LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

My dh is realising that I am serious about this and is now expressing some concern. He thinks that the fills are potentially dangerous. He feels that mistakes can get made and that the port can be missed an an organ or vein or anything but the port can get punctured. Ever heard of anu 'opps!'?

This is really good thinking on our moderators part, Thanks, I learn something new everyday. I hope though that there isn't an awfull lot posted here as none of us wish to have any complications, however Im sure that this thread is needed. Good job!

Hi, My surgeon requires tons of pre-testing before getting the band. One of these tests, the endoscopy, revealed a hiatal hernia. He said he would fix it during the band surgery and it would be fine. But, he also did a stomach biopsy and today I got a letter in the mail stating that I have helicobacter pylori which is a bacteria that can cause ulcers. He wants me to go on two weeks of antibiotics to eliminate this bacteria and enclosed a prescription with the letter. Here is my problem: I just finished a course of antibiotics for a sinus infection, and I have chronic yeast infections. In fact, I am on an anti-yeast protocal for six months of Diflucan to try and eliminat…

I had surgery on the 12/15 and my shoulder and lower back wont stop hurting... I belch so much that my throat is very sore. I'm miserable, I almost regret going through this after reading post from newbies on this group and others and how good they are doing... Ive tried walking, and heat pads but the only things that works is the meds. My portal areas are not bothing me anymore, so I didnt think I should take the meds for gas but I guess I'll have to give in tonight becuase I cant take it anymore. Can someone tell me how long will this pain last? :cry thanks a bunch

I mean really...a little searching of the site and I am sure you will find your answer! So please bare with me, while I break my own rule. Hey..I looked but this is a HUGE site...lol1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet? I keep thinking I can't possibly do a liquid diet for a week.2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <whispers> positions?4. After going on solids, is the…

I went to the Doctor today because I had a really bad gallbladder attack after lunch on Saturday. It lasted until 3am Sunday morning. It was very painful and I had a lot of belching with it. I am going for an ultrasound tomorrow to check on it and to see what is going on. I may have to have surgery to get it removed. I sure hope that isnt the case. I don't want to have to go through another surgery. My side is still hurting and I am on a bland diet this evening and then fasting until after the ultrasound. Wish me luck! Angie

A couple of people have recommended adding this to my liquids, can anyone tell me where to get it?

I was just curious if maybe some people lost faster b/c they had more to lose. Please post your pre-surgery BMI and your lbs per week loss so far and we will evaluate if my thoery is correct. I'll go 1st: presurgical BMI 38 loss so far: 1.6 lbs per week

I had a small fill on 12/12- my first 1.2cc now I have not noticed it did much restriction since then- not that I really know what it is. However the last two days when eating at dinner I got a severe tighntess in my chest- no throwing up or sliming but I ate some gas ex immediatly and was able to have lots of burps. It happened again this morning too. Am I eating too fast? What is happening? Is it possible my restriction is just now showing up? TIA

Hi all, I found a site with a bunch of Lap Band videos - mostly from Australia. There are some before and afters here starting above BMIs of 100. Enjoy! http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/media/tv.html

I bought two xbox 360's and put them on Ebay they did not sale.I had them set about $20 to high.So back to the store they go. I thought I would check and see if anyone was still looking before I took them back tommorrow.I can ship overnight if anyone needs one. Cost $433.00 + $20 dollars to ship. Money must be wired western union. Linda

To my pleasant surprise, Dr. Kuwada called me at home this afternoon. He wanted to explain his delay in sending my insurance letter, in spite of all preliminaries being done. As you may recall, he has to be recertificed by Inamed and has to have 2 surgeries scheduled together before Inamed will send someone to proxy his technique. He explained that they're waiting to submit my insurance letter at the same time as someone else's, so they'd be approved about the same time. Apparently some insurance companies' approvals are only valid for a period of time. If that time elapses, it can be difficult to be re-approved. I re-iterated that I'm not concerned about whe…

Hello, My surgery is scheduled for weds. 28th, and I am starting to get really scared. I thought this was what I wanted to do, but reading some of these post have me thinking that maybe it is not worth it. I have two small children and a husband that is disabled. I have to be there for them, and I am worried something might go wrong. I really need your prayers, and maybe some words of encouragement. Thank A Bunch!!!

It's been 5 months since I was banded & I have lost a total of 42 lbs. That's an average of 2 lbs a week!! I am thrilled!! :eek: However, it's been a trial & error process along the way & I think I have FINALLY figured out how this all works!! Here's what I've learned so far: 1. The band DOES NOT work alone. I thought that the weight would just drop off without much effort on my part. I read the lap band book & did my homework before being banded. From what I read, I thought that I would simply eat the way I normally do, get full faster which would make me eat less & then the weight would just come off. WRONG!! This band works as my par…

I read a lot about gas pains from he**. I've decided to avoid that at all costs! Did anyone do a bowel prep before surgery? I know that some do a special diet before surgery, but how about a big ol' emptying? Also, I wonder if it would help to start taking Gas X several days before the surgery so your bowel is coated the stuff so the gas doesn't have a chance to make bubbles?

Lentil Dahl flavourful side dish with any curry or great on its own with natural yogurt 1 regular can of brown lentils (or boil 1 and a half cups of dried lentils or split peas in vegetable broth with some salt and turmeric until they're very tender). 2 tbsns olive oil 2 chopped onions 1 (or more if you like) clove of garlic minced or crushed 1/2 tspn cumin 1 tspn turmeric ground black pepper to taste 1/4 tsp hot chilli powder or cayenne pepper 1 cup coconut milk Saute onions and garlic and spices in the oil till golden and fragrant, stirring continously, mix in drained lentils and reheat gently. When hot stir in the coconut milk, let it simmer till it red…

Has Anyone In The Forum Gotten Pregnant Short Time After The Surgery???? If Yes, What Kind Of Complications, If Any???? I Ask Because My Main Reason For Having This Surgery Is Because Of Infertility Issues So I Want To Know If Is Absolutely Necessary To Wait For A Year To Try And Get Pregnant. Thanks In Advance.

Hey Everyone! Has anyone Developed a Kidney stone Post op???? I have been having pain in my lower back for the last couple days and when i went to the doctor tdy she sd i could be developing a kidney stone?? It hurts alot.. It could be an infection too but she is running some tests so we shall see.. Kristen

Im getting ready to head out to Colorado today. Tomorrow is my Surgery to replace my port and to check for the bad pain in my mid abs possabily a hernia. I am getting very nervous, but at the same time a feeling of relif that finally I might be back to losing again. I will say this though... I am so proud that band leaky port or not got me under 300lbs. Now I want to get to my next goal.Anyway, Surgery is at 9:00 tomorrow at Health South in Pueblo Co (ugh the drive) and I hope I will be able to come right after pumped with meds. Actually I HAVE to come home tomorrow. Just keep me in your prayers, I am really going to need them. I will try to post as soon as I could, if no…

Hi ya'll, I have finally been able to gain access to a computer since hurricane Rita ravaged my small town. I am happy to say that I made it through my first fill on September 20 (althouth he put my port in a new place compared to his previous patients' ports locations and forgot, yeah, ouch he poked me 5 times before he remembered), but I am sad to say that our house was damaged by the hurricane along with the rest of my town. I have missed talking to ya'll a lot. I am also happy to say that I have lost about 20lbs (that I know, I havent been on my scales in over a week) and have went from a loose size 20 to a loose size 18 AND my shirts are beginning to get a little …

I got home Tuesday night. Yesterday was pretty tough. I'm not as sore today, thank goodness. When did ya'll start feeling normal? And can we really live 2 weeks on liquids and not pass out eventually? Would ya'll tell me what fluids you drank the first 2 weeks?A word of advice for future bandsters- if you live an hour or more away from your hospital- don't try to go home the same day. I did, it took us over 2 hrs. and it was the worst part. Dr. B told us to stop so I could walk midway home. It was definitely a "what in the world did I do?" moment.I know it's going to get alot better!

Merry Christmas to all the Kentucky Bandsters and those wishing to unwrap a surgical gift certificate for the band!

I'm new to this site. I had my lap band surgery 12/7/05. What is PB that everyone keeps mentioning? Sharon

I had my third fill yesterday. I now have 2.1 cc in a 4 cc band. Truthfully the first two I felt a little constriction. Today I am still on liquids and I fill full on them. I felt like I could eat before I even had my band placed. I hope that this sensation lasts. I was told to increase my exersice to 45 min 5 times a week. I have been getting up at the crack of dawn (actually it is still dark) 4 am. to work out before I go in for my twelve hour sifts. I also have an hour drive to and from work. I feel like there is not enough time in the day to do everything. But I would rather be "Skinny" then get 8 hours of sleep. I guess it is an even trade. I just pray t…

I've been reading about how some people feel tighter when the weather changes, how does that work? Is it just after the fill that you experience this or is it the band itself?

<p>Hello bandsters</p> <p> </p> <p>I have one question for you all...what is a normal weight loss for the 1st week after surgery. I lost 13 pounds...isnt that too much to lose in one week?</p> p.s. how do I update my ticker? (sorry, new at this)

government employee??

please tell me someone out here has had this experience...i've written it somewhere else in here but who the heck knows where it is now...anyhoos, I CANNOT BURP!! still! i was banded on 12/13 and i still can't burp. my body is doing the involuntary suck in/hiccup part but then it gets stuck in there and i can't expel it! i'm getting more and more gas in my belly and can't release it. i would kill for a big ol' drunk sailor BELCH, OMG that would be heaven *sigh*. i take gasx to help but still nothing makes it possible for the air to come back up and out. it keeps me so bloated and uncomfortable feeling. i won't see my doc in mx til jan 21.:phanvan

Ok, so I have decided to see how far I could go without throwing up and I feel like a bottomless pit. I was banded Nov. 15 and am going back for my 1st fill next week. I lost 15 lbs but have gained 6 of it back. It's x-mas time and I am having a hard time of it. I can eat a lot more that 1/2 cup of chicken. I guess the hardest thing for me to do is not drink anything until an hour after eating. Does anyone else have problems with this? I am getting discouraged.

<p>This whole week i've been struggling to loose bouncing between 201-203. I was getting anxious because of my goal to be under 200 by xmas. </p> <p> </p> <p>So today i weighed my and it said 197.5 I was so happy, i ran to grab my camera (took 30 seconds to get it)...and when i got back on it said 203...WHAT THE HELL. WHY WHY WHY??? Why can't i break that 200 mark. I just wanna cry and eat a freaking chocolate cake, cause obviously i ain't going to make my mini goal. </p> <p> </p> <p>thanks for letting me vent, I'm ready to throw the scale out the window.</p>

Hi. I have been researching the lapband. I have an appointment Nov. 22, to go to a seminar that is led by two doctors that do this surgery in Texarkana. I would appreciate any info on these doctors. Also what is a "fill" Is it something you have to go back for often? What are the serious risk of having a lapband, if any? Thanks .

can someone tell me the purpose for sipping? i am a thursty guy and i cant bare to sip i need to drink a lot

Well today is the day I go back and get my results.. Say a prayer please that all is ok.

Or something similar to that...an accountablity thing that someone knows about. I've decided to start one and i prefer the computer over pencil and paper. :eek:

This was size 18s!!!!...I am such an idiot sometimes! I can wear size 16s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kira, a fellow bandster, gave me some of her 16s yesterday and I thought that maybe I would be able to get into them in a couple of months. So I finally had a chance this morning to try them on and I got into every single pair!!!!! I can't remember the last time I was in a 16...maybe in in 8th grade!!! Omgosh...I am so excited and pumped! Thank you and a big hug to Kira!!! I will post a picture of the two of us together a little later.

I am being banded tomorrow and would like to get opinions/experiences with the post op diet. I'd appreciate your input. I have questions like what/when/how much to eat. Seems like different doctors recommend different things, so...

When I was researching GBS, they suggested using a baby fork or spoon to eat with to keep your bites in check. What size bite do you take? That may sound like a silly question...sorry if it is! Take broccoli for instance, I buy the baby florets, so would it be recommended to eat 1 baby floret? How about meat, how big is the piece you put in your mouth? Thanks!

HI all, i was jujst finally approved and thought i was having a heart attack sunday so i went to urgent care, the doc believes its coming from my stache, a gastric problem, sooooo, im still not feeling good but it is a little better without the pressure in my chest and back, i have to have an endoscopy now before surgery in 4 weeks, so now im worried and have no clue what to do to prepare and what to buy etc etc etc. thanks for any input as im kinda confused and very nervous. thanks ROGER-FL

hello everyone, just wanting to get some input from you fine bandsters. ok, i will do a quick recap of my banding. went 8 months at sweet spot with a fill of 3.4. got a small fill, got to tight had to get an unfill. this yo-yo thing with fills keeps happening for the next year. WAY to tight or WAY to loose. in may i got a total unfill for 4 months. in august i got a refill to 2.6 (WAY less then i ever needed before) and after flying i get home and its WAY to tight again, have fill removed again. (fine a dr office but within a week its to the point NO liquids go down even saliva has to be spit into a cup) Sept: i got my band checked twice under flouro to check …

I got a fill yesterday.. from 1.6 to 1.9 I am right back where I wanna be I took a drink of grape juice at noon and I FELT IT! I was able to sip three ounces of tomatoe Soup just now with the restriction I have come to be in love with. BLISS. NOW, we will see what happens tonight (I am a person who opens up alot at night) My last fill I lost 31 pounds in 2 months..(ug to oct) then I gained a pound the last month (oct to nov) and NOW I am filled again to that sweet spot for me and I BET I loose a bunch again! I am just so happy.. for a few weeks cravings and such had come back and I wasnt happy.. NOW I am ok again,

I read these posts on erosion and slips and I just start to freak out. Every day I keep a prayer in my heart "Please God, don't let me lose my band!". But I'm sure everyone has that prayer in their heart. It's almost to the point where I'm too scared to enjoy my success for fear that one day my band may be gone. I know there are no answers. I'm just feeling stressed about the what if's. anyway there's really no point to this post except that I worry about this on a daily basis!

I LOVE MY BAND! I know this forum tends to have a lot of problems discussed, and that's good because we need to know. But I wanted to put a message on here to Celebrate my band!!! BECAUSE I LOVE IT!!! Ok. Here's my info....had surgery on the 9th, liquids for a week, mushies for a few days (ok, I couldn't handle it anymore after the 10 days full liquids before surgery, so I started early). I have had.....NO BURPING, NO PB'S, NO SLIMING, NO HEARTBURN, NO BARFING, NO food REACTIONS. And trust me, I've eaten small amount of stuff I probably shouldn't have. My biggest concern is that I will get to a place of eating too much, stretching, etc. But I'm trying to be goo…

hi everyone, just wanted to give a quick update on me and my band. anyhow i am 2 1/2 years post op and got as low as 207 last year at this time but that was a result of being to tight. my restriction hasnt been what it should be for over a year. i am not going to get a another fill till the begining of february after i have flown for the last time for a while. ( i have noticed my restriction REALLY gets tighter when i fly). currently i am a size 16/18. i am still sure once i can get restriction again i will get back to 207 maybe even my goal of 200 (size 14) when i was first banded i did a hardcore diet and lost weight SUPER quick, as soon as i got to tight and…

I had my surgery on Friday and was sick from anethesia. I am still not feeling well. Has this happened to anyone? I can swallow with no problem, I do not have a very good appetite though because I am sick to my stomach and not really hungry. Thanks for any help you can give me!

Hey guys... I just got this article via email and it actually has some usful info. Alot of it is probably stuff you have read before, but some of it is new to me and worth thinking (& planning) about. I bolded the area that I found especially noteworthy. You just never know what tiny bit of information is the one that keeps the Cookies off the plate! Self Regulation Ben Dean, Ph.D. Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. --anonymous Self Regulation Defined When individuals exert control over thoughts, behaviors, or emotions so that they can pursue goals or live up to standards, they are displaying the char…

Hi all: I am new to this site and currently going through the process of getting to a surgery date. I have finally decided to definitely go with the band so I thought I would come here and start getting the LOW-down on everything I need to know. I have read threads on this site for a couple of weeks and I am finally joining. My name is Andrea (46 F) mother of 3 and am so looking forward to getting closer to the day I finally get MY Christmas gift for myself!!! SURGERY. Thanks Andrea (momthecommish)

Just wanted you all to know and to say thanks for all your continued support!

Hello everyone, Where do I start? I am an American woman living in Saudi Arabia. A few years ago I had my gallbladder removed here. The surgeon has become a family friend. My dh saw him in the stroe a few months ago and was informed that the hospital he works at has him opening a WLS Clinic. I did not think much of it because I have a 7 month old son who I am nursing. I have been eagerly awaiting him to turn 1yrs so that I could get back on the Atkins diet for the fifth time (it is ideal for me because I have had gestational diabeties in all 3 of my pregnancies and diabetes runs in my family. I nurse my children for a full 2 yrs but have done Atkins in the past with …

Being on liquid and what not. Does it acheive more restriction? Is it to give your stomach a break or what? thanks

I'll be banded by the spring I hope. I'm using Dr. McAlexander in Oak Ridge. Anyone else have him and what is their opinion if so?