Hi Crazy Ates!!

On 11/29 I finally went in for my first fill since being rebanded in August.

I was nervous going in because this involved a fluoro test and after so many months of being unbanded and then having no fill, my eating habits are definitely not what they should be. A part of my mind was worried that the new band might already have been compromised by my mindless hand-to-mouth, or that I may have lost so much sensation in the band/pouch area that even restriction won't help (and could hurt).

The good news is that it's fine. Whew! Dr. Bertha did his familiar trick of tightening the band all the way and having me drink Water, and I was relieved to be able to feel the water just sitting there. The not-so-good news is that my esophagus is definitely not working as well as it should be, and when I drank barium it was actually sitting above the gastro-esophageal sphincter before heading down into the pouch. Then the band itself added only a little additional restriction. He gave me 4.5 ccs in my APL band (which holds 15 ccs altogether), reluctant to make it tighter until we see if this gets any better over time.

I go forward now knowing that I have a situation that needs to be managed. I CAN eat too much, but if I do I think I run the risk of further compromising my system. It will be up to me to remember that I have to eat like a bird, since the effects of the band are just not the same when you've had one for so long.

Dr. B was very encouraging, and reassured me that this isn't a medical condition that needs to be treated, and I don't need to be alarmed. It's just another facet of my medical treatment.

Two days out, though, I am VERY happy to say that the effect I missed most is back. I definitely notice a dampening of the hunger that has always prompted me to seek food. And THAT'S what it's all about. :biggrin1: These months of unbandedness, though, proved to me that my brain-mouth connection is as flawed as it ever was. Nope, they definitely don't operate on our heads.

Hi Alexandra,

Glad to hear that everything went so well -- Congratulations :clap2::clap2::clap2:!

Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge

1 /18 Days of Exercise

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Good report, Alexandra. Glad things are going well.

Hi Alexandra,

I was done on 11/29 by Dr Bertha as well. It was a bit scary. He put 4cc in my 14cc band. I desperately needed this as well. By the way, support group misses you!!!