LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I was banded on 4/21, I started out really great, now I am so not motivated, I don't know where to start. I have been eating all the wrong foods, chips, nachos, and salsa, even chinese food. I have had 2 fills, the last was on Friday 6/24,and still no restriction. I am so depressed....I wonder if I am a failure with this too. I don't want to get out of bed in the morning.....does anyone have any ideas, short of a good kick in the ass?

I am very excited about getting banded, but I want to know something; I know that if you don't chew your food you will vomit it back up, but what about when you get the stomach flu? I had a bad case of that back in the spring & it has me wondering - if you have stuff in the lower part of the stomach & it needs to come up, how does it fit thru the small opening?

Hi everyone, I found the site www.fillcentersusa.com while searching for an aftercare facility and I emailed them asking about people that have been banded in Mexico....I got an email response from a JR and he said that they will be open in September and that they expect to have 90-100 Doctors across the US that will do fills for ANYONE as long as it is the FDA approved INAMED band.... It sounds like the pricing won't be awful and they will take payments...so if you are looking for a DR in the US, this might be a good place to keep an eye on!!! Lets keep our fingers crossed!! Have a great day!

Hey Everyone, Im on my fourth fill, 3.0 cc, for about 1mth and half, and have an appt to get a refill, as i know that some has disipated.. (my guess is im back down to 2.8/2.7) I still have restriction in the mornings, but lunch / dinner i can eat too much and have ot control myself a lot. After you have gotten to a 'fill level that you like' how often do you go and have it redone to keep the same restriction level for optimum restriction/weight loss?? Thanks!

I've been on a plateau for a while, hovering around the 200 mark. So I thought I'd check my BMI to see how I was doing... at 29.5, I am officially overweight, no longer obese! After being very heavy for years and years, it's a small victory I'll gladly take. I know, it's just as silly to get hung up on BMI numbers as on scale numbers, but see http://www.prevention.com/bmicalculator/0,5766,s1-2-0-0-1476-1,00.html if you want to check your stats. I recently learned that I have a giant fibroid about the size of a grapefruit. Looking at the bright side -- at least this explains why my belly is still so far from flat! And I should lose a pound or two if it's removed. Not the…

I have hypothyroid, and while it can't take much of the blame for me getting to this weight, it apparently can take part of the blame for not being able to lose weight. Any bandsters out there that have hypothyroidism...and how have you done with the band? I am on a small dose of armor thyroid hormone, (t3 and t4) and think it will probally be increased a bit at my next appointment for this in a couple of months. I'm hoping between the band and my exercise routine the weight will finally start dropping! Melissa

Okay, I know I need to get to the solid stage soon (Thursday). I'm having a hard time filling the dogs dish with Alpo (canned stuff, bbq broiled or something) without wanting to taste it!!

Just came back from Dr. Kwon....Gave me August 1st as my surgery date unless the insurance approves it sooner...I"M SO EXCITED!!!!..I want to be part of the banders club SOOOO badly..Ok guys, I need lots of prayers that this gets approved fast..I've been waiting so long....Cynthia:kiss

Just wanted to know different scar stages just wanted to know if mine is normal can someone direct me to old sites that exist or start a new one please

OK, I will call the doctor's office in the morning but I thought I would see if this is normal here first.... Two weeks since surgury. Steri-strips are all off, two of my incisions have a thick clear fishing line type thread which I assume are my internal stitches sticking out. These two incisions are still somewhat open of course because of this. I just noticed it about an hour ago as I have avoided looking too closely at them (I told you I am a wimp). I have a friend who is a nurse, I asked her and she said to give them a gentle pull and see if they come out. She thought maybe the ends of the disolving stitches worked their way out. Well, they don't come out. In fact …

I did a search for this but I couldn't find what I was looking for so if it is out there somebody please tell me where. I am at 4 weeks post-op and I am allowed mushies with small amounts of baked fish and things of that nature. As I start to progress to the "real food" stage what should my caloric intake be at the stage I am now and the 5 week stage to 1st fill? What should it be in general after being banded? The dietician I was sent to talked about amounts and quantities but never calorie counts or the amount of fat grams "allowed". Everything in the house is the light or fat free version. I want so much for this to work. I have lost 22 pounds so far and I am riding …

I haven't been on the board since I had surgery 2 weeks ago and thought I would update everyone ( and I have to shar this with someone - I'm going crazy cause only my mom and two friends know what I did! I am down 22 pounds!!! I feel amazing. My scars are so faint that I think they will be totally unnoticable with in a month or so - right now the only one that is noticable is the port site! I have been excersizing and playing with my son and was back to work immediatly! (went in on thurs the 16th and was at work on monday) I am still on liquids (for 2 more weeks - yuck) but the doc gave me some appetite suppressants and I feel really good now!! I am so excited! I h…

Hi everyone.... I am so excited I could just keep doing the "happy dance" all night long!! I got approval from my insurance company. Thank you everyone for letting me "vent" and supporting me while I waited and prayed. My surgeon's office said that they must hear directly from the insurance company before scheduling my surgery day, but the scheduler said it looks like the end of July!!! OMG, I am so ready....I can't wait!!! I am getting closer to being a bandster!!!! I have visions of next summer in my head....and these visions include me at poolside in a swimsuit sipping an iced tea....... Margo

hi erveryone i had my firs fill this morning it wasn.t bad as i thought it would be one questyion i know i have to have liquids today but is it ok foe cream soups ans pudding diet and yougert thanks julie

I finally got a band date of July 22.......I was so depressed at how long it was taking BCBS to approve this and the couple of screw-ups they had made, but all things happen for a reason I guess....Some good some bad. This was a good one. I go on vacation on the 23rd and I can have the whole week to myself and recuperate in private. You see I do home day care and I was concerned about what I would say to parents as to why I couldn't really move to well. My home is a crazy place during the week with 10 kids around. I really wouldn't have much time to myself at all. Now I don't have to be concerned. My DH's reaction was that it was too bad it was vacation. No lobs…

Here is a Bandster Self-test created by Susannah Malarkey, who used my surgeon. I hope it is helpful, and if you need, or would like it in a different format, such as Word or Excel, please give me a tell, and I'll e-mail the document to you. bandster selftest.bmp

I know this is going to sound stupid and I probably have come by that reputation on this board already but here goes anyway. I don't PB.....Never have and don't think I ever will. When something gets stuck it stays stuck until it goes down. If I try to lube it up after the fact it just hurts worse so I have stopped doing that. I am sure most people who PB quite often may consider me lucky but in my view I would rather spit whatever it is back up rather than hurt like hell. I have literally stuck the ol finger down the throat trying to get it back up but to no avail. It ain't happening. Does anyone else experience the sme thing? Luckily I am learning the proper way to fee…

for us newbies, can someone please tell us what all these abbrevaitions are for. i've seen PB, NVS, DH, and so many more! what does it mean??

I have read a LOT of posts about people getting approved today!! I didnt know where to begin so i figured i`d start a thread and respond to everyone at once!LOL I am so happy for everyone who has recently gotten approved for the lap band-congratulations on the start to a wonderful new life!!! I am so happy that i got i love reading about people who got approved and they will be as happy as i am with their results! If anyone has any questions dont be afraid to ask-if you have a problem-im sure at LEAST one of us here have experienced it-no matter how "unusual"! Good luck to you all on your surgeries i wish you the best of luck and lots and LOTS of happiness and self-es…

hair transplants, electrolysis, teeth whitening, liposuction. ~If surgery removes a breast as treatment of cancer, breast reconstruction is covered.

I'm getting all my ducks in row to be approved for the band...surgeon's office said I could go ahead and set up the psych. eval. Just wondering what is involved in that? A questionairre? A discussion? I would imagine I'd have to put words to my problems with food...or rather, why food and I are such good friends! Would anyone like to tell me about their psych eval, and was everyone required to do one? Thanks as always, Cindy

Hi, it's been almost 2 months since my band surgery and I have had what looks like a faint bruise around my port. It has been there ever since my surgery. The doctor gave me an antibotic at my 2 week visit just to make sure I did not have an infection. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this?

Hi anyone, My daughter (17) just had surgery June 15th and she seems to be doing well physically (emotionally, I'm not sure, I can't tell if it's teenage attitude or struggling with cravings). If there is anyone out there that could lend some words of encouragement, words of wisdom or any words at all, that would be great. I go to this site daily and read people's post to try to understand how everyone is dealing with their band, but it's difficult. Also, if anyone knows of another teenager that has had the band or is considering it, that would be great to know, maybe I could connect the two of them. Thanks

Highmark BCBS just called and I have been approved!!!!!:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana I called the doc's office and my date is July 28th!!!! I am so glad that I didn't give up and just pay, it is going to be covered 100%. ~Mandy

Hello, My name is Wade Beasley and I had me LapBand surgery back on 11/17/03. I started out at 377lbs before surgery and I lost 60 lbs in the first 4 months. I was close to being down 67 lbs back during the summer but I am back up to 326 lbs now. I am very depressed. I know it is bad habits like Ice Cream. I do not want to be a failure but I do alot of emotional eating. When I focus I do okay but I lose focus quickly. :angry Has anyone else had this problem? I had me band loosened before the holidays because a dietician said I might have been too tight. I am suppose to see the doctor again on 2/1 which I am sure I need to be filled again. I am currently a…

My Surgery Was In Jan Of This Year Since That Time I Have Not Managed To Lose Weight But Only To Gain....why Because Of My Fills...my First Fill Was 1.2 Cc My Second Was The Same...my Third Was 2.cc And My Fourth Was 4cc The Thing Is The Last Time I Went In My Doctor All Of A Sudden Thinks I Have A Different Size Band...then They Go To The Chart To Find Out What Size Band I Have And No Where In The Chart Does It Say....so They Have To Call The Hospital To Find Out...that I Have A Large Band...now This Really Bothers Me A Lot..shouldnt They At The Beginning No What They Put In You...so They Can Fill Accordingling Instead Of Making Guess's....he Kept Saying Your Not Eating …

I have a question. Why is it that I can eat alot of some foods, and only a little of others?? I just had a whole bowl of tuna helper, and a rice crispy treat. Should I be able to fit that in my pouch? I am filled at 1.7

hello fellow bandsters: I had a very uneventful experience. Of course I've got some pain and some gas, but not horrible. I was bummed this morning though when I got on the scales, it shows that I've gained two pounds since the surgery. What is up the that????? I would think that is scientifically impossible. I'm eating exactly what the dr. ordered. Hopefully my body will get the message soon that it is supposed to lose weight and not gain weight!!!! w

Hi everyone....I live in Naples, FL and was researching Dr. Pleatman. I see that he will do the band for $12500.00 with after care and fills for 2 years. If possible, would you please post your experience with him, the anestesiologist and the hospital staff? I was going to go to Mexico, in fact I have a date but came across his name and homepage and thought wow. Just $3000.00 more and I can have this done in the US!! Any input would be so much appreciated. Good and bad (if any).

Hi Ya'll - I've been banded since Dec. 04 - and have been looking for a support group. Just found you all and am really inspired to continue on this trip. My weight loss has been slower than I thought it would be. Maybe because I am older and with RA am unable to exercise like I should. You've been a big help - and I hope to see many of you on the 25th. Think name tags would help? Would love to meet someone else from the Austin area.

Hi Everyone, I'm finally back and up to speed. I had my surgery on May 20 and everything went well according to the doctor, I was able to go home the same day. The problem arose when I began vomiting that evening..the next day was the weekend, fortunately my doctor returned my call, said it was due to swelling and set a appointment for a barium swallow...everything was swollen shut and I was unable to keep anything down including my saliva. They wound up putting a feeding tube down my nose and through the blockage for several days, (Horrible!), took it out on Friday things seemed fine on the drive back (2 hrs) but by evening was again unable to keep anything down. Wou…

Hi, just got my first fill today (1.5) and I am very excited. Things have been slow for me, so hopefully this will kick it into gear! Wish me luck!

I just had my first fill last week and my doctor does not do them, rather, he sends me to the local hospital that he works with to have it done. Well, they took xrays before, during and after the fill and at first put too much in then had to remove some so they had to do the equivalent of an upper GI twice. Well, I just got the bill for this and it was almost $1000!!! Granted, this is before my insurance pays their part but I think this is ridiculous and my doctor never said anything about not doing the fills in his office. I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem. And then to kick it off, I don't even feel a restriction, same as before the fill. The hospi…

Today I was an Angel for a new bandster. She is a customer of mine and has watched my transformation over the last 14 months and has picked my brain and researched the Lap band for over a year now.. Today was her day to have the Lap Band with Dr. Quebbaman & Dellal out of South Coast Medical here in Laguna Beach. I wanted to be there for her and show her my support, I know from the tears in her eyes when she saw me that she really appreciated me being there for her.I brought her a gift basket from Bath & Body Works to pamper herslef once she is up to it.. It felt so good to be able to help a new bandster today

Just curious if anyone has experience with this.. about 2 weeks ago I started having pains in my stomach, at first I thought they may be menstral pains but now that I'm actually paying attention to it, its not in the right spot to be that. Basically I have some very uncomfortable pain on my left side, about 4-5 inches below where my incision is for my port. Its not port pain at all. its something else.. i have no idea what it could be. It usually starts if I am in the wrong position but also if i suck my stomach in such as doing a sit up or something. I feel around and dont feel anything but that may just be because i dont feel it lol. it goes from my far side al…

Hello all my SC Bandsters, I am having surgery on the 30th of June. Just a week away. I can't wait to be on the banded side with you all. I am so excited about this and can't wait to get on with my journey. Thanks for being here for support and friendship. I appreciate it. Keep me in your prayers on Thursday the 30th of June. Thanks, Angie

Pertaining to Gastric Reflux...from the gastrologist's directions sheet (used with permission): MODIFICATION OF LIFE STYLE RECOMMENDATIONS: *WATCH DIET --Avoid provoking foods (see list below) --No eating for 2 - 3 hours before going to bed --Eat smaller meals *EXERCISE --Avoid vigorous activity for 1 - 2 hours after meals --Bend at knees and not waist *ELEVATE HEAD OF BED 4 INCHES -- BY USING 4x4 BOARD OR 4" BRICK UNDER LEGS OF BED *AVOID WEARING TIGHT FITTING CLOTHING *STOP SMOKING AND DRINKING ALCOHOLIC beverages *REDUCE WEIGHT GERD: PROVOKING FACTORS: *FOODS --Mints …

I was talking to my mother yesterday and she so totally hurt my feelings.Of course i didn't say anything because then she would just cry and i not only would feel hurt but guilty too. She was told she is diabetic but she still eats crap.She sais she wwent to see a dietician whi gave her a diet to follow.So she tell me for supper she had fried pork chops,fried potatoes and fried mushrooms.She says i guess i'm just pretending to diet..like you! hahaha. HELLO i went from size 22/24 to 16.Yes it's taking a long time but heck i don't eat junk all the time,i've changed my habits.My thyroid took forever to stabilize and i've just recently started to exercise.It hurt so much th…

This morning I am a little frustrated to read some of the posts by members here in recent days. SO I wanted to start this thread to see if Iam the only one who feels the way I do? My questions is , at what cost will you got to to lose wieght with your band? If you know your band is too tight, how long will you wait until you call your Dr.? If you know something is wrong, how long will you wait until you call your Dr. If you can not eat nothing but liquids for months, dont you think something is not right and you should call your Dr.? If you have GERD and Reflux so bad you are choking at night & living on liquids dont you think it is time to call your Dr.? …

hi all!!! i am looking into the band and by-pass- i still cant decide. i am going to the wish center. i just had my first apointment last week. i have a few questions and i was hopping some of you can help! 1<SUP>st</SUP> off, as far as the band goes, I am somewhat uneasy about having a foreign object implanted in me (I guess having my stomach cut in to pieces and my intestines rerouted is pretty scary too) - is it weird? Do you even know its there? ffice:office" /><O:p></O:p> The Dr. said I would probably have to get it adjusted 4-7 times b4 it starts working properly- this includes getting stuck with a needle several times- is it as bad…

My surgery is scheduled in Dallas on July 14. We are moving shortly after to Toledo, Ohio. Does anyone know of fill Doctors in the area? Thanks for any help.

I am new to the thread and hoping to be banded near June 20th or so.I have a question that may or may not be PC. I am wondering about drinking. I enjoy having a few drinks once or twice a week after work- mostly on Friday nights and I know what the drs say, but I am wondering how it is in the real world... thanks for your replies in advance. Jen

I had been up and down, fighting a pound for over a month and was starting to get pretty depressed, so I made an appointment with my dietician. She did the fat vs muscle test and I had gained another 3 lbs of muscle, making a total of 15 lbs of muscle gained. Then she held up a 1lb plastic hunk of fat and said, "you've lost 58 of these", needless to say I was pretty excited, especially since the scale was only showing a 43 lb loss. Sooo, when the scales have got you down, just remember you're probably gaining muscle, which we all know weighs more than fat, and is a good thing. Just think how much better I'd be doing if I'd been exercising too .

My daughter is an actress. We live in Boston, so there arent many opportunities for movie roles, so she does alot of community theatre and student films. Yesterday she was called to be an extra in the movie "The Departed" which is starring Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Martin Sheen. They said I could bring my older daughter too cause they needed about 70 people for a church fair scene. They picked me to do two scenes, one was with my kids (and about 100 other people) and the other is walking along a pier. They matched me up with a guy to walk down the pier with. Now pre surgery I would have never done the big scene and I am sure if I hadnt lost 50+ …

Just had my band june 9th and had some tuna fish well like 8am thought I was eating slowly but probably not well anyways bad pain in my stomach and major slimeing didn't vomit but close how long should I wait to eat again scary didn't like the feeling has it yesterday and did fine but i heard the band is tighter in the morining though maybe you guys could offer some advice thanks.

I am thinking about getting one..Anybody have any suggestions?? I want a really nice one(but not too expensive) I think my money range is from 0-1,000.00?..I was looking into the Proform treadmills from sears but i wasn't sure. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

just a question... did anybody else have a problem with losing there hair after losing weight? I'm about 45 lbs post-op. and i'm losing my hair, and i mean losing, in clumps, in droves. My family docter is doing blood work right now, but i was just wondering if anyone else had this problem? anybody??? iamcanadian25

This thread came from another board by a friend of mine and I felt it was such a great thread I wanted to start it over here So many of us focus on what we are doing wrong...how about focusing on what we are doing right For me it is : 1. Eating better healthier foods. 2. Eating smaller portions. 3. Not drinking with my meals and waiting 1 hour after a meal to drink 4. I do not drink liquid calories. 5. I call my Dr. at the first sign of something NOT right. 6. I do not take NSAID's or drink carbonation 7. I eat for 20 minutes only! 8. I take small bites and chew chew chew 9. I drink atleast 100 oz of Water a day. 10. I eat atleast 60 grams of P…

Hi, I'm brand new to this site, so I hope I don't mess stuff up. I live in the Charlotte area. It's good to see other people in the area are either having the lap band or have had the lap band. I had my first appointment with Dr.V this afternoon. Everything is rolling. Wednesday I have my endoscopy. How are people doing with the band? I know the other types of surgeries you loss fast, I just like the advantages more with the band. If anyone is looking for a therapist, I have the best! She hadher stomach stapled in 97. She told me if I could find 5-10 people she would consider starting a group for us with a small fee. If anyone wants to know more about her pl…

Yesterday I read a thread about some new, yummy ice cream bars found at Walmart. I think La Madam might have been the poster....anyway, I can't find the thread with the name of these bars. Can anyone help me? Margo