LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I found this forum quite by chance.. i just got off the phone my insurance approved the lapband. and suddenly I’ve gone from being impatient to somewhat panicky. to thinking i know all there is to know from the procedure to the side effets to how my life will be like to feeling like i'm not prepared at all. Surgery is scheduled for the 19th all of a sudden I’m second guessing myself am I ready.. my life is going to change literally overnight.. this weekend I will start my pre –op diet I’m not sure how I will survive on that. Going from eating pretty much whatever to 1 healthy meal a day with 2 shakes I’m suddenly not confident in myself any longer.. Did anyone else ha…

I have to admit, I cheated a bit over the Labor Day weekend...but not nearly as badly as I would have before my surgery. I still made decent food choices and the one indulgence I had to have was ice cream. I still made a great choice though - Blue Bell's No Sugar Added Dutch Chocolate is a dream come true! If you were to have it in a blind taste test, you wouldn't know that it wasn't regular ice cream and here's the kicker...it's low fat, 90 calories and 4g protein a serving! I hate I have a 1/2 gallon of it in the freezer though, I could honestly see myself polishing that off in a week's time. I will show some restraint but I have to admit that it is my new addictio…

I got banded five years ago and reached my goal within the first two. I have maintained my weight loss but the last couple of years I realized eating meats, processed foods, and dairy were not good for ME. I have cut-out the above foods and saw noticeable changes, especially with increased energy. Has anyone else changed their eating habits and stuck with it? Please share

I made the decision a few months ago to get lap band, my surgery is scheduled for August 26th and today I have to start my 2 week pre-op liquid diet, which is basically 4 Muscle-Milk Light's a day. Not sure how it's going to be going from eating anything and everything whenever I wanted to these 4 "ehhh" tasting drinks a day. I'm assuming these 2 weeks will be the worst as trying to "starve yourself" with your normal stomach is harder than eating less with a band. What was everyones experiences with their pre-op restrictions and what advice can you give me starting out?

Just got back today from our 9 night Caribbean Cruise... This has not been our first since I was banded, but our 3rd...and all I can say is each time, including this cruise, the band has performed magnificently...!! I do not count calories, nor do I measure portions...(have not for 2-1/2 years.....I do rely on the band, and being in the green zone to do that for me...and this vacation experience was no exception... I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, all the time letting the band dictate the parameters.... and it was physically impossible to overeat!!! Even when I tried! Every night in the dining room, I left 1/2 the food on my plate, simply could not go on because…

OK, I realized yesterday that I'm being treated differently since the weight loss. As many of you know, I have hip and knee issues and use a cane. I've been using the cane for two years and for the most part, folks are very good about letting me sit, or other needs I have because of my disability. But...I noticed something very interesting and somewhat disturbing when I flew last week and again last night. I've never had anyone assist with getting my bag over the gap between the plane and the jetway before and it happened both times I flew recently. I also noticed a difference in how I'm perceived and all I can imagine is that there is alot less concern and sympat…

Wow! August just flew by and my surgery is right around the corner on September 12th! I don't really feel nervous anymore but more like it is a goal that I am making my way to. I have been doing my best to educate my husband and two daughters (9 and 14) about the surgery and changes. It has been really important for me to explain to my girls that I am doing this to be healthy so we can have lots of fun together! Can't wait to get started on my new life and will be busy stockpiling for after surgery liquids and Soups. Anyone else having surgery on September 12th? I am going to True Results in Houston.

Looking for ppl in or around the NY area

Anyone know of a support group in the temple area? Just starting my banding journey and hope to be banded in September. Would also like to find a workout buddy.

I am 6 weeks post op and am on regular diet. I am hungry all the time. I go for my first fill on Thursday. I hope it helps... I just feel that I went through all this for nothing .

I do not know where my port is, but my belly button is really sore and ha a big bump, also had hernia repair in that area, hope its normal

Okay i got my surgery almost two months ago and i just dont know what to eat. Mostly everything has carbs. Is there a website where i can find recipes? Im trying so hard not to eat so much carbs but it seems impossible.. Please help someone

Just wondering I am off to the races and I am wondering what is the lowest calorie and best alcohol beverage to drink

Hi, I'm getting surgery in March! I'm 23 years old and 270 lbs.....ewwww! Anyway, I know that when you lose a large amount of weight there is a possibility of sagging skin. But, we have the advantage of youth on our side. So I was wondering if there was anyone out there that has been successful with losing 100+ pounds and what there problems were with loose skin, or if they had any at all! Thanks

I am in the pre-op stage. And i was wondering how does the Lap Band affect drinking. I will be 21 after I get my surgery, and 21st birthday means drinking! :-D so how do i combine these two safely. I dont drink and dont plan to drink alot, except special occasions, like my bday!

Hi I have a surgery date of September 16th at 1:30pm for removing my Lap Band! I never thought this would come to be! I've had my Lap Band since July of 2010 and have had considerable discomfort the whole time it's been in. Many and varied tests could not show the cause or reason for the discomfort and my old surgeon finally told me to not "bother to come back". After 2 years of receiving treatment from alternative medicine healers --- and getting some relief, enough to continue working full time --- I decided to try western medicine again and found a doctor with a good reputation and who is well respected by his peers, not too far from where I live. I am finally in g…

Im 21 ill be getting the lap band in 6 days!

I am on mushies and get to start solids today. I made myself some mashed cauliflower last night and WOW was it good!!!! I had never had it before last night. Anyone else had anything since banded that they had never had before and found it absolutely delicious???

I went to get a fill today after having a baby four months ago. I did an upper G.I. was told everything was OK by my primary care doctor. I go see the lap-band doctor and he says I have a dilation. He takes the remaining fluid out. Has anyone experienced this? How long does it take to correct itself. I am disappointed and scared I am going to gain ALL my weight back. Any advice welcomed.

Hello Everyone!!! Well, I'm on Day 5 of Pre-Op Diet and so far I feel pretty good!! I am so excited about my band... Just wish the date would get here soon!! This site has been so helpful and I cannot wait to post m success story one day!

Post my second fill, and after finally some restriction, I only had half of the tilapia and some spinach and I was DONE. THIS IS GREAT!!

Hello everyone .. It's been awhile , however I have a little bit of bad news ... Over the last 5 months I've been gaining weight ... Just found out that my port may have a leak ... Has anyone had this problem ... What do they do for it ?? Will I lose my weight again ... Will my insurance cover it ??? So many questions ... Anything will help ...

HI! I will be seeing a new surgeon soon about having my Lap Band removed! I am excited! I've been in pain and/or discomfort for 3 years, since having the band implanted. I've lost almost 80 pounds, which I am very proud and pleased about. However, there has never been a time I have actually felt good since it's been in there. Many symptoms and many tests during the last two years, after some sudden symptoms sent me to the ER to make sure I was not having a stroke. During these last two years Ive been to many kinds doctors and had many tests, to no avail. My Lap Band surgeon insists my symptoms are not related to the band and has been minimally involved since looking …

I just want to tell my story ... nobody get my brags like fellow bandsters. It all started January 2012 I stepped on a scale and realized I weighed more than. I ever did pregnant. I had reached 260. I had started hiding from pictures. Nothing fit right... my kids would make comments like "mommy has a big tummy" or commercials would come for weight loss or tummy wraps to make you look smaller and my daughter would say mommy you need that. I had no energy was depressed. I didn't even let my husband touch me. I had enough. So I went to my Dr we tried a life wellness program. And in it didn't work. In march she suggested I look into the lap band. So I agreed to go to the semi…

I went to McDonalds last night with my hubby and our four kids for dinner since we had to go to my oldest kids open house at school. I was feeling slightly worried that I would see them eating their burgers, nuggets and fries and it would make me sad. I ordered an unsweetened tea and a fruit and yogurt parfait. I didn't eat the blueberries and mushed the heck out of the strawberries. I know that the yogurt isn't fat free or anything but I felt so proud if myself that I was completely ok with what I was eating and did not even contemplate trying to mush up a French fry in my mouth to eat one. I took my time and finished my yogurt at the same time as everyone else was finis…

Any support groups in hackettstown Budd lake mt olive Flanders chester area

I was banded 2/11/13 and have lost over 60lbs since then. However, I have been consistently sick, horrible stomach aches, always nauseated. Anyone else have any of this?!? I'm at a loss!

Hello all. I'm new to this site. I'm having my surgery on Tuesday October 1st & I'm beyond ecstatic! My question is: Do you think I'll be able to go back to work by Monday the 7th & be ok? I'm a teacher & I'm a bit worried. Thanks!

Hello, I had my surgery 4-22-13. Things have been ok for the most part. Lost 45 lbs so far. I don't feel much restriction. ANYWAY, the reason for this post is because since about 4pm yesterday I have had a pain under my breasts, both of them, like across my mid part about my "belly" level with my sternum.. It kinda feels like gas pains. I took gasx, I then took a Percocet. Not sure which one helped, but it went away. I went to sleep, woke up ok, but it started about 10, I took another Percocet and it is back now. I don't want to keep taking medication if something is going on. Do you think it could be a slip or gallbladder? Or maybe gas, but I have to say, I didn't have a…

I posted this in the post-op forum, and then thought it belonged here. Yes, its a slow day at work. Its a slow day here, am I was sitting here thinking. I was 225 when I got married 28 years ago. I use to travel a lot and when I got down to 195, I'm thinking this was 1985 or so, I was in Missouri and I noticed my wedding ring was missing and I suspected it came off while I slept. (Ladies, this is the truth) I was lucky and did go back to the hotel room and was able to find it in the bed. I'm getting close to getting back to that weight and I see my ring is very loose. I'll have to look into one of those ring guards. Just thought I would mention it in case it saves some…

In 2004 I got my lapband. In 2011 I finally reached my goal weight of 120 lbs. That lasted about 3 months before I started gaining. 2 years later Im up 30 lbs with a severely slipped band and tomorrow Im getting a newer model. What should I expect? What now?!

Can anyone else tell me wat I can eat for mushies besides lazana cup beans and string cheese I'm bored with my good plz let me know

My neighbor just sent this this website to me. I found some good recipes, and thought I'd share it here..... http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com

That's like... one and a half of an entire person. That's so disgusting.. and... I wanna cry when I see that i have that much to lose. This forum , and everyone on it have been so motivational. I KNOW i can do it---as can the rest of you!! I look forward to this long, exciting journey ahead of me. The depression and whoa is me because this fatty cant down a burger and some nice greasy fries, the slip ups & eating some cake when I think its ok, just two bites, the excitement from jumping on the scale ( AND IT ACTUALLY WORKS And doesnt say Tiiiiiiiiiiiilt! Yes, thats true... My scale wouldnt read until like 330 lbs. Lame.), the anxiety . All of it! I have goals se…

What will I need at my first appointment! What do you need before your surgery? How fast can this process go?

I am so very frustrated. Was banded 10/09/2012 and am only down 38 pounds. Nut said don't count calories. I have had 2 fills. I am so so so frustrated! Any suggestions! Seems like I just can not get the hang of this and I want to so bad! I am exercising. Cardio 3 or 4 times a week. No gym access right now so I am walking. Any help would be graciously appreciated!

Yet another post that may show how crazy I am. Hope you're not getting sick of me. So, last time I weighed I was down 84lbs—about 25 of that in the last 3 months. I found out my pouch was slightly dilated, so I've been on liquids for almost two weeks. I must have lost a lot more in that time because I'm getting CONSTANT comments and compliments about how I look. Everyone I know is saying something, everyone's asking me about it, everyone tells me I look 10 years younger and amazing... That should make me feel good, right? So why is it freaking me out? I don't want to talk about it. I don't want anyone to look at me. I feel great, I feel like I look great. I love …

If there is one negative about that fact that my surgery is in two weeks, it's that I just found the CUTEST outfit for an event at the end of October and I can't buy it! I have NO IDEA what size I'll be in. On that same subject, I suppose I can look forward to a new wardrobe when I reach my goals!!!

Hi all, I need some advice. After my 2nd fill I started experiencing nightly aspiration. The contents of my pouch would come rushing into my mouth (sometimes my nose) in the middle of the night. I would wake up coughing and sputtering and often would cough "stuff" out of my lungs in the wee morning hours. After a couple of nights of this, I went in for a partial unfill. That solved the problem. Now, after my third fill, (a very small one) I am having the same problems. I am careful not to eat or drink after 6 pm, yet sometimes I still have problems. I've tried sleeping sitting up, but that is difficult. After a rough night of these symptoms, I wake up and I'm am ach…

I realize that this question is probably answered many times over elsewhere in the forum, but I have a really bad back and can't sit here to read very much. What is it like to have a perfect fill? This morning, I could drink a pint straight down and now I have to drink it in sips. I'm assuming this is good. Also, how long does it take for the food to "drop"? Thanks, Rob in Newark

I just learned today from my doc that my band needs to be removed.....I've been having problems for months now. I go through spells of not being able to eat solid food and barely being able to drink! Five times I've been on Prednisone and it helps, but I don't like taking that stuff! Under the flouro my band looks pretty good, a little tilted and rotated, they said it wasn't bad. But, there's definitely something wrong. I'll be glad to get some relieve from this, but then again I so afraid of gaining back those 60 lbs. I lost. Is it possible to keep the weight off? I'm loving wearing my size 12's.

Hi there, my Lapband program requires a two-week pre-op diet and they provide HMR 800 shakes. Has any one tried these? http://www.hmrprogram.com/index.cfm/HMRFoods/HMRShakes/HMR_800_Shake I'm not sure what the requirements are -- i.e. use only these shakes, or liquid diet of your choice and here are the shakes we recommend.......not crazy about some of the ingredients: dairy and soy-based but then there's Maltodextrin, Asparateme, Phenylalanine......I think I'd be happier on a juice fast.

I wanted to post on here because things are going really well. I would only post when I was in a bad space. I am exercising every day, watching what I am eating, going to OA, just wanted to put some positive vibes out there. I really feel like I've got this!

Hubby and I went grocery shopping today. I have lost 48 pounds so far and my clothes are starting to hang a bit. Have bought new work clothes but have not replaced my casual stuff yet. The hubby likes to walk behind me with his hands in the back pockets of my jeans while we chat and shop. We were in the veg section. As I reached for some broccoli he shoved his hands in the back pockets of my jeans and.... yep the producer guy got a show!!! My jeans pooled between the bottom of my ass cheeks and my knees. You know when you get embarrassed you freeze? Yep froze so the show went on.. Hubby recovered and yanked them back up. Needless to say hubby has now decided we a…

I would like to see a sticky on people who have reached goal and how they are doing? Some of us bandster babies would love to read their stories.

Last night I went out to dinner with a long time friend. I never told her I was banded, but towards the beginning of my journey I did tell her I began watching what I ate. We were talking about medicine and how needed to get on track, watch what she ate so didn't need to take meds. And I said, I got off my meds. She had asked how, and I simply told her, I lost weight. After I said this, I honestly would have thought she would have complimented me and say something like, oh I thought there was something different about you, or I thought you lost some. Well after I told her - nothing, not a peep. And here's the thing, she has trouble with her weight, which is why I …

I am so hungry I got my fill yesterday so I am on 48 hours of liquid n I am hungry as heck! I have drunk 3 boost high protein shakes but I am still starving.

Exactly what is the difference between soft food and mushies? Can you please give examples. Thanks

I have had a cough for the last 2 weeks that doesn't seem to go away. I had my last fill 3 weeks ago and I do not experience any heart burn or reflux and I can easily eat the recommended amount of food. The cough is worse at night and can happen 4-5 times during the day. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I was on here a few days ago and saw a delicious sounding recipe for lasagna in a cup??????? Did anyone else save it?