I need someone to vent my concerns to and nned a little help get myself on track. Here is the scoop:

I was banded on April 1st and have since lost 68 pounds, which is great but I have yet to have a fill. At first I was freaked out about the fill and delayed it awhile, then when I decided to go ahead I lost lost my job and insurance (cannot afford the cobra coverage). Since then I have fallen off the wagon, eating things I know I should not be eating, not exercising, just really down in the dumps. Now, of course I cannot eat the way I used to but I am still screwing this up. I have no idea what it will cost for the fill to pay it out of my pocket.

Also, I am having some issues that concern me. I am having the BP's, they suck but no biggie, burping, hiccups all that, but I am having a lot of trouble swallowing. It seems like everything gets stuck. Is that normal? Also, am I supposed to be able to feel this band in there? Sometimes I can. It is not extremely painful or anything, just a soreness inside that makes me freakout like maybe the band is erroding or it has slipped or I've stretched that pouch out. I just don't know, anyone else with this issue?

And what should I do about the fill? I know that if I can get back on track and eat the way I am supposed to and exercise I will still be losing weight, even without the fill. Should I get back on track and wait or pull the money out of my savings and go ahead with it? I just don't know. Please just give me some advice here. Thanks! <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_42028-->

If it were me and had lost as much as you have already, I would use money from my savings to help keep me on track. You have a fantastic tool and you have come so far already. It just doesn´t seem worth it to let everything go and gain that weight back again.

Okay, when you say BP do you mean pb? In other words, is food getting stuck and coming back up?

If you're having that problem, you should wait on a fill until you learn to take very tiny bites and chew very well. I am talking chew it up until it's liquid in your mouth.

Nobody can talk you into getting your exercise done but yourself. Some people can get away without exercise in the beginning, but eventually, the weight loss stops and we all have to exercise.

Make a list of every reason you have and wanted to lose weight. Look at that list several times a day and force yourself to exercise. If you're hungry all the time, you do need that fill.

I'm being banded next week, so I can't help you on the other stuff, but I'd say get the fill (as long as you need it). If you already have some restriction now, then maybe 1 fill will take you a long way. As far as the money, I hear ya. My health coverage was going to cover my surgery, but then I lost my job too. Now I'm a self-pay. I found a local Dr. that will do my fills for $165 (w/out Fluoro). So, as much as that does suck, it is not too huge of an amount from your savings. Good luck!

First thing you need to do it pat yourself on the back. That is a great weight loss!!! Then you need to call around and see how much it is going to cost for fills somewhere. You are worrying about the cost without knowing what it is going to be. You have to take an active part in this before you can start worrying. What will worrying about it do for you anyways? Nothing, so stop worrying and do what you need to do for you!!!! Not having a fill is a great thing. If you are getting stuck without any fill, then you don't want a fill anyways. Also, I doubt you have stretched out your pouch without any fill. There is no pouch with fills. I would get your mind set back on why you did this for yourself in the first place, start exercising again, and see what happens. I went without a fill for three months and lost a huge amount of weight without one. Chin up and look to a thinner you!!!

Currently I am a little restricted. For whatever reason the surgeon did leave a small amount of fluid in the band during the surgery. I just feel like it is time to move forward. My surgeon charges $400 just for an office visit, I am assuming the fills would be that much or more. Being currently unemplyed that is a lot of money to take out of my savings for this.

Whoa, :ohmy: yeah find a new fill Dr.!!! $400 just for the visit is outrageous! What does he fill the band with-gold???

So the price of your surgery did not include even one fill? That stinks!