cindyterry

Awwww thanks Willi333! > Good luck to you also!!

Hello everyone!! I had my first fill on Saturday 4/5/08. I went to the local Fill Center and WOW!!! Everyone there was soooo sweet and professional. Darlene (the nurse practitioner) was so helpful and guided me through every step. We spent a lot of time talking about my "bandster hell" that I went through and she assured me that it was totally normal. During my fill she first put in 2cc's (I have a 4cc band) then I drank so barium and it went through no problem- so she said "that won't due" and she put in .5cc's more and then I drank more barium (yuk!!) and it went through like a small stream and she said "that's more like it". I have done quite well since. Small amounts of chicken broth Saturday and Sunday then some creamy chicken soup today for lunch and I feel VERY full!!! This is wonderful!!! Please, please, please let it stay this way!!!! She did tell me that by Thursday all (if any) swelling would be gone and I should be at the restriction level intended. So I'm thinking by that statement I may lose a little restriction- if I had any swelling- hopefully not, because seriously this is the 1st time I have felt fullness in at least 15 years. Thanks for everyone's support while I was going through "bandster hell". You guys pulled me through!!! And finally ONE-DERLAND HERE I AM!!!

HI Willi333: I actually have an appointment tomorrow morning at the fill center in Roswell for my first fill!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so ready and so excited!!!!! I had to pay $349 for the consult-(which they draft from your account 3 business days prior to your appt) then tomorrow when I get there I have to pay an additional $200 for fluoro, so the first visit is going to be very pricey, but I weighed my options to stay here and do it or fly back to TJ and either way it came out about the same. For the additional visits- fluoro drops to $120 and consults $185- so still a little pricey, but WELL WORTH IT!!!! Good luck and hope this helps.

Happy Monday Everyone!!! I feel a lot better today!!! Thanks for everyone's support while I was going through my pity party. I did try to move my fill appointment up a week, but the lady only comes to Ga. on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, so I have to wait, BUT I will be OK thanks to all of ya'lls support. Off to the gym, hope everyone had a great holiday!!! AGAIN THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!

HA HA Funny story!!! When I got to the Lucerna (it was Feb. so not very hot) I LOVE to sleep when it's very cold in the room. (Hello I live in GA- HOT HOT HOT and HUMID) So anyway I turned the thermostat to "cool and hi" I left and went to Starbucks (right across the street) came back and it was so HOT!!! I called the front desk and did the whole "Hello this is Cindy and my AC is broken, can you please send someone to fix it" in my sweet southern girl in distress voice. On the other end I hear "Oh Miss Cindy we do not have air conditioning in the hotel rooms" As I sweetly hung the phone up, I though HOLY COW I am glad that it is Feb and not JULY. This hotel is full of "fluffy" people and there's not any air conditoning!!!!! So just an FYI open the sliding door to your balcony and there is a wonderful breeze that comes in, I slept with it open and it was heaven. DO NOT TURN THE THERMOSTAT TO COOL AND THINK THAT IT WILL BE NICE A CHILLY WHEN YOU COME BACK!!! I wonder how many calls they get about that anyway!!! ha ha ha Good Luck to all future bandsters!!!!

Claire; I got a really cute Coach (black with silver hardware) on Revolution Ave. It is a few blocks from the hotel. One of the guys at the hotel got the cab for us ($5) and he told us which kind to take back to the hotel, so that we wouldn't be charged more (I can't remember the company, but they will let you know) EVERYONE on Revolution will have the deal for you!!! Remember bargain, bargain, bargain. I travel alot and know to not pay alot for the fake stuff. SO the guy started out at $225. I left and he followed me down the street for blocks until he gave it to me for $50. He told me it was in his special stash that the federalies couldn't see...... OK..... whatever. Good luck and happy shopping

Hey Kimmie; Well we all live and learn.... now ya' know. At least now when you think about pizza after surgery the thought will turn your stomach and you will not eat it... That's one hurdle (and 5 hundred thousand million calories) out of the way!!!

From what I understand the clinic is closed on Sunday's. Some patient's that were there when I had surgery had their pre-op done the same day as surgery.... That may be the plan for you... not sure though. I would either email Carolyn or Lori to find out, or give quick call to the office (they are open on Saturdays) and find out the plan... DON'T WORRY!!! BREATHE!!!! GOOD IN AND OUT!!!! ALL WILL GO WELL!!! Hope this helps.

mona-camille; Good luck and I will be thinking about you!!!! Let us know how you are doing when you get home.

Good morning everyone; Thanks for all of the replies!!! I have gotten some really good advice from all of you, and I'm going to put it to use this week. 1st of all I am going to get some lean cuisines and really watch calories and portions, only eat when I'm hungry (which means never staying at home, or I will graze), then TRY to stick to the 3 meal a day plan. Monday I am going to call the fill center and see if I can move my appointment up 1 week. I am so use to failing on diets.... I DO NOT WANT TO FAIL THE BAND!!!! I AM NOT GOING TO FAIL THE BAND- IT HAS TO WORK!!!!!! I feel like everyone (my co-workers, family and friends) are looking at me just waiting on me to fail, BECAUSE I always have. My family is very supportive, but I feel like the boy that cried wolf to many times only I cried I will be skinny to many times.... Again THANKS SOOOOO MUCH YOU GUYS!!!! Ya'll are just what I needed!!!

Hey Calicat; Girl GAS X Strips. I keep one box at home and one in my purse. Now that I'm on solids it's not so bad. Good luck!!

Thanks so much MamaMichelle! I will check out that link. I REALLY appreciate everything! I never thought I would go through "bandster hell" BUT here I am. What's so GREAT is I asked for help and in the matter of minutes it was right here for me. Again thanks you guys, I am starting to fell somewhat better, hungry BUT better...haha

Hey SJ; So do I.... Thanks for the support Cindy

Hi you guys; I really need some help..... I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on 2/20/08. For the post op diet portion I did fine- no problems...lost a few pounds yadda yadda.... Then when I started solid foods....holy cow. I can LITERALLY eat ANYTHING. I have no trouble keeping anything or any type of food down. Bread fine, pasta fine, potatoes fine, everything is FINE. I feel no restriction... I know that my band is empty, but I was hoping that I would feel something. I eat.... can eat just like before I had surgery, and the reason that I had surgery was because I NEVER felt fullness. Now I'm back in that same boat. I've read a few books that said during the post op time until first fill everything that I feel and eat is normal, BUT that doesn't help with the emotional roller coaster that I am on. I even started working out really hard on Tuesday (no abs) and I was so hungry when I got home, I undid everything that I had just DID at the gym. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Someone tell me that this will get under control when I get my first fill. My fill is scheduled for 4/5/08- 2 more weeks away. I really want to be sucessful. I want to be an AFTER, I am SO tired of always being a before.

Hi Mona-Camille; That is correct the center has phones and you can use them freely to call anywhere in the US for NO charge!!!! How great is that.

Hi Hanna; You are welcome!! The book also has an area (10 pages) that are "what to expect living with a band patient". I told my husband last night to read it. I don't really know what is says, but in the contents it had things like .... being an enabler and not knowing it, coping and dealing, those types of things. So it sounded to me that it would help the whole family. I was too tired to read on how to deal with me so I will leave that to my husband..haha 3 cheers to Monet!!! =D> Good luck to everyone!!

Hi Monet; It's Cindy, I was sitting next to you at Dr. Ortiz's office the day of your pre-op, day of my surgery. I am so glad that solids are going great for you. I have been doing well with mine, my only "beef" is that EVERYTHING goes down with out and problems or restriction, BUT it's ok I've been reading "The Lap Band Companion" and everything I feel "and don't feel" is normal according to the book. My first fill is 4/5/08 so hopefully then I will feel "some" restriction, but if not- just keep going till the next one!!! Good luck and glad you're doing great!

Hi Giggy; I was banded 2/20/08 and just began solids yesterday. I am having a hard time due to the fact that I feel like I have NO restriction and NO band, BUT I was reading a book last night called "the lap band companion" and it reassured me that everything is normal that I feel and it will get better. The book said that after having the procedure, you have a lot of swelling therefore you feel like you in fact have restriction, BUT you actually don't. As days go on and your body heals the fat around your stomach starts to adjust to the band making you more hungry with each passing day. It said that before your first fill, you will be able to eat just like before the surgery, but you have to trick yourself into believing that you can't.....protein...protein...protein. Did I mention eat protein?? At least if you are filling up on protein 1st then you are decreasing carbs which can hinder weight loss DRAMATICALLY!!!! I hope this helps you!! I am only on my 2nd day of solids and don't have my 1st fill until 4/5/08, if I can only "practice what I preach" then I'll be in good shape!!! Good luck!!

Hey Pat; I know I can't wait for tomorrow. I have been so hungry lately. Good luck, let me know how you do.

Hey Judy; Girl I wish I knew what to say to you, but I don't.. I am sorry. I do wish and hope for you that you come to a solution that will satisfy your sweet tooth and your weight loss begins to drop again. Good luck and one more thing... look back at your sucess so far... wow- just keep going maybe not one day at a time, but one meal at a time.

Name and Location: CINDY TERRY OXFORD, GA. Age: 32 Gender: FEMALE Band Date: FEB. 20, 2008 Height: 5'4" Highest weight: 220- pre op Day of surgery: 208 Current Weight: 202 Goal Weight: 135 Good luck to all!!! Looks like everyone is doing great!!!

sorry to hear that- good luck

Hi Paula, The dilemas that we have to go through.... I just checked airfare and and I think that I would only save about $150 for the whole visit. I was thinking though by the time I spend ALL of that time on the plane to and from, it would probably be better to just drive 45 mins away and spend the additional money. I was reading some other posts about Fill Centers and other people have different amounts to pay for 1st visits and after- so I wonder if each office is contracted differently and can charge other amounts...

Hello all; I just scheduled my 1st fill appointment with Fill Center USA. I am so excited!!! Although- WOW a bit pricey.... I knew the 1st appointment was going to be $349, but then she told me that it would be an additional $200 for fluoro. Oh well, what do you do? Gotta have it done. I would probably beak even flying back to TJ from GA and get to see the "oh so hot" Dr. Ortiz by the time I pay Fill Center USA....hummmmm...... Good luck to all!!!!

Hi Paula; The dentist (can't remember her name) told me that you have to have "good" teeth and strong back molars to have the surgery because you will have to be able to chew your food 30 times in order for it to go down properly. Good luck!!!