LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I've thought more and more on this, and think I will do it. Like I wanted to, I have lost some weight, a couple of kilograms over the last few weeks. This research process has taught me a few valuable lessons. But looking at how far I have to go, I know I cant do it alone. I know statistics are WAY against me losing 30kg and keeping it off. So I'm seeing somebody next week, and I'm going to an information session Wednesday night. I think I really needed a bit of extra time to get my head around just what this will mean long term, but I'm a bit more comfortable with that now. Boy you just dont realise how many emotions and psychoses are tied up with your weight un…

I thought this might help you make tastier Protein drinks (or really anything), the sugar free syrups are made with Splenda. When I was following atkins I used to buy this stuff. Its WONDERFUL!!!! you can add it to just about anything you can think of. I used to add the hazelnut or vanilla (sugar free) to my coffee. You can make great Icee's as well They do sell the vanilla sf at Walmart but check out the website for different flavors, recipes and enjoy... http://www.davincigourmet.com/729.html?flashdetect=YES CLICK ON PRODUCTS AND THEN SUGAR FREE .

Hello Everyone, I just decided to have the lapband. my bmi is 47 and I am ready to do something about it. I just got married in March, got a new house and a brand new car all this year. So I think I need a new look to go with all the other blessings God has given me this year. I have my 1st appointment with Doctor Richard A. Benavides in Texas on Monday August 29th, and I am excited. From what I hear he and his staff are awesome. I hope so. I'm not nervous because change is good. I need this in my life!!! Other than my weight I am happy with everything in my life. I have no medical issues and having this surgery pray will keep it that way. I'm on my way to bei…

Hi guys, I have been lurking just waiting for something to share and collecting a bunch of great info from everyone. Thanks! I finally got my Ins. approval - no more hurdles! I am going to be banded on 9/12/05. Just wanted to share. Thanks!

I was just wondering who in this forum has been banded the longest?

I have stalled with my weight loss, and am wondering if anyone has tried Xenical with their band. And if so, what was the result? Thanks in advance

I am feeling fine but have been reading about slippage. I could never eat more than 1/2 cup of anything, I started on solids after four weeks which was ok with my Doctor...I have problem chewing my food well...I use baby spoons...te dentist says the inside of my mouth is very small...I have never slimed or PB'd....sure hope I havent damaged my band....

Hello, I am Tony, a 6'2" 435 ish guy looking for info. I have been researching lap banding for several weeks and have come to love the info shared here so I thought I would take a jump and finally ask some questions. Being a person with a high BMI- will this procedure have any additional problems that I might face being a higher weight then the averages I have seen here ? Also as a person with lousy health ins. I am self pay (currently real close to having the $$$) so obviously Mexico is what I am researching the most now. However does anyone know of cheaper USA surgery for self pay? Also as I see several are from Mexico here already--What would the cheapest docto…

or what other name has! yesterday evening i ate 120 gr boiled of this and 1 big spoon of cottage cheese, i chewed slow, small spoons, i didn't drink water while i was eating, BUT i forgot that its very fibrous.. OMG i had my 1st "rocket"! aarghh i felt like a bomb was inside my stomach! if i had not the band would be easy with one "rocket" i would be fine .. but i was suffering for 7 hours !! i scared soo much! i was affraid that the band will slipp or i ll have resorption.. im very chichen heart in such things ... i called my doctor and he said that maybe we must remove 1 cc from the band.. it depends how it will go today .. to be honnest im afraid to pu…

I have knee caps! LOL!

Please help! I'm in serious need of support. I was banded on 7/26 and I get my first fill in 2 weeks. I have very little restriction, and ever since I started eating regular food last week my eating has gotten completely out of control. Why am I doing this to myself?! I'm eating too fast, not chewing enough, and flushing the food through my band with Water when it gets uncomfortable. I'm going to slip my band if I keep this up. Why am I so self-destructive??? Most days I feel like I'm pretty together, but this band has really made me see myself differently. I had surgery for God's sake, and I'm ruining my chance! I'm up 7 lbs, and I'm just sick with myself. I …

Has anyone tryed the fruit 2 0 drinks, they are really good. I like them better than the crystal light.

OMG!! I was so thirsty when I went to town today & I grabbed a bottle of water & when I turned it up my eyes about bulged out of my head! It was soooooo.........good!!! :lick :lick

Hi everyone well its been 3 weeks now since being banded and the damn scale has not moved since after the first week. I'm getting discouraged. I've been eating under 1000 cal. just mushies and been walking each day but seems like I'm stuck. I've been going back and forth with 2-3lbs. one day up next down but haven't gone beyond in 2 weeks. I've lost a total of 15lbs which I'm grateful for. It just seems I'm working so hard and not getting anymore results. I see Dr. on 25th maybe once I get my first fill things will change I hope so.

Whats your all time favorite TV shows? Then and Now Then Carol Burnette Dean Martin Roasts The Tonight Show w/Johnny Carson Saturday Night Live (from the 70's and early 80's) And so many more Now I don't get to watch much TV now b/c of my DD who's 3 and 99% of the shows we watch are Disney or PBS, but I do like: Unwrapped (lots shows from the cooking channel) Paula Dean In Living Color Mad TV

Hi All, Was wondering if anyone has tried either one of these diet products? If so... how were they? were they helpfull , did you like them? Want to know before I shell out 300$ for a months worth. WOULD HATE TO WASTE MONEY ON SOMETHING THATS AWFUL. Thanks, Teri

South Beach Diet has the most wonderful bars. They have chocolate/ peanut butter meal replacement bars w/ 19 grams of protein and 210 calories. They also have breakfast bars w/ 10 grams protein and 140 calories. The cinnamon raisin bars taste like sweet rolls from a bakery--soooo good!

Please post here if you are AT your goal. How long it took for you to get there and your stats. Please do NOT post if you are not AT your goal. I want to see how many there are here that have actually made their goal weight. Not "almost there" or "losing" or "on their way" but ARE THERE!

Hey - I'm not as big a weenie as I thought. I got my first fill today. It was 1.8cc in the Inamed medium band (I don't remember what the cc capacity is in that one). I started having a little bit of a panic attack and once thought I was gona pass out - but I didn't. WEIRD feeling though -drinking water and actually feeling it go down. Jen (Hotlikeher) came with me to hold my hand and ended up holding my feet - they won't stop shaking when I'm really nervous. YEAH for ME!!! Now maybe I'll actually start the scale moving downward again.

For those who have been banded over a year ago, how often, if ever do you need fills after a year? I'm about 6 months out from my surgery and curious.

Hi - my name is Jess and I'm a scaleoholic. There, I said it LOL. Its a nasty habit, I know, but I'm only up for quitting one thing at a time and right now, its eating bad foods I've been really good the past month. I've gone to the gym 4-5 times per week. I've eaten really well. I'm feeling pretty darn good and even a tad bit sexy lol. My weight has held steady for about a week now, but before that, I had been losing very slowly and steadily. So this morning, I step on the scale, as per usual and there it is ... I've put on 0.3kgs (a lil over half a pound). Now I know that's a very tiny amount and I know that weight fluctuates and I know that I've been wor…

:cheeky Today is my one month anniversary!!!!!! Was banded on 7/27 and I cant believe Ive lost a wopping 20lbs!!! I cant remember when was the last time I lost this much. Being a bandster has been one of the wisest decisions I have ever done in my life. Im beginning to actually see the results. Theres a part of me that Im struggling with though, I almost feel guilty to feels so good, so right. Is this stupid or what? Anyway, when I had my post op visit my doctor (Dr Montgomery @ NWWLS) said he wouldnt consider a fill until 6 weeks post op and only if I need it. Well, how do I know if I need one? What is the criteria? I havent been under any re…

How did your surgery go, are you feeling better? Eileen

I have been researching the lap band for over a year and i finally decided in may that i was definitely going to do this..i quit smoking and i got everything approved for the surgery. i have to take and educational class august 1st and then i get to meet with the surgeon to schedule my surgery. i have been eating really well, i quit drinking soda, i only drink water. i walk atleast 2 miles a day. so why am i second guessing myself on getting the lap band? is this normal? did anyone else go through this? how did you cope, decide, anything?? i feel like i can lose the weight and i know within my heart that if i got the band it would definitely help....any thoughts?? the ot…

I have been waiting for the day I could post that, just taking my moment…J September the 12th, finally, it will happen. WEEEEE!!! I am so excited. Of course, I could almost puke from nervousness, but I WILL forge ahead. I have been waiting for some good financing options and it has finally happened! (My boyfriend is actually borrowing the money for me. What a doll! He has a home and much better credit!) Anyway, I had to share. YEA!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for listening!! I am off to make a ticker!

I have been following the Story of Jessica O since last year and things have been getting pretty bad for her since her Surgery for RNY. I do not know her but I would just like to ask everyone to just say a Prayer. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=O1024075523

I, along with my PCP, decided that I would go off all my mediciations after surgery.....well, that was almost 9 days ago and so far so good except for the Celebrex for my arthrtis in my hips. My hips are killing me....anyone with a band and taking Celebrex? Has anyone tried Glucosamine Chondroitin for their arthritis? Can I take this with the band?

I have a few from the last couple of weeks, that I'm just gonna put together The first one is that I found my class ring about a week and a half ago, and it fits. I graduated in 99, and quit wearing the ring a few years later when it was more comfortable on my pinky. Now it fits, and there's even just the slightest amount of extra room. I'm always adjusting it because it goes crooked, but I'm ok with that . I didn't even realize that this was an NSV until like 3 days later, lol. The 2nd one is that I bought 2 pairs of jeans the other night. One of them was size 16 from the plus size section (everything in that section is stretch. I used to be glad, but now …

I have been struggling with minimal weight loss and what I thought was only a few inches lately but I guess I've been measuring the wrong places. I put on a v neck top today and I looked like a hooker. The V was very low. Then I tried a tank top that I wore about a month ago. It was looking big too. Obviously my shoulders and upper chest are reducing more than I though. I just hope the double chin is going away too!! wonder how I can measure that??!!

I start regular food tomorrow. I know I eat proteins first, then veggies, then carbs. Should I feel restriction with no fill? I really felt restriction the first couple of weeks post op....probably from the swelling. I loved that feeling!!! I couldn't have over ate even had I wanted to. I feel very little restriction right now but I've been on mushies so maybe that's why?? I feel like I'm totally dieting on my own now. I know I'll find out in the next few days but I wanna know now :huytsao

Hey guys. I am still trying to decide on a doc. Dr. Barker is obviously much cheaper but I had an awful experience at his office yesterday. I had a 1 pm appt and I waited 3 1/2 hours!!!!!! to see him. They knew I was pissed and gave me the run around. They scheduled me w/ the insurance guy when I told them on the phone 50 times my insurance won't pay and I wanted to meet the doctor. Anyways, I liked the doctor but the office was a MESS - the waiting, crowds, ants crawling on the wall, etc. I just don't know if I can put my life in the hands of someone whose business is SO out of control. WHat do ya'll think?

Subject: FW: Sisters A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. "Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass." They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and th…

I know this is generalized question but how much weight should you lose in a year well anyone who has had the band for a year how much weight have they lost I really would like to know my goal for one year is 100 pounds does everyone out there think this is doable or is it just a fantasy let me know

Your opinion please....... I have a new boss, he's been here since November of last year. He was in the military 23 years, very structered, very disciplined. He is handsome, fit, exercises like mad and is the type of person that doesn't want to hear crap... just get the job done kind of guy. I spoke with one girl here at work who I am very close to, and she said that I should not tell him I am getting the band b/c she gets the impression that he will look down on me (she is heavy too). Like he's the type of person that would say (to himself of course).. why can't you just lose the weight, why can't you just have self control. Like I'm wasting company sick time going f…

...to my scale!!!! I can't help it....every time I walk into the bathroom, or even pass the bathroom walking down the hall, I get the urge to go weigh myself! And it's so discouraging because even though I'm losing weight, it goes up and down a pound or two (probably just water retention). So if I just weighed once a week it would show a gradual decline....BUT since I weigh 3, 4, sometimes 5 times a day it shows all the ups and downs. Then I'm in a bad mood when it shows a pound more than it showed a coulple of hours earlier! AAAHHHHH!!!! I know this seems like a ridiculously stupid post, but I am just feeling really frusterated right now as I'm at one of my "up" mo…

Hi there! I am Patti. I was banded on 5/17/05 and have lost approximately 23 lbs so far. My weight loss has been slow, but I am OK with that because I know it is permanent. YAY! My doc apparently approaches fills differently (from what I can gather). He has had me come in every 2 weeks since 6 weeks post-op for teeny little fills. Like .2 or .3 cc's. Eh, whatever! Doesn't matter to me 'cause it is covered by my insurance. I am up to a fill of 1.8cc's and feeling restriction. Not scheduled to go back to the doc for a month. Here's my question(s) if you would be so kind 1. I've been having a protien shake for Breakfast and a protien bar mid-morning (if need b…

I'm newly banded, almost a week ago (8/16/05), and bored to tears on the "clear liquids only" diet! Thank God I am permitted to move to "full liquids" and enjoy some soup tomorrow. However, I've been wondering, those of you who are experienced with this now, do you find that you enjoy food the way that you used to? I find myself fantasizing about sausage pizza and donuts, and maybe its just because I haven't tasted anything delicious for over a week, but I wonder, will I ever really enjoy food again, or will I wish I could eat more? I have been thinking about the mechanisms of hunger and satiation, and have wondered what satiation really is - is it just feeling full, …

So, i know we arn't suppost to be drinking anything carybonated, and i have't been, but what does everyone drink when they go out? Beer was always my drink of choice when going out on the town ( and of course a lot of shooters)..hehe... Anyways i went out last nite, and i drank rye and Water with lime. Always a fav of mine, but what does everybody else drink??? come on, i wont tell anybody..hehehehe.. iamcanadian25

Ok so i got a fill today. I have the large vanguard band and as of now I am filled to 10. Only my second fill too. My 1st was to 7cc's. I felt some restriction but not as much as i could. I have lost 7 lbs since the last fill on July 18. He hooked me up to the flouro and all and watched it at 7, then addes 2 more and it passed right through. he added 2 more, my chest got tight and he took one out. that left me at 10. he thinks it is perfect. i drank a yougurt with no problem. what if it gets all the way filled and it isnt restricted??????

I just called my insurance carrier (Pacificare HMO) and found out that they cover RNY and vertical banding, but NOT the lap band. I haven't heard much about the vertical band. Does anyone out there have any info. about this procedure? Isn't this the stomach stapling thing? I thought that was done away with. Why would my insurance cover that and not the lap band, which seems safer? I am so upset, all I can see right now is red! Just when I had decided that the RNY was not for me, now I find out that it may be all that I can have done since I am not financially able to pay for lap band surgery on my own. I just feel like crying.

I live just south of Seattle, and I'm looking for an exercise buddy. I live in Des Moines, and belong to a gym in Burien. I am looking for someone who would like to get together at least once a week to exercise, maybe take an aerobics class together or meet at a local park and walk. I'm willing to drive in order to meet a fellow bandster, up to 20 minutes away. Does anyone want an exercise buddy?

Curious if anyone has experience with this... The last few weeks about every few days or so I get sick to my stomach.. like not puking (feels like it tho!) and not necessarily the other end kinda sick.. just realllllly icky feeling. Tonight it was about 4-5 hours after I ate like normal all of a sudden I got chills and literally felt like i was going to die. I sat on the bathroom floor for almost 30 mins thinking I was going to throw up. My whole body was freezing, but I was sweating at the same time. Any other time I feel fine, just every few days about 4-5 hours after dinner its like BAM. I can drink Water and it goes down just fine unless its mid-sick feeling then…

Are you okay? Wishing you the best through this storm. Celeste

I'm having my lap band done on Aug 30th and I'm so scared that like everything else I've tried in my life this too will fail. Did you all feel like that?

I went for my 8 week follow up and I was only down -6, I thought it was more like 10 - 12 pounds, I guess my scale is WRONG! I'm a little disappointed but as I told the PA, I have been having a lot of problems with meat veggies and fruits, and I have been eating a lot of soft things (which are higher in calories) to compensate. I asked if they could take some fill out, so I was at 1.85cc, now I am at 1.65cc's, I hope with this reduction I can eat heathier choices. The PA told me that sometimes after a reduction people start to gain weight again. I told them I would like to come in every 6 weeks so I will be held more accountable, and they said that would be o.k. I…

I posted this in the lounge also but thought I would repost it here. Anyone want to get together for lunch sometime in September? I know that JoyJoy and I have talked about lunch and thought I would open the invitation to any that would like to attend. Please let me know where you are and what date would be good for you. I will try to set up something that is centrally located and easy for everyone. ~Mandy

I know this is probably no big deal, but I had to post it. Tonight, I set out to walk my nightly 3.5 miles, but instead I ran the last 1.2 miles!!! Well, I actually jogged and probably very slowly, but it was running to me!!! hehehe I haven't been able to jog for fear of hurting myself (lol) for a very long time now. I'm so thrilled because it wasn't even difficult!! Yeah!!! Thanks for listening, Tricia H

After struggling with my weight for years (I can't ever remember not being overweight), I have decided to pursue a lapband procedure. The leads me to my biggest problem.... My insurance won't cover it (waiver) and it will likely be very, VERY difficult for me to obtain a loan. My credit isn't good at all. I started thinking about options and remembered that 401k accounts allow a withdrawal for medical care. Has anyone tried this approach? How difficult would be it to convince the 401k company that this is a necessary procedure (hence warranting the withdrawal)? Any feedback/suggestions on financing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!

Oh happy happy joy joy. If this woman weighs 90 lbs, I'm gonna bbq her for dinner :sleep

Okay, long story short... Have had 2 fills that have just disappeared (where they went I have no idea!). On 8/3 went in under floro to see if i had a leak. The doc put in omniplaque and said i did not have a leak. Felt a little bit of restriction for about 2 day and "poof" i feel like it has disappeared again. Called and made an appointment for Monday. They will check for any omniplaque left in the band and if there is none, she said I have a leak in the tubing. What was the purpose of floro if they could not tell if the band had a leak? Anyway, she said with a "quick surgery" they could replace the tubing. Has anyone else had to have the tubing replaced? I know…