LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I can't figure out when to stop eating. I always go too far. I just got my second fill and the restriction is much better than before but I still can't seem to get the message to my brain that I can't eat any more. This is the first time that I have felt this much restriction and it seems to be very unpredictable as to the amount that I can tolerate. What are the signs?

I had my first fill of 1cc on Dec 9, 2005 and a second fill of 1cc on Dec 20, 2005. I have no restriction? I feel like I can eat normally. Also, I lost about 25 pounds since my surgery on Nov 9, 2005, but have not lost any more for about 3 weeks. I am very very discouraged. I try and stay positive about the slow progress, but it is hard. When will I feel this restriction everyone is talking about? I only have a 4cc band, so I'm scared I will not get a good restriction? My next fill is on Jan 26, 2006. Any suggestions?

I was banded on 1/24 and am doing pretty well, I think, but I have a couple of questions: 1. When do these horrible gurgling noises stop? It's embarrassing...people can hear it clear across the room!! 2. Did you notice more gas pain when you drank warm liquids? I have tried both broth and sugar-free hot chocolate made with skim milk and both times it seemed like I had more pressure and discomfort than when I drank cold or room temperature things. 3. I asked the nurse about using Gas X for gas pain as I was leaving the hospital, and she sounded horrified and said oh, no, don't use that! Any idea why? I'd bought some before going in for surgery because so man…

I just got my second fill and when I tried to swallow my thyroid pill this am. it got stuck! AAUUGGHH! I even tried breaking it in half but it still got stuck. Do I grind them up? That would leave a terrible taste in my mouth. What do you guys do?

A guy I work with just came around with his daughter's Girl Scout cookie order form. I have never been so glad that I'm getting banded. No more inhaling Cookies by the boxful. Those thin mints are like crack.

One month ago I was in the hospital for band removal. I'm one of the lucky/unlucky ones that's still restricted. I had a terrible hiatal hernia that hurt like a muthah prior to banding. It was apparently corrected with the band and stopped hurting. Now I feel that pinching/ouch often that scares me to overeat. But fright doesn't always hold me back, because I've had a couple bad binges that kept me awake all night in pain. I now have Barrets Esophagits, which means potentially cancerous stomach cells somehow eroded my esophagus (something like that) making it hard to swallow. A few nights ago I ate Cookies and peanuts right before bed and had a very frightening …

Well im home and everything went great. I have to admit that when I first woke up I thought what the heck did I do. But I feel a lot better now. I am actually hungry. The only thing I have now is painfull burps. But I can handle that. I will be so happy next week when I can move to mushie foods. I know there were a couple people having this surgey on the same day that I did. If your out there let me know how your doing. I hope good. Jennifer B.:clap2:

lol...too funny!!!

I was reading a magazine and there was a woman in it that had lost 125 pounds in a year by eating two bowls of shredded wheat with milk for two meals a day, and eating a balanced meal for the third meal. I thought to myself- that sounds too good to be true...so, today I'm trying it. I need more Fiber anyway, and shredded wheat actually has some Protein in it. But, I knew that if I was going to eat Cereal it wouldn't stick with me very long, so I decided that I would need Snacks. So, If I need a snack I am going to eat either fruit or veggies. That way I can get in those, too. Today is day #1, and I was surprised at how full the cereal made me at Breakfast. We'l…

I have some necklaces that never used to fit around my neck... and now they do... lol... i was like in shock when i put one on today... so random but it was such a great feeling that i had to share

Hi Everyone- I just had a visit with my surgeon who told me that I have a small hiatal hernia. He said that it shouldn't be a problem b/c it's so small but he will cancel the lap band surgery if he needs to fix it. We won't know for sure until he is in there. I used the search feature and found that most ppl had the hernia fixed and then the band was placed the same day. He told me that it raises the chances of slippage??? I don't have a problem if he errs on the side of caution but I guess I am just nervous about doing the 2 week fast, going under for lap band and then coming out w/o it done. I have no symptoms at all from this- wouldn't I have heartburn at the …

Hi, I have read alot of people saying that their band is wide open at night, allowing them to eat alot at dinner. This really concerns me, because my typical eating pattern is that I am not very hungry during the day and don't eat much, but then at night I eat a huge dinner because I finally get hungry. So, when you say your band is open at night and you can eat alot, does that mean you can eat at pre-band levels? (Three-four pieces of pizza, or an entire entree from a restaurant, for example) Or does it mean you can eat "more" than during the day, but not as much as pre-band levels? If I will be able to eat a pre-band dinner, then I am extremely concerned that I will g…

Hey Everyone...just wanted to get this out there in case there were lurkers and wanted everyone to go ahead and get this one the calendar so we can get as many people as possible. Lets start the New Years off right...support from the right people. Fellow Banders!!!! When: Saturday Jan 28th Where TGIFriday in the University off Harris Blvd Time: 11:30 What: Just a fun time to be had by all... Can't wait to see you there and I really hope to see some new people this month.

Help...just getting started in the process of lap band. May go with health insurance and may pay out of my own pocket. I need an idea of how much this costs. Also if anyone could recommend a good doctor in the Dallas area. I have heard a lot about Dr. Benavides. I just need more help. Thanks!:phanvan

I have been wondering why I try to push my band so much. Eating around it and then eating too much to the point of PB. Well, on most days I have decent restriction. But there are those days that I can eat a lot at one sitting like my band was never there. When I have times like this it is like my brain goes buck wild and tries to eat everything in sight until I PB and then get swollen and then can't eat regular food for a few days, then I loosen up, try to eat a big meal again just to see if I can get it down and then the whole cycle starts over again. WHen I have good restriction my mind tells me not to even try putting certain things in my mouth but when I am wide …

Hi, I got my band on 1/3/06. I ended up staying in the hospital for a week after getting pneumonia and diverticulitis. Even afer going home, I was really sick for a few weeks. I quickly lost 15 pounds the first few weeks since I couldn't eat much of anything with the diverticulitis. Now that I'm better, my appetite is back!! At first, I could not eat much but now I feel like I could eat like I did before the band. I don't get hungry but feel like I can hold just as much. I haven't had any problems keeping my food down either. I am worried that I won't lose anymore. The scales are not moving now. I am eating mushy foods but they aren't real low calorie foods. D…

I had my metabolism tested the other day. I still have to go in and get the full run-down on the results, but the guy who conducted the test said I'm burning about 1,200 calories/day (resting metabolism). The guy who conducted the test said that's pretty much starvation mode. I realized when I got the band that this would probably happen. My question is this: How do you get your metabolism back up? I do weight training, but what else besides building muscle will do it? I can't seem to find any real concrete information. All I read is "Spicy food can help," and other fluff.

HAPPY HAPPY DAY JESSIE !!! :first: :rockon: :first: :rockon: :confused: :first: :rockon: :confused:

I know it's all part of losing weight and I remember reading that other bandsters have experienced it. My question is: How long does the hairloss continue, and weren't there some supplements etc to take to help minimize it? Does anyone know nutritionally if I can bump up on anything to help minimize this? I have thin hair already! Great, get the bod looking better and then go bald.................:phanvan

I was banded in August of 03; I originally had a fill of 1.8 and that is when I lost most of my weight. Eventually that got to tight and I had to be unfilled. During the past 2 years I have been filled and unfilled; don't remember the amounts exactly. During the Hurricane I had .8 and had to be unfilled and I know that was mainly stress. Then I got filled later, but I have not been able to handle 1 cc. In November of 05 I got a complete unfill due to a surgery I was having. I stayed unfilled for a little over a month. I recently got a fill and am filled to 1cc and I can barely notice a difference. I am scared that maybe something is wrong like erosion, but the aga…

Hi, I searched the forums for this topic but could not find an answer so I apologize if this thread has already been discussed, but I was wondering how soon everyone returned to work after surgery. At my psych eval on Tuesday, the therapist said that the normal recovery time is 2-4 weeks! I was under the impression I could return to work after a week and have only requested one week of sick leave. Now I'm concerned. I'm sure it will vary for everybody but if I could get a general idea of an average return time, that would be great. (Working outside the home or "returning to normal activites" like school or housework). Thanks!

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;10704;42;0;0/c/-30/t/-130/k/0e47/weight.png I am not sure if it worked or not ! LOL - Jennifer

I had my second fill today. I went into the office thinking that I would have a small or no weight loss, but it was actually 5 lbs! When I weigh at home, I have been adding too much to the scale total to match the doctor's office. My calculations have been wrong for the last two weeks!!! This also means that I have made some progress in Delarla's challenge!!! Last month I pulled out old pants and shirts that didn't fit when they were put away. I've been wearing them and now they are too big! Time to downgrade (or upgrade depending on how you look at it!!) to the next size down. My shoes are even getting too big!! My donation pile for too big sizes is growing q…

Therefore rendering the lapband ineffective?

Hello everyone, I am very happy to find this forum. I have a appt. on 2/11 & I'm very nervous. I have been hearing horror stories about lap band. One of my close friends went to 6 different symposiums and they all say the same bad things about the band. She ended up having Gastric Bypass RNY. She is very happy with the results. Now she is telling me that in the beginning she was stuck on having lapband no matter what, but going to the meetings made her think otherwise. The FDA website tells you that there is 90% complications with the lapband, especially with leakage, slipping and extreme nausea and vomiting and worst...erosion. I am 130 pounds overweight, and I am…

what can u subtitute for bread crumbs in meatloaf or meatballls? does anyone have any suggestions or recipies they have tried and are good? i really want to make some kind of meatloaf or meatballs but i dont want the extra calories/carbs from the bread in it. i know that its a small amount but i just was wondering if there was anyway to cut it out completly and use something else. Im also looking for a recipe that is low fat/low carb and still taste good...if thats at all possible. i tried a recipe the other day that was REALLY gross (not from this site) and since i had such luck with my chili u guys have now become my go to source for great food ideas!!!!! ok hope …

I was having trouble eating meat lately until I started experiementing with recipes for my crock pot. I usually put some kind of meat or poltry in it in the morning and then it is done by dinner. The meat is so lucious and it just falls apart. It is much easier to eat and goes down nicely. Plus you can even use leaner versions of meat and it still comes out oooh sooo tender. I know just about every has one and if not, they are relatively inexpensive. It's funny because I talk about it like it is a new invention but I guess I have just recenly "rediscovered" my crock pot because for the longest time it was a dust collector. I will post some sample recipes later but s…

looking for a tasty low fat chili recipe that i can make in the slow cooker... any one have any good ones they want to share?

Dear friends from Queensland. What on earth is Vegemite? I saw it as a recommendation from a list of foods that came to me from my Dr. office and they got this list from Australia. It talks of Joules and things like Vegemite spread on bread. Is it like p-nut butter? Please forgive my ignorance, but I am truly interested!

I just had surgery on Jan 12 and I have a lot of restriction. I am having a hard time getting the protein in. Any Suggestions........... Thanks... d

I am still getting used to accepting me for who I am. I finally dusted off the digital camera and took my own close -ups. I have sturgy weber's oslo rondeau a conginital birth defect. The doctor's say that because my mom took some kind of nausea medicine for 6 months of her pregnancy it may have had something to do with it. The medicine I don't know the name is the same that caused some children to be born with no arms and legs. I am so blessed that I came out fully functioning it could have been worse. So I realize now that this is what people see everyday when they see me so why not share with all the great people on this sight. To know me is to love me! Oh yeah I neve…

I was banded in july of 05. I have lost 45 lbs. so far. I have had 2 fills. My port has flipped and the doctor told me he over filled me last fill because it is so painful and difficult to fill my band. I HATE fills. My problem is this: EVERYTHING I eat gets stuck. It is painful and basically a pain in the patoot! I no longer go out to eat because, I can't find anything on the menue that doesn't cause me pain. I no longer even have the desire to cheat because it's not worth the pain. I eat 3 SMALL meals a day mostly puree or liquid. I am not loosing!!!! I have been stuck at the same weight, fluxing between 2-5 lbs. for the past 2 months. I walk, I do not do much more as…

So I went to see Dr Nutcase (the psychologist) yesterday for the first time. We went over past experiences, childhood, past relationships, etc. We talked about my anxiety and self esteem issues, as well as weight loss and lack of coping mechanism. She gave me a book on tape about this, called When food is Love. I started listening to it this morning on the way into the office. The author was an abused child and thankfully, I can't identify with this, but as for the food issues and dependency on people in my life/attention seeking, I can definitley relate. We talked about my insecurities regarding my relationship and my jealousy. I explained that I don't want to …

Does anyone know, why does it take sometimes a week to feel your restriction? Schel

:attention: As of this morning I am officially overweight!!!!!Makes me wanna :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: I haven't been this size since wayyyyy before my daughter was born. I just bought 12's to inspire me. WooooHooo!!!

I've been on the pre-op diet since Monday. I've lost 6.2 lbs so far (I know, most of it is Water weight but it's still fun!) but my body fat has been steadily increasing every day (I have a scale that calculates it). I know the scale isn't 100% accurate on body fat, but I've never seen it go up so quickly and so steadily (usually it hovers around the same number and if it goes up one or two days, it goes down the next). Is this because of the pre-op diet? Burning beloved Protein instead of the hated fat? I am not exercising yet (too busy working trying to get everything done before surgery). TIA!

:eek: i was just reading about sweet spots on here and was very interested in a post with the differences in what this means to everyone, i know i am not at mine but like one lady said some peoples sweet spot is when she can not eat as much and therefore is losing weight, my problem is the amount i eat and i am afraid i have been waiting for the band to tell me when to stop by pbing or having a pain , this lady said when she had her fill she got a feeling like water was going through really slow and i had this with my third fill and told the doctor i was too tight but do you think that was my sweet spot as it freaked me out a bit having that sensation and feel now i wish …

Ok, so I got filled on Thursday and I was doing my day of liquids fine on Friday. This morning (Saturday) I drank some ice tea when I got up and had a smidge of reflux but it went away. Then for lunch I tried mushies (I was at a buffet restraunt taking defensive driving so it was a good chance to try lots of mushies and see what worked) so I had a bite of egg, a bite of mashed potatoes, a bite of ice cream, a few bites of soup, a bite of pudding. Ate lunch fine. Then tonight I decided to have some potato salad (which was a staple for me in the mushy stage after banding) and I got chocked up. Then a few hours later I tried some spinach dip (which was also a mushy staple th…

Hello, I'm a new member that is in the process of getting the lap band surgery. I have been over weight for about 15 years. It started as soon as I got married. I've tried dieting and exercise but its hard to do when both parents work and have children. My wife works M-F and I work a 12 hour rotating shift(days/nights). My wife had the stomach band surgery about six years ago and she looks great. I told her that I am tired of all the fad diets, I don't like the way I look and I'm concerned about my health. A couple of weeks ago I went to a seminar given by Dr. Hadar Spivak. He discussed the pros and cons of the Lap-Band and the Gastric Bypass surgeries. When I met with …

Well, I've finally joined the ranks of the banded. It went well although he found a hiatal hernia and repaired it while he was mucking around in there. Might as well get it all done at once. It wasn't as bad as I expected, although I'm only 3 days out so that could change, I suppose. .Glad to have it over with! Emily

just curious... please share i feel like i can tollerate most anything as long as i chew it until its "liquidy" as gross as that sounds... do u think thats ok? its not like im eating truck loads of food and stuff thats bad for me...it says i can eat things pureed but isnt it the same thing kinda? i dunno just wondering

Maybe I've been living in a bubble, but I didn't realize how pissed off some people get if they hear someone has had WLS. I was doing some searching on Star Jones and Randy Jackson and Al whatshisface and couldn't believe how many nasty comments I came across. I mean, I know there are people who say it's the "easy way out" but why does that make people mad? It's almost a "you cheated, that's not fair" kind of thing. It's such a weird reaction to have. I mean, some people are born with tall genes while others never grow over 5 ft - that's not fair. Some people are born blondes and others brunettes - that's not fair. Some people are born looking like Charlize Theron, but m…

I was banded at 7:30am yesterday. Had a pretty easy day after surgery because I slept REALLY HARD ALL DAY long :notagree. Despite my day long sleep I did manage to get in a few laps around the hospital unit. I really did not sleep good at all last night because the 84 year old woman in the bed next to me kept getting up a pulling her IV's out. Her bed alarm would go off and the entire 3rd floor nursing staff would come running to stop/help her. The staff working w/her were SAINTS. Dr. Deol came to see me this morning in my room around 7:00 to check things out. I went down to Xray to sip some barium to make sure all was flowing right. I am happy to report there is smooth s…

So I'm scheduled for 3/1. Except for when I was like 1 y/o I've never had surgery, and never any anesthesia aside from lidocane shots. I'm really anxious about the whole thing. The doc told me I'd have general anesthesia with a breathing tube down my throat. I asked him, "Eh, that comes out before I wake up, right?" and he answered, "You won't remember it." At the time I was so busy trying to remember all my other questions that I didn't pursue the topic, but there's a big difference between "you'll still be asleep" and "you won't remember it"! So - when you had your surgery, what happened? I've read lots and lots of "arrived, got prepped..." but nothing in any …

How many calories have you consistently eaten on a daily basis and still lost weight? I'm a little concerned about myself, as since my fill 10 days ago, I've been eating only 800-1000 calories a day, and 400-600 of those I work off at night on my exercise bike. Maybe that's too much. I dunno. I've never been satisified consistently on 800-1000 calories before. What are your experiences with this?

Hi All, I in the process of finishing my tests for lap band. All i have left to do is the Cardiac clearance, Psy eval, Pulmonary test, and Nutrition class. I will be finished my the second week in Feb. My insurance (Blue Cross PERSONAL CHOICE of PA) requires this: The individual must participate in one of the following: <LI type=circle>Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (eg, primary physician, Optifast, Medifast) over three months consecutively prior to surgery, which includes the following: <LI type=square>Dietician consultation <LI type=square>Low calorie diet <LI type=square>Increased physical activity Behavioral modifi…

Hello Everyone, My Dr. has recently started performing the Lap Band procedure. He has done 3 patients. He knows that I do a lot of research and is hopeful that I can help him with the establishment of the Clinic. I would like to hear from you all on what you think would make a successful WLC. This is a Government facility, so there are no seminars because there is no need to promote (not sure if that is the purpose), but there is a need to educate. I would like to suggest that he make it mandatory that his patients are properly educated before he does this. Perhaps by having monthly or weekly classes to be attended pre-op (is that the same as the seminar?). Please t…

I have not been behaving myself at all the last few weeks. I had my surgery August 16, 2005 and My wife had surgery August 1st which made is a lot easier having each other for support. But for the last few weeks I guess after my Disney vacation I have put on a few lbs. I started at 283 and was down to 227 but have gained about 7 or 8 pounds back. I have 3cc in my 4cc band. I know this sounds stupid but I cant tell if I'm eating around my band or if I need a fill. I mean really how much more fill can they put in me? I have been reading the post here long before my surgery and I just need to say thank the universe for this site and all of you here. You have been more help t…

UM, HELLO!? ME, MOI, CARRIE, HAS BROKEN THE 200 POUND BARRIER!!! Ok, how did that happen? Thank you protein train!!! I am now 198 and come hell or high water, there is no way I'm gaining back any weight, fill or no! Love ya guys, now I'm on my way to 150 - please help me! I'm gonna need it! :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::girl_hug::girl_hug::girl_hug::girl_hug::girl_hug:

Talked to the insurance coordinator at the doctors office this morning. She has put me down for 2/9 for a seminar! She said I don't have to do anything as far as medicare...i.e. six month dr. supervised diet etc. I am getting sooooo excited! Oh, don't laugh if you see typos....yesterday was my 36th wedding anniversar;y and my hubby bught me a laptop! I stayed up till 2:00 a.m. this morning playing on it! Having to get used to the different feel of the keyboard. LOL.