Hi Steph,
Keep the faith girl... everything will be ok!
Just a few things to mention.
No, the PA has not yet learned the technique. When I was in Denver, Dr. Kirshenbaum absolutely read me the riot act about letting an inexperienced person (with the band that is) touch me. He said all it would take is one wrong move to wreck the whole set up... put the fear of God in me he did! One needle stick in the wrong spot could puncture the tubing, and it would be back to surgery again to have the whole mess replaced. I told him I have a lot of faith in our PA here because she is very good at what she does. He conceded that because I was so far away, a PA might be the only option for fills. He told me to have her call him any time with any questions about the fills. He even sent me home with two of the special huber/Lap Band fill needles for emergencies. Absolutely nothing against PA's, however, I suspect that a lot of surgeons are probably somewhat leary of anyone with lesser skill levels than theirs touching their patients.
After the lecture from Dr.Kirshenbaum, I decided to contact Dr.Rohrer in Gt.Falls... to my surprise, he agreed to do the fills, and, as I mentioned, I am very impressed with him. I felt completely safe in his hands, and absolutely confident in his skills. He's gotten both fills with just one try and answered all my questions very patiently.... the same ones I'm sure he's heard a thousand times and more.
Remember one thing... when you have your first fill, don't be surprised if you barely notice any difference at all. I certainly didn't. I kept waiting for all this great restriction I heard everyone else bragging about, and it just wasn't happening. I learned later that it may be because the band itself absorbs a lot of the fluid. On my second fill, for which I waited a little over two months, I could tell some difference, but, not a lot. Now, with the third one (waited about 2.5 months) I KNOW theres something in there! I have never had what is called the PB's, nor have I vomited even once since I was banded. I get pain... take me to my knees pain... It happens when I ignore that little 'twinge' that says, "you'd better not take one more bite or you're going to be very sorry". Ignore that signal at your peril! For me, the pain has been a very crushing 'cardiac' type which hits me in the chest and upper back on the right side. It has lasted anywhere from 5-10 mins at a time, and, its not over till its over. I really haven't found anyway to alleviate it while its in progress. If I feel just a tiny twinge, and stop eating in time, I usually take a couple of gas-X strips, and that can help a lot before things get out of hand. I can eat plenty of food without a problem... its just that 'one more bite cuz it's so good' thing that gets me in trouble. But, I am learning. The pain is a great motivator, and, I guess thats what its really all about. Its not pleasant, but, the band is doing what it is supposed to do. For me, its truly a love-hate relationship!
Thanks for the tip on the drink. I will look for it. Right now, I'm using 'Pro-Stat-64', which is a pure, pre-digested liquid protein. I take 2-Tbs (usually) daily, and, it pretty much gets the protein in. I really like the Pro-Stat... wild cherry flavor, tastes pretty good. Skinny tried a taste and thought it was good too. It is one of the really good ones... not one of those full of sugar and other garbage protein. I also am using Fiber-Stat. Its a liquid soluble fiber which is very helpful with elimination. Its clear with no taste, also just 2-Tbs daily if needed. I have a very difficult time with those full-bodied protein drinks... I just cannot get much of them down. I think 'Boost' is one of the better ones, and, they come in a very small bottle... that one I can manage. Just one more thing. I have found I simply cannot tolerate taking lots of different vitamins, so, I am using a liquid one now. I get it from the Rexall. Its called 'Liquid Health', Complete Multiple. Its in the large brown bottle... not one of those plastic squeeze things. Its got something like 200 essential nutrients, trace minerals, and every vitamin imaginable in it.... suprisingly, it even tastes pretty good too... a little like prune juice. I was using the Centrum liquid, and one other liquid one which I absolutely hated. I was glad to find this one. I got a little pill splitter for a couple of meds that I take, and that helps a lot too.
Steph, if you go to my website, you can send me a personal email from the link there... contact number is there as well.
Paso Finos del Joy - Home
Take care, and lets get together soon. We'll grab Skinny and all go have a coffee or something. Sounds great!
Joy
Banded 1/22/08 
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