Chelley

Monika - Getting the fill right is hard. I'm struggling as I'm sure others are. It seems like you put so much focus into having the surgery and have so much hope as those initial pounds start coming off that when you hit the bump in the road to getting the fill right it is easy to get discouraged and I'm finding I revert back to feeling like a failure. I've had three fills and finally do have restrcition, but I'm not currently loosing weight and that is very dissatisifying to me. Like you, I seek support. It seems that a lot of us are new here, having only been banded for 6 months or less. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I do know that I'm definately not taking in enough protein because I've started experiencing some hair loss. I'm taking measures to correct this with supplements and trying to make good food choices, but I'm so dang stressed and don't know where to turn for support at this point that I just want to scream in frustration. There were a lot of folks who use to post on here that were banded before we were in April and yet they've dropped off the board one by one and I'm not sure why unless it seems this site has revolved around the decison to have surgery and not so much about support after surgery. Having this band isn't a tip toe through the tulips, nor did I expect it to be, but I'm frustrated, out of answers as to why I'm not getting the results I want and just plain cranky about it today. Tomorrow, I'll probably feel differently as my mood swings with the + or - of the scale. Chelley

Pammie - The Lucerna does have soap, shampoo and such which are left on the vanity for your use. Chelley

Chrissy - When I was banded, Dr. Martinez told me they put the VG band in when he checked on me post-op and expalained why. Before discharge I was given two wallet cards, one of which has a picture on the front of it of a banded stomach labeled "Lap-Band Medical Information". The front of my card has my name and Dr. Ortiz's name on it. The back side has the sticker label from the package that contained my lap-band. This sticker has a green border around it and says "LAGB VG" telling me I have a VG band. It also has the reference number and serial number of my band. Check and see if you have one! Chelley BTW - There are not any dumb questions! If in doubt, or you can't find your card, maybe Lori can check for you.

The pre-op I had consisted of a counsultation meeting with the nutritionist in which acurate height, weight, BMI were calculated and the eating plan was explained in detail for the post-op period and thereafter as a lapbander. Next, I had blood drawn which was just a basic pannel of lab tests (CBC) done to verify your current health such as your blood count to make sure you are not anemic, your white cell count to make sure you don't have an active infection. Electrolytes were also checked to make sure the body is in good condtion to undergo major surgery. Part of this workup also included an HIV test since immocompromised patients do not need a foriegn body implanted like a lapband. After the blood was drawn, an EKG was done to make sure my heart was healthy with no arrythmias which could be life threatening in surgery. Next was a pulmonary function test to measure the capacity and strength of my lungs to withstand anethesia. Dr. Jimenez collects information on you past medical history and will evaluate any area he feels is important to follow up on. Because I am diabetic, my blood sugar level was also monitored. Chelley

Ladybug - I wish I could help you, but I had my credit card company deposit the amount directly into my checking account then I sent a personal check for the deposit and took at cashier's check for the remainder with me to TJ. Chelley

Not sure about that one. I'd definately ask. Chelley Hang in there Rid... you can do it as long as you know it is only for two weeks and you've already got a few days knocked out of the way! Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing!!

Rid .. you forgot to mention the nice strawberry chalk flavor of the barium! LOL!!! Get use to it my friend, expecially if you want to have your fills under fluroscopy because you get to drink that stuff again and again! FYI .. make sure you watch your bowels ... if they didn't tell ya, barium can set up like concrete in your colon unless you drink plenty of water and don't be worried if your first stools are a little pale. It is standard at my hopsital that all patients having a barium test get a nice dose of Milk of Magnesia before bedtime ... we loving call it MOM for short. Yeah, I know... we nurses have sick humor! P.S. - It's not necessary to take MOM after a fill because you don't actually chuck-a-lug it like you do for a upper GI exam. Drinking adequate amounts of water will help eliminate the barium from a fill.

Jodie - I had this problem too. When I was in my 20's I had to have one of my saliva glands removed due to a tumor and as a result I feel like I don't have enough moisture in my mouth to chew and swallow, but it is really a matter of transitioning to smaller bites. Now that I have restriction, I can't drink and eat because there isn't enough room for it all and I'll end up PB'ing. Try cutting up whatever you are eating like you are feeding a toddler and you will find that with the smaller bites you do have enough moisture in your mouth to chew and swallow. I also sip liquids before the meal, but once I get ready to eat I stop drinking and do not drink for about 1 hour after a meal. Hope this information helps! Chelley

Congratulations and welcome to the world of the banded! I look forward to reading about your progress!

Rid - Congratulations! If I could have found a qualified surgeon who would have done my surgery in the USA for that price just minutes away from my home ... I'd have signed up in a heartbeat! I'm happy for you and I look forward to hearing your posts about your experience. I'll be praying for your success and wish you the best! Chelley

Sheila, As the swelling reduced post band, my hunger increased. On the full liquid phase, I used a hand blender to puree or liquify food with a little more substance to it. For instance, the London Broil you made... you could have added a potato and a little broth and blended it into a hearty soup. Just don't make the mistake I have and continue to do that when you are suppose to be eating solids. I was able to drink and eat like I could pre-band by the time of my first fill. Also, I don't want to bum you out ... but one week after my first fill I was a bottomless pit again. From what I understand, I am not alone .... it is hard work getting this fill business down to the sweet spot and is much more of a challenge than I ever anticipated. I was really hard on myself and I shouldn't have been because I wanted instant results. Head hunger is a nasty *****! I always flipantly said, "food is my drug of choice" ... and oh boy ... I just didn't realize how much so. Now that I can't eat to soothe away anxiety, anger, fear or any other emotions I don't want to deal with I find myself choosing other outlets like cleaning the house, crocheting, working Sudoku puzzles... but still there I am (as one of Dr. Ortiz's patients wrote in his book) "circling the kitchen like a shark". Sheila, I just can't imagine what I'd do if I had to prepare meals for a family and sit and watch them eat while I had my liquids. I applaude your resolve. As far as spitting out food... well, that wasn't one of my more proud moments. I cried actually after that and berated myself for being so weak. I thank you for sharing your experience because it makes me feel like I'm not the only one out there going through this difficult transition. Chelley Woohoo Rid! I'll be thinking about you and praying for your success. Chelley

Sharon - I'm so glad to hear you are doing well with the band. This is a difficult time of adjustment after surgery when you are waiting for the first fill then you hope and pray you hit your sweet spot on the first fill or soon thereafter. I wish you success. Be kind to yourself on this journey and keep posting so we can know how you are doing! Chelley

Thanks Rid! How are you coming along in your decision to get the band? Keep us posted. Chelley

Geezzz... I'm going back on what I said I wouldn't do which is waste another nanosecond of my time on this topic. I just want to point out that there are two threads to this topic on this forum that were posted and perhaps if both threads were combined, one would get a clearer picture of what has been posted all the way around. Certainly anyone can ask questions but these these questions came across strongly as allegations. You have to understand that many of Dr. Ortiz's patients feel like he SAVED THEIR LIVES and that denotes a powerful loyalty. Every patient has the responsibility to verify their physicians credentials and that wasn't done before heresay was posted on this site. As a result, responses were posted in defense of a beloved doctor. With all has been said, can we now get back discussing the lapband rather than fingerpointing? If anyone is still in doubt about Dr. Ortiz's credentials here is some information I found helpful when I was researching the Obesity Control Center and Dr. Ortiz. Links to research Dr. Ortiz's credentials: www.obesitycontrolcenter.com - click on the link to left of the page "Who Is Dr. Ortiz" www.fasc.org www.asbs.org The above organizations verify that Dr. Ortiz is a surgeon. Also check out the newly banded topic for experiences of those who have recently been banded. Particularly look at "My looonnggg journey" which is an experience posted by a lapbander who was turned away initially for health reasons. These doctors are not in this just to make a buck, but they really seem to care about you as a person. www.lapbandtalk.com is another forum where you can participate that includes patients from all parts of the world and who have used varius bariatric surgeons. Dr. Ortiz's book which is objective and contains chapters written by other bariatric surgeons "Lapband for Life". If you have any unresolved questions, I know Dr. Ortiz was willing to speak to me via telephone before I committed to having the procedure. Chelley

Maria - It is perfectly normal to be worried. I'm a nurse and I was freaked out when my fills felt like they were comming from the twilight zone. We want so desperately for this to work for us and for the first time in a long time we have hope... but this little nagging voice won't shut up that says "what if this doesn't work either" ... right??? Hang in there! I'd recommend you get your fills under fluro since the last doc had trouble accessing your port. In the 3 months since I had surgery, my belly fat distribution has changed with inches lost and my port has tilted somewhat and even with fluro, the doctor had a little of a challenge getting the needle in my port. Keep us posted! Chelley

Kel - I understand your frustration so well. I thought my band was leaking! It wasn't , of course. One thing that doesn't get discussed on this forum are experiences of lapbanders once they are in the quest of that sweet spot. Trying to get restriction is frustrating, can be discouraging, and costly. I'd like to see more of us who have been banded for a few months talking openly about our experiences. I was so focused on having the surgery and crossing that hurdle, I didn't even have a clue that was the easy part. As you can see from my weight loss ticker on my posts, I've not lost a lot of weight either and mine yo-yo's drastically. The day of my 3rd fill I was very discouraged and even tearful when I weighed in at 215lbs which was my weight the day of surgery. One week out from the fill and I've stablized at 210 now for a few days, but I'm dropping some inches because my waistband on those new size 18 jeans I was so proud to get into are not so darn tight. I gave away all my larger clothes so I wouldn't have the luxury of moving back up a size because I want this to work. How are you dealing with head hunger? It is so hard for me sometimes because food has been such a big part of my life. As far as how does the restriction feel? For me, it is really tight in the morning. I mean I can't even sip something cold or I feel this pressure type pain as the fluid I just tried to swallow backs up in my esophagus. I've learned in this last week to sit out whatever I want to drink before I get in the shower so it's not so cold. I usually drink an 8oz glass of lowfat or soy milk in the morning, but it can't be ice cold. It seems I can tolerate hot better than cold. So, a lot of times for breakfast I fix a little serving of malt-o-meal and that seems to open my band up so every bite isn't slidding back up my throat. Eating anything solid can be a painful experience right now if I'm not careful! I have to remember to cut whatever I'm eating up like I was feeding a toddler. Little bites and chew until there is no substance to it and swallow ... wait ... if it goes down ok... try another bite. Crispy works better than chewy for me also. I can eat dry Cherrios but put milk on them and uggg... praying at the toilet. Forget soft bread ... but toast is tolerable ... but only about 1/2 slice. I was so concerned about not being able to drink while eating and it isn't even an issue because while I'm trying to eat, if I forget and take a drink ..... owwwwww ... the fluid hits the band and immediately rebounds up in my esophagus with a sharp pain that will literally take my breath away. I was a little worried I might be too tight right now, but I don't think so. I can eat 1/3 or less of what I could before but only when I do little bites and chew it well with no fluid to wash it down. Gone are the days of taking a big drink of something... I can only tolerate sips unless I want to experience that immediate pain. Immagine pacing the livingroom, beating your chest like a gorilla because you think your chest is going to pop open! It does take painful lessons to correct 39 years of eating habits I suppose. I'm constantly sipping water and getting it down is a task because I use to could drink 16oz water in a few minutes. Now, it takes me several hours to sip a 16oz of bottled water.. of course I'm doing other things, but I have to be mindful to drink my water. Best wishes with your next fill. Keep me posted on your progress. It was good to hear from you again! Chelley

Jodi - I enjoyed reading your post. Congratulations on your weight loss thus far. I had these weird rumblings in my stomach after being banded. I did have to eat about every 2-4 hours to keep from getting hunger pains and sometimes, all it took was a few bites. Now that I have restriction, I find I get hungry about every 4 hours. I've also noticed that sometimes when I think I want to eat, I'm actually thirsty. These new feelings are difficult for me to sort out. I'd not had true hunger pains until I began that pre-op diet of salad greens and protein shakes. I've never really been truly thristy before either. For me, eating now is like an experiment and it is changing ..... my whole life revolved around what I was going to eat, when I was going to eat, and where I was going to eat. No one could have prepared me for this adjustment ... we all have to go through it in our own unique way. Chelley

Thanks Rose! I really do wish I'd researched more about the VG band before I was banded, but I never considered that Dr. Ortiz would have to use one on me! I was 215lbs at the time of surgery and I assumed that I'd get a regular band. I thought the VG bands were just for the morbidly obese. WRONG! I carry the majority of my weight around my middle and the larger size band was the best choice for Dr. Ortiz to place around my fat padded stomach. I'll have to have more fills and my weight loss will be slower, but as long as I loose weight and keep my diabetes under control, I will be pleased with that. To update you all..... At this time, I have finally found restriction and there is most definately a difference between true restriction and swelling. I get that slidding pressure feeling in my espoghagus frequently when I forget to sip or I take too large a bite. Head hunger is very difficult to deal with and I found myself wanting so badly just to be able to eat a dish I made a few days ago, that I .......... sry this is gross....... but I chewed a few bites and spit them out in the trash! Then I was mortified... and was like OMG.... what ARE you DOING??? My sister has been teasing me saying "I had to watch you eat whatever you wanted for 3 months while I starved on bites ... now you see how it is!" But she has lost 45 lbs .. was fortunate enough to get restriction on her first fill and I'm so very proud of her. But she learned 3 months ago what she could and couldn't eat and she went through the pains of head hunger while I was shoveling it in like there was no tomorrow and whinning about not having any restriction. I have to say that I can't eat by Dr. Miranda's plate method very well, but I am trying. Three days after the fill, I came off liquids and tried the plate method. Two small bites into the grilled chicken and I was standing over the toilet praying that God would let me live. So, what did I do??? After the symptoms of my immpending MI (that's what it's gotta feel like) went away, I blended that chicken up with some broth and ate it ................ which was probably not good b/c now I know I can eat just about anything pureed. Kinda defeats the purpose of the band. So this week I'm being a good lapbander and have put away the hand blender and am trying really hard to eat like I'm suppose to. Head hunger tells me ... blend it ... but my resolve it to not give into that so I'm crocheting, working more hours, and trying ... trying ... trying to shut the negative self talk off so I can succeed with this band.

Hi - I financed my surgery via credit card. I got a really good locked in 5% interest rate as a special offer from my mastercard. That rate was far better than anything else I could afford. Of course, now my little cedit card is smoking and is in danger of being sliced in the shredder ... but I'd do it again. It was the only way I could afford the airfare, the band and the fills. Chelley

My first fill was done in TJ, Mexico by Dr. Romero who is one of Dr. Ortiz's colleagues. Since having the first fill, I found a place more convienent and close to home for my fills because airline fare has increased quite a bit with the fuel situation the way it is. Plus, to be perfectly honest ... a 2 hour drive to the airport, a 3 hour plane ride, and overnight stay in TJ then back home was just exhausting for a 15min procedure! The nearest Fill Center USA, which Dr. Ortiz is affilated with for aftercare here in the USA is just about as far away as TJ ... so I opted for a radiology group in Paris, TX which is 45 minutes from my itty bitty home town in Oklahoma. I've had two fills by the radiologists, but there is no aftercare. My primary care physician here in the USA provides all that for me. If going to TJ for your fills isn't economically feasible, I'd recommend you contact Lori or Carolyn with Dr. Ortiz's office and access their list of fill docs here in the USA. Now, they do not actually recommend these physicians ... they have just complied a listing of docs who are willing to do fills for patients banded in Mexico. It's still up to you to do your homework. Best wishes! Chelley BTW Laura ... I saw where you've posted that you've since had a fill. Hope you are doing well. Best wishes on your journey to a healthier life. Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Linda, I see that no one has answered your post and there is a plausible explaination for that... a lot of us here are newly banded. This web forum hasn't been in existence that long, but there are a few on the forum that drop in time to time and reading their shared experiences are pearls of wisdom to all of us newly banded folks. I've been banded for 3 months and it has not been a tip-toe through the daisies, but it hasn't been hell either. Do I regret having the band? Absolutely NOT! I still think it was a decision to SAVE MY LIFE. As a result of being banded, my blood sugar levels have normalized and I no longer have to inject myself with insulin 3-4 times a day! I put a lot of time and energy into researching Dr. Ortiz, having surgery in Mexico, and making the decision to have this life-altering surgery and even with all that prep time and my experience as a nurse, I was suprised to find myself floundering after surgery and having all these feelings that I couldn't process because I've been self medicating with food all my life! You are wise to ask questions of people who have been banded for over a year because they have gone through the range of emotions from excitement, hope, thrill, disillusionment as you seek that perfect fill, discovery that food is not your best friend anymore ... to finally success with a measure of contentment. Lapbandtalk at www.lapbandtalk.com is a forum online that I also participate in that is very frank where you may be able to get the response you are seeking from long term banded patients. Best wishes to you on your journey to a healthier life. Chelley

They did have a hard time (both for the fill and unfill) finding my port, and I was poked several times before they got the needle in. Could the needle have punctured the band? Does .25 cc really make you THAT much tighter? Why was I tight with 1.5, but looser with 1.75? I am sorry about all the questions. I am just curious about the fills. People talk about eating 1/2 Cup of food before full. I just ate 2 sushi rolls with not problem. I even thought that perhaps I had slippage with 1.5cc, and when the doc took out the fill, my stomach went back into place, which is why 1.75 does nothing? I just don't know. Anyone have any ideas? Congratulations on your weight loss thus far! I think it's fantastic that you have lost over 30 lbs in 4 months. The ideal weight loss is 1-2lbs a week and you've certainly done that. Pat yourself on the back because it isn't an easy feat in the quest to find the magic fill level ...... been there .... gosh it's hard! A lot of people think that you should drop drastic amounts of weight like gastric bypass patients, but that isn't true. Lap-banders loose their weight at a slower pace which is healthier because you don't have the nutrient loss gastric bypass patients experience. I was very puzzled about my band up until last week. I had a 2.8cc fill in TJ 8 weeks after surgery. I had restriction at first and then "poof" it was gone and I was eating just like I was pre-band. At the time of my second fill, which I elected to have here in the USA, the doc could only draw back 0.5cc from the band. I was seriously freaked out and couldn't get answers to satisfy my nurse's mind. I made the assumption that ... OMG... MY BAND IS LEAKING! I received my 3rd fill this last week... and HELLO... restriction!!! When I posed the question on another forum as to what was up with all this fill business, two very kind bariatric surgeons offered the explaination that my first fills had gone into priming the band. As it turns out, my tummy was still pretty sensitive 8 weeks post-op and just the action of placing the first fill irritated the banded area and caused swelling, which is a normal side effect. What I thought was initial restriction was actually swelling and when it resolved ... I could eat like a horse! Fill #2 also went into priming my band.... by the way I have the larger band. To kinda understand what was happening... just imagine connecting a water hose to the hydrant and turning the water on ... how much water does it take to fill the hose before it starts coming out the open end? The bariatric docs that responded to my post said it sometimes takes 3cc or so to prime the VG band. So far with fill #3 I have restriction ... and I hope it lasts... I've already joined the PB Club... OUCH! I would encourage you to call your doctor and express your concerns. Was your fill done under fluroscopy where the doctor could visualize your port on film as he accessed it? I have heard of cases where the tubing became disconnected from the band or the port, but it is rare since Inamed improved the design of the band. Once again, this was just my experience. Please refer your concerns to your doctor and keep us posted on how you are doing. Chelley

Nita - Thank you for your kind words. I'd like to encourage others to keep posting and sharing your experiences too! This forum is an excellent place to learn about the lapband while making a decision about having surgery, but it's also a support forum and I'd like to see more of those who have been banded sharing their stories! I get inspired reading the posts daily and hope that this site will continue to grow so that we can all support each other on our journey to better health. Keep us posted Nita! You will be amazed at how empowered you are going to be as your surgery nears. Having hope does that for you! God bless! Chelley

Jennifer - When I went in for my second fill, the doctor could only pull back 0.5cc of my original 2.8cc fill. I estimate that I now have 5.4cc fill rather than 7.7cc fill due to dissipation. I am four days out from my last fill and I do have restriction .... FINALLY. I have the vanguard band (VG for short) and it holds a maximum fill of 9cc. It's a larger band than they put in most lapbanders. I was so freaked out about not getting restriction after two fills because no one told me with the VG band some of the first fills go into priming this large band. I asked the fill doc if I should keep track of each fill amount or the running estimated total and he said each fill amount. The radiologists I use to do my fills always pull back to see how much is actually in the band then re-instill this in the band before adding more fill. Chelley

Deb, I am so very happy for you!!! Your experience inspires me and is a testament to how you can do anything when you want it badly enough! I wish you the best on this journey to a healthier body, mind, and spirit. God bless you! Chelley