LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

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Whenever I have to see a new doctor or a new shrink I always dread the inevitable question about my “support system.” Fact is, my support system is me, myself, and I. I have no family nearby (thank goodness!) and haven’t made any friends since I moved here three years ago. So I always tell the doctor the only time I’m around other people is when I’m at work. The rest of the time, I’m at home with my cat, and that’s just fine with me. Then I get the inevitable lecture about how I need to “get out there” and “meet new people.” As if it’s that easy. I always say that my cat is pretty good company. Better than most people I know. My cat doesn’t care what I look like or how…

I thought this deserved a new thread- Dr. Bauman is doing my surgery Tuesday, December 20th at noon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've cried so hard I've hyperventilated! Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and good wishes. Now I get to be one of you. I have been blessed way beyond my wildest dreams! I go tomorrow for my pre-op. You better believe in miracles! I do! Merry Christmas and much love to all of you! (I can't wait to come to a Saturday meeting!)

I can't believe it! I have lost 69 lbs. My goal was 90 by now, but I think I've done pretty darn well and that I'll get at least to 85. It hasn't been an easy year. Some of you know what's been going on. My husband's been ill for more than a year, and he got so sick in August that my band literally froze up, and I've had problems ever since. I've had 3 unfills! I am proud of myself for being a "responsible bandster" and getting unfilled when I was way too tight instead of trying to ride it out. I am grateful for lining up good aftercare BEFORE being banded Mexico. I am happy I chose Dr. Ortiz & that he's been in constant touch w/my doctors here to resolve …

Just to let everyone know, I just posted on the original thread about today's outcome, I meant to start a new thread, but goofed, something's never change, LOL!!!! It's really good news, so if you want the results of today's outcome and an explanation as to why it took me so long to post, go to the support thread and look under A New Band Slippage(I think that's it) or is it Another Band Slippage, sorry, too excited to think. Cindy

Ok everyone after seeing my band doc and going over the situation and many questions that I had they did a GI to rule out a slip from the last time they did one back in OCT. At the same time they were calling registration to make the arrangements for the GI someone else was talking Direct to the Gastro Doctor. There is a 4 week wait just to get a consult appt for him but he was kind enough to let me come in this friday for a consultation then they will walk me down to do the scope. Hopefully I am not eroded but hopefully they can tell me why the reflux and the new pain. Anyway please pray for me that I do not have another anxiety attack or what ever it is in the pre op. T…

Day five, and I woke up weak and shaky, felt like my blood pressure was very low. Silly me drank my morning coffee first, then couldnt get in my shake, it took me 3 hours to finish it. I feel a bit lethargic, lacking energy and a bit achey from the gas today. But hey, I'm down a few kilos! I'm really really tight though, much more so than yesterday. Nevertheless I went shopping, since it cures everything. I found these great ice pack containers - shake containers, salad containers, and a dip and cracker/vegetable container, all contain their own special ice ring so you can transport the food. So fabulous for when I have to go to university - previously on uni da…

I have a phsyical & bloodwork scheduled for Friday. I just got off the phone with my insurance company - I was calling to determine their coverage. The lady I spoke with told me they will cover "surgical procedures for the treatment of severe or morbid obesity" and the requirements for pre-approval include: - Dr.'s diagnosis of morbid obesity (won't be a problem) - Obesity history dating back at leasy 5 years (not a problem) - Patient over the age of 21 (not a problem) No surprise there... I asked her what procedures, specifically, were covered and she told me I'd need a procedure code in order for her to look it up. I told her I didn't have a code, but t…

My 2 year anniversary was the day after Thanksgiving and I really comtemplated about writing this post. I wasn't going to but then I thought about it......if others hadn't posted I wouldn't have known what to expect. So here I post not really knowing what to write but I am going to try my best to express what I feel now as opposed to 2 years ago. When I first started researching the band I was actualy considering having the bypass done. A few co-workers had it done and I was thinking to myself "yea I'm gonna do that too!" Then I thought about my kids and about all the complications that went or could come along with it and I thought against it. Some how - by the…

I seem to be very tight in the mornings... Like yesterday morning I tried to eat some eggs... they came right back up. So, I didn't eat again until 5:30 and it went down fine. I had Hamburger Helper and not much, but I was able to eat about a cup of it and had no problems. This morning I had some coffee and sugar free hot chocolate. Then water. I just tried to eat some applesauce and pudding and I got all tight and slimed a little. It is like the band won't let stuff thru until the evening time??? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

I need some opinions here... I am almost 28, married and have a 14 month old daughter. I have been overweight my entire life (from the time I was 8 or so). I was over 300lbs when I got pregnant. I have lost right at 50lbs in a little over 4 months. I am scared to death of becoming pregnant again. I know that fertility often increases as our weight decreases. I have been on the pill since about 6 weeks postpartum and was on it a long time before that. I had a horrible time with postpartum depression starting before I even left the hospital I have sought treatment and continue to be on antidepressants that I am unable to get off of because of withdrawal symptoms. I w…

Hello All In Band-Land, I haven't been on here in awhile because I thought I could get away with food-murder and I did! I should be hitting myself in the face right now. I was banded in late September and was suppose to have a fill in early November to find out that my port has slipped and now I cannot have a fill until Jan19th. Its like the band doesn't even exist in my body anymore. I was great after surgery and now all I want to do is eat and eat and sometimes I in fact do just that. I am feeling like a failure here. Anyone else on here need to be in the 'Do Over" mode? I wish I could stop my mind from thinking about food.

Last night and today I have had tons of little tiny burps over and over after I eat. Last night it went on for hours after dinner, and today I ate lunch and same thing now. Could it be because I have a cold and can't breathe thru my nose so I'm breathing lots of air into my stomach? Has anyone has this problem with tiny burps for hours after you eat?

Last night was the annual volunteer firemen's christmas dinner...I was planning on wearing a pair of black pants that I knew were to tight about 2 months ago...I tried them on and they were way too big...looked liked I had a load and then some in the front!!!!...so looking for something to wear...I tried on these jeans I've had in the closet for 3 years...cause I thought 17/18 was the same as 18W...what the heck was I thinking 3 years ago...anyway since then..and before my band I was a 22W...anyway they fit.. a lil tight but I didn't have to lie down to zip up..and yet tight enough to remind me not to eat to much..so my band had help...I was so syched last night...anyway …

Have any of you had this? It is pressure or pulling...

Hi all I was banded in TJ on July 6 of this year. I received my first fill in Chicago all day trip but I got a great fill it cost 250.00 well I called to make an appointment for my second fill and now they charge $1000.00 per fill if not banded by them. I need a fill and now I have no where to get one. Could someone help me and tell me where I could find a fill center in my area? I am very close to South Bend Indiana. I know I could fly back to TJ but with the holidays the flight cost is so costly. I hope someone can help me Thank you for reading my post

Is any one meeting in baton rouge,la?

I am having a really hard time this holiday season. I am saddened by a lack of close friends this year. Since I was very young I have always had tons of friends around, and for years the very same close friends that was one big close group. Well, between fights, marriages, everyones work and just lack of trying we are all no longer hanging out and may only see each other 2 times a year. By all, I mean they have moved on to other friends because I got married and I am stuck alone while they go out and have a good time with all of their new friends and aquantainces. I;'m sure some would say our previous group were too close, but that is how I liked it. I have never ha…

I have been banded for a total of 10 months and have only eaten out 3 times all of those times were with people who have not been banded nore do they know anything about it. Well all 3 experiences was terrible. The first time was with my favorite food before band (ribs) I haven't touched them since it got stuck so bad. So months later I decided to eat out again thinking I would chose to eat fish something I know I don't have a problem with and that was terrible I had to keep getting up from the table to go to the bathroom thinking it would pass or it was going to come back up and it finally passed about the third trip to the restroom which was kind of embarrising becau…

Hello gang.. I am a newbie.. I went to the seminar and I also had my very first appointment today with the surgeon. He gave me what I need to do before surgery. I have to see a nutritionist and then a psychotherapist so I am not crazy.. LOL Then I have to go on that Protein diet so they can check my ketones. I am so excited I could burst! Once I get all that done and get insurance approval (I have United Heathcare and since I have the correct BMI and I have diabetes that wont be a problem. The Doc said they are the easiest that he deals with) I will see the doc and get my surgery date. Then I have 2 support groups to go to and I am on my way! I am so glad I found al…

Hi Everyone, A little advice please. I'm still on liquids after my first fill so I have yet to experience a slime storm, or get stuck. If I do what can I do to help ease the problem? I just want to be prepared. I mean do you drink water? Move around? Twirl a live chicken over your head? Any thing you can prepare me for will be really appreciated.

Hello, I would like to ask everyone to pray for my brother. He had a brain tumor when he was a kid, and they opened him up and couldn't do anything for him. 18 months later the tumor had disappeared, it was a miracle! It left him with hearing loss in his left ear. This was about 18 years ago. This past year he had went almost deaf a couple of times, but his hearing came back (they did a MRI and he was fine). 2 days ago he totally lost all of his hearing and it has not come back. We are praying it will come back. He can't go to work, or drive a car or watch TV and those are the main things that he enjoys. Please pray for him! Thanks so much

I cant remember what musical this song is from talking about woman. But I feel like I have my own version. Sip a little, walk a little,Sip a little, walk a little, sip, sip sip, walk a little sip alot. LOL. Ok now about the burps, or semi burps. So I have been getting the feeling like a burp is about to come up and instead it disolves in my chest. OUCH, what the heck is up with that? Is that what the ate to much golf ball feels like? Does that go away or is that common with the new tiny stomach? Other than that I am doing ok, my dad is still cooking. LOL he is now preparing my second and third stage foods. I am going to have to donate my entire freezer to my grandma …

Hello everyone, I am scheduled for the surgery next week and the fear of the surgery/ complications is setting in? Anyone have any words of encouragement and is there anyone out there from Massachusetts. I think this forum will be a great support for me.

Hi everyone this is my first time posting!! I go to the Doctor Dec. 8th to see whats going on with my band. I think I have a leak in my port or tubing. The Doctor says It could be a leak or slippage. My last fill was Oct. 14th. I had great restriction until Nov. 11th. It was all of a sudden gone. No pain, no acid reflux. Just no restriction. I think this is what happened to me in July also. What are the signs of a leak? What are the signs of a slip? Staci banded July 1, 2004 278/216/160

Hi all:) I'm a HEAVY smoker (30-40) cigs a day, I know its bad and yada yada yada... Just wondering if it harms the band in any way or not? or if it makes it easier to develp some of the side effects like refulx and so on. Any smokers around, who could throw in their 2 cents? or non smokers too:)

Hello everyone, First, I want to say all of you good luck and best wishes. I know my title seemed a little urgent but being an overweighter means that everything is urgent for us, huh? My question to all of those that can help me is this. I live in the Brooklyn, NY area and was going to have the lap band procedure with the CORI center (Centers for Obesity related illnesses) but am now thinking that maybe I shouldn't because......well, this is my story: I have been researching the lap band procedure for over a year in NJ (where I used to live) and wanted to have it but couldn't because I had AETNA POS and they wouldn't pay for it. I kinda had given up until I m…

We just got to move home last night. Still don't have electricity. I'm running the generator so I can catch up on all my mail & such! We had only moderate damage. Our house is still intact, the carport collapsed and broke the electric meter, phone box, and a Water line so we had no utilities at all for a while. Thankfully we have a camper which we have been living in - first in Ferriday, then in Oakdale, now back home in Topsy. The water & phone are working again, just waiting on Beauregard to come replace the meter. I know a lot of us are in the LC area. Hope you are all well and your houses didn't get much damage. Please post so we'll know.. and if you n…

Am I the only one that can sometimes eat a little but sometimes alot? I feel really tight - I usually can't even eat in the morning. But sometimes I can eat like 5 ounces of chicken and sometimes only 3. Yesterday night I had barely any dinner and tonight I ate a whole cup of pasta and sauce. I know I should be eating stuff like meat but I didn't want to eat meat tonight after PBing on chicken last night. Anyways, is it normal to be able to eat a whole cup of pasta - this is the most I've been able to eat since my last fill and I am so worried about slippage since I have never PB'd before and have now PB'd 4 times in 10 days! How do you people live without worrying about …

I just got my 2nd fill 4 days ago. I now have 1.7 cc in my 4.cc band. I can still eat a smaller normal sized meal. Should I feel full after 1/2 c. of food (protein)? I am not losing. Infact I have only lost a total of 3-4 lbs since surgery. I lost 10 originally but have gained. I guess I'm going to have to go on a strict diet. I was hoping that this band would work better than this. I was hoping that I couldn't eat more than a 1/2 c. food comfortably. Maybe I just don't have enough of a fill. How should I feel when it's working right? Anybody else have over 2cc's in their 4cc band?

I remembered someone asking for different recipes for Soups and I found this website that has 58 recipes. www.soup.com It will take you to the Knorr website and just type in 'soup' into the search bar. Some of the recipes are Soup recipes and a few are recipes that use a soup mix in it so just read through them. I hope this helps.

There was an old married couple that had lived happily together for nearly forty years. The only friction in their marriage was caused by the husband's habit of breaking wind nearly every morning as he awoke. The noise would always wake up his wife and the smell would cause her eyes to Water as she would choke and gasp for air. Nearly every morning she would plead with him to stop ripping such nasty farts. He told her that he couldn't help it. She begged him to see a doctor to see if anything could be done, but the husband wouldn't hear of it. He told her that it was just a natural bodily function and then he would laugh in her face as she tried to wave the f…

Hi all--I'm thinking about getting banded,in mx. 52yrs old have checked the sites but still feel learly.. I went to a seminar and they said most of the time you will not need a fill .. but from what others say one or two fills are needed.. just worried,, and in mx at that..

I've read that some people have named thier bands, I want to also but I need inspiration. Everything I think of sounds like a movie, ie Godfather, Rocky etc. What do you guys call yours? I feel like Im naming a kid or something.

Hi all anyone out there have to take the steroid prednisone. I have been on 20mg for 2 weeks and have already gained 4 lbs. I was told I could be on this med. for 3-4 mos. or quite possibly longer. Anyone have any suggestions as to still lose and be on steroids. I have also been put on a soft diet so its hard to get in alot of protein. Most meats are too course. Getting really down of myself even though I know its not my doing its the damn prednisone. I was thinking of making an appointment for another fill maybe that would be a help. The weight was falling off before I started on the steroids. I would love to hear any suggestions. thanks.

For all you bandsters who have eroded or slipped in the past. I have yet a new worry.....Your honest opinion please....here is my story, I was originally banded February 2004 with a 4 cm band and all went will with a wt loss of 133 pounds until October 2004, Then my band slipped but was completely unaware of it till my doc did a fluro in January 2005, then was rebanded with an 11 cc band in February. My weightloss has only been 15 pounds since that time with only 6 cc in my 11 cc band thusfar. Have had really good restriction up till this week, I had got a piece of chicken stuck and has some major pain for about 2 hours then if felt like it passed. My stomach area wher…

That ( ARM SLAP ) when you moving your arm's slap's against your body is driving me nut's! My physcal therapist told me that I can do lite upper body work out's! "I" have been happy at 195/197 weight class and toning up but every time I move my arm's I here that arm slap!!!! So therefor I must lose more weight! Six foot tall man weight should be 185,however I have a 44.5 inch chest Im thick......"Im" truly blessed losing all this weight but going crazy! "Im" going to try to get down to 180/185 and see if that doe's it. take care and God bless! My problems are nothing please say a prayer for are freind penni60 as she need's are help! JOHNQ

What do you generally eat for breakfeast? I have been having oatmeal everyday but I was just banded 11/9. I cant imagine cooking up something before work and sending the kids off in the morning.

Okay, so I have read a bunch of posts about how much people can/cannot eat since being banded. I know that everyone is different but if I can eat more than a cup full or a cup and a half, do you think that means that I am not at the right restriction level?

Good luck tomorrow Lisa Let us know how you are doing as soon as you can. HUGS AND KISSES.

I am wondering how you all fit your Water in when you have to do it in little sips. I have problems with UTIs and currently drink about 3 quarts of water a day trying to keep them from happening. I'm concerned that after I get my band I won't be able to drink as much as I need to. Now I can drink a 6 or 8 ounce glass every half hour and I'm OK, but when I have to do it in little sips at work, I'm afraid it won't be enough. How much can you drink at one time? Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks! Emily

I feel so stupid asking this question, but Ive only been banded for 2 weeks lost 8 lbs and i am happy about that,BUT does this sound normal, slow, or what.... Ive been told a few times that before your first fill you should not have restriction and concidering every day is getting easier to eat (although I had my very fist pb today due to what think was not chewing good enough and eating too fast)i think that must be true. i just have been stuck for like 4 days with the same weight, please tell me im tripp'n!! =) I mean I dont expect to have lost 30 lbs in the first 2 weeks, but i need someone to tell me that this is normal, did all you experianced bandsters feel thi…

Last week, right after my Upper GI that came out with good results, I suddenly lost all restriction for the first time in my banded history. I mean ALL restriction. I even did all the testing, like swallowing a horse pill 1st thing in the morning, but it slide right down. I ate a whole steak dinner with a massive baked potato. I haven't had an ounce of restriction in several days, which was very odd for me. But she's back, the sweet PB and pain of restriction is back! This morning I was physically hungry after being on my feet till midnight last night. I warmed a tortilla and spread it with cottage cheese. I was able to eat about 2/3 before getting the horrible, …

me and mom are flying out to TJ in the morning and our surgeries are tuesday!! i have to confess, we've both done horrible on our pre-op diets we should be home late friday night, i'll keep yous posted! toodles! suki

I will be in Colorado on the 18th to see Dr. Smith and will be there until the next day, if anyone wants to get together let me know maybe we can have lunch or something.

But I am not bended yet and I want to know. Did anyone use baby food when they got to mushies? It seems an easier way to get nutrition than mushing your own. Of course, my kids were on babyfood not that long ago andit tasted icky to me.

I went for my fill today -- the first under flouro. My band has slipped. Most of my stomach is sitting on top of the band. This explains why I don't have restriction, why I've gained weight, and why I have reflux. The techs who read the flouroscopy said that they think the band my doctor used was too small to begin with, and that I may need a new (VG) band, as opposed to fixing the placement of the one I have. Surgery will be $4500 + doctor's fees. A new band will be $4000 on top of that. I can't afford this. I couldn't afford the $16,000 I paid for surgery the first time. I can't believe it's 10 months later, I've only lost 40 lbs, and I have to go through th…

Hi eveyone 2 days to go before surgery.( Tuesday ). I weight in this morning @ 322 lbs ( yesterday it was 320.8 ) When I saw the doctor in September he said he wanted me to lose 19 lbs ( was 339 lbs then ). I have an appt on Monday @ 8:30 A.M. so I hope to be down to 320 lbs. Any last minute tips on losing 2 lbs fast. I am doing the Full liquid diet today/ clear liquid diet on Monday. Any tips?? Thanks Joe

I'm hoping to have LB by mid January. I've researched like crazy but tonight I'm feeling like a hopeless case. Here's my concern. I'm so worried that it won't work for me. There I said it. I'm afraid that someone that eats the amounts of food that I eat will (for some reason and I don't know why I think this) will fail the band - not the other way around. I know about the pb, etc. and I'm totally dedicated to taking care of the band and following the rules - but will a person like me (that can eat this much food) be able to work the band-plan??? Here's what I ate today: 1 large cup potato Soup 2 DQ cheeseburgers 1 sm fry 1 DQ blizzard 7 pcs bananna bread with …

Dear Friends, Recently I read on a major Twin Cities (MN) hospital's website - bariatric division that it was widely accepted in the medical field that people who are obese do not have any chance at all of loosing enough weight on their own to do them any good. It also said that if they were that one in a million to loose the weight they would not keep it off. Even people that are not considered obese or morbidly obese can not keep weight off. I was so pleased that the medical professionals finally figured that out! And said so. I think that alot of my issues with weight and dieting began when I began going to various "clubs" or "Weight Loss Groups". Tops, the P…