LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Ok, I will be getting my band 24 hours from now! I'm so scared! I've never had surgery before! Only a twilight sleep - never had a general. I'm going to try to be calm today. Pray for me! I'll write as soon as I feel up to it!

Issue #1 – I’m a borderline case. BMI is 37.7. I have the usual aches and pains that go along with being this size, but no co-morbidities (that I know of). Also, I have a family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, and obesity. Issue #2 – I’m in treatment for depression. Blah blah blah, long story, but it’s been a major contributor to my weight gain – especially in the last 6 months. Yesterday, Dr. switched my meds, hoping the new combo will be more effective. Issue #3 – I have been working with a diet coach/behavior therapist since June. Her m.o. is “Go slow. Focus on changing one bad habit at a time.” Apparantly I'm a lost cause becuase I’ve act…

Well Ladies and Gents... My time has come. First thing in the morning, I am getting on the plane to Puerto Vallarta! I am getting banded on Friday the 7th. I am very nervous. I want to say thanks to everyone for their support and advice. I know I will be needing alot more of it in the near future. Pray for me! I will be in contact as soon as I get home! Love, Angie

Had surgery this morning. I feel ok. I can sleep just fine - as long as I get in a comfortable spot and don't move I'm fine. The hydrocodone probably helps too! I have a bit of shoulder pain but other than that I just feel a terrible pain in my side when I get up and down. I am sipping water and protein shakes (1 ounce of each) and walking 2 minutes or so everytimg I wake up from this constant napping. Is this ok? Is the side pain normal? It feels like a sore muscle but maybe it's gas? I love you guys so much - I could never have done this without ya'll and your support! I keep waiting to feel awful but I don't yet. If my recovery stays like this it'll be a breeze. I neve…

Hello all, This is my second thread, and I wanted to thank all the people who supported me and gave me their knowledge and experience about the band, and here I decided to do the operation:) :) <O:p</O:p I live in <ST1:pSwitzerland and will be for a while, and I’m looking into doing the operation here in Swiss. Just wondering if anyone knows about how the operation is done in <ST1:pEurope</ST1:p, or if it done differently from the States. <O:p</O:p I read on the forum someone speaking about a Swedish band and how it’s different. So I just was wondering if you have any ideas about doing the operation in Europe, and whether if doctors back in …

Hi ppl! I'm Eunice here from the other side of the world, Singapore! Anyone from Singapore here? Chance upon this forum while doing a search on lap banding. A short intro of myself, 23 yrs old,chinese student and currently still deciding on whether i wana be banded. I have been overweight since i was young,tried all ways and means to slim down but no success thats y lap banding is one of the option i'm considering to help me slim down. But i'm concerned abt the pain and the after care. As a asian, my diet consist mainly of white rice everyday.does that mean that after banding, i wont b able to eat rice anymore? Is it very painful after the operation?i had all my t…

Good Luck Ladies !!! You'll be in my prayers

You Have The Right To Remain Fat Or Skinny! This Is Only To Motive Soom People Not All So I, Thought About It I, Only Hope This Will Help People To Help Them Selfs! Or People Who Are Banded To Help There Band Out! The Fall Time In Wi,is Such A Beautiful Time,im Sure It Is Every Where Unless You Live In Iowa.haha You Do Have To Say That Was Funny! So Take The Time To Get Out Side And Enjoy The Out Doors,just Take A Walk For A 15 Minutes And Build Of That. I,know Some Of Us Are Large And In Charge, But Its Not To Hard Just To Start You Don,t Have To Run A Marathon Or Even Run,just Move From That Comfortable Spot. Turn That Tv Off.and Put Down That Fork A Little …

I had finally convinced myself to push to be banded, as some of my relatives have really done well with it. My insurance company is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. I just found their policy regarding this: Oh, I have tried to lose the weight for much longer than five years, but have never had physician supervision. Heck, my doctor is very over-weight. There is no way I can pay for this on my own....a school teacher just does not make enough. We have just adopted twin baby boys. I am totally in love with them, but am afraid I will not see them grow up, as my dad and uncle both died at relatively early ages...and I am heavier than either of them ever were. I…

Hey all, I don't know if anyone else has seen this but I just found it in the grocery store today: Water Sensations - I love fruit 2 O but it is expensive and all those plastic bottles can't be recycled in my area. This stuff is like fruit 2 O concentrate in single servings - you add one packet of liquid to your 16oz water bottle and you have an instant fruit 2 O like beverage. Here are the details 1 box was $3.99 and contains 16 serving. Flavors available: Strawberry-Kiwi Mixed berry Orange Lemon Peach Grape Cal - 0, Carbs - 0 Ingredients: Filtered water, natural flavor, citric acid, potassium citrate, Sucralose. They have a web site www.watersensations…

I'm sure all of you see the commercials for dairy and weight loss 3 servings a day of dairy will help aid in weight loss, Well I'm here to tell you it works. As many of you know I have not seen the scale move for a long long time some of it from my own doing and some of it not..I decided once I got back from Vegas I was going to focus on the 3 a day theory and plus the calicuim is suppossed to help reduce symptoms of PMS so I thought what the heck lets give it a try, I started with 1200 mg of a Calcium supplement to help with the PMS symptoms and then taking my 3 a day servings of dairy, usually a Protein drink in the morning, a yogurt in the afternoon as a snack and …

I know Starr is scheduled to be banded today, but I don't remember at what time? Whoever hears from her first, please let her know that our prayers are going out to her!

I am having a hard time getting down protein. Chicken gets stuck way too easy; even when I put bbq sauce & all kinds of stuff on it. I need some more foods to eat that can help me get more protein down. I know beans have protein, but I can only eat so much!! I think I saw a thread here once that listed a bunch of foods that had lots of protein. Anybody what thread that was & where I can find it?

9/30/05 Hello all-was 8 weeks post op 9/27/05!!!! cant believe it. am still so happy and sure have learned about slowing down and chewing. has been biggest change. anyway, would like someone to please give me a list of solid foods to eat as well as the total daily recommended amount per day. Im getting concerned I might be overdoing it on the protein and not getting enough of the right carbs, grains, fat, etc. Know if I dont eat balanced I wont be as successful and I want to be. Would really appreciate a quick response. This also would keep me more aware of my fullness status to determine if I need another fill. 1st one done was 9/8/05. Thank you in advance. Mi…

The Today Show will have NWWLS (Northwest Weight Loss Surgery) on this Saturday morning. That's where I got banded -- looking forward to seeing what they show. I'm definitely going to TiVo it though -- looked it up on TVGuide and it runs from 4 - 6 am Pacific time. That's way too early for me. I think they said 8 am Eastern time, so maybe they are in the 2nd half of the program.

I now have a date of November 16th for my surgery. I have a few things I want to do before that date but I have a question. What would you/did you do before you had the band put in? Go to certain resturants, drink sodas, sleep on your side, what? I have several resturants who will miss my business but I have promised them all a "last meal". I understand that buble baths are out of the questin for awhile so I want to do that. What am I forgetting? I have time and would hate to regret that I didn't do something. Of course, the best thing is now I can start my list of what I want to do when I get skinny. Buy off the rack, sit in an airplane seat in comfort, cl…

Happy Birthday Lovely Lady :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

This is a fun game..... We're going to write a story but each person can only use one or two sentences, no more....each person has to continue the story from the previous poster (don't copy and paste the entire story, just write your sentences.) This can get really silly, so have fun.

Okay, although I know I'm asking for it, I just HAVE to talk about this. Does anybody else start to get that "choking/PB" feeling and keep eating so they WILL urp up? I've never been bulemic probably because it was always very difficult for me to throw up, but now this productive burping spitup is pretty easy with the "right" foods. And now this is REALLY gross, but sometimes I actually enjoy it because the food is so fresh you can taste it coming up and it's almost like getting to eat it twice! (And don't even have to absorb the calories.) I KNOW it's disgusting...and no doubt really BAD for my band, but all of you know how easy it is for us to get caught up in co…

I was banded 2 days ago and was not told to do anything to my incisions. What does everyone else do? I have some soreness when I walk around or get up but have not noticed any oozing at all. Thanks, Darla

I have a new song I sing while walking on the treadmll 99 pounds of fat on my a## 99 pounds of fat Lose some fat, gain some muscle 98 pounds of fat on my a## and so on...

This exactly as my protein shake tastes!!!! Im in awe over the taste of this, its like no other protein ive had before. Its called "Perfect, Low Carb, Isopure" has 50 grams of 100% ion exchange whey protein isolate. Mmmmmmmm YUMMMMM! For anyone who hasnt yet found a good tasting protein i would STRONGLY suggest this!!! Theres no chalky taste or anything...its soooo good...i actually look at my shake as a treat not a must.

You know how some of us don't think we're big even though we are, and some of us don't really see that we're smaller than before? There have been many great LBT threads on the subject of distorted body image. Well, I just got hit with it, and I had to write. I met a grad school advisor off-campus today; we hadn't met before, so I described myself as 5'9", large, with salt-and-pepper hair. I really think that's a valid description of me -- I'm still almost 200 lbs. Well, this tiny woman took her time identifying me, and as we were leaving, she said, "I thought you said you were large. I was expecting someone. . ." and she spread her hands about a yard apart. Yes, I kn…

this site is giving away free samples of their new Protein powder...if your interested: http://www.wheygoldstandard.com/form.asp

Okay! Don't know why I just thought of this 8 months after surgery? But it is funny! So I come out of surgery & get to my room. First thing everyone wants to see is my incisions. I pull my gown up & my mom says, "What are these ink marks for?" We can't figure it out. The next day when I am in the bathroom getting dressed to go home I look in the mirror & it hits me, at some point during my surgery, they set me up & drew lines around my breasts to make sure that they wouldn't make an incision under them. I was cracking up! So did my Mom! The doc walks in wanting to know what's so funny so I told him we were admiring his drawings! He grinned. Thought I wou…

:cry I had surgery with Dr. Spiegel July 28th, at the surgicenter Received my explanation of benefits only to find out the surgicenter is out of network. No, I did not check on this before hand, but now am really stressing over the money it may cost. Called the surgicenter the referred me to their main office, she was not able to tell me how much it is going to cost me out of pocket, because they have not received the payment from UHC yet. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS? AS, I said I KNOW I should have asked about this before hand, but it also seems like someone could have told me this at the surgicenter!?!?!?!?

I have read that gatorade is good to drink for the post op patients. I tried the pink lemonade flavor, and I don't like it, what flavors are good. I would appreciate any input on what I can drink, I know I will have to stop my diet cokes, and I'm trying to cut down.:think Edna

Just a quick question ~ One of the pre-op requirements for my surgeon is to see a pulmonologist(sp?). I have to have a chest x-ray and a couple of other tests and then bring the results to the pulmonologist. My PCP seemed a little concerned about this, he said that if the tests and x-rays come back good, there should be no need to go further...it doesn't really matter to me but he really thought that this was overboard. Has everyone had to go through this? I'll do what I have to do if it means that I have a better chance of staying healthy through this surgery. Just wanted some input, thanks!

Hi everyone... I'm not banded yet, and am still doing the yes/no game with myself, but one question I've been dying to know the answer to is this: Is it true that bandsters should not, for any reason, drink water (or whatever) while eating? I can't find the answer on here, probably because it's a known rule that drinking while eating is a no-no, but is it really? I'm having a hard (weird I know) time getting my mind around not having a glass of water or iced tea with a meal. Thanks for the help, in advance!

I am going on 9/27 for my first fill. I have a 4cc band dr. is going to put 2cc in. I am worried that this is too much for a first fill. I surely do not want to have to go back right away for an unfill. I have lost 18lbs. without any fill. I have never had a pb or any problems with anything getting stuck. I am very nervous about getting the fill not so much the pain but the after effects. I think I am going to ask the dr. to start with 1cc. instead of 2cc to see how it goes.

Hi all, I am a new wannabe banster. I have the opportunity to get the band and I really want to. I have to admit I am a bit scared to do it. I have been reading these great posts and learning a lot. I am glad everyone has been really honest. I have read the good and bad and all in all everyone seems to have a great feeling about the band. I am scared that after I get this done I will never feel normal again. Can anyone tell me how long it took for them to feel back to normal? And is the pain excruciating? Also has anyone gone through dr. Horgan? Thanks everyone I know this is quite an order to fill.

tAKE A PITCHER OF YOUR SELF MEN SHIRT LESS WOMEN NO, HOLDING A SIGN THAT SHOWS YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. THEN E-MAIL IT TO A TRUSTED BUT SADISTIC FRIEND WITH THE FALLOWING INSTRUCTIONS;IF I,DON,T SEND YOU A NEW PITCHER THAT SHOWS IMPROVEMENT IN 12 WEEKS POST THIS PHOTO AT HOTOR NOT.COM AND SEND THE LINK TO THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW....' INCLUDE AS MANY E-MAIL ADRESSES OF ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!!! GIT ( R ) done with exercise( help your band & help your self ) .At least 3 twenty minutes work out,s a week....Or just go for a walk..........................take care. most of all God bless and get healthy. JOHNQ or just do ANY THING TO GET UP AND GET MOVING!!!

Is there a self pay person who needs a CPAP. Brand new, cost very little.

Why does it take a week or 2 before the fill kicks in. I have read this many places and still do not understand why it is this way. Thanks for your help---

I am off to our nations capital tommorow morning - Canberra. We have our first Banding Together 2005 conference. I am excited but also scared. I am petrified of flying, and prayinggggg that the seatbelt fits me. I dont know what Ill do if it doesnt. On the other hand, there are going to have a couple of plastic surgeons there, I cant wait to pick their brains, maybe if I show them my belly, they will feel sorry for me and give me a tt for free See you all Monday night.

This pre-op liquid diet is now giving me diarreha. Is this normal? Sorry to be gross but I count on you guys for advice and reassurance!

Hey guys. I went to my doctors appointment today and its confirmed that I am on a plateau. I weighed in there the same exact weight as I weighed in last month, which is assuring because I thought I had been doing quite a bit of cheating....but I think for me, no matter what I do, its gonna feel like cheating! Perminant guilty concious I guess. Anyway. I gotta fill today...so I am up to 2.25 cc's. I am a bit nervous cause I remember with my last fill in August, everything was getting stuck, I had a hard time adjusting to my fill. I know this time is gonna be the same, if I dont really take my time and chew chew chew. I am investing in a toddler fork I think and that …

:cry I have been banded a year last July and was 20st when I had the op, now I am 20st, so have not lost anything, apart from the post op fluid regime. When I had my consultation, I told the Dr I had an eating disorder and especially with chocolate. He told me that I would feel sated quickly and there fore would eat less, however, I can eat all the chocolate I want, however have restrictions, on the foods I am supposed to eat, like chicken, etc. So does the band fail many people? do people end up having it removed? What does one do in a case like mine and in actual fact with another person I know, who has all so the same problems.

Ok...here's the deal. My husband's ex-wife had the Gastric Bypass when they were married and she lost the weight and then she left him. I am in no way going to do the same as she did because I actually love him, she obviously didn't. But do I tell her that I had the Lap-Band surgery or just keep it to myself? I see her all the time when we pick up his kids and they know that I had surgery but we didn't tell them what kind of surgery that I had. But I really don't care if she knows but I think my husband might not want her to know. I think he doesn't want her to be judgemental towards me. She knows that I have been struggling with my weight since I had my daughter in July …

Just wondering how many cc's you had put in on your FIRST fill? My surgeon put in .5cc What about you????

I have my band surgery on friday and I read that "funeral" post and I am freaking out! Then I read about other people dying on the web, If that funeral post isn't true .... well, I just don't know what to say about why someone would do that. I know it's normal to be scared but I am freaking out now! I am 26 - way too young to die!

:Bunny I :Bunny :banana Quit :banana :banana :banana Smoking! :banana :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny I haven't had a smoke since Monday! I quit cold turkey & I haven't been eating everything in sight! I'm so happy! I can breathe!

I had a fill yesterday--he got 1cc in, for a total of 7, and when the doc was putting it in, I could actually feelsomething going on, like maybe the band tightening up around the stomach. Is this getting restricted or am I just imagining it? Before my fill, I did get stuck a few times, no pb or sliming though just a stuck feeling for a minute or so. Thanks for your help!!

Hello everyone! I used to come here and post messages and read everyones posts as well. It was very helpful to me. However, my surgery did not go as planned. I had been researching my surgeon and procedure for over one year! I had my surgery date in July and everything went as planned up until I woke up from surgery. When I woke up from surgery I was told that the doctor perforated my stomach and he was unable to complete the surgery. Not to mention I would never be able to have the band in the future or at least he said he wouldn't because chances of further complication were very high. I was in the OR for 3 1/2 hours long as oppposed to the usual 45-60 minutes. I h…

Okay.......when a Bander is filled to the "sweetspot", the stoma is ideally the size of a straw or at least the size of one's finger. Anyway, this is what I've heard. My question is, if it was necessary to vomit (not PB), how can the vomit (gross I know) make it's way back up through the narrow stoma? I know that when I hurl (not often.....but boy when I do), I violently call for "Ralph" and "Roy". I've been known to break blood vessels in my eyes! I was just wondering about his. I hope that I don't have to find out, but I'd like to know what to expect. Sorry for the gross subject, but I was just curious. Anyone had any experience with this yet? Thanks Everyone,

OK, this one is gonna be a bit long...I have been so depressed and discouraged that I have not logged on to the site since Wednesday evening. I had my appt. with the surgeon Thurs. and everything was going wrong. There was a bad accident on the freeway, so I was running late. To make matters worse, after hustling to be on time for my appt., I finally get there and they tell me that the doctor is away visiting his father (who happens to be VERY ill), so, of course, I feel terrible about being upset that he's not available. In walks his 'assistant' who was about 4'9 and weighed about 98 pounds. I had a feeling that she was not going to 'understand' my 'situation', and, boy,…

Hello . I was just banded on 9/20/2005 . I am just wanted to hear from other people . I would like to know about recovery and if any one has had bloating . and when will I be able to sleep on my stomach again ?? LOL . Any advice would be much appreciated . thanks and the best to you all .

Last year I fell off a motorcycle and I've felt like a train wreck since. I've been going to chiroprators and physical therapists, but one therapist FINALLY came up with a solution based on simple common sense. Why didn't any of my docs or other therpists figure it out? He said after going through weight loss surgery plus all my complications, I stopped using my abdominal muscles, so they were really weak and therefore not supporting my lower back. I've been doing ab exercises, but I've been doing them wrong by trying to target my lower belly, which was just hurting my back more. Now he's got me doing crunches laying on the floor with my legs propped up on the be…

I would love to know how to put a weight progress chart on my file . I am new to this and I am having a hard time with it . Thanks to anyone who could help me out .

Just in case somebody was wanting to try the Starkist Tuna Fillets in the pouch they are awesome!!! There was a 1.00 coupon on last Sunday's paper so I thought I was give them a try. I got the lightly seasoned one and I am totally impressed. I thought at 120 calories for the serving with just 1 carb and 26 grams of protein that I couldn't miss with this one! Check it out!