Had my first fill- what a difference!

[GregNE]

I decided to return to TJ for my first fill. I found out I had a 'window' of a few days from work. Unfortunately, OCC was closed for the holidays, so I had to go without an appointment. But, I decided to take a chance, and drove many miles to San Diego dodging the blizzards of Colorado and New Mexico.

I emailed Rene, requesting a fill for Jan 3rd, and he responded the evening of Jan 2nd, saying no problem for a fill at 11am.

I drove to a parking lot at the border about 9am ($7 to park), and walked across. I hailed a Taxi for $5 in TJ, and was at the clinic by 9:40. Great exercise, by the way. It is not a difficult walk, but was perhaps 1/2 mile or so each way.

I had a great time talking with others waiting for surgery and fills. I got a sense of fulfillment at easing the anxiety of those sitting there waiting to go back for their surgery. I also learned much from others who were in the office for fills. I encouraged all to visit this forum for questions and to share their experience.

I mentioned it months ago, but reiterate, I considered my first fill to be a post-op follow up. And, to me at least, it was. Dr. Romero confirmed proper placement of both the band and the port, and that was a great relief to me. Also a relief, was that I had lost 2 pounds since surgery. It sounds like a trivial amount, but for those of us with the VG band, weight loss is very difficult before the first fill. I had been eating as much as I wanted for 4 weeks, and was certain I had gained weight. I do not weigh myself (I have learned in the past that the scale is my enemy, so I stay away), so had no idea what my weight was.

I ended up with a fill of 4.5cc in my 10cc VG band. I believe it was a bit of an over-fill, but I trust his judgement. When the fill was done, I washed the barium down with water, and it was a bit uncomfortable. I had immediate chest pain/heartburn, and even the water was being restricted. Dr. Romero said I drank too fast, and the discomfort did not last long.

I got a ride back to the border with a nice woman named Mary Ann. She was there for a fill also, but had a very unique banding experience. She had a band placed a couple of years ago, and lost 84 lbs (to a size 2 she said). Well, her band slipped after she had lost all of her weight. She was re-banded with a VG band by Dr. Ortiz (she did not know why the VG band, but it is because the VG bands tend to slip much less often due to the design.) She acknowledged the slippage was probably due to not following the band 'rules', but also she was told by Dr. Ortiz that her stomach did not develop scar tissue around the band as is the norm. Anyway, she had regained 30lbs with the larger band, but still looked great. She was now at 5.5cc for her VG band.

I parted ways with Mary Ann when the traffic jam started, and walked back across the border. I saw Francisco and said hello to him in the OCC van as I passed. It took about 30 minutes in line to cross, then I walked back to my car.

Well, restriction sure is making a difference. Even liquids are restricted a bit as they go down. I am more restricted in the mornings, and warm drinks go down easier than cold drinks. I 'slimed' for the first time today, while trying to eat a bagel. Very uncomfortable, but I learned to take much smaller bites. I returned to the bagel about 1 hour later, and nibble by nibble I got it down.

Even as I drink a diet green tea while writing this, I feel the restriction with each swallow. It is a feeling I must get used to, but at least now I know I will be eating much less. I know my post is lengthy, but I wanted to give a thorough account of my first fill. If the day I was banded was my "birthday", my first fill is my 'baptism'. I have a long way to go, but am going the right direction.

[Teri]

I decided to return to TJ for my first fill. I found out I had a 'window' of a few days from work. Unfortunately, OCC was closed for the holidays, so I had to go without an appointment. But, I decided to take a chance, and drove many miles to San Diego dodging the blizzards of Colorado and New Mexico.

I emailed Rene, requesting a fill for Jan 3rd, and he responded the evening of Jan 2nd, saying no problem for a fill at 11am.

I drove to a parking lot at the border about 9am ($7 to park), and walked across. I hailed a Taxi for $5 in TJ, and was at the clinic by 9:40. Great exercise, by the way. It is not a difficult walk, but was perhaps 1/2 mile or so each way.

I had a great time talking with others waiting for surgery and fills. I got a sense of fulfillment at easing the anxiety of those sitting there waiting to go back for their surgery. I also learned much from others who were in the office for fills. I encouraged all to visit this forum for questions and to share their experience.

I mentioned it months ago, but reiterate, I considered my first fill to be a post-op follow up. And, to me at least, it was. Dr. Romero confirmed proper placement of both the band and the port, and that was a great relief to me. Also a relief, was that I had lost 2 pounds since surgery. It sounds like a trivial amount, but for those of us with the VG band, weight loss is very difficult before the first fill. I had been eating as much as I wanted for 4 weeks, and was certain I had gained weight. I do not weigh myself (I have learned in the past that the scale is my enemy, so I stay away), so had no idea what my weight was.

I ended up with a fill of 4.5cc in my 10cc VG band. I believe it was a bit of an over-fill, but I trust his judgement. When the fill was done, I washed the barium down with water, and it was a bit uncomfortable. I had immediate chest pain/heartburn, and even the water was being restricted. Dr. Romero said I drank too fast, and the discomfort did not last long.

I got a ride back to the border with a nice woman named Mary Ann. She was there for a fill also, but had a very unique banding experience. She had a band placed a couple of years ago, and lost 84 lbs (to a size 2 she said). Well, her band slipped after she had lost all of her weight. She was re-banded with a VG band by Dr. Ortiz (she did not know why the VG band, but it is because the VG bands tend to slip much less often due to the design.) She acknowledged the slippage was probably due to not following the band 'rules', but also she was told by Dr. Ortiz that her stomach did not develop scar tissue around the band as is the norm. Anyway, she had regained 30lbs with the larger band, but still looked great. She was now at 5.5cc for her VG band.

I parted ways with Mary Ann when the traffic jam started, and walked back across the border. I saw Francisco and said hello to him in the OCC van as I passed. It took about 30 minutes in line to cross, then I walked back to my car.

Well, restriction sure is making a difference. Even liquids are restricted a bit as they go down. I am more restricted in the mornings, and warm drinks go down easier than cold drinks. I 'slimed' for the first time today, while trying to eat a bagel. Very uncomfortable, but I learned to take much smaller bites. I returned to the bagel about 1 hour later, and nibble by nibble I got it down.

Even as I drink a diet green tea while writing this, I feel the restriction with each swallow. It is a feeling I must get used to, but at least now I know I will be eating much less. I know my post is lengthy, but I wanted to give a thorough account of my first fill. If the day I was banded was my "birthday", my first fill is my 'baptism'. I have a long way to go, but am going the right direction.

Greg, I am so happy for you to be losing, and 2 pounds is a LOT of weight, keep up the great work! The right direction is the only direction for results. I'm routing for you, Teri!

[hopefulchurch2000]

Greg,

That is great news. Thanks for sharing your experience. That was very brave of you to travel to the clinic for your first fill. I have my band scheduled for June and I hope I develop the nerve over time to make the trip myself. I'm traveling from Arkansas. Have you had much reflux since you were banded?

Paula

[GregNE]

Greg,

That is great news. Thanks for sharing your experience. That was very brave of you to travel to the clinic for your first fill. I have my band scheduled for June and I hope I develop the nerve over time to make the trip myself. I'm traveling from Arkansas. Have you had much reflux since you were banded?

Paula

I experience a lot of belching, but I would not call it reflux. My theory is that the air that goes down as I eat cannot easily pass back up through the band. So, it seems, belching is how I am able to relieve the pressure.

Perhaps that is a form of reflux, but not acid reflux, as their is no pain or burning.

[cyndiwilson]

That is exactly what happens to me- not very lady like LOL

[julie66t]

I decided to return to TJ for my first fill. I found out I had a 'window' of a few days from work. Unfortunately, OCC was closed for the holidays, so I had to go without an appointment. But, I decided to take a chance, and drove many miles to San Diego dodging the blizzards of Colorado and New Mexico.

I emailed Rene, requesting a fill for Jan 3rd, and he responded the evening of Jan 2nd, saying no problem for a fill at 11am.

I drove to a parking lot at the border about 9am ($7 to park), and walked across. I hailed a Taxi for $5 in TJ, and was at the clinic by 9:40. Great exercise, by the way. It is not a difficult walk, but was perhaps 1/2 mile or so each way.

I had a great time talking with others waiting for surgery and fills. I got a sense of fulfillment at easing the anxiety of those sitting there waiting to go back for their surgery. I also learned much from others who were in the office for fills. I encouraged all to visit this forum for questions and to share their experience.

I mentioned it months ago, but reiterate, I considered my first fill to be a post-op follow up. And, to me at least, it was. Dr. Romero confirmed proper placement of both the band and the port, and that was a great relief to me. Also a relief, was that I had lost 2 pounds since surgery. It sounds like a trivial amount, but for those of us with the VG band, weight loss is very difficult before the first fill. I had been eating as much as I wanted for 4 weeks, and was certain I had gained weight. I do not weigh myself (I have learned in the past that the scale is my enemy, so I stay away), so had no idea what my weight was.

I ended up with a fill of 4.5cc in my 10cc VG band. I believe it was a bit of an over-fill, but I trust his judgement. When the fill was done, I washed the barium down with water, and it was a bit uncomfortable. I had immediate chest pain/heartburn, and even the water was being restricted. Dr. Romero said I drank too fast, and the discomfort did not last long.

I got a ride back to the border with a nice woman named Mary Ann. She was there for a fill also, but had a very unique banding experience. She had a band placed a couple of years ago, and lost 84 lbs (to a size 2 she said). Well, her band slipped after she had lost all of her weight. She was re-banded with a VG band by Dr. Ortiz (she did not know why the VG band, but it is because the VG bands tend to slip much less often due to the design.) She acknowledged the slippage was probably due to not following the band 'rules', but also she was told by Dr. Ortiz that her stomach did not develop scar tissue around the band as is the norm. Anyway, she had regained 30lbs with the larger band, but still looked great. She was now at 5.5cc for her VG band.

I parted ways with Mary Ann when the traffic jam started, and walked back across the border. I saw Francisco and said hello to him in the OCC van as I passed. It took about 30 minutes in line to cross, then I walked back to my car.

Well, restriction sure is making a difference. Even liquids are restricted a bit as they go down. I am more restricted in the mornings, and warm drinks go down easier than cold drinks. I 'slimed' for the first time today, while trying to eat a bagel. Very uncomfortable, but I learned to take much smaller bites. I returned to the bagel about 1 hour later, and nibble by nibble I got it down.

Even as I drink a diet green tea while writing this, I feel the restriction with each swallow. It is a feeling I must get used to, but at least now I know I will be eating much less. I know my post is lengthy, but I wanted to give a thorough account of my first fill. If the day I was banded was my "birthday", my first fill is my 'baptism'. I have a long way to go, but am going the right direction.

Hi Greg,

It was nice to readyour account. I was in the clinic the day you were there. I was there for surgery and everything went so well. What a nice group of professional people there. I'm lookingforward to returning for my fill in a few months and might try your method of walking across. I also find the scale an enemy and decided I won't weigh until I go back. Good luck!

Julie

[GregNE]

Hi Greg,

It was nice to readyour account. I was in the clinic the day you were there. I was there for surgery and everything went so well. What a nice group of professional people there. I'm lookingforward to returning for my fill in a few months and might try your method of walking across. I also find the scale an enemy and decided I won't weigh until I go back. Good luck!

Julie