LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Can I ever have a milk dud again? Or is that a food that pulls your fillings out and may just pull your band out! Are there any foods that are for sure a nono for life? I know cokes are gone for over but what about tonic or club soda? I LOVE how my father in law makes me vodka tonics. Do I have to have my last one for life on Saturday night when I see him? I don't mind, I just need to know. And is Saturday to close to the surgery date to have alcohol? What about McD's?

Okay, so I know I’m obese. And I know the problem has worsened significantly over the past year. But I never seriously considered obesity surgery until recently. After all, surgery is for people “with a real problem” and that’s not me, right? I mean, I’m fat, but I don’t have any of those problems all “those other people” have. I guess at least part of me continued to believe that even as I began researching WLS. Part of me thought, “Well, my BMI is under 40, so it’s not like this is really critical for me. I mean, it’s not like I weigh 2,000 pounds. I’m just sorta checking it out.” Do you know what a “come to Jesus” moment is? Because I just had one. And now I am Scar…

Can anybody please tell me about fatty liver and what the treatment is for a and older patient.Many Thanks

Well I was banded June 2 and my starting weight was 380 nand im floating between 346-348. Ive had 2 fills. I really starting going back into the rut of eating what i wanted, and even when my band stopped me i still continued to drink and "force" the food down. What was i thinking? I went to the store and thought id find some clothes to wear and noticed i can officially buy one pants size smaller....then i realized that it was only one pants size and by now i should be like 3 pants sizes smaller. Needless to say im depressed over this whole thing. I need some motivation. I just got married September 17th so my husband kept telling me i was cheating the system because i w…

Sometimes I just want to scream, and cry, and kill my ex. He and I have always been friends, and we dated for a long time. Now he has started being sooooooo stupid that I broke up with him a little over a month ago, and he is driving me nuts. I used to have a friend and he used to be friends with her too, well he didnt like her anymore, but she was okay with me. I heard both of them talk so much bs about one another I was sick of it. All of a sudden the weekend that my RECENTLY widowed gma got married, I was emotional distressed and still dating him, well he took my friend to a club to go have fun and dance and stuff and told me I was not invited, and she (claiming t…

Anybody have a good recipe for blackbean soup?

I would love to start a thread with bandster in the Tennessee area. I have been banded since 8/13/05. I feel great I don't even feel like I have had surgery. Until I eat, my mind is not where my stomach is. I tend to either eat to fast or to much. I have to get in control. I think that I might need to have a fill, but is it to soon. My wound where the port is split open and is having to heal from the inside out. I saw my local Doctor and he is following my care on this. I was banded in Mexico and would like to find a Doctor in Memphis area for the fill no luck yet.

When I loose weight especially weight lost that is noticeable to other people. I gain this confidence as if I can do ANYTHING. Last night at my TOPS meeting, no one wanted to volunteer to be on the anniversary committee so I did. Then no one volunteered to be on the game committee, again I did. I was thinking, “what am I thinking” what makes me think I can do this by myself. But you know what, I am going to do it and it will be done right. I find myself walking and sitting a little more erect. I pay a little more attention to my hair, my overall appearance. I have lost 44 pounds but sometimes I act like I have lost 90. Sometimes I will see a female with an awesome bo…

Anyone talked to or heard how Diane is doing? Melissa

I went to my first lapband info. meeting tonight & I'd have to say that I was not happy about going. I am 5'6 & weigh 235. Through out my life I've always felt like I don't look good or I'm not put together.. because I am fat. (I'm sure that I'm not alone on this one). I have to be honest & say, The people were nice, I had fun & learned so much. I won't feel uncomfortable going again. I was amazed by the stories people told about their experience. Some bandsters could eat steak, pork & drink soda with out issues, but had problems eating chicken. Others could only eat chicken & not steak, pork or drink soda. It was all over the place. No two peopl…

... my husband's gonna love me for it LOL. I love flowers and such, but I'm not a gardener by any stretch of the imagination. I've tried it once or twice, but it always made my back and knees hurt and hey, I'll admit, I'm a lazy girlie lol. Add to that, I really can't stand getting dirty hehe, I can be a real girl's girl when it's convenient. I'd much rather pay someone else to do that manual labor thing and have it come out looking decent. We live in a townhouse with an ocean view. One of the downsides to that though, is that we don't have a yard. Instead, we have a courtyard out the back that's filled with all kinds of shrubbery, flowers, trees, etc. We just rent. O…

{warning long post ahead!} Ok, so I had my second fill today and it was a horrible experience. Ok not so much the fill but my interaction with the Dr. Let me start off by saying that like a lot of people on these boards I went to Mexico to have my surgery. I knew it was a risk but it was the ONLY way I could afford to have the surgery done. I researched for a year found a dr. that I felt comfortable with talked to his office and his other patients for months and went ahead and had surgery in June. I totally love my dr. and I had a great experience! I was banded with the Vanguard band. 4 cc's were put in at the time of surgery. I had my first fill at the e…

Hey Guys, Anyone care to chat? I'll be in chat room for a few minutes.

Help I'm losing my hair in clumps I had surgery June 9th with port revision in august now sept 24 my hair is coming out I am so nervous I am going bald has anyone on this site had excessive hair loss after lap band let me know I am freakin out big time help

I have attached a list that was given to me after I had my surgery in Mexico. It's a list of doctors in the US who will do fills for Mexico banded patients. It's not an all inclusive list, meaning it does not list every doctor that does fills - only the ones that patients have reported they go to and like. The list includes the state, city, street addresss, phone number, cost and some misc information. If anyone is interested in it, take a look. For those in Michign (my home state) looking for a fill doc, you will notice this list does not have anyone listed in our state. I go to Dr. Pleatman and he is excellent! daniela.gula@pfizer.com Daniela 217/188/132 fil…

hey everyone! i just was online checking in and decided to say hi! things have been really busy for me! i worked my but off all summmer! i then went on a three week vacation to visit my family and friends. calvin brought his parents to TN to meet mine. we had a blast! but now its back to reality. back to work! bandwise...i wish i had better to report. things have been ok. i have had a few unfills and refills. the latest was a refill under flouro. thankfully my band hasnt slipped and shows no sign of erosion. the dr gave me a fill and i asked him to take out .1 from that, just for good measure. then went on my way. i seem to be good so far. going slow on liquids.…

Ok, since there is so much daily discussion on who can eat what when... let's all post our doctor's protocol here. We all know we should DO what OUR doctor tells us, but for all the curious minds (like me) let's just see what everyone's doctors are saying. My doc's protocol: 1 week of liquids pre-op (it says if unable to adhere to this pre-op I can have 1 small meal per day) 1 week of liquids post-op mushies for week 2 and 3 post-op then slowly add "normal food" He says liquids include "juice, Water, cream Soups, milkshakes, Protein shakes" No carbonation for one month after surgery. (some docs say no carbonation EVER but mine says just for one month) Mushies i…

Here is my story.... Wednesday Night... I ate some Teriyaki chicken, after about 4 bites it started to get stuck. Okay I know this feeling, I sat back really calm and praying it would go down. A min or two after my mouth filled up with slime and I thought... nope it isnt going down... I ran to the bathroom and as soon as I opened my mouth it all started to come out. There was so much slime I barely could breathe. The next thing I knew it was coming out of my nose... Ewwwwww so gross and boy it hurt so so bad. Okay so as soon as I was done.. I clean my nose really good even put Water up there to make sure it was all clean... blew it a few times... done! Friday evening …

I would like to know how much lap band costs? I hear Dr. Barker is the least expensive at around $10,100. Is that including hospital stay and whatever? What are the costs of other surgeons?

I'm almost 5 wks banded, and boy am I having a serious case of the grouches. Work has been a real challenge lately and it's really been more than I can handle with the new band and all. I'm not really sure why, but I suspect that since my coping mechanism is gone (potatoe chips, candy, etc.) and I haven't found another that I'm on melt down. I took 1/2 day vacation on Friday and plan to take another this coming Friday, just got a perscription of valium, and have tried deep breathing, but still on the edge. My question is has anyone else been here? If so how long til you got a handle on the subconcious feelings?

Well, I was banded a week and a day ago!! All the pain I was experiencing at the port site, is almost all gone except for a little soreness in the area. Who would have thought a few days ago, I would be feeling this good? I went back to work yesterday and had a 12 hr. work day and felt good other than just a little more tired than usual. I can't believe it has been only a week and I feel so good. Did everyone else feel this good? When should I be able to go back to the gym, even for just the treadmill? I am definitely glad I had this done and would not change anything about my whole experience.

Finally, its done! I am sore today but am sipping protein shake, water, and pain meds. I am also getting up and walking a bit. I am so glad it wasn't worse, i know i can return to work next Monday. I had surgery at 3:45 and was home by 8 pm, and it was a 2 hour drive home. I am so glad i listened to yal's advice and didn't try to drive home myself. now just gotta find out how to get a ticker and post pix! Darla

Does anyone know a good exercise that will help tighten the muscle in my upper arms ( or as I refer to it my wings)? I look at myself in the mirror when I am combing my hair and am starting to see this flabby skin hanging there. Its not too bad yet but...I sure dont want it to get any worse!

Just posted this in the wrong place. (sorry for the duplicate!) Hi everyone! I'm (pending financing) ready to schedule my lap band surgery in Mexico sometime soon. My only issue is finding a close physician for fills and follow up if needed. I've called a few and got discouraged because they all said no to mexican band fills. I need some help! If anyone has any helpful information, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I keep hearing all the scare-stories about PBs. I've yet to have one (although I've also yet to have my first fill). Now, I'm ever-the-optimist, and I'm kinda hoping that given the right diet/eating method, I won't actually have to experience one. Are there bandsters, post fill, who have yet to experience a PB?

It's been 9 weeks since my surgery. I live in AZ & had my surgery done in Mexico with Dr Ortiz. I felt very good about my decision & didn't feel I needed to let everyone know about where I was having my surgery because they just wouldn't understand. I told everyone I was traveling to San Diego & having the surgery near there. (Which is the absolute truth!!!!) 3 weeks ago I told my in-laws that I had my surgery done in Mexico. (I only told them because my 9 yr. old daughter mentioned it briefly.) They didn't speak to me at all after that. Last night they came over to our house for a very "special" conversation. They proceeded to tell me that I was a …

WHOA!! I haven't slipped as I thought!! thank you all so much for your support. My uper GI looked good....I am going for a unfill...

Hello, Has anyone had their band removed due to a chronic foreign body rejection? I know that the band itself is inert silicone and should not cause a reaction. Thanks Helen

PCP sent a letter requesting approval for surgery. UHC sent request over a week ago for additional information. I called the PCP's office this afternoon, and our guess is the letter from UHC went straight to the doctor, as it's not on/in my record yet. Fortunately, the gal who processes these requests seems really nice. She'll take a faxed copy of the UHC request for additional information from me to expedite the process. May God grant me patience!

Hello, I am new to the board and wanting to get the lap band done. I am going to my PCP in two weeks to advise him of what I am considering. Everything I read I am boarder line on getting approved. Working in insurance I know what the main critia for the gastic surgery is but wanted other opinion since I don't have my own insurance with my company (harrington) I have Cigna insurance through my husband coverage and they state the cover the procedure. I turned 31 in July and have been overwieght for almost 8 yrs. Since the birth of my first child. After losing very little weight and a sudden weight gain of 40 lbs my doctor did many test. I was sent to a RE and found o…

Hi, I was banded in May and have had two fills so far, I have lost 50lbs. Things were going really great up until last week, I have not been able to keep any food down, when I say food even the smallest amount of food I immediatley throw back up, I have been able to keep liquids down. My DR is ordering a GI for me tomorrow. I feel fine outside of not be able to eat. Does anyone know what's happening? Banded May 23rd

I am in complete shock and disbelief! This morning I headed to the track for my ususal exercise - walk and jog a total of 2 or 3 miles. Lately I've been jogging one lap non-stop then walking with a little bit of jogging mixed in when I felt I could do it. Well, this morning when I got to the track I started jogging right off the bat. I was just finishing my lap and I decided to keep going, next lap same thing, then again and again. In total I jogged 1 mile (4 laps) non-stop!!! Then I continued to walk another 2 & 1/2 miles. Never in my life have I jogged a mile! I feel amazing knowing that I am getting stronger; my heart is stronger, my lungs are stronger, my muscles …

My husband's visiting me for the weekend, so we went out to eat since the last think on my mind is cooking..... I thought I would share what it's like when we go out to eat. DH has been banded for 20 months, and I've been banded for 6 months. He has lost almost 200 pounds with at least 100 150 to go. I've not done spectaularly (someone had me a tissue to dry my tears... ) Friday we went to dinner at a national chain, Applebee's. I had a drink and ordered two different appetizer plates. The big sampler and and order of BBQ ribblets. We realized too late that we should have only ordered on of the appetizers for the both of us, but we had the left overs for Breakfast…

Hi Everybody! Well, thanks to all of you and your many posts, I was encouraged to go through with this procedure and am so happy I did! I was fearful of the pain and unknown complications. The doctor told me it would be 1 1/2 hour surgery but he did it in 45 minutes! I had no complictions and very little pain - really just gas pains is all I felt. Fortunately, those only lasted a couple of days. I am back to work today and can do most things. I am a little more tired than usual, but, hey, I can accept that! I am so looking forward to the future now. I have a much more positive outlook. I lost 14 lbs pre-op and am anxious to see how I will do now. Cat

I have checked the web site and spoke to my family Dr and confirmed this to be a valid warning so I am passing it on to you. Not stated in this pre-prepared post but you will see it in the web posting is the fact this drug is in decongestants and also in many weight control drugs. This is the warning I received: All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled. You may want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes and inquire about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in…

I was banded yesterday and I feel great and thank all for the information that I gather on this site. Dr Abkin is a great surgeon the last time I had laparoscopic surgery I was in in a lot of pain for day and days after surgery and with this surgery I'm doing very I expected to feel wrost.

Tomorrow I get my first fill....yeah!!! But, today I did something I have not done since I was banded. I sat on the couch and shoveled in caramel corn with peanuts, then we ordered pizza for dinner and I nearly ate a whole small pizza! I feel miserable....why did I do this? I think I might have done it since I know I am getting a fill tomorrow and hope so much for resriction, so I ate too much today! Does this make sense? Anybody else do this?

I have lost 17 pounds since surgery and 27 total (10before) I have noticed my clothing feeling loose, so today i tried on some of my dogshow clothes. My last show i just grabbed and ran, well i looked like i was in clothing way to big, because it was. My suit was a 26-28 and fit just fine a month ago. Tonight i tried on my 22 size suit i got them sipped up and buttoned. A bit tight but i think i can wear them in a few weeks. Then i put on an outfit my friend gave me a year ago, size 22 sipped up buttoned and i could bend over. I would like it a bit looser but OMG a few months ago i could not get it over my legs. I have NO FOOT OR LEG PAIN since i lost some of …

YES, I checked previous posts! Before anyone jumps on my back for bringing it up AGAIN, I can't get any answers about hair loss. I mean real, hard, cold facts about why, 6 months after my band, my long blonde hair fell out by at least 50%! Good thing I had some to loose but that's not the point. I hate this. It has been falling out continuously for 3 months. No stopping in sight. So here are the facts. 1. I eat more Protein now than I ever did in my life. 2. I take plenty of Vitamins. 3. My weight loss has been slow and steady. 4. It started 6 months after my surgery so it is not an anethesia question. 5. I have zero stress level. I have a great life. (except this …

I had my band put in 2 wks ago today and I was just wondering when I should start feeling hungry? I have been following my doctors orders - 4 wks of liquids, and with everything I have read, I thought I would start feeling hungry by now... at least at some point during the day... NOT THAT I'M COMPLAINING... but I just thought that the swelling was supposed to go down in about a week and then I was supposed to start getting hungry. Its good that I am not hungry, but I am only getting in about 600 - 800 calories a day, and I know I need to get more... its not that I am too restricted or anything... I can drink my slimfast in about 2 minutes or less, and I can drink Wate…

I am getting so bored with the soft food!! There is only so much applesauce, scrambled eggs, tuna fish, mashed potatos, pudding, Jell-o, yogurt and grits a person can eat!!! I know, I know...there are probably a variety of things to eat but right now I am in the process of moving offices and I guess I am doing ok...just need some fresh ideas to kind of liven up my menu!!! Does anyone have any ideas? I haven't had my first fill yet either...does that make a difference? I did read one thread that talked about eating McDonald's and I have to admit that I had their fish sandwich and I took off the bun and ate it slow and it went down pretty well...missed the fries but had som…

OK this may be a stupid question but here it goes. I keep reading that there are different brands of bands. What are they? What is the difference in brands? I have a Vanguard band and I am hearing that this is a, if not the, largest band. What does that mean exactly? Is this a good thing? Bad thing? Is there a "better" band compared to others?

Help!! I did not think about this before, but I´m starting my period today, so I will have it the day of my surgery OMG!. What is the protocol here? Tampax and underwear? sanitary towel and underwear? just Tampax? (how embarrassing!).. Has anyone been trough this predicament?

hi everyone im on my 5th day of my 2 week before surgery liquid diet and im having my surgery oct 3rd ....im ready to bust i wanna cry im so hungry... and feel liek no matter how many veggies or slim fast drink i drink im still not satisfied....and if i feel like this now is my surgery going to work? im so upset and confused and angry and im braking down emotionally i never new that i could feel like this from not being able to eat is this normal? does anyone know what i can do i called my nutrionist today and she said i could add egg whites or 3 oz of grilled chicken in my diet but to me thats not a big deal im so confused help me someone please

How often the first year do you have to get fills? Do you have to do this for the rest of your life? Why do you lose restriction over time? thanks ladysplenda

I just found out that my particular insurance coverage does not cover WLS. I'm not going to get discouraged just yet. I guess I need to find out if I can upgrade my coverage. If anyone has ever done that or knows about it, I would like to hear from them.

I know it was a situation I had no control of...mother nature and all, but I think I survived it, ok. If anyone watched the news then you saw footage of the traffic. Well, Funyuns were my lil' snack of choice and believe me they can get very runny and mushy in your mouth...very easy to swallow. I didn't put any thought into bringing a "mushy" snack with me in the front of the truck because I packed it in the back of the truck to take to the hotel...duh. And then we stayed at a resort in The Woodlands (north of Houston) and they were so awesome to everyone that was there because they had to evacuate since they lived down by Galveston in Rita's path. The resort served compl…

I should get my first fill today. I was banded 7/29/05 and have only lost 14lbs since surgery. I have no restriction and can eat anything. I have gained 4lbs back so total lost now is only 10lbs. I have a check up today and should get my first fill. I am nervous and excited, just like the day of surgery! I WANT RESTRICTION and that FULL filling! Wish me luck!

Well, I have been on full liquids for one week and have two more to go (Oct 5 is my next app. when they will switch me to mushies) and I have to tell you, I now HATE chocolate shakes! Someone replied to a previous post about adding SF FF pudding mix to your shake to thicken it up a little (I can't drink watery shakes) so today I added SF FF Cheesecake flavored pudding to my shake and I am saved. Chocolate cheesecake - Yum. 1 Scoop 100% whey protien powder in chocolate 1 to 1 1/2 tsp SF FF Cheesecake flavored pudding (Jello) 1 cup Carb Countdown Fat Free Milk Blend and enjoy! Does anyone else have any good ideas on how to make these things drinkable? recipes would b…

Hi all, I was banded on 7/27/05, in Mexico. Lost 12 lbs in the first 2 weeks. Once I started eating, I felt like I am eating less than before, but I can eat a good amount. Now I am practically 2 months post-op, and the scale is only 10 lbs down (gained back 2 lbs! First fill is Monday--a bit of anxiety about that! But also, I feel like most people would have lost a lot more at this point. I haven't made the time to exercise in the last 2 months--would that have made all of the difference? I had really hoped to be down 20 lbs by my first fill. Any input? Anyone else with a similar experience? Will they give me a bad time when I go in for my fill? Thanks--Barbara