I was banded by Dr. Simpson on April 21, 2009 and so far so good!

The office staff is super nice and Dr. Simpson is a pro at what he does.

I will get my first fill hopefully on June 2nd and cannot wait!

Anyone else out there banded by Dr. Simpson?

Chris

I was banded by Dr Simpson on 5/12 - he did a great job and I should get my first fill on 6/18.

That is super! Do you go to the support group? I haven't gone since I live far away but was thinking about checking it out.

Chris

I have not gone as I live in goodyear, but was thinking og going to tommorows meeting.

Charms,

I was also banded by Dr. Simpson on 5/12! I may have seen you there. I haven't been to the support groups yet, because I live in Yuma, however I'd like to try going to one soon.

How is everything going since your surgery? I've been feeling pretty good, and I'm doing well with the prescribed eating. I'm excited to get my first fill though.

Lisa

Hi Lisa!

What time was your surgery on the 12th? Did he let you go home that day? I was the lucky one who had to stay the night.

I have a friend who lives in Yuma - retired marine.

I feel pretty good, not loosing any weight, but feel almost like normal. When is your first fill supposed to be?

I go in again on the 18th of June - I hope to get a fill then.

My surgery was at 7:30a.m. on the 12th. I think I was the first one. I was so nervous! But it went pretty well. What caused you to have to stay the night?

My aunt lives in Phx, so I was able to leave- provided that I stayed at her house, not leaving the area for 24 hrs.

I lost 13 during the pre-op diet, and by my first post-op visit I had lost another 6. However, it's hard to say where I'm at now, based on my scale, because the scale at the doc's office is quite different.

I had initially asked to schedule my next appt. for June 19th, but then I read on his website somewhere that he prefers not to do fills on Fridays, in case there are any complications (ie. needing an unfill or something like that). SOOOOO-- I called back and scheduled it for the 18th (Thurs). because I really want to get my first fill at that time.

I'm not sure exactly how it works, like if he evaluates and then decides, but I hope to get the fill. I don't want to have to turn around and drive back to Phx a week or two later. It's not easy for me to get off work. I"m burning up a lot of my leave time.

Also, I really feel like I'm having to try much harder lately to not eat more than I'm supposed to. Right after surgery it was easier, but I suppose that's due to some pain, plus maybe swelling in the stomach.

I know I'll always have to make wise food choices/portion control, but I think it's just time for a fill.

What kinds of things are you eating?

I've been having cottage cheese or oatmeal in the mornings, and usually vegetarian refried Beans w/salsa, or really soft chicken for lunch/dinner.

I know this is long- but one more thing-- did you end up going to any support group meetings? I haven't yet, but I might try to go on the 18th if they are having one.

Lisa

Mariposa2009,

Did you get your fill today? How'd it go? I'm hoping to get my first fill at my next appt. w/Dr. Simpson on June 18th.

Lisa

Lisa,

I have been eating mostly ground meats - chicken, beef, and pork.

What time is your appt on the 18th? Mine is on the 18th also, I think sometime about 1030 or so.

I didnt make it to the support group....it is just so late in the evening, by the time I get home, my daughter would have already been put in bed to sleep. I like spending the evenings with her - she is just over 9 mths old now. Every minute is a precious minute.

I don't know why he kept me over night, could be that he was being overly cautious with my diabetes or something. Who knows, but they billed my insurance $26K for my over night stay - can you believe that?

I am hoping that he does give me a fill on the 18th - I have not lost another lb since my f/u visit on the 21st.

Maybe we'll run into each other on the 18th.

My appt. is at 2:30pm. I made it for late in the day so I could go to work from 6:30-10:30, then leave for Phx. It's about a 3 or 3 1/2 hr drive for me. But it's funny we have the same schedule so far. Maybe we'll meet at a support group or another appointment. How far is the drive for you?

Did he mention anything about the fill at your post-op appt? I didn't ask him, though I wish I would have.

I'm pretty sure he'll give you a fill. We'll both be 5 1/2 weeks out. That's about the right timing for a fill according to things I've read.

I also noticed on one packet (from the nutritionist) it mentioned that if you haven't lost any weight for 2 weeks, schedule your next fill. Do you think your scale might be different from his?

You'll be losing in no time- don't worry! Congrats on your little baby! I have a son, but he's 13. I sure miss the days when he was younger. . . it is a precious time.

I'm shocked at the amount they billed your insurance. Did that include the surgery or only the hospital stay? Did they do anything special while you were there? I left the hospital around 3pm I think (on the 12th). Unfortunately my insurance excludes any weight loss surgery, so I'm self pay. I financed the surgery.

Are you measuring foods? Do you know how long til your hungry again? The doc told me to pay attention to that. I have been measuring pretty well, but I get hungry about 2 hours after eating. I think he said it should be 3 or 4. I've been fighting the temptation to eat though. Hopefully I can start getting fills to keep me satisfied longer.

Lisa

I am hoping for a fill on 6/18 :redface:

When I hit the 2 hour mark, my stomach is growling - so I have to eat something.

I think with a fill, that growling will go away and I might start actually loosing some weight!

I live in Goodyear, you'll pass my house before you make it to your appointment!

We'll miss each other. Maybe next time we can do coffee before our appointments

Hi guys! I totally ditzed on my appointment...took the afternoon off work and when I got there I was told my appt was Thursday, not Tuesday! Sooo, I had to reschedule for Friday. But, now reading your posts, I am a little worried about going Friday for my first fill since it's the weekend and all!

I guess I can just keep the faith and go for it!

I did get to weigh in and I am down 23 lbs since surgery date. I was banded a few weeks before you both, so I know I have had a little more time to lose.

Hang in there! We all need to stick together so we can share the struggles and successes.

I have found that measuring my food and really PLANNING my meals has helped. The days that I come home from work and I haven't planned dinner, I totally eat the wrong foods and usually eat too fast.

I hear Dr. Simpson saying, "EAT SMALL PORTIONS SLOWLY" :redface:

I wish you all luck on the 18th when u get your fills...I will let you know how it goes on Friday!

So, we are really on opposite ends...Lisa, you are in Yuma, right? My hubby is a Marine...that's one place we haven't been stationed...yet! Christine, you are in Goodyear? It's been awhile since I have lived in the Valley, but I bet it has grown up alot out there...have u checked out that new wildlife park/zoo/aquarium out that way in Glendale somewhere? Are you near there? I am wanting to take my son (he's almost 3) out there...haven't had a chance yet!

Mariposa--

Well, I called the office and asked if he would do a fill on a Friday, and they said that he does sometimes. But I've used up lots of leave since pre-op and surgery and just couldn't chance it this time. I hope for your sake he'll do the fill for ya! He probably will! I'd love to be able to go on Friday's too, because I'm off on Fridays.

Let us know how your appointment goes. I'm excited for ya.

I agree with you about planning meals. If I don't plan, I tend to eat less healthy things.

Can you give me examples of some things you're eating? I think I worry too much about slips, so I'm always trying to make sure I have somewhat soft Protein, so I've been mostly having Beans, and I should probably have more chicken, meat, etc. It's confusing how they say "chicken that's dry" or this or that type of meat can get stuck. I"m afraid to venture out and try more foods!

Maybe I've just read too many horror stories! ha ha

Charms- yes, we can do coffee/tea sometime.

I know we'll all do great- I think Dr. Simpson is a really great dr.

Lisa

Hi Everyone, I was banded by Dr. Simpson on april 21st, stayed the night just because I chose to, I live in Buckeye. I'm really gonna try to make myself go to the next meeting, I think it will help and motivate. I have been emailing with a woman I met here and she's in Mesa, she went to the first meeting and said it was well worth it, Dr. Simpson was actually there. I didn't do a pre-op diet and it has taken me a while to change my habits so a week at my post op appt I had lost 7.5 pounds which I gained back a couple but after my fill on the first of June, it has helped a great deal! You see , he does a small fill when he does the surgery and when I drove myself to the post op appt the car ride was too long for me and I was in alot of pain so he did an unfill so I started eating more and more and pretty much anything, like a kid testing how much I could get away with, Well june 1st (everytime you go for an appt you have to fill out a questionaire) so he knows what's going on by reading that, he said i'm eating too fast. Of course I was also drinking, so i'm sure I was flushing the food down faster. Anyhow, now i'm doing good, and it seems i'm losing weight everyday.I get satisfied alot quiker. That is motivating. I have to weigh myself today but I have already lost what I had gained and I am certain it's going to keep going down! hang on and things will get better once you get your fills. The thing with me is when I got the fill then I went to work and after about an hour I started to get the discomfort like a sharp pain up my rib on left side and I just kept hoping it would go away cause it started to be too much I was glad I was almost done with work, I took a couple of motrin and a while after I got home it just went away so it lasted like four hours maybe. I have to call and ask Greg(receptionist) if that is normal. Greg said it took him 3 fills before he started to see results. O.k. Guys I will keep in touch! It's great to find people that were banded recently by my Doctor!

Edited June 6, 200917 yr by Vinca

Hi guys!

Welcome to the thread Vinca! We were banded on the same day! I was first thing in the morning...u too?

So, Friday went great at Dr. Simpson's office for my follow up, although I did not get a fill!

Dr. Simpson said that losing 23 lbs since April 21st is awesome and I don't seem to need a fill at all. He said 20% of people don't need fills right away. Guess I am in that group. He said that planning my meals is really helping me...so I am on the right track I guess! Although, since everything will go down easily...I really have to be careful of what I eat.

I am staying full for a few hours after I eat. The only times I am hungry are if I wait too long to eat...or I get "head hunger" where I am anxious, worried, or bored...and I stand in front of the fridge just looking to graze! That is dangerous for me!

Charms, I will list out some of the foods I am eating...but I am not having any problems yet with ANY foods. I just eat the portion size he gave us...if I go over that...I get a horrible cramp in my lower back!

grilled chicken with bbq sauce or little cheese or lemon

turkey burgers, wrapped in lettuce with mayo (light/olive oil kind) and ketchup

turkey sausage links (i don't like a lot of red meat)

couscous

any veggies, cold or hot (i buy those steamer packs of veggies...pop em in the microwave...yummy!)

egg salad

scrambled eggs

special k Protein Cereal

strawberries, any kind of fruit...all fresh...

string cheese

MRP (Meal Replacement program) shakes from hi-health

carnation no sugar added instant Breakfast drinks

Fiber wheat thins with hummus

sugar free pudding, sugar free Jello

no sugar added ice cream...blue bell is awesome...

I really eat small meals and focus on high protein and no sugars...the things I really don't eat at all...unless just a taste...

bread

Pasta

tortillas

chips (i will have the occasional veggie chips with salsa)

sweets, Cookies, cake, etc.

I say venture out and see what you can eat...as long as it is "healthy"! Just my 2 cents...

I go back in a month and if I am not steadily losing, I will get a fill then!

I have to incorporate exercise...I am going to join back to the gym on the 15th...Lifetime fitness in Tempe...they have childcare for my son!

Let me know how you guys are doing this weekend!

Blessings,

Chris

Hi Mari, yes I was in the morning like maybe by ten or ten thirty, I was supposed to be there at 8:00 checked in and then went in and did the bloodwork and IV, seemed to take forever but everyone was nice so it was fine. It was kinda wierd when I went into the room and theres men patients in there and the nurse tells you to get undressed , felt wierd. Anyway, I love the tea and the broth they give you. What room were you in? I was on the right hand like on the side of the nurse station, not the one right next to it but the second. I'm sure I looked horrid. I wasntdoing so good and he was not too happy cause he knew I was eating too much and too fast, so i got a fill and its so much better, i'm losing slowly everyday now and therefore I'm more motivated and eating better, that is what I was counting on and it is working. Ok well I will talk to you later. Take care.