Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

I was wondering how many fills have each of you had. I have had close to 20 fills and unfills. Since Jan. I have just kept putting off getting ufills even though I have had 3. Sick of paying the $250 each time and it is never right. Now I have gained 10 pounds cause I was only keeping down ice cream. I am really disappointed with the band. So far I have spent about $11,000 and still owe $6,000. I just feel that I will never get it right and I will never get over this stupid eating disorder. I can't understand why they can't get my band right!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had 9 fills and 2 unfills. I am scheduled for a fill next week. I am so sorry you have had so many problems. The band is only a tool that helps. You have to change eating habits for success. You might benefit from going to weight watchers or get a nutritionist to help with your eating. I too, have not mastered good eating habits. I eat less, but i still eat slider foods.

Butterflies--WTG!!! add my 60 to 349 and that is 409!!! And just think, there is time left.....Have an amazing Monday.

They pulled out all the thicker stuff this time and now I have I think 4 ccs. I have been too tight since Dec. Have gone in then they pull too much out then they put some more in then too tight so I have been too tight since Feb. completely. I am back to eating like crap. I don't have the tool that will help me when I eat so that I am full and then I won't want to eat other things.

I appreciate your response. Haven't been threading cause mine is not working and it is depressing and soooo fustrating!

They pulled out all the thicker stuff this time and now I have I think 4 ccs. I have been too tight since Dec. Have gone in then they pull too much out then they put some more in then too tight so I have been too tight since Feb. completely. I am back to eating like crap. I don't have the tool that will help me when I eat so that I am full and then I won't want to eat other things.

I appreciate your response. Haven't been threading cause mine is not working and it is depressing and soooo fustrating!

I am so sorry that you are going through this, and I know it must get very expensive. I would say call the surgeon's office for an appointment. When you go in, have them only take out 1cc, with the understanding that you expect them to see you in a week (without paying again) to either take a little more out or put a tiny amount (.5ccs) back in to try to get it right. They can see your history of getting filled and unfilled and if you aren't satisfied and successful, you won't recommend them to anyone. It is in their best interest to have this band work for you. And in my opinion, it is their fault it isn't working, because they are taking out and putting in too much at a time. It won't hurt to give this a try, and getting some out will only help. Even if you can eat more, at least it will be more of something that is healthy instead of soft "junk food".

I have only had 5 fills and only 1/2 cc at the most each time. How much are they giving you at a time? I had 2cc put in when I first had my band installed, so I still have less than 5cc. Do they make you drink water before you leave to make sure you can keep it down? I sure hope they can solve your problem. I will pray for you. Good luck!

Thank you! They took out all the thicker stuff that was at 8 cc and then put in 4 cc of the saline. They should have left the thick stuff in and took out 1 cc, right?

Tonight is two nights in a row I did not eat icecream. I didn't even eat it for lunch. I know that is not a big deal but it is a start.

I wonder if I should tell them to put in the thicker stuff but to have 1 cc less put back in. I have an early morning appointment and I wish I could give you my cell number so you could text me what you thought. I will look early in the morning before my 8:30 am Central time appt.

Thanks for the advice, I wish I thought of them just taking out 1 or just a 1/2 cc. They always took out 2cc or put in as much as 4 cc's at a time.

It sounds like you stomach is sensitive to fills, like mine is. Try to come to an agreement with them regarding the price. Either get them to reduce what you pay, or let you come in during the 4 weeks after the fill/unfill without paying more until it is correct (better alternative). You will probably need small fills from now on to make sure it doesn't happen again. And yes, sometimes it only takes a small unfill to help, but I would probably want at least 1cc taken out, since you have been tight for a long time. Take it easy, and at the end of a week, see if you are able to eat hard protein like chicken or ground beef again. If you can't, get another cc out. Please let me know how it goes today.

for me :3 fills and 1 unfill but am ready for another and right now I'm at 5.2 in a 10cc band. But please try to remember It doesn't matter how many fills and unfills you get or rather your tight enough or not if your putting the wrong foods in your mouth.

Edited June 23, 200917 yr by kimaly

Kimaly, I have 5.2cc right now. I had and unfill in April and go next Monday for a fill. Boy, do I need one. I can eat just about anything. I haven't gained, but I am close to going off track.

Joiful, I hope you find a sweet spot. Sounds like you are getting some sound advice from the other butterflies. I had to get an unfill because I had pb'd so much the tissue was swollen around the band. Just remember to eat slow and eat small bites. Chew! chew! chew!

I was trying to eat healthy until I was just throwing up everything even crab meat. I was eating soups and chocolate malt o meal then I switched to icecream when it got hot. At the beginning I was watching what I was putting in my mouth and then it happened. Mostly eating the icecream to get something to eat.

I gained 1 1/2 pounds this week. I didn't eat ice cream for 2 days and watched what I eat. If I do it again today it will be 3 days in a row. I hear over and over take it 1 day at a time. I concentrate on that. I am sleeping a lot so I don't think of food or eat it. I tell myself that it is okay to sleep give myself a break and try to get ahold of this stupid eating disorder that I can't shake. I have accomplished so much in my life but I can't seem to be able to control this!

This morning we waited for 1 hour and 40 minutes while they was sorting out our bill so I could get a fill. Surgical Weight Loss Center has owed me $150 since last July and have never given my money back. Now they applied to Novembers bill that the insurance is paying for. Pissed me off waiting that long and they lied to my face saying that the bill paying had nothing to do with me waiting. Then I asked front desk and they told me it did. Well anyway, he put in 3 ccs and told me I may need another band. He is full of s@@t!!!! He was telling me he couldn't get it tight enough andI needed to do something!!!! Earlier when I was in my room waiting for him I could hear him "SELL" a Lap band to a lady during a consultation. I knew he was trying to sell me when he was saying I needed another band. I had a funny feeling when I was in there last July that they were not on the up and up and just wanted my money. But I kept going back cause I liked him. Stupid me. They just wanted my money and that is why they were jumping all over the place during fills and unfills. I never had a small amount of a fill or unfill it was always huge like 4 ccs and more. I have made an appointment with some one esle but the first avaiable is NOVEMEBER 5th!!!!!!!

Is anyone on fb? I love fb and would love if any one would be my friend. You can look under Teeth Whitening Studio then I will give you my name when asked to be a friend. It is more personal than this but I still like this site.

Charlene sorry to hear about your husband. What is the update?

Also if you don't lose the 50-100 in the first year does that mean you probably won't lose much more? Now I am freaking out!! I still have about 25 lbs to go before I am considered at a decent BMI would be 25. I did only have about 14 pounds. I will weigh myself tomorrow.

Orea you look GREAT!!!!!!!!

Kimaly, I have 5.2cc right now. I had and unfill in April and go next Monday for a fill. Boy, do I need one. I can eat just about anything.

great, let me know how it goes. And maybe I can stop chickening out. Do you get yours under fluro? Mine are blind and it's really hard for me to tell when the water is slowing down the right amount or when I'm gonna be to tight.

I was trying to eat healthy until I was just throwing up everything even crab meat. I was eating soups and chocolate malt o meal then I switched to icecream when it got hot. At the beginning I was watching what I was putting in my mouth and then it happened. Mostly eating the icecream to get something to eat.

I gained 1 1/2 pounds this week. I didn't eat ice cream for 2 days and watched what I eat. If I do it again today it will be 3 days in a row. I hear over and over take it 1 day at a time. I concentrate on that. I am sleeping a lot so I don't think of food or eat it. I tell myself that it is okay to sleep give myself a break and try to get ahold of this stupid eating disorder that I can't shake. I have accomplished so much in my life but I can't seem to be able to control this!

This morning we waited for 1 hour and 40 minutes while they was sorting out our bill so I could get a fill. Surgical Weight Loss Center has owed me $150 since last July and have never given my money back. Now they applied to Novembers bill that the insurance is paying for. Pissed me off waiting that long and they lied to my face saying that the bill paying had nothing to do with me waiting. Then I asked front desk and they told me it did. Well anyway, he put in 3 ccs and told me I may need another band. He is full of s@@t!!!! He was telling me he couldn't get it tight enough andI needed to do something!!!! Earlier when I was in my room waiting for him I could hear him "SELL" a Lap band to a lady during a consultation. I knew he was trying to sell me when he was saying I needed another band. I had a funny feeling when I was in there last July that they were not on the up and up and just wanted my money. But I kept going back cause I liked him. Stupid me. They just wanted my money and that is why they were jumping all over the place during fills and unfills. I never had a small amount of a fill or unfill it was always huge like 4 ccs and more. I have made an appointment with some one esle but the first avaiable is NOVEMEBER 5th!!!!!!!

Is anyone on fb? I love fb and would love if any one would be my friend. You can look under Teeth Whitening Studio then I will give you my name when asked to be a friend. It is more personal than this but I still like this site.

Joiful, You are pbing everything but soft foods, and he gave you a 3cc fill!!!!! I don't get it. Does he realize you can't keep food down?! I am REALLY confused.

Joiful, You are pbing everything but soft foods, and he gave you a 3cc fill!!!!! I don't get it. Does he realize you can't keep food down?! I am REALLY confused.

Me too! Confused I mean. I never heard of putting 3cc at one fill. I think you better change fill clinics. The most I ever had put in was .5cc and some of that had to be taken out.

Joiful, what is your total weight loss since banding?

My first fill was 6wks after surgery and I got 3.8, My other 2 were smaller. And Joyful, not everyone is going to lose 50 to 100lbs. My Doc told me 50% of your excess weight in the first year is normal. So it will depend on how much excess weight each person would have. For instance I weighed a lot more then you did when we started so I should lose a little more then you lbs wise but it should work out about the same % wise.