LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I bought a new scale. I had an ok digital scale that I got at Target about a year ago. It's served me well, but it has a weird thing - I could get on it twice in a row, and it would be a pound different. (Meaning - on, off, let it reset, back on..). I decided, since I have now fully invested myself in weight loss (as opposed to before the band), I deserved to have a nice scale. So I bought a Tanita. Thing is, the new scale is about 3.5 pounds off from the old one - in my favor lol (new weighs me as less) but still, it's weird to mark a new weight in the spreadsheet when the old scale has me the same as yesterday. I'm going to Celebrate the 3.5 pound difference,…

now that i am scheduled :clap2: ((hold your applause please)):ohwell: each day, each meal, i contemplate the bands effect of limiting my portions. i am certain that i can comply with the band rules of meal engagement. however... i am absolutely terrified of the idea of not being able to just stuff myself with rice-a-roni. my logic tells me that i will be fine with limited amounts of the san francisco treat, but my stomach's alter ego is in denial. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MANY OF YOU TO NOT RULE OUT ANY food PREMATURELY...BUT NOW I HAVE STARTED THINKING IN TERMS OF... HOW IN THE HELL CAN I NOT EAT THE WHOLE DAMN BASKET OF chips AND SALSA...ETC... DOES ANYONE…

Just wanted to say Thanks very much to those that have recently had to have their band removed due to erosion and are still sticking around here for us to get information from. I think I speak for more than myself, but we are sooo blessed to have you guys still around. Things could have been alot worse and we are glad that ya'll are willing to share the experience with us and educate us. I wish you all the best in the journey's that you will decide to take and I know that each and everyone of you will Succeed!!!!!!!!! Thanks again and Stick around, we would be lost without you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I am researching the Lap Band, and my doctor says he would rather that I didn't get the Band at this time. He said I am too healthy for it and it is dangerous. I reminded him about my high cholesterol, and my request for Motrin for my aches and pains in my back, knees and now-heels and feet. He wants me to wait for some new pill that is suppose to be available this summer, something that doesn't have any bad side effects and having great results in testing. I don't remember what the name of it was. So, anyway I am not real happy about our discussion about the Band. I am still researching. What I want to know is this: do any of you smoke cigarettes? I s…

hello out there. I just got my band on February 3rd and I am in the first week liquid stage, but I am having a really hard time. I am REALLY hungry. My doctor said my hunger is due to the fact that I was not really swollen after surgery. Any suggestions. Any liquids I drink, come right back out the other way.... I don't want to dehydrate... HELP:help:

I was voted to go pick up the chinese food last night and where you pick up the food is at the bar. Someone was suppose to pick up the food at 5:30 and it was almost 6:30 when I came to pick it up, so I told the guy behind the counter "sorry I was so late" and the guy sitting at the bar turns to me and says "Why were you having a baby?" then looks me up and down and then he says "oh sorry" and starts to laugh and the guy behind the counter laughs. I was and still am feeling like crap, I really didn't need that cut down. My husband said if he was there he would have belted the guy but it still doesn't make me feel any better. Just venting my hurt feelings.........…

Am I the only person who has seen this? I can't be the only person who thinks this is pretty crazy... Check out this auction on eBay for an ACTUAL BIOENTERICS LAP BAND! Holy cow... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7578343073 If you read the description, they supposidly have to list it as "used" which is even more weird in my opinion... I didn't think you could sell this kind of stuff on eBay, but I guess now if I ever decide to "lose" my band, I can get some money back?! Whoa!

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I belong to a gym & love it. But, with little kids, I don't always get to go when I want to. (usually because one is sick.) I am looking for a good workout video I can do at home. Any suggestions? I would love something that has a lot of dancing or fun moves in it, but I'll take any suggestions. I went to Walmart & couldn't believe how many there are to choose from!! </TD&gt…

I just got back from Texarkana and Dr Hekier and Keilan's seminar on the band. I was extremely impressed with them and their staff. I went by their office today and talked with their insurance lady (Betty). She is really nice and helpful. I have a date of 4/3/06 for my consult with the doctors, nutritionist consult, psychological consult and sleep study all in one day! I think she said I can bring blood work from my many doctors I already go to and have done every 3 months! Because I will be Medicare, I will have to spend the night in the hospital but that is no problem for me...I will enjoy the extra time to re-group. LOL. Also, I don't have to have a letter of medical n…

I had my surgery on Tuesday Morning at 7:AM. Woke up at around 11:AM and was in horrible pain. Then was left in ICU for about 5 hours with not one person helping me. I started to get irate and my wife tried to calm me down. What was happening was I had herniated disks in my neck. When I came to after laying for so long on the operating table it must have irritated my disks horribly. I wish I had knew this could happen. I felt numbness and pain down my left arm into my hand. I couldn't move because of the surgery pain, neck pain and that they had IVs, electrodes connected to my chest, blood gas monitor, nasal canular, all in a bed with buttons on the outside that needed a …

Hi Friends!! I just found out that I was approved today! Im so happy! I have a date of March 31, maybe sooner. My insurance company (Personal Choice) have been great! They approved in 1 week!!! I fell the other day and sprained my left ankle walking home from work and was just so upset because I know my weight has a lot to do with it but now I feel like dancing!!! I look foreward to starting my new life!!

... right as it happens! I'm eating lunch at my desk and having not just the usual simple slime but what I can only call a multiple PB, which is not anything you want for Valentine's Day. I ran to close my office door and made it just in time. I thought I was already the queen of badly timed slime (see earlier posts on pulling over on eight-lane interstates), but this is a new low. Culprit? Ravioli. I took small, well-chewed bites, I swear! Oops, gotta grab that mug again. . .

Can anyone answer a few questions for me. I was banded on Feb.3rd and I feel pretty good so far, but I don't have any restriction at all when I drink liquids. I thought most people felt restricted just after surgery. Also, my doctor recommended only clear liquids for 2 weeks, but I am feeling the need for some protein, due to my lack of energy... I have e-mailed him as well and I am waiting to hear back from him. I am also curious as to whether everyone can actually feel the band or the port inside them? I feel it there....hmm... anyway, please respond, it's hard not knowing what I should and shouldn't be feeling.

I am really scared right now. I was banded in JUNE of 2004. Since day one I have been suffering from terrible acid reflux almost every time I eat.It doesnt usually matter what I eat. I havent been able to eat anything with tomatoes in it since the surgery. ANYTHING with any spice is horrible. The doc sent me to get a swallow test and he said my espphogus is a mess. The doctor then gave me a medicine that really hasnt helped at all. I called the nurse yesterday and will go to the doc on monday. When I researched this surgery, what drew me to it was the thought of eating a little of regular foods, not eating soft bland food for my entire life. I'm not losing because I end u…

Hi all, I had an opprotunity to meet with a wonderful young lady who is looking to have the lap band done. She and her husband are moving to Virginia in 2 weeks. He is in the service and she really wants to band done, however I am having a hard time to locate any Dr's down there. I was wondering if anyone knows of any or know where I can find out for her that would be great. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Suzan

Hi. I have been scheduled to be banded on Mar 1. I will also be having my gallbladder out and a hiatus hernia repaired at the same time. Has anyone had all of these done at the same time? Any information will be ghreatly appreciated.

Hello, I just came back from my drs. today and he gave me kinda bad news. He is leaving the office he is with and is not sure if in his new position whether he will still do bariatric surgery. So what does this mean for me? It means that he is referring all of his patients to Dr. Brody. I have heard good things about Dr. Brody I am just use to Dr. Brodsky. I am really going to miss him. :D

Well, I called my insurance company today...and they said that they needed more information. :cry :noidea: I don't understand..:couch2: .most of what they said they needed I sumbitted (6 months w/ notes that mention not smoking, my MBI etc..) I was really looking forward to having some good news today...not more run around. They said now I need a physical, so I scheduled one (couldn't get in until 23rd) . I want this sooo bad and I just really not happy right now. I know....they didn't deny me, but what the Heck!!!!:yell: Just need some hugs and stuff

:omg: March 13th!! I'm excited, and committed ,but also nervous as hell too! Couple of things though, this date is tentative because they need the results for certain tests. The surgery coordinator is not getting the faxes of the results that they need. They wanted a barium swallow test and also a copy of a recent endoscopy I had done. I personally faxed over the endoscopy, and the hospital said they faxed over the barium swallow test already. I don't know if it's their office or the staff or what, because I'm getting confirmation that the faxes went through, so I'm not sure how to get them this info. Also, I have some Vitamin deficiencies. Iron and B12, so the…

Sorry, I have had so much going on the month of January! First- I am a new Nana!!!! I had a new grandson born on January 9th. His name is Cole and he is the cutest little thing. (of course, lol) And then we went on a cruise. We had a great time but I didn't follow all the rules. I gained about 2 lbs. When I got home, I went on liquids for a few days and got it back off. As of this a.m. I have lost 23 lbs. I am so thrilled I had this surgery. My band is worth a million dollars to me! I'm also sorry I missed the Jan. get-together. It looks like I will be missing the Feb. one too cuz we have to go to Fla. on business. But sooner or later I will get there and be able to mee…

Does any one have an easy crock pot idea for a meal. I don't have to eat it but need to bring it..

Long time no hear huh? Well I am doing well and Petunia is good too. I have been really busy getting my new company up and going. Grill Sergeant Gourmet sauces & Salsa. http://www.grillsergeantgourmet.com Come and check it out and let me know what you think. I am still tweeking the site but we just wanted to get it online. I will try not to be such a stranger and will get Petunia to post and say hi.

Holy Cow.....hadn't been thinking about my BMI lately so when I checked one of my reports on fitday.com it said my BMI is 49.......I started with a BMI a tad over 60......I am so happy.....what a great NSV!!!

I have tried several different chewable Vitamins and hate all of them...cause I'm so finicky about the taste. Last week I was at my local Walmart in Tomball, Tx and Centrum has a new "micro vitamin" for 50 or over (sure younger folks can take also). They are half the size....the size of a small capsule and you take 2 a day. Yea! now I can take my vitamins w/o dreading it.:clap2:

How does one know or do they??? If your band slips???Can your Dr. tell if it has??How do they fix it?? I'm freaked out that if I streach a certain way or roll over on my side at night something will happen...so far so good..1 week in..no reflux I feel like the whole first pregnancy thing..wounds itch like crazy....I see my Dr. tomarrow..any certain questions I should ask him?? When do most people get there first fill? :help:

I haven't kept a diary or journal of my weight loss as I go. Every time we update our signature, it updates in all our old posts too, so we can't keep track by that. I decided today to scour through old posts of mine to see if I could gather a time line of my weight loss. I was able to gather a pretty good list, so for those of you who want a look at my individual weight loss for the first year banded; here goes. Pre op Highest weight 280 09/21/04 Banded weight 268 -12 lbs 10/20/04 1 month post op 253 -27 lbs 11/09/04 6 weeks post op 248 -32 lbs 12/02/04 10 weeks post op 244 -36 lbs 01/03/05 14 weeks post op 237 -43 lbs 02/…

Just got the call today. My new band will be in place on February 21st. They said if I wanted to do liquids for 2 days before it wouldn't be a bad idea. I am very happy it's not 2 weeks again! I can handle 2 days. I am so hungry :hungry: these days and eating to much although still not as much as before, which I'm greatful for. I can't imagine being full on a half a piece of fish! I can't wait!:clap2:

so what are people doing to for exercise? any good workout vidoes that u've tried? how much do u workout everyday/week? Im looking for something fun with good music thats not dated and i guess kinda easy bc im new to all this... I just got the workout video from the tv show the BIGGEST LOOSER. I dont know what posessed me to do this...but i did and i have to say im pretty happy with it. NOT TO SAY IT WASN'T HARD- and i hate working out so aside from that i think its a great way to work back into some kind of routine. I mean by NO MEANS was it easy- i pretty much had to turn it off 23 minutes into it bc i was DYING. I was kinda disapointed (at myself) in a way bc i wa…

Well, I called my doc's office and requested my first fill today(banded 12-05), and its on! I am like a ravenous cow wandering thru my home looking for grub! Pounds are up too...but....I'm very nervous after watching my hubby's first fill experience with his doc--(different docs)--he took 3 attempts, jabbed around and caused my big Harley ridin', never complainin' hubby to come off the table in much pain each time...baaaaaad experience...so,,,I want my fill, but am quite anxious(my doc is brand new at thist too)...well,,,I'm going thru with it cause its my only hope with this band,....sooo here goes!:faint:

although i do know its possible to loose more weight- im looking at the scale and seeing a number and wondering if i will ever get any thinnner then i am right now. is that crazy? like i had this surgery and im still doubting that it will work for me even thought i am being good and eating healthy it doesnt seem possible bc i am soooooo used to FAILING... how horrible is that? just wondering if anyone else has felt this way...and have had themselves proven wrong...

I went in for another fill yesterday, and the techs discovered that my band has slipped again. I met with the surgeon who agreed to accept me as a patient (since my original doctor doesn't take BC/BS and doesn't accept any responsbility for the slippage) and we discussed some options. Nothing caused this re-slip. He says that sometimes scar tissue builds up in such a way that creats a track that the band can slide up and and down, and that even if it slips back into place, it will probably slip again once I start getting fills. There's no way around surgery. So, they can take the whole thing out -- and may have to, depending on the scar tissue. If they take it …

Ok, I'll admit it. I have been obsessed with the thoughts that I'm eroded, or that I have a slipped band, or a flipped port, or an infection or pouch dilitation or any number of things that I've read here. I'm one of the ones who emailed Dr. Pleatman about whether I should have an endo or not. This is crazy! Every twinge and ache I get makes me paranoid. I feel like the people must have felt during the cold war- always afraid the bomb is going to drop. This is how it is for me- I have a band. It "appears" to be working properly. I DO have reflux, and thankfully I work in an outpatient surgery dept. with some excellent drs. and I'm taking the advice of one I spoke with …

It's time for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The cookoff starts on the 23rd of February. I have been having Slimfast for Breakfast and lunch and eating small amounts for dinner. My goal has always been to wear a pair of rocky mountains or lawman jeans with a shirt tucked in and look good. Is it possible to lose 20lbs. in two weeks?

Well I finally got the real results from my metabolism test. Previously, some intern told me my resting metabolic rate was like 1,200 calories/day. I found out today he was WAAAAY off. Have no idea where he got that number. My actual resting metabolic rate burns 2,027 calories (just sitting there all day on my fat butt!). The guy who gave me the real results said based on my activity level I probably burn about 3,000 calories/day. I'm SO relieved about that. I also burn about 50% glucose and 50% fat for energy. I was worried I was getting into muscle-burning mode. I think this test is well worth it for those who want to find out what their metabolism is doing these days…

I had my procedure(lapband) Thurs 2/2/06 in Greenbrae. Dr. Feng was my surgeon. I have to say I have had a great experience from start to this point with him as well as his staff and the very pleasent medical staff at Greenbrae. Dr. Feng is very kind and knowledgable he made me very comfortable and explained in detail the procedure to myself and my husband. If you have a choice ...Lapband Associates of San Francisco is wonderful. If you end up having Rita as your nurse she will make your day easier and is very caring. My post op weight 220... goal is 150. not to afraid of a fill and I am able to have it done (by Dr. Feng) in a satellite office 10 min. away from home.:clap…

The good news - wait the GREAT news- everything in the 'womens' department (aka the big girl section) is now officially too big for me. I have a big presentation in front of the president of my company coming up and needed something 'professional' to wear. I went to Nordstroms, where there is a very helpful sales lady who I love, and started trying on clothes. The smallest size they carry in the women's dept is a 14W. Everything I tried was too big. We called in the alterations lady. She starts pinning, and pinning and pinning and she finally says - "what I've taken-in here is a whole size. Did you try the other department?" Well, no, I didn't try the other departm…

I feel like i'm on an emotional rollercoaster! Did you all go through the same thing? I have ranged from neutral to elated to "what the heck am I doing" I was doing ok until tonight when DH and I went to go pick up all of my liquid meals (I am officially on the "pre-op liquid diet" as of tomorrow morning for my surgury on Friday at 2:10 pm) as we were picking out broths I got the most overwhelming feeling of dread and almost broke down right there. I'm feeling borderline overloaded with life as it is, maybe that is why I feel like I am in sensory overload? On a good note...the entire time we were in the grocery DH didn't point out a single food that I wouldn't be…

I think someone had a good idea on another thread about paying some more to the doc to cover a band removal. so lets look at it like buying a car. would you pay more for a "bumper to bumper" warranty ? alot of people pay several more hundred or even up to 1500$ for a extended warranty.and thats on a just on a car. whats it worth for your health? so how much would you pay for a warranty that covers ALL fix's, removal and replacement. I know i would've paid 30 - 50 thousand each for my wifes band and mine for the assurance it was covered for LIFE no matter what happens. it breaks ,they fix it, it errodes ,they remove it, then they replace it OR switch to bypass, all …

I am going to be banded by Dr. Spivak on Feb 22. What type Anethsia ( or however you spell it), do they use? ALso, once you are allowed to go home, do they give any meds for pain? if so, what kinds?

Tomorrow is the first meeting with the Dr. I am very excited! Any questions that you all think I for sure need to ask? I have gotten some written down, but I would love your alls opinion. YEAH...I feel like this is finally going to happen!!!!:high5:

After havin some difficulties after my last fill, I returned to my Dr. last week. He said that there had been a lot of problems will fills between July and September because the needle which goes into the port was making a good seal and all the saline would leak out! This had happened to me! I'm sorry I didn't get the brand, but he said there had been a design change (which the company initially denied) that caused them to to seal properly. I'll try to get more info, but I just wanted to let everyone know. Terri

My surgery was on 3 days ago, and ever since I've been having bloody noses. Not running blood, but when I blow blood comes out with the mucus. Anyone else have issues like this? Is it just a dehydration thing?

OK, this is going to sound strange, but did anyone wear underwear during surgery? It's going to be that time of the month for me and I'm wondering how to handle it.

dinner. Place: Varsity Grill, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma- 1/2 block north of the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel. Phone number: 253-627-1229 8:00-10:00 A special event, in the Sheraton Ballroom, “Talking with the Surgeons”. Includes a non-hosted cocktail party. Saturday: 7:30-8:00 REGISTRATION 7:50-8:00 CONFERENCE BEGINS / ANN0UNCEMENTS 8:00 SPEAKER: Don Mills - Marketing Representative Allergan Corporation, formerly Inamed Corporation. Our inside man at Inamed-Allergan Corporation, Updates Us On New Lap Band Information. 8:30 OPENING SPEAKER: Joanne Godmintz 9:00 The morning starts with a motivational seminar titled: “Hold on to your band, you are in …

Looks like his parents was having fun

Just wondering if our age has anything to do with winding up in ICU, lung collapses, etc. I am 61 and hearing all these stories of serious complications is sort of scaring me....but not exactly putting me off having it done!

:help: I have been having this really tight feeling in my throat, NOT my chest but right above on my lower throat part. I have NO restriction at all, I can eat like a normal person, maybe even more... Sometimes it is tighter then other times, when it gets really really tight my saliva glands go crazy, and it hurts really bad. I have had heart burn in the past but since the band I have not had any symptoms. I dont know if this is Acid Reflux I am feeling (was told heart burn and acid reflux are diffrent).. What are your ideas on it??? Should I call my Dr.? Thanks for your help

This is kind of cool. I took the quiz and, according to my calculations, I'll be living until the age of 96. Here's an excerpt taken from the following website: http://www.demko.com/deathcalculator.htm "Your chances of living 100 years are "90 to 1". The odds get better with each new scientific discovery. One million boomers are expected to reach 100 years of age. Will you achieve membership in this prestigous "one-in-a-million" club? Don't sit and wonder. Find out ... right now."

Okay, so I had to come home from school today because I am SOOOOOOOOO SICK! Im really nausiated and dizzy. I havent really been able to eat very much in about a month, but Ive had this fill for like 2 months? It wasnt a problem until about January. Im barely eating anything, BUT IM NOT LOSING WEIGHT! The most Ive eaten allllllllllllllllllllll month is like the meat and cheese out of 2 quesadillas from Chilis! I dont mind it, it just gets "stuck" and I get really sick and my chest hurts soooooooooooo bad, then I burp and Im better, but I cant hardly breath. One night I threw up my chinese food, then I went back to the same restaurant, didnt eat any of the same stuff…

I am four months out. Granted, I only had about 80 pounds to lose, but isn’t that still a lot? I am dieting right now in the pure stereotypical sense of the word—serious calorie restriction and feeling like I am starving to death. I know you have to enough calories to lose, I know cannot eat too many calories, I know my thyroid is confirmed to be completely jacked and I am on meds. I know I need another fill even though I am at 2.8cc. I know the right fill makes a lot of difference. But, then again, to have no weight loss? The more I read, even about folks who aren’t to their sweet spot yet, four months hardly seems the norm to start noticing a difference. I am sure…