Teri

OK, waiting to hear back from Rene but right now I'm flying in to SD at 11AM on the 16th, getting the fill, staying overnight and coming home at 12PM on the 17th if anyone wants to come with

Teri - did you get your fill on the 9th? If so, how are things going?

I'm a little paranoid since the overfill last month didn't kick in for a few days and then I had to get back down there ASAP, but hey - I'm getting to know all the workers at the SD airport and the drivers well, lol

Hi FulEllie,

No, I didnt go. My sister flew into AZ. She will be here for another week or so. The band was something I havent shared with her. So a little awkward going while she is here. I plan on getting a fill the morning of the 21st with Wendy Hall. She is with Fill Center USA. If that fill does not work out, I will be back to TJ for some advice as to my situation. Good Luck to you. Who knows, by the 16th, I may just join you in TJ, although, my sister will still be here, so we'll see how it goes. Teri

Hi,

I just got my VG band after having a slip and subsequent removal of the smaller band. One thing I'm happy about having the VG band is that Dr. martinez said that it won't close up. The inside edges of the "inner tube" are in a flower petal pattern. So, that's very good news for me and i think that although the weight loss may be a little slower, it's better than a slip!

Jennifer C.

Jennifer,

Can I asked you what your history on fills/slip was with the band?? My band close's up too, and it's hard to believe because just looking at the innertube while in the office, you have to wonder why it happens, there seems to be plenty of an opening, even when it is filled to max. Just curious, and glad everything has worked out for you. Teri

Without getting into detail about my experience, I'd like to hear from anyone who's had their band removed. Unlike most of you, my body isn't reacting like I'd planned. It's been a tough road and I have to look at some hard decisions. I'd love any support I can get!

Thank You. >

Michele

Michele,

I hope that you are ok. Was everything ok with your upper G.I.??? I am having troubles as well and it is a tough road. Not quite the same troubles, but never the less, troubles. I am still believeing that this will work though. Are you thinking in that direction, about removal? I just cannot let myself think that. Everyone is different though. I hope you are well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teri

I am impressed that you're still so positive, Teri. In your place, I would be looking for some satisfactory explanation for the dramatic variances you are experiencing. And it's not like fills, unfills and adjustments are easily accessible that you can just make changes at the drop of a hat. I don't know if this question is appropriate, but why aren't you demanding a more satisfactory explanation?

First off, about being positive...........what good would it do me mentally to be negative, and I dont need to be or feel the negativity in my life, because it would bring me down and affect all areas of my life. I am definatly looking for an explanation. I have been in contact with Dr. Romero. He assures me he will "fix" it. I choose to believe him because of their high standards on helping people. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. It's certainly a pain having to take a day to travel, regardless if your flying or driving. Even though I havent worked outside the home for about 10 years, I am the CEO of my household, heehehe, and still have a lot to do with my husband's business, running errands, driving kids, baseball, etc. For me, keeping positive is the only way to look at it right now.

Having said that..........I am starting to experience a knawing inside. It's hard to explain. I'm embarrased about my lack of weight loss around certain people I've told about the surgery. When you see them, they look as though they have the question of hmmmmm................I thought she had surgery for weight loss. Having to constantly explain my fill levels have been up and down is getting old. I'm trying to understand, so it's hard for them to understand as well.

It doesnt help at all, when I thought I had the perfect amount "pegged"when I was filled to 2.65 (thicker saline), went for an unfill from not being able to drink water, and they pulled out a full 3cc. (NOT OCC) That was HARD on me. I was so scared and a little ticked, because I was still charged for an unfill along with paying for a shot for being swollen. People are still human. I have to hang on to hope right now that this is going to work for me. I have not exhausted all possiblities since I have .5cc left to get to 4cc. with the regular saline. Since changing back to the reg saline, the dramatic variances have gone away. The choice to use the thicker saline at the high fill levels was a wrong one for me. But it was a choice I made, lived with it, and will move on and learn from it.

Teri

It is an hourglass of sorts, but this hourglass is made of living tissue that expands and contracts. Oftentimes the tissue in the stomach will be slightly inflamed for one reason or another in the morning and that causes people to feel more restricted in the am. Nothing major to worry about, just learn to work around it.

Great Question, and Good explaination Clynn. However, I do think it is major! - and something I certaintly worry about. You cannot possibly "work" around certain situations. When you have good restriction for 3 weeks, then, it's completely gone and you can eat anything and a lot of it, or you cannot even drink water after 3 weeks of getting a fill, because the band tightens on you, it gets almost impossible to determine a correct level of fill. It has been very extreme for me, (one way or the other). Everyone is different. I have had my share of struggles. I am still working things out though.

Teri

This sounds so scary and unfulfilling. I'm scheduled for surgery next week, and I had the impression that banding was a solid, medical science. But this sounds highly imperfect, and subject to a huge amount of luck and guesswork. I think I'm getting convinced that this is not a good solution for weight loss.

Sanjay

All I can say is, everybody is different. I had no idea how I would react to the fills. No one does. If you are a "lucky" one with fills, your experience will be great. If you are not so lucky, you will have ups and downs. And getting there can be a task.

Teri

Teri, I have been following your status as I too am having very similar issues. I was wondering how you are doing now since your last fill and it sounds like you will be going back to TJ. I just missed you April 25th with Wendy Hall as I was there to get completely unfilled just after you left. Everytime I get adjusted, filled or unfilled I am usually good about 2-3 weeks then get too tight to even drink water. Now, completely unfilled I have a hard time eating more than a few bites until dinnertime then I am able to eat with no restriction at all. Luckily I am not gaining, but also not losing. Getting a bit frustrated. Kelly

Well, you are so right! Called yesterday and talked with Dr. Romero. I'm just getting disappointed more than anything, even over frustrating. Wow, wish I would have know about you going on the 25th too with Wendy Hall, we could have rode together. They will be back down to Mesa on the 21st of May. I think I am flying out tomorrow to TJ. Gotta check flights, etc. It's a bummer when you finally restrict, then, have it tighten so much, you cant even drink water. That STINKS!, because it's impossible to know if you have the right amount. Good that you are not gaining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teri

My band seems pretty consistent right now. I can't eat a lot of anything except ice cream. I get frustrated sometimes when I can't eat because the food looks so good. We had a celebration lunch at my office and it was Mexican food. I made a plate with refried beans, one beef taco and 4 chips with salsa. After two bites of the chips, I feel it stuck and start to do the sliming bit. I was pissed because I wanted to eat some of the food on my plate. I guess I should have started off with the refried beans before getting stuck. Everyone is probably wondering why I haven't touched my plate. I guess I just need to learn HOW to eat with this band. I must be eating too fast or taking too big of bites.

My weight loss is pretty steady so I am happy with that. I am 1 pound shy of my 30 pound loss mark. =D>

Pamela! How wonderful for you, I think that is a PERFECT fill. If you can drink water and eat very little, count it as a blessing. I would LOVE to be where you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if things get stuck sometimes, If you can drink water, you more then likely have the right amount for losing weight. Keep up the great results!! I know what you mean about people wondering though, I found when I was way to tight it was tough to sit down at a meal and I would spread things out on my plate to look like I had more food then what I did. hehee geeze, the things we do.

Teri

I will be getting a fill in May - not sure when yet, but the sooner the better - next week or the next - if anyone's interested in sharing a shuttle.

I think Francisco is getting sick of me showing up at the airport - this will be 4 times in 2 months

FurEllie,

COUNT ME IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The ONLY day this week I CANNOT MAKE it is on Mon & Tues (May 7 & 8) Any other day this week will work for me.

Teri

Hang in there Terri! I hope you will have enough but not too much restriction with this fill. My fill is still pretty tight. You know, I still find myself eating ice cream when I shouldn't and a three musketeer bar here and there. I don't think it would matter that much if I were really exercising every day. I just need to amp that part of my program up! My weight loss is normal right now but I am really anxious to loose 15 pounds before June.

I am heading to the gym tonight and hope that I can get into a serious habit of working out every evening. This is going to be the "key" with my success because I do like to eat some of the sweet stuff every now and again. I don't mess around with french fries, pizza or hamburgers anymore so that's great. However, ice cream goes down very easy.

I hope you start loosing some of the weight that you gained back. I hate to see you go through this fill struggle but I guess it's a part of being a bandster.

Good luck to you and your son! !

Thanks Pamela! You are so sweet. You know, I am fortunate in the sense that I'm not a dessert eater, not an icecream person, not a choc person. Could do without all of those things for life. My problem and always has been is overeating food. I would rather have 2nd helpings. So, I eat a lot of food. I can eat anything with the band with the rescriction of 3.5cc and my normal almount of food. But, I am going to wait about 3 weeks for a fill, (I think) because I've experienced the band tightening after a fill, say about 3 weeks out. Dont know if that will happen again, but we'll see. You know, all of this would be so different if the band did not flucuate (sp??) so much. One extreme to the other for me. I know other bandsters have experienced this too, so I'm not alone. But getting there is a pain in the arsssss. :-?

Teri

there were a few days, not just after a fill either, where i thought perhaps my band would need to be unfilled a bit--but i hung in there and drank fluids only. i think with all of us some days we can eat better than others. and to be honest, when i was filled last...i was telling staff "i think this is perfect" as i tried to hold down the thick barium crap they made me gulp. the dr was surprised because he had expected to take some saline out. i then ran to the bathroom to pb as soon as i walked out of the office. lol it felt too tight but i wanted restriction so bad, and sometimes it feels that way for a couple of days after a fill anyway so i didn't want to take any out if that tight feeling was only temporary. my plan was to return if it didn't work out, and luckily i didn't have to.

sorry about having no restriction. must be discouraging...i can just say, don't give up! i know someone with 3.8ccs in her 4cc band and she has had perfect restriction for 6 months so far. it will work out. >

Thanks............... Kristi.

for me, my restriction is "perfect" because i am not able to overeat, nor am i having to pb at every meal for inability of being able to tolerate food. i am completely satisfied at each meal and i am only able to eat a small amount at each meal. (well, for the most part. for some reason, i can eat tons of salad and i can eat lots and lots of tortilla chips and salsa. i tend to splurge on those 2 things!) for the first time in my life i can be one of "those" girls that order food at a restaurant and leave half on the plate. i do eat very, very slowly; it takes about double the time of anyone i happen to be eating with, but it's the most exciting feeling...after a certain amount, i am simply FULL. something i had no concept of before because i would eat as though i had not eaten in days. i feel restriction ("full") with anything i eat, soft or not. can you tell how happy this has made me?!

Kristi Ann,

I am sooo happy for you!! It has to be a great feeling! I felt that perfect restriction when I had the thicker saline, but it tightened way to much 2 weeks later. I am at 3.5cc and switched back to the reg saline and have no restriction, can you believe it?? Great job and continued happy losing!!

Teri

> Thank you OCC! I am so very very happy to have this procedure done! I am 275 right now at 5'8" and begin my 15 lb loss MONDAY! I was denied my gastric by-pass AFTER completion of all the nutrition/psych eval and classes etc. here in Pdx Oregon. NOW I see, it was meant to be. It has been over a year since then, and I got so depressed and wanted to continue with my journey. Who CARES about money? I AM WORTH IT, WE ALL ARE!!!

Anyhoo............Glad that the LapBand will be my choice after all the research I continued during this year of 'insurance rejection'..... I am disabled due to a severe lung condition, (Never smoked) so I feel the LapBand will assist better with my disease than the 'other method'. wink.

Carolyn is a blessing too! Love talking to her! She is awesome! I will be flying in on Mother's day, 05/13 to kick it in TJ for a few days before my surgery on 5/16! My 38th Birthday is the day after.........WOOT WOOT! I am so excited and just purchased our round trip tickets, and made the deposit online, last night. I have never flew first class. But I was paranoid with my size, that folks would be crawling over me in the isles on the flight home, so we are paying the higher costs to 'live it up' this one time!!! Flying back home on 5/18......

I need some Band Buddies on here, so add me if u feel like it, k? ANY INFO and SUGGESTIONS you can offer me would BE WONDERFUL!

ANY DO'S AND DON'TS you have, send them to me!! NEED TO HEAR whatcha all know out here in LapBand world!

So so so so happy! talk to ya soon!

Thanx!

Cheryl

Cheryl,

I am sooooooo happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Best of Luck to you and your surgery and fills, etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Being banded should indeed help your lung situation!!! and going first class..............it's wonderful!!! Keep us posted on your progress.

Teri

Nita

Hey there... I too have those days although I can never eat fast or breads....But unlimited Butterfingers..yes...My last fill kick started a 20 pound drop so that might be your answer. I think when you are only half way there... you do not get the proper signals so you end up pbing since you thought you weren't filling up when you are... so being super tight( sweet spot) you don't even try to eat the full bowl of cereal or even the full size bite... whereas like you are now and I'm getting back to, you eat then get caught be surprise... I never forgot to drink slow when even coffee was going down slow and no more than say 10 oz...so that might be it.. or again, I might just be rambling.

Tom

4/27/07 Currently 33.4 BMI 246 lbs

Hey I'm with ya Nita. Good topic, Tom. Just wish I could reach that just right level........and I have the smaller band. The frustration is the same. Sometimes I think I have it "pegged" for a week out from a fill, then........................poof the restriction is gone. Or it's the opposite, to tight, and water doesnt go down. Up and down, and up and down. Still believing though.

Teri

Had my band surgery in January and lost 16 pounds within a month. It was great. Had determination and was very excited about a healthier lifestyle.

HOWEVER, then life regained its hold over my emotional eating. I began to look forward to my fill. Found one kind of close, but there was absolutely no difference after my fill (thanks for taking my $400 and giving me nothing). Then I started getting more discouraged. Should have just went back to TJ to get my fill. Now, I am looking for my inner drive to regain control over my future. I think one of the problems has to do with experimentation. When you are tight, you start playing head games. "I wonder if I can eat this.... What about this..." - knowing you will be getting a fill soon and won't be able to eat those things. Then when you're fill doesn't give you the restriction, the expectations or support (if that's the only support you have) feels like a let-down. And if you're an emotional eater anyhow, this does little for your self-esteem. Obviously, I have had to question myself as to whether or not this was the best choice for me. I was so pumped and knew I would follow all the rules. And I did, for awhile.

I am very happy for all that are such great success. I will go read a support book and see if I can re-gain my will to do this. I'm not giving up, but definitely tring to have a reality check. The band doesn't make you lose weight, but the person receiving the band has the control to determine to what extent you want to take it.

Clarabelle,

I believe that to a certain extent. (The band has the control to determine to what extent you want to take it). But, I also believe, in my heart with the proper restriction level, when you are filled to that so called sweet spot, it is there to help you with weight loss, unlike any other diet. It is tough to do when you are not properly restricted. After all, why have the band as a tool if you have to depend on your willpower all the time. That would not make sense, since I feel like willpower on my own was something I could not do for life.

You have had, only one fill, and believe me, it's better to creep up on the amount. I have experienced both sides of fills, eating anything, and not eating anything, not even water would go down, not even a tiny sip the size of your fingernail. It does get discouraging. I am very fortunate that I am at a place in life where money is not the issue for getting fills/unfills, but I also would like to get to that level since I paid out of pocket (17,000). Yes, you do want what you paid for. How someone with limited funds does it, is even more discouraging, my heart goes out to them. With this type of follow up care, needing fills to make the surgery work, it has been up and down, and a guessing game for me. I'm still believing though. Hang in there, and I hope your next fill gets you to the proper restriction.

Teri

i was banded in January and have had 2 fills and I'm still struggling with my eating. I can eat too much now. I have 2.5cc in my band. What experiences have others had and what amount of restriction seems to be the best in general. I realize that it can take awhile for it all to kick in and the weight to really start coming off steadily but I'm curious about other bandsters' experiences.

Thanks much, Julie

I'm with ya Julie. Just check out my log on fills. Pheww. Still have yet to hit that sweet spot. Hang in there, I was banded in Nov 06 and am still not there. I believe I will get there though, and I am totally fine with going thru all of the fills/unfills to reach the right one. Since this is suppose to be permanent, if it takes a while to get there, so be it. It's not like going on a diet and having the fear of trying to keep that up for life.

Teri

O Kay, It was time again to start the process of yet another fill, since I have gained alot of my surgery weight back of getting 2.5cc of reg saline on April 4. I was filled to 3.5cc of reg. saline on April 25 exactly 3 weeks later. Believe it or not I can eat 3 slices of pizza (my normal eating amount prior to having the surgery) and a huge bowl of popcorn, say, the size of a shoe box. Bummmmmmer. What was interesting to me, that I hadn't heard before was when I was in the office getting filled she explained to me that some people have more fat on the inside of thier stomachs than others. Colesterol, etc. It makes sense that the amount of fat or colesterol on the inside of everyones stomach is different and plays a part on how the band reacts to the amount of saline injected. I don't know. It's just tough to figure out why reaching a sweet spot has been a problem for me.

She also explained after doing thousands of fills, she can feel the pressure, like a tire being blown up, when filling patients. She could feel the pressure at around 3.6cc for me. She said, on some patients she can feel it around 1cc.

Settled for 3.5, so we'll see. Time will tell.

Teri

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> > okay everyone just a quick announcement ---my husband Daron will be joining me on the losing side May 17th. He has decided he wants to lose just like me -----tee hee anyway - I will be posting his progress on here as well as keeping mine up - He will start his pre op diet this Monday to give hime the time to lose the 15lbs. that has been requested - his starting weight is 298lbs. he is 5'10. we are in the process of filing out the paperwork that Lori Becky has sent us and booked our airline tickets last night ---- so the countdown begins? Anyone else getting banded or a fill that day? would love to chat in the office while I am waiting with him - and of course our lonely night in the hotel that we as spouses and friends get to stay without our other half ------

talk to you all soon

Cyndi in AZ

Yeah for Darin! on joining the "losers club" hehehe. Good Luck and happy losing!

Teri

Thanks Pam and Kim for your words of encouragment. It helps a lot. I seem to be able to eat everything and anything, no problem OR nothing at all including water. In between would be good. LOL. I'll get there, just later than most. Just gotta find the time to head back. You guys are doing great, keep posting.

Teri

Teri,

I was wondering why so many fills/unfills???Where did you get your fills done at???

I will be getting my first fill in may 19

redrose

Just havent found the sweet spot yet. :-? Either I can eat ANYTHING or NOTHING. 3 fills at OCC & fills/unfills here locally.

What a crazy journey. I'm still looking to find that sweet spot that is talked about. After dropping back to reg saline and trying the 2.5cc, after 2 weeks I gained 15 pounds. Crazy. My husband and I have been away the last 2 weekends and we made them longer, which didn't help on the food choices. When your traveling and eating with a group it's harder to choose resturants. We flew to Texas for a wedding. I am not restricted at all. I think it was a lot of water weight when I dropped to 154. Today I am 169. I walk the dogs, (only one mile 3 or 4 times a week.) I'll be getting a fill again, I just need to find the time. Lots of playing catch-up since being away. Baseball games, paperwork, etc. just things that you fall behind on.

Kyle is not losing and he may have gained a little too, but he tells me he wouldn't want to be any more restricted then he is. Not sure if it's because he want's to enjoy the food or cannot handle being any tighter.

Anyway, just an update.

Teri

So did you fly back to TJ each time you needed a fill? Don't those costs add up a lot? How do you know when you need a fill?

I did the first 3 times, and yes, they do add up. That is why after 4 months of not being restricted I got aggressive about it. Meaning, I wanted to experience being full on very little food which was not happening and also I was basically still at my surgery weight. So, I switched to thicker saline after having 3.4cc for about a month and still not losing weight. You know when you need a fill when you are still eating the same as before the surgery and not losing weight. It gets frustrating to try and find the right amount of fill. You will know.

Teri Good Luck

My surgery is April 16th. It is scary to fly across the country and have surgery by a surgeon you are going to just meet I have heard such wonderful things in this forum I am feeling much better about the whole thing. I think this forum will be invaluable after surgery it is wonderful to have someone to talk to someone that has been there.

Hi Vickie, Soon enough, you will be that helpful person for someone contemplating the whole idea. When I first read the forums, I thought, NO WAY I was going to TJ MX, In fact, they were offering another amount of 13k at another location in MX, and I had orginally made up my mind to go there and pay the extra 5k, crazy, I know. (Because of the damage from a storm to the facility, they were not accepting patients) good thing for me as I saved some $$, LOL, but as I read, you feel a lot more comfortable about the deciding because of the experiences of the people on the forums with the facility and Dr. O. Your surgery is comin up! Good Luck to you.

Teri

So excited to see there are other AZ, we just moved to the west valley from CA two yrs ago, so we are preety new to AZ. I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz in a little over a week. I fly to SD on the 19th, leaving my hubby and kids at home and my mom is meeting me in SD to be with me for the surgery on the 20th. I wish my hubby and kids were coming with me, but my hubby has to work and I know I'm going to want the break from the kids to rest after surgery. Although I love to fly I'm a little nervous flying alone. I"m also having a hard time losing the preop weight they requested. But I'm doing the best I can. Anyhow, hope to meet some AZ banisters.

Jazzy

Welcome Jazzy! Good Luck with everything. I know what you mean when you'd like your family with you. Kyle and I went by ourselves without my husband too, but everything was fine. It seems with the weight, we lost a lot more a few days prior to surgery. Anyways, best of everything.

Teri

Hi, Teri!

I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz on April 6th, amd lost 12lbs before surgery. Everything went really well and met amazing ladies. I do have questions about feeling really weak in the mornings. Is that normal? I am not sure what to do?

Michele in Mesa

Hi Michele, I did feel a little weak the first few weeks after surgery. Probably from surgery itself, not eating solids, and living off liquids. It does get better with time. I was really gassy the first 3 months. Congrats on your surgery and happy losing. It's a wonderful thing!! Rest win you can.

Teri