LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I was banded in Tijuana Mexico, on Oct.02.07.By doctor Lopez Corvala. at the time i was 260lbs, after four fills am down to 220 lbs. but i feel i can't get out of the 220 range.Thats why am glad i founded this site. I don't feel alone anymore. I am part of a special group of people the Banders.Am hoping to return to Tijuana before the year is up,for one final check up by the doctor. Hope by then am less the 220lbs.:cursing:

I finally got all my final appointments scheduled for the Dec 5th! I also informed my surgeons office that I have two insurances(Hometown Health & UHC Plus) now. Hopefully it will bring the cost down ($5800). I have 3 more pounds to lose for my final weigh in! I'm almost banded; ) This is going to be a Great way to start the New Year! I'm so excited!!

Hi! Does anyone have a very simple chicken soup recipe? I am not the kind of cook who can just put together something delicious! I can bake, but not cook. I'm looking for a clear broth (probably store bought organic) and will bits of chicken, carrot, and celery. Would onion be something to add? I don't want a slick of fat on top. I've had exactly what I want and am trying to recreate it without a recipe. Does anyone know a trick or process that will produce this kind of soup? I feel like an idiot because it almost seems like people are born knowing how to make chicken soup! But I wasnt! I need step by step instruction. I really want a very simple but satisfy…

Good morning all. Just wanted to see how everyone is doing since there last post. Hope everyone is doing well I go for my first fill on Oct 31st. At my last appointment my Dr told me his goal is to get me where I am not hungry for 6-8 hours at a time. Right now I'm at 2 1/2 - 3 hours, if not sooner, during the day and either drink green tea or water to hold me over, and at night it's like come home, eat my 4 oz, then eat 4 oz yogurt and then maybe 1-2 T peanut butter with choc pudding. I do so good during the day. I think, no I know, that the night time snacking is more comfort than hunger. Any suggestions? Hopefully after my 1st fill I will be better

well, i did my step aerobics today...and that to me is wonderful i could have said my knees hurt (they do as its rainy and i guess that old wives tale is true).. but i chose to do it any way..i could have said its the weekend and took the day off..but i again made that choice to do what is right for my body..sure i could have come up many reasons why not but i thought of one reason why to do it...because i have to..because i need to and because i WANT to my ole man, my friends, my dr cannot make me eat healthy foods and exercise or believe in myself... that is up to me...it is me who will make this band/plication work..or not i choose to..i also choose to get to…

Per usual, I am seeing a lot of posts that essentially say the Lap-Band has failed the poster. I see them go on and on how awful the band is because it didn't work for them, most often calling it a waste of money as well. I know the band doesn't work for everyone, but I also cases of the actual band failing are pretty rare. More often than not, it's not the band that is failing but the person failing the band. The most common reasons I see people failing their band are: -poor food choices -not following up on fills until they have good restriction -living over-filled for months and months -not eating properly (i.e. chewing, speed, bite sizes) -a lack of educati…

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/11/juice_cleanses_not_healthy_not_virtuous_just_expensive.html

Curious, anyone have a small slip which resolved itself after an unfill? I hope thats the case with me but im worried it wont fix itself. My Dr said i may even feel when it fixes itself. (Ouchy) he also said its about a 70% chance it will resolve itself. Any encouragement?

http://peaceloveandlowcarb.blogspot.com/p/the-moment-has-finally-arrived.html?m=1 The sale price will show in the checkout page. E-copy is only $3.50

In speaking with a friend today she mentioned that she as a friend whose surgeon placed the wrong size band for her anatomy. Has anyone else ever heard of this happening?

When I tell friends and family I am having Lap band surgery on the 25 the responses most of the time is "Why?" Or "You don't need to just diet and exercise." and my favorite "You know it is a life style change." Is it just me or do other people get this to?

Today I had my second fill. As usual I filled out the questionnaire of what I can and cannot eat well. I stated that flaky fish and pizza give me problems. (Which they both do, I have had the worst stuck episode with both!) My Dr., upon review of my stats (he complimented me on a job well done!) stated that if I am having trouble with these things, then he wants me to eat them more often? HUH ? What? Does he want me to suffer? He then explained that he doesn't want me to see any food as a no-no of what I can and cant eat. He wants me to re-learn how to eat all foods. If I start putting foods on the "no-no list", then my relationship with food will not change, Foo…

Every once in a while, my husband and I get a evening to ourselves to do dinner. When we do, I usually get some sort of drink- like a yummy margarita (don't judge, it's my treat!) and I do still eat a tiny bit. I know you aren't supposed to drink 30 before and 30 after but will it hurt if I do this like once maybe twice a month?

Well after a slip on mothers day, total unfill, numerous panic & anxiety attacks, a couple ER visits, and the discovery of a medium sized hiatal hernia, I've decided to have my band removed in Dec. i was banded Dec 2006 with the old 4cc band. Since my slip I've been taking 4 prilosec a day and been prescribed prozac to help control the anxiety. Even now with a complete unfill I am getting stuck on things like butternut squash. Every now and then I'll experience a nice esophageal spasm which leaves me with a golfball type feeling in my throat for the rest of the day. I'm tired of dealing with it- its been very emotionally draining. I am not able to get the correct…

Question, for those who are measuring themselves "inch wise" what has been an average monthly inch loss for you? I lost 5.5 inches last month, but was kind of disappointed. I don't know what I thought I had lost, but I felt so good and my clothes were fitting better, and then I had what I thought was such a low number. Ironically, my weight dropped 14 pounds and everyone says don't worry about the scale but see the inches go down. I know I'm in the right direction, but Boo. I'm just curious as to what "normal" really looks like. Thanks in advance.

I had my first fill on 7/3/13. I went to Jamaica for a week, 7/21/13 thru 7/28/13. I did not gain or lose weight. I ate almost within the guidelines. After my fill, I am starving most of the time, 4 ozunces just does not seem to do it. Thanks to support groups like this, is how I obtain information. How do you get in the required daily protein requirement? Should you still drink a protein shake? I was banded on 5/24/13 and have lost 45 pounds. I practice eating slowly and notice I do not get heartburn as much. I found out if i drink at least 64 ozunces of water it sometimes help with the hunger. Prior to surgery, I was taking insulin 4 times a day and oral medic…

Pictures and nutritional facts at pizza for days. We used to get pizza once a week and although we got the “healthy” kind (thin crust, veggies, with half the cheese), it still wasn’t that good for us. I’ve been thinking about how to recreate this and although I’ve seen lots of cauliflower crust, meat crust, ground chicken crust etc. recipes, they seemed a bit contrived. So I tried this with Flatout bread and it actually worked out very well. The nice thing about individual serving pizzas is that I was able to make one with just pepperoni and cheese for my son at the same time. Makes 2 sleever servings, 1 serving for a non-op Ingredients 1 piece of Italian herb fla…

Didnt know where to put this question, so I figured FL would be the best thing. Since my plans have now changed and my new insurer will cover the procedure (instead of self-pay) I need some names besides Dr. Grossbard, Dr. Jawad, Dr. Jessee. to research on. I'm waiting on the approval from the corporate office after I gave them the CPT code so I can go for a visit. I then have to have them make it medically necessary to do the surgery i.e. M.O. and 6 months they will pay for it. Did you have your band placed by a Florida Doctor? If yes I would appreciate - the name, website and price if you know it. Anyone with info is a great help since I only know of those 3 h…

When you get fills does it feel sore like you are being pinched at your band shortly after the fill?

Help! I am failing! I have now gained almost all my weight back, and can not afford nor do I have the insurance for fills. Is there anyone who can help me? I lost almost 30#'s and then hit a wall and it didn't seem to matter what I did, I could not loose anymore. My husband then took a different job back in our home state and we moved. That has been a year and a half. We moved into our daughters for a good 9 months and have since moved out on our own. I understand the stress of all this did not help, nor did her cooking! I need to get a "restart". Again I say HELP!!! Thank you in advance. Barb spededbarb@att.net (best way to communicate, my computer is not …

I had surgery 10/24 and am doing great except for the pain in my left shoulder. I have read where others are experiencing the same problem with a nerve that runs across the abdomen and up the left side. Have you found anything that helps relieve the pain?

I love fitness pal. It is so helpful. I also love seeing what others are doing/eating. Wanna b friends?

Hi I can't find the answer in the Rules section and need to get to work, so can't search any longer----but my question is, does anyone know what "This Topic Locked" means? I saw it on one thread and assume no one else can add anything. Please excuse me if Im posting this question in the wrong place; Im just not seeing where to find the info or ask the question. Thank you! ~hiddn

Well - I'm just about at my goal weight! Had my surgery Novembver 16th 2009 and as of today I've lost 102 pounds with 8 left for goal. People ask if all the time if I'd do it again and I say Heck Yeh - in a heart beat. I've really not had any problems with the band......and any that I did - I knew that I did it to myself! I had plenty of people tell me their horror stories - and I learned from them what to do and what not to do! So very proud of myself!

So the picture with the dark hair is from about a year ago. It's the photo on my badge at work. The second picture ( the profile picture above) is from Halloween this year. I think I see it in my face.

I anyone in the Sierra Nevada Foothills? I'm in Auburn Ca and am just starting my lap band journey!

Hi all, I am getting banded on November 26th. This was a very big decision for me and I am so excited that my surgery date is just around the corner. I have been yo-yo dieting for years and as I get older it has just been harder and headset to keep the weight off. It has been so great hearing everyone's experiences and I saw some other low BMI bandsters from back in July and August. Would love to hear back from anyone as to how you are doing after these past few months and if there is any newbies out there about to go through this with me. . Best wishes everyone!

I just received and EDG 2 weeks ago and a port replacement a week ago went to see the doctor today and my fluid was a slight yellow this happen before by port replacement and still seems to be the sample problem. Doctor has never seen this before anyone had or heard of this ??? Desperate for answers

I had my first appointment yesterday and came away very confused. Lap band is my choice for surgery, but the attending physician in the office thinks that the sleeve will be better for me. Excuse me, but I don't want 3/4 of my stomach removed. He told me that the average weight loss for banding is 36%, which in my case would be about 60 lbs. I have not seen anyone who has lost less than 100. My niece has lost 140 over the last 20 months. With sleeve, 50% and 77% with bypass Anyone have any comments or thoughts ?

I tried to message you and it wouldn't go through. I can't believe you blocked me. You didn't block me for real did you..............

Every year my hospital (Siani Hospital of Baltimore) hosts a Protein party for people that either had or are thinking of having bariatric surgery. We have vendors show up to answer questions and hand out free sample of their product. This is being held on Tuesday March 20th 6-7:30pm. We also have door prizes. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Probably didn't choose the right thing to eat but my mom was with me and we shared Chang's spicy chicken and veggie fried rice, lots of food I might add but anyway, I cut my chicken to tee tiny bites, and then had some rice, well I guess the rice swelled and I got stuck, had to make a run to the restroom and started PB'ing, of all things. I was so disappointed too, it used to be my fav place. Wondering now if lettuce wraps would have been a better choice. idk... It was really cold in Nashville today to maybe the weather played a part in my band, who knows, well not cold cold but the weather had turned off colder and the wind was up which made it feel really cold. Does…

I'm really struggling for ideas for Breakfast. I can't eat bread so toast is a no go. Iv been eating cereals but I'm getting really bored of them. I'm the kind of person that can eat something for so long then I'll get bored and never eat it again. I'm not much of a big eater in the morning so I normally have my breakfast at 9-30ish when I get to work so I can't do too much cooking.. Any ideas? Also ideas for main meals would be great as I love to make new things :-)

Hi, I live near Portland, Oregon. My surgery is November 21st. Any other Oregonians needing a buddy?

I do not know if this is available for any android users but I have an iPhone and an iPad and I found this new app called "see me get thin". You put your weight in and you take pictures on whenever you log your weight and you get a picture lineup of what you look like at each weight in one easy to use app it's free right now and I just wanted to let everybody know so they can try it out if that appeals to anyone. Sorry if this has been posted before.

Maybe I'm being over sensitive or whatever. I havent been on the board that long, but I've been getting the feeling lately that there are "veterans" on this board (I'm using this term loosely cuz I'm certainly not talking about everybody here) are looking down your noses at those they like to fondly refer to as newbys. Like most of us, I appreciate some good pointers and advice but sort of resent the attitude I see here alot about newbys (and I hate that term) need to be told how to feel or what they are feeling and basically how to get this thing right. There are those on this board, and to name a few, Carolinagirl and Mis73, whose opinion and advice I truly respect a…

I went to my seminar yesterday & gave them my insurance info. Got a call today to meet with a doctor on monday to start this process. This is the best decision im ever gonna make!! [ATTACH]27530[/ATTACH]

I am in Taekwondo (ATA) --- joined just AFTER my surgery...........and am now a 1st degree black belt. I have never told anyone at the ATA that I have a LB --- I have never had an issue with my port while doing ATA or kickboxing. Sometimes I have issues with my port interfering with crunches/sit-ups........depending on where my shirt/shorts are --- the tighter the compression.....the more issues I have with my port -- but the issues have never been that bad where I had to stop what I was doing for very long --- Hope that helps!

Anyone have any stories with their PCOS getting better as the weight has come off? This is one of the main reasons I am having lap band. MY OBGYN told me that if I lose enough weight I wouldn't have to take a pill to get my cycle! I was on metformin but she recently put me on birth control, and believe in me my cycles have been horrid. I have unbelievable hair growth, so I was just curious if anyone has seen a difference?

I am a teacher and find this year to be the busiest year I have had in a long time. It is very difficulty to find time to sit down and eat this year due to my lunch and planning times being used to plan lessons and such (plus my lunch is at 11am since I teach 1st grade). I need some ideas for quick, easy to eat meals that keep you full. Right now I am eating cottage cheese or tuna, but I feel like they don't keep me full more than an hour or two. I am currently at 4cc's, going for my second fill today.

Today is the first day of my liquid diet I'm at work but I can't even concentrate to work because I'm thinking about food kind I guess I never realize what soda and food meant to me guess you could say it was a good friend now i feel lonely without it

I am about two months post op and had my first really bad stuck episode today. I know it was because I ate too quickly. I know PB is a productive burb but what is sliming? Also, how bad is it that pretty much what I ate came back up (not violently) but it did? Thanks in advance and thank you for all the great discussions on this forum. This is my first post, but I have been following the boards since my lapband surgery in September and it has been very helpful!

It felt weird,food did taste like before, I went to I-Hop, got the Sirloin tips, ate only 1/4 of the portion, only one egg out of two, 1/8 of the hash-brown and a small pancake, it took me 40 minutes to do it, but I really enjoy the meal. I don't know if it was too much, since I don't have any restriction, my first feel will be on 11/12, so I've been controlling my intake by measuring, between 4 to 6 oz as per my nutritionist instructions. Then for dinner I had 2 1/2 pupusas (I used to ate 6-8 before the band ) that is a Salvadorian food that looks like a tortilla and is little/flat stuff with cheese and pork loin. So next week I have to watch my calories and my fat in…

I had a hernia and a band readjustment done last week because my band slipped. There hasnt been any fluid in my band for almost a month and my stomach looks and feels bigger but yet ive only gained 10lbs. Has anyone else felt like this way? I feel miserable!

It seems that some of the drs in my area are turning their backs on the lap band and going for the sleeve and the bypass. Now they are passing their lap band patients off to other drs. The whole thing is discouraging. It has me wondering if there will be an experienced lap band surgeon available to help me if I have problems years down the road. Have any of you noticed this trend or is it local to me?

Hello. I am 1 month post op, and I was wondering how much protein everyone is having at this point or had at this point?

Pictures and nutritional info at: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/green-chile-pork-crockpot-stew/ Spicy, hot, comforting, high-protein, and easy. What more can you ask for? Ingredients 1/2 lb pork cut up for stewing (I’m trying to make smaller quantities, you could use a lb and double everything else below) 2 small chopped roma tomatoes 1 chopped jalapeno pepper OR Substitute 1 can of Rotel tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes and jalapeno) 1/2 c frozen pearl onions OR 1/4 c chopped fresh onion 1 small sweet potato cut into four large pieces 1 can green chile, chopped 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper (ground) 1 tsp salt Method …

I have finally found a Breakfast I LOVE!!! I actually look forward to it everyday. 1 soft boiled egg 1/2 toasted Arnold Thin with 1/2 T Peanut Butter and sugar free jelly Fills me up until lunch and tastes great!!!!

Anyone in the Naperville area? I had surgery in June 2012 from Dr Woodard. Anyone else?

It feels good to eat 1 scrambled egg for Breakfast w/cheese 1 slice of bacon, half an apple for lunch and a few spoons of re-fried Beans w/cheese and salsa for dinner. And seeing the scale move again....consistently.... This would not have been a big deal at 5 years post op...but I am going on 9 years and still have the restriction of a newbie...I love my band....