JCGrove

Amen! I always tend to panic when it's fill time. But the imediate results from the fill calm me right down!

Nita I have a lot of the same issues, however I have been able to work through some of these issues. First I had to come to grips with the fact that the only reason I have a VG band is that I required it; that's life, my stomach is not only large in diameter but has a large accumulation of fat around it and the other band would not even fit. I had to except it and move on, although the large diameter might explain why I do not have supposed (will power), a term I detest. I could very well be wrong but this is what I have come to believe happens with the VG Band. 1. Fat is more plyable than stomach tissue the VG being wrapped around a large amount of fat and stomach tissue gives the ability to force food passed restriction. 2. Fat molecules keep alot of water around them in order to survive. I take this to mean dehydration = less restriction. find a way to keep yourself consistantly hydrated. 3. Fat loss happens at different rates in different parts of the body. I.E. This week lost a small amount of fat around the band and a large amount from leg my and restriction is still good . Next week who knows maybe all the fat loss is around the band area causing less restriction and time for another fill. 4. My biggest weight losses have come after I got over 6 cc of fill. I found that after approx 15lbs of lost weight it is time to schedule my next fill. 5. Make a list of which foods go down easy, get stuck, and give you that boy I am already Full ?!? Feeling. Try to stick with boy I am already full?!? These things have helped me I hope they can do the same for You. JC

I was worried about the fills too. I went back to TJ for the first fill. The fact that I am in Florida and the constraints of my job caused me to seek out a fill Dr in my local area. Someone at Dr Grossbard's office suggested I contact Fill Centers USA. Here is their link www.fillcentersusa.com . I have been seeing a fill center Dr in Tampa and have nothing but good things to say about her. The unfill happened as a result of a stomach virus going around at my office. Apparently when I caught it, the throwing up caused swelling making me very uncomfortable. That is the beauty of the band it can be adjusted for the situations life throws your way. I am so happy that I did not go for Bypass surgery it was important to me that the band actually can be adjusted or if neccessary removed. Also I have a VG band which for good reason seems to be a little bit harder to find the sweet spot. Another thought, alot of people like me are probably researching plastic surgeons. My rate of weight loss seems to have minimized the amount of loose skin I have, but there is some that I would like to get rid of. This research has been slow because I am finding it hard to find many before and after photos of men's Tummy Tuck/Body Lift . It is taking up a big portion of my time, but I still feel it is important for me to GIVE BACK to this forum. This site was a crucial factor in my success. JC

I told one person what I was doing and could not believe the negativity and fear that starting coming out of her. I explained that I went to a Lapband seminar being held by a local Doctor, Dr. Grossbard and that he went there had the procedure done to him then was trained by Dr. Ortiz. I said if the place was acceptable to an American Dr. I should be fine. Still negativity. I knew I did not need this. I told no one else no family nothing. I went by myself! I would do it again! The OCC staff and Dr Ortiz are the best in my opinion. The whole experiance was almost like a vacation, I'm not kidding. I even kicked it around the shops in TJ with another patient who was bi-lingual thank God, the day after surgery! The glue that is used and the amount or diameter used keeps the tender incision area from pulling keeping pain to an absolute minimum so walking was not a problem for me. I have a high pressure job too and need to be mobile. I took a long weekend Wednesday through Monday. Back to work on Tuesday with no problems! Tell who ever you want about what you are doing but just be ready for them to go negative on you. My family did not know anything until I got back from TJ, you would not believe what kind of questions they where asking me when they found out! Only a few co-workers know, thats just how I decided to do things. JC

Just my 2 cents worth. I was banded October 2006 by Dr. Ortiz My opinion of the Great Dr. and his wonderful staff is the same as you have found throughout this forum. I am currently within 15lbs of my goal. My Post surgery weight 315 Current weight 230 My Highest weight 350+ I have had 4 fills and and 1 unfill You will hear it said that the band is only a tool to assist you in your weight loss journey. The longer you have it the more this will become clear I have found that other tools are required, such as a stuctured weight loss program. Most of us overwieght types have found short term success with different diets only to gain much more weight back after crashing off. I have used the weight watchers eating plan to lose the weight, and the band to help me keep from crashing off that plan and gaining a bunch of weight back, if I get too busy/lazy/distracted to follow the plan. Excercise becomes a natural side effect of the weight loss. Not that you will join a gym or start walking/jogging every night (wouldn't be a bad idea) but I have caught myself walking more at work and around the house mainly because it is not the painful experiance it used to be. I can say the same thing as Pammie when it comes to the fact that I am not at my goal weight but I am ok with that. This is my explanation of this statement. Right now I am down 120 lbs from where I was in January of 2006. I have been actively fighting my weight problem for a year and 5 months. 9 months into this journey I started putting weight back on, that is when I made the decision to get Banded. Now, 7 months have passed since surgery and I am the lightest I have been in 20 years!! It is my opinion that I would weigh somewhere around 400 lbs right now if not for surgery. So I can somewhat claim 85lbs weight (Prevention) right from the start! I do not feel like I am on a diet. I do not feel that I am in danger of gaining this weight back. In fact on any given week I will gain or lose 2 to 3 pounds or stay the same weight. I have not had any consecutive weight gain weeks. Meaning that if I gain 2 or 3 pounds this week, next week I will be back Down 2 or 3 or even more pounds. I feel in control of this situation for the first time in my life! CONTROL! This takes the pressure off of the whole goal thing because I absolutely without a doubt kow I will get to my goal and probably more. The only question is WHEN! This takes a tremendous amount of pressure off and adds huge amounts of confidence making it virtually unnecessary to keep dreaming of a stated (GOAL). I believe you are right to think that there are a lot of untold success stories out there. I know I have been busy adjusting and learning since my surgery and am just now sitting down to give back to this powerful and helpful forum. JC

The Fill process is most like a pinch when the needle is inserted then when the saline is added I kinda feel like I just ate a small meal. Liquids are just a few days on clear then a few on soft like yogurt and soups with more than broth in it. When you get back to solids be sure to drink fluids before eating. Eat often enough to keep from feeling like you are starving this will help keep from taking big bites and not chewing enough. There are days when it seems you can't chew enough. Most of all follow the Dr recomendations and you should do just fine!

My Name is JC I live in Ridge Manor about 40 miles north of Tampa. Banded in TJ. October 2006. Dr. Ortiz Highest weight 350 Pre-op weight 315 Current 228 Goal 215 Very Very Close! I have used the Tampa Fill Center with great results. I would however, be interested to know if there is a Fill Dr. in Florida that uses the fluoro the way they do it in TJ.

I started out on January 2006 at 350 PLUS!! Pounds. Used Weight Watchers + Walking/Bicycle Riding to get down to 288 by August 2006 then crashed off and bounced back up to 330. I had to admit that I was on my way to 400 . Contacted Obesity Control Center. Pre-op weight after liquid diet was 315. Banded October 2006 By Dr. Ortiz. Weight loss was minimal for the first few months then My metabolism caught fire assisted by exercise and having monthly fills(aggresive). It seems I need a fill for every 10 lbs lost. My Current Weight is 228lbs!!!!!. I have the VG Band and am at 8.2 cc. Just donated 9 Banana Boxes of "Fat Clothes" and bought a new wardrobe that included the first size 34 waist pants I have worn in 20 Years!!!! :-h