Hey all,

Went for my 6 week check up today with my surgeon. I am down 23 pounds. I was actually really happy with that. Until we started to discuss a first fill. I told him about my 'stuck' episode last week - and he advised that I should maybe wait two more weeks - and see how the weight loss goes.

What upset me was when he said, "Well, you know - you ARE on the slow side of weight loss". I could have cried! He was 'concerned' that I'd only lost 5 pounds since my last visit with him 4 weeks ago.

He wants me to wait these two weeks - to see if I plateau, or gain. Then we'll decide on a fill time. I have a 'global period' of 90 days with my insurance, otherwise the cost is One Thousand dollars to me. I can certainly submit to my insurance, but no guarantee they'll pay.

Wow - him saying that was like a kick in the gut. :think

Did you explain to him about your insurance? Most doctors hear you when you talk $$$ to them.....call and talk to his nurse.

How did you have a 'stuck' episode if you haven't had any fill at all in your band? You shoudn't still have restriction from simple swelling left over from surgery after that period of time.

Sherilynn, I am sorry this happened to you. I hope you can get your fill soon.

Hey SheriLynn - good to hear from you. It has been a while since we last chatted. I am five weeks out, had first fill today. I have lost 21 lbs and let me tell you I was thrilled. I have not seen my doctor since day of surgery (until today). My first follow up was today.

Hey, it is 5 lbs in the right direction, know what I mean. Be proud of yourself. If you are noticing you are not eating some of the best things, then just cut back on those, take in a bit more Protein and they weight loss will continue to come. I think you are doing great. You are a few lbs ahead of me! Don't let the doctor distract you. Just grab the bull by the horns, refocus that energy and you will do it. I know you will. Take care of yourself. We are cheering you on!

-Kim

Personally, I am surprised that he said 5 pounds in 4 weeks is slow. The band is designed for an average weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week. Based upon that, you are right where you should be.

Hi- I feel bad for you- that doc needs to learn some bedside manner. I had my surgery 5/06- had one fill and wasn't back until 2 weeks ago. I was worried what my doc would say- he just looked at me- knowing that I hadn't really lost any weight- and said- haven't seen you in awhile- glad to see you are getting back on track-let's get you filled, make another appointment in 1 month, let's loose that weight. I would of been excited to loose 23 lbs. Just remember that you didn't put it on overnite and it will not come off overnite. Just keep puttering along and you will be great!!

Susan

My Doc said I was on the slow scale of loosing...but he left the decision up to me as to whether or not I needed a fill. I said I'd wait two weeks to see if I loose. If its just 2 pounds - I'll get the fill. I suppose I'm just not SURE if I need a fill. I can certainly NOT eat what I did pre band, but I certainly do NOT have the restriction I did 2 weeks after surgery. I have a suspicion that post operative restriction will be different from saline restriction. For one, I'll be feeling MUCH better than post op. I'll have my taste for food back. And since the doc said that to me, I am really paying mind to quantity. I'm not pigging out. And I'm making all very healthful choices - so that's not my issue. Trust me, for those who have read my posts since surgery - I suffered. So much suffered, that I would risk NOTHING at this point - to ruin my chances of loosing. lolol The ONLY thing that I would consider a 'cheat'...is when I have some chocolate. And that's almost as necessary as air. hehehe But seriously; not like I'm having a whole candy bar. I am having one or two Lindor truffles. Figured I'd better control portions with that.

I have actually heard of several bandsters having stuck episodes, or full blown PB's without a fill. Some have gone on to lose their entire excess weight, and get to goal without a fill! It is not that way for most, but it is not uncommon to have restriction without a fill. I had fairly good restriction for awhile, I am sure do to both excess fat, and swelling. As both reduced, I needed a fill---but not immediately!

I would say if you can eat over 1 cup of food at a sitting, if you are hungry within a couple of hours of eating, and you are not "sticking" on food eaten the right way (small bites, chewed well) then a fill may be necessary. I would start small......

And I agree I would mention the $$$$ aspect to the office, they may be willing to work closer with you during that time period! Besides it can't hurt to try!!!

Hang in there!!!

Kat

I have actually heard of several bandsters having stuck episodes, or full blown PB's without a fill. Some have gone on to lose their entire excess weight, and get to goal without a fill! It is not that way for most, but it is not uncommon to have restriction without a fill. I had fairly good restriction for awhile, I am sure do to both excess fat, and swelling. As both reduced, I needed a fill---but not immediately!

I would say if you can eat over 1 cup of food at a sitting, if you are hungry within a couple of hours of eating, and you are not "sticking" on food eaten the right way (small bites, chewed well) then a fill may be necessary. I would start small......

And I agree I would mention the $$$$ aspect to the office, they may be willing to work closer with you during that time period! Besides it can't hurt to try!!!

Hang in there!!!

Kat

The office is wonderful at my surgeons place. They're definately willing to work things out for me. I was ready to schedule a fill - feeling OH so ready, but his comment just shot me down. So, in two weeks I will definately schedule it.

sherilynn Best wishes girl! keep us posted...Hope you feel better. Dr's do have a way of putting their foot in it...for all their inteligence they can certainly lack tact sometimes.

becky

Hey girls I have stuck episodes and PBs like once every two weeks and I DONT have any fill (Im 11months post op). I think you are doing great with your weight loss,my surgeon was like that as well,he advised me only to drink water and eat yougurth and thats it.Keep in mind that he is a surgeon and he wants/needs results, he is not dietetician and everybody is differenet. Oou sure dont want rappid weight loss in just weeks so your skin can be saggy:-) Do what you feel is the best for you!!

Good luck you are doing great!

Eva

I PBed 3 days after surgery, and a few times with just 1cc of fill. For me, the band itself provided some degree of restriction, even while empty. So don't fret over PBing before you're filled.

I'm going to bring up another side of the issue. And that's to trust your surgeon's judging on when it's time for a fill, and not be upset if he tells you it's too soon. I say this because I've been overfilled, and it's not fun. I was overfilled and had to PB, and over the next 6 or 7 PBs in the next 3 hours I became irritated and swelled to the point of complete closure. This meant I couldn't get my own saliva down, so every few times that I swallowed I had to PB again. If you're self-paying for your fills, think of it this way. What's better -- to pay for one fill when you're reasonably sure that you need it, or to pay for a fill that you might need, and then have to pay for an unfill, and then have to pay for a third fill to get you to where you would have been if you'd waited in the first place.

As for your surgeon upsetting you, did you tell him? If not, do. It's hard to expect a behavior change if you aren't making it known that the behavior is unacceptable. He should be receptive to the feedback.

sherilynn Best wishes girl! keep us posted...Hope you feel better. Dr's do have a way of putting their foot in it...for all their inteligence they can certainly lack tact sometimes.

becky

As it turns out - that damn 90 day global period won't allow me to be covered with fills until then. Somehow in the way the surgery was 'coded' and the fills are 'coded'. Too much insurance mumbo jumbo for me to understand. The Surg. Office and insurance went back and forth. Insurance swears they'll pay, docs office doubts it. So here it is: I can sign a release to pay and get on the schedule for two weeks from now. By that time, I'll only have 3 weeks more - and payment by insurance will be 100%.

Worst part, I'm not feeling 'much' restriction at all. Even testing myself. Definitely eating more. Not sure if I've gained or not in the last few days - will check it out tomorrow. Feels like its mostly will power right now. ****HOWEVER…lunchtime today was two slices of roast beef, and 1/2 cup of adamame. And I'm definitely full. So who knows.