LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

A Channel 5 documentary would like to hear your stories of life after weight loss. Are you enjoying your new found confidence and possibly the first time, able to socialise and are rediscover who you are? Have you lost weight and recently separated from your spouse or partner? Have you recently lost weight and are dealing with how this weight loss is affecting your relationship at the moment? Do you have unexpected problems following weight loss? Please email Sheena at weightloss@iwcmedia.co.uk or call 0141 353 8466 Alex has approved this post

All my clothes over size 20 (up to 24) that is 6 weeks out, down to size 18 - thankfully can shop in my closet! Got rid of the clothes like I did the weight. Made me feel like I lost 10 more pounds, lol. Will NOT go back!

i got my coordinator today yeyy she told me that my insurance approved the surgery now i have to go to chest xray and some other appointment for my heart and labs... so whats next after the approval? im so exited. after going to the support group and seeing alot of ppl do gastric bypass, made me sure that i wanted my lapband tool. those ppl just look sooo miserable. anyeay i would really appreciate if u can share ur experience and how long after you got approved did you get ur appointment for surgery. thank u in advance ladies n gentlemen

im having a hard time with my chewable vitamins.. they make me nauseated. anyone else have that problem?

I am a 51 year old female who had surgery in December, 2008 but for a variety of reasons have not been successful in losing weight. I've had a couple of wake up calls recently and really want to work at being successful in losing the weight. I think having a buddy/mentor to help would be a positive step.

I have lost 92lbs so far and I feel like I'm trying everything to tighten my loose skin! Ab exercises, exfoliating, firming lotions and now I'm going to try dry brushing My dry brush just came in the mail yesterday! Has anyone ever tried this? Your results? I don't qualify for a tummy tuck according to my insurance and I'm understanding to that. It's really for my own self image and I have seen severe cases.I consider my loose skin minimal and I have had 4 children but there must be something besides surgery that can help. Please share what has worked for you. Thanks!!

I was banded with the realize band (remember all those realize band commercials?) back in 2005 with the belief that it was the same as the lap band, just a few differences in how it is placed, etc. I was banded in Indiana. I have since moved to connecticut and my doctor here does not use the realize band anymore. He said it is a lot harder to get fills to get you to proper restriction, etc. I can't see the Physician's Assistant - he does all my fills with the fluroscope. Anyone else run into this? On top of this the realize band has suddenly moved to the bottom of my esophagus and I have a 50:50 chance of dilation. I am bummed out.

I just stumbled across this 60's Section, and think it's great. Thanks to whoever came up with the idea. It's been a while since I've been on the forum, but I hope to hang around a little more now that some of life's challenges and issues have been met and conquered. I was banded on Aug. 30, 2007, and will become Medicare eligible July 1st this year. Someone on one of these threads said that Medicare picks up the cost of fills. Is there anything I need to tell the doc when this time comes? I just had my first fill since surgery (7 1/2 months), and may have to have more in the future, so this may be important to know. Thanks for your help.

Bread and butter? I was never a big bread and butter person. I didn't eat it before a meal because I wouldn't be able to eat as much of my main course. About the only time I "craved" bread and butter was after a spaghetti and meatball (or the like) meal because my Dad and I would have bread, butter, and molasses. Mmmmmm. Yummy!! Yes, I'm 100% French Canadian. LOL Just wondering because I find myself fighting off the craving 99% of the time.

just need to vent. I'm Havin a day where nothing goes down, everything I attempt gets stuck, even my 'go to' foods. I'm sick of shakes and liquids and I would just about KILL for a nice chicken and salad sandwich! I started as a low BMI bandster last November. I'm not far off my goals but I have days where I get so frustrated that I can't eat seemingly 'normal' foods without some Form of discomfort. I know today is just an off day and tomoro will be better. I just need to get it out to those who understand and who have times where they just wanna resort to bad things that don't cause any grief! Tell me you all feel my Pain!

I was delayed for a week but finally made it to the party. Was surprised didn't sleep until my regular bedtime and walking around has not been difficult. This morning just a dull pain. Looking forward the the journey ahead of me.

Can you all find you eat more when you eat a salad? I usually just pick the protein out

Ok, so if your like me, you get bored quickly with eating the same food everyday. In my quest to find interesting post op foods I came across endless possibilites. Ok, first let me tell you, I have been to whole foods, sprouts, walmart and many others looking for interesting broth and pureed or pureedable soups for my 2 weeks post op. I keep coming across the same stuff and I am already bored with it and I haven't even had any. Anyway, to keep this short, you should try places like asian markets, international markets, Cost plus world market...etc. you get the picture. At Cost Plus World Market I found: Thai coconut soup " Tom Kha" and a thai sour and spicy soup "Tom yam…

I just finished reading The BIG Book on the Lap-Band by Alex Brecher and Natalie Stein and Ultimate Lap Band Success by Dr. Duc C Vuong. Both were excellent and full of lots of helpful information. When I saw that they were available on my iphone as downloads I tried to choose between them and after reading the samples I decided that they were different enough from each other in content to buy both. I'm so glad I did. I know I'll be referring to them in the future, probably many times. Even though my doctor gave me a lot of information there was still more to be learned and I highly recommend either or both of them to anyone who wants to read more/learn more about lap…

I have my first fill today and I'm pretty nervous. Needles don't bother me I think it's just not knowing what to expect that's making me nervous. I had the band on May 21st. I started to diet a couple weeks before that and I'm down 40 lbs as of today. I'm ready for the weight to start melting off.

Hello fellow bandsters! I was banded in 2009, I have had great success with my band, it is me that I have had trouble with over the last several months! I have regained about 35 of the 125 I had lost and now want to get back on track. I am wantnng to try the 5 day pouch test, and have not found any specific instructions for doing so. If you have done the 5 day pouch test, would you please share what you drank and ate during the 5 days? Thanks so much!

I know everyone's different. I think I finally hit my green zone. How have all of you known you were inn the green. Also do any of you eat lunch meat as protein ?

I'm going to be traveling to California shortly and want to pick up some chewable vitamins and/or supplements on my trip, as I can't find them where I live in Europe. These have to be something I can purchase in a "real" shop (Target, Wal-Mart, GNC, etc) since I won't have time (or a mailing address) to order from an online source. Any recommendations would be appreciated! Thanks, everybody!

Hey everyone, I just started my own YouTube channel about my upcoming surgery next month. I'm going to be tracking my progress every week or every two weeks after surgery. I'm doing a video "blog" to look back on in a year or so to reflect on what I have done. I put a video out just to see what people think and see what responses I would get. I feel like doing videos would definitely help people out! If you want to check it out search: AmineTheMachine and the video is called Lap Band surgery and info. Look forward to hearing from some of you!! -Amine

I love fresh fruit an veggies. My favorite is a sweet juicy peach. What's yours? [ATTACH]27367[/ATTACH]

I was banded April 4. I have had 2 fills since surgery. I am on vacation and having a hard time with food its not making me sick it just hurts soft foods and more than a sip of liquids. What can I do?

In case the scale or mirror or joints or jeans aren't making you smile today, maybe this creative lady will.....

Hi everyone... I am 5 months post op and have done great so far. But on Wednesday I had a fill and they only put in .25 at my request. I did great wed and Thursday only eating soft mushy foods. On Friday I had some moist Salisbury steak, very small pieces, and I have been throwing up since. Not even keeping water down. Today I'm able to keep most water down but that's about it. Should I go back to the doctors on Monday and have some saline removed or will this pass?

Well happy to say ! Since my new fill Tonight a tiny piece of chicken and tiny but of spinach and i am totally stuffed and I could not even eat salad tonight ! Deff and lot less then this time last week before my fill

I am at 5.8 ccs of a 10 cc band and I am a week out from my last fill. I am having trouble drinking my Protein shakes and Water - I can sometimes get things down just fine (over the weekend I ate what I needed) but for the last 2 days I have had multiple spells of throwing up even after drinking only water. Need some guidance all

What was the longest time it took you to lose a pound? How long was your longest plateau???

Ok, don't know how to explain but here goes: My second fill was about 5 weeks ago, I know I need one because I'm not in the green zone. However, I've been eating larger portions for the last week or so which had caused the "side stitch" feeling. I know this is completely my fault. I guess I'm wondering if another fill is a good idea? I see my surgeon tomorrow but wondered if anyone else felt something similar or had advice? Thanks, and sorry for any confusion!

So in need of my first fill, which is this Thursday !! Thank Goodness . Very hungry now and no restriction. Trying to just have a little extra protein and I must say no to those darn cheezits ! I feel really good tho. 22lbs down since just before my surgery which was may 20th!! So bring on the fill. I am so ready !

I am experiencing lost restriction after each of my fills. The restriction lasts for 2-3 days then WHAM empty. My doc says I'll have to have a new band installed as the original is obviously defective... I am anxious to hear if this has happened to anyone else and how you are doing now???

I am excited to get this ball rolling. My goal is to get all of my pre-op stuff done in a week. I called my insurance company just to make sure the surgery is covered. They said yes, but my medical group does the approvals really. So I called them and they said as long as I meet the critiria and the dr. thinks this will help me. I hope to be scheduled before the end of August. Stay tuned......

I have something stuck for over an hour. I am in extreme pain. I can't burp, can't drink. I have been walking. I can't throw up. Any suggestions???? Please help!!!! Thank you!!!!

This is what happened after he took one cc out, I forget to show you all, hurts like HELL!!! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Si excited but scared. Any advice? I've lost 24.4 lbs from my banded date! Yay me!

Wanted to ask a quick question. Is there extreme hair loss like there is with the sleeve?

What would the impact be on my wife because of my surgery? Our dining, mental adjustments, anything you can think of?

Hello all- I had lapband surgery in 2005. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. For the first few years I did great. Lost consistantly...exercised...lost over 100 lbs. About a year ago I got acid relux....that turned into throwing up at night. Up 5-6 times a night throwing up or waking up with a mouthful of bile. It was horrible. I talked to my doc and he thought I had slipped so we did a surgery about 4 months ago and he adjusted the band. After the surgery the throwing up and coughing was still there at night (not during the day....only when I lay down). Now the doc thinks it may be my gall bladder and not the band so I have surgery in Jan to get…

I'm a type 2 diabetic (diagnosed in Feb) which is what started me on the lapband quest in the first place...that plus high cholesterol has me taking pills/insulin shots that I'd lOVE to stop. I personally feel like medication can help, but there is a cost to that with introducing them into your body (think side effects) so I am and always have been very anti-medication unless you ABSOLUTELY have to have it. (not everyone's opinion, but its mine...) So...what was the point where you/your doctor decided to stop the medication and see how your body was handling things on its own? I've just been changed to a new PCP and she is resistant to even having me try. She would…

How long after surgery till you restarted taking your HBP medication (pills) or was it the next day. I take iibesartan and I also take hydrochlorothiazide both are small enough and I have a pill cutter if needed. TIA

First, ill start by saying I'm ashamed. Second, I'm still a fat person what do you expect? Sunday evening I made homemade burritos for my family. I always make a ton of food so I made 2 full casserole dishes. Everyone ate, got full and there were two remaining burritos. I shared one with my toddler so I ate about 3/4. Don't judge me. Anyhow, I wrapped the two remaining burritos in foil and put them in the fridge. I made myself very clear to ALL my kids that NO ONE is to touch my burritos. At this point I have clearly forgotten that I'm a bandster. But, I went ahead and threatened em anyway. Now keep in mind, I'm 36 years old and I have 4 teenagers & a toddler und…

So I had my first fill yesterday. He put in 4cc right now I can't really tell a diff probably becuz I'm back to liquids but I hope the 4cc helps.... Anyway I asked my dr if I should be measuring my food, and he told me no!? He said don't measure, buy a smaller plate eat your proteins first if your still hungry eat the veggies. But I never thought of it the way he explained. If you out a little food in a big ol plate you feel deprived. But in a much smaller plate it looks full and your brain will think you have a nice full plate if food! I thought it was a pretty cool idea!

I am not banded yet July 31st is my date but I watched a YouTube video on a fill and I am a little scared lol. Does it hurt? The needle looks so thick. I'm not going to let a needle change my decision to get it but wow the needle looked thick lmao do they numb the area?

I was in the green zone and was doing great (10lbs last month) but the last 5-7 days have been hungry ALL THE TIME and unable to feel full for as long as I could before. I am not scheduled for another appt until July 12 and called to see if I could get something sooner, sadly with the holiday they are crazy booked. I have had 4 fills to date (I had the band on 1/31). I am of course still trying to stay high Protein and do my normal workouts (down 38lbs since starting in Jan) but this hunger is going to kill me. I haven't had hunger like this since the very early post op days.

Does anyone know how I can set my daily calories at 1,000? Every time I enter my updated weight loss, it decides that I should have 1,200 calories per day to get to my goal. I'm GLAD that I can eat 1,200 (per what the system shows), but I want it kept at 1,000. Any help is appreciated

I am starting this topic because when my first fill back in April didn't go smooth I searched and search this site for answers . My doctor was very assuring the next time would be smooth but I trust this community and all your experiences involving the band. I have since had my second fill June 27th and it went very smooth. But I was nervous going in hoping there wouldn't be drama like the last one.

The death of a Perth woman nearly two years after a stomach banding operation was likely preventable and highlights the importance of educating doctors about identifying and managing complications from gastric banding, the Deputy State Coroner has found. Evelyn Vicker said that given how frequently gastric banding procedures were done, there was a need to ensure patients and GPs were well informed about the risks and side effects. LINK to story http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/17828091/weight-loss-surgery-warning/

Hi, I am new to the US and Arizona and live in Sedona with my new husband. I was banded at a reputable clinic in Vancouver, Canada 2 years ago and have recently had an experience where I ended up in Flagstaff Emergency having my band unfilled (at a cost of several thousand dollars) 'cause I couldn't get an appointment to have it done at the clinic in Flagstaff for another 3 weeks,. I had been sick and vomiting and with everything irritated and swollen I couldn't get food/fluid through the band for over 48 hours and was dehydrated. The clinic in Flagstaff only does fills/unfills one day a month and so they told me to go to the Emergency Department. I did get excellent …

I am going to get some out tomorrow No vomiting or anything 3 bites And way way way too full

Taking a 5.5 hour trip on the 4th. Haven't had a long ride since banding. Any suggestions on curbing the shock to my system of not munching the entire trip?

Hi all I had my 3rd fill on Friday went from 5ml up to 6ml and I'm having a little trouble I had no stuck episodes at all till now I'm getting stuck on everything but fluids and vomiting a bit . I was told by a friend with a lap band to ride it out it will loosen advice please I fly away for work in 2 days . Any advice will be helpful thanks everyone Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I was banded 5/31/13 and live in Las Vegas. I'm wondering if there is anybody interested in getting a group together once a month. My surgeon has meetings monthly on Wednesday nights which doesn't work in my schedule. I'd love to bounce ideas off of each other and commiserate