discouraged

Had my banding done in June 2008 and have had 2 fills since and I am still not restricted.  My third fill is in December and I am really worried that it too wont help.  The nurse and doc explained to me that sometimes it takes a "few" fills before I will feel restriction. 

I really need the restriction to help with my self control issues, so it's been a bummer.  Have kept only 10 pounds off, originally lost 22 on the liquid diet.

I have started to exercise daily, but still no restricted feeling after I eat.  So I continue to eat.

Anyone else out there have this same situation or have any advice?

 Why do you have to wait so long between fills?  I was banded on Aug. 20 and have had 3 already. I go to OHSU and am allowed on paper to go in every two weeks.  My doctor-is never available that often so it is more like every 3.  Perhaps you can find a fill location to go in more often? 

I thought i did not have restriction but just this last week (3 weeks after my 3rd fill)  I felt restriction.  I dont know how long it will last but as of now i get full fairly quickly.

Here is something i figured out this week-avoid snacking.  During my trip this last week I felt really restricted for the first time ever.  I was at a conference and therefore could only eat at meal times.  There was really no chance to snack like i can when i am at home.  I think the 3 solid 'real' meals has had an effect on my band.

I am going to continue to work this strategy and see how it goes.  

It's that my doc is in Coos Bay and I am in Astoria.   Its about a 7 hour drive with a couple of potty stops.  There is a whole evening of driving directly after work, (which sucks cuz I get really drowsy and can't find anyone who wants to go with me) and then the full day the next day is taken up by going to doc for the 20 minute appt/fill and then drive seven hours home again.  Sleepy.

The good news is that I got my appt moved up to november 14th and that will probably be my last trip to Coos Bay and the last of the "free" fills that came iwth the cost of the procedures.  I will endeavor to now find a closer location so it isn't such an ordeal. 

I cant believe no one at my docs ever told me about how many fills it may take to acheive the desired restriction (actually I really need it).  What has really been making me feel very bad is that I have a friend who had her surgery done in Mexico and had great results.  Lost 130 pounds in the first six months and still is losing a little bit at her one year mark.  Of course I found out later that she has a very tiny band that only holds like 5 or 6 oz.  My doc's office informed me that mine holds 14 oz. (I must not have paid attention when they told us that).  So, my regret is that I didn't go with her to Mexico to have mine done.  Since I was self -pay it would have been much cheaper and possibly would have worked better.  But, now I know! 

Glad to hear that you got your appointment moved up.  I hope it works!

Linda

A number of our members have recommended Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick ("Dr. Kelly") for lap-band fills/refills/unfills.  She practices in Portland and Eugene. 

She is a naturopathic physician (ND) who also specializes in fills with or without fluoroscopy.  She also specializes in Swedish and French lap-bands as well as American lap-bands.  However, her website does not mention Mexican lap-bands, but I believe that one of our members who was banded in Mexico got her fills thru Dr. Kelly. 

Here is the link to her website:
http://gastricbands.com/index.html

Hope this helps!

I'm seeing Bay Bariatrics in Coos Bay next month for my lapband so now I'm worried - do I need to ask for a smaller band? I didn't even realize until reading your post about different sized bands.

Wouldn't it be better to have a band that can hold up to 14 ccs than only 6 tho? It may take more time to get there but at least you have more opportunity to get a higher restriction in the long run if you so need it?

Don't worry about the larger size band. Most patient love the larger band. The larger band hold more fluid so the adjustments are more precise.  Dr. Tersigni usually puts 4cc in on the first adjustment and then adds 3cc at the next and so on. Most companies in the US only make 10cc and larger bands now.   Hope this helps!

Love,

Robin

Your post gave me great relief, thank you.

This is good to know. :o)

Is this the same Robin that works for Dr. Tersigni that I spoke to? :o)

 

I get my fills from Dr. Kelly and I just love her.  I was filled last January for the third time in two years and I'm still restricted.  It also sure beats driving all that way!