Hey all!

I haven't been on here in a lonnggg time. I guess I've been trying to avoid even thinking about my band.

So far, it's really been a huge disappointment for me.

I've had 4 fills already. My fourth fill was the only fill that every worked- it worked for about 2 weeks and I lost 10 lbs, but then it stopped.

I've decided to take matters into my own hands. I'm drinking slim fast for Breakfast and lunch, and eating Lean Cuisine for dinner. I also run 4 miles 5 times a week. I'm really pushing myself, but its resulted in much more weight loss in one month than this band has done for me in 4 months.

I think a lot of the problem has to do with my Dr... I've been extremely disappointed with him. I don't want to go into details, but I was actually hospitalized a few hours after my last fill due to my doctor filling me too tight just to "prove a point".

It was the worst experience I've ever had- I was in so much pain I literally thought I was going to die. I must have vomited a bucket full of saliva throughout that night.

The Dr. refused to stop by the hospital and unfill me that night... he made me wait until the next morning. When he finally chose to see me, He showed no remorse- instead he lectured me. In the end, we got stuck with a $2,000 hospital bill.

It's at the point where I'm really scared to go back to him for another fill even though I need one.

Sooo... there's my update.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Going back every two weeks for fills?! You've got to be kidding. I would never have been banded if that had been the deal.

I am so glad I went to Dr Ortiz in Mexico. Other than being in Mexico (which I will admit can have its disadvatages, although I experienced none) the whole experience was less hassle than surgeries I've had in the US. I like that I can call & get a fill when *I* feel like I need one. It gives me the responsibility and control and I like it that way.

BTW, I have had NO fills and have lost 33# since banding 6/2. No, I'm not super restricted--but enough to remind me to stop eating and that's working fine for now. I think it's a mistake to depend on this thing. All that "it's a TOOL" stuff is for real. YOU are still in CONTROL.

NeeCee, that sounds pretty much like USA protocol. Did you go all the way up to 2cc's or did you mean .2cc's. Usually, in the US they will give you .5cc's to begin with & go up in .2cc increments.

Don't all jump on me if that's not been your experience; it was what I was told by Dory @ LIBariatrics. Also, FYI, she's the one who did aftercare for the celebrity from NY Mag, etc. Dateline is coming to next week's support group. They already filmed her port revision & major plastic surgery in TJ; I can't wait to go the support group. Sorry to veer so much off the topic, just wanted to tell you all where I heard the protocol info. I think a lot of it depends on whether they use fluoro or not. The do tend to be more conservative when it's not used.

Mandy-

I HAD THE SAME ISSUE!!!!

I'm constantly asking how much my band is filled to, and they REFUSE to tell me! They say it shouldn't matter to me... it makes me so mad!

If I want to know, then the should tell me! I paid $15,000... I have a right to have an answer to every question I have, regardless how "pointless" they think it is!

I've also heard that he is "wonderful". Don't get me wrong, at times he's been really nice to me... but I've just not been as happy as I should be.

I'm compairing my situation to my best friend who got her surgery done at Loyola... she was about 30 lbs heavier than me pre-surgery, and she lost over 100 lbs in a year... even WHILE SHE WAS PREGNANT!

I've told her everything I'm going through, and she's utterly baffled. She said she did NOTHING after her surgery.. she never watched what she ate, drank... never exercised... nothing.

It makes me wonder if I'm some kind of freak that will never lose weight, no matter how hard I try!

Chattropper and Mandy-

I had the same dr. and have had a very different experience-

I'm not negating anything you've been thru at all- I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience-

I've had one fill and a little extra fill- and now I feel restriction and am losing- slowly- but surely.

I know not everyone's experiences are the same- mine has been great.

I just felt like I should put this out there- I really hope things are getting better for you guys and wish you the very best.

Take Care of yourself.

I think it's more another Dr. at that office that I've been unhappy with more than the main Dr., with the exception of my over-fill situation. I don't want to call anyone out so I'd rather not bring up names. There is one particular person in that office that I really dislike. As far as the head Dr. goes, I don't doubt his skills at all. I've heard he's great at what he does and I wouldn't undermind that at all. I think I've just been really unhappy with the amount of support and information made available to me by the Doctors. Whenever I ask them a question, they really aren't too interested in answering it or explaining anything. THAT really bothers me. Part of a doctors job is consulting with their patients- esp. if those patients are paying them $15,000.

You have a right to a copy of your records. Your primary physican can request them if you don't want to.

Teresa,

What a blast from the past, not you but your location. I grew up in elementary school in greenbriar, then chantilly. In junior high we moved to Vienna. I lived at Fair Oaks Mall and Tysons Corner. Funny-LOL. Memories.