LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

My hair is thin. I cant afford to lose much hair. Do I need to start protien drinks now. ladysplenda/Linda

Just curious if anyone knows or has been told also by there Dr, NO rice,,, I mean I know it isnt the healthiest, but dang I like chicken fried rice once in a while from the Chinese resaurant or Brown Rice even....with veggies in it.. I will have to ask my Dr, I just saw it in his list of NO-NO foods....

I moved this from food... Hi all, I was just wondering, once I have my band in place, I want to make sure that I am staying away from soft proteins once I am on regular food. Is tuna and chicken salad consider a soft protein or are we talking liquid protein as being soft? I did try to locate a thread with this information, but I didn't see anything that specifically dealt with this question. I did read the post from LaMadam I believe that talked about staying on soft proteins longer than one should and what could happen to your band. I want to avoid that. I appreciate any feedback ya'll have. Thanks!

Hi all..I'm just now starting the process of the lap-band. I am researching doctors and would like to know if anyone has anything good or bad to say about the lapbandsolutions and Dr. Matthew St.Laurent? He is with the Meth Willowbrook hospital. Thank you all!!!!

http://www.mollyguard.com/event/15612698

Hi I have my surgery scheduled for Aug. 3 with Dr. Edward C. Mun at the Faulkner Hospital I've done lots of research and he has all the best credentials and comes recommended as the best for bariatric surgery.

I have recently moved from the northwest to the pensacola area and I am looking for a fill doctor. My band seems to be quite tight right now and would like an unfill. I even went to the E.R and they were unable to help me. Charged me 160.00 though. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I am also willing to drive to surrounding states if need too. I've called 4 doctors in this area and they will not accept me because they didn't due the surgery. Imagine if Doctors treated cardiac by-pass patients that way! Thanks for any info. Banded 3/18/04 Dr Ortiz down -80lbs.

Does anyone know what happened to Spotlight Health?

Hi August Bandsters..... Thought I would start this new thread for us (all are welcome, of course!!) so that we have a specific thread to go to as we are all in the same boat, at the same time with the same concerns. So, anything on your mind....we can help each other, share SV's and NSV's, good times and bad times....anything... I will start us off.....I walked my daughter to the bus stop this morning without major pain, waited for the bus without major pain and walked back to the house without major pain! I could concentrate on her and what we were doing instead feeling pain and wanting to sit down!!

I just moved to the NC Jacksonville area. Do anyone know of a doctor that is closer than Winston-Salem. I don't mind driving but if someone is closer that would be nice too. Thank you in advance.

I am a newbie, and will be banded 9-26-05, if you could give a new bander any advice....what would it be? I would be most thankful for your words of wisdom!

Oh I hate this! I hate to be the one to tell you guys! But I need your advice. My surgery date is moved to the 26th of September. That is almost 3 weeks before my cruise. Do you think I'll be ok?

I'd really love to hear some tips out there from successful bandsters who've lost 100% (or pretty close) of their excess weight. What do you eat? How many average calories? What's your exercise routine? How much weight did you have to lose?

I am really close with one of my sisters. She used to be overweight, but she lost most of her weight this year. I told her that I was seriously thinking about getting the band. Her reaction was so discouraging for me. She said that I hadn't really "tried" changing my eating and exercise habits. That if I'd "tried" I would have lost this weight and wouldn't have to get the band. I also told her not to tell anyone of my intentions - I'm a little embarassed. She said that if I am going to do this, that I should "own" it (i.e. tell everyone). The more I tried to convince her it was a good idea, the more she dug in her heels and debated it with me. I feel really disap…

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere else, but I was just banded on 8/29. I am still on liquids but have not had a fill yet (due on 9/14). I lost a quick 10 pounds in the first 6 days but since then I haven't lost anything! I am consuming over 50 grams of protein and plenty of liquid but am getting a little frustrated. Has anyone else experienced this so quickly after surgery??

Since there are so many now being approved it is hard to keep up so I will just to a blanket HAPPY BOOTY SHAKIN DANCE for you all. I am so excited for you all. I remember that feeling of excitement knowing you were gonna be banded. WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally Got My Approval, Too Excited!!! Now The Anxiety Really Kicks In. I Can't Wait To Have My Surgery On 9-19-05. Just Wanted To Let Yall Know And Share My Happiness!!!!!

I thought it would be a good idea for those of you with personal websites documenting your weight loss to share your website address with those of us who might need a little encouragement!! The ones I have run across, I have looked at and congratulate you.

Hello Ladies and Gents, I am looking into lap band surgery with Dr. Bauman in Concord. I know a few of you had surgery with him on this NC forum. I just wanted to say a quick hi. I know I will have ton's of questions. The first struggle is with the finances of the pre-op phase. I had my original appointment in August and I decided I needed some more time. I have rescheduled for October. I am hoping to have the surgery at the end of this year. I do have 100% insurance coverage through my employer, but it's the inital money for the consult and the nutritionist that is freaking me out. I keep thinking if I want until 2006 I will have flexspending money, but if I …

I am waiting to be approved I went before the grievance board today now I have to wait five business days for a determination

I'm just getting started. I've done my research. My PCP has sent a predetermination letter to my insurance. I see a weight loss specialist on Thursday. (PCP thought it would make a better paper trail.) What are your thoughts on doctors in the Charlotte area? I've heard Dr. V is quite slow? Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Timothy Kuwada? If so, what did you think? Other Recommendation?

I've felt so good since surgery, 8/24/05, so I started walking on my treadmill about 5 days ago for 2 slow miles each day. Yesterday after I finished my left side port area and a little to the left of that, started hurting. The pain was similar to that when you've eaten alot then ran or walked fast. As long as I was sitting it was okay but when I walked or went up and down stairs it would hurt again. I've not had a fill yet but since yesterday it seems like I'm having a lot of trouble just getting down juice, like it's just sitting in my throat. If any of you have had similar experiences I'd really like to hear them. My mind is going nuts thinking all kinds of things that…

THANK'S TO MY NEW FRIENDS AT LAPBANDTALK AND YOUR WONDERFUL ADVICE. I FOUND OUT I GOT APPROVED TODAY. 218 5'5 IM SOON TO BE SKINNY AND HEALTHY. LINDA:Bunny :nervous :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :speechles :kiss :laugh :Bunny PARTY IS AT MY PLACE TONIGHT

Have a question -- Is it common to be cold all of the time? I'm 2 weeks post surgery and I'm freezing. My husband says it is from the significantly reduced calories -- but I don't know. Nope no fever, and it's in the low 70's, so not cool enough to be cold.

Anyone knowing of a fill Dr. who uses fluorscope in Washington or OR?? Any help would be great!!

I just got my surgery scheduled for Sept 23rd. Woo Hoo! Not nervous at all right now but sure that will change. My Dr. put me on a restrictive diet and started that today. I'm starving! Somehow thought I would be able to have the "Last Supper" before the surgery but no such luck. I have a stress test tomorrow. The surgeon isn't requiring it but my family Dr. is. He said he didn't want me having a heart attack on the table. What about the heart attack I'm going to have on the treadmill? Oh well, I'm sure I'll get through it with support (from a crane)..hahaha

I was kindof bummed this morning, as I started the Fall Weightloss Challenge last week, and my first weeks performance was a horific 2lb GAIN. Say what??? I know why I gained, so I guess I just need to work on my eating behaviors, and I'm going in for a fill today too. Despite the reappearance of these 2lbs, I am celebrating my overall achievement since being banded. This morning I was looking for something a bit dressy to wear to the office. I tried on a great black & teal suit that I've had for a few years. I used to just wear the jacket and pants since the camisole was tighter than the skin on a sausage. Not only are the jacket and pants too big, but I could slip…

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. :cry

I will be banded as of the 26th and I was wondering if you could share some helpful advice to a newbie. I guess... what info did you wish you had known? Thanks in advance!

Dr. Querry in Marshall Texas is a wonderful surgeon. She removed the band that I had placed in Mexico because it had slipped. Then several months later she placed a new band for me. She has done several band placements and she is a great person. She also, will do fills for people that have been banded in Mexico or US. If the fill is done in her office it runs about $100.00. If it is done at the hospital the additional fees apply. I have had a fill done both ways and the office was just a effective and wow, was it cheaper. She can be reached at the number below: Dr. Querry Marshall, TX 903) 938-7200

Well, this morning I go to my doctor to sign my consent forms for surgery on 9-19-05. Still waiting on approval from Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, but my doctor's nurse manager spoke to my insurance on Friday, and it looks favorable. I start my liquid diet today, somewhat still confused about what I can eat after surgery. Hope to get response from insurance today or tomorrow, now getting somewhat nervous of their reply. The closer the date gets, the more nervous I get about the surgery itself, will I be in alot of pain? Anyway, I am also very excited to have my lapband done, I guess I have alot of different feelings going on!!! Is this normal???

AH Tonight is my "last supper" before I start my liquid pre-op diet. I can't believe that I am actually excited about it!! Thinkin of Outback and a blumin onion.....

I am 12 days out from banding and starting 2 days ago I have been getting heartburn. I had tried to drink some veggie juice yesterday and the day before that. Thats when this all started. I had also been putting a little lemon juice in my Water. Just a few times. Now I am getting heartburn . I was a tums taker before banding but I have not needed any since I started the pre-op diet. Is there something wrong with my band or is this normal... Help!.. Amy

I'm getting my first fill in about 3 weeks and would love to hear from some of you about your fills. Do most Dr.'s numb around the port area before putting the needle in or is it really uncomfortable enough to need numbing? About how long does it take to do it? I'm anxious to get my 1st fill but sorta nervous too since I really dont know what to expect. At least when I had surgery I was totally asleep and didn't know anything that was going on. I even told the the Dr. when he woke me up after surgery "don't do anything yet, I'm still awake!" He then told me, while really laughing, that it was all over. Boy, was I relieved! I always had a fear of waking up during surgery…

Hi guys, I have been reading all the posts and they are all very informative... My first visit with the doctor is on Tuesday, Sept 13th. I have mixed feelings at this time because some of the things you all are going through seem so so hard but I'm sure well worth the end result. I haven't seen any post in reference to how this band feels. That is my concern right now...like how do you adjust to this band around your stomach and the port site. How does it feel? How do you get use to it?? Thank you all!!!

how long does the surgery usually takes

Has anyone here tried this program? I just borrowed the book from my library and started reading it. It's by Michael Thurman the guy that does all that amazing body makeover stuff with the people on Extreme Makeovers. Originally I believe his program was the 6 "Week" Body Makeover. This one is the 6 "Day" Body Makeover. He says you can loose a pants size or up to 10 pounds in one week. I'll let you know more about it as I read the book. I hope someone out there can give me their opinion. I have lost 62 lbs. over the past 2 years with my band but have been making very poor food choices lately and have be going in the wrong direction. I thought by trying something like thi…

All I know about Dr.V is that he is leaving the practice the end of October. That is all they told me. Dr Z will be doing followups. My concern is the fills and complications. Dr.V is the only one there that does the lapband. It is pretty scary to have the surgery and them the experienced doctor leave. That is where my concerns. But then I know that so many people go to MX and other places. Have any of you heard anything?

I have been on my liquid diet for about 9 days now and I am in serious ketosis! I am 4+ which is very deep. I am not getting enough Protein also. My dietician said for me to eat tuna along with the liquid phase because of the headaches and other symptoms I am having. I am also drinking 100% apple juice but that is not helping with the ketosis. I get hungry sometimes and I just don't eat because now I am tired of tuna. I mainly drink a total of 8 oz of Protein drinks, 16oz of apple juice, and about 56oz of Water. I feel really wimpy about this cause alot of folks on this site seem to have had a relatively easy time with the liquid phase. I know some doctors fill the band a…

Hi All, I am just needing some advice and opinions. I have lost 20 kg so far and still have another 20 kg to lose. Unfortunately my stomach has been so terrible for so long that this time around losing weight it is just hanging terribly. We are coming into summer here in the next couple of months and I dont think I can go through another summer of sweating and really grose stuff because my tummy hangs so much. Anyway my question isif I get a tummy tuck now with still 20kgs to lose will my tummy end up saggy again when I finish losing weight? Has anyone had a tummy tuck before losing all their weight and gone onto lose the rest? If so how did you tummy go? Im sure some of…

Hi everyone, After disappointing news from my insurance provider I have decided to go ahead and do the self pay thing. I have sorted out the finance and am in the process of deciding which doctor to use. Has anyone got any advice in whether Dr. Joya or Dr. Kuri in Mexico would be the better choice. I also need to know if anyone has been asked to lose weight before surgery. I had a call from one of the surgeries, not mentioned above, saying that I needed to lose at least 30lbs before surgery so to go on a crash diet. Is this normal being as I haven't seen this mentioned before? Thank you all for showing your thoguhts and feelings on this forum, its been great reading other…

I had nothing but good news at my appointment today, I'm happy to say!! For those who have been following my saga, and whoever else may care, the word from the doctor is that my band is in great position, my esophagus still works, and my pouch is not enlarged to any great degree. Whew!! :banana :banana I wasn't really worried about a slip, but it's very unnerving to have a doctor tell you that's what your symptoms indicate. Since my recent unfill resolved my symptoms so completely, it seemed very unlikely that anything real was wrong. But still, having the doctor see immediately on the fluoro that everything was cool was SO reassuring, I almost wept. Dr. Bertha to…

I, had talked with my Well trusted Doctor,about kids and exercise. She told me that it is a great thing. So for the last year I have had my kids doing push ups & sit ups no more then forty Or what they felt up to doing! HOW,EVER ON WEIGHT TRAINING: you real have to be careful because all kidds are growing and to much could cause them problems with like there groth plates...and tearing muscles. My kids do 3 sets 10 reps with 3 to five pounds of weight. I don,t push my kids to exercise but ask them to try and eat health stay focused on there own health. Well take care god bless!

I will be in Little Rock week after next and I will be ready for a fill then. There isn't anyone here at home that will do a fill on a Mexico banded patient so I thought maybe I could find one while I was in Little Rock. I am speaking 2 days for only 1 1/2 hours each day so I could easily get a cab and go get a fill if I can find a good Dr. I am a "BIG BABY" and do not like needles, so I need someone who is understanding in that regard. I passed out twice, once with a TB test and another time just getting bllod drawn.........big bid big wuussss. I have an Inamed band.

I got my approval today!!!! My surgery date is 9-23-05!!!! Yeeehaww! lol :-)

My left side is still sore in the left front of my body and it hurts to sit alot and feels as if I am sitting on "it" in that area of the left ribcage. Is this still normal to have pain and discomfort here like that?

I am in San Diego and cannot find a surgeon who performs the lap band procedure. My insurance medical group only has one bariatric surgeon, and they don't do lap bands, only RNY's. I am currently seeking a referral outside of the network...but am not feeling the love. I feel like they are going to deny me. My question is- are there any San Diego area bandsters? If so, who did your surgery, and would you recommend them? I am determined to have the lap band even if it means self pay ( which i dont want to do) any help would be great. thanks !

ok I know this may be pushing it but here is what it appears is truly needed at this time for my alabama run. -they REALLY need toiletries like shampoo, toothpaste,toothbrushes,razors and deodorant, mens underwear to fit whatever size goes with the jeans Ive listed and mens clothes-think we r set on womens clothes need mens jeans or shorts mostly 34/36/40 with length being 34-also tshirts for large men(they say they can all wear these so...)and also poptop food-seems the cracker and chicken/tuna or ham salad packs are a good way to go-easy poptop and filling-lol.Bottled water is always a good thing.

Visited AIGB last month and had to get the psych exam, cardio and now bloodwork before they will submit to insurance. Is this standard? Passed the psych and cardio so on to the vampires! Anyone out there working for AA with UHC major medical insurance experience? I would love to hear how long it took for approval. Also, while I haven't met with any surgeon yet I have heard a lot of good things about Dr. Benavides. When do you meet the surgeon in the process? When I originally called his office they referred me to AIGB. Just a little confused on the steps so any insight is greatly appreciated!

I just wanted to post a little something in rememberance of 9/11. Many of us here witnessed the devistating events that happened 4 years ago today. 9/11 will always be in our hearts and never forgotten. Hugs and prayers to everyone.