LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

does anyone feel that one is better than the other? i've been told that oriz only uses the 10cc band, so i'm assuming that's what i'm gonna get when i get banded dec 13th. it makes me fear that i'll need more fills than a 4cc band before i feel restriction. anybody? thanks, suki

I need some help, gang....I stopped taking Prozac after having been on it since 1991 (holy cow, that's 14 years). Anyhow, I was fine the first few weeks since the drug was still in my body, but now I don't know if I am missing the Prozac or just going through a tough time. All I want to do is cry (and I have done plenty of that), I am bitchy, I don't want to be around people, and I am eating more!!! These are my classic symthoms... I spoke to my PCP about going back on the Prozac, but he said I do risk dealing with the weight issue while on Prozac.....I can't take that chance. I know this is very personal, but is anyone taking an antidepressant that has not affected t…

My surgery is in six hours and I cannot sleep!!!!!!! Thought I would get on here for some support (I'm a little scared). I look forward to tommorrow evening, when everything is done.

Sabotage. I started this process very positively almost 5 months ago but over the past couple of months I have found myself sabotaging my ‘possible’ success at every turn. Although my surgeon offered a couple of dietetic sessions as part of the surgical ‘package’ there was no psychological assessment and support and I realise now, that this is perhaps the most important issue. I don’t blame him – it is hard to understand that weight issues can be in the head as much as the stomach. Feeling full isn’t my problem so much as feeling deprived. I am desperately trying to work out... Why do I sabotage myself? Why do I turn back to familiar self-destructive habi…

Have you ever seen the pre-printed holiday/festive sugar Cookies in the refrigerated section of the grocery stores? Well, Walmart had 2/$5.00... so the pig that I am, bought 2! (why?) Night before last I baked the first box. Damn near ate 1/2 the box - myself! Lastnight, I baked the other box. Only left 3 cookies for my family. :nervous (shoulda heard me explaing this to my KIDS) Cookie by cookie, they went down the hatch. I wasnt hungry - not even a little! They werent even good - just tasted like heated sugar. I wasnt bored, Im not having any major personal issues, not time for pms... WHY???? Why did I eat all that crap? the only thing that…

I've about decided that Boise, Idaho is not the place to get my lap banding done, even though it is my home. I'm discouraged with the doctors here and their lack of caring and attitude about not wanting a Medicare patient. Between them they have only done a little over 100 lap band surgeries which doesn't instill a lot of trust. They were taught by Dr. Emma Patterson who is a lap banding surgeon, who accepts Medicare, and is located in Portland. OK, I know I have to fly up and see the dr. at some point, and then return for the surgery. All of my prelim tests can be done here. What I would like to find is someone to attend the seminar for me on Jan. 10 at 6:00 PM. …

Ok, I feel I can finally talk about this and get the support that I need to get through this issue. Last Sunday night my beloved grandmother and best friend passed away. I had only told one person on the board (thank you Kira)and she gave some awesome advice, but felt like I needed to come clean with all my friends here on LBT. I have fel like a fraud this week giving anybody any advice on the band because I haven't been doing very well at all with mine this week. You might as well say I have ate like I didn't even have one. Since I have a VG band, I don't have any real restriction with just 3.4 ccs and I wasn't even going to go have another fill done until after Thank…

I also wanted to write that I'm checking him out too. I have spoke with someone in his officer and Karen from here and I'm going to give this a try too. I like to have lots of options. I am supposed to go to their information session next month. Last wednesday they had one, but I didn't have child care. We will see where this takes me. THese dr's offices are so slow at returning calls though. If I go with him, I know 2006 will be the earliest. Also, i think he requires and Endo instead off Chakly UGI. Take Care - I'm feeling much better. I hope to make the next meeting. JT

I am a terribly impatient person. I get sick of following up and feeling like I'm making people do their job. I am currently signed up with dr b. I do feel discouraged. First, they don't return my emails, or calls. Then they said PCP didn't submitt paper work, now they say dr still has my file. I asked if it's normal for this to take 4 weeks, just to get a file together. So, I'm giving it until Jan 1st. I figure if the paperwork is on it's way to the insurance, I will check with them after thanksgiving. This is a fulltime job trying to organize to have surgery. I also am just about out of PTO at work, so there's not more rushing on my part. I do have my nut…

Has anyone noticed significant changes in ring or shoe size after their weight loss? I'm a mother of twins and alot of girls in my club had shoe size changes after their babies were born. Imagine throwing out a closet full of size 7 shoes and starting over! Thanks everyone! Patty

They still serve...And we're still free

ok--I give--how do you get that tickerfactory counter to show up

I'm just getting a bit nervous and curious as to what to expect.

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've been banded. I've been healing pretty well, but I'm concerned about a funny bump on my abdomen. It's not the port - I can feel that. It's another area to the left of it. Is the band? Are you supposed to feel the band through your skin? I am going to the doctor tomorrow to see about it. Did it slip? Can anyone who has had a slipped band tell me if this is a sign? It's not really painful unless I press on it. Thanks in advance for any answers.

So far so good. I saw my internist yesterday and he agreed to do everything he can to help. He did all the blood work, made an appt. for my psych eval and he is doing my physical on Monday. He is still in the process of making my upper GI and nutritionist appt. I am praying if I have everything done by the 21st that I can get my approval and surgery by the end of the year. If not- I am out alot of $$!!!!. But I think it is worth a try. Did anyone's insurance pay for any of these pre-things? Again, thank you for the encouragement. I check on here every day to make sure ya'll are all ok. One more thing- did anyone have to have a sleep study?

Hello, My name is Schel and I am from Big Lake MN. I am not yet banded and am scheduled for Nov 22nd 2005. 1- Does anyone know how much protein a body can handle at once? I mean is there a limit on how much your body can absorb at once? For this I mean Protein shakes. 2- Can I still have caffeine after surgery? And if No, why not? Will I ever be able to have caffeine again? (my vice... coffee) 3- Anyone met their goal yet? And if so, what next? I mean do they still do fills with your band? Do they not fill it and see how you do? 4- Is anyone able to go out and have a few cocktails after goal has been reached or just an occasion…

I really want a glass of wine. Not the whole bottle, just one glass. My husband and I typically go out to eat and/or meet with friends 2 or 3 times a week. I am tired of sitting there with a glass of Water. I could nurse a glass of Chardonnay or Merlot for at least an hour! I can understand the no beer thing, and also understand alcohol having empty calories. From the healing band standpoint wouldnt the wine just go straight through to my stomach? The only information I can find in my info packet is: "You must also avoid alcoholic drinks, not only are they very caloric but they irritate your stomach. In time you might be able to drink a glass of wine, but it should b…

Well, I made it! Tuesday evening and Wednesday were pretty rough days. Today, however, was soooooooo much better. I think that a huge part of my pain was the gas which seem to be much better now. I'm walking quite a bit which seems to help. I worry that maybe I'm drinking too much Water. I know that they say to take sips and I'm trying to do that. Did any of you drink a lot after surgery and did you have any problems with it? How much is too much? Kendra

I have heard people talk alot about feeling restriction after a fill. What exactly doe this mean. It seems to me that it would be the feeling of being full after eating a small amount. Or is it when you eat so much that you throw up. Can someone elaborate on what restriction feels like to you and how do you know when you don't feel resticted. Also, What is PBing and slimming I have seen people use these terms but I'm not sure what they mean. Is it short for throwing up? Please help!

Can you eat it or not

I met with Dr. Jay here in Dallas and I absolutely loved everyone that I met there! He has 4 lap-banders that currently work in his office. I'm going to wait until just after the first of the year! WOO HOO!!! :banana

Hi everyone I am new here. I will probably be using Fill Centers USA in the next few months and was wondering if anyone here has used this new service. How was your experience? did they find the port right away? Thanx for listening. Julie

Hi I am new to this forum. I was just banded on Nov 1st. I have received some conflicting info and now I hope I haven't hurt the pouch. I was given a lap-banded booklet before surgery for post op diet which I was prepared for the 2 weeks clear fluid but when I checked out of the hospital they said clear liquids for only 2 days and then soft food. I called the doctors office before this 2 day period was over and talked to a nurse and she said that I could start soft foods after 2 days. Well then I went for my 1 week post op appt and the doctor (not the same doctor that did my surgery) said I should have been on clear liquids for another week but since I had started so…

<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> HI everyone Well I just found out the other day, effective Jan 01, 2006 The co-pay for the surgery will be 5,000.00. Right now it is 250.00...I still need the 6 month weight loss attempt documentation. My case worker seems to want to help and replyed to my e-mail when asked if the atkins diet was ok to list..the reponse was: Hello again, any diet followed, along with regular vs and documentation of your results by whoever is following you on this should suffice. And yes…..they would be looking for 6 consecutive months of documentation on wt. loss efforts……. So Hopefully I …

hi everyone, i'm suki (rhymes with pooki, not sucki, snort newbie here i've been lurking and reading for about a week or more now. i'm really glad i found this place, everyone seems very nice and knowledable. i'm really nervous, my mother and myself are getting banded on dec 13th by dr ortiz in TJ. at least we'll have each other. we're stayin an extra day just incase we aren't up to flying right away. we're in florida so it's gonna be a long trip. we arrive in TJ on the 12th, surgery the 13th and we'll be flying home on the 16th, do you think that's enough rocovery time before getting on a flight back to florida? also, we do plan on flying back for a couple fills init…

Hello all! I was banded yesterday (Nov 10th) and everything went well. I am suffering a bit from the gas pains, but trying to stay positive. I am trying to walk as much as I can, but everything still hurts. I've read a lot of the posts out there so I know it will get better. I am very thirsty and it is really HARD not to gulp water down! Learning to eat and drink again is more difficult than I thought it would be. Any suggestions?

i am in need of some soft diet help.i am getting tired of the soft diet. so if anyone has any soft diet ideas they want to share please bring them on! also i am wondering if we can have bread during the soft diet. you know things like muffins or toast or even pancakes. just something else to add the diet to help get thru the day. thanks for all the help in advance! Amos

Hey Whipple Daddy, I just wanted to start a thread to say how great you are doing. We got banded around the same time and watched your progress in the beginning. I read a reply of yours about rolling naked in fish hooks and then saw your pic and progress and you are doing awesome. Your e-mails always have made me laugh and your progress is inspiring. Keep up the awesome work. Kim

My Husband and I joined last week and, let me tell you, this is one intense workout. If you haven't heard of it, here's a link for more information. http://www.krav-maga.com/definition.html And, if you're seriously looking to get a great workout, consider finding a location near you and join!!

Well, after making & cancelling 2 fill apointments over the last few months I, finally got my butt down to Dr O's in TJ and got a fill. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and I was talking to the nutritionist and another pt when Dr Ortiz came out, sat down and started visiting with us. We of course peppered him w/ questions and he asked us about our experiences. One of the the things he said that really shocked me was he said he doesn't think aspirin is a problem and that the band is outside the stomack so NSAIDS don't affect it. Honestly, it never made sense to me that medicines would make the band slip but it's something taken as gospel on this forum. I'm not sugge…

. Lets all take a moment to remember those who have served and still are serving the military. THANK YOU !! .

okay - I'm a pre-newby............to be banded on 11/17 What the heck are the PB's.....I think it might have to be "like throwing up?" and i'm very fearful cause if there is anything I can't stand - its to throw up! Haven't done that in about 20 years............last time was a daquiri binge....haha ! Help! will definitely need to avoid these.

Woohoo!! I have made it my first 3 months with my band. Even though I've had my ups and downs I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have come to the conclusion though that my band has some sort of multiple personality disorder, sometimes she likes me sometimes she doesn't. LOL I'm down 40lbs and alot of inches I can't wait to see what the next 3 months brings.

I am setting a few challenges for myself. I've been driving myself absolutely insane by counting every single calorie that goes into my body. (an almond has 6.3 calories.) I've also been super restictive with my diet, doing my best to stay between 1000-1200 calories a day. All of this has provided me with an average of 5 ounces lost a week since May; and stress beyond what is good for anybody. (an egg has 70 calories) So, my challenges are that I will stop counting calories for a month, I will actively ignore my caloric intake until Dec 1, after Thanksgiving break. (2.5 ounces of turkey has 165 calories). I am on my 4th fill, but I am less than a week into it. I, of…

I'd like to start a discussion about getting our bands around our brains as well as our bellies. I know I need this, since I am a turtle and my brain isn't banded and I'm convinced this is exactly why I'm a turtle. Maybe not all you turtles have these issues, but Carrie just posted a few really good comments over on the Slow Losers Unite thread and I'll copy it here. I hope to have great conversations with you good folks. Carrie, girl, you were right on time for me! This might be a whole new thread, but I was wondering if any of my fellow Turtles feel the same as me. I don't know if this is right, but I feel like surrounding my surgery (especially afterwards) I was …

Dear Bandsters, I've made my decision, well... 95% sure that I want to join the ranks of you brave souls. Here's my question of the day: Has anyone had any experience with the Bariatric Centers here in Orange County? I telephoned a Dr. Brian Quebbeman who is moving to Newport Beach, they did not return my call. And I did some reading on a Dr. Oliak. I need feedback positive or negitive. Thanks for the support. Patty

I have to tell you all that ive been having a real rough time. I'm almost 6 weeks post-op and i haven't weighed myself since 4 weeks ago. I can tell that ive gained some if not all my weight back. I know that this is a "recovery period", but im so depressed and ashamed of myself that i can't control myself. I have NO restriction, im waiting for my first fill on Nov. 7th. I called the head nurse and i told her im really struggling and she said "OH NO, i hope you didn't gain any weight back? Just drink Water when your hungry". I was like..."HUH"? If i could DO THAT i wouldn't have done this SURGERY!!!! Anyway, don't get me wrong i love my band so far, but im freaking out ab…

Anyone have any trouble with beans of any kind? Just wondering if this would be a mistake to try...

Tonight we took the kids to Maccas for a treat. They wanted to go play on the equipment when we were finished, so for the first time EVER I went in with them. I thought at any minute I would get stuck up in those little tubes....but...I didnt. I made it all the way through and came flying out the other side down the slide. The kids were so excited about me going through it with them. The funny thing is when I finished it the first thing I said to hubby was...I cant wait to get home and post this on LBT as a fun NSV and he was like "WHAT???" What is a NSV. I explained it to him and he laughed. I guess only we can understand the meaning of NSVs. So excited I just had to sh…

I just had my surgery on the 7th of this month (Nov.) and I was wondering when could I get on the tredmill and do some cardio to speed up the process of lossing weight?

Hello everyone.. I finally went to the seminar, the first step in the Lap Band process. I also contacted my insurance and was given a pleasant surprize. The surgery is 100% covered! Also, I don't need a referral. The only qualifiers are BMI of 40, clinically Morbidly Obese, and a psych evaluation which is required by my surgeon anyway. I am soo psyched! I totally qualify and don't really have to jump thru hoops. I sure hope not anyway. :banana Now, on wednesday, I have to go to a support group. And in the next week or 2 I will get the date of my first appointment. YAY! I am very excited about this journey. Although, my significant other is afraid for me. He is afraid s…

Cauliflower Cheddar Casserole (you can leave out the cheese for less calories) 1 Head of Fresh Cauliflower (approx 4 cups cooked) 2 Green Onions (scallions) 1/2 Cup Sour Cream (you can use lite) 1/4 Stick of Butter Salt & Pepper to taste 1 Cup of Shredded Lowfat Cheddar Cheese Cut up the cauliflower and steam/boil until soft. When the cauliflower is soft, drain well. Lightly mash in a colander to drain extra Water. Add the butter and sour cream. Use a mixer to mash the cauliflower until creamy. Add very fine chopped up scallions (use green part too) sour cream, butter, salt and pepper and 1/2 of the cheese, Mix well and pour into large casserole dish.…

I just had my surgery on the 7th of this month (Nov.) and I was wondering when could I get on the tredmill and do some cardio exercise to help speed up the process of weight loss?

There are only two surgeons where I live that do lap banding. They were both willing to do my surgery until today when they got the new Medicare review out and find that Medicare is only going to allow $800.00 for the entire procedure. They will be covering it...but at what cost. The doctors said they have to submit it to Medicare and therefore I can't even be self-pay if I want to. I don't know what to do. Anyone have any advice. I really should get the surgery here in the US because of a number of medical problems, but this just oh so sucks. Why would Medicare think this lap banding is only worth $800.00. I can't see any dr. taking Medicare now with the price t…

Subject.. Dr. Huacuz and Andres in Tj at the molding clinic...When my husband and I decided to get banded We called Andres at the molding clinic...I talked with a lady named Violet she said she was from New York and told us about the molding clinic...We then talked to Andres we did a little looking around and did not hear anything bad about the clinic...well anyway we arrived there and we were rushed around to have tests done etc. Then Andres took us out for drinks at his favorite bar...we were not told what we could eat etc. except to stop at 12:00 midnight...we were taken to a hotel and picked up in the morning Dr. Huacuz and Dr. Ramero and Andres and Violet were there…

Just wanted to know when I am supposed to start my protein slimfast drinks. According to my info. packet, I am only supposed to be on the clear liquids during my hospital stay and then start my protein drinks at home anywhere form 1-2 weeks/until my post-op appt. Just wanted to know when most of you started your protein shakes, mushies (apple sauce, soft eggs, etc.). Although I have not received a fill, I find that I am not able to drink/sip much broth or water (I think because of the heartburn, that pepcid is not helping at all, as well as the feeling of not being able to breathe too deeply. I feel as if I am in need of more nutrition, namely protein. Help, please.

Is anyone going to be in TJ for a fill at Dr.Ortiz's office this Saturday the 12th, I will be there at 9:30 am?

I'm about 2 1/2 months out and am having alot of trouble with my port area. I went into the doctor last week and his partner believes it is the rector muscle that was damaged during my first fill. But I'm not so sure. The soreness when he examined me was closer to the middle of my belly. But today the pain felt like I was being stabbed right by my port, and it is very sore around it. Don't know what to think, it's more like the doctors are patronizing by saying it will get better in it's own time but it really hurts. I can't stretch at all and even walking at times is painful, getting up and down is painful. I've been applying heat as suggested, but nothing is maki…

I am considering lap band. I went to a seminar in Concord off of Dale Ernhardt BLVD a couple of months ago.. I am 250+ lbs (I'm 254) and have back trouble anyway. I think if anything the lap band is my best bet. But I was wondering about recovery. My hubby and I own our own business and I have a toddler. When I had my back surgery, I couldn't move for a month at least. I also had to quit my job... I can't afford to do either of those this time... How hideous is recovery time? I've had a cesarian (spelling) section and back surgery.. So I am very familar with surgery. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction. Thank You!

Has anyone ever messed up at the very begining? If so how do you start over and get on the right track. 2 weeks after surgery I was very depressed as I was only down 3 pounds. Being an emotional eater I started trying solid foods and had no problems. I am now 3 weeks since surgery and back up a pound. I am eating regular foods (granted less than before) and I am not loosing anything. I was scared before the surgery about the fact that I am a snacker. People told me not to worry that I would not be physically able to snack. Well I found a way. Evening are the worse. It is like now that i have this in me and more compelled that ever to eat. I am so embarassed I am avoiding …