Is it worth it?

February 12, 2004

Hi,

I've been reaserching the band for awhile and one minute I think this is for me. Then I start having secound thoughts.

It seems like such a hassle to get the fills. So I'm asking everyone if its worth all the hassle to deal with the fills?

Everyone is always asking,should I get a fill? Should I get some taken out? Where can I find a fill Dr.? Do I have enough in or should I get more? How often do you need a fill?

I just want to make the right choice for me.

Also do think 1thousand dollars up front is a lot of money?

I would be a self payer.

Thanks for your time.

Tina

ldauph · February 12, 2004

The mere fact that my band is ajustable is worth every fill i get.

I am 6 months out and down 50 lbs. I have had a slow loss since November, so I knew it was time to be ajusted (3rd fill). SO WORTH IT!!!!!

Alexandra · February 12, 2004

Tina, I think (as do many others) that the fills are the whole POINT of having a band versus a different surgery. I just went for a fill this morning and sure, it's a little more trouble than not having gone, but now I have another goose in the right direction of losing weight.

A fill renews motivation AND OPPORTUNITY for weight loss. It creates a new reminder when too much food is being taken in, or it's being taken in too quickly. I need that reminder, as a chronic wolfer of food, and it's been fading as I lose weight and restriction lessens.

So now I have a chance to renew the restriction and start again on the downward slide. I say YAY to that!!

The hassle is largely internal, but it's less of a hassle than hating myself for having eaten too much at the last meal. The agonizing you see on the boards about having another fill or not are just people thinking out loud.

shellyj · February 12, 2004

Exactly! I love the ADJUSTABLE part of the band. with RNY you have an 18 month window with the band your window never closes!

February 12, 2004

Thank you for getting back to me so fast. I feel better about it.

I loved that you said," with the band your window never closes."

WOW! that is powerful!

Its nice to be able to talk with people who have the band.

I don't know anyone with one. Just people that had RNY.

Thanks again,

Tina

shellyj · February 12, 2004

Everyone is always asking,should I get a fill? Should I get some taken out? Where can I find a fill Dr.? Do I have enough in or should I get more? How often do you need a fill?

the difference between being to tight, to loose is a very fine line so i think the reason so many of ask these questions is that figuring out what your individual "sweet spot" is has been new to all of us!

GeezerSue · February 13, 2004

Originally posted by Tina
Also do think 1thousand dollars up front is a lot of money?

I would be a self payer.

Thanks for your time.

Tina

What does "up front" mean to you? I paid $10,000 before I had surgery, so I guess that's "up front." But I did not pay until the day prior to surgery...so I didn't send any money ahead of me.

Sue

Oh, yeah...the adjustments (fills and unfills) are nowhere near as big a hassle as trying to find a size 32 anything while on vacation in a foreign country. And they're WAY less hassle than having an "RnY revision" for a bowel obstruction.

JeanOmeiri · March 3, 2004

Hi Tina,

I'be been banded for about two weeks. I haven't had to deal with fills yet but I'm preparing. As far as 1000 dollars down payment, I had my surgery in Mexico and was required to wire the Doc 2000. which was less than 10% of total surgery cost. I thought it was fair.

Its worth it. Really. Its worth it.

j