LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I know it may sound weird to me but how can you only get a tablespoon of grits down and that is it? Since I have had my band I have always been able to eat alot more than most people that are on this website and lose the weight, especially being newly banded...even in the beginning. When I read that some people can only get down a couple of tablespoons of a certain mushy food and I can put down almost a cup I just can't believe it. And I know that most have had a fill and their band is tighter but it seems to me that maybe what they are trying to put down is too thick? I don't know. I just know that I guess I have been fortunate to have not had a PB or even vomiting every…

I know that last Monday was your big day, and I'm just hoping that everthing went well for you. Anyway, I thought I'd start this thread to generate some healing psychic energy for you! cheers and hugs and getter better soon!

Good Luck, I know your down to the last few days before your surgery. I met dr bauman yesterday and everything went fine. Funny thing, my BMI wasn't exactly 40 so he indicated this might be a challenge getting it approved. It was 39.4, this is always my luck. So, I'm sure Gastric Bypass is definitly the way for me and I'm glad I'm pursuing this. I cannot wait to read about your experiences and success. I'd like to try to make it to lunch sometime when you guys meet. Jen

Hey everyone! My name is Sherrie and I live in Elon, NC. I just got back from Monterrey where Dr. Sanchez performed my surgery. I look forward to getting to know everyone!!!! Sherrie 10/6/2005 sw: 249 gw: 149 "To not be the fattest soccer mom on the field..."

My doc recommended the following: Day 1-5: clear liquid Day 6-12: add applesauces, cream soups, cottage cheese & yogurt Day 13-21: add oatmeal, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes.. etc Sounds like some of you went more solid sooner. Just curious!

Does anyone have a witty quote that I can write in the front cover of my daughter CSIRO diet book that I have purchased for her.

I have the best husband in the world :-) I have posted on previous threads that my husband and I are "beer snobs". We really love a good beer and taste and collect micro-brews just like wine connoisseurs collect good wines ( we do that, too :-). I have read about the dangers of carbonation and I know that many doctors, including my own, really want you to stay away from it. It broke my heart to make the decision to have the band surgery knowing that I may never have another beer, but of course my health is way more important! So last night, I opened the refrigerator to get a drink, and stared wistfully at the Gordon Biersch Marzen inside. It is beautiful, cris…

I'll be the first to confess that I am not the model LapBander. For the most part (about 95% of the time) I have lived by the Golden Rules of an ideal LapBand Lifestyle...............However, I have gone astray on occasion. Here are the top 5 of my personal LapBand sins that I have been guilty of: What are y'alls (Texan Talk)? 1. drink liquids with meals 2. eat way too fast 3. drink an occasional diet coke 4. chew gum 5. eat beyond the first feelings of fullness

It's been a while, and I'm wondering if anyone has heard from Marie lately? I always enjoyed her posts. Marie if you're lurking out there, it's time to check in!

I,may be 40 today & over the hill......But dam I, look Good! hehe. thanks for all your kinds words & encourgement over the past eight months! It has ment alot.JohnQ

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in a while, but I'm back. Last April someone yelled at me because I posted that I wasn't going to get another fill, even though I could eat a lot, until I had lost some weight on my own. They posted back stating what was the point of having the surgery if I wasn't going to use the band to it's fullest potential. I was worried about filling it too tightly too quickly. Well, I waited 6 months before I got a new fill on 10/03/05 and am now at 2.9 cc's in a 4.0 cc band, and I finally understand what real restriction feels like. I want to say I never gained the entire 6 months, but didn't lose either. Now that I am back to having restriction…

Ok, so I am going to see my doc tomorrow but until then I will count on you all! On Thursday doc removed my staples and everything was ine except my 2 larger incisions hurt a little. The bigger one has started to hurt more and now it's pretty sore and I noticed it getting hard this weekend but I thought the hard spot was the actual port but now it seems a little bigger. It feels like a hard lump about the size of a nickel and it's growing and it's sore, especially when I', sitting. I do not see any puss or redness and there is no phyiscal heat, nor do I have a high temperature. It's just sore and uncomfortable and when I had a belly button ring when I was 16 my body rejec…

Hello all. I was just banded on 9/30 and today was the first day that I was really hungry. I want to cheat but am scared to eat anything but broth. I'm a very picky eater and have been living on Soup, sugar free Jello and popsicles for 3 1/2 weeks now. Any tips on what to do? Thanks.

Well, so far so good all things being relative. Dr. said it was exactly like he thought it would be. He removed the port, and cleaned out the infected tissue. He did it open vs lap, so to say my wound is bigger than I expected is an understatement. I had a home nurse come out this morning and change my dressing for the first time since surgery. She pulled out almost 5 yards of packed gauze. I was overwhelmed and completely shocked as it just kept coming and coming out. For the first time since my original surgery, I broke down. I couldn't/can't fathom having a hole in my stomach that deep. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and can't wait to figure out what …

Creamy pumpkin Soup 2 teaspoons stick margarine 1 cup chopped onion 3/4 teaspoon dried rubbed sage 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 (10 1/2-ounce) cans low-salt chicken broth 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 cups cubed peeled fresh pumpkin (1 pound) 1 cup chopped peeled McIntosh or other sweet cooking apple 1/2 cup evaporated skim milk Sage sprigs (optional) Melt margarine in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add sage, curry powder, and nutmeg; cook 30 seconds. Stir in flour; cook 30 seconds. Add broth, tomato paste, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in pump…

I have been having a horrid pain under my right shoulder blade and today my PCP said it could very well be my gall bladder. Did anyone have theirs removed at the same time they got their band? Any info will help.

Is that means? Just clarifying. I see alot of "250/218/135"

Just curious. This is one of the requirements for UCLA's bariatric program. If you had to have the documentation, what did it consist of? Is it just a letter, or is there more to it? And does the diet have to last for a certain length of time? SJ

Hey everyone... I had an endoscopy today because of my continued problems with acid reflux. Good news: no erosion. Weird news: my pouch isn't emptying properly. I hadn't eaten in 12 hours before the endo this morning, so food should not be hanging around. Ewwww. The gastro doctor couldn't tell if it was due to a slip, but the diagram he drew looked a lot like the diagram Dr. Ponce drew when he diagnosed my slip in 2004. The pouch, instead of being in line with the stomach (vertically) is off to the side. When I had the slip before (band was re-positioned in March of this year), some food was staying in the pouch until he unfilled me, then it moved on through. But I'm…

Friends, I'm in a bad, bad situation. I've consumed more sugar in the past 3 months than all my life combined. What the heck happened to me? I never drank Coke. EVER. I had no desire for Coke or Pepsi because I was addicted to Diet Pepsi. Several months back I had a real Coke. Then another. I saw other Bandsters drinking Dr. Pepper and Coke, so I started. Now I can't stop. I'm actually being serious for a change. Yesterday I went all day with no soda. Then I actually popped a Pepsi open at 9:30 p.m. IN BED. ANOTHER CONFESSION: I picked up a new habit of eating in bed, then going right to sleep. I almost called Michelle last night, but the phone was too…

Just a question for all your banders have been around the block for awhile. Will grilled fish be on the menu ever again as well as peanut butter?? I would kill right now for a bowl of oatmeal with peanut butter and a banana mixed up in it... and if I can't have that ever again...I may just have dr b take this band right out...lol...ok..noooo..I won't...but I sure as hell will pout about it for a loooonnng time!

I love my band thanks to the weight loss but I can tell already I am forming bad mental habits that apper to be replacing my bad eating habits. Why can't I just be bad-habit free? I am obessing about my band - is it infected, is it slipping, etc. -- and worse, I am obessing about weight and food. I weigh myself at least 2 times a day even though I repeat my mantra of "this is time to heal not to lose". I get depressed that I haven't lost in 4 days even though logically I know it's only been 4 days and I did switch to mush so no loss is expected, but yet I still feel sad. It's so dumb b/c i never felt this sad when I would diet for a month and only lose one little pound! A…

Any fruit I can eat besides bananas? Can I just mush up any fruit? I'm craving some canned pineapple - can I mush that up? Will pineapple get stuck? What fruit goes down easiest (besides bananas)?

Hi All! I've been consumed with reading LBT the past few days.. Me and a few other buddies on the October bandsters list are having surgery this week. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10439&highlight=October+bandsters For me - tomorrow morning at 6:30 A.M. I was wondering what you wore the day of surgery? The pre-op nurse said it had to be verrry loose.. maybe pajama bottoms and a button front shirt? For the ladies, did most of you wear your bra? there but not home I'm guessing? I have serveral things on my list to do today .. 1) Laundry (multitasking as we speak) 2) Shave hairy legs! 3) wash dishes etc... any other household…

My stomach is doing flip flops and has been all day. I am nervous but very ready for the surgery. I will be leaving at 6:30 am for surgery at 9:00am. I hope I can get some sleep tonight but it does not look to promising. Maybe I can catch up on some movies tonight. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and wisdom. It has been invaluable to me. I have to stay overnight in the hospital but will let you know how things went as soon as I am home.

Hello all! well I survived! All in all it was a pleasant experience, and the nurses were extremely nice. I arrived approx 6:10 am, pre-op was a breeze, spoke with Dr and Anesthesiologist. At approx 8:45 they put some anesthia in my IV and I was out right away, don't even have memory of being wheeled into OR. Next thing I knew I was in recovery! In quite a bit of pain, but they asked if I was OK - I said not really and they gave me some pain med thru IV. I did the breathing exercices 8 times, then the nurse helped me get dressed and I was off to the bathroom. No problem there! Yea! From there I was off to do the barium swallow and everthing went fine.. have…

Just had my 4th fill in today which takes me to 7cc in my Vanguard Band. I lost 22 Ibs in the first few weeks of being banded, then nothing for 3 months. My Dr said that I should only be able to eat entree size meals when my band is at the correct level. I have had restriction but was able to eat bread, and meat without any trouble, so maybe I was not tight enough before. Lets hope I am closer to the sweat spot now. I follow banster rules but still do not exercise enough. I notice on other posts that some have Protein drinks, so I tried one that was called PVL OSOPLETE............damn that was a struggle to get down. I just made it to the toilet a couple of hrs lat…

The waiting?! The patience?! This crap is driving me nuts and I haven't really done anything yet. I have my consultation in two weeks (I had the option to do it in a week but I thought it might be too soon and might need time to rethink this just in case I find something out in 2 weeks that I haven't found in 6 months of research ) and I have spent the last 6 hrs looking up every pre and post op lap band picture currently on the internet. i've spent at least 2 hrs analyzing people's weight loss and trying to figure out Lap band jargon like "PB." *sigh* I'm exhausted from surfing. I can't imagine what will happen after the consultation and the wait for insurance app…

I'm scheduled for a consultation next week but had a few questions. 1. Does the lapband slow down your metabolism. I've read that it holds food for longer... 2. What can I expect to be able to eat after the surgery? Will I forever be eating Soup and what not or will I be able to eat normally again? 3. What is the best thing about the Lap Band? 4. What is the worst? 5. What do you wish you would have known before getting into this? Anything else you might have to say would be very helpful...Thanks Jini

Ever since deciding to give my band another shot, I've been wracking my brain, trying to figure out why this isn't working for me. My dillema: I do seem to have restriction when eating, but I never feel "full" or "satisfied", just sick. Anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours later, I'll be hungry again. Backtracking a bit, I have NEVER, EVER been able to burp. I'm not sure why! As a child, my dad would make me laugh by burping really loud, and no matter how hard I tried and how much he explained how to burp, I could never, ever do it! I can only think of one single time in my life where I had a real burp. I get little airbubbles, but that's it. Usually the gas sta…

I have seen a couple of people who had slow weight loss but it has been significant…like MuffinB. Any others who did not lose a lot of weight in the beginning but ended up having significant weight loss? I am about to get my third fill. Thank goodness because I have no restriction. I am just wanting a pep during this long journey. I had surgery in June and have only lost about 18 pounds. I know it is a marathon…not a sprint. Any good stories about slow loss that finally kicked in?

Just wanted to stick a note in for all the October "bandsters". I am having surgery tomorrow, with a bit of trepidation. I am one of those "fortunate" morbidly obsese folks that really doesn't have any co-morbidities at this moment except insulin resistance (which is the medical reason that I am having surgery, I do NOT want to be a diabetic at age 45). Nervous about anesthesia and the first few days. Does anyone want to share about how their "new" stomach feels after surgery and how much activity could you really do the first few days? Thanks for your input in advance.

Our family had pizza hut and although I didn't touch the pizza I had 6 wings. I am not even supposed to be eating solids. I feel no restriction though and just lost my willpower today. I could use some encouragement because I am wondering if this means I am still not ready for a lifestyle change.....I will be drinking lots of water tonight.

I was banded on 09/22/05. I have found that since then I have been having very vivid dreams about food. I mean lots and lots of food. Food is everywhere and, yes I am enjoying it very much. In my dreams I sneak Cookies into my pocket, excuse myself so that I can go into another room that has food and eat without being seen, and so on and so on. Also, I love to cook, and since the weather has turned cool, I find myself wanted to cook and bake. I have tons of cookbooks and I have found myself going through them trying to decide what to cook for my family. I have finally realized that cookbooks are my pornography. I can get very excited thinking about what I want to cook…

Has Anyone Been There. I Am Having Surgery There Nov 2 Nd. Also Looking For A Close Hotel/motel.

Ok I had a fill on 9/19/05 since then I haven't been able to eat real food...mushies and very soft foods are ok and of course liquids. The first week I lost like 7 pounds and last week 1.6 this week so far I have gained 4 oz. I get sick with almost ever meal..well slime for 30 mins or so and then sometimes PB well ok most of the time. If I drink enough liquid each day I don't eat much because there is no room...if I eat then I don't drink alot. I think I have acid reflux starting because when I get up in the morning my throat is so sore and the other night I wake up with a burning sensation. So my question is...why I am gaining and not lossing like crazy? Also could I b…

I forgot to ask when I made my appt. today. Do I need to fast before fill?? If not, how soon before fill can I eat??

I had my surgery 1 week ago, on 8/26 and went for my follow-up visit this afternoon - 9/3. I'm so thrilled. In the 1st week since surgery, I lost 11 pounds. And totally in the past 3 weeks, which includes the 2 week pre-op diet I was on, I've lost a total of 25 pounds! I *know* this won't continue at this rate, but I feel really good about the beginning. And I can *wish* it would continue at this rate! Anyway, I'm onto the Phase II - "full liquid". Tonight's sugar free, fat free, lactose free chocolate pudding was like luxury! Wishing us all continued success. Mary

Well I am heading to Mexico, this morning (its 1:15 am). Please pray for me. I look at my three year old son and wonder if I am doing the right thing. What if something goes wrong in Mexico and my son is left without a mother? Is this just my vanity? I have struggled with a weight issue all my life, God knows I tried everything to lose the weight and keep it off. Thanks for the great support

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

I just had my surgery on Friday and I don't what to do about the bloating and also about passing a bowel movement. Can I take something for that or do I just wait for it to come naturally? Please help,if anyone has some suggestions, Thanks! Vanessa

question for diabetics or those with insulin resistance: I am very insulin resistant and am taking Actos. I seem to have a problem with hypoglycemic dips. I am wondering how I will be feeling on the liquids stage, and do I need to continue with the Actos while I am having zero to minimal carbs/sugar? I know that these are questions for my doctor, but I swear I like getting advice from people who have "been there done that" better. (if it makes any difference i am not a sweet eater at all, my highs readings are only around 130-170, but i pump so much insulin that sometimes i will drop to the 40s or 50s. dear doc says that 20% weight loss... will probably have me off …

My stupid band! Stomach. Whatever! I am especially restricted in the morning and then after 9pm or so, I am way way way less restricted. I know some people feel somewhat tighter in the morning.. BUT this is so extreme...... I have to find a way to fix it. or i AM SOL. ............... I have to get a fill to get better restriction at night time, I am NOT loosing weight! BUT I cant get a fill... cuz in the morning I cannot even take a swallow of juice without sliming in out at leaste half the time. If I get some more fill, I will be choking in my saliva in the mornings. Cant do that or I will be abusing my band and put it at risk.…

If you miss potatoes, here's a great recipe. You can make this LOW CALORIE by cutting down on the butter and sour cream or leaving the sour cream out. I LOVE THIS STUFF !!! Preheat oven to 350 1 very large head of fresh cauliflower - boil or steamed well. 1/2 stick butter softened 1/2 cup sour cream salt and pepper to taste *OPTIONAL Topping: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar Let cauliflower drain VERY well. Press out the Water, blotting with paper towels. Put cauliflower, butter, sour cream and salt in large bowl, use electric mixer and blend very well. Spray an 8" by 11" (approx.) size casserole baking dish, and spread mixture evenly in dish. Bake at 350 f…

I'm a little nervous now. I was originally scheduled to have my surgery on October 4th, but I had an abnormal EKG come back so my Dr. wanted me to undergo further testing. So they rescheduled my surgery for this coming Friday, the 14th. I'm supposed to call the hospital a week ahead of time to pre-register for the surgery, so I called on Friday and left a message. They just called me back and said that I am not scheduled! If I have to change around my time off from work a third time, they are NOT going to be happy. My Surgeon's office is having phone trouble today, so I can't get through, but left a message with their service. :cry

I wanted to find out if there are any bandsters who would like to attend a support group in or around the Brunswick area. I'm going to meet w/ Dr. Henderson's office Wednesday and see if we could get one started and wanted to find out how many people out there would be interested. There is a support group for the gastric bypassers but we are so different and the weight loss is much slower so it's kinda discouraging go and to not have lost 100 pounds in 6 months. If you are interested you can email me at bbuie@camden.k12.ga.us. Hope to hear from ya'll!

this is just a test..

Since my surgery (8/5/05) I have not had a period. Anybody else have this happen?

I had a physical on Tuesday to get a referral to a surgeon and find out if I had any “ammo” that I could put on my medical history. My doctor is a 1st year resident and she said she’d give me a referral, but when she consulted with the attending physician he said no. We made a deal that I would give it three months and then we’d talk about it again. In the meantime, I’ve been directed to exercise three times a week and I have to go back and see her once a month so she can check on my progress. I also found out that – except for the obesity thing – I am in perfect health. No pre-indicators of heart disease, high cholesterol, apnea, high blood pressure, etc. In fact, my blo…

Hi everyone! My name is Donna and I have decided to pursue Lap band surgery. I have been the given the go ahead by my endocrinologist. I am diabetic. I am 5'8" and weight 285. I have been heavy my whole life. I have tried every diet and what not to no avail. I am an active person and do eat good foods. My endo says that my stupid metabolic issues (insulin resistant) make it very hard to lose weight and he thinks the lap band will be the added boost that I need. But hey, even if it is good food, I still eat too much of it.. LOL I am 31 years old and have decided to do something for myself once. I am glad I found this board. I think you guys will give the support that I nee…