Hi all, I posted this in the Hampton Roads board also:

Hi everyone! I'm glad I found this board. I am also a patient of Dr. Terracina, I was banded December 11, 2007 and have lost 71 lbs. so far. I still have a long journey ahead of me, my goal is to lose 150 lbs and this is the goal Dr. T set for me. I started at 315 lbs and can't believe how great I feel already.

I have a couple questions if you don't mind. I went to see Dr. T back in April for my third fill which was the first time I ever really felt true restriction. I was so tight, I almost went back to get unfilled but hung in there and since I wasn't having any trouble, figured it was fine. Dr. T told me in April that I should be good to go for a while and that I should decide when and if I needed my next fill. So, fast forward to August. I waited a little too long for a fill but life got in the way (work, vacation, etc.) so I was ready. When I saw him in August, he was a little upset with me and said for the first year, I should be coming ever 6 weeks regardless of needing a fill or not. I'm so confused....:huh2:Trust me, I'd go see him every week if I could. He's great and the support is much needed.

My question is, if I don't need a fill, do I make an appointment to see him at his office every 6 weeks or do I schedule the fill and let him decide once I get there if I need it or not? Did you all get the same instructions? He indicated that I had only lost 14 lbs from April to August and I should be a little farther ahead than that. I agree, I have made some mistakes and I can't believe how hard its been to get back on track after a summer of not so great choices. I'm just glad that I didn't gain at this point.

Thanks for any insight you can offer. I hope to offer some support to anyone new to Dr. T's group. He's great, and the Lap Band was the smartest decision I've ever made!!

Sue

I just went to my first seminar with Dr. T and I am looking at getting banded in January. I would love your support. This is all new to me and we all fall off the wagon just get started again before it gets out of hand. Keep in touch with your progress...Good Luck

Sue, that first year is part of the plan, you're slighting yourself if you don't take advantage of those visits.

I was Dr. T's first lapband patient ...big smile here . My last fill was May 07, so I'm a little past due myself and need to go for a tweaking as Dr. T calls it. He knows I hate to be over tight and since he does everything with flouro now, I don't want to be too tight.

My first year all the visits and fills were in his office. I've only had two fills under flouro, one at Sentara Careplex and one at Port Warwick. I'm sure I'll get a lecture when I go back. I'm more concerned my band is still in place and working well, I haven't had any band related episodes in a few days, maybe I need to try to eat a Big Mac...just kidding about the Big Mac.

I'm very happy he only does fills under flouro now, he missed my port with my first fill.

JimmieLou, I know you must be very excited.

I thought I had decided to get the lap band done. I went to the seminar, got my appointments for my PCM, Pscyh eval, and getting ready to get nutriention eval done as well. I have been talking to people but the only people I know are people who had the RNY done so all they can give me is their experience with the RNY so now I am undecided about which direction I should go. I know the Lap Band is less complication from a surgical stand point but I have been reading a lot about rebanding, slippages, and erosions. So I am even more confused than I was before I started doing my research. Can someone please give some insite on their experiences or on anyone that they know good or bad?? Thanks for all your help.

Keam, I have no regrets, I've had my band for four years.

Personally, I think you'd be making a great decision with Dr. Terracina. I don't know what info you need, if you have particular questions, please PM me or post them here.

Good Luck

I wanted to know how often did you have to follow up? How many fills did you get? Did you have any problems at all since you surgery? How much weight did you lose? How long did it take you to lose the wieght? Have you been able to maintain your weight loss? Sorry for all the questions I am just very interested. What is PM? I am new to this blogging thing. Thanks so much for all your help .

K, I sent you a PM, personal message, it should pop up when you log onto LBT...aka LapBandTalk.

Here's an old picture, right around my 6 months point.

You're welcome :frown:.

Thank yo so much for the information and by the way you look great. I am so hoping and praying I can get this weight off and most important maintain it.

Dr. Terracina did your surgery as well I am correct?? I have all my pre-op appts. set up so hopefully everything will go soomthly and Tricare will approve me in a timely manner.

Yes, Dr. T did my surgery. He was the first with that group to do lapband, then about 1-2 years later, Dr. Clark started doing them. I know several people that Dr Clark performed the surgery, as well as several done by Dr. T.

You'll be in good hands with either....tell Dr. T, his first lapband patient sent you :smile2:.

Thank you so much since talking with you I have met 2 others who have been banded by Dr. T and it is by the grace of God because I prayed and asked for guidence. Thanks for the information and I will keep you in posted on my journey towards being banded.