13 months since last Fill

[Kathy]

and I'm going in for the final fill of my Banded Journey. Here's what I posted on the NC Forum.

I have an appointment with Dr. Pirello at Bauman's office. Next week, Wed at 9:30am. $200 buckaroos for the consult, then another $625.25 for the flouro fill to be scheduled. OUCH!

But it feels good to have a band doc following me around. I'm no longer flapping in the wind after a year and a half since my return from Mexico.

Here's the plan. I haven't had a fill since last October, over a year! I want to get this last bit of poundage off, and I'm ready to start over with being restricted more than I am. I'm ready for this band to kick my eating butt again.

PLUS, I'm tired of being worried about being eroded. I just am. If I'm eroded (and it's easy to assume I am with every tummy twittle, gas pain, or change in restriction that could very well be chalked up to poor eating technique), if I'm eorded, I will look into the Gastric Sleeve. I'll not leave this band journey empty-handed. I'm not going back to *me-on-my-own* and the threat of weighing any more than I do now scares the crapola outta me.

I need to know if my band if healthy and happily in place. It's gonna cost, but it's worth it. I'm 10 pounds from wedding weight (have been for months!) and 15 pounds from Tummy Tuck, and 20-25 pounds from a "Normal" BMI. No turning back. For real!

SIGH. Ya'll wish me luck.
I had decided some time ago that I hate being tight so much that I won't get another fill. My erosion paranoia made me change my mind. I'll get the last of this weight off, I WILL! before I lose my band. Ahh, it will be good to know my band is happy.

Anyone out there relating to this? Any suggestions? All encouragement welcome! :lol:

[kim_8]

Hi Kathy,
I'm full on board for you to go back in a get checked and get that fill. I waited almost 6 months before going back in and was not happy when I found out I had dilation. They said if you come in more frequently, then they can check you under flouro to prevent this from getting too out of hand (go back on liquids for a while and wait). I'm scared that I waited too long and left things stretched out for too long and it won't go back. We'll find out tomorrow I guess when I go back for a flouro again.

I understand the cost is significant, but yes, you are worth it!

I, like you, would be full on for gastric sleeve upon erosion issues... if it was still a possibility.

I enjoyed so much not having really tight restriction because it was SOOOO hard. Now, I wish I would've just stuck with it until I got this darn weight off. Ah well, hind sight is 20/20, but I'm sure making sure I get regular check ups now and will keep it cinched up if that's still an option for me.

What I did learn from leaving it too loose, is that I was able to maintain my weight during this period. I only lost 8 lbs in 5 months, but I didn't gain. This to me is encouraging for when I finally make it to goal. I think I'll be able to keep it there with a little dilligence.

Good luck to you!
Kim

[Kathy]

Thanks Kim! Yes, maintaining my loss is *almost* effortless. I have a few concerns about losing more, well, about how to do it, anyway.

*so, I maintain my weight eating less than 1500 calories a day. I lose on less than 1200 calories a day. This assumes little to no exercise, and I usually get SOMEthing in once a week :eek: so some would say that'd be NO exercise, right? haha

*so, I get a fill and keep it under 1200 calories a day with little struggle and lose it, then what happens when I'm either bandless or not restricted and my diet is able to return to 1500 calories a day or more (a "normal" diet) then how can I maintain my loss?

It's soooo hard when you are deailing with the metabolism. Yup, it's gastric sleeve for me if the band doesn't pan out. I figure, my stomach is already compromised with an eroded band, just cut out 3/4 of it and get on with it. This would be a horrible thought for me unless I'm eroded.

So, lets hope all is well (and I believe it is) but I've got my back-up just in case. Dang, so much hanging over my head these days. I have been avoiding so many things, it's good to face them!

[kim_8]

Metabolism sucks.... unless you're my daughter's 16 year old boyfriend who lives in front of his tv games eating little debi swiss cake rolls by the boxful and never gains a pound... why wasn't I born like this?? :-)

I figure I'll just keep an eye on the scale and do what it takes not to let it move in the wrong direction. I've been eating / drinking mushies and liquids this week and it was good for a few lbs. Did get on the scale this morning and it was mysteriously back. Ugh. I don't get it.

If all else fails, there's always amputation to take off a few lbs I guess :-). I'll be starting with my boobs before moving onto limbs.

Good luck to you Kathy! I'm sure you'll be fine! You look absolutely great!
Kim

[Jachut]

Yes, most definitely. I think its that time for me too. I really dont want to be any tighter and its not like I'm pigging out all day but I"m finding sensible food choices (as in eating only at meal times, and eating healthier foods) much harder these days. I've maintained for over a month.

Doug doesnt want me to go any tighter, he thinks I should be able to just pull my f inger out and get going, but um, he's been trying to lose weight for years!

And the key to long term weight maintenance, much as it sucks to hear it, is exercise. It really is. If you've ever done anything vigorous for an extended period of time, like aerobics, or running or whatever, you'll know that its very very hard to gain weight, no matter what you eat, when you're doing 5 or 6 hours of hard aerobic exercise per week.

[Lovemylpband]

WOW Kathy-I'm shocked that you are so sure you'll have to get rid of your band! Were is your faith girl! I'm sure your band is going to be just fine. Yes there are a lot of stories from MX about erosion, but look at the % of bands done there. You stick to the rules, I'm sure your fine. I'm glad that your going to get it checked out, I think thats a good idea. Hang in there and remember where fear comes from!! Call me if ya wanna talk.

[paula]

Go for it, Kat! Youve done AWESOME with one fill. Remember - thats one of the reasons we chose banding - - its adjustable! :)
You are a VERY VERY wise bandster. You've done NONE of the yo-yo fill/unfill cycles that some of us get caught up in. I say, Yep! You go get that fill!!!

Now..
the fee is what has me raising my eye brows.
GOOD GRIEF!!!!
That's almost a grand.. for a fill????
wow.

My only question is this..
how are they going to tell if your band is in good shape though a fluro-fill?
An 'endoscope' test is a little light and camera going down into the tum to SEE your insides - AND can see IF the band has eroded THROUGH the stoamch wall.
But the fluro is the same as a barium swallow, right?
It can diagnos slips and leaks - but not erosion....
do I have this right?

PLEASE - someone/anyone - correct me.

One other thought..
Since you mentioned TT in your OP, I thought Id share this.
Last week for my mammo, I went to Women and Children's Hosp. I knew the tech (did I already tell you this?) - old loong time childhood friend, grew up on the next street, blah blah.
Anyway, she knew about my band and we chatted on the WLS subject - all WLS's in my area are done at this hosp AND most plastics are as well. So she had good inside scoop on all of the lastest and greatest.
We talked about breast cancer, TT and BR's. Since I have a breast cancer scare, I wanted to avoid BR. She told me that the least amount of tissue in the breast - the least places cancer could grow/spread. Interesting! She discouraged TT to her friends cause IF women develop breast cancer, the stomach flap is where they can re-construct a breast from... unless it's a severe case of flapping... 300, 400 pound person down to 150 would have a more serious flap issue!
(we read this on LBT a while back, and she confirmed how commen it is)
a n y h o w.....

Ijustwantedtogiveyousomethingtoponder...........:D :D:D I love you, Girl!
Now, Go get that fill!

[Kathy]

WOW Kathy-I'm shocked that you are so sure you'll have to get rid of your band! Were is your faith girl! I'm sure your band is going to be just fine. Yes there are a lot of stories from MX about erosion, but look at the % of bands done there. You stick to the rules, I'm sure your fine. I'm glad that your going to get it checked out, I think thats a good idea. Hang in there and remember where fear comes from!! Call me if ya wanna talk.

hehe, thanks Dianne. it's all part of the "get the monkeys off my back" kick I have been on. I'm tired of things hanging over my head, keeping me paranoid and my mind wandering to places it doesn't need to go, like erosion fear. So, this is like facing my fears. I need to know for sure, then I can move forward.


Go for it, Kat! Youve done AWESOME with one fill. Remember - thats one of the reasons we chose banding - - its adjustable! :)

It's the second one, but it's been more than a year since I got it. My first fill was in July? 2005. I don't have my fill info on my sig here at b2g. I should do that

You are a VERY VERY wise bandster. You've done NONE of the yo-yo fill/unfill cycles that some of us get caught up in. I say, Yep! You go get that fill!!!

Yes, I like (alot) that I have avoided the yo-yo filling. It's reassuring.

Now..
the fee is what has me raising my eye brows.
GOOD GRIEF!!!!
That's almost a grand.. for a fill????
wow.

the fee is $200 consult since I'm a new patient. This office was a bit wishy washy about seeing "other" band patients (translate MX bandster) back when I had my surgery. Now, they have another band doc on staff and he's who I am seeing. So, $200 consult, then $400 for the doc for a flouro fill, plus $225.25 for the hospital fouro machine. Yup. almost a grand. I haven't spent a dime on my band in over a year, so it's not so bad. right? :eek:

My only question is this..
how are they going to tell if your band is in good shape though a fluro-fill?
An 'endoscope' test is a little light and camera going down into the tum to SEE your insides - AND can see IF the band has eroded THROUGH the stoamch wall.
But the fluro is the same as a barium swallow, right?
It can diagnos slips and leaks - but not erosion....
do I have this right?

PLEASE - someone/anyone - correct me.

Yes, flouro fills do NOT guarantee that there is no erosion. I keep thinking of Penni, who had a great flouro, even the top half of her endo looks great. It wasn't until the doc got the scope camera through the band and looked up that the erosion was seen. I know this. I'll discuss an endo with the doc at my consult. I was hoping to be back in MX about this time with my sister getting HER band. She can't afford it just yet, so I can't wait on her anymore. I'll just take this first step and go from there. If I do schedule an endo, this office has in-network GI doc for referrals. Insurance is less an issue in Concord than in Winston-Salem, where my first fill doc is. I been thinking about this...it's a monkey, for sure.

One other thought..
Since you mentioned TT in your OP, I thought Id share this.
Last week for my mammo, I went to Women and Children's Hosp. I knew the tech (did I already tell you this?) - old loong time childhood friend, grew up on the next street, blah blah.
Anyway, she knew about my band and we chatted on the WLS subject - all WLS's in my area are done at this hosp AND most plastics are as well. So she had good inside scoop on all of the lastest and greatest.
We talked about breast cancer, TT and BR's. Since I have a breast cancer scare, I wanted to avoid BR. She told me that the least amount of tissue in the breast - the least places cancer could grow/spread. Interesting! She discouraged TT to her friends cause IF women develop breast cancer, the stomach flap is where they can re-construct a breast from... unless it's a severe case of flapping... 300, 400 pound person down to 150 would have a more serious flap issue!
(we read this on LBT a while back, and she confirmed how commen it is)
a n y h o w.....

Yes! More on my plate to consider! :lol: and I HAVE considered it. I can't imagine that the skin on my tummy is suitable for breast reconstruction. :eek: I'd hate to see all those stretch marks and floppy flabby nastiness on my boobs! haha! So, I'm not afraid to get rid of it. On breast reconstruction, it really depends on how much they have to take. They *can* do tissue expanders to get enough skin for implants, if needed. Anyhow, it will be another year before I'll be able to think about affording a TT, so I have time to get this weight off. I want to maintain for a good bit before doing the TT, so my timeline is working out okay. I think. :rolleyes:


Ijustwantedtogiveyousomethingtoponder...........:D :D:D I love you, Girl!
Now, Go get that fill!

I love you, too! You are a great friend :love:

[Kathy]

I got my fill. A whopping .25cc! hehe, but I feel it, and it's good!

Wed's consult went well. I met my new local band doc and he's cool. I showed him my before pics and raised his eyebrows, which was good. He's smart, hard-working, and kind. Thumbs-up recommendation for Dr. Pirrello at Carolina Weight Loss Surgery in Concord, NC. (AKA Dr Bauman's office.)

So I managed to get a flouro fill scheduled for Thursday morning, the next day! yay office staff!

What I found out was

a) I'm not slipped
b) I'm not eroded-according to flouro, anyway.
c) I thought I had about 2cc in my 4cc band, but it appears Dr. Gonzales was throwing numbers at me, since, at this point, I have no reason to think I have a leak. Turns out I only had .5cc. That's all Dr. P could get out anyway. So we settled on a .25cc fill. He tried more, but I felt it was too tight. Just too uncomfortable going down, even though it went down, and he backed it up and it felt better.

So, liquids for 3 days, then mushies for 3, then Thanskgiving day. I don't anticipate eating very much next week, but I'm fine with that! I think I'll get the last of this weight off.

It's been a very tough last few days. I'm exhausted. My body needs food and can't get much. I had a Large (quart) of Egg Drop soup today, a 12 ounce CIB, water and a cup of coffee. I had a headche from hell but it's gettng better. I need sleep and rest and I'm taking it! The house will wait.

It's so nice to no longer be worried. It's so nice to have a bit more restriction. It will be even nicer to see below 175 on the scales! :car: Here I go!

Paula, time for a small fill. It really does help. :heh:

[PhotoNut]

Hey Kathy, I'm so glad to read about your good report from the fluro. I'm glad you can relax about the condition of your band, and I'm glad that you've got that little bit of added restriction. I'm finally at a good point with restriction but, as you know, I had a couple of rude awakenings regarding that restriction. So a word of warning for you.. you've been so used to your level of restriction and the freedom to eat a bit less careful than a bandster normally does. That is going to be very different now. You have to get back to the mentality of a new bandster, approaching every bite slowly and carefully until you find out what you can and cannot tolerate. Scrambled eggs and roast beef were never a problem for me -- until my last fill and then they gave me two horrible PBs that have scared me into thinking like a bandster again! So, learn from my mistakes my friend. Think like a baby bandster and take care of that band that is taking such good care of you.

I expect to start hearing reports of that scale dropping now! :woot:

[Diva]

Kathy, I am so glad things worked out for you! You are inspiring me to get the monkeys off my back. Thinking about you a lot. It is amazing how well you did without a lot of fill!
BTW I hear the egg drop soup is very soothing hee hee hee.

[Kathy]

Where'd you hear about Egg Drop Soup, Naughty but Nice?! (I like that) I thought the soup was my little secret? Call me a big mouth. :D: LOL

Feeling loads better this morning. Now to get the next Monkey gone...catch up on housework! Boy, does it fall apart when Mommy isn't at the top of her game!!! Ugh! Off to do the dishes...

[Kathy]

So a word of warning for you.. you've been so used to your level of restriction and the freedom to eat a bit less careful than a bandster normally does. That is going to be very different now. You have to get back to the mentality of a new bandster, approaching every bite slowly and carefully until you find out what you can and cannot tolerate.

Yes! I had a dream last night that I popped something in my mouth that wasn't liquid and panicked. Ha! I'm on it. Day 2 of liquids is here. Egg Drop Soup, CIB, and purreed soup is on the list! It helps alot that the fill was flouro. I SAW what my esophagus did with the barium, and it makes me even more careful. Smaller bites will be the hard part. I was getting away with chewing up larger mouthfuls of food. Now, I can see where "starting over" in my head is a good thing. Smaller bites ahead, for sure! Thanks. It's all about avoiding the dreaded PBs now. And 177.8 on the scale this morning helps. It's not a new low, but it's better than it was. I was 181 on the Doc's scale Wed morning. DOH! ;)

[HeatherGurl]

I am SO glad you got a fill! I know you want to lose that last little bit, and that fill will help.
I am very glad to hear that everything looks A-OK also.
Happy Losing!!!