goldilocks

its been 14 months since I had the surgery and I have had 2 fills and can't lose weight. I go up and down but am 12 pounds up since I started. I really think I wasted my money . The band doesn't do what I was led to believe. I thought I would feel more full so wouldn't be eating as much and the weight would slowly come off. I can lose weight if I starve and do a 500 calorie diet but I wanted to eat a more normal healthy diet. I think I will just go to weight watchers or something. totally disenchanted with this method. My Fill Dr told me that the success rate for the band was very low and now I agree with him. That was never found in any of the materials for the surgery tho. Good luck to all of you working at it tho. Of course you did that before the surgery right ?

I had a fill with Dr Ricciardi and he is great . you will really like him.

I too am frustrated. I had the band surgery in Sept 11 and had lost about 23 pounds then put 2 back on at holidays. Problem is I lost 10 pounds before surgery and 6 during the after phase with liquids and now a total of 4 after 3 months. I had one fill and it really didn't restrict me much at all but my fear is of being too restricted. I am afraid I will tend to over eat all the time and be miserable or PBing. I just want to lose the weight but I can eat alot still and go up and down and up and down. I am so tired of dieting. I am using a calorie counter and trying to stay at 1200 calories but its so hard. I try to eat well but at night I go crazy and just eat and eat and tend to go over my 1200 cal, by 100 or more. while I am much more conscious its just so hard and seems fruitless a lot of the time. I really thought the weight would be easier to get off with the band but its not I still have to diet like crazy to lose a pound. I was doing that before I got the band. its really hard to change old habits and your mind set. I hope after awhile it will come more naturally.

Dr Ricciardi says he tries not to use fluro unless its neccessary to prevent over radiation. I am okay with that and the fill he did for me went well. If you are in Vegas I would try him first . Birgit. I downloaded that app you told me about and love it." My fitnesspal" Already used it today. really helps. Thanks a bunch

Down 3 pounds this morning finally after my fill on Friday. Yeah !!!! We are on the road again.

Lvbirgit I private mailed you

I went to Dr Ricciardi yesterday and he was great . I posted on another thread about my experieince. Was very happy with him.

Its been 6 weeks and I got my first fill yesterday in Vegas and was very pleased with the results. The Dr put 4cc's in . He said to eat liquids over the weekend so the I don't agitate the band . Wasn't excited about that but doing okay. He said to check back in about 4 to 6 weeks and we will see how I am doing . I notice a fuller feeling when eating which is what I wanted but not so extreme I am miserable. I haven't lost any weight since I started eating normal food after the liquid diet so now I am hoping to start that process again of losing a couple of pounds a week. I am keeping a food journal as well. feeling good !

I am going to Vegas for one on the 21st

I know you aren't suppose to drink with meals but I have always had a dry throat and have to have a sip sometimes just to swallow anything. I do chew better now but once in awhile forget and take too large a bite and have to get a sip of water to moisten it so it will go down. I am 5 weeks post op and have never had anything get completely stuck yet or come back up. Will be getting a fill next week hopefully and will see if that changes anything. I am really afraid of geting it too tight and being miserable but am not losing weight since I started eating real food the last 2 weeks. I have stayed the same.

I emailed this Dr in Vegas and this was the reply to my question, I have since asked some more follow up questions and am waiting a reply. "Yes 6-8 weeks is an appropriate time to consider having your first adjustment. New patient visits including adjustments are $299 and follow-up appointments with adjustments are $175. Follow-up appointments without adjustments are $75. Our office is closed today but we will re-open tomorrow. We hope to hear from you soon." Sincerely, Dominic L. Ricciardi, MD Board Certified, Internal Medicine Board Certified, Bariatric Medicine Creative Health Solutions 8285 W Arby Ave St 165 Las Vegas, NV 89113

Ho wmuch total weight have you lost ?

Hey Lvbirgit, There is a place listed on the fills usa board called Creative heath solutions Mind/ Body Bariatrics. Is that the Dr you are referring too in Vegas? Ph is 702-363-6005

Oh wow Lvbirgit, thats alot of money. I am only 2 hours from Vegas so was hoping to find a fill center there as its a long drive to the OCC and my hubby won't fly . Anyone else in Vegas who knows a good Dr. for fills ? or a nurse practioner I heard can do it if qualified. I really think I need it done too as I seem to eat more then I thought I could or should. I am trying to keep track tho . I have lost 18 lbs since before and afer the surgery. Its very slow and I have been up and down a pound or 2 a couple of times so its not a miracle cure you really have to take charge but I was hoping to feel more full so I would eat less and thus lose the weight. I don't like to be uncomfortably full so that is why I felt the fullness feeling would work for me. I really struggle with night munching so am trying to work on that. Does anyone take the fiber pill for cravings?

I am the same way , no restriction and OCC paper work says 6 to 8 weeks after band for first fill. I think I will need one by then as well.