LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hey there.....I am at a complete standstill!!! I had an "un-fill" 2 weeks ago....since I could not eat ANYTHING but carbs...without getting stuck...and had reflux every night.....but now I can eat the right things again....and can't seem to get back on track!!! Any tricks on how to do that??? HELP!!! :cross-eye

Another thread made me wonder if any others were like this. I am only 4 and a bit months into my journey and 36 lbs down. I have 8.9ml/cc in a VG band. I have an app on Thursday for another fill, I have had this one for 6 weeks and tried working with it, but each fill seems to last about 3 weeks or so then kinda gradually disappear. What worries me is am I going to get to max fill without decent restriction? Am I going to find good restriction somewhere near max fill and have nothing to work with for the next couple of years while losing weight. All these things have been stressing me out and I am so worried. I too self payed(well hubby did) and I know if this didnt w…

Hello my lovely Bandster buddies- I had to share a yummy lunch/dinner idea- There is this flat bread- called Flax Roll ups made by Damascus Bakeries high in Omega 3's, 110 calories a slice, 3 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber I got it at a Super Target in the grocery section- it's square shaped. Anyway- I sauteed some spinach in olive oil, added chopped garlic, and leftover cooked shrimp- which i diced- sauteed all together with some black pepper- spread it on the flax roll up- sprinkled a little parmesean cheese on top and broiled until it melted- slice into 4 squares and ate about 1/2 of it- so yummy. You could try it with…

Ok here is another marathon guys and gals. January 8, 2006, Sunday, at Newport Beach, Calif Here is the link if interested. OC Marathon John and I have already signed up for the 5K. Remember 5K is only 3 miles. You can run it or walk it. When I did the one in Los Angeles in March this Year I walked it and still ranked middle of the pack. The cost is minimal as well.

Ok here is another marathon guys and gals. November 6, 2005, Sunday, at Santa Clarita, Calif Here is the link if interested. Santa Clarita Marathon John and I have already signed up for the 5K. Remember 5K is only 3 miles. You can run it or walk it. When I did the one in Los Angeles in March this Year I walked it and still ranked middle of the pack. The cost is minimal as well.

Ok, I'm not whining or complaing I'm just asking... I had my first fill at the end of July and I haven't lost anything. Not even a smidgen of a pound. Just wondering if that's happened to anyone else or if I'm the lone non-loser out there? I have my second fill on Wednesday so we'll see how that goes. I'm just curious to see if anybody else is in the same situation. Inquiring minds want to know!

This is the new me! here I am 215 pounds. this other pitcher is me in my old hunting cloth from last year! I, am 95 pounds down and losing. I will under go simple knee surgery in the morning scoping my right knee. as I have Torn cartlidge. Looking back at the last eight months fighting temptation of food has been a strange journey thinking that your dying for food all the time in reality I was eating myself to death, thinking I needed it. I did but in smaller portions. more self control ( hey I have that now....) also looking back Id really like to thank all the fine caring people that have gave me good idea's and most of all support when needed! ( Thank You ) I w…

When were you banded? What was your weight ON DAY OF SURGERY? What is your weight now? What size do you wear? How tall are you?

I hate to be negative or ungrateful, but I am really down right now about the level of restriction my swedish band is (NOT) providing. So far I've had 4 fills, equalling a total of 9 cc, and my band only holds 9 cc. I still feel very little restriction. I can still eat just about anything, including bread. It takes a lot of willpower to eat like a bandster at this point because I can eat more than a bandster portion if I want. I feel discouraged because I paid $15,000 for this device, and I (mostly) don't even realize it's there! I do appreciate that the band has made me more conscious of my eating (eating slower, taking smaller bites, chewing more thoroughly) but I am…

Hi Everyone, Went out to dinner last night at Fuddruckers. I dont think I have eaten a hamburger in about a year or so, so I was up for the challenge. To me, it is always too much work to eat it and I actually have a preference for turkey or chicken. Since I am in the house all the time since my PS, I was thrilled to get out and about. Since my partial unfill during surgery, I have little restriction. I am not too worried about it, since the majority of the time, I have been pretty good about sticking to the bandster rules and I do need the extra Protein and the slightly bigger portions to help me heal. My surgeon said that I could have a fill within the next two weeks …

Hi Everyone... I had my 2nd post-op visit today! I lost another 5 1/2 lbs this week! I am very excited. Dr. Kwon said I can have yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, and clear broth Soups this week! I am in good spirits and very exited. I am down 16 lbs total post-op. I cannot believe it! Since 8/10!!! I am dancing around my house! Now I just have to get myself motivated to excercise again! Lisa

This did not happen to me thank god but I did just have one done. They are a new torture device most likely invented by a man that we as women subject ourselves to and the sad thing is WE PAY FOR IT. Anyway, someone sent this to me in an email and I thought I would die laughing. Have fun. POWER OUTAGE DURING A MAMMOGRAM I actually kept my mammogram appointment. I was met with, "Hi! I'm Belinda!" This perky clipboard carrier smiled from ear to ear, tilted her head to one side, and crooned, "All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, and then slip on this gown. Everything clear?" I'm thinking, "Belinda, try decaf. This ain't ro…

I was looking for a fill doctor locally and came across www.fillcentersusa.com they are trying to train and setup Nurse practitioners across the nation to do fills. To help get this done they are offering 1yr of free fills to anyone that finds a doctor to get trained through them and do fills. This would be great no more flying across the world to get fills. HEre is the webstie for anyone interested www.fillcentersusa.com

Today is our 4 weeks post-op, which means... :banana solid food Day! :banana i'm going to get a Hot Dog!

I am worried that I am going to need more time to recover than I thought. I only have a week vacation which leaves me with only have 4 days to recover. How much time did it take to recover? Thanks for the support

Hi everone, I'm new here. I'm seriously thinking of getting this done. have been reading your posts and have many questions.Hope you all can help.How did you get started, what kinds of hoops do ya have to go through? anyone had this done in fla? costs... insurance coverage? dont want to bambard ya with all my questions at once.hope to hear from ya ..THANKS,TERI

Hi all, I was banded April 26, 2005. Starting weight 281, six foot male. No fill for about six weeks, then 1 cc. Not much change, losing weight due to choices and exercise. Had another 1 cc fill on thursday, August 18th. BIG change. Can drink Water but it hurts like a cramp in my stomach. Takes about 20 minutes to drink a Protein shake, and it is uncomfortable. Dr.'s orders were Clear liquids for one day, full for two days, then take it slow as I add new foods. My question is, will I eventually be able to drink water, milk, coffe or anything and not have this pain or tightness in my abdomen? Oh and I am down to 253. No more gall bladder,(had it out at same tim…

Hi all! had my surgwry on friday aug 5th. It has been a petty rough 2 days everything went great 47 min in surgery I will report a little mor later.....the port sight hurts like hell but as far as everything else is great!!!!

Today I went for my post-op apt. I'm 12 days out of surgery and have lost 14 pounds. I am so excited. I am sure most of it is water weight though, but still very excited. I will be going back for a fill on Sept. 26th. Thanks for all the support, Sandie.

Hello all my fellow loosers I will be joining the loosing side in 9 days insurance would not pay so I just decided i would finance it my self My ins. sucks and i need to find a different plan so i figured I can make payments on surgery with the money i was paying for sorry ins.> can some one please tell me about the liguid diet what are someof the things you had pre and post op?? Dr Barker will be my surgeon he is moving his office l dont have the address but you can locate him on http://www.drwbarker.com/ anyone looking for a surgeon should give him a call. Also can you tell me how long it was before you could go back to work? my surgery is on fri the 19th…

I am wondering about calories and the breakdown of such and weight loss. I was banded July 22. I have lost about 28 lbs plus 10 before for a total of 38 lbs or so. Great,.....not complaining about that. Probably due to 2 weeks of liquids. Since I went on food I have not lost a single thing. I am playing with the same 5 lbs, either up or down. It has been so damn muggy here I may have some fluid retention some days, but not really too bad. I logged my food onto fitday.com and I am in the 700 to 850 calories a day. Some time I wonder if my fat content is too high due to cheese. I drink all my water every day and do exercise to an exercise tape or do 1 hour of walk…

Hi, everyone! I am new here. I mostly wanted to get some info. (as well as support) about lap band surgery and came across this site (lucky me!!!) I have recently decided to try to have weightloss surgery (at this time it all depends on my insurance). The doctor I have been seeing thinks that the lap band is the way to go for me rather than RNY since I am anemic, and since I have not had any children yet. I have been going crazy trying to make a decision before it is time to send in the papers to my insurance company, but no matter how much research I do, I just have not been able to make up my mind. I am so afraid that the lap band just will not 'do it' for me. I keep th…

Hi everyone! I am on the countdown now. I am nervous and excited! I work in a hospital and have for 14 years but I am a chicken when it comes to surgery. I figure I would ask you guys what are some of the things you needed after surgery that you forgot to get before surgery. I am buying Gas-x and glycerine suppositories today. I read in a thread that the gas sometimes can be HELL, so I am trying to prepare. Please hip me to some of the things that you all did in preparation for the surgery. I am already praying that helps alot. I love this sight you all have a friend in me and I feel the same. I never thought that I would get so much support from people who don't even k…

Our first Lap Band support group meeting will be held at BORDERS book store in Annapolis on Sunday August 21st at 1pm. 1115 Annapolis Mall Annapolis Maryland 21401 If you have not yet signed up Please e-mail me at Crystalstar1130@yahoo.com This group is for those who have had Lap Band surgery and or are looking into having the Lap Band surgery. We have 9 people signed up so far... I'm looking forward to meeting with you all. Thanks Karen

Hey all...I have a question.. I use to never get my monthly until I was on birth control. Which I hear can be typical for a person overweight. Well I came off the pill for surgery plus I had some other things going one and the dr wanted me to come off for a few months. So here is the problem. I am getting my monthly every other week. Really every other Saturday it starts....Like clockwork and it is lasting 5 - 8 days just in time for me start back. What is wrong with me? Has anyone else had this happen to them? I go the OB on thursday not sure if he can tell me or not.. Help...this is getting old!!!!

I don't work for them, but I just saw a news piece that says that dove is using real people in their ads. Showed billboards with size 10-12 models. There is a lot of controversy with this. Some people are offended to see such fat girls on display.....I should be so fat. Currently I would take up the whole billboard. (Waiting on my band.) I applaud their effort to not use people who are smaller than a bar of their soap. The ad works for me....I'm buying.

Has anyone elevated their bed for reflux? What did you use to elevate it? How much elevation? And finally, did it work? Thanks.

Catchy title-- I had my first fill on Friday. Didn't hurt but I've come to the conclusion I am the biggest wiener ever!! They first informed me that I would be standing for the fill--I think I knew this, but I had blocked that piece of info out. I have to lay down to get blood drawn--One way ticket to the floor if I try to sit up to have blood drawn. They numbed up the area where the port is--(while I'm standing mind you)--Here comes the big head sweat and the sound of voices speaking to me from inside a tin can. I say WOAH--I better lay down. Great news, when you lay down, the port moves (makes sense)--they have to renumb the area--Excellent. The doc has …

I was wondering if you can explain how or why the band would slip. How would you know if your band is still in place? Any signs or symptoms? What would be done if the band does slip and cna it be replaced?

I was banded July 22 and my incisions have healed good, but I just noticed yesterday on the side where my port is its kind of rounded and sticks out some.The area isn't sore or bothering me, Its just my left side is mishapen from the right side, it's pretty obvious. Is this normal? I go for my first fill Wed. the 24th of Aug. thanks dani

Hi gang, I have been so frustrated with not being able to log in! I'm hoping someone will get back to me and I can have my original stuff back agian! I'm so excited about us all meeting next Saturday. This will be my first time meeting the group. Well off to get a pedicure this morning! Why not right. Have a good day. Dianne

I'm going to have lap band surgery Aug. 24 and then scheduled to fly home on the 26th. The thing is, I'm flying from San Diego across country to VA, will I be unbearablly uncomfortable sitting for so long or should I reschedule my flight a day later? I've heard so many of you talk about the gas pains in the stomach and shoulders. I tried to get first class seats so I would have more room to stretch but all were sold out. Has anyone else done this? Any input would be great! Thanks. Carolyn

Regular milk wasn't part of my youth, so I'm not a big milk drinker. Years ago someone told me to try soy milk, but the thought of even licking a spoon dipped in soy milk made me nearly gag. I finally got the nerve to lick that spoon though, and now I'm hooked! What the heck is soy milk, and why is it so good? There's no way this stuff can be good for me - I feel like I'm having a glass of eggnog or a melted shake. I've been taking these disgusting huge horse pills that were making me PB. Now I mash them up, mix them in a cup of soy milk and chug it down no problemo. Next question, why are there 50 different kinds of soy milk, and what are the benefits of it vs. m…

I don't have my band yet. However, I find myself eating constantly the whole time I am reading posts on this site. I don't know if I am feeling sympathy deprivation for those on liquid diets and I eat to ease their pain, or what. Am I the only one?

As some of you know I am having some problems with snacking and chocolate. I have heard alot of you mention yummy health bars that take your chocolate cravings away. Well, with me being in Australia I havent seen alot of stuff around like that here, is there anywhere I can buy them online? Also what do you put in your protein shakes for brekky? When you say you actually put chocolate protein in it...what do you mean by that, can you actually buy protein? Sorry to be kinda slow, I just havent heard of it. Thanks

Hi all, I am wondering what you eat daily? If you go to restaurants, what do you choose? How do you get through daily struggles or hurdles? Was the initial weeks after surgery the hardest? I think I may be flipping out a little here. I am 8 days post-op and feeling very uneasy... Thanks Everyone....

I have finally come to point where I am feeling hungry. I am 4 days post-op. I have been on a full liquid diet since August 3.....then 2 days of clear liquids prior to surgery....then nothing to eat or drink on surgery day....now I am on day 4 of clear liquids!!! I am dreaming about Cream of Wheat, pureed cottage cheese or simply some blendized soup. My next change in "diet" is full liquids starting Wednesday..........man, I hope I can hold out......would some cream of wheat be a problem now????

Good Morning my NY Buddies, I feel good again today! Whooppee! Just having a lot of discomfort around the port area. Which I am sure is normal. I am looking to support group on Monday. Kristen is doing good. She is working real hard to get 3 Protein shakes in a day. She said it is very hard. I have been drinking Isopure and that has a nasty after taste. I have been a little on edge lately. Everything seems to be getting on my nerves. It must be lack of food. LOL. I wish everyone a wonderul day! Love, Lisa Marie

I'm going through the process of getting ready for a band. I just can't get used to the fact of having this thing in me forever. Does anyone know if anybody can ever keep weight off after band removal? I would be willing to keep it in a few years but forever I don't know? Karinsky

Well, I'm back in the states and banded. I had my surgery 2 days ago(8/19) with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. There were 5 of us that day, although one lady was actually getting a hernia fixed and a new band placed. Everyone was extremely nice and professional and although there was a small language barrier with a few nurses, everything went wonderfully. I can't say enough about Dr.Ortiz and the others. I have never been given a Dr.'s home and cell phone number with adamant directions to call if anything bothered me or seemed wrong. I work in health care here in the states and I have to say that they exceeded my expectations. Now if only my pain would go away! It's not too bad, j…

I'm a newbie and proud as can be! I was just banded this past Monday (8/15). After a 2 year research of lapbanding (yes, I'm a chicken), I had run out of excuses. In Feb 2005, I met Dr Felix Spiegel in Houston and he changed my life. He actually performed lapband procedure on patients with a BMI over 50! (Yes, that's me....but not ready to give you #'s just yet). After many insurance issues, dr office staff issues, etc. I went in for laproscopic banding in May 2005. Boy, was I ready! I was awaken from the procedure to find out that it could not be done, as a grapefruit size tumor was found on my liver, prohibiting him from getting to the stomach. I was sent to a …

Im going for fill # 5 tomorrow (or is it 6?) and I'm super nervous. I ended up in the hospital after the last fill.... so I'm feeling a bit uneasy. I don't feel like being yelled at by my Dr. for not losing enough weight =(

Does anyone know someone who has had the band who are age 70 or older? I really think it would be a great solution for my dad, but he turns 70 in December. He has no other health conditions other then being about 150 pounds overweight. I would like to have him around for a few more years, and without some sort of weight loss surgery, I am afraid he will start showing effects of all this extra weight. Thanxs-you guys are alllllllll great !!! <still haven't figured out how to paste my ticker-sigh>

Found out today that my psych results are in and while I am a nutbag to some degree, I am completely sane when it came to getting my band!! My husband said he would check with my four personalities a little later...lol. So all that is missing now is one doctor's records!!! So hopefully by the end of next week my case will officially be in the hands of the insurance company and in two weeks I will have a surgery date!

Hi all, Can you'll share with me how fast you can drink water. Can you take large sips or so you always take teeny tiny sips? I am still not able to get in enough water and I was thinking that maybe I am just trying to drink it to slowly with to small of sips. I am drinking water all day long from the time I get up until I go to bed with the exception of right before I eat until at least 30-45 minutes afterwards. I am probably more worried about this than I need to be but in the past water has always been the key to successful weight loss for me. I know that it is important as a bandster.

I started really looking at everyone's weight loss stats last night and I realized there are more than a few people who have been banded for 4-6 months and lost 15-20 pounds. I realize that itself is a great achievement (I am so not trying to minimize that) but I have to ask myself if that is worth the thousands of dollars I'm going to shell out since I am self-pay. I mean if the band is designed to lose 2 pounds per week or whatever then 14-20 lbs in 4-6 months is HALF of that. Can anyone who has not lost much tell me if it's b/c you didn't get a fill or are you doing all the "right" things and following the "band" rules and still not losing? Thanks.

minimum amount of food-I want my protein and such but want to eat as little with as little calories as possible and feel full-tell me what you eat in a day .Thanks:)

I think in my drug induced state of mind I lost a private message...was that you j.s?

Hi everyone, First of all, thank you all so very much for all the support, advice and love you showed me pre-op.....WOW, I am now post-op!!! Everything went very smoothly, the nurses were ourstanding at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital in Brookfield, WI. Just wondeful....they should be very proud of their work and they do work, I tell you!!! I am sipping my 1 oz. of Water every 15 minutes....and I am full! Have just a little gas pain, but not too bad....have some pain in my chest...is that gas too or just filling up on the water? Tried lying in bed....forget that....the recliner is my best friend right now. My other best friend is my mom who is watching my 9 year old f…

I'm doing ok. Still learning how to eat again. As of right now i'm hungry alot, i'm just mananging the pain (which isn't to bad, i was off the morphine drip the very next morning) and sleeping, nothing to exciting but i'm glad to be home.