LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hi ! ! I have read a lot of imformation about the lap band it seems like the obesity surgery that will best fit me. My problem is my employer is self insured and does not cover the surgery even after letters from 5 doctors stating that I should have the surgery and why. I'm morbidly obease and have both a thyroid and adult growth hormone problem which keeps me from losing the weight. Does anyone know if there are any agencies that can help me in the funding the cost of the procedure. I just do not have that kind of money laying around at this time. I would appreciate any comments at all.

To make a long story short. I had a date for my surgery then it was moved to November. So my husband and I book a cruise. Well I got a phone call today from my Dr.s office. He is leaving the practice the end of October. (Hate having some of you find out this way) The only date they can give me is Sept 26th. The cruise is on the 14 of Oct. Am I nuts? Will I be feeling well enough to go on the cruise. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. This is the only Dr. in Charlotte that does the band. I'm scared and nervous. I booked it for the 26th. I just wanted to know what you all thought about how I will be feeling almost 3 weeks out going on a cruise. Th…

I have a question, I am 11 days post op. My largest incision is about 2-1/2 inches up from my belly button and is about 1-1/2 inches long. Around this incision it feels like there is something hard under there, about the size of a baseball around the incision. Is this normal??? What is it?? Will it go away?? Missy banded 8/30/05

Hello from Omaha, NE. Just had my lapband done on 8/11 and have lost my first 28lbs on my first f/u visit on 8/31. Does it get alot harder to loss wt since my appetite is sure back? I'm so thrilled to have found this email site for support.

I mentioned to a friend that I was interested in researching weight loss surgery several months ago, and she was extremely supportive and upbeat about it. However, the more appts. I get dealing with the surgery and the closer I get towards having this become a reality (hopefully), all of a sudden, she's telling me that she thinks that I shoud just try to do it with OA and without surgery. We had a conversation yesterday and she was not so supportive anymore. It bothered me A LOT!!! I tried to tell her that the OA and the weight loss surgery would be best for me (working them together) and she said that I should just do it the SLOW way with OA instead of jeopardizing m…

Does anyone know if their is liquid iron or chewable iron. I need it bad.

Well ladies, got my insurance approval letter yesterday. Now all we are doing is waiting for a date. I hope dr. V's office calls soon. I think at this point...i just want a date...no matter what date so that I have an end in sight for the waiting. I'm trying to MAKE myself loose weight. Yesterday I did pretty good, only ate liquids till about 4 then had and apple. dinner was bad though. I ended up caving and eating with the family. Meatloaf and mashed taters. Sigh at least I passed on the ice cream the rest had. I'll try to do better today. Meeting my dad for coffee after my workout. His young gf left and he is all sad and moppy. Anyone know of any ladies 45…

If I could back up time I would not tell anyone. I think everyone in my town knows I have the band. I feel so much stress. you would not believe it, seems like everytime I walk out my door someone is asking well how much weight have you lost. The phone rings and its someone wanting to know how much weight I have lost. The worst thing of all is I've lost 25lbs in less than five weeks have no fill yet and they look at me like I haven't lost enough. Because they know so little about the band they think I should be losing like I had the gastric bypass. Please be smart and don't tell anyone.

Hi to all my soon to be fellow bandsters, five more days to go until I go under and come out on the other side. I am getting quite nervous and excited all at the same time. If anyone has any suggestions on the liquid stage, please feel free to share your experiences. Hope all is well Suzii

Hello Girls, I had a great time with you all on Saturday. And I can't wait until we can get another one going. It was nice to see everyone and see how much of a change we are making. To you girls that are about to have it done, good luck to you. I wish you all success in your adventure. Mine has been such a wonderful one so far. I am very happy I did this and would never change a thing. So when do we want to meet again? Lets get something for late September going? I tried to post my pic but it is too large. So I need to figure out how to get it on here. Kathy you are pretty good with that can you help me when you get a chance? Thanks, Angie

I noticed on todays events that Macabella was banded this morning! Congrats & I wish you a speedy recovery!

Back in June, my wonderful hubby gave me a gift voucher at my favorite plus size shop (sizes 14-26). I've shopped and shopped and shopped and shopped since then lol. When I first started, I was a size 22. Every time I'd grow out of something, I'd just run over there and pick up something else. I'm going on a mini holiday with my daughter on Monday, so this morning I ran over to the shop for some summer clothes, looking to finish off my gift voucher. Well to my surprise, everything was too big. Not by a huge amount, but enough so that it didn't make sense for me to get stuff. I ended up with a skirt (it was on sale and one of those long flowing ones, so it didn't…

Hi Everyone I am new to this forum and I sure like it. My name is Dani and I am going to finally have my surgery this coming Monday. I have been holding myself in, not getting excited until I knew it was going to happen. Now I am getting excited. Glad you all are here Dani

Can somebody tell me (the only slightly computer literate) how to get those cute weight tickers downloaded to my signature? Thanks!

I am finally approved!!!!! Found out about 15 minutes ago. Thank goodness for UHC, they are awesome! :) -Debra

Hi everyone! Some advice needed, please. The standard diet sheet I was given by my doctor suggests I should not have soft food, or "mushies" until week 5. I've been on a liquid diet now for 2 weeks, and I really could use something a little more "food-like". Should I be able to eat some scramble eggs at this stage? Maybe a little bit of mashed potato? Your thoughts on this matter are greaty appreciated. Thanks!

I am having problems this week. To start off with I think my fill was really too tight. I had a miserable time of it until I got back to the docs the following day and had .5cc's removed. I felt like it was okay, but I'm still having problems, not as bad before the fill was emptied a bit but still not right. I can only get room temperature tea or Water down, anything I try to eat or drink otherwise comes right back up. Does anyone out there know about a slipped band and how to tell if you have one or not? Thank you Cindy

Hi everyone, once again I am asking you to pray for my mom, let me explain well yesterday my mom went to her dr that is treating her for migraines and they prescribed some medication she had been on before for her migraines (previously discontinued cause of some ins. crap) well anyways, they prescribed the wrong miligrams. She had previously taken 25 mg of whatever it is and this time was given 100 mg tablets of which she was told to take two.. When she took it last night (only one, thank God, cause she thought two was too much), she started feeling wierd and her legs started getting numb and she says her heart was beating so fast, she thought it was going to pop out of …

Hi Everyone, All morning I have been in tears. I went to see my lapband surgeon this morning. As you recall, I was there last week because I was missing my saline post op plastic surgery. My PS insists that he only took out .50 of the 2.5 CC I had in there and my lapband surgeon says that I dont have anything in my band. Last week, he added 1.00 CC to the nothing I had and sent me on my way to come back in 2 months despite my protests that I am gaining weight and have no restriction. All week long, I have been trying to get my PS and lapband surgeon to have a peer to peer review. My four major questions are : 1) Where did my saline go if it wasnt taken out by the p…

I just have no idea what is normal. I'd love to be able to eat a shot glass worth of food for meals, but, that just doesn't cut it - do I need a fill? I can eat a half bagel, with cream cheese, thin sliced meat, and a bit of lettuce and onion - is that a normal amount? I can eat almost a whole sausage biscuit from mcdonalds (one bit less) - is that too much? What can everyone else eat?

Ok.. this is funny so be ready to giggle.. Katerzz's NSV of the day: When your nurse whos giving you an unfill tells you its time to retire my pants. She tells me, "they are wayyyy to big on you i cant believe you can keep them up" (btw.. the pants.. i love them they are black silky pants that ive had for years Granted, almost 70 lbs later.. well ya you get the picture) HAHAHAHA I'm loving it... (i think the fresh water is going to my head after that unfill)

should i be able to eat a whole wrap from subway... it is smaller than an average wrap but i still think i shoulnt be able to eat the whole thing... i have restriction but i can eat alot before it kicks in.... actually after the first few bites i feel it and then it goes away and i can eat alot more....dont get me wrong not as much as i used to eat but alot more than i feel i should be eating... i have an appointment on monday for another fill but i am scared since i do have restriction....has anyone else been like this where they feel the feeling of restriction but not soon enough???.i know i am babbaling so if anyone knows what i am talking about please HELP!!!!

I feel as if my hair is thinning....no surprise, I guess. But, I don't seem to find more hair in my brush nor is it comes out in shower, etc. It just feels thinner and has less body. Besides eating more protein (which I am doing now since I just started mushies), is there a vitamin or anything I can take to help this problem?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I know many of you use the ultimate chopper, and should know there is a recall for safety issues. I'm posting the link below so you can read about what to do if you own one. It seems they can break apart and have caused serious cuts, some requiring surgery. If you own one be careful with it, and check out the recall info. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050907/tc_nm/food_ultimatechopper_recall_dc

I have been turn down twice. please pray for me that I get approved

Hey- I need to stay away from the fridge- anyone on want to sign in to the chat room?

Today I experienced something I have never experienced before. I met, for the first time, a new co-worker who I will be travelling with and training with next week. And he took an instant dislike to me and I dont get it!! I usually find it really easy to make friends and I have never had this reaction from anyone before. He was making snide comments about weight to another co-worker and would barely make eye contact with me, never mind actually saying anything to me. I could feel the contempt coming of him in waves. He was a young fashionable thing and I dont know what to do. I am going to have to work with this person and he wont give me the time of day. Any advice on th…

Do you have to tell your dental hygenist you got the band I recently went for a cleaning and didn't tell her she really didn't have to know shes cleaning my teeth should the dentist know whats your advice thanks

ok.. its been almost 1.5 days since my last fill and im ready to DIE. I've can eat anything.. usually when i come home from a fill i can do liquids/mushies the solids by the 3rd day. This time.. im having problems doing liquids last 2 fills i dont think i had good restriction well it was good first few weeks then gone.. this time i figure oh what the hell lets see what 2 will do.. HAHAHA its killing me!! I drink Water... like little sips and it gives me the hiccups! ive hiccuped more today tahn i think i *ever* have in my life put together. I lay down.. and ugh i feel it all gurgly and then it likes to come back up. Ive done mostly just water today.. and yep it …

I am 3 days out from banding and I already have a problem. I purchased medifast shakes to eat during this phase but they are gross and I can't eat them. Is there anything anyone can suggest so I can get enough protrin in. Are thet any tasteless Protein powders that I can add to carnation instant Breakfast or something like that.. I really want to make sure I am getting propper nutrition any help is greatly appreciated.. Thanks Amy

I am sure my relationship with beer will change as I won’t quite have the space to put away much of the substance and that is okay. I already cut my consumption way back the last time I started packing on more pounds. I just couldn’t afford the calories. I wonder though, since beer feels so giant in your stomach will I be able to have it once I am in the groove with my band? One beer? Two beers? I figured a glass of wine would still be safe, but beer had me perplexed? Anyone out there have experience here? Thanks!

What kind of things do you remember as a kid. Like candy, toys, clothing, etc. When I was 6 I REALLY wanted this doll called Velvet. You turned the knob in the back and her hair got short, you pressed her belly button and pulled her pony tail and her hair got long. Oh how I loved that doll. A few years after I got her I decided she needed a hair cut ROFL !!!

Sorry I have been MIA, Busy, busy, busy!! Getting ready for back to school so I haven't been on lately. We just found out that school will be delayed until the 14th because of a mold problem in dd's school-eww. Sounds like everyone is doing GREAT! It's going to take forever for me to catch up on these posts and I am going to start right now!! Until next time!

monday 9/12 is band day. Right now I am starving, as well as nervous. Today I"ve been reading the threads. Someone posted that they was having so many problems with their fill. These fill stories begin me to worry. When should I begin to worry about my fill? Will my band be filled after surgery or when? My hunger is so overwhelming right now. What can you do to ride this liquid storm over. My dietician have informed me to add jello and pudding in to my diet, but my gluclose is still dropping at nite. I hope I am not to weak on monday, for the surgery. If anyone have any answers, or thoughts on the starvation, and fills please respond soon. In Nedd of Answers.

Hello every one, I am new to this board and just wanted to say hello. I was banded on 8/2/2005.And loving it!!!! I look forward to reading every ones post.

My surgeon talked with my dietician and she totally revised my eating plan. He said that the diet is per Doctors orders and the nutritionist's job is to make sure calories and nutrients aren't being sacrificed. Well with that said I told him about not being able to have yogurt or cream soup stuff or sf pudding etc. He had her change the diet. I can have thin deli slices, yogurt, sf pudding lowfat cheese slices, eggs(soft scrambled or poached). My surgeon said that the liquid phase was okay for a week and full liquids does include cream soups thinned etc. Kathy I can have egg drop soup with the egg but to got slowly! I feel so much better now. he also said I ws doing very …

And I was so worried I wouldnt be fat enough. I'm deluded. That was the hardest thing I have EVER done, I was shaking with nerves. Nothin like being honest about what you really eat for the first time in your entire life. Even my poor mum is a wreck because she had NO idea I had all these issues going on. Obviously she can see I'm fat but she had no idea what the emotional side of it has been like for me. Anyhow he thought I was a perfect candidate - an all round overeater but not a binger, not a chocaholic, I know how to shop for and cook healthy food because I have a family to take care of, I'd done loads of research, I'd obviously sorted some issues in my head…

:cry I had a fill on October 14, 2004 and two weeks later found out I was pregnant. Well, the baby is here and now I should be losing weight, right? Wrong! I am gaining weight! I never had the fill taken out. When I first had my baby I lost everything from the pregnancy within two weeks. Now I have already gained 10 pounds. I must admit that I haven't had a lot of time to exercise. I have found myself starving to the point that my stomach is really hurting! People keep telling me "Give yourself some time. You had a baby only two months ago." Well, I understand that but I shouldn't be GAINING weight. I could understand not losing but this is ridiculous. I have…

If you had a complication.. or know someone who did can you post up the link to the thread or website. I've had several people ask me including a good friend and I'm amazed at how people are starting to shrug off what *could* and has happened to many bandsters. Its not a marjoity thing.. risks are low but lets face it things do happen

I will be having my lap band procedure monday and is starving on this diet. mu gluclose levels drops extremely low. My dietitian had to include low fat pudding, as well as jello, but that is hardly helping. I know what divialiciousdee is experiencing. Is there any hope. I am a diabetic and don't want my levels to go any lower. Will this all be worth having the lap ban? Help I am getting weaker by the day - hoping that i won't be to weak for the procedure.

Hey, I am getting really nervous, not questioning my decision but just really nervous about surgery. I am scared of pain, and have never had anything this major. I have been on the Optifast for two weeks and have lost 7.4kgs, I go in on the 14th of September 2005. I know this is prolly normal but all I can think about is the operation, I can't wait but on the same token I am scared Sh&tless....please tell me this is normal and it doesn't hurt too much *hugs* Suzii

Hey guys I don't know what to do! I thought my vomiting was under control. I took your advice went to see the physican was put in nexium and liquid diet for two days. I had a good week and now I feel as though there is a hair ball or something stuck in my throat. It caused me to cough a lot last night also it felt as though I was going to vomit. I keep getting these little birps after I drink beverages even protien shakes.. Also, I have been vomiting for the last two days. It always happens at night. What does that mean? Please help I want this band to work and to keep it in, but like today I am so tired from not sleeping.

This may sound funny to you. But I walked around my home town with no shirt on!!! Being over weight for so many years has caused me to be very self cautious....... I think I only took my shirt off in front of my in laws 1 time in ten years and that was three weeks ago.of being married never going to the pool or any where I was totaly in ( PRISON WITH MY OWN WEIGHT) and if there was one time I had my shirt off in my own yard I"d run if some pulled into my drive way. Its so funny that we are in prison with are weight and how it holds us back from playing with are kidds. Going to the admusement parks or just going out to eat and you can't fit inside the booth. It was…

Hi Everyone, I am scheduled for the band on Sept 9th. My doc requires a 2 week high Protein liquid diet to "de-fat" the liver which I have been on since last Friday......however - today it's really getting to me and I am just about ready to break. I am hungry 24hrs/day. That and I'm so moody. Did your doc's require the same. If so how did you get through it? Thanks for the support.

I am so sick and tired of saying, "Well I'm getting a Lap-Band soon." It is getting so old. If I wanted it to look cute it would be different, I just want to walk and go to school and make friends. I only have one friend left because of my handicaps. I just want a life, I am tired of living the way I do, I want to go out and do stuff, but I can't, and its getting old quick. I feel like every evil force is working against me. Everyday I get on here and someone else is getting approved, why can't I post that?? What am I gonna do? I cant get the surgery till after school starts, I am such a loser.

Hello, banded on the 2nd June 05. I have the Vanguard band which holds 10cc, and my weight befor surgery was 231 Ibs [ BMI 37 ] height 5' 6" around 168cm 1st fill 4cc after 7 weeks 2nd fill 1cc 4 weeks later. Have lost 22 Ibs and did that in the 1st few weeks then nothing ever since. nothing..........nothing. I thought the VG was placed on those with a BMI of 45+ I should ask my Dr. but dont want him to think I doubt his competence as a surgeon. I have OK restriction and the only thing I'm not consistant with is the exercise. I eat very well and a lot less than I used to. Does anyone else have the VG band with weight similar to mine? I think I was expecting…

Sorry to post this on the general discussions page, but I really wanted it to be read by as many people as possible! I have been volunteering with the Katrina relief efforts in Texas - many of the evacuees in San Antonio, Dallas and Houston are in need of PLUS SIZE clothing. Although they have shut down clothing donations at Salvation Army and other centers - they are still in need of Plus size clothing. I know that many of you out there have had great success in getting down to smaller sizes and might have some clothing that no longer fits - they could really use our help right now. In Dallas - please drop the clothes off across from parking lot E at Reunion Arena…

does anyone out there have varicose and spider vein and callused feet

Well, I have wonderful news, my mom had her Dr's appt yesterday afternoon, the mass is benign and she is okay. I am overwhelmed with emotion by all of your responses, I am so thankful for all your prayers and for sharing your own experiences with me. This was very, very scary for me, so I appreciate you getting me through this very heartbreaking time. The thought of what if, was so overwhelming. I told her last night how my lapband family all across the world was praying for her and wishing her a good outcome. I feel so blessed to have all of you and I thank God for taking care of my mommy. I love you guys.

Who has had these and what are the symptoms and ways you may have dealt with this. What is the difference between prevacid or prilosec or nexium - which is the best for the reflux gas in my throat that gives me a problem. It doesn't burn - just messes with my sphincter and makes me feel like I keep having to try to swallow - I have been just miserable and the doc said - that it should go away that things just aren't going down as well as they would hope. What does that exactly mean - I am still not truly sure. Just wanting to vent......