LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Just wanted to say Happy Bandiversary to you. You made it through the first year !!! Good for you. You look absolutely gorgeous !

Since I made up my mind about getting the band - I've stopped the CONSTANT Fat-talk to myself and have relaxed thinking that better things are ahead for me. I have now gained 10 lbs in the last 10 days and today I realize that I can not let my guard down - not now - probably not ever. But, it gets so tiring. Anyone else have problems like this before they were banded? Patti

I found out on Monday that my company is switching to Blue Cross from Healthnet. I was pursuing the band at UCLA but they don't do banding anymore. So I'm back to square one. The company has only given us until Thursday to get our paperwork in and I am tearing my hair out. I can't find another medical group that offers banding. I have to choose between HMO or PPO and I need help understanding the PPO stuff. I'm trying to figure out if I go with the PPO, what I'd be looking at cost-wise for banding. I know what a deductible is and the annual out of pocket max, but I don't all the stuff with the percentages and how that applies to the out of pocket max. Are those percen…

Hey guys, I'm serioulsly considering getting banded. I live in Orange county NY, does anyone know if MVP insurance will cover the surgery, Thanks in Advance

Hello, I have a question for those of you who were banded by Dr Kwon. This is a question I am asking more for my husband in the event he decides to get the banding, as I am set with my workups being almost completed with Danbury hospital, and my date set. Does Dr Kwon have his own set of Dr.s for you to see or can you choose your own for workups. The traveling to Danbury was a little tiring as I had to use their Drs. Thanks! Kristine

Hello, Talk about stupid, stupid stupid...... Well I guess dark meat turkey is officially off my list. I had some today for lunch, thought I chewed it more slowly and BAM stuck again. I vomited 4-5 times over a 2 hour period before it dislodged itself. I guess my body is telling me something. I am on liquids for the moment, although I spent the afternoon baking for my sons science class and I did eat several rice crispy treats with no incidence. I am skipping dinner though since I really think I irritated things a little and I dont really want to barf anymore in the near future. Just so no one worries, I am having absolutely no trouble with milk, Water, tea and of cou…

Hello! I know there are others from Delaware here. Is everyone shy? Does anyone know of any Lap-Band support groups in the state?

Well, I have lost the 10 lbs I had put on after ps, and I am down to 148. I have been walking 2 miles every morning and watching what I eat. I am at a good restriction level, the last fill I got put me up to 2.75 cc's. Problem is I am getting ready to go on my Christmas vacation to Texas and Mexico for 3 wks and I am seriously thinking of getting unfilled all or some. Last year I had just been banded and was unable to enjoy most of the foods that were prepared especially for us. Is it wrong to want to enjoy myself. I will have access to my band surgeon, he is right on my way and I am planning to see him anyway. Should I get unfilled, I can get filled back on the way…

Well to continue with the ongoing saga of my illness, I was re-hospitalized last Friday with continued fever and unrelenting Fluid on my left lung. So, after a bronchoscopy, another thoracentecis (with about a liter of fluid removed), and an abdominal CT that showed I had bled into my spleen recently and it is swollen- I am left with a host of physician's opinions that have left me quite confused. The latest from the a surgeon regarding the spleen bleed- which has left in quite enlarged- he is possibly relating to my band surgery and subsequent repair of a small hiatal hernia I had at the time of surgery. In theory this spleen swelling was and is irritating my diaphrag…

I'm hoping to get this done soon. What I'm wondering is: When you have a fill is it a good idea to stay in Mex. for 2-3 days just to say how the fill went? I'm from WI and flying back in a day or two for a fill-adjustment just doesn't make financial sense to me. And it does look like people often get adjustments on their fills within a day or two. I'm going to use Kuri.

My instructions post-op are to not drink anything with meals or for 2 hours after eating. Since I eat very little but 4 times a day I am having a hard time getting in 64 oz. of water. Any suggestions?

LSasha experienced pain in her lower stomach Friday evening and slowly increased Saturday afternoon. She went to the the ER on the suggestion of her doctor. She had many test done ie scan, sonogram, etc. She was admitted early in the weee hours Sunday morning because her doctor said he wanted to keep her overnight to do floro Monday morning. When the doctor came in on Sunday morning he told her that her tubbing had came apart. When I visited her in the hospital she was fine because they just gave her something to ease the pain. Her doctor pushed his other surgeries back and did an emergency surgery Monday morning. LSasha is doing well, they used the port incesio…

It's not a lot. Just a tiny bit. not even taking anything for it. I just have never had it and I'm six months out. I'm just paranoid about slippage.

Hey all~ I made it! Got my band yesterday - WOO HOO I am so incredibly sore though. Throat hurts from the tubing, backside still sensitive from the pre-op laxative diet, whoosie whatsie hurts from the catheter, my neck, shoulders, and underarms are bruised and very sore/stiff, gas pain in left shoulder (don't get me started), bleeding from my five insicions, and obvious allergic reaction to the adhesive on the tape they used!!. Let's see did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, started my monthly friend while being operated on!!! nice, huh??? And both my 1 yr old and 3 yr old decided to head-butt me in the stomach this morning - I am pretty sure that helped start the bleedi…

I got a fill 2 weeks ago. Didn't notice too much of a difference until this past Thursday - wasn't able to eat much that day, but the band is fickle, so tossed it up to that. On Friday morning, the dh and I flew up to Sydney for work. I was rushing around all morning getting ready and didn't have time to eat. That's fine, I don't generally eat much in the morning anyway. So we get to Sydney and we're standing in the taxi rank waiting, when I start feeling a bit nauseous. I had taken my birth control and sometimes it has that effect. I turned to my hubby and said, I think I need to go to the restroom. That's the last thing I remember. Next thing I know I'm laying …

Oh golly, cross your fingers for me. Eliza woke up having vomited all over her bed last night, but she only did it once, I figured it was due to the fact that she drank the dregs of a few Coke cans (which she never has ordinarily) at Mum's last night. Then she woke a few hours later with another fit of nausea. I thought oh, no, she's got a tummy bug. Today I dont feel so great. Not nauseous just that funny sick headache. Gastro goes through the family like nobody's business. I have surgery on Friday!! Please if I'm going to go down with it, let me get it today and be over and done with by Friday! I've got the kids organised with parents and in laws, its goin…

Hey all, my sister has seen the way I am losing weight and wants to be banded also. She is on PHCS (Private Health Care Systems) but cann not find any doctors here in DFW that accept it that do the surgery... Anyone run across any? Even if it is in the Austin area, she could stay with my dad for a few days... Any help is greatly appreciated..

This is not good, today I completely blew it. I'm only supposed to be on MUSHIES and went as far as having chips today and a fish sandwinch from McDonalds...and some onion rings, I have WAY over eaten. It has been FOREVER since I felt out of control and then today I said to myself "you haven't lost weight since 3 days after your surgery so dieting isn't helping eat whatever you want". Now I feel terrible. My mom is finally out of the hospital *which is good news* but that's the only good news I seem to have. What are the chances of my band slipping because I did not follow post diet orders? Would I feel anything? Now i'm worried, upset at myself and in a generally l…

doncha think? Why am I preparing for this surgery by having massive cook ups. My freezer is bursting. Why do I think I'm going to be unable to even cook a meal for a month? Why do I even care, lol, I"m not going to be eating any of it. God forbid any of them should have to lift a finger to look after themselves. Oh well, at least there'll be less grocery shopping.

okay, my belly was puffy to begin with, i know. : ) but it looks to me to be even bigger than before. is this unusual...could it just be swelling? i plan on calling my doc in the am

Anyone out there waiting for 6 month approval from GHI in New York? How long after approval do they book your surgery? Do you know what the copay is?

I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU CAN'T EAT THIS BUT THOUGT YOU SHOULD READ! SOMETIMES KNOWING THE CALORIE CONTENT IN A food ISN'T ENOUGH OF A DETERRENT TO KEEP US FROM EATING. LEARNING HOW MUCH WE MUST EXERCISE TO BURN IT OFF. CAN HAVE MORE OF AN EFFECT. HERE'S THE DISTANCE YOU MUST RUN TO BURN OFF SOME POPULAR HOLIDAY TREAT'S EIGHT ounce's of eggnog-3.25 mile's Three ounces of turkey-1.25 mile's One slice of pupkin pie-3 mile's One slice of apple pie-3.75 mile's One slice of pecan pie-6 miles three ounces of roast beef-3 mile's one cup of mashed potatoes-3mile's One cup of baked sweet potatoes-2.5 mile's One cup of bread stuffing- 4mile's two roll's with butter-3 mil…

**update**You can read the whole saga below, but anyway, I just found out that yes indeedy UCLA has discontinued the lap-band surgical procedure due to the “poor success rates and expensive after care.” (????) They just haven’t gotten around to updating their info packets or website to reflect the change. Sheesh. I asked the insurance guy if I choose to keep UCLA as my medical group, could they refer me somewhere outside of the group where they still do banding. He said they don’t do that kind of referral and I’d have to file a grievance if I wanted it. I wanted to argue with him - I mean, what if I needed brain surgery and my medical group didn’t include a brain surge…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_he_me/fit_intuitive_eating This is exactly how I eat now that I am banded. No more guilt or "I can't" or "I shouldn't". I eat when I'm hungry and I eat EXACTLY what I want. It's a very freeing way to look at food. Sure, I have my moments when I still eat emotionally, but that is the exception now, not the rule. Anyone else eat this way now? Megan

I do not know what has gotten in to me! I did so well right after surgery, right up to the point of eating real food again. I did not have ant have any restriction and wound up bingeing alot! So I thought I will stop that so I got my first fill and ever sice then it has been a battle. I did the 2 days of liquids and then 2 days of mushies...but in those 2 days of mushies I had cheesecake and icecream..alot of it. When I have tried to go back to solid food I have had no luck I have thrown up and now my band has gotten swollen, so now mushies are not really even doing well. What is my stupied answer? Milk shakes to the rescue....NOT GOOD! I was at 228 after surgery I am now…

Before I got surgery I thought that if U needed adj. and not losing at least 1 to 1 1/2# a week then U needed and adj. For 3 weeks I average 1 1/3# weekly and after 2 months only 4#. I had a followup visit and the nurse said that as long as I'm losing weight they do not schedule adj. That there is a lot that plays into it proper eating, exercise, restriction etc. Has anyone else been told this. Everyone that I personally know say they just call and get an appt. for adj. If I get another it will be my 4th. Has anyone heard or read literature before banding that as long as U are losing weight monthly (not the ususal 1 to 1 1/2# weekly) and still feeling some restrict…

I had my first fill yesterday. (You all were right. I had nothing to fear! No big deal at all; what a relief!) After my fill the nurse told me I was to be on clear liquids for 24 hours and full liquids for an entire week. We have two holiday parties this weekend; one Friday and one Saturday. I asked her about eating a small amount of soft foods at both parties. She said it would be totally fine and to just eat "what I could, when I could". I'm a play-by-the-rules kind of girl, so I'm confused by this. Is it important to stay on liquids for an entire week or not? Being good to my band is more important to me than a holiday party, but at the same time I'll be livi…

again-so many people were so helpful after Katrina and I appreciate it so much and once again Im appealing to you-xmas is around the corner and so many have so little and anything you can spare is greatly appreciated-whether it be clothes,blankets,canned goods you name it-ANYTHING you can part with will find a useful home with someone-ANYTHING!! PM me and Ill pass along my addy.

When do you get hungry? I have been banded since 11/3 and still not hungry. I have to remind myself to eat! Not that I am complaining, but when can I expect the hunger to return. I have never expierienced this my entire life!

Has anybody ever progressed to the next food stage before you are suppose to?

Help!!!!!!! My date is set tomorrow (6th) and I have came down with a cold. So what are my chance that they will want to reschedule? I don't know that I can do the liquid diet any longer with out the band. I need some encouragement!!!! Thanks I am most likely over reacting.

still in major pain. will write more later. need to lay down.

I am on a liquid diet for the first three weeks. I am allowed to have liquids, cream of wheat and broth. I was told to get protein shakes and make one a day with 40 grams of protein, but I am supposed to have 60 grams of protein per day. I was looking at my food list yesterday and am not seeing how I will make up the other grams. I figure there is between 5 and 10 grams per day depending of what I eat that will be missing. What did others do during this time to get the protein in?

Just wondering if anyone has found a good fill doctor in California. I am in the Central Valley but willing to travel if it's cheaper than going back to Mexico.

Hi everyone, it has been sometime since I have posted anything, but I do read your post every so often and really enjoy the advice you all give, now I need some with regard to my most recent fill. I had 3cc put in on Friday and I can really feel it. I was told to stick to Clear liquids thru the weekend, I tried, but the Isopure that I was told to drink was giving me the slimey's and Water even hurt to drink. So on Saturday I tried some crackers and a few cheese curls as I felt I need something and they kinda melt in your mouth and all was good. Then on Sunday I ate some cottage cheese and that was BAD. I got the slimes and then blah threw-it-up!!! Felt much better after…

Hi, i am new here,this site is fantastic, i love learning from all you wonderful people,you are all there together to share each others ups and downs and to encourage each other when things get tough to wipe away the tears and to keep going it is great. I am from Perth Australia, i am on the public waiting list here it is called medicare, it will not cost me anything, my surgery has been prosponed three times but i will not complain, all good comes to those who wait, i hope to be banded on the 16th of Dec, it will be tough over the silly season but it will be worth it, it would be good to be banded this side of the holidays then i can start the new year a fresh sta…

Does MX LB surgery qualify for FLEX spending account. I would like to pay for it with pretax $'s. The group that handles our Flex Plan is STILL checking into this. They really have NO Idea. They are The Benefit Group. Has anyone else had experience with this. I am going to be self pay - as I have a lower BMI and Doctor's in states won't consider it until a person is "further down that road" and believe me I am WELL on my way. Have been ALL my life. I just want off the nightmare ride of the Weight Roller Coaster. Thanks for input!

Hey Everyone! I was in a car accident 1.5 years ago, a kid ran a red light and hit me at 60 mph in my driver's side door (yep, I was driving).....well long (very long) story short, I met with a neurosurgeon yesterday and he plans on replacing 3 disks in my back, that are totally crushed, with artificial ones. He said that would totally fix all my back problems and I would be back to the way I was before the accident, after my 6-8 month recovery. I have to get down under 200lbs. before he can do it though, because the artificial disks are only rated for 200lbs. and under, so it will be awhile. I am really excited, because I cannot do anything since my accident...it all h…

I don't think that I'm in too much trouble here, but I wanted some input. My surgery is scheduled for Friday. I'm on my 10 day pre-surgery liquid(ish) diet. But today I had to cheat. I sing with a Ministry group and we had to sing out of town today. After church we were asked to go to lunch. There were 6 of us, so I couldn't tell them that they had to leave cuz I was on a liquid diet. At the restaurant we went to there were no choices that would qualify as "liquid". So I had chicken and green Beans. I ate very little and have nothing but liquid for the rest of the day. I'm 5 days away from surgery.... 1 cheat......should I be concerned???? I'm not going to b…

I feel good but I have this terrible pain in my shoulder from the gas. i tried taking gas x it made me sick at mt stomach. I have tried a heating pap and a mussle vibrator. HELP at times it is almost unbearable.

Ok, maybe I'm just impatient. I had my first fill on Thursday, December 1. I was able to eat normally the next day with NO problem. In fact, probably more than I normally would (emotional eating, I'm trying to do better with that). So, I got hungry faster it seems because I ate more and I had no restriction to "stop" me. They put 1 cc in my 5 cc band...how soon should I pursue another fill? Do I just need to give this time (knowing I need to deal with the emotional eating issue)?

I forgot to add something else to my prior post, so this is a seperate one. (not related to the other anyway) OK here goes, I read on this site to pre-medicate prior to dental work, my doc never told me that, but thank god for you guys. So last doctor visit I mentioned it to the doc and he said oh yeah let me give you something, so he writes the scrip and I go get it filled today. I thought he would give me liquid, but no he gives me a pill and says to just crush it. So I get to work and I look at the pills, I bought a pill crusher and they are not pills, they are capsules and if you read the paper the pharmacy gives you, it says not to break-them but I broke them anyway…

I was wondering if anyone on the list had a High BMI at there time of surgery? Also were you still able to have it done laporscopically? Were there any difference you had to do then someone with a low BMI? Oh, by High BMI I am talking BMI 59+. Thanks, Tonya

Hi, can someone tell me if there is a certain amount of pounds you have to be overweight before you can get the lap band? Thanks!

I'm from Western Wisconsin (Hudson) - Anyone near me have the surgery or thinking of having the lap band surgery. I'm serious about January.

Saturday 12, noon at Red Lobster in Laurel Teresa Skinner LSasha Shellyj Carrie, Gunnya, Crystal....will you guys be able to make it?

Hi everyone! I have surgery date of Dec 13. I still have to get a psychological evaluation. Neither of the two my surgeon reccommends will work. Can anyone reccomend (I know, I can not spell this word!!) a psychologist? Also, did anyone get cold feet close to their surgery date? I am starting to wonder if this is the right thing. I am scared I will fail and it would be a very expensive failure!! --Ann :Bunny

Hi all, I live in Boston and I was wondering how much did you pay, if you were a self pay of course. I called some hospitals like Brigham and Women's and BI, but never got a straight answer. Your answers are greatly appreacited.

You still all cannot be tired from your thanksgiving dinner and black friday shopping. This board is too quite. I know i'm having RNY but I had my upper GI wednesday and everything went fine. Drinking the barium was the worse part of everything. I hope everyone is well. I still have a birthday party to get ready for, disney on ice, and hopefully some rest. Well see what happens. Have a great weekend. Jennifer

Does anyone know if it is okay to do sit-ups and other abdominal exercises after lap band surgery?