Re: Please reply if you are happy with your fill/band

[Guest guest]

I'm very pleased with the results of getting the lap band. I paid $15K for my

surgery, and would do it again in a heartbeat! Stay with it!

bslimsarah <elephantcrossing@...> wrote:

I am thinking of making an appointment to get my 3rd fill but, before

I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories. Right now I feel like

I made a Huge mistake in getting the lap band. We are in big finicial

debt do to this, & it would of been worth it if it had made a

differance in my life.

Now & then I get alittle choked up (on brocolli or all things) but

basically can't even tell I have it other then it hurts when I don't

eat! When I don't eat reguarly I get severe shoulder pain. So instead

of getting help in not eating so much I get a constant reminder to

eat! Also I get shoulder pain when ecersising heavily. If I jog past

2miles I will get unbearable pain.

Please tell me this will get better and be worth it.

My hubby says I shouldn't bother getting another fill, 400$ a pop, but

I want to know if it'll make a differance.

I know I rattled on a bit. Thanks

[Guest guest]

>

> I am thinking of making an appointment to get my 3rd fill but,

before

> I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories. Right now I feel

like

> I made a Huge mistake in getting the lap band. We are in big

finicial

> debt do to this, & it would of been worth it if it had made a

> differance in my life.

> Now & then I get alittle choked up (on brocolli or all things) but

> basically can't even tell I have it other then it hurts when I

don't

> eat! When I don't eat reguarly I get severe shoulder pain. So

instead

> of getting help in not eating so much I get a constant reminder to

> eat! Also I get shoulder pain when ecersising heavily. If I jog

past

> 2miles I will get unbearable pain.

> Please tell me this will get better and be worth it.

> My hubby says I shouldn't bother getting another fill, 400$ a pop,

but

> I want to know if it'll make a differance.

> I know I rattled on a bit. Thanks

$400 for a fill WOW where do you live?

>

[Guest guest]

The band has a more than 30% Faliour rate

No amount of willing and wanting will make it work. Seriously be in

the right mind set if the money really could be used els were within

the home think seriously about the money. Dont be fooled into thinking

one more fill will sort you out if you cant make the changes be

realistic.

I do hope you get it sorted being a struggling bandster i know how

difficult it can be. I would never spend money on a band but here in

the UK we have the NHS so my band today has cost me nothing financally

but a hell of a lot emotionally.

[Guest guest]

getting fills makes a difference! it is costly to

have this procedure, but not in emotional and

psycological health. continue on. maybe you could

have your fills done somewhere else!

--- Graves <c-graves@...> wrote:

> I'm very pleased with the results of getting the lap

> band. I paid $15K for my surgery, and would do it

> again in a heartbeat! Stay with it!

>

>

> bslimsarah <elephantcrossing@...> wrote:

> I am thinking of making an appointment to

> get my 3rd fill but, before

> I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories.

> Right now I feel like

> I made a Huge mistake in getting the lap band. We

> are in big finicial

> debt do to this, & it would of been worth it if it

> had made a

> differance in my life.

> Now & then I get alittle choked up (on brocolli or

> all things) but

> basically can't even tell I have it other then it

> hurts when I don't

> eat! When I don't eat reguarly I get severe shoulder

> pain. So instead

> of getting help in not eating so much I get a

> constant reminder to

> eat! Also I get shoulder pain when ecersising

> heavily. If I jog past

> 2miles I will get unbearable pain.

> Please tell me this will get better and be worth it.

> My hubby says I shouldn't bother getting another

> fill, 400$ a pop, but

> I want to know if it'll make a differance.

> I know I rattled on a bit. Thanks

>

>

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was banded 02-28-05, I have lost 125 lbs. Am I happy with my band?

Heck yes!! Unfortunately I went to have a fill last week, (I have had

3 and at 2.25cc's) but the Dr couldnt access my port...It has either

flipped or scar tissue or whatever...He just couldnt get that needle in

the right spot. He offered to make an appt for a fluoro fill, but I

figured I am 5 lbs away from my original goal weight and 10 or 15 lbs

from my new goal weight, I will try to lose the rest with my current

fill level....

I am very lucky, my health ins paid for my surgery (except $400 co-

payment) and I only pay $15 per visit (including fills) and I only live

15 miles from the hospital...So if I were in your shoes things may be

different.

Good luck!!

Patty

Tufts-NEMC

02/28/05

280/155/140-145

[Guest guest]

bslimsarah said //I am thinking of making an appointment to get my 3rd

fill but, before

I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories. Right now I feel like

I made a Huge mistake in getting the lap band. We are in big finicial

debt do to this, & it would of been worth it if it had made a

differance in my life. //

Hi,

I was banded 13 months ago, and it was the best thing I've ever done for

myself. But, you have to get the fill to the right level for the band

to work. And you have to understand that the band only helps by

controlling your hunger (or satiety defect, if you prefer). You will

still have to make good choices in what foods to eat, follow the rules

about not drinking with your meals, and eating protein first, and not

eat around the band. Some people get to the point where the band works

for them after 1 fill, some don't get there for 6-8 fills. This is why

a good followup program is so important, and why you need to get another

fill if it's not working. Does your doctor use fluoro to do a fill? At

$400, I would expect that because then it will cut down on the number of

fills. My doctor does free fills (and unfills) so it's more of a sneak

up on it process.

I've lost 65 pounds so far - I have almost all of the medical conditions

that go with losing slower: low thyroid, family history of type II

diabetes, over age 50, and knee problems that make it difficult to

exercise regularly. Given that, I've been very successful but I got

results from the first fill. I had to recently have an unfill because I

got pneumonia (due to seasonal allergies), and I've gained some weight

back( 4-5 pounds depending on which scale I use). But, I go in for

another fill tomorrow and I expect I'll be back on the losing track

right away. I find that even as little as .2 cc can be the difference

between losing and staying stable.

You don't say where you are, or what your doctor's fill philosophy is,

so I can't say whether you should look elsewhere for fills or not. But

I can say that you need to keep getting fills until the band works for

you. Otherwise, it truly was a big waste of money. Because the band

doesn't work unless it's filled correctly.

I hope this helps some,

Liz in Bellevue, WA

[Guest guest]

I am very happy with my band. I am within 5 lbs of my goal weight of

135.

I eat like a bandster 85% of the time. I was a volume eater - I

certainly don't do that anymore. I have a bit of a sweet tooth and a

have dessert a couple of days a week. But by dessert I mean a couple

of bites of something I am sharing with 4 other people (I LOVE

THAT). Six bites of low-carb cheesecake did not make me obese. When

I crave chocolate I eat one square of really, really good dark

chocolate.

I also exercise. I do 3 days of intense cardio and three days of

strength training and 30 minute cardio work out.

I am very happy. I have discovered my inner athlete - I snorkel,

ride my bike, and kayak. I don't love going to the gym but I go

anyway as part of my commitment to myself to never gain this weight

back. I am seeing a therapist to make sure that I have the

behavioral tools to keep this weight off for the rest of my life.

I can eat around the band. Most of the time I choose not to. That is

my commitment to myself. FYI, I was self-pay, too.

Do the right things. Good luck,

[Guest guest]

Re: Please reply if you are happy with your

fill/band

> The band has a more than 30% Faliour rate

PUREST NONSENSE!!! Please provide a citation, other than " someone told me

this " .

If you mean failure in the sense that someone can't or won't follow directions

and do what the band and doctor both tell them to do, it might be as high as ten

percent.

If you mean that people don't reach a " normal BMI " , then it might approach

thirty percent. But if you think that I'm a " failure " because I'll never get to

174 or less after weighing over 350, you're nuts. My doctor says I'm in perfect

health, I work out daily, I look good and feel good.

Also, some set unrealistic goals. I know a lady who had a BMI of over 50 and

set herself a goal of a BMI of 19, which is actually too low. Will she ever

make it? HIGHLY unlikely, even if she has extensive plastics after losing as

much as she can. Is she a failure? Well, maybe in her own sick mind she is,

but not to anyone else or to any medical charts.

The band IS A TOOL that will HELP YOU BECOME HEALTHIER.

A band is NOT MAGIC. You have to show up, suit up, SHUT UP, and follow

directions. MANY or MOST of us require counseling to help our sick minds deal

with change. We've gotten so damn fat in part because we've been unwilling to

change in the past. The band will HELP you change, not MAKE you change. I also

know people who've GAINED with a band. HOW? They've consumed vast amounts of

liquid calories. One of them " solved her problems " that had been much of her

overeating by simply switching addictions: she's now drinking a fifth a day,

consuming tons of ice cream and such, and despite a tight fill is GAINING.

> No amount of willing and wanting will make it work. Seriously be in

> the right mind set if the money really could be used els were within

> the home think seriously about the money. Dont be fooled into thinking

> one more fill will sort you out if you cant make the changes be

> realistic.

EXACTLY right. YOU have to change. Many of us need " a band around our heads "

to help " shrink our fat heads " , and if we don't get that, we won't make much

progress. I was fortunate that I didn't need a lot of that. Why? I'd dealt

with most of the demons in my life thirteen years earlier when I got clean and

sober. For MANY (but not all) obesity is an addiction to food.

> I do hope you get it sorted being a struggling bandster i know how

> difficult it can be. I would never spend money on a band but here in

> the UK we have the NHS so my band today has cost me nothing financally

> but a hell of a lot emotionally.

Yes, it is an emotional struggle for most of us. Y'all hang in there and for

those in the USA don't get crazy tomorrow on turkey day.

Y'all have bands now, so make them work. It is UP TO YOU.

dan

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: bslimsarah elephantcrossing@...

> I am thinking of making an appointment to get my 3rd fill but, before

> I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories. Right now I feel like

> I made a Huge mistake in getting the lap band.

We all have those feelings at times, both before actually getting it and

afterwards.

We are in big finicial

> debt do to this, & it would of been worth it if it had made a

> differance in my life.

> Now & then I get alittle choked up (on brocolli or all things) but

> basically can't even tell I have it other then it hurts when I don't

> eat! When I don't eat reguarly I get severe shoulder pain. So instead

> of getting help in not eating so much I get a constant reminder to

> eat!

So WHAT are you eating? How long do you chew it? How big are the bites?

How much did you weigh at banding, how much now, and how long has it been?

Also I get shoulder pain when ecersising heavily. If I jog past

> 2miles I will get unbearable pain.

I've not run into the exercise pain before. Are you sure it is related to the

band?

> Please tell me this will get better and be worth it.

Let us know more, like answers to the questions above, as that will help us sort

it out.

> My hubby says I shouldn't bother getting another fill, 400$ a pop, but

> I want to know if it'll make a differance.

> I know I rattled on a bit. Thanks

>

Rattling is fine. That's what we're all here for.

dan

[Guest guest]

> $400 for a fill WOW where do you live?

I don't know where she lives, but that price isn't really high OR really low.

I've heard current prices between $150 and $1200. Yes, really. Depends on

where you live, what is covered (such as fluoro), and so forth. And what the

local market will bear.

And the high end prices are why many of us who were banded in MX choose to go

back for fills.

dan

[Guest guest]

Hello

I am still kind of new to my band and still getting use to all of

it. I had my band at Loyalo Hospital in Chicago. I love my Dr. He

is great. I feel he saved my life when he agreed to do the

surgery. I was at an all time high weight of 390. I have lost 100

since being banded in April 24, 2006. I have had 4 fills and am

going to make an appointment for my 5th as soon as Friday morning

gets here. I was reading what you had written and had a couple of

questions.

What does eating around the band mean? I read that a lot here but

have no idea what it means and also what is fluoro when getting

filled? All I know is when I get a fill my doc weighs me first

then he will x-ray my tummy to find the band placement and port, he

then pokes for the port and does the fill. There have been a time

or two I was stuck many times before they found the port opening.

Scared me to death. They found it but not before scarring the

bejesus out of me. I was thinking all kinds of crazy things about

having to be cut on again. Pain scares me and I have a zero

tolerance for it. Currently I have terrible knee pain and swelling

in my left leg. I have been on lasix for 1 1/2 years and still

after the 100 loss I still have left leg swelling. I am still large

though and have a long way to go. Do most people reach there goal

within 2 years and what about skin problems. Oh well I will go for

now and await your reply

Tanke care and congrats on your loss and experience

leigh ann smith

>

> bslimsarah said //I am thinking of making an appointment to get my

3rd

> fill but, before

> I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories. Right now I feel

like

> I made a Huge mistake in getting the lap band. We are in big

finicial

> debt do to this, & it would of been worth it if it had made a

> differance in my life. //

>

> Hi,

>

> I was banded 13 months ago, and it was the best thing I've ever

done for

> myself. But, you have to get the fill to the right level for the

band

> to work. And you have to understand that the band only helps by

> controlling your hunger (or satiety defect, if you prefer). You

will

> still have to make good choices in what foods to eat, follow the

rules

> about not drinking with your meals, and eating protein first, and

not

> eat around the band. Some people get to the point where the band

works

> for them after 1 fill, some don't get there for 6-8 fills. This

is why

> a good followup program is so important, and why you need to get

another

> fill if it's not working. Does your doctor use fluoro to do a

fill? At

> $400, I would expect that because then it will cut down on the

number of

> fills. My doctor does free fills (and unfills) so it's more of a

sneak

> up on it process.

>

> I've lost 65 pounds so far - I have almost all of the medical

conditions

> that go with losing slower: low thyroid, family history of type

II

> diabetes, over age 50, and knee problems that make it difficult to

> exercise regularly. Given that, I've been very successful but I

got

> results from the first fill. I had to recently have an unfill

because I

> got pneumonia (due to seasonal allergies), and I've gained some

weight

> back( 4-5 pounds depending on which scale I use). But, I go in

for

> another fill tomorrow and I expect I'll be back on the losing

track

> right away. I find that even as little as .2 cc can be the

difference

> between losing and staying stable.

>

> You don't say where you are, or what your doctor's fill philosophy

is,

> so I can't say whether you should look elsewhere for fills or

not. But

> I can say that you need to keep getting fills until the band works

for

> you. Otherwise, it truly was a big waste of money. Because the

band

> doesn't work unless it's filled correctly.

>

> I hope this helps some,

>

> Liz in Bellevue, WA

>

[Guest guest]

>Just curious is t cheaper to be banded in Mexico/?? I was banded in

Chicago but had no insurance though was very very grateful that i have

a state medical card that paid for my band and continues to pay for

folollow ups and fills. A lot of people I have came across got angry

when finding out that the state paid for me to get help with weigh

loss. I am not happy to be on aid but due to what I had done to

myself I was unable to work and had no choice but to go on aid. I

could only stand for a very short amount of time, shortness of breath,

and all the other health related things that goes along with being so

large. I do know I am grateful, and thankful for the opportunity to

have the lap band and so far it has been sucessful for me. I know I

will have the chance to get healthy, get off aid and support myself

completely one day. I am just wondering does anyone know about the

skin issue after weight loss? When will dr do something about it and

will state aid help pay for the skin removal? Anyone had surgery yet

and can share experiences,

thanks

leigh ann

Hello Dan-How's it going?

I am not looking forward to cooking this huge meal tommorrow and not

being able to even get one small itty bitty bite of everything. Sucks

being fat )!!!!!! LOL Really I love my 100 pound less self and feel

much better this thanksgiving than I did last year at this time.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>

> > $400 for a fill WOW where do you live?

>

> I don't know where she lives, but that price isn't really high OR

really low. I've heard current prices between $150 and $1200. Yes,

really. Depends on where you live, what is covered (such as fluoro),

and so forth. And what the local market will bear.

>

> And the high end prices are why many of us who were banded in MX

choose to go back for fills.

>

> dan

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would do my band again - wish it had been available sooner. I'm not

a fast loser, having taken off 47 pounds in 7 months, but I was never

able to lose and keep it off before. I have much better health, lower

blood pressure, my knees hurt less and I am hopeful for my future, all

of which were not possible before.

I have had a few stuck incidents too, but tried not to make the same

mistake again. In spite of my little bumps in the road, I am very

pleased and would recommend serious consideration of the process to

others.

We have to accept the fact, we have to cooperate with the band and not

expect it to do it all. Sometimes I eat too much - I have grown to

realize I just can not put so much on even my small plate - if it is

there I am compelled to eat it. I have also gone back to measuring my

food. For me, staying with the basics and being vigilant are what

makes the band successful.

I have a mini-goal of being under 170 (six pounds to go) before I go

back home to MO for Christmas. I can do it if I am prudent.

Best ofluck to you.

>

> I am thinking of making an appointment to get my 3rd fill but, before

> I do i'd like to hear some encouraging stories. ...

[Guest guest]

leigh ann said // What does eating around the band mean? I read that a

lot here but have no idea what it means and also what is fluoro when

getting filled? ... Currently I have terrible knee pain and swelling

in my left leg. I have been on lasix for 1 1/2 years and still

after the 100 loss I still have left leg swelling. I am still large

though and have a long way to go. Do most people reach there goal

within 2 years and what about skin problems. //

Hi Leigh Ann,

I posted about eating around the band - it means eating foods that will

go through the band easily so you can eat more food, or drinking a

liquid while eating so the food is washed through. Basically, eating in

a way that stops the band from working for you as well as it would

otherwise. Foods that are soft or when chewed are very soft will go

through the stoma opening easily so you won't get the sensation of

fullness from eating them. Ice cream, chocolate, cream pie, mashed

potatoes... you get the idea.

As for your knee pain, I had no real change in my knee pain until I got

below 230 pounds (I'm 5 ft 4 inches tall, just to give an idea). A

friend of mine had immediate relief of her knee pain at losing 10 pounds

and she started about 30 pounds higher than I did. My conclusion is

that when it improves will vary, but it will get better. Just stick

with it.

As for reaching goal in 2 years, this too varies but I feel confident I

will. I'm willing to do what I need to do so I make this goal. The

patient info for my doctors practice shows lapband patients and bypass

patients hitting the same weight loss at the 3 year mark. Bypass is

faster, but has a rebound, in general. Lapband is slower but less

invasive and most patients don't regain weight once it's lost.

Hope this helps,

Liz in Bellevue, WA

10/26/05 NWWLS Dr. Montgomery

[Guest guest]

I am very happy with my band and I would do it over again if given the

chance. I have been overweight mostly my whole life except when I

would try different diets only to gain the weight back.

I was banded on August 2, 2005 at around 295 (I'm 5'5 " ) and set a goal

weight of 150.

I had lost 100 lbs in the first year and have been hanging out here in

the 190's since then. I know I probably need a fill and I will be

getting on next month for sure. Last month I was having some problems

and so the doctor felt it important to overcome those eating

issues/problems I was having before he did a fill. So I'm hoping next

month I will get back to a good level and begin to lose a little more

weight.

I know now that my goal of 150 is a little unrealistic. So I would be

happy even if I get to 170 or so. I know I can do it, I just need to

re-ramp back up and get to work on it. My exercise is Curves 3-4 days

a week which worked in the beginning but now my body is too used to it

so I need to step up the cardio part.

Plus like many of you have said I have learned to eat around my band

and I need to realize that this isn't magic. It's really a tool that

I need to use correctly or it will not work.

So on this Thanksgiving Day I am thankful to my band that I won't be

so full and sick by the end of the day for overeating!

Audrey

[Guest guest]

Hello- I am very happy with my band; it was removed on 10/04/05 and I have not

had any nausea/vomitting since. It was too high on the esophagus and causing

problems.

If your surgeon prides themselves on being the best/the fastest, bewarwe,

sometimes haste really does make waist! I don't regret being banded and would

do it all over again because of things I took back in my life. I did not reach

my goal, but have not given up and still stay in touch with my bandster buddies.

DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liz Copeland <lizc@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Answers. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

I was banded over 3 years ago and absolutely love my band and each and every

fill I have received from my MX surgeon.

It is very sad to hear that you did not get to have the same experience as the

majority of us. Yet, it does sound like you have chosen not to become bitter

and used it to become a better you. That part is wonderful in and of itself.

May God continue to bless you on your own unique journey towards health and

weight loss.

jo

patricia monette <mrsmo98661@...> wrote:

Hello- I am very happy with my band; it was removed on 10/04/05 and I have not

had any nausea/vomitting since. It was too high on the esophagus and causing

problems.

If your surgeon prides themselves on being the best/the fastest, bewarwe,

sometimes haste really does make waist! I don't regret being banded and would

do it all over again because of things I took back in my life. I did not reach

my goal, but have not given up and still stay in touch with my bandster buddies.

DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR

LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liz Copeland <lizc@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Answers. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

>

>Had the same problem over two years ago; and had to have the band

removed. In retrospect I blame the fact that I didn't have a fill in

the first four months, even though I was compliant with the diet and

losing weight consistently. Two years later, August 2006, I was able

to be banded again. I told the surgeon that I expected a fill at six

weeks if I lost the weight at the same rate as last time. At four

months I had another fill and flouroscope. I'm glad to say all is on

track and my band is fine. I'm of the mind that banding is still a

learning experience for me and my doctor.

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Answers. Try it now.

>

>