Blazn

Jena, the flight back from TJ was uncomfortable. But not from the incisions. I had a lot of left shoulder pain post-op. It actually took about 3-4 weeks to completely go away and now that I have had my fill I can feel the pain every once in a while. But it is bearable. Be sure to take some Gas-X strips with you in case you have the same problem I did. Good luck.

Day 1 - Warm clear liquids Day 2 - Any temp clear liquids Day 3 - Full liquids (creamy soups, etc) Day 4 - Soft foods (mashed potatoes, etc) Day 5 - Advance as tolerated. They really only give a 3 day recommendation but Darlene added Day 4-5 as a common rule of thumb.

You're right. Darlene will not perform a fill without fluoro. I too, wanted to go back to TJ for my first fill but it was going to cost the same thing to go back there and I certainly can't go back every time so I decided to go ahead and set up with Fill Centers. That way I wouldn't have to pay $500-600 for my first fill to TJ and $500-600 for my second to Fill Centers - now my next fill will be $285 with fluoro. All went great and Darlene does check the band to make sure it is in place before any filling. She will do this every time. She also told me that if - IF - IF something every happens and the pouch gets stretched out they can release the fill and (it takes some time) allow the stretched part of the pouch to fall down through the band and then re-fill. Although I pray that never happens it is reassuring to know. I just feel like after several years that pouch will have more elasticity and may stretch easier - so it eases my mind to know there are options.

She did access the port under fluoro. Sorry if I was not clear about that. The machine was over me at first. It all happened so fast - I mean I was laying there, she prepped my stomach, felt around a little, and said "okay, you're gonna feel a little stick" and poof it was over. But when I laid down they put the machie over my stomach. Then they moved the machine over and she sat me up. It only took her like 20 seconds to find and access my port. And she did no probing with the needle. As soon as she went in I knew she had it. I guess that comes from me accessing ports at work but when you go in and hit the rubber center you have to apply more pressure and then you hit the metal backing and that's how you know you're there - I could feel all of that. But I was suprised where she stuck. She went in like 3/4 in. below by port scar. The port must move a little when I lay dow (I can't feel it when I lay down) but when I sit up it is like 1.5 in. to the left of my port scar. So that suprised me. Anyway - don't have fill envy - LOL. You are doing so good I hope this kick starts me again.

It went really good. It was just like you said. Hardly even felt it - kinda like an ant bite. So my fill....3cc in a 4cc band. Wow - I know. But I watched the barium pass through and it went through fine. I just posted my full experience if you want to read it there. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=5971&hl= Thanks for asking though. So I see you are ready for your next fill. I hope I won't need one for a while. Keep us posted. Hey - what are Dr. Romero's post-fill guidelines?

Good luck next week Amber. I had my first fill today and it was a cinch! Keep us posted and don't be a stranger.

Jenn is Cassie's mom. Cassie is featured on Dr. Ortiz's website and in his book. She is the youngest banded patient ever. She was banded at age 13. She was also featured on Oprah on a show about lap band. She is a beautiful young girl who I am sure is still in school and very busy so doesn't have a lot of time to post. So her mom does it for her. Here is the link to Cassie's story http://obesitycontrolcenter.com/success_patient_cassie.php

How embarassing!! Thank God I was asleep!!

Well, I did it. Or at least Darlene did. So I went to the Roswell, GA fill center (Fill Centers USA) today and had my first fill. Darlene, the nurse practitioner that does the fills in Roswell and Moultrie, was great. Everyone was great. Her daughter is the receptionist and her son "works" the patients up - vital signs, weighin's, etc. So I signed in, filled out a little paper work, and was given my welcome package - which included this great Post-lap band do's and don'ts. Within 5 minutes I was in the back and lying on the table. Darlene explained everything to me while she worked. I told her about me getting sick last week and how I was initially afraid of slippage but that I had been eating fine since then. She assured me that we would look at the band and make sure it was still in place. So she accessed my port - which was a cinch - like a little ant bite. Then she sat me up and the fluoro machine was to my left with a screen where I could see it all. Then I took sips of barium (which did not taste terrible). Of course the barium passed through easily. Then she instilled 2 cc's and I took more sips. Then she added a little more because the barium was still passing through too fast. So to make a long story short I ended up with ......get this - 3cc fill in a 4cc band for my first fill. Of course she was hesitant but I drank barium over and over to ease mine and her mind. It all passed through with ease - but of course slower than with no fill. Which is the point!! She then told me what to look for if the band was too tight and gave me a bottle of water. I then went back to the waiting room and sipped water for about 20 minutes (about 3/4 of the bottle) just to make sure it was going to go down. After that I was on my way. On my way shopping, that is. I had a great experience and would reccommend Darlene to anyone. I am on warm clear liquids today, then tomorrow any temp clear liquids, then full liquids on Monday and advance as tolerated after that. I drank some clear wonton soup (without the wontons) for lunch today and all went down fine. So as we say in the south when we are ready to tackle something......It's on like a chicken bone!! Let the games begin. I am ready to continue this weight loss journey. Thanks for all of your support. I will keep you all posted.

I took some flip flops to walk around in and changed into my comfortable VS pj pants and a tank. I shed those lovely paper panties as soon as I could function after surgery.

Claire - all I have to say is Way to go on losing 5 lbs so far. Keep in mind that many, many people gain weight right after the band before their first fill. If you'll just remember that you'll be very proud of yourself. And that is the key - stay positive. You'll do fine. I am having my first fill tomorrow and I wll let you guys know how it goes.

Nebsmom, when were you banded? I did not "poop" (LOL) for a week after my surgery. At first I was concerned because I was always so regular and when I did go it was minute! Then I got to thinking about all the liquids I was taking in....there was nothing to even go through the large intestine so there was going to be nothing coming out. But anyway - congrats on you achievement! =D>

Hey - just wanted to let you know I talked to my gastroenterologist and he said there is no reason to disclose the fact that you have been banded. He said having a colonoscopy will not compromise the band at all and your gastroenterologist will not come anywhere near it during the procedure....so if you don't want to tell him, don't! Good luck!

You might be a little sore but should be fine. Girl - don't you miss that concert. My husband and I went to a Faith and Tim concert on their Soul II Soul II tour in 2006. It was awesome. You'll won't want to miss it!! Let us know how it goes.

I think you have already told me - but what time is your fill tomorrow? Mine is at 11:00 am. Maybe I will see you there.

Michelle - how is your fill now? Do you think you will need another anytime soon?

Hello all! Misty here. I am from Douglas, Georgia (small town in South Georgia). I am 26 years old and married to a wonderful Godly man that I am thankful for each day. He cooks (rarely), cleans (occasionally) but makes me happy (constantly). This August we will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary. With divorce rates like they are I am really happy about that milestone! So we have no children, but I do have a 9 year old sister that I absolutely adore. But I have to admit she has been wonderful birth control for the last few years. I am a registered nurse and work on the observation unit at our local hospital. I only work 2 days a week because I also attend Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA full time as a Family Nurse Practitioner student. I will graduate May 9th - 2009 and absolutely cannot wait. I graduated high school in 2000 and have only had off 2 summers since then. I am wore slap out. I have been overweight most of my life. However, I did lose weight in high school and got down to 137. But in high school that was still overweight. But WOW would I love to be that now!?! I will be one day, right!?!?! I was banded on March 17, 2008 by Dr. Ortiz. I weighed 224 at my highest/pre-op and weighed 218 on the day of surgery. I lost 8 lbs. in the first week and have lost about 1-2 lbs per week since then. I am now at 200 and am going for my first fill tomorrow!!!! I am so excited. That's about all I have to tell. I will update you guys about my fill later. Take Care! Misty

That's amazing Michelle. Way to go! You really look great!

Ok, so today is the 28th and I have thought about you all day Michelle. We are all so excited about you taking pics today!! I decided to go ahead and open a thread for you!!! Let's tell her folks.........lets see that dress!!!!

But you can do it!!!!!!! Once you have the band it's amazing how much will power you gain with it!!!

Hon, I am sorry but you are going to have to cut that down. The only way Dr. Miranda "allows" drinking sodas is if you let them set out a while and let the fizz dissolve. In other words a flat soda. :lb20: But maybe you can find something just as satisfying!! Sorry.

No, you do not have to give up your coffee!! It is one of the things you can even have in the first few days post-op. But keep in mind that when you start eating solids you can eat and drink at the same time. So drink your coffee first, then have breakfast.

Mostly from what I have read a good fill is when you can eat 1/3 of what you could previously eat (pre-band). It may take 3-4 or 5 fills to reach that sweet spot but on the other hand it may only take 1. Everyone is different.