karenlynn79

Huh, that's really weird, I couldn't find that to see what they said. Gail (Dr. Altschuler) is super quick on email and her office person Cathy is busy but gets back to people asap, so that's really surprising. Maybe they called an old number?? Not sure. The # I have is 415-897-9800

Great Michele, you won't regret it, she really is an excellent doctor!

Yes, I know I should! Just too busy I guess, like a lot of long-time bandsters so used to the band don't really even think about it! No Dr. Altschuler does not use Fluoro. She was trained down at the OCC years ago and she's really good "blind". I'd only had OCC-fills before her so I was kind of nervous, but she's cautious and makes you drink icy cold water, you can really feel the pause, then trickle, and get a sense of how tight you are with that. I am not 100% sure what she'll be charging now that FCUSA isn't around, so I don't want to put anything out there. It's about what everyone else charges, I think, though the other SF Bay Area docs charge WAY more because you're a "Mexico" patient.... =)

I just started a new topic re: a WONDERFUL Northern/Central CA fill doctor Gail Altschuler in Novato- she was with FCUSA but obviously not now. (they also didn't pay the docs for August and September fills BTW). Anyone who needs a fill in this area, I would recommend her 100% (I drive 2 hours to see her).

Hello, I don't get on this forum, but I am a long-time bandster (successful, though still going after 10 more pounds!). With FCUSA closing, I wanted to put my fill doc's info up here because she is WONDERFUL. Dr. Gail Altschuler has a clinic in Novato (and sometimes San Rafael I think), her practice is called The Altschuler Clinic for Weight Loss. She does a lot of different things, fills is just one of them. She's very much a global, whole-picture kind of fill doc, it's not just all about fills and restriction. She spends a lot of time with people and is very personable, fun and I trust her. I used to go back to OCC for fills but found Gail about 2.5 years ago and have been going to her since. I have a touchy band, it takes nothing to get me super tight out of the blue, and she's been super patient and helpful, letting me come in on a moment's notice if needed. I'm going to be writing an official testimonial for her website soon, but wanted to put it out there for anyone interested. Good luck to all! Karen

Hi all I don't post often anymore but this has been a long time coming. I've been putting off posting an update trying to make my F%$&* goal! But it hasn't happened yet. Short version for those who don't know me: banded Sept '06; got pregnant July '07, was 250lbs had my daughter; now at 160... been around 160 for a YEAR!! ah! So annoying! Last Xmas 08 I had my band tightened up on me from stress and since then it's been up and down. I've had so many fills and unfills I can no longer remember them all. Right now I am at an OK level but not losing so it's hard to stay positive! I started a job in July (hadn't worked in 2 years) so that is new stress that I am coping with. I have been really trying the past week and lost 0lbs but I didn't lose hope for once! Usually I spiral down and just give up when I don't lose but not this time! I am fitting in some size 8's, mostly 10's. My goal is to be a small 8 and I have tons of pants that I WILL fit in to damn it! None of my family has known about my band, I've experienced it all over the past 3.5 years. I can say that if I never was banded I might be closer to 300lbs now so I will never regret it! I have a local fill doc through Fill Centers who I really like though they are blind fills so I think that's been part my tricky fill level problem. Oh and most of you probably don't know - I had a breast lift with augmentation last March and an extended TT last April which is why my tummy looks so flat in my last pic!! Best thing I ever did (besides banding). Anyway I am posting this to encourage myself to not give up again!!! What's crazy is that I was about 8lbs lighter than now and I got depressed! and started gaining. I think a huge issue with me is that if I meet my goal then what will I strive for? And second I don't know how to have a normal food relationship! I can gain and I can lose but I cannot just co-exist with food. So resolving those 2 issues are my focus now. I love to read everyone's posts and I don't often respond but I've been there and you all are doing great! Karen

I had a breast lift and augmentation with Dr. Quiroz at Cosmed and they look fabulous and he gave me exactly what I wanted. I would recommend them definitely.

The Novato Fill Centers USA Dr- Dr. Altschuler is great. I have been going to her for a while and I highly recommend her. Karen

Hey Lisa I thought I had 0 recently too and went for a fill; I actually still had .6. Sometimes there is a little that stays in there so you might actually have a little bit. I am glad to hear you are doing better now. Sounds like you did irritate it and you're doing the right thing.....

That's great! I am in a similar boat, been trying to lose the last lbs forever!!! I don't have much restriction either but I do check on here once in a while just for a boost on bandster life... good luck!

I would like to add that my suggestion (as a mental health prof) is that even if your husband does not want to attend therapy - go yourself!

Hi Stephanie, I am a long-time bandster and I had my daughter 19 months ago (wow) and since then I have been all over the place with fills, and I wasn't before her. I used to be at 2 or 2.2 ccs; now even with .8ccs I've tightened to where I can't eat. I have been at zero for a while and I am battling maintaining and/or losing at this point. I don't know if the baby thing factors in, but it seemed to with me at least. Since last Xmas I have had so many fills and unfills I am not sure if my signature even covers them! I would agree with Pammie that you should get a small unfill. You don't want to wait it out like I always did and end up with an emergency (like 4 for me I think) where you can barely drink.... good luck Karen

Carrie when I weighed less than my husband I was sooo happy!! Now I am like 25 lbs less than him!! Ha! I have been stuck at this weight since March now so you do have to appreciate the NSVs more. You are doing great! Karen

Hi Nicole, I haven't been on the forum for weeks and I just saw, I am so glad you are ok! After the hell you've been through I am sure you are feeling so much better now! Definitely keep in touch on here!! Karen

Sabrina, Trust me, I feel your pain. I've been unfilled completely for weeks. I do still have restriction which is scary yet good. My secret is to keep exercising and I LIVE off of the "Eat This, Not That" books. I seriously think everyone on earth should have the books. There are 4 now I haven't got the newest yet but I read through them at each meal. I also am enjoying fruits and veggies that I couldn't eat with a fill. I've had some bad days for sure, gained like 5 lbs in the first week! But I am back down 6 lbs since so I am still going down. Good luck! Just pretend you have a fill! Karen