowly, because what was the point of me gaining 5 - 10kgs only to have to get filled then and then try to have to lose it again? Best have a small fill as a preventative measure.

So I'm happy as larry. I don't have another fill appt now. She said she thinks I've had enough success with the band to understand how it works for me, and to know for myself when I need a fill. :thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

She's great, isn't she? I'm going back on the 10th of May, which is six weeks after my last fill. I would have gone back after only 4 weeks, except that works out to be the 26th of April, which is a public holiday for Anzac Day. I really need the next fill but will just have to hang out till May. At least it is more manageable than it was last month, but still no where near restriction yet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in a slightly different situation, and I hope it will still mean I can get a fill. I am not unrestricted, I just am far less restricted that I am happy with. I like not fighting hunger, and I am fighting hunger now. But whether a fill would make me lose more when I don't need to lose more, is I suppose is what she will have to weigh up.

It may be I have enough restriction for maintenance. For a while, due to work stress, I was even losing despite poor restriction. But now my appetite is back and I don't like it.

I guess I personally don't feel comfortable with the restriction I currently have. But it may be that I actually don't need a fill per se, and I should be eating more at this stage, to maintain. So we'll see how we go on Tues, when I see her I guess.

this is hard to get your head around. I am very unrestricted these days, and a lot of bad habits have crept back in. I constantly feel as if I've eaten too much and I have to avoid those bad foods consciously.

but I wont go back (unless I do begin to gain) because despite this, despite eating way more than I was a year ago, I am not gaining! So really, its better to eat more long term and be better nourished.

Occasionally, I'll shoot up by 2lb but I get right back on it.

I do think there'll be a time in future when I will need a top up but not yet. You just have to get your head around the fact that it IS OK to eat occasionally! And it IS ok to eat like a normal person - ie. not perfect all the time.

Exercise is, as ever, a very powerful weapon in preventing regain too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to have half my fill removed a month ago just before the wedding. I saw Maria and she was fantastic. Had me have a barium swallow (I have a band dilation) and called me after the results came through to make sure I knew what it all meant and what to do. I've got my next appointment on the 30th of this month (not sure who with but I hope it's with her!) and I definately want some fill in. Apparently I now have less than when first banded! I've been living the honeymoon life over the past month and have put on about 3kgs so keen to knock that on the head! I'm conscious though that I've barely been doing any exercise too. Getting very hungry in the mornings but don't want to put anymore pressure on the band either so I'm thinking about just a .5ml fill and see how I go.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Fanny, I totally agree with you I have seen this guy a couple of times now and the first time I went he told me I need to put on 4kg and then last time at the same weight he said I could lose 2kg more if I stick to tuna and coffee basically. Im sorry I cant offer any help on a new fill Dr I just wanted to let you know I know what you are talking about. I have found a Dr in Geraldton to see now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×