LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Well I was afraid this would happen...I was banded about 9 months ago by Dr. Ortiz in TJ. I had a very easy time and have been thrilled up until now. I had 65 pounds to lose when I had the surgery, and I have lost 32 (almost exactly half of my goal). I had my first fill way back in May and it was 2.5 cc's. I had Dr. Martinez do my fill under fluoro and it worked great. It did take about a month to kick in, but when it did I had great restriction and lost about 20 pounds. The process has been slow, but I expected that since I was a lower BMI patient. I went for my second fill on 1/7 because I noticed I can eat quite a bit more and that I'm feeling hungry. I have al…

Hey All, Today I set out to get my 2nd fill at 9:00 I then got lost & then they couldent find my port or I should say thought they were on it but in fact she was not. After being poked a million times . She decided to call doctor who happens to work out of the hospital closest to my house. How strange is that. Anyway he was so nice. He met me at the hospital & did my fill under floro I was finally finished around 3:00. Hope my future fills never take that long. The good that came out of it is that this Doctor is willing to do all my future fills. I ended up with 1.4 cc more which leaves me at 3.4cc Hoping that this time I reach my sweet spot. I was so worried tha…

Anyone here understand this. I am still not over the fact that mine is so high, even after losing so much weight it hasnt really dropped. Can anyone tell me if huge amounts of excess skin would make a difference and how does the scale tell how much it really is?? Blahhhh:rolleyes:

I have experienced uper/mid back pain since the day after I got my band put in. It has been consistent, and is one of the main reasons why I am having it removed.

I'm getting my first fill this Thursday and without knowing what to expect, I find myself wondering too much. Will I get uber gassy again? Will I be a good bandster? How long will I need liquids? How much fill will I end up getting? I'm finally on my way, My cardiologist visit today went really well. He was happy I lost weight already and wanted to know how I feel. I think I might be his first banded patient as most everyone else is older than me in the waiting room. He wanted to know how it feels and where exactly is it placed on the stomach, why is saline involved. I told him I was getting a fill and explained as much as I understand. I see him again in 4 months.…

Do they numb you b/4 sticking the needle in ?

Ive been having some dental problems and tylenol isnt doing much for the discomfort. I know we (lap banders) arent supposed to have ibuprophen, but what about the childrens version. Think it would harm my band if I tried the liquid childrens motrin?

:clap2: HI EVERYONE I HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT I JUST HAVENT BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE BUT I DECIDED NOT TO GO FOR THE LAP BAND I NOR THE GASTRIC BYPASS I HAD A COMBINATION OF BOTH I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I HAD THE VERTICAL BANDED GASTROPLASTY IN WICH I HAVE A BAND AND ALSO A SMALL POUCH WAS MADE MY SURGERY WAS 12/05/05 AND I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 23 PUNDS I HAVE BEEN REALLY SICK I CATCHED THE FLU AND WELL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WALK LIKE I WANT TO BUT IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN THIS PROCEDURE OR HAS ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK IM LOVING IT!!!!:confused:

hi my name is sherry and i am 36, i am married to jerry who is in the airforce and we were stationed in germany for three years. after years of failed weight loss methods i started looking into surgey and found a doctor in belguim who is one of the founders of the lapband and had it done.he has 10 years exsperiance so i was thrilled. i recovered fine and thought i would be on my way!. well oviously with the current affairs with the world my husband was deployed alot and the journey for the fills were few and far between . i have a different lapband than the one f.d.a. approved over here . it is called cousin and holds 10 cc . i had three fills and was at 6cc and feeling s…

I'm so excited that it finally happened! I was so nerveous pre-op because It thought something was going to go wrong and nothing did. I am just a little bit sore today but it's going to pay off in the long run. :)

It's gonna be my second fill next week, the first one was a little short of the mark. Cast your mind back to your first successful fill. What did you tell/ask the doctor prior to the fill? What do you wish you'd asked the doctor in retrospect? It's under floro, does that effect what I can ask the doctor? Go on, help a fellow bandster out, here! :confused: Ta!

Is being able to drink (gulp) 6-8 onces of Water in a few seconds a gauge for determining if another fill is needed? After three fills, I have some restriction, but can eat most anything slowly except bread which has never worked for me since banding. My last fill was on 12-14-05 for a total of 2.25 in a 4cc band. I have not lost any weight since then. A week ago I pb'd quite a bit. This week no problems. I'm craving no, no's like ice cream, candy, chips...and unfortunately, I can eat all those goodies way too easy! 1.) I'm many years post menopause so that's not a craving issue, and 2.) I'm not giving in to eating the aforementioned no, no's on a regular basis...just a…

I am not yet banded. Is it so that during the surgery they just put the band on without any restriction? Or is the band itself some restriction?

Hey guys, just wanted to share this experience to maybe help save someone out there the anguish I went through! So, I went to a restaurant this weekend for the first time since surgery. We had spent the day Christmas shopping...building up quite a hunger I must add. The family chose Cracker Barrel for dinner because they are known to have Soups, applesauce, and cottage cheese - you know, things I can have. Well, after waiting almost an hour for our table, we find out that they only had chili (yikes!), don't serve cottage cheese, and I was afraid to put applesauce in my tummy (it makes the runs even runnier in my case)! I was already struggling with the visions of people…

I have been in contact with a surgeon for a few months. I decided to ring and make an appointment the other day and the person I had been talking to asked me indepth questions about my weight goals etc. I told her I have 9kgs to go before my surgeons final goal for me but 19kgs before my personal goal. She said she didnt think he would do it with that much still to lose and asked me to send pics of my tummy. I sent them and she wrote back telling me that most of my tummy was loose skin and would probably be able to be done. I have discussed a breat lift and lipo on my back rolls as well. They know my wedding is in September this year and I would like to be fully recovered…

I have been trying to get a surgical date for almost a year now. I was getting little progress from my first surgeon so I switched to another that was recommended. My insurance says they will approve the surgery. I have taken all the preop tests and exams. I just can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone. I also was told by a physician that the bariatric surgeon I am working with was having problems getting hospitals to work with him due to paper work issues, not his qualifications as a surgeon. I was also told that in the Raleigh Durham area that the hospitals are trying to stop bariatric surgery from being performed in the area? Is that true? I also have two f…

THANKS ALEX !!!! :Banane56: :caked: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Sex Banana's These are WONDERFUL LOVE IT !!! :drum: :jaw: :rockon: :wow2: :gossip: :boxing: :lovechoc: :funscale:

Just wanted to pass along some great customer service news....I ordered something from QVC and the package came empty except for the packing slip. I called QVC to tell them figuring I was screwed. But, NO, they are sending the item again and by UPS so I get it sooner:eek: . I am impressed.....spread the word...customer service is lacking so much in today's world it is refreshing to come across great service!

I am just wondering how everyone is doing that was banded in December? I am feeling great!!!! Not as much weight loss as I hoped, but I am not focusing on that as much as how I feel. I lost 9 lbs and gained two back on liquids. They think my body went into starvation mode. I am looking forward to real food and hoping that will start the weightloss again. I am scheduled for my first fill 1/25. My Dr. said that she can not help until then. I have been very hungry as well. I have found that milk is good to drink because it is filling. Hope you are all doing well and have a great New Year!!!!!

I am having a problem on deciding to get another fill. I had one 2 months ago and I got restriction from it but lately I have been able to eat a little more and I am just unsure about getting one again. It scares me to think that it is going to be too tight or I am going to start vomiting. I have not vomited since I have had the band...well....only that one night I had a little too much alcohol . And that scared the hell out of me because I had gone so long without one episode of vomiting that the thought of vomiting was terrifying. I thought something bad would happen to my band if I did. I cried so much that night and swore to not do that again! And I haven't **pat on …

Hey All~ Last night my girlfriend dragged me outta the house and we went to see a local band play and a venue in Poughkeepsie. The boys in the band work at the Haunted House that Im involved in (girlfriend works there too) and we always go to their shows to support them. Anyway.......We buy their cd's and stuff......so they get a little extra $$ from the show.......Last night we bought tee shirts with their logo on it. I typially buy tee's size 2X or sometimes 3X....Last night, the tee that I bought was a LARGE... There were no numbers or extra X's before or after the size....JUST THE LETTER "L"~~~~ I thought it was a bit tight, but my girlfriend said it looked good~ Gu…

LOL I know, its silly. But it is so much motivation for me. Yesterday we took my mother to visit Ron Jon, a famous surf shop here in Florida. I decided I would by myself a little bikini to hang on the wall and keep me motivated, like in that yogurt ad on tv. Its a little black number, size large in case I never make it to a medium or small. But won't I be jumping up and down freakin happy if it ends up being TOO BIG!!! Amy

Stopped in at a Lane Bryant store today.....found a clearance item and when I went to the cash register the clerk asked me if I would be using my Lane Bryant credit card. I told her I had a card a long time ago, but have not used it in years. She politely asked me why....I told her that I just recently lost 60 pounds and can now fit in their clothes again!!! She said, "wow, I wish I could lose 60 pounds". When I left she congraduated me again.....great SNV today.....Now the next great SNV with Lane Bryant will be the day nothing fits again....BUT, this time 'cause everything is TOO BIG!!!

I so enjoy reading everyone's list of NSVs, but it has taken a little while to compile my own. I have learned SO MUCH from the wonderful people on this board, and not just about my band! I don't know what I would do without you guys-my surgeons haven't given me nearly as much information and assistance as all of you have. So here goes: 1. Last night I went on a fabulous FREE shopping spree- in my own closet. I didn't realize how many clothes were hanging in there that had not fit me in a year or two. 2. Last night I also cleared my closet of a garbage bag full of 16s-they don't fit me anymore. They are going to the local women's shelter. 3. I have a new re…

I had my 2nd fill 3 days ago. I stayed on the liquids for a day and then slowly am trying to add soft foods. I can eat an entire yogurt, no problem . Earlier today I had a protien shake and could only drink about 3 ounces. I figured maybe I was still full from the yogurt (2.5 hours before)Tonight I tried to eat some scrambled eggs and got about 3 very small bites down, I felt horrible, it felt like something was stuck, then some came back up. I am wondering if I am too full, did I eat the wrong thing, did I eat too fast? or maybe I just need to take more time with the liquids. Is this normal? Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

Wow - tomorrow is two weeks since my surgery on 12/28/05. I can't believe all the changes I've experienced already in such a short time: 10. The most rewarding change? I've already lost 20 pounds!:clap2: 9. I stopped drinking my beloved Diet Coke a couple days before surgery and I haven't had one since. I don't even miss it. 8. I told my co-workers I was retiring the candy dish from my desk when I went on Christmas vacation. It's still gone. I don't miss that either. 7. I haven't eaten fast food in a month. This I still miss, but I'm working on it. 6. I walked the stairs to my basement yesterday and couldn't figure out what was different. Then I figu…

Can you give me some ideal of what you eat for b-fast,lunch,supper and snack!!

It certainly has been a while. I have missed you guys. I just wanted to drop a line to say I think about all my fellow bandsters all fo the time but rarely get in front of the computer very much anymore due to work issues. But hopefully that will change soon. I had my band installed back in april and have lost about 55 pounds. At times I feel like this is not working. But then you wake up 2 pounds lighter. I have leveled off for the last 2 months on weight loss and I think it's time for another fill. I rarely feel full now. I have 4.5 in and for about 2 days after the fill I couldn't swallow spit, literally. then the dam burst and I felt as loose as ever. So tomorrow is m…

Hi all, I've decided to get the lap band and am taking the steps to do so. I saw one surgeon in Port Monmouth, the nutritionist, etc. Everything was included and they said I'd only pay about 5% of what Medicare doesn't cover. The only thing is the surgeon is not as experienced as some others. I considered going to Dr. Fielding at NYU and also seeing Dr. Abkin in Morristown, I have appointments with each. But I have found out I have to pay over $700 for the nutrionist and psch eval and I was told by other patients that Medicare will only cover 80% of the surgery bill. I have to pay the other 20% for the rest of the surgery. I'm not working, so I just don't have i…

I finally got on a plan this year that's supposed to cover the band... I hope to have everything together to submit soon.... Anyone have any good or bad stories of getting approved by GEHA PPO ?? (also known as Alliance PPO, MAPSI PPO, MAMSI PPO, or United Healthcare PPO) ????

------------- Warning! When I started to write this post I thought it would be a few paragraphs. It has turned into a few pages (!!). It’s L_O_N_G! J<O:p</O:p ---------------<O:p</O:p <O:p Hi everyone, <O:p This is my first post on this forum, however I must confess I have been lurking here for some time.....I have just been so busy with kids and work that I didn't feel it was fair of me to post if I couldn't be a regular contributor.<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:pWith that said, I do feel like I have gotten to know many of you from your posts, and I wanted to share my story. And in all honesty, I need to share, and I could use support. I see…

hi all, im scheduled for surgery the 31st of jan. however im having to have an endoscopy the 20th to see what causing my stomache problems now. if it turns out i have a hernia, can hernia repair and band be done at same time as with rny? i wasnt sure what to expect coming up. lets hope its not a bleeding ulcer or anything worse. thanks Roger -FL>

Major NSV today - got into (cant wear yet but did them up!!!) a pair of Size 18 Sussans jeans. That's a regular store size 18 (I think it's about a US 16), not a plus size 18 - 2 entirely different things in Australia, plus size sizes are really generous. So.......... I'm going to wait, five or six kilos more and I'll be able to wear those jeans in public, I wont buy any new clothes till then. By then I'll be able to shop in a regular store. My Size and 1626 (our two major plus size chains) have served me well but I have just resolved NEVER to set foot in either one of them again. YAY!!!

Howdy all, I have been considering lap band surgery for over a year now but have been holding off due to the cost. Today, my gastro Dr. told me that I need to have my gall bladder removed. I have read in the past that for insurance reasons, a lot of people have combined the lap band proceedure with gall bladder removal. Has anyone on here had this experience / dual proceedures? Are there any particular risks / complications I need to be aware of or increased recovery times? Also, my gastro Dr. referred me to Dr. Wongsa in NW Houston to do the proceedure. Does anyone have any experience with this Dr.? Thanks in Advance... Wallace

just got off the phone with the scheduler and it looks like February 3rd for me!! unfortunately, it is office policy that our bandings be 1 month apart, so my dh date is march 7th. well, im pretty excited anyway, and it will be here before you know it.

As of this morning I am in ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I first joined here I never really used pounds, because I am in Aussie we use kgs. Slowly though all my goals have changed to things to do with pounds. The last couple of months I really have been concentrating on getting into ONEderland. Now Im there it feels soooooo good.

Hi there, My name is Jaime and I am new to lapbandtalk.com I had my band placed 2 weeks ago and I really am looking to meet local people in the Charlotte area who have had the band or are considering it. I am considering starting a support group or adding to an existing one and would love to hear from people who would be interested. Love to hear from you! Jaime Charlotte, NC Surgery Date: 10/27/2005 Pre-Op Weight: 276 lbs. at 5'9"

Jump on the band wagon. StockyMD is going to the seminar Wednesday 6:30 at Fair Oaks. Would anyone else like to join her on her journey to Lap Band Land......LOL I tickle myself. How was that "C"

I Just have to say how excited i was to find this site with real arizona people!!! You mean Im not the only person in arizona to be having this done haha kidding. My name is Andrea, I live in Chandler, and I am scheduled to have my surgery the day after Thanksgiving and hope that I can come to you guys for support!!! Im being banded by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey anyone else here have Dr. Rod??? Im a closet bandster, only my husband knows!! And the fact that I will be in Tucson with my mother, THE DAY BEFORE I HOP ON A PLANE TO MEXICO!!!! My mother is what I considered one of my best friend and she always just worrys sick about me, I dont want to stress her out, m…

I am in the chat room any care to chat

How do you see the responses to the threads you have submitted? Do the people respond directly to my email?

Hi, I am not banded yet, and I just finished a sushi lunch box. While stuffing my face with sticky rice, I was thinking, "I probably won't be able to eat this at all after my band". I know everyone's band is different and everyone can tolerate (or not tolerate) different things, but I was wondering how many you who are banded can eat rice, and if so, how many can eat the sticky Japanese rice and/or sushi and sushi rolls? Sushi is a major passion of mine and I can't imagine going the rest of my life with never eating it again.

I am beautiful and have been fat for many years just like the models with a new nose or new lips or the guys with hair implants they want to look better. Right?? When I was a teenager I was in a beauty pagent 15% of the girls from all over Texas had already had some form of surgery to augment their appearance. WOW and people comment on why I went to the drastic extremes of having surgery for weight loss. Get over it!! I am vain too I want to be beautiful and NOT fat.. I won't need to change my lips nose or boobs (yet) but why the double standard ??? We should have will power... Please !! if that were the problem we would all be thin. There is a cure for obesity if you tak…

Hello all! Nice to meet ya. I was banded on 12/28/05. A wonderful lady at my doctors office told me about this site, so here I am.

I was talking with a good friend of mine on the phone this morning, and I told him I would be out of the office for a little over a week. He asked why and I told him I was having surgery. Then he was worried about what was wrong with me and finally, to keep him from imagining something awful, I told him I was having weight loss surgery. He was so supportive that it made me cry...told me he thought it was a courageous decision and that he would pray for me that it went well and call me after the surgery. We've never talked about my weight problem, although we've talked about nearly everything else you can imagine. He's going to research it online to see what it's all …

I have really tried hard to lose weight on my own and tried so many diets it's unreal. I've been going to the gym 3 to 4 days a week for some time now, changed my eating habits (eat a lot less) and healthier and still can't get the weight off. This was my last resort and I find out today that my Copany has 3 insurance coverages to chose from and all exclude WLS. In my immediate financial situation there is no way I can afford another pay out. I guess I will have to keep trying myself. This is so depressing.

From the moment I made the decision to get banded to help me fight :rambo my lifelong battle with weight I was convinced that it was the way to go. I continued to research, went to seminars, had consultations with a couple of surgeons in my area, posted and read postings in LapBandTalk, and did everything I my surgeon asked me to do before she would do the surgery. Thursday was one very happy day for me. I called my surgeons office and was told to cancel all my appointments on Jan. 23rd because I was going to be getting banded on that day YEEESSSSS..YEEEHAA I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My friends and family are so supportive and excited and happy for me. Heck, …

I was banded in Nov. and have only told my kids and a couple of very close friends. I'm curious about you guys. I felt like I wanted to lose some serious weight first. I was hoping that when someone asked me that I could be candid. At this point no one has even noticed that I have lost anything so I have kept my secret. Has anyone else kept their surgery a secret?

Hi I have been in a whole bunch of lap band websites but find that no one talks about the pain and struggle - the cheating, testing the boundaries of this band too soon... I have to say I didn't have the fear factor that held everyone back hence I was pb'ing by my 2nd week. I'm on day 28 and I can't wait to be six weeks out and try normal food! I am on mushies and eating carbs and gaining...I lost 13 pounds and have gained back 2! Started exercising seriously taking hour walks but can't wait to have that first fill AS I AM STILL OVEREATING! I'm on one Protein drink in the am (found one with 51g protein), than Soup for lunch and dinner. I found these Soups at vons but …

This is my first big social gathering since the band came into my life. I am a little worried!!!!!!!!!!!!! The food is my favorite part of bunco. To make things worse, the girls decided we should have a slumber party bunco. This means 10x's the junk food. I just started on mushies 2 days ago and I'm good as long as I can eat about every 2-3 hours. I guess I should take my own food, right? Anybody got any suggestion to help me get through this night?!?! Help!!