LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

It's going to be along day tomorrow. Will be flying to Chicago for my first fill. I'm a little nervous.

Hi all and thanks so much to all who responded to my previous post and to those who have shared their experiences so honestly on this site. What a great group of people! As I stated before, I found out yesterday that I am getting my band on Monday, 9/26. What should I stock up on at home? Protein shakes, loose clothing, pain meds, anything else? Good movies maybe. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Thanks so much! Darla

Hi Guys Just a little question here. I have read throughout these boards and have heard people mention soy milk. I myself am not a big milk drinker, however I know I will be mixing protien drinks with milk. Is there a big difference between soy and regular? Also while doing Atkins they said to drink regular milk as it has lower sugar than skim??? I am not sure which way to turn on this. My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 20 and I have to be on a pre op diet. If Soy milk is better for you could someone please tell me some good brands to buy? THANKS guys!

I'm having some issues here... I can't seem to get an answer out of my doc or nutritionist about this and it's DRIVING ME CRAZY! I'm 7 days post-op and onto blended foods. How fast can I be eating? I'm taking so long to eat that I can only get in like 500 calories a day. I'd REALLY like to be eating more than that. I take about 45 minutes to eat 1/4 cup cottage cheese. Does that sound right to anyone? Also, how quickly can you drink Water. I take about 1/2 hour to drink 1/2 cup. I realize everyone's different, but, realistically, how fast did YOU eat after you were banded (but before a fill).

OK, new week new problem. Need input. I posted last week about the possibility of losing my band. The deal I made with my doctor was that we would remove the gall bladder and see what happened. He wanted me to remove the band, possibly have a revision to an rny at the same time. The surgery was last Wednesday, they apparently had to cut my incisions bigger because of the size of the gall stones, so it's not as small as a normal one and it's deeper. It hurts like hell. Last night I started with the vomiting again, so I thought I would lay low today. Shortly after I got up I got sick, acid reflux looking, or so what I have always called it. I had a hard time keepin…

The numbers on the scale were getting ugly so I haven't hopped on lately. I've been adding more veggies and less goodies and getting back to using dinner plates instead of feeding troughs. I feel pretty good today and my pants are really comfy. Anyone else avoiding the scale?

Well I got approved. But I also found out my doctor is going out of network after the first of the year. I am still trying to get my daughter approved. She turns 18 Dec 24th. I have to drive 200 miles to get the surgery done. But I can get my fills at his office 60 Miles aways. I found another doctor 110 miles away with free fills for the next year. In network. But he has only done 60 lapbands. What to do. ladysplenda

I get a pretty early start in the mornings - usually up at 5am. I have a Protein drink for Breakfast, mostly for convenience. lunch is at noon, then dinner at around 6-6:30. I'm full when I finish dinner. But within two hours or so, the evening cravings hit and I start rummaging through the cupboards. While I try to keep it healthy (carrot sticks, celery, etc), that doesn't always cut it. I know part of it is boredom, part of it is hunger and part of it is habit (I've always been a night time snacker). Not feeling much restriction at all right now (go for a fill early Oct), but I don't want to blow what I've lost in the next few weeks. Any tips on how to stop t…

I went for my first fill today and it was sooo easy. I was a little worried, but the doctor took my hand and said just let me know if you want me to stop and give you a moment. He was so understanding of my fears. He had me lay on the table and he cleaned the area with betadine. Then they put a surgical drape over the port and turned on the floro and had me do a crunch to locate the exact port, and then they stood me up on the machine. He numbed the area with lidocane (sp?) and waited a moment or so then stuck the needle into my port,(first try) I felt the pressure of the port being pushed but that was it. Then he filled my band and had me drink some contrast, then water …

Hey all I just wanted to let you know that I will not be going to the meeting monday night. I will getting in from St. Louis right before my appt with Dr. V and then I will need to go home and unpack. So I wan't be able to make it this month. Sorry the ones who go please let me know how it goes....

Stuffed Feta chicken Breasts 1 package of skinless boneless chicken breasts or tenders 1 (4 oz.) pkg. feta cheese 1/2 tsp. basil 1 tsp. pimentos or oil packed sundried tomatoes chopped 2 TBLS. Hellman's Mayo or plain yogurt 1/4 tsp. cavenders seasoning If using chicken breasts, using a knife, make a pocket cutting into the side of the breasts. Mix the feta, basil, pimentos or tomatoes, mayo or yogurt & cavenders. Spoon into pocket made in the chicken breasts. Place stuffed chicken breasts in greased casserole dish. If any filling is left over, spoon over top of chicken breasts. Season with more cavenders. Cover casserole with foil. Bake in preheated, 350 degr…

You guys are great! But you are telling me too many different things! LOL I don't know what kind of anything to try! LOL I appreciate reading all of your post though. Heck, until now I didn't even know there was soy protien and whey protien! Never even thought of trying soy milk, which I bought some tonight and its actually good. I am going shopping this weekend, trying to get some things stocked up for my pre op diet. I have no clue what kind of drink mixes to get! LOL Anyways, Thanks you guys! You are so much support for us pre banders!

I have had a really lousy few months, lost job-got new job with huge cut in pay that I don't like, family stuff etc......... I went ahead and got another fill on Thursday because I haven't lost any weight in weeks and I gotta tell ya'll I am in serious food mourning. I am sad, depressed and I want nothing more than some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, mac & cheese.....need I go on. Wow what an eye opener at how much I used food as comfort and now my band won't let me. Good or Bad... having a hard time telling the difference.:think

Hi, I am having surgery on Sept 22 (Thursday). My doctor has had me on Clear liquids since last monday (09/12). I was really dreading this part but actually, until yesterday I was actually breezing through this phase. I guess I had my eyes on the prize and I was just so excited to be getting the surgery done soon. I even felt more energetic...I think because I was dropping alot of Water weight. I've not had many hunger pains so I have been fortunate there. At times, I was feeling a little cocky - like, well maybe I could do this on my own!!!! I know better!! Anyway, starting yesterday, I started getting very, very weak. I guess this is really no surprise, I thought I w…

As I watched the second showing of the Biggest Loser the other day, the theme song really hit home for me. So I copied down the first sentence in huge black letters & placed the note in a central location in my home. I pass it constantly. It reads: What have you done today to make you feel proud? It helps motivate me & I if you do it maybe it may help you as well!

I was banded a week ago today. Feeling somewhat better, however, now I am concern about this knot that I can feel inside of my stomach. Will it go away?

Although I am not and never was a frequent flier at McD's, I always pick at fries if my kids get them. The other day, I indulged in a small grasp of fries. I put 2 at a time in my mouth and chewed well. After the 3rd mouthful of 2 fries, I had the wrst pain in my chest and couldn't swallow my saliva. I think this was a form of PB. I didn't actually vomit or anything, but it hurt horribly. I proceeded to drink a sip of a vanilla shake thinking it would help...OMG...I thought I was having a heart attack. It brought tears to my eyes and a sense of panic. After 10 minutes of fretting and trying to remember to breath it did get better. Never again do I want to eat a …

I will be banded the 26th of this month and I am trying to stock up on things for after surgery. I have already gotten some chicken broth and boullion, sugar free jello, and a good protien powder and pop-cycles. I guess I just want to hear from a few of you what you did right after surgery. I know I will be okay once I get on mushies, it's just right after I'm wondering about. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I attended a seminar last night where the doctor was really pushing bypass over the band. He said that it takes longer to loss weight with the band and when it is all said and done he said you will lose a lot more with bypass. It has kind of left me confused. I would rather have no surgery than have a bypass. Thanks, Kerry

Not much at all but some. We went out with the inlaws and I planned all day on sometype of cream soup for dinner. I only had 1 protien shake and a puffing today so that was a total of 270 calories. Then we went to this restuarnt and the 1st thing they tell me is they have an Italian clam chowder......yuk!.....Then they have the NERVE to bring us this wonderful bread with garlic and rosemary on it. So I had a few bites!....then the thought of the soup made me feel ill so I ordered flounder. I ate about 1/4 of it. The everyone wanted creme brulee, my absolute most favorite thing in the WORLD! So I had 3 small bites. I know alot of people have lean cuisines and other…

I have decided that for every 25 lbs. I lose, I will have a reward for myself. I need to lose a total of 100, so that makes 4 awards!! The problem is - I can't seem to come up with any except the last one!! When I reach my goal of 150, I've decided my award will be either a Breast Reduction/lift or Tummy Tuck. (or both!!) I'll need to wait & see when I get there what my body looks like. I just reached my first 25 lb goal today!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!! But, I still haven't decided what my reward is!! Have you rewarded yourself when you lose weight?!? If so, what was it?!? I need some help!!

I have been reading about "mushie" stages and blenders and such, and was wondering about baby food. Can you eat baby food post-op, or thereafter for a "fast food" type deal? They come in little 4 oz jars, which would be just the right portion. Laugh and point if you must, but then tell me if it would work.

Today I weigh 247. I weigh more now than I did earlier this summer, but not much. Okay, I’ve been feeling very sorry for myself lately. I mean really sorry. I haven’t been handling my non-weight loss gracefully. Not gracefully at all. I just went back and looked at my spreadsheet I use to track my progress. I have lost a grand total of 3 pounds since 3/29. That’s it, three measly little pounds. Gee, I’m on track to lose an entire 6 pounds this year. (insert explicative deleted here.) On 5/5/2005 I had my impedance measured at the gym. 251 pounds, and at that time I had a body fat % of 44.9. My fat mass was 113 and my fat free mass (FFM) was 138.1. Today I checked…

Hello - to all of you Colorado Bandsters out there! We would LOVE to meet you! Do a search under yahoo groups for *coloradobandsters* and join our local group also. We post our meetings and support questions there. We meet twice a month for support groups and would love to have you join us. We have a great group of local Bandsters, with a lot of local support. Open to EVERYBODY - Pre OP and Post OP - from ANY doctor Lisa Chavez Dr Kuri Banded: 2-16-04 323/215/180

I have the old Sweatin to the Oldies videos, which I really like. But they get old after doing them a gazillion times. Has anyone gotten any of his newer stuff and is it as fun as the old ones? I mean the "60's Blast-Off", "80's Blast-Off", "Latin Blast-Off", etc. Just curious before I go blow a bunch of money on new DVDs.

Today during a conversation with my therapist, she informed me that another one of her patients had the band a while ago. She looks awesome and is doing great right now, but apparently, some time after her surgery, she discovered that she had a flipped port. My therapist told me that the woman was in intensive care for 2 WEEKS!!! and almost died from a terrible infection that was brought about due to the flipping of her band/port? It flipped and caused a rupture in her colon (OUCH!!!). She also told me that the woman was in excruciating pain. Is anyone familiar with this? Is it a rare occurence or what?

Hello All! I had an appointment scheduled last Friday for a third fill. I always go into these appointments with a little fear--Big Needle Phobia hear...(see previous posts!) Anyhow, I have lost 8 more pounds in the 4 weeks since my last appoinment. The nutritionist and I had a great discussion: I'm still losing weight at my current fill level, I am not getting hungry and I have little or no problems with food getting stuck-aside from a few non-chewing/triscuit/McD's fries incident-- So, no additional fill for now. We'll see how the next four weeks go. I am an everyday weigher, On the Advice of LaMadam and others, I had my husband hide the scale. I am only allowin…

One of the Vegas Bandsters just lost her band due to erosion. She didn't have any symptoms and was beginning to gain weight. She went 1.5 years with no fill but felt her port was different, maybe tipped. She had a bruise on her port that looked infected but cleared up, but an endoscopy revealed erosion. A popular Tijuana doctor placed her band (not Lopez) but they don't know why she eroded since she truly was the perfect bandster. It's not my business to reveal her name or doctor, but we all have the right to know when erosion pops its ugly head.

Happy Birthday To You ! Happy Birthday To You ! Happy Birthday Dear Paula, Happy Birthday To YOU !!!! Have a wonderful day :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana Wish the smilies were better

I was banded monday 9/12. Painful? For me yes, but each day it gets alittle better. I now have more gas than pain. Today is my first day moving around gentle Thank you all for your concern Accepting any additional advice:)

Everyne out there, pray for me, I have a difficult day tomorrow, nothing to do with my surgery. I just need all the prayer that I can get. My surgery is next Monday, I still don't have an angel. Isn't there someone in jersey who would like to be my angel?

Hi all- I finally did it. Had my surgery on Friday morning. Although the surgery went very well, I have felt like hell the last few days. Lots of gas pain, and when I walk around I feel very short of breath. Is this normal? Otherwise, I am very excited to be on the path to a healthier life! Heather Dr. John Feng Banded 9/16/2005

I have my date, with Dr. Bauman. Its October 13th...so I'm not that far behind you ladies. I loved their office and the staff was just great. And they kept saying things like.....I'll take care of "........." today. I was like wow, today! hehehe. I have my prescrips to get filled before surgery and my hosptial check in scheduled. And it looks like I won't have to stay overnight. Which is great news. I am going to stop letting people measure my height though soon....I keep shrinking...sigh. Melissa

Well I have my surgery on August 1st. So I'm about 7 weeks post-op. I didn't experience that WHOOSH of an easy 20 pounds off. But that's okay. I'm down 10 pds which averages out to 1.4 pds a week. I love my band. Initially I felt the restriction. I actually pb'd once. That was very weird. Though I don't feel tightness in my chest I've noticed that I get fuller a lot faster. Not Thanksgiving full but satisfied full and it lasts a long time. Pre-band even one pd a week was an impossibility given my underactive thyroid. I haven't been able to take off 10 pds in I don't know how long. The best part is that I'm maintaining the loss without any real deprivation on …

Pam, your surgery is just a week away! Sept. 21 is just around the corner. Sending you best wishes and (((hugs))) for a safe trip, uneventful surgery, and quick recovery.

I am addicted to this site! Every morning and night I am lurking around meeting new bandsters and reading my life story almost on every thread. In this world today there is constantly someone reminding us of our differences. Whether it be color, socio-economic status etc. On this site I have found a true brother and sisterhood. I have met people that I would probably have never encountered in my lifetime. People from Australia,the UK and all around the United States. I am honored to be among such a wonderful calibre of people. People who agree to disagree and still give support to one another. If all of America and surrounding countries were like the people on this site w…

I attended a weight loss support group meeting yesterday. The surgeon who performs the band as well as RNY led the discussion. Afterwards, I asked him if he had any patients who were covered for lap band through Pacificare, and he told me yes. I explained to him that I have Pacificare, but the band is not covered, only RNY, and he told me that the problem does not lie with my insurance company, but with my employer. More than likely, my employer purchased a less expensive 'package' from Pacificare that does not cover the band. I was not able to ask him what to do about this problem, because so many others wanted to ask him questions. I have an appt. with him on the 22nd o…

My family keeps bugging me about my weight loss. I am losing slow. I have not felt it was right for me to be exercising, until this past week, due to a back injury & both legs being numb as a result of it. So I decided to tell everyone that I quit weighing myself. I told them that the scales were not moving quick enough for me causing me to get depressed & overeat. So they all leave me alone now. It seems that people expect you to lose like an RNY patient. And when you don't, I kind of feel like they are saying, "See I told you so. You just wasted $14,000." And I have actually been told twice that I wasted my money. My sister-in-law had the RNY a little over a yea…

So were are you all? My emotions are at about a 10! I can't wait to meet with Dr V tomorrow and get my ?'s answered! Starr how is day 2 of your liquids? I'm doing good today I'm at 715 calories so far. Trying to figure out if I want soup again or a shake... I gotta say today I feel like I might have lost a little, but who knows.

Nooo, its not what you say after you cut the cheese.... :nervous I know most of you are around my age so lets play another game "Name That Tune" Just write down one sentense, guess and write down another sentense for the person after you... got it?

Yes, I know....fickle band. My last fill in July put me in a good place. I think I felt like I had restriction for the first time. I lost a few pounds the first couple weeks...found out I was prego and then just maintained for the next month or so. (Both my band doc and OB wanted me to maintain not lose while I was PG.) Well, something weird happened because my restriction went away and since I've had the miscarriage I've lost a couple of pounds, probably due to fluid. But I don't have the restriction anymore. I remember having to be SOOOOO careful just a couple of months ago: VERY small bites, chew chew chew, no bread or it would get stuck. Today I found myself …

My daughter was so pretty tonight.She made Homecoming Duchess. She is a large girl about size 24 but she is so pretty and sweet and popular. As I stood out on the football field with her I was such a proud mother.She is everything I wish I could have been in High School.As soon as I figure out how to post some pics I will. Proud Momma Ladysplenda/Linda

Can the band just kick in out of the blue??? I am not talking about restriction. I am talking about just weight loss?? I have had the most amazing 3 days in a row. I am a scale-aholic I weigh myself at least 2x in the morning & sometimes at night. ( I know how wrong that is but I just can't seem to stop it-unless I am on vacation) I have been at a plateau for at least 5-6 weeks constantly gaining & losing the same 2 pounds. Up & Down Up & Down. I haven't changed anything in my routine-except a trip to vegas where i did consume alot of alcohol. Which typically isn't in my diet at all. Well the past 3 days everyday my scale has gone down a FU…

I'm so excited right now! I ordered two pairs of size 24 jeans several months ago. When I tried them on pre-surgery they were a good 6 inches away from buttoning. I tried them on today expecting that they wouldn't fit and they do! Okay, they're a little tight in the thighs, but still! Also, another NSV hit me today. I bought a huge bag of Halloween candy from costco over a week ago. Normally, if I had something like that in the house I would obsess until I broke down and ate 8 or 10 pieces and I was sitting in a sugar coma. Over the course of a week, I've only had 3 pieces. I don't even think about it being in the house. I know I shouldn't be eating candy at …

Well I met with Dr. O on Friday and we are now working toward setting a date for surgery yeah!!!! He feels pretty confident that my insurance will cover me... fingers crossed. I had to get a routine exam but also a breast examine HELLO!! wasn't ready for that, is that normal or is my Dr. just into big mamma's?? Yikes!! Anyways, all went well, I have to get all the routine testing done but the nutrition classes last 6 weeks and doesn't start until October - looks like I'll be drinking my Thanksgiving Turkey this year - o well, I am ready for a Turkey and cranberry shake!! That's about it for now, hope everyone had a good weekend!

Last month was the Harvest Moon--did any of you see it? It was so gorgeous. One of the things I really like about walking at night is that I get to enjoy the moon. Last month there was a beagle howling while I was out around the track marveling at the moon. We had a beagle when I was a kid so I have kind of a soft spot for them and I started howling back. My dog looked at me like I was crazy but I kept on howling--and I started howling and laughing and tears came down my checks for all the horrible and all the wonderful things I often feel like howling about. It turned out to be such a cathartic experience! I noticed earlier in the week that tonight would be a full moo…

Oh man oh man - I am sooo freaked out. I have a good sixth sense or intuition and often try to maintain in touch with my spirtual self. I had a dream I was at my dr's office and he told me he'd half to remove my band because of erosion!!!!!!!!! I am sitting here just thinking this is something that's going to happen in a year or two........yes I know it was a dream, but it still has me worried

I would like to know if anyone has been told they have a slipped band and that it needs to be re-possitioned, and decided not to have it repositioned and just kept the band empty and still had success in loosing weight. I was a cash pay patient and don't know if my insurance is going to want to pay for the band to be repossitioned. The doctors office is having to send a letter to the insurance company stating that it is medically necessary. I won't know for 7-14 days whether they will pay or not. I got to thinking and wondered if anyone has had success with no fills. Thanks!

I have some clothes that I can't fit anymore - ranging from sizes 22 - 26. In very good condition. There isn't a lot but if someone on here can use them please let me know otherwise I am going to donate the things to the Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Hello all, I’m new to the forum and to the banding world and I have LOTS of questions, I hope to find some answers. <O:p</O:p All of my life I’ve been overweight, but lately (in the past 2 years) my weight started to sky rocket. And to add an insult to an injury I started taking anti-anxiety medicines, which made me gain about 40 pounds in 2 months. However, I don’t suffer from any related diseases from being overweight, except the usual stuff, laziness, heaviness, feet and back pain, etc… And I think if I continue gaining weight, I will have lots of serious health problems at some point <O:p</O:p I have a lot of questions and I hope if I can find some a…