Red

Hi there. I had my first fill a few weeks ago and followed Dolittle's posting which worked out great. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=9919 I have an 11cc band as well. My first fill was 4ccs and the only difference I felt was uncomfortable pain in my chest if I ate to big a bite of food, or something dry. I go for a second fill the beginning of October. Don't worry about how much you should get. If your doing this under fluro, the doctor will be able to tell how the liquid they make you swallow is going through your system. Try not to stress about it. Discuss your concerns with your doctor and I'm sure he/she will be able to advise you. Good luck and let us know how it goes! Red

When I had my first fill, Dr. So told me not to be a slave to the scale, but go by how your clothes fit. He was right! Today, my 2 month Bandiversary, I have only lost 12 pounds, but I can get into the size 12 outfit below, that I haven't worn in 6 years! That works for me! :good2: Red

Thanks guys. Now I know then. I have heard often enough on the forum about getting "stuck", but until you experience it for yourself, you don't really know what to expect. So I guess that is what has been happening to me. Thankfully, if I just stop eating when it happens, it passes pretty quickly, less than 5 minutes I would say. I have yet to PB, but I almost did the other night. In a weird kind of way I am glad I have been getting stuck, because that means I do have some restriction. I will go for another fill next month and hopefully that will help me get full faster. I would like a little more restriction. Thanks for your responses!

Welcome aboard Antartica! Are you banded? Red

Hi all, Once in awhile I get a very strong pain in my chest after I eat something too fast or don't chew it enough. Is that what you experience when you get "stuck"? Can you tell me what YOU experience when you get stuck? I don't have a lot of restriction yet, but this pain occurs since getting my first fill, so I know my band is working to some degree anyway. Thanks, Red

I'm coming up on 2 months since being banded and have an 11cc Realize band. My first fill at the OCC was 4cc's and that was the beginning of this month. Like you, I lost 12lbs during the 21 day liquids after surgery, but gained 2 back when I went to solids. I have not lost any weight since, but I am down 1 size. I don't really have a lot of restriction yet, but I control what I eat and make a real effort to put the fork down, even though I want to keep eating. I think it is too soon for you to decide that this has been a bad investment. I believe if we stick to the plan, try to eat about a third of what we ate before, don't drink liquids with meals, drink your water, move..get some kind of exercise, avoid drinking calories (like alcohol) and set realistic goals and expectations, the weight will come off. We have to work with the band, not against it. I wish you well... Red

I think you will find that before you have a couple of fills, you don't have to worry too much about the water amount. I have had 1 fill since my surgery July 7th, and I can still drink water just the same as I did before. But it is a good idea to start "practicing" with the chewing of food and drinking in sips to prepare yourself for later on. As for abdominal exercise, like crunches, I heard 6 months. I don't do crunches, so it isn't an issue for me, but what IS an issue is swimming. I used to swim a few laps almost daily and but I have cut back because now I really pay a price. I get extremely painful muscle cramps or spasims around my port for 2 days after a swim. I asked Dr. So about it when I got my fill because it scared me. He said that because the port is in the muscle, it can hurt when you work those abdominal muscles. I hope as time goes by the pain will get less severe after a swim, but for now I am just going to swim less. In time I'm sure this will improve. Red

I haven't found anything that I like better than Muscle Milk Light. It is lactose free, which is a big deal for me, and 100 calories with 15 grams of protein. It tastes great! I also like the protein bullets (25 grams of protein) that I buy from Walmart.

Let me offer this... This forum is composed of hundreds of people who have had successful surgery in Mexico, particularly with Dr. Ortiz and his staff. When you get a fill, the saline that is currently in the band is drawn out to see how much is in there and then additional saline is added. So if your example really happened, the doctor would pull out blood instead of saline, as the needle would be going directly into the body, not a port. I take it that didn't happen. I would urge you not to let people get you worked up. Who are you going to listen to, the doomsdayers or the people that have actually gone and had it done? Rest assured, you will be taken very good care of by Dr. Ortiz.

Hey Deena! Welcome to bandland! How did it go?? Red

Yes, she was on the bus with me to the OCC. It was Dr. Ortiz or one of his staff that did it. Why don't you call them just to find out details of where they move it to and what it entails? Worth a try! Red

GOOD GIRL!! Red

Welcome and congrats, Elle. I'm in southern California now, but am originally from Lodi, and all my family is in Lodi, so I am technically a Northern Calif. girl! You will get a lot of support at this site. Welcome aboard! Red

I parked on the U.S. side on Tuesday, took a taxi to the OCC, had a fill, got a taxi back to the border and walked straight through. Could not have been easier. If you drive over the border, you have to face very long lines, both ways. But walking across (my appointment was Tuesday at 11:00 and I was done in a half hour and came back over the border about 11:45 or so) was a breeze. There was NO line. I would never drive across because if something happens, most insurance doesn't cover it in Mexico. It is just so easy to park and walk across that it is not worth the money or risk to drive across. Red

I get so angry when I hear stuff like this happening. Who do people, family or not, get off telling someone they are a coward for wanting to get healthy? It is hurtful and isn't logical. I can understand people being afraid of their loved one going to Mexico for surgery, because they aren't informed and have preconceived ideas, but to call someone a coward for wanting to lose weight? Oh My Gosh! Well, I had the luxury of not having to tell anyone except my husband, because my parents are gone, and all of my 7 other siblings don't live anywhere near me, and I have no children. So I didn't tell anyone. I went and had it done, then I told my closest sister when she came to visit shortly there after. I was having pain and was still on the liquid diet, so I couldn't hide that. You know what she said? "Good for you!" My siblings can see that I have gained a tremendous amount of weight over the last 10 years. They struggle with weight too. So I don't think they would ever call me a coward. I just chose to tell people after it was over. It worked out for me better that way. And I'm glad I did it! You hang in there, hold your head up, and try not to let people run your life. Take charge! Red

Be proud, Shelby! WTG! I remember the days of being size 8 and tucked everything in. What a great filling that was. In fact, I came across a picture of myself in my drawer yesterday. It was from 9 or 10 years ago and I was 130. It amazed me because I remember at the time I felt fat, but in the picture I was really thin. Your news goes to show you, don't be a slave to the scale, go by how your clothes fit. And that is exactly what Dr. Sol (sp?) told me yesterday at the OCC when I was getting my first fill. Shelby, YOU are an inspiration to us all on this forum! Red

I just went to OCC today for my fill. I parked at the same lot I parked when I went for surgery and paid $8. Just take the last exit and turn right. However, if you turn left, there are a couple of other lots a little closer walking distance that charged about the same. I just feel like my car is safe at the one I always use. The whole process of parking, walking across the border and getting a taxi was a piece of cake. The OCC will call a taxi for you when you are done with your appointment. No worrys!

I'm so happy you posted this. I have had too much wine lately in the evenings, and I'm sure it is going to sabotage my weight loss, so I'm thinking I will have to give it up. Were you having wine during the periods of weight loss?

The day I went to Tijuana, there was a gal on the bus with me that had flown in for the day from Florida, to have her port moved. She was really thin and said the port showed when she wore a bikini. She said they were relocating it to her hip area for her and then she was flying back out that evening. Wow...who knew!

Thanks for the words of support everyone. I have to just keep going and do my part. I am eating too much, because I can. I have to think positive and motivate myself. I have to change my old, bad habits. Most of all, I have to give it time. Thanks for the roadside assistance, everyone! Red

I was banded on July 21. I got really hungry too, but the creamy soups really helped. The Campbell's creamy tomato and parmesan (it is the kind you just pop in the microwave and sip from the can). I have to be honest. I haven't gotten my first fill yet (am going to get it tomorrow at OCC) and I don't feel any different than before I was banded. Once I went to solids, I could eat anything. It all goes down same as before and I have put a few pounds back on that I had lost during the liquid phase. But I'm assured by others on this forum that this will change after a couple of fills. So hang in there! Red

One of the incisions they make is located up high, about where a bra may rub. I still don't like wearing a bra, even 6 weeks out. I bought a bra that opens in the front and that was comfortable right after surgery. It is cotton and doesn't have a lot of elasticity so it doesn't put a lot of pressure around my chest. That is what that's all about. As far as gas X goes, you get a lot of gas from the surgery and that is why they tell you to walk, walk, walk. They will come and get you out of bed once you come out of anastesia and make you walk in help release gas and prevent blood clots. These are not things specific to band surgery. I didn't use gas x or any other product until I got home. Now that I can swallow pills, whenever I eat something that gives me gas, I prefer the gax X gel caps. They work a lot better than the strips for me. Hope that helps... Red