I am almost 9 weeks post-op and have not yet had my first fill! The doctor who did my surgery moved out of state. The new doctor who came to take his place has not yet received his license to practice in our state and I have had 2 appointments cancelled already.

I had lost 27 pounds before my first-fill appointment, but now I am hungry all the time and have gained 2 pounds back. I don't know what to do! Does anyone have any ideas or words of encouragement? I am extremely frustrated!!!!!

Do you live near a Fill Center USA?

There may also be other docs in your area who take orphaned lap band patients. It's hard to give more specific advise without knowing where you live.

OMG that's not cool... Can your insurance refer you to another doctor in another city? if

Hang in there! Maybe you could find a Fill Center through this site. Just enter your zip code:

www.fillcentersusa.com

Hope this helps.

Yeah call another lap band doc no biggie

My surgery date is Tuesday, Aug. 12. I am nervous, which I know is normal. It seems like all I've been reading lately is disappointments, negative issues, etc. I would like to find a place where I can read up on the patients who have had their Lapbands and are expressing the positives. In other words, is the Band really the wonderful thing it is supposed to be? Please guide me to those types of good responses. Thanks.

I can tell you a positive story! I was banded on July 10 and it's been a wonderful experience. The sugery was easy, recovery was easy (some bad gas pains, but nothing unbearable) and I've survived a death in the family and vacation without doing my usual....blowing a diet because I just couldn't stick with it under those circumstances. I did gain 3 pounds on vacation because it was week three after surgery, before a fill and I could eat about anything I wanted. Eventhough it was smaller portions, I was eating foods high in calories. Thank goodness I lost it quickly once back home. I had my first fill last Thursday and have lost 3 more pounds. I have read that a lot of people don't feel much difference after their first fill, but I sure can. I'm not able to eat near what I could before the fill.

For all of you about to have surgery....be excited! I kind of think it is what you make it! My doctor warned me that if you just start eating like you did before, only in smaller portions, you won't lose much (why the majority of people only lose 40% of thier excess weight). I use a site called The Daily Plate to count my calories and I'm exercising every day. I do Water aerobics twice a week and walk 30 minutes on my treadmill every day that I'm not swimming. Like my doctor told me in the beginning...this is NOT a quick fix. You still have to eat healthy, low calorie foods and exercise to lose weight.

sugar free popsicles are my lifesaver! My doctor said no snacking between meals, but popsicles count as liquid so aren't considered snacking. I eat two or three a day.

Best of luck to you all.....I hope your surgery goes well.

Edited August 11, 200817 yr by tmcd59

I know this has to be frustrating....I had to wait for two months to get my fill because my port incision refused to heal...hang in there I did finally get mine and now think I need more...I feel very restricted in the a.m. but by p.m. can eat most anything and I hate that.

Hi,

It should be much easier getting a fill Dr. when surgery was done here in the states. Mexico is another story, they are much more pickyyyyyyyy!

Check some of the Barix clinics in your area. The Dr. I use works for Barix and he is great. Also less expensive that Fill Centers of America. I would think most lap band Dr. would take you on since you have had American surgery done. Just pick up the phone and keep dialing till someone says yes. It wont we as hard as you think it will. These guys want to make money and we are the income stream.:thumbup: