Willi333

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!!!

Hey Cindy!

I'm glad everything went so smooth!

You look amazing. Keep up the great work =D>

My date is May 22nd. I live in North Ga but I plan to use the Roswell center. Your idea about lunch or dinner (or maybe even shopping) sounds great!!! Maybe we could get filled together.

That would be great! Iguess we better go shopping instead of having something to eeaaat LOL

Cindy, how did it go ?

MamaMichelle you are absolutely the bomb !!!

This is so informative - I guess I print it out, put it on my refrigerator, so by the time I^'m through reading ... my thoughts of cheating are history

Thank youuuuu =D>

Hi Lynn,

I know how you feel, doing the pre op diet and not smoking rrrhhhhh

Well, I could not do the turkey, but I cut down to about 5-6 a day after smoking at least a pack and try to quit completely for the surgery (April 28)

Hey already 3 days without, I think that is absolutely great ! Be strong, you will make it!

I wish you good luck

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.

Hi Cindy:

Thanks so much for your input, I am considering the Roswell FillCenter as well, just got a little confused about the pricing, since they do not post the costs for the fluoro on their website ...

I also considered going back to TJ but after buying a ticket and the transportation&fill&hotel package it is about the same, except that Roswell is only about an hour away from Stockbridge where I live and it would be easier to go back in case of being to tight ...

Please keep me posted !!!!! And good luck with your first visit !

hello to all of you great people :-h

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the Roswell GA Fill Center and their prices ?

Well, I know my date is April 28 and I'm not even banded yet, but I just wanted to start shopping around a little bit

Any information is very much appreciated >

Ute

Hey there,

Where can I find more information about the different types of bands that are being used ????

Thanksa zillion you for any help!

I started back throwing up again yesterday so I called the OCC. They had Dr. Martinez call me back. He said I should not be vomiting on clear liquids. He asked me if I hear a bubbling noise when I swallow I told him yes, everytime. He told me that I have alot of swelling and my band is really tight. I now have to stay on clear liquids until I can start keeping them down and get this..I have to drink with a teaspoon! It is so hard! He told me if I can't get 2 liters down a day I am gonna get dehydrated.

The good part of this is I am losing about a lb a day right now. I just hope I don't get dehydrated.

Hey Kimmie,

I am so sorry to hear that you are not doing so well right now, but keep your head up, you will overcome this !!

Newbie, that's all you can do, making the decision to have the band surgery is huge!!! It's life changing and the stress and changes your life and body with go through are huge!! Quitting smoking is recommended, but don't beat yourself up if you can't. I plan to cut down before surgery and after surgery, but I can't say that I will quit. I know what I can manage and I realistically can't do both at the same time. I would either be charged with murder or end up divorced.

Good luck with whatever you chose to do...we are all here to support you!! Cathy (Kittycat)

That's what I am planning on doing ;-) I just love life & hubby way to much to get locked up LOL

We bothe will do the best we can, if it works ... great, right ?

Hi Kimmie,

thanks for the welcome and the honesty ;-)

I guess I will start cutting down as much as I can (4 weeks to go) and who knows .. maybe I make it :-?

But knowing myself ... it's going to be way harder than the dieting!

I see Dr. Martinez was the winner to do the surgery? He will do mine too.

Ute

Hi Willi,

I plan this whole thing in a week, so I did not have 2 weeks to quit smoking. My band date is April 8th.

Considering my BMI, the cardiologist said that one week would be enough.... I totally feel you... I have been smoking for a long time and the thought of quitting terrified me. Although I am having difficult time, the first day was the hardest for me. I am on day 3 now.

I think the safe thing is to quit.... it has to do with your lung capacity and the ability to heal after the surgery. Why take a chance?

I know it is tough, but you can do it!!! =D> YOU CAN DO IT!!!! >

I will be here rooting for you!!! >

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

and thank you so much for the advise an hat's up =D> -> day 3 <- that is great!

After setting the date and hanging up the phone, I said to my hubby I wished I would have get the appointment ... like ... tomorrow ROFL I thought the pre op diet will be the killer, but now without a smoke ???? I hope I will not turn into a monster

Hi Kitticat,

You are right! That was my first thought ... Not too long ago, I was thinking about to stop smoking (to do the right thing for my health), unfortunately my ability to be consistent as far as "quit smoking" goes, is the same with the eating LOL. Hence the weight problem ....

I will just bite the bullet and do the best I can

Hi there,

Just set my appoinment for surgery on April 28, 2008 and I am soooooooo excited!

I followed all of your conversations on here for the past two weeks and I have to say I already love it!

You are all so supportive and I have learned so many things about the band and the experiences and also found tons of answers to my questions & concerns. It all helped me with my desicion with OCC instead of going home to Germany for the procedere ...

Anyways just wanted so say hello to everybody :-h

P.S. is any one a smoker and has some advice about the "two weeks not smoking" rule ??

Willi333/Ute from Atlanta GA