I DO NOT WANT TO FREAK ANY NEWBIES OUT....and my case is a lot different than the majority....so, if you are brave, read on!

Okay! I had surgery in November 2003 (in Mexico). My first fill was in January 2004 with my surgeon...in a hotel room...in Orlando...while he was on vacation! I was sooooo desperate to lose weight that I would have done ANYTHING! How scary, huh??!! Well, I did not feel any restriction WHAT-SO-EVER! By March, I found a Fill doctor fairly close by. Each fill was about $500. I had 5 fills with him over the course of a year. STILL NO RESTRICTION!!! I had insisted on having an Inamed LapBand placed...I guess that he only had the 11.0cm type band (not for sale in the US back then), so that is the one the he surgeon placed! It was made for higher BMI's. I was 220 lbs at the time. OKAY....I never lost any weight! NOTHING...EVER!!! I have only gained 5 lbs though!

THIS IS WHY I NEED YOUR HELP:

I have found a place that will give me fills (Fill Centers USA). I am going in 1 week. I have lost ALL band rules....eat whatever I want, drink whatever I want (WITH meals, too), don't chew...after sooooo many years, I just gave them all up!!! I do get stuck every so often....if I eat a thick donut, pita bread...but what should I look out for? I have never had "restriction" before. I really REALLY need some encouragement! AND ADVICE! LOTS OF IT!!! Can anyone help? Please don't REAM me out about anything...I have been doing that to myself for all these years! Just supportive advice!!!

LOVE,

Beth

I feel so bad for you! First of all I should tell you that I'm a newbie and will be banded in just a few days - 8/29 - so I'm not sure if I have any worthy advice or not, but here goes -

We have all been desperate at one time or another and odne crazy or dumb things so stop beating yourself up. I am wondering a few things. One - will this larger band ever be filled enough to give you enough restiriction? Also, does the dr. know the size of your band? I guess he can figure that out pretty easily.

I think you should start getting yourself mentally prepared for the diet. I just found out a few days ago that my surgery is next week and I didn't ahve time to wrap my head around the preop diet. I didn't get to say good-bye to some of my favorite foods. Sounds silly, but you know half of this or more is all about our minds. I know the preop diet is to shrink the liver, but maybe you can start cutting back, drinking the protein drinks (yuck), etc.

What day do you go for your fill? Feel free to PM me if you want. I will be thinking of you! Good Luck!

Pam

Thank you Pam (drying the tears from my eyes!)! I go next Saturday! If you are spiritual, PLEASE say a prayer for me! SERIOUSLY!

My Fill doc was a great guy...but he was VERY inexperienced! I knew that going in! He used to tell me that I was "so cute" and not to worry if I did not lose the weight! He is a sweet talker! "So full of personality...So cute" is what he would say! NO KIDDING! He also didn't understand the band that I had, either! I even brought the box that the band came in that said 11.0CM! GEESH!

Thanks for being sweet, Pam! I do not even know where to get started! Maybe a shake replacement once a day??!! GROSS!

WOW...I feel so thankful that my surgeon has provided me with spectacular follow up care. Unfortunately, you didn't have that opportunity and have paid the price. But, the good news is...if you refresh yourself on the rules and start practicing them right now you will be prepared for the big fill coming up. Even if your portions are bigger right now because you aren't restricted it will still get you into the groove of how to eat when you're properly restricted. You'll probably be in for quite a shock though...having restriction is a whole different ball game! Good luck and you'll be fine!

I've had an unfill in my nurse practitioner's bedroom before. As long as they use sterile technique it really doesn't matter if it is in an MD office or if it is in a hotel room. Honestly, I keep reading your post and although I don't know Dr. R I have to say that I think it is pretty cool that he even saw you in the middle of his vacation. I know US docs who MIGHT do that for an emergency unfill, but I don't know a single doctor that would think twice about you during their vacation let alone do a routine fill in the middle of their vacation. So no, not scary at all.

As for size of band, I can't say one way or another if that was appropriate or not. I know people your weight and smaller that have the large band. It doesn't just depend on overall size, it depends on your unique anatomy. My doc is Aceves and he has no idea what size band he will use until he is in OR and is looking at your stomach through the incisions.

Seems to me you are doing the right thing by working your band now. It's not too late this far out, but it is time to get to work and that is exactly what you are doing so that's a good thing. You are taking responsibility for your own weight loss now and that's a GREAT thing! There are people who never do it, so you are doing fine.

I would encourage you to read this entire website, it will answer all your questions:

Tracy's FAQ

BTW, the nurse practitioner I referred to in the above post is in the US. Arizona, matter of fact.

Beth,

Sorry to hear how rough it has been, Avoid all white foods (white rice, white bread and potatoes) remeber to consume 60 to 80 grams of protein per day eat your meals in following order meats then veggies then whatever else. stop when satisfied not full. do not drink 1/2 hour prior or after a meal. no fiberous foods or uncooked veggies and no corn if I remember more I will let u know. God Bless

Aw, it would be too easy to ream you out. Let's start from today.

Think about this fill being your first day of banding. Who knows...they may find a leak and need to fill your band with Omnipak ands that may take care of it. Or they may find apouch dilation and correct it with some days of liquids or even-paradoxically-a slight unfill. Whatever they find....That's your first day. Throw out everything you've experienced before. You really were just in bandster hell for a horribly long period of time waiting for restriction, so you're now starting from scratch. Start now preparing to hit the ground running.

Poof! You're a newbie. You have the advantage of being a wise newbie because of your past. Just give yourself a fresh start now.

Go study your bandster rules for eating and exercise and start fresh