LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hello Everyone, After being 100 pounds over weight for a long time I have started the process of looking into WLS. I found that the Lap band seemed right for me. I have my first seminar Jan 26 at Univ of Penn in Philadelphia. The doctor Im interested in meeting with is Dr Noel Williams. Im looking to finally be able to exercise and enjoy outdoor activities. My weight has never let me do anything. I just turned 40 and I did a lot of research on this surgery. My insurance BCBS Personal Choice PPO said it is covered. Im just trying to find my way around here and read all the information here that you all share. This will help me in learning the new way of life that I will h…

I'm not banded yet, but early on in life I got into the habit of swallowing my gum. I don't chew it very often, but when I do about 75% of the time I swallow it out of habit. Anyone know what happens if you swallow it with the band?

I am having band complications and it was originally placed in Mexico. Sometimes at night I wake up choking from acid coming up from my stomach.I burp constantly and everything pretty my much gets stuck. I am unable to eat any substantial food without throwing up. I have been living off of coffee and ice cream(once a day so that I am not weak). I am trying to get down to Mexico for an unfill. I wonder if this may be slippage or erosion. Has anyone else had these types of experiences? I am scared.

Here in Southern California, we have a prominent talk radio personality who went through GB. His name is Bill Handel and I think he's pretty funny - no holds barred, tell it like it is. (Some people do believe he is a little offensive, but that's not relevant to this piece) Anyway, Bill had GB two years ago and this year. He started out at 300+ pounds. After he lost the weight, he talked about the experience on his show. Even though it's about GB, I think a lot of it is relevant for us too. (His description of the bowel prep and post-surgery gas pains are especially...ahem...realistic.) And he talks about his wife's reaction (She was one of the ones who said GB was the …

I did it I lost 80lbs so far I had my surgery May 23rd 2005, weighing in at 224, this morning I am at 144 lbs. This is the best xmas gift!!!

Of course these can be altered to be lower in fat and calories, but they are awesome and when I was following Atkins these were my fav. Im also gonna start posting my low fat recipies here so I can find them. Low Carb cheese Cake 12 Servings @ 263 Calories a Slice and 3.58 Carbs Per Slice 3 Pkg Cream Cheese (8 oz each) 3 eggs 10 Pks Splenda 1 ½ Tsp vanilla 1 TBLS Lemon juice 1 Cup of Sour Cream Heat oven 350 degrees Line bottom of spring pan w/2 sheets of wax paper…spray w/pam Spray sides of pan w/pam Cover outside bottom of pan w/foil, make it tight Add batter Place pan w/batter in a deep roasting pan Add 1” of Water to roasting pan…

there is a survey on obesityhelp.com for anyone who is banded. you recieve $50 for completing! http://www.obesityhelp.com/sendover.phtml?From=Top&N=http://copernicussurveys.com/run/copgb i did this a year or so ago and got my $50! i just did it again so maybe i can get it again?!! MERRY CHRISTMAS...from your band! michelle

I have discovered a great way to get extra calcium! I am scared those Viactin chews will get gunked up in my band b/c they are so chewy. Now some place makes these chocolates called Adora Calcium chocolates and they have dark chocolate (which they sayd one peice of dark chocolate a day is good for you b/c of the antioxidants). Anyways, just passing along info on a great find!

When I first discovered these boards and decided that I was going to get banded, I developed a severe case of band envy. I was so impatient, but after visiting here for a while, I realized that it'll happen when it happens. I'd become a lot more patient. Until you showed up. LOL. Now it's back. I wanna be banded NOW NOW NOW The doctors always say that getting banded won't change your life. But the truth is, if you work with the band and lose that weight, it DOES change your life - in most ways for the better. And we all know it. I'm looking forward to my turn to wear pretty clothes and high heels and be somebody other than the fat girl.

Can any of you tell me how much you got when you received your first fill? I thought I remembered hearing that it should be somewhere between 0.3 and 0.5 cc's, but I got my first fill last Tuesday (before Christmas wouldn't you know it) and I got a full 2.0 cc's. Just wondering if that's normal. Hugs Tera

hi was wondering what do you all take for heartburn or acid reflux just had my 3rd fill and everynight i have had a little acid reflux. band isnt too tight . i am eating and drinking normal and not eating after 6 pm

Well, just thought I'd send an update. I realize I haven't posted as much this past few months. Seems like there are lots of new folks with good answers, so us oldies get to rest. This past year saw that I have completed losing 60% of my original excess weight - according to Dr Veninga, yesterday. I think that's good, considering I've not been the model bandster and I never really set out to reach any particular goal except to just LIVE longer than it appeared I might when I started this journey. I'm proud of that much, although I wished I could get my head back in the place I need lose a bit more. Somebody pray for me.. I spent yesterday seeing my sister-…

If a person has the proper fill - is there any reason to ever be hungry again (after of course a normal - nutrionally exceptable meal)??? Patti

I have always had a problem with retaining fluid, but up until about a month ago it seemed to stop. Now low and behold the fluid is back. I spoke to my surgeon at my last visit and he didn't seem to concerned. However he did say people retain fluid if their body's are sparse in the protein department. I have upped my protein intake and I am still retaining the fluid. I am following up with my regular doc next week. I will keep you all posted. Anyone else having problems with fluid/water retention post banding? How did you resolve this problem?

Just wanted to see how everyone is doing. I was banded on November 7th and have not been here in a while with all the Holiday stuff going on and I went to mexico for about 10 days on vacation. I managed not to gain any weight but gained about 3 lbs when I came back. Holidays are the worst I have been eating a lil bit of everything. I had lost a total of 36 lbs and then gained back 3. Not too bad I guess. I am scheduled for my 1st fill on Jan 4th and I hope this will boost my weight loss. I am so excited with the 33 lbs I have lost. I am just checking in and want to know how everyone is doing whether it be success or hard times please reply and fill us on on how you are do…

:cross-eyeHi Everyone! I have my first physical exam next Tuesday (yes, at the age of 28, I have never had a physical other than annual gyn visits) with a GP that Rhonda63 recommended. I think that I have never gone because I figured that a doctor would just tell me to lose weight and I wasn't in the mood to hear it, because I know it already. But I know now that I need to do this to assess my health, because that will obviously affect how I proceed with getting the lap band. I need to write up some medical history and stuff to make it easier to fill out the forms when I get there. My insurance company excludes coverage of all WLS. All they offer in the way of assista…

Well it's official, my port is coming out emergently tomorrow at noon (December 28th). I am nervous and incredibly relieved all at the same time. Please pray that I do well with the procedure/anesthesia. My doc is planning on giving me at least 6 weeks to heal before going in and putting in a new port in a different location. I'm hoping I don't lose any of my restriction by having the procedure. Most of all though, I'm just relieved to get the baseball sized knot removed from between my boobs!!!:rolleyes Thanks to all of you for your support and words of encouragement through the past 4 months. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

I'm all set for the LB procedure on 1/12/06 - Dr. Kuri. Anyone else out there going to him at that time?

I am at 2.3 cc's and I can still eat about 1 cup of food per meal. I thought most people ate 2-4 ounces at the appropriate restriction. I am going to get another fill, but I am concerned b/c as I look at peoples sigantures on here it seems that noone has thier 4 cc band filled more than I do already. I have restriction but not as much as I think I could have. Also, when I got my 2nd fill I had ALOT of restriction for about 2 weeks but now I don't have as much. I thought fills were supposed to kick in after 2 weeks, not loosen up after 2 weeks. What is the deal? I'm so so so paranoid about being slipped!!!

I am pondering getting another fill. In some ways I want one b/c I can eat 1 - 1 1/2 cups food at a time. But in other ways I don't want one b/c I can't eat chicken (gets stuck) so I'm always eating ground beef, veggies, pasta and salad. I am not doing the protein 1st thing and I am eating alot of crap (candy, crackers, etc). I think a fill might help me eat less, but then again, does it really matter if I'm eating less if I'm eating crap b/c I can;t get chicken down?

I was banded on November 17th. For a few weeks, I felt amazing restriction and even wondered if I'd need a fill... but in the past week, it's like I've had an almost sudden loss of restriction. I'm able to eat way more than I know I should be. The other night, I ate 3 pieces of pizza (thin crust)! I was completely stuffed, but I was able to eat it without feeling sick. My question- could my band have slipped with all of my overeating? I have to admit that reading this board causes frequent paranoia in me, but I know that if it's a highly probable possibility, then you guys will let me know

Good Evening! This morning I was banded at around 7:30, and returned home about 2. I have had some water and two icepops. Besides feeling sore and a bit groggy, I feel pretty good. I'm excited to start my journey with my new friends. God Bless you all!!

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im still trying to get things in order. waiting on an approval to get my surgery date. but i was wondering, my doc said that i would need to do away with taking advil (which i have) and drinking soda. i am a diet mountain dew junkie. ive tried the diet rite zero and...not so good. is doing away with soda something that you absolutely have to do or is it ok to have maybe 1 a day.

Hi there, no, minniemay is not my real name (thank goodness). I am on the "week before surgery diet" and it is kicking my b---! I have a headache, feel nausea and am constipated. Please tell me this gets better! I would love to have any advice I could get about how to make the most of this experience. I am determined to get my life back and kiss obesity goodbye forever! Thanks to all for listening.

dont know how else to explain it but does any other people have a felling like when you eat something you can actually feel it tickle your heart almost like a slide and then drop? weird feeling weight lose is going good down 125 in a year and a half love he band but just very tight right now. cant really eat to much. only thing that works for me is fish. i was just curious is this something normal to feel or is something wrong? any feed back would be apreciated thanks again.

Dear Friends, I want to get a ring for christmas while the stile I like is out there, the only problem is, It cant be sized.. I want to get this for when I get to my goal weight which could be a while from now, could you please post your weight and ring size? Im at 270 and my ring size is a 9. Maybe I can average the results and know what size to buy? This is a wierd question, but I dont want a ring I cant wear. Thanks.

Good Morning Everyone! I just found out that my surgery is going to be scheduled for December 28! I have to go on a two week liquid diet starting on the 14th. That means no Christmas Dinner for me. I am hoping it will be well worth it though. For those of you who were asking about the husband/wife team in Texarkana, I am using Dr. Keilin (the wife), and she seems really great. The lapband coordinator there (Betty) seems great, too. Everyone have a great day!!

Hello - I was banded 12/10/05, had one week thin fluids, two week thick fluids and as of 12/24, got to move into mushy phase BUT I have been cheating with the christmas holiday and am frightened I have compromised the band! Have eaten bread, crackers, chips, cheese, ham, chicken - all chewed up fine and have had my first pb. I am back in control now but woke up this morning with a pain in my stomach (first time), drank liquids all day and had mushy Soup but, after reading now about band slippage etc - wonder if the damage is done! Also, lost track of quantity - had 4 cups of mushy soup at one sitting. If I go back to liquids for a couple of days can I recoup my loss…

Okay, I know we have a few banded students, and I thought it would be interesting if we could share some of our experiences.

Hi guys- We have a part time babysitter who gives my hubby a break once in a while, and I recently discovered that she had GB surgery 5 months ago. So she and I have been comparing notes on our procedures. She also had an issue with hair loss and her surgeon recommended shampoo and conditioner with NIOXIN in it. Apparently this is a big hit with cancer patients and others combatting hair loss. I did some research and this is what I have found on the official Nioxin website: "Our founder's goal became the corporate goal for Nioxin. For more than fifteen years, we have worked at unraveling the complex problem of how best to address and most importantly how to provi…

Hey Everybody! It's Jack's 1 year bandiversary! Congratulations! You are AWESOME! :banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana

There is a computer thing called Alicebot and it is very forward. It asked me if I had a boyfriend and had no idea what banding was!!! Way too freaky for me.

I had my surgery on 12/6. Absolutely no appetite since surgery, yet I eat (because this is what I do...). I feel full quite quickly, yet I eat more and get quite uncomfortable at times (because this is what I do...). Am scared because I find that each day I am able to eat just a little more. Am feeling very shakey here. Has anyone else out there been in this place? How did you support yourself? I could really use some help here, have been so focused up to this point, but feeling it slip away.

Anyways...... My life is going great for once! I am totally single and happy to have the self-confidence to flirt! YAY! I work at a clothing store (I think just for Christmas tho)...OH AND BTW! If there is a Factory Connection in your town, GO! Because they have CUTE CHEAP Name-Brand clothes plus and juniors (Men too!) and its awesome! I fit into a size 16 now (I almost cried, I remember being a 16 in like 6th grade!) The best part is I got to buy the same brand of jeans as my "skinny minny" friend and they are ADORABLE! I have lost a lot of inches and I love my job because I get a discount too!!!! Another great thing! I tried on a 1X in the plus size the today a…

I can't (won't/don't/rarely ever) follow rules when it comes to food. I can follow all sorts of other rules and am very disciplined in other areas of my life. But I lose this battle with this demon so often that it's just killing me! I'm begining to wonder if I've made a huge 10,000.00+ dollar mistake. I should have known that I could not follow the rules. About the only rule I have followed faithfully is giving up soda drinks. I'm so afraid I'm going to hurt my band by over eating with it. How did you guys stop over eating when you'd always done it before? I was hoping that when the pouch was full, I wouldn't want or be able to keep on eating? But the food just goes …

This morning i got on the scale, and it read 198.5! i'm offically under 200lbs!!!!! After starting out at 285lbs, i must say this feels damn good! merry christmas too me!!!

Hello everybody. Well I had my very first emotional breakdown today. I thought I was doing just fine, then all of a sudden I started crying really bad and trying to explain to my fiance what was going on in my head. Of course he doesn't understand because he has always been very thin. I was just banded last wednesday but it all started when I realized I couldn't just have him pick up dinner on his way home as we always did. I am so used to just eating whatever I want and not caring about it. And now I am having to choose liquids and other things that are just not appealing to me. Don't get me wrong, I do not regret having this done! I guess I am just getting used to the w…

Hello to all, My first meeting with my surgeon isn't scheduled until January 19th, and I am still not 100% I want to get banded. Nevertheless, I met with my endocrinologist yesterday, and she strongly adviced me to go on Optifast to loose some weight prior to any surgical intervention. She also asked me to consider using a gastric balloon to help me loose weight before the operation. I weighed in at 324 pounds (my highest weight ever: 346 pounds). Just 3 years ago, I weighed 210 pounds. Have any of you out been able to stick to a liquid diet, such as Optifast, for a significant period of time? How did you do it? I've tried it before, but I've only been a…

HELLO EVERYONE!IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SENSE I HAVE SPOKEN TO EVERYONE.WELL LET ME START BY SAYING I MISS BEING ON HERE.I AM IN MY 20TH MONTH BEING BANDED AND HAVE LOST 55 POUNDS AND KIND OF :phanvan ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED ANOTHER FILL OUR WHAT.SO WHAT DO YA'LL THANK THE PROBLEM IS. THANKS JOYCE DR.SPIEGEL APRIL 26 2004

What is your opinion about Dr. Patterson?? What does she charge for Band surgery?? How many Band surgerys has she done??

Hey ladies, I'm very very sorry that I missed the lunch on Dec 17th. We left Australia on Dec 13th. Spent one day in Tokyo, then were meant to spend two in LA. Due to the ice storm down here in South Carolina, we didn't get in til the morning of the 17th. Arrived to no power and no Water (we have well water at my mom's) - after traveling all that way all we needed was a shower lol and couldn't have one! Our power didn't come back on until Dec 20th .. dsl connection just started working again today. I really hate that I missed it. Was really looking forward to meeting you all Hope your Christmas' were good though!

:devious Ok so today is my first day of my 2 week pre-op diet. I can do this but everybody at work brought in cookies, cakes, sausage, cheese and all kinds of other foods. After I mopped up my drool I said oh well I don't expect anyone to cater to me. Well I went to the breakroom to get my protein shake out of the fridge and IT WAS GONE!!! Right about now I think I am going to kill somebody. LOL Here are all of these people who can eat whatever they want and have food all over the place but they chose to drink my funky protein shake. I swear if I smell Boost on anybody's breath they better hope they run faster than I do.

During the liquid stage, do you have to have everything sugar free? I like carnation instant breakfast but have not tried the sugar free type. It seems everything allowed has to be sugar free. Is that because of the calories so something else? Thanks, KD

I was just checking out another WLS website and they have TONS of before and afters of all their Gastric Bypass folks... If you don't have an updated picture, please post... I would love to see all of you and be inspired by lap-banders!!!! There are a lot of great pics on our thread... but I want more! Keep up the great work fellow bandsters!!!

<p>today iwas told that erosion is caused by two things you have to over eat all the time or your band is to tight.has anyone heard of this.</p>

I has been almost 5 months since my surgery and I have only lost 15 lbs (gained back 5 over Christmas)! My fill is 2.6cc. I get full very quick and I stop eating but I still don't lose any weight! I am getting very frustrated and my mom is getting very upset with the whole surgery and me not losing the weight. Can someone please, please help me? Tips, suggestions, anything?

Hey All, I guess it's time to introduce myself. I've been mainly lurking, appreciating all the information I've gotten from this site, learned alot about the band (good and bad), posted once or twice on the Minnesota thread and am determined this will work. I originally researched the band in 2001, but no insurance would cover it. I just learned about 6 months ago that my insurance pays for all but $200 of it. I attended an info session in October, met with medical staff and had the psych/physical/diet assessments on November 30, got approved December 16 and thought I'd get scheduled sometime in early January. I got a call from the surgeon's office last Wednesday…

Is it normal to get that golfball feeling after the first bite of food? I always have to wait out the pain and then eat my meal. I'm not overly restricted, I can eat 2 cups of food at a time, but I am tired of hurting every time I begin to eat. Any suggestions? :ermm

I am to report to the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning for my 7:30 surgery (will be his first case). I am flooded with emotions of terror and happiness. Can't wait to report in tomorrow afternoon