mona-camille

Where abouts are you in central Pa? Anywhere near Harrisburg? Thats not really central, but just wondering how far you am from me.

I am very proud of you all too!! It's hard enough to quit one thing (eating) much less two (smoking). You guys/gals are awesome!!

Better give Dr. Ortiz a call. There are some drugs that you cannot be on prior to surgery. Not sure what they are though.

Good for you!! Hope your restriction lasts a good long time!!!

I thought I was calling the NJ one, but then she told me she was in Arizona and she was the receptionist for ALL the offices. She would have put me in touch with the NJ location if I had decided to make an appointment. I am still waiting for someone from NYU to call me back because I thought someone said they do fills for Mexico patients for $100.00. Also, someone mentioned a woman on the PA/MD border for $200.00 a fill. Those would be without fluro though. I WANT fluro but I am starting to think that money is going to stand in the way this time. She has the price range for ALL the fill centers though as it seems they vary.

Sure you can see a difference!!!! Good for you, you are so cute!!!

Evette could probably help you, she lives in San Diego and is very knowledgable. I was going to spend the day there when I flew in for my second fill, but it was going to be a 2 hour wait for a rental car so we ended up not staying. Wish I could have though. When in August are you going? I might/MIGHT be going with my friend who is being banded on August 22nd. Haven't decided if I am going yet. She has her brother to go so it's not like she is going alone.

I was just calling them to get a price and ended up telling her my story. WOW, she was very very nice! She said even if I don't end up going with them for a fill, she wanted my name and number so she could follow up with me. She said even going somewhere else, they still like to help anyone who needs it. That was very impressive. What she said was, that people with the larger VG band (Yup, thats me) do end up getting more fills more often, because there is more space to fill. She said it was not uncommon to hear those of us with VG bands to have this problem. Being full for a week and then not. She said I was just around half way with my fill (I have 5.8) and could be higher based on their guidlelines. She said, wait a week and when they call me back to follow up, she will have a dietician listen to what I am eating, my fullness factor and them determine if I should get another fill right away. She also explained how and why they determine whether or not to bother with fluro. First of all, it depends on if they can feel your port through your skin. If they can, then there is no need for fluro because there ARE guidelines to follow when it comes to fill amounts fluro or not. She said you will know if you are too tight based on whether you can drink water right after or not. Also, she said that although it IS possible to poke the tube, it is a very different feel than poking the port and it isn't easy to get the needle into the tube so that is very very rare and not really a concern. She also said that the higher the BMI the more likely they will want to use fluro and I am on the edgeof having to use it. That would make my first initial visit $650.00 plus the cost of gas to drive there. But the cetner is only about an hour away so thats good. So, I'll wait to hear from them next Monday and go from there. But, it did put my mind at ease to know that this is kind of common with the VG band.

Trina, is the lump in your throat or high in your chest between your breast bone? If your description is the adams apple area, I wouldn't think that was the pouch since the pouch is farther down, not in your throat. You could have scratched your throat and got a swollen lump from it, I have done that before. But, I wouldn't worry about a full pouch if you have gone over night and it is still there. It is probably just a throat irritation of some sort and you got swollen from it. Did you drink something too hot maybe and gave yourself a little burn? That might cause swelling. Just thinking aloud is all.

Good - well not good, but glad I am not the only one. I am already looking around for places to get a fill. I can't keep going back to Mexico, but the fill center New Jersey that is somewhat close to me, is way too expensive ofr the fisrt visit. I am looking for something more cost effective. I had thought someone mentioned NUY but I called them and no-one there can seem to give me an answer. So, making calls!

Geez, I am only at 3000, guess I got to get my butt moving!

So, with my second fill on 6/27 at the OCC, all was fantastic as you all know. Had huge wonderful restriction. Could barely eat 1/3 cup of food or less. Stuck with mostly protein because I was eating so little. Got a few veggies in me and very little fruit. I knew right when to stop because I could feel it in the chest area. Plus, it kept me full for hours and hours. It was great! Now, all of a sudden, since saturday, it seems to have disappeared. All of a sudden like too. The restriction is gone. Seems like my stomach is back to the old way yet again. Any ideas on what the heck could have happened? Last night I made myself a protein shake, even though I know we aren't supposed to have those now, but I wanted to see if they would fill me up like they did before. And it did, kept me full all night. I was SOOOOO in love with that tightness I had before saturday!! I have 5.8 cc's in a vg band, if that matters. So, here is my idea - wishful thinking really: I was so tight that first week and ate so little, that I lost sooo much fat off my stomach that I need another full already! Or, I should just shut-up and wait a while and see what happens???? Also, did someone on here once say that NYU does fills under fluro for $100.00 or so? I am looking for somewhere to go near me (Eastern, PA) and I don't mind driving a few hours to get there, it's just that I need somewhere CHEAP since I have already been to OCC 3 times this year and am really broke now. Thanks for any help and advice!!!

OH MY GOD GIRL!!!! Thats 18 miles you know. WOW! GOOD FOR YOU!

Take it one day at a time. Seriously, it was hard for all of us, but if you can just go with the one day at a time thinking, it might help you through it more. Each day gets easier and easier. Plus, the biggie for me was protein. As long as I ate eggs, meat, cheese, like the Atkinds diet, it kept me very full and was much wasier to follow.

Awwwww, I've just been hugged! Thanks, and right back at ya, buddy!!

WOW, good for you!!! Bet that feels good!

Well, if no-one else claims them, I will!

Well, I'd love them, but I am not in a 20 yet.

I would look for something sugar free. If you are a big beer drinker, then that is probably what put you overweight to begin with --if you ARE overweight, which I assume since you are on this forum. But if you want to lose weight bad enogh, giving up beer won't be a problem.

Ahhhhh thats better. You look much happier!

YEAH good for you!!!!!!

YEAH good for you!! Happy losing!!

I waited 9 weeks due to airline tickets and I was NOT happy about it and wouldn't do it again if given the choice. YOu will be happier going as soon as you can.

Wow, 30 pounds is nothing to sneeze at, you are doing great. You just might be at a plateau now and it will eventually go away. Just keep the faith!!

Nope, no pain. You can feel a weird sensation in your chest as they are injecting the saline, but it isn't pain. Just a weird sensation. And remember, as distasteful as needles are, the stomach is the least hurtful place to get one. Seems weird to think that, but ask any diabetic. When my neice became diabetic at a young age, I had to learn how to give shot and instead of practicing on her, I practiced on myself. I was terrified because I hate needles, but I wasn't going to hurt her just for practice so I did it to myself. Hard at first, but no pain whatsoever. You can't even feel the needle. Hard to believe, but it is true. After that, it even gave me more confidence with ANY needle, even blood tests. No more fear. I figured if my 12 year old neice could do 3 shots a day for the rest of her life, then as an adult I ought to be able to handle a few shots too. Thinking that way boosted my needle confidence. I'm only telling you all this in the hopes that maybe it will help you face the needle a little easier. GOOD LUCK, you'll be fine!!!!