First fill - before or after trip?

[FurEllie]

I have a trip schedued out of the country leaving April 24 and coming back May 1st with another trip the 4th and another on the 12th. I can cancel the last two, but not the first one.

I really want to go to Dr. Ortiz so it will be at least a 2-3 day trip to get to him and back. There's a Fill Center USA about 300 miles away but I'd really rather #1 be in TJ.

Six weeks would be April 16th. I WANT to be restricted when I travel but if there's a problem, will I know before I leave? Has anyone had a fill before the 6 weeks is up?

Thanks

[GregNE]

I would wait to be filled until after your out of the country trip. Seeking medical attention if needed for a band complication could get messy outside of the US. I have actually read accounts of bandsters getting a total un-fill before an overseas trip just as a precaution. And I really suggest having your first fill at OCC. And wherever you get filled, make sure they use flouro. Many Fill Centers USA do not use any XRay, and their fee seems rather high.

[FurEllie]

I would wait to be filled until after your out of the country trip. Seeking medical attention if needed for a band complication could get messy outside of the US. I have actually read accounts of bandsters getting a total un-fill before an overseas trip just as a precaution. And I really suggest having your first fill at OCC. And wherever you get filled, make sure they use flouro. Many Fill Centers USA do not use any XRay, and their fee seems rather high.

Yeah, in the back of my head I know it's probably best. The problem is the other 2 trips. There will LOTS of eating involved in all three and I'd love to be able to have SOME control. I may see if they'll schedule me the week before. That way I'll have 2 weeks to see if there's a problem and will have time to get help if there is. I know Dr. Romerez (sp) said they are very conservative with the first fill so that makes me feel better about having it done before traveling. If I wait, I'm looking at the end of May - almost 3 months after banding. The WORST thing I could mentally is put back on what I've lost so far

I feel like Pooh "Think. Think. Think. Oh bother!"

[GregNE]

Yeah, in the back of my head I know it's probably best. The problem is the other 2 trips. There will LOTS of eating involved in all three and I'd love to be able to have SOME control. I may see if they'll schedule me the week before. That way I'll have 2 weeks to see if there's a problem and will have time to get help if there is. I know Dr. Romerez (sp) said they are very conservative with the first fill so that makes me feel better about having it done before traveling. If I wait, I'm looking at the end of May - almost 3 months after banding. The WORST thing I could mentally is put back on what I've lost so far

I feel like Pooh "Think. Think. Think. Oh bother!"

Perhaps the middle ground is to get filled by OCC conservatively before your trips. But make absolutely sure you have a good idea of what foods will not work for you. I have gotten 'stuck' many times, and PB'd perhaps 10-15 times, and survived the ordeal. But, it is extremely painful---be prepared. Also understand an 'incident' can last from 5-30 minutes. In a restaurant, a long PB ordeal could be quite embarrasing.

[FurEllie]

Perhaps the middle ground is to get filled by OCC conservatively before your trips. But make absolutely sure you have a good idea of what foods will not work for you. I have gotten 'stuck' many times, and PB'd perhaps 10-15 times, and survived the ordeal. But, it is extremely painful---be prepared. Also understand an 'incident' can last from 5-30 minutes. In a restaurant, a long PB ordeal could be quite embarrasing.

True, but I figure that's going to be my life - I might as well get used to it On another board folks say they go out with paper towels and cups just for the ready. One woman said she PBed outside on the restuarant bushes and she's sure everyone thought she was drunk

I'm going to see if they can schedule me for Friday the 13th (eek!) that would be 3 days short of 6 weeks and I can stay the weekend in TJ to test it out in case it needs to be unfilled a bit. I travel a lot and eat out a lot. This is something that's going to occur with just about every fill I can foresee. I scheduled staying home for these weeks after the initial band so it's been nice not to have to explain the liquid only portion

Thanks for the info - I'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks.

[gistmom]

True, but I figure that's going to be my life - I might as well get used to it On another board folks say they go out with paper towels and cups just for the ready. One woman said she PBed outside on the restuarant bushes and she's sure everyone thought she was drunk

I'm going to see if they can schedule me for Friday the 13th (eek!) that would be 3 days short of 6 weeks and I can stay the weekend in TJ to test it out in case it needs to be unfilled a bit. I travel a lot and eat out a lot. This is something that's going to occur with just about every fill I can foresee. I scheduled staying home for these weeks after the initial band so it's been nice not to have to explain the liquid only portion

Thanks for the info - I'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks.

Hi,

I'm wondering ho=w that fill went on Friday the 13th. I am going to get banded on April 30th and am wondering how long i need to wait to get another fill.

I'm like you, I don't want to take a chance gaining and would rather have it sooner than later.

connie gist

[FurEllie]

Hi,

I'm wondering ho=w that fill went on Friday the 13th. I am going to get banded on April 30th and am wondering how long i need to wait to get another fill.

I'm like you, I don't want to take a chance gaining and would rather have it sooner than later.

connie gist

I actuall had it on the 16th. There is a LOT of restriction right now (which is good since I had zero for the last 2 weeks). This AM I started with some cold water and that did NOT want to go down comfortably. I made some high protein hot chocolate since I've heard warm things are better in the morning and it went down fine. That was a couple of hours ago and I'm starting to get a little hungry already, lol.

I actually did gain about 4 pounds from the lowest after the band until the first fill. As soon as I started gaining I KNEW I was going to get the fill before the trip. Even if I have trouble eating, it's worth it. I don't want to be free eating for a week as I could easily gain it ALL back in that short a period

BTW, my fill was 1.5ccs

[FurEllie]

OK, everyone say "I told you so!!"

Even clear liquids have been EXTREMELY painful since I got home so I'm headed back to TJ Sunday night, getting an unfill Monday AM, coming back home Monday night, THEN leaving for Europe Tuesday night.

Oh well, I've always learned my lessons the hard way - touching the stove to make sure it's REALLY hot, lol. I'll just be doing laundry like CRAZY tonight and tomorrow so I'm all packed for Tues!