LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

and if I can do it anyone can do it! The Nutrisystem commerical is on right now... everytime i watch it I just laugh. GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!! If I EVER get to a size 10 I'm declaring a national holiday!!! I DREAM of being a size 10.... :thankyou: Anyway sorry, total random post. Just thought it was funny. What's not enough for one is more then plenty for another! P.S. I haven't really gone from a size 10 to a size 4... I'm still at an 18. Just being funny (or trying)

First let me say that this forum has been great. I've not posted much but I've read until the wee hours of night, many times. With that, I'm proud to say that I've finally made the decision to go through with surgery. I've gotten my date for Feb. 28th with Dr. Kuri. Here's the problem...... NOW I'M NOT SURE!! I know that with any kind of surgery there can be risks, I know that this is life altering, I know the positives far out weigh the negatives. But...... ever since I've gotten my date, I have a hard time being excited. I have litteraly talked myself into believing that I'm happy with the way that I am. I'm 29 5'6" and weigh 300lbs........ I have a wonderful husband, a…

Whats your favorite protein drink??And where do you buy it from???:hungry:

My daughters, Gillian and Catie, were 4 and 2 when I was banded back in 2003. I was 340 lbs and unable to be an effective or involved parent in many ways, and this was the straw that broke my camel's back with regard to WLS. My goals have always involved getting healthier, more mobile, stronger, etc. so I could keep up with them. When they were preschoolers I was talking about just keeping them out of traffic and following them around on the playground. In my tiny, silent dreams of WLS success, though, I imagined one day being able to do things like run, jump, bicycle, even roller skate and ice skate when they got old enough. Last night one of my wildest dreams came …

Am I the only one? I swear that I'm not in denial. I swear that my emotions have no bearing on my eating. Really! Neither positive nor negative stressors have any effect on how much or how little I eat (except that maybe when I'm very very very depressed or stressed, like having to go to a funeral or something equally horrible, I don't feel very much like eating at all). I feel like I am alone in this, and that no one believes me about it. In fact, tonight one of my nutrition classes is all about "identifying emotional triggers" that make us eat. This actually makes me really, really angry. I honestly feel like I constantly get blamed for my weight problem by this attitud…

I feel like I could use some "old-fashioned", kick me in the a@* support!!! I did so well over the holidays....stayed focused, ate right, etc.....now I feel a tad out of control. Mostly not as focused....know what I mean???!! I know I want to eat "comfort" foods lately....probably due to things like: it's that time of the month, it was a full moon on Saturday, and on Friday the 13th my husband had a car accident (he is O.K., thank the Lord!) in our 7 day old car!!! Typically I would have eaten half of New York City by this time, but I have not done that....but, the thoughts are creeping into my head. I just want to nip it in the bud......send me good vibes, support, …

MAN O MAN! WHAT A BLOW! My 4 year old told me I looked like the HIPPO on MADAGASCAR! UGH! I guess my rear was a dead give away! I said, Hmmm isn't that nice? He said No, Mom it isn't. WAAAA!:lalala: Don't worry, I didn't DIE or anything. Just out of the mouths of babes comes the truth! I can't WAIT until he'll tell me I look like a movie star! LOL! IT'S GONNA HAPPEN BY GOLLIE! Just thought I'd make a few of you laugh.

So my surgery is scheduled for 2/6 and my 2-week pre-op liquid diet starts Monday. Tonight we were invited to a black tie event. Started with champagne (I don't normally drink), then hors d'oeuvres (all pastry-wrapped or deep fried). Then to a fixed dinner: lobster bisque, then spinach salad, then sea bass, then sorbet, then beef entree, then a chocolate decadence dessert buffet. The entire thing (starting with champagne and ending with dessert) was 3 hours and 20 minutes. I'm stuffed to the gills. :faint: But here's my REAL problem -- the whole time I was thinking -- "How would I handle this if I were banded right now?" The alcohol wasn't a big deal, I could for…

I need some opinions here... I had my 3rd fill about 3 weeks ago. This fill has a lot of restriction to it. I finally figured out how much I can eat w/o getting sick. I am able to eat about 4 ozs of food and that's it. I have been very tired lately and my weight loss hasn't moved. I seriously think I am not getting in enough calories. I have almost no interest in food, I literally have to make myself eat. I hate food these days. Is anyone here on Slim Fast as just something to give you some additional calories to add to what you are eating? I do eat 3 times a day even if I don't want to. I've decided to count calories to make sure I am getting enough to see how I …

I just had my first fill 2 weeks ago. I have 2.2 ccs in a 4cc band. I am able to eat pretty much whatever I want. I am not losing weight, and I have not had a PB, vomited, felt sick, or had trouble with any kind of food. I do feel pressure in my chest if I eat too quickly, but it goes away in a minute if I just sit there and doesn't happen if I eat at a regular (not slow) pace. Is it too soon for me to get a fill? I don't want to wait until my next dr. appt in 6 weeks. What do you think?

Just want to know if anyone is a long termer with the lap band. And now with the new code number for insurance, do you think we may have a chance for coverage?

Hi everyone, I'm new :thankyou: I'm 33, from the northern virginia area, female, and just starting to get on track for lap-band surgery. I have a consult on Wednesday... I've done some homework and I'm lucky enough to have insurance that will cover much of this. My stats: 5'5" / 240lbs My questions: 1. Is there any physical exam during the initial consult with the doctor/surgeon? 2. Can I wear some sort of bra *during* surgery? I'm a 44DD+ and I really don't want to wake up feeling self-conscious/worried about "being out there." I know this may seem trivial compared to all the issues around surgery, but if anyone can shed some light on this, I woul…

I'm gearing up for my surgery and bought some Protein drink mixes to try. They are both whey and they really do a number on my stomach. Really bad. So, I was wondering if anyone out there would like to trade some of their soy protien (no whey!) powder mix for: 7 packets of Myoplex Light in chocolate and a can of BioChem Ultimate Lo Carb Whey Powder in chocolate? If so, email me! :-) It looks like half a can, but it must have settled because I only used the Biochem three times. This way I can see if the soy is easier on my tummy.

Hi, I was banded on 1/3/06 and the first week I lost 15 pounds and then I put 3 back on and then this last week I have lost nothing. I am having trouble taking in my protien shakes and just want to eat everything in sight. Yesterday I broke down and ate a whole can of chef boyardee spagetti and meatballs and then a piece of toast with peanut butter and jelly and about 3 hours later 1 scoop of icecream. I figured i took in about 1,000 calories yesterday and was really excited to step on the scale hoping that i would see a loss because i didnt starve myself yesterday only to see that I somehow gained 4 pounds! I know Im not suppose to eat until next week …

Hey guys, I'm about 3.5 weeks post surgery, and the swelling has gone down. I have very little restriction anymore, and am waiting for my 1st fill at the end of the month. I've lost 15 pounds, but the majority of that was the pre-surgery diet. I talked to my surgeon and he asked me if I was sticking with a "half-cup diet". I haven't really been, but I am not eating much more than that, and stop eating as soon as I feel full. Am I doing something wrong? should I just choose to stick to half-cup portions even now? Thanks.

Nobody ever's post's here so "I thought Id, wish every one out there in band land Merry Christmas,....................:rolleyes I'hope all your need's and want's are meet.And your enjoying time with you family & friends. Eat healthy...... no drinking driving" most of all "GOD BLESS YOU ALL " p.s,HAPPY BIRTHDAY ( JESUS CHRIST) Take care.Jqpublic

:clap2: I am going to Oprah! :faint: I can't wait!! So now I am making a very big effort to lose some more before I go. I have to find the perfect outfit!! I am so excited! I have wanted to go for years! And I happened to check the website and the phonelines opened at 10am and by 11:30am I had reservations! I am going to chart my progress starting on Monday...going out tonight so the liquor will be flowing!! :omg: Therefore, Monday will be my starting day!

hi its been awhile since i been on just busy with life still trying to get use to the band after my first fill in july haven.t been to my dr in awhile but i will and at a stand still with my weight haven,t lose or gain since my fill hard to get use to the eating if i eat anything the wrong way i pay for it by being stuck so thats is were i am some times i can eat alright and be satifised foer a awhile and most of the times i start eating first few bites and there it is stuck still hungry but stuck i wait till it pass or i make it pass by vomiting and then i try again how do i fix this problem thaks julie

I'm not planning to tell anyone either. I can easily take a week off and no one will be the wiser. The problem is, all these pre-op evaluations mean lots of time off work. I saw my PCP yesterday. Now I have six more appointments to go through before the actual surgery: nutritionist, social worker, x-ray, ultrasound, pre-op physical, and meeting with the surgeon. I'm tempted to tell my boss what I'm up to so she won't think I'm sneaking off to job interviews or something, but I was really hoping to keep this to myself. How did you guys handle it?

I'm fighting my third cold this winter and I've had it! I think I need more nutrients in my diet. My brother got me a juicer for Christmas and I just took it out of the box and juiced 3 apples. How yummy! It's hard for me to eat a lot of veggies...and I'm wondering if anyone has any good juicer recipies? I don't want a ton of sweet Fruit drinks, but mostly veggie ones... Anyone? Thanks in advance! Megan

Hello all.I have had the band since October 2004. I have lost about 40 pounds. I wish i could have lost more but its stil in progress. I am now 5 months pregnant. i have not gained anything as of yet. I am actually losing weight. Currently i weigh 243 i started at 283. I am happy but i thought i would have lost more by now. I guess i should get in the gym alittle more. I must admit going to the gym is not something i do all the time. But i do eat less. I no longer eat thick break or alot of hamburger meat. I also do not eat that many sweets. I drink alot of OVALUTINE in the morning. It gives me almost all of the vitamins and minerals that i need for the day. I also take m…

ok...so how do u know if ur eating too much in order to cause ur pouch to expand? I mean i dont over eat...but at the same time i can eat an ok amout. Is there a cetain limit (like oz. wise) that we (bansters) should not be consuming 'over' at each meal? should i be a stickler for measuring out my food or just go by how i feel? if ur pouch is overstuffed do u get a feeling or a sensation from it?

I know that lots of people with the band have babies, but this is my first and I'm nervous! I go to see my surgeon tomorrow and I have a thousand questions for her. THe first worry I have is my port. Mine is placed in the muscle in my waist and I can already feel myself growing and I'm afraid it's going to stick out and cause me pain once I'm really pregnant!?!

Hi all... Got banded January 12. Everything is ok, but I seem to be on uneasy ground. Last night I went to first support meeting at the local hospital. They were all bypass people, most in 2nd year. I decided to stay thinking that I would hear some good things if I listened. I told the group I was dealing with head hunger. The group shared some good things and I was glad I went. I shared with my DH on the way home that I was REALLY head hungry and was not in a good place. One of my biggest problems is night eating. When we got home my DH broke out the cashews while we were watching TV. I thought I would jump across the room and rip his face off. I start…

Hi everyone -- I'm scheduled to be banded on February 9th and I'm getting a bit nervous about Protein foods I can eat after surgery (after the healing stage). I'm basically a carbs and sweets eater right now -- I love my Pasta, bread, rice, etc., and sweets and fresh fruit (and some fresh veges). For protein foods (really my 2nd choice for something to eat -- I'd rather go back to the carbs), I like eggs, beef, chicken, turkey, and cheese, but I don't eat fish. I really don't know how I'm going to be able to get the beef, chicken, and turkey down (based on reading that some people have problems with it), and if I can't I have no idea what I'm going to eat!!!! Can …

Hey there, Not sure if anyone has seen the lap band procedure done before, but here is a link to Brigham and Womans Hospital, where they show the procedure being done. Its about an hour long and the best one I've seen yet. I think it was recorded back in July. enjoy! http://www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1372/

OK as most of you know I was unbanded due to erosion on Dec 6 - almost a month ago. In that month I have lost and then gained back some of the 10 lbs post banding. This is frustrating more so now than before I was ever banded. I have more knowledge now about food and the nuances of calorie counting, portion control, exercise, water intake, etc and it is driving me crazy. I know all the bad things I should stay away from. Do I listen to my knowledgable counterpart? NO! I rebel. I feel like a teenager and rebelling against my mom. Then I feel guilty if I don't eat the right foods and then I feel like a failure all over again. I know I know one day at a tim…

I am scheduled to have surgery Tuesday Jan 24 (Dr. Aceves,Mexicali) and am supposed to be on high protein, low fat, low carb diet. Not only am I not following the pro-op diet, I am totally into last meal syndrome and eating like there's no tomorrow. I can't tell you how disgusted I am with myself. Should I cancel the surgery or do you think the Dr will do it anyway. If I'm having this much trouble following the diet now, is there hope for me after? Anyone that experience similar or can relate I would really appreciate hearing from you.

I came to this site in hopes of support for the lap band. I read nothing but horrible things happening to people. I know there are people out there that are happy with their bands. Are they all so happy they have chosen not to come here anymore. Support is supposed to make you happy, yet I'm constantly unhappy about things that are happening to people that are banded. It's such an expense, I'm rethinking it seriously. I can't afford some of the things that are happening to people. My dr. insisted on this over bypass surgery because it was safer, but it seems to me to take lots more upkeep. My daughter had her bypass, a check-up, and never went back. She received …

Hello all, My name is Paula, I was banded by Dr. Kuri on the 12th of January. Absolutly a great experience and meeting of great people all in one shot. can't ask for anything more. I was just curious as to what is the longest known lap band. I mean it sounds like here everyone is 2-3 years. Any one longer?? Paula 1/12/06 265.1/250/175?

I may have posted this before and if so, just assume its a rhetorical question LOL .. I'm slowly losing my mind. Just wondering if fills for anyone else, are fickle? I'm not complaining by any stretch of the imagination .. I just want to understand how a fill works. An example: Several times, when I've gotten a fill, I haven't noticed any extra restriction for 4-7 days. Yesterday however, I got a fill of 0.1cc and I feel it already. Again, not complaining, cause I definitely wanted to feel restriction. On the few occasions I've felt too tight though and gotten a small unfill, I've felt relief from that instantly. Is it all in my head lol .. or do others have we…

ok can people tell me what these *three things (look below)* are abbreviations for!!! :thankyou: ive been trying to figure them out for 2 weeks now and i still have no clue! im sure when people tell me im gonna be like DUHHHHHH! *NSAIDS *PB *DH thannnks!

I am just curious to the number of banded couples here. My hubby is getting banded on the 16th.

Hey fellow June banded folks. Where'd ya'll go? Anyone out there? Just thought I'd put up a post since we're all at seven months out now. Things are going well for me. I've lost about 70 lbs from my all time high and my life has changed dramatically. I had nary a date for two years and was pretty lonely but I've just recently began seeing a guy. He's amazing!!! He even loves my body which almost freaks me out. I don't have a nice body. Still a good 60 lbs to lose, stretch marks, etc. And yet he loves to touch me. He makes me feel sexy and that's long overdue!!! As far as eating...the holidays were tough for me. I didn't gain but I also didn't lose. I seem…

Happy Birthday! Hope your day is a good one!! :happybday2:

I was banded on 12/01/05 and have been losing weight at a pretty decent rate. My problem is I have been having a really hard time "learning" how to eat. Tonight I ate way too fast and ended up wretching cause I'm sure I had a blockage. I've had 3 PBs previously and they were like a baby spitting up, open mouth and material shot up. Tonight was my 4th and it was hell. Constant feeling of needing to burp, crushing pain in my chest and the inevitable wretching. I wretched 4-5 times and now I'm terrified I'm causing damage to my band. Doesn't help that I have been sick for a week so I've been draining down my throat but I know that dinner seems to be a meal that I eat quickly…

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I am having a problem losing weight.It will be 2 years on April 28th sense i have been banded.I love my band but I am kind of frustrated.They say you should loose anywhere between a pound to two a week. I am up to 2cc.So should I get A feel or what?HELP PLEASE...... Joyce Frederick Dr.Spiegel 4/2004 235/184/150:help:

I am almost sure that I saw a thread about things to take with you to the hospital and things to buy and have on hand for when you get home. Also, any tips for someone who will be travelling a couple hours one way on what to take for the trip back? Thanks!

Anyone know if excessive coughing ( I have bronchitis right now) can cause port promblems? Right now thats the ONLY area that hurt...well besides my throat. But my port area...its very bruised feeling. I told hubby about it...and of course he thinks I'm stressing over nothing. I'm 3 months out...so the port should be firmly in place by now right? Thanks for any imput on my silly question. LOL Melissa

I just had my 3rd fill this week, so I'm at about 2.5cc. Since my fill, I've dropped my calories from 1200 to about 1000. If this doesn't work, if I don't lose any weight, I'll get another fill so I"m eating about 800 calories. Jessie said that I'll need to go down to 800 calories or even 600 calories to lose weight. Is it possible to be restricted to the point where 600 calories is enough? Restricted but not too restricted?

I had a turkey burger with a portabello mushroom for a bun and WHAM! I slimed for 15 minutes. I'm pretty sure the mushroom was swelling in my esophagus. Anyone know if mushrooms swell?

Hello Can you eat Cereal on the band? I Love cereal I just want know:hungry: have anyone had it, and if so what kind of cereal is good? Thanks mzbabytee

I FINALLY (after 4 fills and 6 months) hit my sweet spot! MY sweet spot is 2.4. It seems really high to me. So...when did you hit your sweet spot?

I am SICK AND TIRED of reading magazine articles, watching news shows, etc. and hearing all of these stories of these el-fabulouso people who have managed to lose 100's of pounds "without drugs or surgery"? Why don't you write the follow up stories next year when they gain 30-50% back and in three years when they are back to full weight plus 20 pounds?????? Yeah I know this is cynical, but just because I'm cynical doesn't mean I'm not 95% true! How many people on this board lost 50+ pounds only to gain it back? Perhaps I shouldn't take it personal, but I do.:huytsao

Does anyone know where to buy the SoBe Lean drinks by the case? It says on their site that Sams and costco has them, I have not found that to be true though. I am hooked on the Green Tea, it is made with Splenda. Yummy!!!!! It gets expensive by the bottle though. Thanks. -Debra

I am having my lap band fitted Feb 7th in Paris. When is the first fill required and how often do I need them? Where is the port placed for the fills? Is it noticeable? I am going to New York 6 weeks after my op and it would be ideal to have the fill done there. Does anyone know how much it costs? Insurance in Ireland doesn't cover this so I have to pay for my op and aftercare. Anna

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any information on an instructional video or tutorial of some sort that I could give to my Doctor. He is willing to learn how to do my fills and handle my post-op care, and nothing would thrill me more. It will save me hours on the road...since I would have to drive at least three hours to the nearest fill doc. Also, he is willing to charge me for a regular office visit. Would love any feedback!:help:

Just as I'm waiting to get my ulcer cleared up I get notice from Dr. McAlexander's office that he is closing his office and moving due to an illness his son has. They need to be close to a certain hospital for the son's treatment. I thought perhaps I was back to square one, but they have referred my file to a Dr. Colquist who I have never met in Marysville, TN. I have talked to their office on the phone and the requirements are the same ones I've been going through thank goodness. I won't be meeting him until April 13 though, so I sure hope I like him as well. Has anyone used this dr. or know anything about him? The office tells me he is very knowledgeable in both RN…

I'm sorry, but my husband and I enjoy going out once a month and having a bit of fun. This always includes drinking. We also enjoy wine tastings, and enjoy the occasional scotch together in the evenings. We don't drink a lot, but we have activities that we enjoy that are drink oriented. I realize there are a lot of calories in booze. I can workout to counteract the calories. But how does everyone who still drinks cope with the booze in the new tummy? any problems? seems to me you would have to drink slow enough it wouldn't get you drunk LOL Amy