LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

http://www.healthystepsinfo.com/2013/07/vegetable-cooking-cheat-sheet This link is from Healthy Steps and is a chart with cooking/steaming times. Hope it's helpful! ~hiddn

I wasn't sure where to post this info, but here it is in case anyone is interested: "The Doctors" features Metabolic Surgery On Thursday, September 26, NBC's TV show "The Doctors" includes two segments on Obesity and Metabolic surgery. The show will feature a married couple that lost a total of 270 pounds - and now no longer have diabetes. "The Doctors" will include a satellite interview with former ASMBS President and Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (BMI) Director Philip Schauer, MD. View the show summary online. ASMBS is proud to see mainstream media outlets providing education and information about the disease of obesity. Research has conclu…

Okay - another lazy day for me, thank goodness I keep frozen meals here at work with me. This morning I threw caution to the wind (having trouble tolerating eggs now) and had 1/2 container of the Atkins Farmhouse Sausage Scramble - it's good! This is the first time I've been able to eat scrambled eggs in quite a while and I was nervous about trying them, but these went down fairly well - not perfectly, but I didn't slime or PB which is definitely an accomplishment. Two thumbs up - very flavorful, filling and I can eat the eggs!

Ay got my Lapband fixed! The port disconnected! So now waiting on my first fill on 30th! Can't wait to get back on track tired of being hungry.

It's been two weeks since my aggressive fourth fill. I'm uncomfortable but I thought it might be just readjustment. But, now I feel discomfort with liquids sometimes. I'm scared to eat because I'm not sure how I will handle it. I've regurgitated a few times and I belch a lot. However, no heartburn, nausea or vomiting. I know I've lost weight but don't think it's worth it. Is it bad to have some saline removed because I can't quite handle it yet? It seems like a dumb question but I was so ready for restriction ... I guess be careful what you wish for?

Had to go buy a couple pair of new jeans today because my old ones were just getting way too loose and I got sick of pulling them up or feeling like there was a load in the back lol....my old pants were a size 20...today I had to get 16's!!!!!! I was so shocked!!!! I tried on 18's and thought they were ok until my husband informed me that there was like a two or three inch gap at my back in the waist.....yes, the 16's r a tiny bit tight but if I keep losing weight, the 18's would b falling down in a month or two. I have not even been able to squeeze into a 16 since I don't remember when.....I am happy

how do you know if you've stretched your pouch?

I had my 1st fill yesterday (banded in early August). Everything went well....however, i have been feeling under the weather since the fill. Has anyone else felt the same way after their fill?

So, I am 9 days post-op and just yesterday started on my "mushie" stage of eating. I've only had two meals so far and man am I having a hard time eating slow. I thought I was doing well but my body is telling me now that am still eating too fast. I have always been a fast eater and I KNEW this was going to be the toughest part for me. I'm working on it and my husband, Jim, has an app for my phone that can help. I am going to install it for lunch time. Does anyone have any tricks they use to eat slower??

I am 2 weeks out from surgery!! very nervous!

Hi everyone! I had my band place in Dec 08. I was a very bad patient after loosing most of my weight. I'm now climbing back up with a 40lb gain & have a slipped band. Had a fluoro done yesterday and consult for surgery next Tuesday - any thoughts on what's next? Do they take out the old, replace with new band, go for Sleeve...has anyone had this issue and surgery all in one shot, i.e., take out old, replace band or do sleeve. I'm not keen on surgery and feeling like a big failure. Pointer, experiences will be greatly appreciated! Many thanks, Karen

Had my lap band procedure three years ago and for the past year have maintained a weight number but am not losing. , Problem is I still tend to snack at night and can't seem to break this habit. I'm sure this is my reason for not losing weight. I am 72 years old, active tennis player, don't smoke or drink, not taking any meds, just a lot of vitamins .Need some guidance...Thank you If I don't respond right away it is because I will be traveling to CA. from WA. State, but I will get back with you...

Are there any bandsters out there that can't live without cheese? I have always eaten and loved cheese; however, since being banded, it's like I can't live without it. I have to have a cheese stick, or slice or shredded cheese every single day. Can anyone else relate?

I'm scheduled to have my 2nd fill this Friday. I have 4ccs in my band now. Surgery was 7/26 and I had a 20 pound weight loss since surgery that is probably around 17 pounds now since I gained a few back. Has anyone else experienced this before getting to good restriction? Thanks for your feedback - it's much appreciated!!

I am 72 and all the surgeons I have contacted around here won't operate because of my age. I live in the San Francisco Bay area. Does anyone have suggestions, experiences to share?

Was wondering if anyone takes a fiber supplement? I have some fiber gummies and am having some slight issues in the bathroom and thought I would start taking then again. Any advice would b greatly appreciated thanks

Ive been very stressed out lately.. wedding planning and other personal things. Does stress make anyones band tighter? Also the reason im thinking its stress becuase after my fill last time i was ok then when i sit and think about it ever sice ive started all this planning i feel like i get stuck on everything i eat... ive also noticed that during the morning im super tight then late at night i could even everything under the sun if i wanted.. im pretty sure thats not totally normal I have a dr. appointment on friday. just thought id ask everyone here. i feel all i want to eat is soup and mashed potatoes and coffee. i have no appetite for anything like chicken, pork, …

I am sure this in a thread somewhere, but I can't find it. I have been trying to figure out the balance between how many calories to intake/calories burned...etc. I have gotten mixed advice: 1) some people say eat around 1200 calories; exercise and DON'T eat the calories back... 2) some people told me to eat around 1200 calories; exercise and DO eat the calories back (so really I'd be eating roughly 1500-1600 calories) A little background on me...I am 8 weeks post op and have only lost about 14 pounds total. I started this journey with a BMI of 31.8 (so I know weight loss is going to be much slower). I have been watching what I am eating and plugging it in to My…

Had my lap band removed last week. I was banded over a gastric bypass. Had complications for years, i still am unable to eat at all. 627 pounds in 2002 not i am 146! Removal was horrible. Still in pain and still can't eat or drink much of anything, tomorrow I go in to see the doctor first time after removal last Thursday. He said I would need to have my esophagus dilated and then hopefully I will be able to eat again! Haven't been able to eat in years!!!!! So frustrated still that band is gone and still no food goes down in to the stomach. I pray after the dilation it will all be better. I'm 6 ft tall and now officially ANNOREXIC! From 627 pounds in 2002 to 146 now. All …

I went in for a fill yesterday and got 1cc added, for a total of 9ccs (in a 14 cc band). In the past, I'd feel great after a fill and within a week or two could eat anything/as much as I wanted. So frustrating! My doctor thinks that I swell pretty significiantly after a fill and suggests that, even thought it's uncomfortable, I need to get over the hump of being swollen and when the swelling goes down, I'll be in the green. How long until the swelling goes down? I'm tight!!! I can keep Water down, but I'm definitely not comfortable nor can I eat anything more than Soup, applesauce and yogurt...and very little at that. I've probably had 300 calories in the past 24 hour…

I'm so excited ! I will be getting banded the end of next month....these six months have flown by ! I'm excited and nervous but I'm ready to take back control of my life and my body ! So far I've lost abt 10lbs but haven't really put in as much effort as I should...but I started exercising today and my diet. I have so much to look forward to next year....getting married (woohoo) so I want to be the best me i possibly can be

I have 2 school age kids so usually once a year or so someone brings home a stomach bug. Some years I am lucky and don't get it, some years I do. But this year I have the band and my surgeon has put the fear of god in me that we must never throw up (for fear of slippage). Do docs rx you zofran or something to help stop vommitting if you do get a stomach bug? I am going in for a check in tomorrow and will ask but just curious what other docs do. *My doc is 10 minutes from my house so getting to him regularly is not an issue.

Feel like I've seen people talk about a bariatric food website on here. Maybe something with the word foodie? I don't know. I have been looking online and searching these boards but can't seem to find it.

Today I found out that pancakes do not work for me. I was being good and only ordered a single pancake and it nearly killed me. I was stuck for an hour. It felt like a brick was stuck. OMG I will not do that again.

Okay y'all the holidays are coming up and I want to know how y'all deal with them. All the veteran bandits how do you get through? I assume it's like any other day because you can't forget about the band (which I LOVE).

I am soooo nervous about this giant needle being stuck into my yummy lol. I'm ready for this bc I am deff able to eat more and my weight loss has been stuck for the most part in the same spot now for 2 weeks. I just got back from Disney and despite all the temptations I ate mostly good. A couple of bites of desserts here and there but i ate proteins first and always veggies as my sides and I still managed to lose 1/2 pound lol

Anyone on here from cowlitz county area?

I asked myself: "why are you eating, Penny, are you hungry?" And the answer was a resounding: "NO" So I put the food items away, and went to clean my bathrooms. Listening to my body feels so right.

Hey guys, I've fallen off the boat and I need to find some bandsters to help me to get back on!!! Any bandsters around here?

Please come fwd if you are in Texarkana!!

Ughhh I am a 14W....not a regular 14, but a woman's 14 but they are darn hard to find. I can't even squeeze into 16's yet at Old Navy or Ann Taylor Loft becuase I am too round but yet the pants in the women's dept are generally still too big. ughhh I am worried when get smaller and they don't even have W's what I am going to do!

I was banded in Dec 2009, the only documented weight I have was prior to my first visit, it was 323. After being banded the lowest weight I have was 248. I started having trouble after I had around 8cc in a 10cc band. After going in I was diagnosed with a dilated pouch. All my fluid was removed for 2 month. I gained 8 pounds back. This happened each time the band was filled past 7-8cc's. I have now reached a weight of 279. I am very frustrated, part of this is my fault. I live 2 1/2 hours from my dr and so I do not go as often as I should. I have an appt June 11th. In the experience of others can you start over and with the right guidance and support succeed with the lap…

I'm going to ask my doctor tomorrow for recommendations, but I was just wondering, how many calories you take in per day. I use iphone app "Lose it" and my settings are for 2 lbs a week and it suggests for my current weight 994 calories per day. I also work out but try not to reabsorb those calories. I was just wondering, is this enough calories? Am I over reaching? I started thinking this could account for slow weight loss. What do you guys think? On the other hand, I am losting 5 to 6 lbs a month,so thats not that bad, and since I'm not in the green zone yet. It is pretty much a constant diet.

Here is a link of information for those who are researching the band, their surgeons, what causes complications, how to avoid them. Fluid -- you should never get a lap band that is too tight with little or no saline, there are two sizes AP small and AP large. How to know you are in the Green Zone and when you are too tight Also here is a link for those who are researching BAND-FRIENDLY surgeons that offer great aftercare, Allergan highly recommends a Band friendly surgeon. Or you should make sure your surgeon has done MANY lap bands and has a very low revision rate. Also most importantly -- WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO TO A LAP-BAND® SPECIALIST Not all weight lo…

I love peanut butter!!!! I haven't eaten any since surgery because of the calories but I found this powdered peanut butter called PB2. U mix it with water and it tastes GREAT and only 45 calories per 2 TBS serving!!! Just thought I would share

Wanted to inform people of my situation at Disneyland this weekend during my five year wedding anniversary celebration. To start, I am 470lbs (down from 550lbs last year.) and 5'8". I carry most of my weight in my torso, particularly around my belly. (Super pear shaped.) I have a long torso and very short legs. With that being said, I has no problems with most of the rides!! I rode everything but the Matterhorn and Space Mountain. Nor did I ride the teacups, anything in toontown, or rides geared towards the littlest of children. This go around I went did not go on big thunder as it was closed, but I did go on it last year. I only had two issues. 1. The Jungle Cruise. T…

Anxious! In general, What should I expect? I know everyone is different

The day after being banded I was trying to stay active and when I bent over it felt like my stitches were pulled apart. So now when I bend over, I hold the area of my port to keep from the pain and sensation of feeling like my tissue is tearing from the inside. I thought I'd give it a couple of days to see if it got better, because everything else was going really well. I finally emailed the Dr's nurse yesterday evening (Sunday) and she emailed back (within 20 mins, as they are awesome like that) and told me I am probably catching the port and can also have muscle spasms after doing that and I should not be concerned, it will heal.

I had my band put in in 2009. At first I did well with it and lost about 50-60 pounds. I definitely take responsibility for allowing myself to get back into some unhealthy eating habits but ever since I had the band put in I have had issues. I did decently with the band for the first year though I definitely got stuck often. In summer of 2010 I ended up in the ER after a fill gone wrong. Turns out my port had flipped so that required a second surgery. I never found a sweet spot in terms of restriction. I had fill put in and taken out numerous times but never got to a spot that both helped with hunger and allowed me to eat anything without being stuck. In Sept 2012 I had a…

Well finally 4 years later i think I have finally Hit my green zone ! 6 bits of salad and chicken stir fry for dinner and I was stuffed But I do need To remind myself To eat ! I barley ate today ! What is everyone else experience with green zone

For those that are on the border of meeting and not meeting the criteria for the Lapband surgery but are ready for a life change.

Any advice on what to pack?

I am about two weeks post op, and still on full liquids. So I have mostly been using an immersion blender to "de-chunk-ify" low fat/low cal soups. I eat about a cup at a meal (3 meals a day), and I try to go as slow as I can, but it is difficult since I don't have to chew!! Should I be experiencing my "soft fill" signals yet?? The band has really made me pay SO MUCH ATTENTION to my body, and I am trying to learn physical signs of hunger as well as physical signs of satisfaction. I have seen many of you talk about your soft fill signs, but I don't have any that I know of. Is this because I am on liquids still? Am I not recognizing my signal? Any help is appreciated…

Hello everyone . I got banded on 3/14/13 weigh in at 252 .. current weight 186 .. my goal is 160 or less. It seems like im stuck cuz wen I check da scale it one less lbs or one more lbs its goin slow .. I feel restrictions but most around two weeks after my fill I currently have about 6 1/2 cc in my band but its tuff bcuz I feel very hungry at times. I need a diet to focus any suggestions .. pls n ty

Hi everyone - I have decided to have my surgery in September in order to get financials in order and prepare myself mentally for this journey. I hope to hear from others - I am located in Southern Ontario, Canada

So i can't remember if i was told to avoid cold liquids for 2 days or 2wks. but my diet plan allows me to move on to protein shakes today..and well the room temp shake makes me want to gag.. i'm can drink them just fine when chilled but like this.. it's just torture.. was any one else told to avoid cold liquids? if so for how long..

I got banded in Spain and now moving to Atamonte Springs, Fl? any good doctor in the area? Thanks

When You Mentally choose to Never Look back Where You Have Been It's Easier to Look forward to What You want to Become!! Look at The New profile Pic!!! I.m Hot!!!! In My Beyonce Voice!!!

This is quite complicated and long but I'll try to condense it. I have had two fills pretty big ones. I have a 14cc band currently with 8cc's in it. First fill 4•5 second 2cc's. Had 1•5 from surgery... I lose 3-4 llb every week consistently. I walk daily keep as busy as possible and watch carefully everything I eat or drink... Thought I was doing ok.. However had a phone call from my dietician..(very heated in the end) She feels my weight loss is too fast?? And needs slowed down..she was recommending no more fills!! I tried to explain I didn't think it was extreme and it was determination helping me lose rather than band restriction. (did have couple of really tight days…

I have been a bad bandster I am two yrs post op and havent lost weight since last january. Lately I have been eating unhealthy and not very motivated to better myself. I think alot of it is being complacent in life...new boyfriend..bought a house...and just happy in general. Now my problem is keeping food down. If I dont eat throughout the day then I cant eat without vomiting. I need to start with lots of liquids and almost stretch out my stomach. Once I do that I have a good chance of eating more than just soup. I havent had a fill in a year and a half and dont know if its too tight or just my fault for not following the rules. I dont have pain unless I need to throw …