LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I have been banded for 2 years with minimal weight loss. I think this is due to some other health problems I've had. I ended up with a severe back problem and unable to exercise or walk and having to take NSAIDS. I tried to keep it to a minimum but I was unable to take any other type of pain medications. Also, have had problems with Hypothyroidism that was being treated with the wrong medication and now Metabolism disorder which I am now taking medication for. I had back surgery last summer and have been increasing my exercise - even started riding a bike and walking quite a bit but about 2 months ago I started having pain in my stomach right below my sternum. This …

As of today, my BMI is 29.9 which puts me in the OVERWEIGHT category. I never thought I would be so happy to be overweight !!! I can only share this with you guys. I mean, who else would understand? Peace

Yeah! They let me join the turtle club! Not happy about being a turtle, but at least I get an exclusive club membership out of it! Anyways, here's my NSV's so far: 1. I feel in control of food, not vice versa, for the 1st time in my life. 2. My clothes are looser. 3. I've been exersizing more than pre-band (not hardly enough but some is better than none) 4. I haven't binged since I got banded. 5. It's easier to count calories now that what I eat is actually ONE serving size. 6. I do think I look a bit better. 7. I don't have anymore acid reflux or stomach sickness episodes since my doc fixed my hiatal hernia while getting banded. 8. When my DH rubs my back he say…

Is anyone else where I am (had surgery and waiting for first fill)? What's it like for you?

I was banded on 10/3/05 and have lost over 20#'s. I have had two fills approx 1.5 cc total... everytime it is getting close to visit my doctor (12/20) It seems I become a bottomless pit!!! I have been able to eat soooo much these last few days ARGGG! And the worst of it is my old behavior trys to creep in. I feel like Oh well I have no restriction I can eat Yeah Then my husband looks at me and I look at my plate and I am like WHAT ARE YOU DOING SILLY LADY!!! I am angry lonely tired and HUNGRY. But I don't think I am hungry in my belly. I recently was delayed on some work at school and my husband and I haven't had sex in......... and I feel like what the hell am I doin …

I went with my husband to eat catfish.I got to use my card for child size portions.I got my plate and there was a piece of grilled fish( tiny) and beans they let me have beans because I could not eat the fries . He is sitting there with four pieces of fried catfish, beans, hush puppies and french fries.So I looked at my plate and then his and I gripped him out for not ordering a baked potatoe instead of french fries so we could share it. I almost cried. Im so bad.It was alot harder than I thought.I tried to explain how hard it is and I told him I am not ready for this yet. Lets wait a while before we do it again.He understood I hope. I feel bad for being such a B.

Well im down to 200 . If I get naked. Do I dare to try to fit in my smaller pants. YES I have dropped a pants size too. I am now out of my fat pants.Kackies with a strech band.Strech slacks. They were getting saggy in the front belly area.So under the bed I have a box of blue jeans size 40 and I have not been able to where them in two years. I had at least 7 pairs. They still look new so I put them away in hope I would get back in then.I DID. Back in the jeans and boots again. The old new me.Out of the strechy grandma stuff. Even though I am a grandma now does not mean I have to look like one.It was getting to the point that was all I could find in the bigger siz…

**I did a search and found an old thread (few years old) that talked about complications where some one had to have the band removed. Wasn't sure if the thread was legit, or troll... so I decided to start a new thread. I hope I didn't miss one in my search, sorry if I am being redundant** I would just like to know if anyone here has had complications with their band... I am interested in both minor and major complications. My main questions are: What kind of complications did you encounter with the band? What kind of side effects do you deal with on a regular basis? What side effects did you have that went away with time? Would you do the operation again even with …

Magic asked my progress; so here's a recap. I started researching Lap-Band in August. At that time, Dr. V's future was very uncertain. Dr. Bauman is further away than I prefer to travel. The only other Lap-Band surgeon I could identify is Dr. Kuwada at CMC. I'm 5'6" and +/- 236 pounds. My BMI is 38.6. The bad news is my co-morbidities aren't very significant. The good news is my insurance coverage through work is among the more liberal for WLS. Saw PCP in Aug; he's in full agreement of my desire for Lap-Band, refers me to a weight management specialist. See weight management specialist in Sept; he concurs and wants a repeat sleep study. In Sept I also have a cons…

updated report! 2aslimmer lost 31.5 ABrightFuture lost 25 Anwyn lost 40 Cyndel lost 38 DianeChef lost 30 Daisybelle lost 52 HopeFull lost 34 HotLikeMe lost 20.5 Ivan708 lost 38 MouseCrazy 33 Joyce in Va lost 25 JulyBandester lost 29 Pamstransk lost 39 PinkMary lost 44 Pierce lost 40 Seppi lost 35 Susu lost 21 Teresa Skinner lost 50 With-the-band lost 38 Yellow Rose lost 25 we rawk! :(

Hi, I was banded 9 days ago and am now on mushies/full liquids. Do I have to strain Campbell's Cream of Broccoli soup? Also, can I put in 1 or 2 crackers in my tomato soup? I'm running out of ideas of what to eat. I can't stand plain broth or hot tea, so most of my food is cold (juices, Gatorade). Any good ideas on making smoothies or something with fruit? What fruits are we allowed? Thanks! Cindy 301.5/278.5/170 Banded 12/6/05 Dr. Sanchez

What: Sing Joy, A Season of Praise & Worship as performed by the Chamber Choir (of which I am a member) Where: First Free Will Baptist Church of Mt Holly, 839 Noles Dr., Mt Holly, NC 28120 When: Sat., Dec. 17th & Sun., Dec 18th Time: 6 p.m. Please let me know if you're interested in attending, and I'll give directions.

I need to make a list of goals and mini goals for the times I am soooo tempted to throw in the towel and give in to my hunger. I need to have a lot of different kinds of food around for my family and I want to eat it like I used to. I was hoping somebody could write a few of the reasons why they want to loose weight, and what some of there goals and mini goals are. I want to post the reasons to stick with it onto my refrigerator, right at eye level! A lot of my reasons Im sure are very common, I will write those on my list of course. Hope we can gather these goals so we can feed our success (and perhaps I wont feed my face as much) I want to be healthy. I want my joints…

I hit my 6 month mark yesterday...here is where I stand: My BMI is under 40 (38) I have lost 67 pounds I have lost 39% of my excess body weight I have dropped 2 clothing sizes I have the most wonderful friends here on LBT! I posted this under the support fourm but I wanted to tell you all directly...not sure if you get out to the other fourms much. I still have a ways to go go but with all of you with me I know I can do it!!!!

Friends - I'm seeing nothing but RED today! I asked my Flex Plan administrator if this surgery (performed in MEX) would qualify for (Pre-Tax) flex dollars. It Took herforever to get back to me - and when she did she said yes - but here is the most horrible thing - she actually copied it to our HR director! And if there were EVER anyone on this earth that I did not want to know about it - it would be him. He is truly a weasel. He weighs about 3 lbs. and is so proud of it that the last time I had to tour the plant with him (looking for safety problems) he actually got on our shipping scale and announced (so proudly) his weight. AND I know for a fact that he makes …

Hi everyone I just got banded on tuesday.. I have some pain by the port arera. That was my first surgery.ever.and yes I was scared but it came out fine. I just think about the long run... Joe

For those of you who have lost a lot of weight with the band, how has your life changed? I have been warned about changes that might happen after losing the weight (I'm only 3 weeks post-op), and I'd like to hear about the good and the bad of having lost a lot of weight that REAL people experience. Thanks.

I want to go check out whether I have sleep apnea or not. I don't need a referral with my insurance company so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great. (Especially those in the UHC network)

I tried bread for the first time last night... YIKES!!! You would think I had tried to swallow a watermelon. I chewed and chewed and even though it was a small bite, my band said NO WAY!!!

So my friend had GBS in September and is down almost 80 lbs!! She started about about 20 lbs heavier than I was at my heaviest (so around 350), she eats everything and anything and is losing like crazy. Here I am almost a year out and only down 50lbs!!

I got my first fill yesterday and it has renewed my faith in the Band. It was a short process and felt really weird. All I can think is, if they can close off my stomach all the way, then I can get the restriction I need. I was unpleasant trying to find my port but once it was filling I was amazed. I had been down since the scale has not moved in 2 weeks. Well, last night I could eat half a cup of Soup and felt my sleeping pill go down. This is the restriction I have been hearing about. I now know what everyone was talking about. I'm excited and can't wait for the pounds to drop off. I'll let you know!

How long before/after eating do you avoid fluids? First I was told not to drink a half hour before and a half hour after eating; then it was 15 minutes before and an hour after. I've read some advice syaing it's okay to drink all the way up to the time you start eating. What do you do?

I've reached the regular food stage of healing (banded 11/17), but I have NO idea what to eat! I guess it could be the years of planned out meals and diet plans that's causing me to be so confused, but could someone please guide me in the right direction? Am I aiming for a weight watchers way of eating?

Does burping or sighing mean I am full. I had surgery 9/8 and my first fill 11/17 of 1.5 cc. I dont feel any restriction unless i dont know how it feel. At first after 3 days of liquids and mushy I would sigh after eating, didnt know if it was because i was tired of counting up to 30 while i ate. Now i burp after eating so I stop eating. just wanted to know if this was a sign of being full.

Just wanted to check in and see how your banding went? I got home yesterday evening and all I can say is OUCH. The gas pains are so bad today, I am trying to walk but I'm tired at the same time. Hope all went well with you!

Hi everyone i tried to do a posting earlier and don't see . I was banded two days ago and feel great. I have ony had to take advil for discomfort in my shoudler (gas). I am so looking forward to this journey with all of you. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

I'm curios as to if your "normal" tendencies when dieting (pre-band) tend to hold true when you are loosing with the band. I.e. - Traditionally my wgt loss has been slow when on any "diet". Have those of you that have the lap band found that this proves to be the case with the band also? I'm still going to get the band - because even as a slow looser - the thought of loosing a pound and keeping it off - is what's driving me to do this! BUT... I'd be lying if I told you that I wouldn't be extremely happy if some of you reported that things were different with the band! Thanks to all that answer! Patti

If you are out there and have had surgery in Mexico (I'm having mine in Jan. by Dr. Kuri) and you have/had fills in MN/metro area - or even Wisconsin - please let me know. I'm able to locate doctor's or bariatric offices that do fills - but most only do them for their own patients. Also (at least on the phone) they are down on people that have had their surgey in Mexico. Any Happy-to-serve-you-and-take-your-money fill doctors in MN/WI? Along with another "to-be-banded" I am going to try and set up an appointment with a fill doctor - just to discuss the situation. I think it would be worth it in order to feel confident if something comes up after we are back in …

as everyone knows my band was removed due to erosion on 11/28. I know that my band is not there but it sure feels like it is.... This is weird! I have PBed everyday for a week and I can only eat a small amount. I have also lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks.. I have not lost any weight in months... My band is gone,now I am losing weight... what is up with that? Am I just loosing my mind?

I've heard that dairy can help you lose weight and I've heard it can make you gain weight. I'm just curious what other think/notice/heard b/c since I can't drink soda now that I'm banded I seem to have replaced that soda with chocolate skim milk made with the sugar free choco syrup.

I just HAVE to get this off of my chest... There are a few ladies here at my work that have had the lap band. I am the latest. The other ladies are 15 and 20 years older than me. I emailed my before and after pic to them... just so they can see how I have been doing because they ask my daily. They were banded a month before me. I have lost 28 pounds in 5 weeks and I am just really proud of myself. Well one lady calls me and says "you haven't lost 28 pounds" "that is unhealthy" "there is no way" (She hasn't lost but 24) Yeah!! 24 which is GREAT!!!!!!!! Anyways she was SO rude to me that I am never going to speak with her again. I am NOT in a competition with othe…

What's the chances of Health Alliance covering it?

Well i was all set to go intoday or tomarrow but insurance comapny at last min sent in a denial on the grounds that Because my doctors office burnt to the ground with every ones records i have no paper trail for the last 5 years let alone 12 months so it is up to me to go back to all my old insurances and get any kind of records i can get my hands on ... my doctor wrote the insurance company a letter stating that he has been my doctor for the last 5 years and everything he has seen and taken care of me for but i guess it fell on def ears! as of jan 1st i again will have a new insurance company i guess i will try again with the new one and see what happens.. right now im s…

Okay, so I asked a local doc to remove my band. He isn't a band doc or even a surgeon, but he gave me a referral for an Upper GI that came back normal. But Penni had a normal Upper GI too, so I went back to the guy and cried for an endoscopy. I told him I either wanted a port and support, or just take the thing out before I hurt myself. I would rather have a simple band removal than something like what happened to Diane Beck, or 40 staples like poor Francesca ended up with. I'm scheduled for my endo next week. I'm brining pictures of Penni's erosion, plus I need to call Dr. Billy and ask him if he'd dictate the endo procedure for whoever does mine since nobody here…

Ten months and only down 57lbs-still have good restriction especially in the morning--Having the band does not take away the cravings. Chips-cookies-fries-brownies all do down very well. Steak-chicken-veggies-fruit won't go down well at all--Help!-Doing protein smoothies to try to get protein in. My weight loss has stopped-I know it is the food. Also the reasons why I ate are still there. Do I need therapy?????????/

Just thought I would start a new thread in hopes to get people to start chatting!! So I was wondering how everyone was doing with their food, exercise, weight loss /gain, whatever else you want to share?? As for me, I'm down 46lbs as of Oct.7. I'm doing pretty good with my exercising, I walk just about every day, my food is pretty good, but I was told I wasn't getting enough calories so I have to work on eating some more. Isn't that funny! Here I have an operation to control my portions of food and I have to eat more. LOL!! Other than that I'm doing really good. So lets hear from you people!!!

Does anyone know where I can find some stats on lap bands longer term? My sister, who is working on insurance approval for the band, went to a weight loss options seminar yesterday given by a local endocrinologist. He was extremely negative about the band and it's long-term success rate. She felt that he was really presenting an unbalanced view of lap band as an option...he was overwhelmingly more favorable to the GB and basically dismissed the band as not worth anyone's time and money. I would love to send him some information including statistics for more than a couple of years. Her PCP was really not familiar with the band, but he was willing to write her a lett…

I was wondering (after the healing period of liquids and soft food) if hotdishes like that old MN favorite TaterTot Hotdish would go down well. Or is there no knowing until you try it? How about ground beef in sauce? Just trying to figure for when I get to that point. Making a plan, Man!

I had my 1st fill on the 21st of November. 2.2cc's and no real big restriction... Last Saturday I was at a Christmas party and ate more than I should have- and the wrong things... Now I can feel my port and it is sore. Like dull pain. I'm just so afraid that I have really done something wrong or that my port has moved??? I also slept on my side for a long time, which I uusally don't do. I don't want to call the Dr. and freak out for nothing. Anyone else ever experience this? I'm just so worried... ~pamela.

Does lap band surgery outside of the U.S. qualify for an IRS tax deduction. Is a person able to use FLEX dollars to pay for lap band surgery outside of the U.S.? Preferred One manages my company's Flex Program. Thanks!

I have a bunch of questions--go ahead and respond to anything that inspires you. I had the lap band surgery on november 23 of this year (3 weeks tomorrow). I lost 16lbs the first week and nothing since. I am supposed to be on liquids until tomorrow, but have been eating soft foods for 3 days with no problem. I am beginning to worry whether I should have had RNY because I want to lose weight so badly, but I haven't had a fill yet so I'm still open to the possiblity that this might work (although I have doubts). So...am I obsessing over not losing weight or is it possible that I made the wrong choice? Right now I feel like nothing ever happened to me. I don't have a…

I was told no NSAID's (i.e. ibuprofen) after banding. There is a lot of conflicting information being given out by the doctors (carbonation anyone?), so I was just wondering if anyone here has been taking ibuprofen at all. I've been having sciatica problems the last few days. I don't want to hurt my band, but nothing helps it like ibuprofen. I've stuck to tylenol so far. I guess what I'm asking is... Were you told by your doctors to avoid NSAID's? Do you guys think it's okay to take ibuprofen occasionally?

Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Regina. I have been reading these boards for about 1 month now, just lurking. Everyone has been an inspiration to me. I have not been banded YET, and I am keeping the faith that, it is YET! They are trying to get me in before the end of the year but I am waiting on insurance approval. I have First Health in Texas. I called them today and they said I should have an answer in the next 24 hours. I am soooo nervous, the wait is killing me. I can't even get myself to start eating like a bandster because of my nerves. This is depressing, I am so pumped about starting a new life and I want it NOW. I am 5.5 and weight 255, BMI 41. I am 37 y…

I feel like im losing my mind! Is this normal? All I can do is cry, I feel like im in a constant panic attack and although I quit smoking 4 months, 1 week and 5 days ago, I want to smoke like nobody’s business. My nerves are frazzled, my hands are shaky, and I would kill for a cheese stick right now! Did I mention it’s only 7:50 am and just started liquids today AND, I don’t have surgery until tomorrow? OMG. Im so excited, but I cannot even begin to express all the emotions I am feeling right now. Does everyone go thru this?

It's the middle of the night and my stomach is killing me, and I'm not even banded. I have a peptic ulcer that is being treated (they found it on my endoscopy) and a small erosion in my esophagus. The dr. said not to worry that it will be cleared up in a couple mo., but I am worried. It seems that esophageal problems are very real with the band, and I'm worried I may be prone to them. I hope I'm worrying needlessly. Ever since I found out for sure I have the ulcer and have to postpost the surgery for a couple mo. I'm bummed out, but I know the dr. is doing the right thing. Has anyone ever had problems before banding with an ulcer or any irritation of the stomach li…

I'm sorry to report, that unfortunately, after almost 4 years, my band has slipped. I have not been tested yet, but I know where my band is and I know where it was before. I am 100% positive that it has definitely slipped, no question. I just want everyone to know, however, that the reason it has slipped is because of a health issue with me that finally landed me in the ER last night. From Thursday night through yesterday evening, I was passing Kidney stones. Not only are they extremely painful, but they also cause severe nausea and vomitting, and I mean severe. I just knew my stomach was coming up through my throat. I couldn't even tolerate Tums, as soon as the…

Where are you....woohoooo We have missed you again at the support group meeting. Let us know when you have time, maybe the MD LBT Social Club can get together with you in your neck of the woods.

Does salad go down well for everyone? I'm thinking of all foods to get stuck, salad would be it. Thanks

I am new to this site and I have to share a huge victory for me today! I was banded on October 10 of this year and I had extremely high everything. I had my cholesterol tested Monday and I have cut my numbers by over half. I went from a ratio of 8.4 to 3.8!!!!! I am amazed! I will have another victory to hold onto on bad days! I am so happy and relieved! Had to share it with you guys! hopefully the blood pressure numbers will start to drop soon! By the way- this is a great site!!! You guys are so wonderful to each other. I am glad I found you!

Hi all, I have a question about band blockage, (when food gets stuck) What happens when the food get stuck, I mean does it go down after a while? does it hurt? does it come out in a form of vomit? Would it ever stick there for few days/weeks?? Thanks,