LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I have been doing great ! I have been counting calories through My Fitness Pal and am currently on 1000 calories per my doctor. Staying away from sweets , breads, no no rice . Mainly protein and vegetables. I am on solids and wonder can I do a flat bread pizza as long as I stay within my 1/2 - 1 cup of food and within my calories. Thoughts? Help!!! My dept is going out for lunch ...

This year my garden has produced an abundance of squash and I'm always looking for different ways to prepare it. I found this recipe for pattypan squash and I think it is a great substitute for mash potatoes. Ingredients 2 pounds pattypan squash, cleaned 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 2 tablespoons chopped onion 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup milk 1 cup soft breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted Preparation Cook squash, covered, in boiling salted Water 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash. Drain again, if necessary. Combine squash, 2 tablespoons butter, onion, flour, salt, pepper, and milk…

I am recently banded 8/6. I am trying to figure out what exactly restriction feels like. Do you feel the fluid ( I am on liquids still) go through? Or when you drink too much at a time it kinda hurts in the breastbone? I also have a lot of gurgling in my stomach and colon. Gas pain. I named my band Tony because it sounds like I have a tiger in my belly. Anyway if someone could give me some idea of what it feels like for them I'd really appreciate it. Thanks you guys are awesome.

So I am 5 days away from my 5 month surgiversary. I'm down 62lbs, and feeling great! BUT, I am finding myself over eating, and KNOWING that I'm doing it. I have somehow quit paying attention to the amount of times I chew my food, the size of my bites, and I'm finding myself scarfing my food down. I need to break this cycle, and quick. Would love some pep talk from fellow banders!

Ok so I was picking up my daughter from daycare and speaking to a lady friend there about the lap band surgery and someone who had overheard the conversation decided to chime in and tell me how dangerous the lap band is and that there's a big risk of internal bleeding and blah blah blah... I just need to keep my mouth shut because other peoples opinions really bother me. The lady who put it into my conversation was thinner than a toothpick and had not had lap band or any of the weight loss surgery herself so I'm not sure she was qualified to advise me either way. I'm already pretty emotional trying to mentally and physically get ready for this surgery and comments like th…

Hi!! Just curious if anyone has any recipe or meal idea you can share. Im board and clueless on new meals. And I google and it's always the same.....I've found people who have went thru the surgery tend to get creative. I can not at all tolerate rice breads and meats (some days or better then others).....

Has anyone checked out the high protein ensure drinks? 25 g of protein! Don't know how they compare in other aspects though as I am new to these! Any thoughts?

Anyone close to central Arkansas?

Here are some foods that I'm really enjoying right now. What are some that are working for you? Breakfast: - 1/2 C Cottage cheese with Splenda and Cinnamon Lunch: - Oscar Meyer 98% Fat Free hot dogs (cooked in the microwave is fine) - salad with grilled shrimp, candied pecans, fruit, goat cheese - Turkey sandwich (no bread, use lettuce as the 'wrap') with light mayo, cucumbers, caramelized onions, cheese Dinner: - 4 oz chicken (cooked in Pam), put 1/2 T bacon crumbles and 2 T 2% cheese and broil until melted - Portabella mushroom with some Protein (crumbled turkey sausage is great), Pasta sauce and 2% cheese baked for about 20 minutes - Hormell, individually …

I read on the internet that there have been some scientific studies done and backed up by the American Diabetes Association that Conjugated Linoleic Acid in a 3.4 gram daily dosage is beneficial to helping lipid levels in obese and diabetes patients. More info I gathered also indicated that this nutritional supplement will assist patients from putting on abdominal fat in conjunction of course with good nutrition and exercise. Another benefit - it keeps ones small fat cells from turning into BIG ones. Awesome if it is all valid information. Now, after having been on this conjugated linoleic acid for 5 days, I can honestly tell you that I no longer have cravings for ch…

I hear (and have read) that many are tight in the morning. How tight is tight? I'm fine without eating until lunch, but what about drinking? What time do you loosen up?

My doc said to avoid fruits in the first 4 weeks after surgery and then after I can have berries. I know fruit can be high in sugar I get why only berries but why can't I have berries now? I'm dying for a smoothie from tropical smoothie and I can add weigh and get sugar free. I can't stand these protein shakes anymore and while I can eat mushie foods I just really want something refreshing like that. I'm 7 days post op.

Hi All, Surgery date is August 15, 2013 (next week). I have Barretts on first endoscopy biopsy and not on second endoscopy biopsy so it's not so prevalent throughout. Surgeon seems unconcerned. Says he has banded numerous patients with Barretts. Anyone else here banded with Barretts? Seems it is contra-indicated depending on what and where you read. Thanks, Mike

Hi I'm Evelyn I going to be banded August 27 2013 anyone out going the same day? I live in Pflugerville Texas if anyone like to just talk

So I have tried to be really upbeat about the pre op diet and not getting down. But today is killing me. The girl that sits less that 2 feet away from me at work has been eating ALL day. The smell of the food, the crunching of it and noise of the bag is enough to put me over the edge. The really messed up thing is I have told very Few people about what I am doing and she is one of them. So it feels like a total punch in the face! http://journalofachunkyprincess.blogspot.com/

Do any ladies have thoughts or experience regarding how soon after having a baby you got a fill if you were breastfeeding? I don't want my supply to dry up or lessen (I'm already not producing enough milk) but I am itching to get a fill and start getting this weight off! (I only lost 20 of the 60 lbs I gained from pregnancy and now I'm just stuck!) I had half my Fluid taken out around 10 weeks pregnant (4 cc) and will probably have to get 1 cc at a time and pay $250 out of pocket each time so I don't want to go too soon... Should I just wait for 6 months of breastfeeding (ideally I will breastfeed for 1-2 years) and see what happens after that? I'll will be 3 months p…

I was banded July 16th; saw the nutritionalist on July 25th; and scheduled for 1st fill tue (aug 6th). My information instructions are extremely vague so I'm turning here for help. What are some guidelines about chewing? (all my packet says is to chew well) What size bites do you take? (my packet says small---define small) What are some tips on drinking? esp. taking smaller sips? (I still catch myself gulping) Any information is appreciated!! I do not want to fail and not sure where else to find this information.

Hello, Not sure why this is coming up underlined! I hit the U button but I cant turn it off... sorry! I have not posted in a while just been moving forward with my weight loss journey. I was banded at the end of November 2012 and to date I have lost around 60pounds. I have stayed the same weight for two months. I still have 40 pounds to lose. I have a 10ml band and right now I have 8.2ml in it. I am searching for the green zone and am feeling like I may never get there. I hear people say when you get there you know it… but I am starting to think that maybe I am searching for something that I won’t find. Here are some of the things I notice: My band …

Ok - all my Texas friends can relate to this one (as well as some non-Texas friends). You know how most Texans LOVE our Tex-Mex cuisine. What has been your experience post-surgery? Do you have issues with spicy food? We are going on vacation next week, heading to San Antonio, so you know I HAVE to eat Tex-Mex (in moderation, of course).

What did everyone eat during this stage? I need new ideas I'm starting to get sick of the same things

I have been banded for 2 1/2 years and have had no issues until a few months ago. I started having acid reflux really bad at night. I had to have 2cc of fluid removed from my band which put me at 3.25. I gained a few pounds because I had very liitle restriction 4 to be exact). I went back to the doctor and had .50 put back in on Tuesday and last night I expereinced some acid reflux. I had not eaten 4 hours before bed and had a glass of water about 30 minutes before bed. It felt like the water was coming back up. I have been taking omeprazole 20mg for about 6 months 1 time a day. I also had really bad reflux before surgery. I am so discouraged. What in world cou…

Does anybody eat salads? I have heard people have a hard time with lettuce.

I was scheduled for my first fill August 20 and was a little concerned because I have to fly to Vegas six days later for a conference. I read from some on here that flying and traveling can cause the band to tighten. Just got off phone with doc office and they rescheduled fill till after trip. Nurse said, yes it can affect the band, so just thought I'd pass this info on!

Had my first fill on Monday and here I am on Friday feeling very hungry! I was told to expect to start being hungry by the time my next fill is due (on August 10th), but I was hoping not to be hungry this quick. Is this common especially during the first few fills??....I know they did not add much, but right now I don't feel any restriction. Since I started working out this week, maybe my body just thinks it's hungry?

Thank you everyone for all the feedback to my other postvbut there is one other thing I'm wondering, when you started losing weight, did you actually feel it?? (Of corse you felt it, lol) I mean feel like you were walking around Better feeling like it was easier to get up off the couch and walk, walk longer distances and bend down easier climb stairs ect..ect...? could you do more activity how much more did your energy levels increase and also when did other people start noticing your weight loss or did you wait a certain amount of time and then do like a grand unveiling??

I'm 17 days post op and I must say... I enjoy chewing my food till its technically "liquified". I don't mind taking my time, and I enjoy what I eat so much more than when I used to swallow it practically WHOLE. Chew. Chew. Chew.

HAVE A GOAL YOU WANT TO REACH? Post it here! I'm a firm believer in setting goals. So here goes mine: Surgery weight was 240 Current weight is 184 Short term goal 170 by August 3rd Long term goal 140 by November 14 To reach my goals I'm limiting my caloric intake between 1,000 - 1,200 daily. Drinking more Water, increasing my Protein and my workouts to 5 times per week. If I can get in 6 days I will. 3 days I'll be doing my C25K work out plan. And the other 2-3 days I'll do weights and abs. Who's next??

Has anyone tried the new Hormel Rev Wraps? They are very high in protein, just wondering if anyone thought they were any good.

I was too tight in late September and got an unfill. I finally went and got it all back except for .1 cc......and I feel good....down 9 pounds in a week.......all weight lifting and eating a solid 1500 calories a day.... Gotta maintain your band for it to work...........or its no good.....

I start mushies! Please give me all your suggestions! What is/was your typical mushie day?

Okay today I entered the realm of puree foods, stage 2 post op diet. Well I have this great food processor and always wondered why it came with a baby food attachment?? Well this morning I found out, it works great for making my new meals! Thank you KitchenAid! Just had to share my awe haw moment!

I know I haven't been the best bandster, but I've been having really bad digestive issues and IM scared. I don't want there to be a problem with my band. I was taking an omeprazole in the morning, my gastro Dr said to take one at night as we'll. IM scheduled for a endoscopy/colonoscopy on the 22nd. My surgeon didn't even want to test for anything it was my gastric Dr who wanted to check the band. Does anyone know what are the chances there could be something wrong? IM having really bad reflux. What are the signs of erosion or slipped band? IM so scared but the test got pushed for two weeks.. Can anyone help? Thanks

Did you tell your boss, coworkers, HR, or no one about your surgery? If not everyone knew, how did you handle people noticing your weight loss and changes in your eating habits?

Hi everybody. I am a 2nd grade teacher and desperately need lunch ideas. I need something quick as I only have about 15 minutes to sit and eat. I have a microwave in my room that I can use. And I can snack if I get hungry. Typically I take a sandwich or grab something from the lunchroom (when it looks good and i can tell what it is!). But, after surgery, I can't eat sandwiches anymore. I'm not good with wraps either. They get stuck. Any ideas?????

I haven't posted much here, but I've been lurking a lot! I was banded on 7/25 and the range of emotions has gone from googling "lapband removal" when I was so nauseated and in tons of pain . . . to today where I finally feel like myself again and even left the house for the first time. I'm glad to be feeling better and look forward to the next step. I've been on liquids for over 3 weeks now (both pre- and post-op) and I'm ready for mushies!! Only 5 more days

ADDME... BigD06 I am without friends in a friendly realm... lol....

Hello all! I had my surgery 6/28/13 and just had my first fill today. Would love a mentor to guide me, especially one who understands the demands of work and motherhood! I'm 33 years old, work full time and have 2 children under 5. Thank you in advance!!!

Ok so my nutritionist just put me on a 1500 cal diet. She did so at my2nd meeting with her...I guess bc according to their scale I only lost 3lbs since my last meeting (even though the one at home showed that I lost 9). My surgery isn't even for at least another 4-5mos from now. I have to do the six month insurance wait period. Anywho, is this normal?? Also, how easy was it for you all to keep up with this value? I am going crazy trying to fit my meals around this 1500 cal diet. Oh by the way I HATE the word DIET! All it screams to me is get ready to be starving and cranky, lbvvs:) I don't eat "cookie-cutter" meals that just easily appear on any calorie counter website or…

So I went for a consultation a week or so ago. I talked to the doctor and he said in order for me to be approved for the surgery, I have to have a bmi of over 40, or over 35 with comorbidities. Well Im so close to 40, but like 6 lbs away. Ugh so I HAVE to have a comorbidity. Diabetes, nope. High blood pressurre, nope. ( actually is a little too good) So im left with sleep apnea or high cholesterol. I go for sleep apnea the end of august. I hope something shows up cause Im in desperate need of this surgery. If i Dont, im gonna need to manipulate my blood test to show high cholesterol. Any tips? I know this is bad, but Im desperate.

Had my first fill yesterday and to my surprise when the surgeon went to access my port he actually aspirated roughly 7 cc of Fluid from the port site....(my poor husband said he internally freaked out)! I know this is not uncommon after surgery, especially when no drains are used, occasionally the body just doesn't reabsorb all the drainage. All is well, no fever; the site has no s/s of infection. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

I have only had one fill and have lost 66 pounds, currently, I am hungry all the time. I have a Dr appt next week to discuss fill#2.. From what I have read it takes 3 or 4 fills before you hit the green zone. Is it TRUE ? Is there really such a thing as the "green zone"? And, for those of you that have experienced it, how long did it remain? After I eat, I could set clock to my 2 hour hunger pains that follow. What I want from a "green zone" is not to be obsessed with food. Like I felt when I first had the surgery. Please give me hope...

I didnt know where to post this but figured this was as good of a place as any. Anyone else been banded a long time now? My last fill was over a year ago and It's been "sweet" for a long time, but I have not been doing well lately because Im feeling so tight. The sight of a big plate of food just scares me and I know I am not getting my nutrition in. I have a blend tech so I live on protein smoothies and green drinks. My post today was prompted by my breakfast, a whole grapefruit blended (skin on) and kale with lots of water to keep it smooth. I have gotten 1/2 a glass in (maybe a cup) and it's taken me an hour so far. Thoughts??? It's been like this for over a month now …

I was banded on 7/9/13 and had a little bit of a rough couple weeks but seem fine now. My problem is that as time went on, I was adding stuff like scrambled eggs etc....soft stuff. Then, after having to go out of town due to a death in my wife's family, I found myself eating more and more of stuff I really shouldn't have been eating. Stuff like macaroni salads etc. I'm now, after only 3 weeks post surgery, eating normal foods...albeit much less and having to chew it til its like pudding. Aside form this, my question is this, I can eat with no problems and am reminded if I forget and eat a little too fast. But I keep waiting to feel full but I don't! I know to stop beca…

I find myself often wondering how your doing. Its been a yr. I am not close to my goal but i am moving that way. i so hope each of you are having success.

I have lost 115 lbs in 13 months with the band. It seems like it came off so easy. What has happend?! I'm battling with these 3 lbs for 5 weeks now! I know there is no way I take in the amount of calories I should be. I also exercise. Can someone give me some ideas of jump starting the scale again. Frustrated!

Swansons now has flavor infused broth... I bought the Mexican tortilla flavor, and it was awesome! All the flavors of tortilla soup without any chucks! It was so delicious, and has a great spice kick. I can wait to actually cook some chicken in it when I get to solids. They also have a Chinese hot and sour flavor, and one other, but I don't remember what it was.

Have been banded for year now have lost 65 lb want to l lose about 15 to 20 more. Havw had bad problem with grazing when i get home from work or the days that i am off . Keep telling myself to stop in my mind but what do i still do . Have not had fill since april because i didnot think it would help with my grazing. Not really hunger just have problem staying away . Any suggestions.

So I was 451 when I first started my pre-op diet and I went to wal-mart to buy a scale and the maximum weight they went up to was 445lbs so I bought it and every so often I'd weigh myself at home and it said "ol" for over load or oh lord which ever you prefer (lol). But today I weighed myself and it said 442.7.....I'm soooo excited I measured myself twice just to be sure it was right and it Steal read the same thing.....this made my day let's celebrate with a fat free, sugar free, gluten free, popsicle!!

Hi guys, so for the past few weeks I've been having some issues with heartburn. I'm coming up to my 2 year band anniversary in September and have never had this issue before. It all happened when I got a fill after the 4th of July. I decided I was going to get a really good fill because I had never really been tight the almost 2 years I had my band...insurance issues, long story...it had been over 6 months since I had a fill previously, so I made sure to get at least 0.4cc's. I started to have heartburn, but I was putting down food fine, and I didn't want to go months again feeling hungry. So 2 weeks later I got a second fill of .5cc's, so now almost a whole cc in one …

I got my first fill 2 weeks ago. 3cc's. I've heard, including from my Dr, that after a couple of weeks, I could possibly be eating more to be satisfied and feeling hungrier earlier (not in the green zone). At 2 weeks after that fill, I'm very happy with my fill and my "restriction" (I know the difference...just using the word for conversation). My question is, how long before you started noticing you need more of a fill? People have told me that I'm going to need NUMEROUS fills but I'm smart enough to know every one is different. Just want to know how it was for YOU.....YES. YOU!!!!!