ButterflyBandita

Well, I decided because nothing else was working for me. I was 200 lbs and growing. I'm only 5'2". My hips were hurting just like they did when I was pregnant. That was really scaring me! I tried diets, exercise, etc, etc and just couldn't find lasting success. So I decided to do it. About 3 weeks before my surgery, I really started freaking out about the surgery, about Mexico, about WLS in general. I spoke with my fiance about it and then spoke with my coordinator about it and then I felt much better. So far, so good! I'm 5 months out and have lost about 20 lbs since beginning this journey. Now that my restriction level is adequate, I feel like the journey is really kicking into high gear now . . . but time will tell. Best of luck to you!

I thought I'd post my experience as the fill topic seems to keep coming up in different threads. I was told at the OCC that 3-4 fills in a lifetime was the norm. Of course, I thought I'd beat the norm and that I'd have perfect restriction after surgery. Not a chance. After the swelling went down, there was no restriction at all. My surgery-day weight was 201. I dropped down to about 195 prior to my first fill. When I got my first fill, I was given 5 cc - which I thought was fabulous. But again, once the swelling went down, there really wasn't much restriction. I did manage to lose another pound or two before my next fill. At this point, I decided to stay local and went to a doctor a few cities over. He didn't use barium, but did have me drink water during the fill to see how it felt going down. I was given another 3 ccs during this fill. This fill allowed me to experience restriction but it only lasted about a month. When I realized that I could eat large / regular-sized / pre-band meals, I decided to go in and get another fill. So I went back in and the doctor added another cc. This was good, but only for a few days. Luckily, my doctor will allow you to come back in within 2 weeks to add more or take some out if the fill isn't just right. So I decided to take advantage of it and went back in for another cc. I did the water test and thought it was fine. This brought me up to 10 cc. When I got out in the parking lot, I tried drinking water in my car and I started sliming - this was the first time I actually experienced that, even though I thought I knew all about being stuck, PB-ing, etc. I wanted to keep the fill, knowing that each fill that I've had has loosened up within about a week. But, I knew better. I went back to my doctor later that hour and they took out about .3 cc. The restriction was great, and lasted for a month. I considered going back in and getting another fill at this point, but right now, I think I am losing at a nice pace. I am actually losing steadily now - at least so far. I figure that if I'm still loosing, there is no need to get another fill. I also noticed that because of my aggressive restriction-chase, I had grown accustomed to being pretty tight and was babying my band quite a bit, relying on sliders and protein drinks. Now that I'm following the rules (protein first!), things seem to be easier. I'm not hungry in between meals and am not feeling ravenous during meal times. I am able to eat larger portions in the evening, but that doesn't mean I do. I can feel quite satisfied with smaller amounts. So, hopefully I can get a bit more mileage out of this fill. . . . and hopefully this post will help someone.

Hi Ballew, Did you keep up with your fills? As you lose weight, the fat around your stomach disappears and your band loosens up. Perhaps that is part of the issue? Don't give up!

I went back to the OCC for my first fill and they didn't weigh me. They also didn't use any pain meds before they went digging for my port, so I left with a substantial bruise. I did receive a nice fill of 5 cc which kept me restricted for about 2 weeks. The experience was great - they really have great service and offer a great price. I've needed 2 additional fills since then and have opted for a local doctor due to the time involved in heading to the OCC. I am planning on heading their for my next one . . . should the need arise. Good luck!

Hi Iv, I'm super interested to learn more about what your impressions are between the 2 procedures. What was your starting weight with the band? What made you decide to switch? How have things been so far with the sleeve? Numbers, etc?

Congratulations Ashley! I'm always interested in what these procedures cost, so if you wouldn't mind sharing, I'd truly appreciate it.

I'm here in Northern Ca and the doctor that I opted for charges $425 for the first fill with Mexican lap band patients, and then $375 for the next visits. He does them in his office without flouroscopy. I found another group in SF, but they were charging about $1200 for the entire year of fills - to be paid upfront. It is less expensive for me to hop on a plane and go to the OCC for the day, but with a family and a career, I just don't have the time to give up, plus I thought it was important to develop a relationship with a local doctor.

Thanks everyone for chiming in on this. I did my first fill at OCC and received 5 CCs. The next was at a local doctor in San Jose, and it was 3.5 additional CCs - not under flouroscopy. I was concerned about this at first, but felt very comfortable with the doctor and his method for finding the right amount of fill during my visit. I do think I will call my local fill doctor to get his opinion on getting a fill. I feel like I need one. I had a nice level of restriction for about a week. But that has gone ... although I do have a few lingering effects of restriction including difficulties with rice, bread, etc. The doctor I visited here in Nor Cal told me that with the 11 CC band, patients typically need 9-10 CCs to get at their optimal level. So one more fill will get me there. Thanks again for the advice and input. Sometimes this is just so frustrating because I am not losing and do not have any significant level of restriction. A typical day might look like: Breakfast: 2 eggs Snack: yogurt Lunch: Vegetables, Chicken Snack: Hard boiled egg, Cheese stick and apple, yogurt or cottage cheese Dinner: vegetables, shrimp, maybe a carb I eat very healthily for the most part and will occasionally have a glass of wine or a cocktail. I exercise at least 3 times a week with high intensity circuits. I'm sad I'm not losing and am ready to give up ... but I'll call the doctor and give this one more chance.

Hi Everyone, I was banded on 1/21/10 and have lost just over 15 lbs - but I basically lost that during the post op phase. I've had 2 fills and am at 8.5 in an 11 cc band. I am currently at 190 lbs. I can eat large quantities of food, but will have sometimes have trouble with rice, bread, chicken breast, etc or if I eat too fast. If I stick to protein and veggies, I don't really feel any restriction. Do I need another fill to assist with portions? I probably eat between 1500 -2000 calories on any given day and I exercise with weight training and interval cardio. help

I just had my second fill, but stayed local this time, as I don't have time to fly to the OCC a second time this month. I found a doctor that accepts Mexico band patients and he filled me without flouro. I went in at 5 cc and he brought me up to 8. I feel nice and restricted - even had my first Pb episode after trying to eat a piece of turkey burger that was a bit dry. Anyway, the doctor said that these 11 cc J&J Realize bands usually require 9-11 ccs to achieve optimal restriction. He says the fat just kind of gets out of the way, reducing the amount of restriction in a few weeks. He said I could come back in as early as 2 weeks if necessary.

I never post, but felt compelled. I was banded at the OCC on 1/21/10 at 202 lbs, 5'2". After my 6 weeks post op, I was down to about 191. I went in last Saturday to the OCC for my first fill and was given 5 cc. I believe I have a 10 cc J&J band as well. So yes, the OCC does give fills of 5 cc when needed. I think I may need to go in in another 6 weeks for another fill though, as I'm definitely not at my sweet spot. I'm trying to work the band as much as possible: eating my hard proteins first, then veggies, then starches (if I get to them), chewing thoroughly, not drinking with meals, etc. This week I've lost 2 lbs and am down to 189. I don't feel like I have serious restriction, but I have had some trouble getting things down when I've neglected the rules ( not chewing a huge bite of meat or shoving a big bite of my kids' leftover pbj on wheat toast into my mouth in the morning, but nothing when I'm following the rules. I feel like I can eat more, but try not to. When I was at the OCC, the woman that I was sharing the shuttle with was also a January surgery. She was given 3.5-ish CCs (although that may be a bit off). Hope this is helpful.