LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Ever since starting my pre-op diet I've had really bad breath. I'm 2 months post op and still have it. At first I thought it was ketosis, but I eat about 1200 calories a day, so that shouldn't be the issue. Is it just me, or is anyone else experiencing this? Is this common, unusual, unrelated? PS I brush with an electric toothbrush 3x/day, use mouthwash and floss regularly. UPDATE: (2 days later) I visited my dentist for a cleaning today and had a little chat with him about my bad breath. I followed his instructions today and found it to be helpful. He said that there isn't a cure for "diet breath" as he called because it's a result of ketosis (as the very …

Has anyone done any research or have any knowledge of the longest amount of time anyone has had a lap band in? Sharon Osborne was 10 years, wondering if there was any information on longer then that. Europe has been doing this for a long time. Thanks.

I am about to have my band removed and I am petrified my old way of feeling and thinking about food. Before my band I was preoccupied with food thoughts. I wanted to eat all the time. I was constantly planning what to eat next even when I was eating. I was beating myself up for eating too much. I was sneaking food. I hated myself for lack of will power. With the band I stuck to my eating plan with no problem. Sometimes I would even forget to eat. How has band removal effected other people emotionally and psychologically?

I recently had my 4mL band replaced witha 10mL band in April 2009, because it wsa leaking, and currently have a 7mL fill. When I had the 4mL band, I had a 3.65 fill, and was happy. I wonder if it's been filled too fast, too much...Initially when it was placed, the doctor gave me a 4mL fill, and since then I have had two fills, a 2mL fill teh first time & a 1mL fill yesterday. I can drink liquids, but I think all of these fills have caused a little swelling. I am just curious what the sweet spot is for others that have a 10mL band. If it's around 7 or higher I'm going to leave it as is for teh weekend & see if it feels better.

Its been since 2016 when I got my lapband. It has caused me nothing but issues. The place I received it stopped excepting my insurance 1st and expected cash for adjustments than they closed down and wasn't able to get adjustments anymore. And I gained so much weight afterwards and it has since cause massive issues for my health and body. It was the worst mistake I have ever made getting. I should have gotten the gastric bypass .

Hi All, I have my first appointment with surgeon Paul Burton from Melbourne next Wednesday and l am so excited. I have struggled for years and years with my weight, and having my four gorgeous children over the past 7 years has only added the kilos on; physically and emotionally. I meet Paul Burton at an information night last month and thought he seemed very genuine. I have read so much information about the lap band procedure and an abundance of your helpful forum posts, but l must admit a small part of me is still somewhat anxious about taking this step. Will my surgeon really walk with me through this entire journey? Will my surgery be successful? Will l be able …

I had my lap band removed in 2018. Since, I would occasionally get a cramp-like pain from the old port area on my left side. Now, after 7 years, the pain is worse. Yes, I will see my dr about it, but has anyone else experienced this?

Has anyone managed to have their band removal paid by insurance that doesn't cover any weight-loss procedures. I have cyclic vomiting that is pretty bad, and based on what I've read, may have erosion starting.

Hi everyone, I had my Lap-Band placed in 1999 in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Roberto Rombaut, and I’ve had it ever since — over 25 years now. I was a longtime patient of Dr. Brinkley in Maryland, who recently retired. She always performed blind fills for me, and that approach worked perfectly — I’ve maintained success with my band for decades. I typically only need a fill about once every 3 years, so I’m not seeking ongoing adjustments — just an occasional, simple fill when things begin to loosen. I’m aware that my pouch may be slightly distended over time, but I have no interest in surgery or revision. I just want to continue with what has been working. If an…

I had lap band 21 years ago. Through the years I lost 120 lbs. 60 of those the last three years after I retired from teaching. My band has slipped and food is sitting in my esophagus. So it has stretched out, and my reflux is bad and I have to have the band removed. I am freaking out that I will gain the weight back. It has been part of me for so long that I feel funny having it removed. But I also don't want to have esophagus problems and can't keep getting up in the middle of the night with terrible reflux. Has anyone gone through this? Did you gain your weight back? Any hints and suggestions? Thanks. Deanna

Hi anybody know some one to take on a new patient for a lap band adjustment in the Toronto area as I was banded in Belgium

I've found since I turned 60 (65 now) it's easier to stay at my goal weight. I rarely feel hunger pains and I guess I eat regularly enough that I don't feel hungry. Christamas Eve we were in a car accident (hit from behind) and after that I started getting stuck more often. I've had my lapband 16 years now and I know what its like to feel stuck, but experience has helped me avoid that. However after the accident, I felt some soreness around the port. Saw my gastric practice and everything checks out fine. I have to wonder if age has started me losing my appetite? Will see my family doctor again soon.

Happy birthday to me! My 64th and one year until retirement! The email from this forum reminded me I haven't been here in awhile. I was 275 when I had my lap band back in May of 2009. I got down to my goal weight of 195 by the end of that year. A few times I've slipped back and went close to 240. The band, which I guess they don't do anymore, has been a great tool, but diet and exercise sure played a big part. In 2011 I ran my first of 7 marathons, had to give that up after back surgery in 2014 and I've taken to cycling, which almost killed me in 2020. (But hey the lady that hit me ended up buying me a new camper to use in retirement :) ) I definitely …

Dr. Bradley Schwack, who has a great deal of experience in lap band, has left NYU Langone in New York City. Does anyone know where he is now practicing?

What to do when food gets stuck? I ate this morning and it feels like its still there!! Stuck right in my chest area!! Should I go vomit!! I can't take this feeling!!! HELP!!!

Life is awesome and I would Never remove my band. It has been suggested recently so I say NO!

I had the Gastric Banding placed in 2012. I've moved away from where I had the initial surgery to a place that didn't have a doctor comfortable with the banding procedure. I've gone several years without having it adjusted but keeping my weight maintained so I didn't think much of it, I figured it was doing it's job and so was I. I recently had severe abdominal pain after having some lunch, was rushed to the local hospital, which then had to be transferred to a hospital an hour away from home to find a doctor comfortable with the banding procedure. It turns out the band slipped some time ago and completely eroded though my stomach. I had an emergency surgery with 2 surgeo…

I’ve been gone a while from the forum. life has just been busy and I guess time just gets away from me. It’s like I turned around and I’m old ? not really old but you know what I mean. looking at my profile it’s hard to believe I’ve been banded since 2014. I can only imagine where I would be if I never had the surgery. Or if I had done it sooner…. today I’m probably the healthiest I’ve ever been. I’ve got to be the mother and grandmother MY parents and grandparents never were and it’s because I changed. My career my marriage and my family has all flourished! is it all because of the surgery? Maybe not. But I definitely attribute a lot to it! the way I …

Nope, I'm not kidding this time. According to my surgeon, I will most likely lose my Band in the future due to "rejection." It is rare, but it happens, and it's happening to me. So I have to consider my other options, which means I'm considering a future gastric bypass. My biggest concern is the horrific anal odor that's one of the documented occasional side effects. I know 2 people that have to wear carbon filters in their underpants because the smell is so offensive. Can anyone offer an explaination? More info? Comments, suggestions, concerns... WITHOUT letting this thread get too far off track? Greg, I'm talking to you, because somehow you'll turn it into a s…

Good Day All, Long story short, I'd like to know if anyone has heard of a class action lawsuit that has been started? If you haven't but would like to be, I would like to start a petition of sorts so I can get a ballpark of numbers to give the lawyer. There is a good lawyer in London Ontario that I have contacted previously, but unless there are numbers, there's no point. In Oct 2013 I had the band placed in a rush of fury by their lies and pressure tactics. After 6 months of not being able to drink water without it coming back up, they finally agreed to remove it. Shortly after the removal I found out I was pregnant (not expected I could even get pregn…

Hi everyone, I had my lap band inserted in Nov 2016 and after the first 6 months really hated it. Felt like it ruined my social life and my relationship with food. Eventually, acid reflux became so apparent I was taking Omeprazole every day, constantly vomiting and just feeling really awful. Some days could not even drink water. Had chest pain, back pain. I was miserable. So I had the band removed last week (I’m 6 days post op) and just wondered how long it took most people to feel better? Surgery went well - the band hadn’t slipped but there was scar tissue. My acid reflux went away immediately (yay!) but am still having constant cramping in the stomach ar…

H Hello there I have had my band for 8 years. Weight loss was not remarkable and at the max of 5-7 kg over all the years. Instead, the band has only caused issues and daily vomiting. Have finally decided to have it removed, as I now suspect it has slipped. I haven’t been able to keep food down for 7 days, despite not having had any fills for years. However, I have once concern: I am 41 y.o and have no children and planning to become pregnant this year. How soon after band removal am I allowed to become pregnant? Thank you

I’m gonna try here since no luck in the surgery forum any banders with a TT? curious as to how the port looked and what changes have you noticed?

I have seen many videos of the revision and all do the band removal and sleeve in same surgery. Why is my doctor not doing this? Is he not good enough to do it? The scare tissue removal is just extra time and procedure and to check for hernia. Should I be getting a second opinion? Last visit he never tried a fill or see if it leaked or fluoroscope, just said let's take it out. I just hate to do all the fasting and being put under twice if not needed.

I am happy to advise everyone that an new Support Group has been formed in Sequim, Washington. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The church is located at 525 No. 5th Avenue. The meeting is held in the basement of the church hall. Use the down ramp on the south side of the building or enter through the church hall, find the down stairs and go through the double doors and through the common room to the room at the far right. Everyone is welcome from anywhere. Visitors to the area, please come. Chuck In Sequim 1-360-582-3788

Well, 2 weeks from today I am having it removed. I was told I just need new blood work and have to fast after midnite. The dr. also said the incisions might be a little bigger than when it was put in because they have to get the port out? Anyone have any additional info as to post removal? I guess Ill have to take off the rest of the week like I did when I had it put in. What did your stomach feel like after the band was removed. Any pains in the banded area:thumbup::biggrin: internally? How about the "runs" and swelling? Any info would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks! Linda

Hey! Very very new here however not new to the band! (Banded Oct 2022) when I first had it fitted I lost most of the weight I wanted to. Took a good couple of months and 1 fill of 1ml (taking me from 5.5-6.5ml in a 10ml band) I was happy. The weight was coming off, people were noticing, I felt better in my body (less weight to carry around and I felt loads more confident in my appearance too!) over the summer months I really struggled to eat anything with the weather being hot I put a lot of it down to that.. I had 0.5ml removed taking me down to 6ml in total. During winter I debated having some back in but figured with Christmas approaching I wasn’t overly c…

I have an appointment with Dr. Christopher Myers in Greenville, Pa. on Dec 28, and am scheduled to be banded on Jan 4 at UPMC Horizon. Has anyone used him or know of anyone who has? I have seen him a few times already, went through all my pre-op testing, and have a final appointment to see him on Jan 28. He seems very nice, knowledgable, I like his staff, but have not heard much about him..... good or bad. Was wondering if anyone had him as a surgeon, or knows anyone who has. Thanks

I had a question I've had 4 fills so far and I'm 4 months post op. And I noticed that I'm able to finish all my food sometimes and then sometimes I can't. Is this normal? Or do I need another fill? I listen to my body when I'm starting to get full or when I am full but some days I don't be full right away which I end up eat all my food and I am eating my portion sizes so it's nothing that's a lot of food.

Hi everyone, I just had my band removed on Friday (4 days ago) and my Dr told me to stay on Clear liquids the first week, but I could have Protein shakes and then thicker liquids the next. The third week I could start adding food to my diet. For those of you who have had their band removed, how was your diet afterwards? I'm asking this because I think my Dr is still trying to treat me like a WLS patient. I am so ready to start chewing some food...

Hello everyone, i am not yet banded but have been hanging out here and asking a lot of questions to help me to figure out if this procedure will work for me. I found a very disturbing thread about the difficulties a person had had with the lap band. This person said that despite their complications being unrelated, you could easily self sabotage the band by eating chocolate and icecream as these both melt and slip down very easily. Do you guys ever go to chocolate and icecream when you are stressed out, and how difficult do you find it to pick things back up again? Despite it being easier to eat these in this context, does the band effect the way you eat them now …

Hello! I had my 18-year-old lap band removed because it was causing problems, including pain when I ate. My question is about the pain recovery time. The surgery was August 7th and the little info I could find on the surgery indicates I should be much better off than I feel after a week. I also read that removal would be easier than putting it in. I'm still in quite a bit of pain and I don't have a follow up appointment until August 25th. Does anyone have experience with removal of an old lap band that share your experience?

There are still a few surgeons in the midwest that do lap band surgery. They say there has been great advancements and improvements. I am considering this less favored option because I supported my sister through an agonizing DS that slowly tortured her for 5 years until she passed shortly after a 2nd correction attempt. Countless doctors and nurses over the years looking after her in ICU said they wished they would stop doing GS and DS because there is not much that can be done when things go wrong. So the band is the only option I will consider. I am post menopausal and since starting sleep apnea treatment, I've gained even more weight and have a current bmi of 35…

I had my lapband removed in March I have been steadily gaining weight and my stomach is extended I am seeing a GI dr to get me to have a stool movement and they put me on meds for it. I’m still eating really healthy and working out but so depressed on the weight gain I had my Lapband in for 13 years had it removed because of slippage and other issues my legs is gotten so big from water retention how long does it take for me to get back to normal. I just had a lot of blood work done to see what is going on and the dr said my numbers are actually fantastic and I’m in perfect health but he is even confused on the weight gain

Hey Az Banders! I just got approved for AHCCCS and was wondering if anyone has had any luck or experience with them. I'm praying they cover it! My last insurance company pretty much told me too bad so sad sucks to be your fat ass! :reddevil: Any experiences? :banghead:

hello so I've had the lapband for year and a half and although I haven't lost much weight with it I'm still not giving up I do get hungry at nights and there is a supplement called protrim plus have any of u heard it? Well it's a natural supplement u take it before dinner and it expans in your stomach causing you to be full it's pretty much fiber do you think I'm able to take that or will it affect the band causing me to be in pain like if food was stuck? I don't think it would beacuse it goes to ur actual stomach if I can swallow capsules no problem it shouldn't be a problem right since it goes to the stomach ??

I have had no issues for 10+ years. 1 week ago I had a stomach bug and vomited a lot one night and instantly started burping. Ever since then I’ve had weird GI issues and burping a lot. Nausea and bloating when eating solids sometimes. But I can eat just fine- no changes there. Any ideas? I’m hoping it’s just inflammation from irritation of vomiting but not sure how long that would last. Any help appreciated

I had a lapband put in in Vancouver BC. I had to have it repositioned 5 years later in Toronto Ontario because it was never on. Now it is causing me so much problems acid reflex, vomiting, sore stomach, difficulty swallowing food choking on my food. Does anybody no where I can have it removed Vancouver BC false creek doesn’t do it any more. Toronto clinic said they wouldn’t remove it, My doctor doesn’t know where I can go.

Hi everyone, I had my Gastric Lap Band done 17 years ago. I lost 60kilos over the first 2 years. I fluctuated between putting on 6 kilos and losing it again over the 17 years. ATM I am under my goal weight. I’ve been quite ill for some months. Severe reflux, stomach pain, nausea, back pain, no appetite, night vomiting, (into my airway) night coughing and general feeling unwell. I underwent an endoscopy yesterday, it was suggested my band has slipped? And the band is very tight. I have not had an adjustment or seen a surgeon about my banding in over 8 years. Th Dr performing the Endoscopy is recommending my Dr refer me to to a Gatric banding …

My Fluid was removed and the doctor was to only removed some because the band was too tight. He removed all and I immediately gained all the weight back plus more. Has anyone experienced this. i also had my thyroid remove so I don't have thyroids so I take synthroid. I am having some fluid put back in. Whats a good doctor and a lower cost to have fluid put back in. any recommendations.

Hi everyone hope everyone's had a great weekend me um not so much so on Saturday I got a fill. My doctor also had my xray to see if there was a slip and I'm good he said my band was loose and I already had 7cc in. So we did a .5 fill and then that day I had broth some water little yogurt ok then the next day I had hot tea and few sips on premier protein and that's when **** went south besides me gurgling the whole damn day I'm constantly going to the bathroom and throwing up like spit I couldn't sleep well last night and then try taking care of a 2 year old in the mix of all this. I called my Dr and said I need this fill out he said we only added .5 and u were loose u cou…

Hi everyone! I'm a bandster and got my surgery in Jan 2022. I just got a fill today it's my third one I'm now at 6cc in a 10cc band. My doctor told me because I am tight I need to go on a liquid diet. Can anyone tell me is it normal to feel freaking hungry? I've had soup fat free yogurt water idk if it's more mental hunger or what does this mean the fill didn't do a damn thing this just sucks my son's baptism is in July and I want to loose another 15 pounds by then but I feel this fill isn't gonna do it ? But then I figure of course I'm hungry liquids just go right through and that I will really know if it's tight or not once I start solids..... Any advice suggestions tha…

I've had my lap band for about 15 years now. Does anyone else have problems with being able to eat a certain food one day but the next time you try to eat it, it causes pain and the need to vomit to feel better? Steak and roast beef are two big culprits and so are broccoli and cauliflower.

How soon after lap-band surgery can I wear a waist trainer or compression garment?

Does anyone have any insight on how to control my appetite? I was sleeved in October 2017 and lost 110 pounds. Since the pandemic, it’s been very difficult to control my appetite. I eat just about every hour and my cravings are not for appropriate foods. It’s like I cannot control what and how often I’m eating. Are there any appetite suppressants?

Hey everyone so I got my band tightened last week I've had 4 adjustments well now I am 7cc in a 10cc band I haven't been able to keep any liquids down water yes I can I just can't chug it and then there was one day I just couldn't even eat soup I called and they said give it time it is swollen it will loosen.. then other day I was able to eat soups fine and yogurt. And today same thing can't keep anything to eat down I don't dare want to try any solids uhh I don't know and I'm just so so so hungry

How do you get back on track if, you are gaining weight with the band versus losing weight?

In 2010 I had a lap band surgery at the Slimband clinic in Toronto. Dr. Patrick Yau was my surgeon. I never felt that the band worked, but because of the cost I was determined not to fail. I joined MyfitnessPal and faithfully logged in for over 500 days. I swam daily for one hour during the winter months. Walked, and rode 100 miles per week on my bike. I lost weight, nearly 100 lbs. Three years ago I experienced pain in my abdomen on the lower left side. I had every test possible and nothing was found. This past March 2022, I was in unbearable pain and an ambulance was called. The lap band had perforated my bowel. My life was in jeopardy and after some har…

I live in newyork had lab band placed in Ireland need a fill anyone can help id appreciate it not sure if we’re to go here

Hi guys I have couple of questions I'm I At 7.5 cc in 10cc band I had my fill a week ago in still doing liquids because I tried thicker and slimed and it was not cool like yesterday I was able to have protein shake a creamy soup I even had a Jamba juice smoothie with extra protein today well diff story I woke up and drank my hot tea which helps loosen the band in my opinion since I'm tighter in the morning and it was all hell I couldn't keep anything down without it gurgling and bothering me I find chewing ice helps the inflammation in stomach from pb or sliming or it coming up whatever u wanna call it have any of u gone threw this my Dr said if. Not having heart burn or…