Momof4

I have an AMAZING Dr. in North Carolina that does fills and surgeries. I can't even speak highly enough of him.... he's simply the best. No offense to OCC, but had I found him first he would have done my surgery. He's kind, patient, understands this is a weight LOSS journey, listens to what I think and discusses it with me. I found him through a complication. He was not my Dr. at the time, but I was throwing up, not keeping even water down. I called and he greeted me at the front door upon my arrival, got me back to see what was going on.. had to do an 'unfill' boo.... but within a month I started filling again, and not just 1cc at a time. He was aggressive but competent. I have since hit my goal with my band and can't tell you how much I love him and my band... He's in Raleigh, NC, his name is Dr. Eric DeMaria. You will NOT be sorry you saw him, tell him Stephani sent you, he will chuckle... His cost for a fill is $165 and i used to have to self pay given my surgery was in mexico. Most recently his nurse got my fills approved through insurance, so I'm just making a co-pay. They are wonderful!

Dr. Castillo has done my tummy tuck, last August and now my breast and arms. I am very happy with everything, but I have to say the tummy is his best work! I mean I kind of expected the results of my breasts and arms, but he went way over my expectations with my tummy. I look like i have a six pack and I can honestly say I don't work out enough to have one. I am going back to have my thighs done, which does concern me a bit more considering the scars that are very visible... but the excess skin is just too much and those little horns around my knees, you all know what I'm talking about... they gotta go! I would post before and after pics, but very technically challenged...

Thank you Lisa for responding... there are days I can't eat much and other days I feel like I was never banded... I need to do just what you said and write things down and try to figure it out.. yes I have been throwing up more which almost made me think it's slipped, but it's not consistent... sometimes drinking tea makes me sick, sometimes I can eat chicken flautaus and feel fine.. it's odd.. and my last fill was 4 months ago and this just started..

Now I'm wondering if it's slipped or something, I just dont' know what signs to look for..

how do you know if it has slipped? I have the heart burn some too, some days i can eat anything, some days I can't eat anything...

LV, I'm looking for some feedback on your surgery. Did you do all at once? Do you like the results? HOw close were you to goal when you did the surgery? How does your belly button look? I'm anxious to know how you felt, how was travel... LOL I have a million questions for someone that went through it.

LV- Did you do that all at once? How sore were you? How does your belly button look? the butt thing, I've always thought I certainly don't need a bigger butt, but am curious to hear what your thoughts are with how they re-positioned the fat. Thanks STephni

I was banded last August with Dr. Ortiz. In the beginning the weight loss was gradual. I had 3 fills, and am at 5.5 cc in an 11 cc band. My last fill was in March. Now, 3 months after my last fill, the weight loss is really picking up, about 3 lbs/week. It's like all of a sudden, I really feel restriction and things are clicking, is that normal? I have never had soda since the surgery, but I did try and drink some alcohol recently and my body threw it up, the INSTANT it hit my stomach... any ideas on that?

Hello. I was banded back in August 2010. I have an 11cc band, it's at 5.5cc. In the early months of my banding, the weight loss was very slow. Lately it has really picked up. I find that I can't eat as much as before... so, the weight is coming off faster... Like 3 lbs/week. I also find that for so long I stayed away from alcohol. I have tried to have a drink now and my stomach immediately throws it up.... It certainly isn't that I've had too much to drink, it's like as soon as it hits, it comes right back up! Anyone have any ideas or thoughts. I am just suprised and hoping this is somewhat normal?

You say you did all that, but I checked into this and they will do it, but in multiple trips. did you do this all at once? I'm trying to get some information on the implants vs. lift. Did you know you wanted implants, or how did you decide to go that route? How did you deal with the drain? Thanks for hte information you provide, I'm trying to make a decision pretty quickly here.

Can anyone talk about the cost associated? Is it a much better deal like the weight loss surgeries?

No regrets with the location or the band... I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death going to Mexico by myself, but I was in great hands! Got through everything just fine, now learning that there is more to this than just a band telling you not to eat... you have to have a new mind set, a complete change in your life... If I said this was magic, or a miracle that would also be a lie! It's hard work, for a long time I just ate and got sick.. I could NOT put food down. I ate out of control for 30 years this little band was not going to stop me, the food was good. I had a very hard time leaving food on my plate.. I don't know why, just couldn't do it. Now, it doesn't bother me, but I've been banded since last August and it's been a battle between brains and band... brain is smart and is finally making the right choices and I'm using the tool as just that, a TOOL! It's wonderful! Just know there is so much more to it!

Should be 11 cc

I recently went to get my first fill and the Dr. here in the states thought the OCC used a band a little large for me. I got banded August 6th this year and have an 11cc band. My Dr. here in the states thought I should have had a smaller band..