...how are you doing?

Maybe we should introduce ourselves to one another...I'll start:

My name is Trish and I was banded on December 17th in New York. I'm on mushies until next Monday, when I'll be starting Phase I of working in soft solids. As of yesterday, I am down 20 pounds from my surgery weight (32 pounds from my highest). My husband and I go to the gym in our apartment complex every day and walk for a half an hour. I can't wait to be able to vary my exercise regime more, but that will come in a couple of weeks.

I hope everyone is doing really well! Please give an update of your progress!

What do you think of the nutritionist that we have to see in the office?

I don't have much of an impression of Sheryl yet. I like her better than the person I originally saw for the pre-op requirements (not affiliated with Brathwaite/Kaczmarski). She seemed nice enough, a little preoccupied, but that could have been due to the state of disarray in the office. How did your meeting with her go?

Hi,

I am Melinda from SF, and I was banded on 12/17/07. I have lost 40lbs total (16 lbs were lost before the surgery). I got the AP band; I can still eat. I would like to know if anyone else got this new band, and how they are doing with it.

II was banded on the same day (12/17) and I've got the AP band too - so far so good. I had my first fill today and it was 3 cc's. liquid for today and soft food for 3 days. The fill was a strange experience, as I sat in the waiting room after sipping the Water and waiting my 30 minutes, I had a vague feeling of nausea. Like I wouldnt have been shocked if I did throw up, but didnt completely feel like I needed to. Never did, and the feeling went away, along with a moment of dizziness, not sure where that came from. No problem with liquids today, we'll see how the soft food goes tomorrow.

Tina

I don't have much of an impression of Sheryl yet. I like her better than the person I originally saw for the pre-op requirements (not affiliated with Brathwaite/Kaczmarski). She seemed nice enough, a little preoccupied, but that could have been due to the state of disarray in the office. How did your meeting with her go?

________________________

I thought Sheryl was good. Ten times better than the guy I saw in prep for the surgery. It just suprised me when I met her. I was finished with the doctor and all of a sudden they called me back from the waiting room and told me I was going to meet with her. So I sat with her and she was fine. Then she asked for $25 in cash and basically told me that I will meet with her each month and it is going to be $25 (which isn't a big deal but I really like to have insurance pay for things since my office -- which I own -- pays $20,000 a year for health insurance for me). I think I would have liked to have been told what the regimine was going to be after surgery. But, I think it will be good to meet with her. I wonder if there are going to be any other surprises.

I was at my gym Wednesday night as well.

TMarie:

Is there any pain at all with the fill? Having my first next week.

A-band-on-me,

I'll be getting all my fills from a lady and her "assistant" that does only fills all day long, and uses the flouroscopy machine, so I was glad to know she's experienced! It's a True Results surgery center. It was so quick, they're like a well oiled machine, and it only lasted maybe 60 seconds, and I may be way over estimating it. It didnt hurt, it was more odd and slightly uncomfortable, but no real pain at all.

I hope your fill goes the same as mine did! Best of luck, and don't be worried about it. I was worried, and found there was no reason to be! I did have some slight soreness around the shot area for that day, but that could have been my jeans rubbing against the area!

Tina

What is the difference between the APS and the Realize band?

Hi My name is Betty and I had the band done on 12/17/07 by Dr. Tillquest in Denver CO. Came home on the 18th. Couldn't keep ice chips down. I would foam at the mouth after sucking on a chip. Went back to the ER that night. Poor care given ended up with Bacterial pneumonia from the foam that went back into my lungs. Spent a week in the hospital. The doctor said my body rejected the band but after a week of no food or water I could do the ice chips. So I was off to a new start. I am now eating soft food. I get my first fill on fri. 1/25/08. I think life will become more interesting then. lol... I will start water walking next week. That is the only exerice I can do. I am feeling great lost 23 lbs.

Betty

Hey all, I was banded on the 19th of december, I am due in for my fill this wednesday the 23rd.

I am really happy with my dr he seems pretty agressive about fills. I am nervious about it I am getting it done under fluro. but I dont really know what all that intales. I hope I dont have to drink that chalky stuff. ick OR WORSE THE BUBBLES

but

Hey Cerrin,

Looks like you are making good progress. Please let me know how your fill goes. I get mine on fri. Don't really know what to expect. I think my fill might have to been done slow since my body rejected the band. My doctor said that only 3 people have rejected the band and I was the 3rd. Lucky me. So let me know how it goes and keep up the good work.

Betty

I just had my first fill last friday, I didn't have the fluro though , nurse just numbed me up and dr. came in and did the fill all over in about 7 mins. after the numbing stuff wore off it was kind of sore for about 36 hrs but nothing I couldn't live with ,no restrictions as of yet which i was hoping for getting hungry about every 3 hrs now. Don't be scared it will be fine.

I just had my first fill last friday, I didn't have the fluro though , nurse just numbed me up and dr. came in and did the fill all over in about 7 mins. after the numbing stuff wore off it was kind of sore for about 36 hrs but nothing I couldn't live with ,no restrictions as of yet which i was hoping for getting hungry about every 3 hrs now. Don't be scared it will be fine.

Thanks for letting us know how your fill went. I'm glad that your first experience wasn't unpleasant!

Thanks for the info. Hope mine goes as well. I am going to ask the dr. not to make mine too tight. I am afraid since my body rejected the band for the first week. It might just reject the tightening of it. Will let you know how I make out.

So can you feel tight? like all the time or just when eatting? Can you drink normal? I think the not knowing is what is freaking me out. I am getting it done. But I may have to have a Xanex before lol. not within 3 hours of it. so I may just have to time it well. lol

I don't get a fill until February 28th! I'm a little upset that I have to wait so long. I find that staying full has been getting tougher everyday...but I shall persevere! It's just frustrating because I'm not a patient person and I want this weight gone like yesterday!

Trixie I'm gonna be right there with you. Had my check up today...doctor approved me for a fill...but his nurse is a moron. I have to wait for her to do all the paperwork...and she takes FOREVER! Once that is complete she wil call me for a fill...right now they are booked up till the second week in Feb...so by the time she calls (I will say at least 2 weeks) I won't be scheduled till the end of February.

I have come up with a requirement for any future surgeons that I may have...I will not use them unless they (and their nurse) have had the surgery themselves! haha...this way they know what it feels like an how frustrating it is!