LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I have just got back from Sydney to see my plastic surgeon. His name is Dr Tavakoli...He has featued on shows like BodyWorks and magazines like Marie Clare. I have been researching for months and months, emailing and speaking with several different surgeons. He first sat me down and talked with me about alot of things including that he will not touch me if I dont give up smoking. A little to give up for what I want though. He took me into a room and I had to get naked and he checked everything out. He said he will be able to really work with my boobs and that I dont need implants but I am a grade 3 with my sagginess...ewwww. With my tummy tuck he is going to do an Extend…

I had surgery 09/17/04, lost 65 lbs at one year, then stopped. I had my first fill 12/04/05 of 2 cc. I am having a hard time since then. Everything seems to get stuck and causes a lot of pain, even things I was able to eat before the fill. Even drinking water or coffee causes discomfort. Is this normal?

In a few hours I will have my first consultation with my surgeon. When his coordinator setup the appointment she told me that I will be picking my date today. WOW. I'm very eager.

With everything we hear about our bodies going into "starvation Mode" if we eat too little - won't this happen (after awhile) if we are eating very little food? Our bodies will simply hang on for deal life to every calorie we put in it. That's always been my understanding as far as wgt loss goes. So, ideally if it were possible wouldn't the best thing to do in the beginning is to establish an appropriate/good fill level before your body knows you are going to reduce it's caloric intake and then when your wgt loss slows or comes to a complete stop - have an unfill and maybe even put on :hungry: a few pounds. Then get a fill that is appropriate/good and begin the lower…

Hi everyone! Quick question...did you all tell your family before surgery? I brought it up to my parents once and they flipped. Being a grown and married woman I know that this is my decision. Still I find it hard to tell them about this. Then, there is the fact that my mother will run her mouth to everyone she knows about this...I know from experience! Any thoughts and sharing of your own experiences would be greatly appreciated! Ya'll are the best! Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I was a patient of Dr Lopez in Dec. 04. I have not heard if he is still around. Does anyone know, and if so do you have a phone number to reach him? Thanks for any info. Staci Orlando FL banded in TJ 12/16/04

So, I found out what a NSV was.. and its cool.. But lately I was wondering.. How far can that go? I mean, where something is happening to your body most definately but your just not losing any weight on the scale. I have been stuck around 350 pounsa.. for Months. I dont measure anything. But its UNDENYABLE that my body is changing. (I am single, I date and I just know.. ok) When I lost the bulk of my weight, I noticed some things.. But since then, since I stopped loosing, its been changing even more. So, Can this mean that My Hanging Flab weighs alot in itself.. OR I gained some muscle (I dont see how, I am not active) OR I am retaining Water (I have never…

Hi Gang.... We took a little vacation since my daughter had a couple of days off school....we went to "America's Largest Waterpark" town....Wisconsin Dells. My daughter loves to go to the Wilderness Resort up there and when her report card is excellent she gets to go. I have always dreaded the Dells trips since they consist of watereparks which equals swimsuits!!! BUT, not this time.....I felt comfortable and stayed in the pool area much more than I ususally do. I really enjoyed the outdoor hot tub. AND I had two NSV's while there....first of all, my swimsuit was almost too big to wear and second, I fit in the innertube on the lazy river and had room to spare:eek: .…

CAn anyone tell me how much sugar we are allowed to intake, How much carbs and how many calories are we to eat?

I have been visiting the forum for a few months now. I have completed all the pre-surgery things needed for my doctor. Now just waiting patiently for days to pass and my required doctor visits to be posted. As I read the daily posts, I think to myself. "Oh that won't happen to me." My fill will work perfectly the first time. My band will not be rejected. My band will not cause ME to PB. My band will not erode into my stomach. I will heal in a day, be able to lose weight like a rabbit, and love my band instantly. But in reality it seems that there are alot more complications than that. From the Inamed site:"Patients can experience complications after surgery. Mo…

I was banded on 12/13 and haven't had any problems so far. About a week ago I started getting this "fluttering" in my chest right between my breasts. It doesn't hurt but it is noticable and uncomfortable. It definately wasn't there before last week. I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this and what it may be. thanks

Was wondering about the history of the person who has been banded the longest. Is there anyone here who has been banded more than 5 years? If so, are you maintaining weight loss and what is life like now?? Thanks for your time..

Hi Everyone, I dont post often, but check in when I can. I have something really strange happening. I was banded 12/04 and have had 3 fills. The last fill was late last spring, and my band seems to be getting tighter. Is this normal? I can still eat, but its tight! Staci Orlando FL banded in TJ on 12/16/04

I was banded on 12/9/05 and have felt to me what seemed like a perfect restriction since then and have lost 18 lbs. Well I managed to have a severe vomiting episode yesterday and now I have absolutely zero restriction. I even tested myself this morning by eating a large portion of non-food processor breakfast followed by 8 oz. of water right away. It feels like I did before the surgery. I have a bad feeling about what may have happened. I would appreciate any input. Also I need the phone number for Dr. Jessee in Miami. Dave

Hello everyone, Maybe it sound dumb, but i was banded 11/08/05 i have lost :clap2: 37lb.:clap2: So far so good, but till last sunday i start with walking (exercise). Today i feel like its not really pain, but my port hurts a little. Is this normal? i hope you guys can understand my English, i know that it is bad. Port is where the doctor make the fill? I'm so sorry for this questions. Please help. Thanks

I've got a date! Feb. 13th. So close, yet so far away. *crossing fingers*

:happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2:

This morning I took my "before" measurements, and my thighs are as big as my waist once was!!! How disgusting is that??? How did that happen???

My family and I (husband and son) will be in SanAntonio for our yearly mini vacation, March 11,12, and 13. I would love to meet someone from here for lunch/dinner or something. Let me know if anyone will be in that area!

I am scheduled to have LB surgery with Dr. Fielding at NYU and he suggested putting in a larger, softer band with takes more fill but it is easier on the esophagus. Does anyone know about large vs. small band? Also, does anyone know Dr. Fielding?

BUT, I looked it up and pretty much it can be all kinds of things.. What ever, all I know is that for two weeks, I am in pass out mode.. all times of the day and with seemingly no cause.. It wont matter how long or how hard I have slept..and I have NEVEr slept nor drempt (lol, is that a word) so much in my life. Its totally different than anything in my life I have EVER experienced. I have tried and tried to get on a schedule.. doesnt work I have checked my meds to make sure I am not suddenly without realizing it, taking too much. .... I am not. I have thought long and hard about it being depression.... WHo knows I have not checked my blood suger and I guess I wi…

Oh, man, I had NO IDEA this process would go so smoothly and efficiently! I'm going to have the lap band on Feb.2!! One minute I think about it and I'm excited, then, the next minute I'm FREAKING OUT wondering what the *((* I'm doing to myself. I only have the day before on liquids, I don't think I could do 2 weeks. You friends who remember how it was...were you more fearful of the surgery itself or were you more apprehensive of waking up and having this "thing" inside of you? Is it weird? My sister said that when she came out of anesthesia, besides being sore, she didn't "feel" any different. She told me it's not like they're amputating a leg or something. Anyhow, …

Does anyone know why we cannot drink soda? I was told to stop drinking soda months before my lap band...??:think

When you had your lapband done was it done as outpatient or did you stay 1 night??

Anyone know what's going on with the pb?

:happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2:

My name is Sherrie and I am addicted to weighing myself. I do it all the freakin' time. I do it first thing in the morning... at night after dinner to see how much my food intake weighed... at night before bed - usually before and after I have peed. It is crazy. I red an article in Time that said you should weigh no more than 1 time per week. I wish someone would hide the darn thing, but my husband has the obession too and he is not willing to part with it.

I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone after a few months being the shy girl (LURKER!) I am so amazed with everyone's willingness to listen, tell their own experiences, and support each other. I think it's incredible and I can't tell you what a difference it's made during my own journey so far! I was banded on 12/20-doing great so far and down 24 lbs (including the 2 week pre-surgery diet of course.) So Hi everyone! I look forward to chatting with you all. -Smiles

Hello Everyone! I saw the surgeon who removed my gallbladder, three years ago, today. He has since become a friend of the family and has helped us in so many ways. He is now performing lap band. Here is what I found out today: *The Ministry of Health has a Dr. who was trained in Germany and has performed over 5000 lapbands in the Kingdom (over 200 on the Royal Family), touring the kingdom training the surgeons at the Government hospitals. *Lapband has been in KSA for 10 years *Swedish band *My doc has only done three *Not sure if my doc will do mine or if the more experienced one will but they will both be present...one will assist the other. I completey trust m…

Over the holidays I had a rough time and ended up putting on weight. Now I am back on track after a fill on the 16th and have lost the 10# that I had put on.:clap2:

Hi, all! I'm feeling pretty gross right now--I've eaten like a horse--all day long. (I'm not yet banded, by the way.) I'm am hours away from starting my period--and I always have a difficult time controlling my appetite at this time. I'm also feel slightly stressed--I called my bariatric surgeron's office today to see if they had received my PCP's Letter of Medical Necessity (for the Lap Band), and they said that they had not received it yet. So, I called my PCP, and the secretary supposedly relayed the information to my doctor to write the letter (though he knew about this over 1 month ago). I was told at my initial appt. with my bariatric surgeon (On January 10) t…

I was wondering if any one else felt this way, I use to love going grocery shopping, now I hate it. I came home and felt like crying, because now I don't enjoy it, there was no fun in it.

TOPS TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY :welcome: Date: Tuesday January 24, 2006 Time: 7:00am – 8:30pm Location: Clinton Baptist Church 8701 Woodyard Road Clinton, Maryland (Behind K-Mart off of Branch Ave.) Guest speakers will be a personal trainer “Reggie”, a nutritionist with the health dept. and others. :eek:

I just can't get it! I went and got my fill last week. I am now at 2.4. I had a lot of restriction the first few days but I would sit down and push it. I knew I was full but I felt the need to keep eating and eat past the band. WHY DO I DO THIS???? Why am I sabatoging myself? I began working out with a trainer today. Then I went to lunch and ate a lot and then I went and got Taco Cabana on the way home. What the H*LL????? I have been taking Paxil and it has been making me SO tired. I could sleep forever. I am going to try and get some Wellbutrin-which is suppose to take some of the drag off of the Paxil. I just have zero energy and am just not very moti…

My guy and I are contemplating a move to the Lexington area, because I am originally from KY, but one of my concerns is my aftercare. I was banded in Mexico, so a lot of docs, etc, are very hands off. I am fine to travel to Mex now because I am in AZ, but that is quite a trip from KY. Anybody from KY around here? Do you have any ideas for aftercare? Thanks.

Has anyone tried these? I saw on one of those tabloid shows that they are tofu noodles and they look and taste like regular spagetti noodles but they only have like 40 calories for an entire bowl. Does anyone know where to find them in Dallas?

I'm just curious to know what NC insurances have paid for the LapBand. I have been getting nowhere with BCBS and my patience is wearing thin. I don't know if I should try a lawyer or what I should do next. Please help, any information is much appreciated.

I'm curious to know what other people are doing. How often do you weigh yourself? Do you measure yourself? Do you go by the fit of your clothes? In the past, when I've lost weight, I've weighed myself on a weekly basis. I think when I get banded, I'm going to try to check my progress no more often than once a month - I'll weigh myself, take my measurements, and take a progress photo once a month. I'm hopeful it will help keep me from obessessing. All you bandsters, how are you keeping track?

Can anyone recommend a Protein shake/drink that doesn't smell like a bottle of Vitamins? I just can't get past the smell...totally puts me off. Has anyone tried something they like or at least can tolerate well? Thanks! Emily

:banana Woo Hoo !!! Hot diggity!! My insurance co (UHC) has finally sent the letter "...pleased to inform you that coverage is available..." Oh My Gosh!! I am thrilled beyond belief. I'm grinning from ear to ear. :biggrin1: I was so upset last Friday when my Drs office called to say my secondary insurance turned me down - they classified the LB procedure as investigational - but I"m not suprised because the company my husband works for is self-insured. They don't pay doodly. But mine said YES...YES...YES...YES... Now I just have to follow up with my Drs office to schedule everything. Maybe if I'm lucky (and I have been so far) I'll be set to go in a few weeks. What a l…

How do you know when you are full? Sounds simple, but I swear, I just can’t tell. I am embarrassed to admit it. I try to eat super slow, then kind of slow, then not-so slow, and chew, chew, chew, drinking, not drinking, and eating different stuff, yada, yada, and on and on. I don’t know how can you NOT know when you're full? I think I have to be stuffed like a T-day turkey to feel anything. Talk about needing to get your brain banded. My head definitely has some catching up to do. Thoughts? <O:p</O:p By the way, I just stopped eating my lunch, thinking, it must be time for me to be full (I'm sure that sounds weird, but you at least have to guess, right?). Lite…

From what I am reading, it is my understanding that when ever you get fills, the doctor is supposed to remove the old fluid before putting in new fluid??? Mine does not do this. Should I be concerned? Should I ask him to remove the old stuff first??? Also, and this may sound stupid but, can the saline evaporate?

Well, I'm just finishing up my packing, and my sister and I leave for Sioux Falls Monday morning. Have to attend a class at 1 p.m. and then see the surgeon at 3:30. Surgery is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. I'm nervous, but I'm also REALLY excited...this is what I've wanted and now it's time. Hopefully everything will go well and I'll be back home on Wed. afternoon. I'm glad my sister is going along...she has her first appointment with the same surgeon Tues. afternoon, so she'll be just a little behind me on the journey. I think it will be a real help to both of us to have each other for support. I keep encouraging her to join here...you all have been so encou…

I'm all set to go. Have to be at the hospital by 5:30am tomorrow, Monday, 1/24, By 10:30am I will be officially banded, One day and night of R&R at the hospital, Discharge by noon on Tuesday, 1/24. I'll post when I get home to let ya all know how I did and how I'm doing. My sister says to tell you all that she is praying for me. With that and all of the other support I am getting from loved ones and friends how can I not be good. :biggrin1:

I signed up for a personal trainer at my gym today. It was expensive but not as bad as i thought it would be. Basically I pay $45 dollars a week (plus my regular monthly gym payment EEK:eek: ) and i meet for one hour once a week with the PT, and then she will give me "homework" (gym work lol) to do the rest of the week by myself. I think this will work out great for me, because when i go to the gym i tend to get overwhelmed by all the equipment so i could really use someone once a week to say " do X,y, z, this many times a week etc" and show me how to use the equipment. I'm excited, my first session is tommorrow!

I’m new to this forum and decided to post a picture of myself from 15 years ago, because that is the real me trapped inside this fat suit today. I was 36 years old then and in the best shape of my life — never had much of a weight problem and never would have guessed (in a million years!) that I would end up obese, much less morbidly obese. I can’t bear to see pictures of myself as I am now. I realize I will never get back there again but am hoping for the best. Anyway, I had my surgery 11/28/05 and have lost about 30 lbs. Lost 10 before surgery, 10 more the week of surgery and 5 the following week; but have been ‘waffling’ back and forth with the other 5 since. I have…

This morning here in the UK there was a lady on TV raving about her Band there was also a consultant surgeon on there. This lady has done fantastically well lost over 10 stone with her band and has had a lot of reconstructive surgery to fix saggy skin problems in total its about £20.000:eek: I am not sure of the exchange rate but I think that’s about $40.000 a lot of money. The consultant is quoted to have said that the Band has no complications what so ever:mad: . I have some issues with this let me out line my issues. While I endorse a procedure that does work I feel that if doing non direct advertising on the TV the truth should be told. Here in the UK we have …

I am being banded Feb 7th but am a bit concerned that I don't have to do a pre diet, is this ok? Anna

take my prescription pain meds during my two week preop liquid diet and postop? I HAVE to have it or I cannot function due to the arthritis pain. Or, will I have to get the rheumatologist to give me a RX for liquid pain meds? What about other meds that I take daily? Just curious. Need to start planning now! I am hoping to be able to get off all meds after I lose the weight!

Hey guys, My biggest difficulty since I got the band has been wanting to drink while I eat. I've come to a simple, but satisfying conclusion. I generally have a small glass of Water that I pour when I'm about to eat. When I have a craving to drink, I sip a tiny amount, only enough to wet my mouth, yet hardly enough to swallow, and it's plenty to give me the same satisfaction of drinking. It has really helped me to get out of the habit of gulping, and pushing my food too quickly to my pouch. Hope this helps someone What have been your hardest habits to break?