LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I am so excited, I have made the desion to do this after much research. I have read so many entries, but I have not read anything about what I should do/ask/know about before going in this first visit. I am not sure I will weigh quite enough though, I'm 5'7 and about 240, I am self paying. Is there anything I should do to assure that I qualify. I will go to Mexico if need be... I will be going to the Gastric Band Institute in Chattanooga. Thanks in advance for any advice or wisdom!

Wow! I never, ever thought that the day would come when i would get to say that!!! that's so exciting to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to thank everyone so much for their kind words or encouragement. This is a dream come true! I'm home and resting. I'm really sort and have lots of tummy gas but other then that everything is good. The surgery went well. I had my band done by Dr Aceves in Mexico. the Dr. and his assistants Nina and Yolanda were wonderful! I give the whole experience an 'A"! I was so sore that first night after surgery. I kept thinking to myself "what the heck did I just do?!?!" I was so tired, nauseous and I couldn't get comfortabl…

I'm starting solids on Thursday but I decided that I have been overly cautious up to now. So I did it!! I went out for lunch - Red Lobster. I had mashed potatoes and broiled walleye. I used tartar sauce on the walleye and ranch dressing to thin the potatoes so it wasn't the healthiest but I only ate 3/4 of the fish and about 3 tablespoons of potatoes. It was really hard to concentrate on chew,chew,chew with all of the conversation but it was doable. Now, if I can get through driving 250 miles Wednesday, meeting the girls for dinner, going to an early morning meeting on Thursday and driving home. Life is continuing.

My band date was June 2. So when can i start swimming....i love gettin in the pool....i keep getting mixed answers.... also, what if i put like waterproof bandaids over my incisions...they are really small.... Please someone tell me when i can finally get some real rays!

Support group at South Meadows will meet on Date: Thursday - June 16, 2005 Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM Description: Lap Band Support Group Status: Confirmed Requirements: None Location: WMC South Meadows Dining Area Contact: Western Bariatric Institute Phone: 775-326-9152 Toll Free: 866-986-8812 This is a lapband only support group and it includes some valuable resources.

It's been quite a while since I last posted on here. I had my baby on January 12th and everything went wonderfully! I only gained 11 pounds during my pregnancy (thanks to my band) and since delivery I've lost about 26 pounds so I'm 15 pounds lighter than I was when I first got pregnant. It's nice to be back on track. It's hard to believe, but I'm within 20 pounds of my goal weight!!! I do need another fill though. I'm not as restricted as I'd like to be. I just wanted to post on here in case anyone had any questions about pregnancy with the band because when I first found out I was pregnant it was hard for me to find anyone who had had a baby with the band that I co…

What do you all do when you are at the stage when you are due a fill (my 2nd is on June 22nd) and you are feeling really hungry. When I am peckish I am trying to pick at the right stuff but I am also thinking "make the most of this" as I hope that I will be feeling a lot more restriction soon. i will be so upset if I put any weight on, or is it normal to gain a little when you are due a fill? I also wonder if it is psycological, am I really hungry? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi I had my first fill on the 11th.I have read a lot of scary things about my fill dr. on another forum and was very scared.One of the things was that he likes to fill....puts a lot in with first fill and that people have had to unfill and BP and all that..... Well the moment he had the needle in the port (first try ..no fluro..) I got into a panic and told him to only put half of what he had in the needle in the band.....he could surely see I was panicking and kindly did what I asked..... Now I regret it a lot....I have no restriction.Have lost 1 pound....and I am being good as gold with 1000 calories per day and exercise..... How soon can one have another fill? …

One fill and I still am eating the wrong things and giving in to temptation. I feel that I have no restrictions and I can't go for another fill before three weeks. So I give up. Just had to say that

Hi everyone, I have now joined the band wagon. Was banded at 7am yesterday and am home today 1pm. I feel like vomiting and am very sore but otherwise i am excited. I was supposed to stay in hospital for 3 days but doctor let me go home, yee ha.what did you guys eat in the first 2 weeks? he told me to eat baby food (yuck). any more suggestions on what to eat? Tracy

Hi there are there any bandsters in the UK and any support groups out there. If there are I would love to hear from you. Gaynor Northants

Hi all well today is Tuesday my 4 day out. I had a scare Sunday during the day I saw my port area & it was TREMENDOUSLY Black & Blue & kinda veiny-red. Also it had an outer area ring 1/2 way around that was red & very hot. I figured an invection was setting in. I ice-packed since Fridays surgery & continued until Monday when I told the sec. that I had to see the Doc. I went in & he said I had the most bruising he'd seen in a patient - BUT that he tried to make my port insicion really small to make me happy(Ididn't ask him too) & that thats probably why the extra bruising. I should also tell you my family brusies VERY easy. He did a mini sonar-t…

I was banded 5/9/05, everything went great as far as the surgery. I basicly have no restriction. I'm eating as I was before my band was placed. I have lost no weight. I'm feeling a little discouraged, I read of people being banded and losing from the start. I have to tell you I'm wondering if I'm one of the ones that the band won't work for. I go for a fill on Tuesday (6/14) and sure hope this helps. I know it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 fills to get to a proper level of restriction. I guess I need to know if there is anyone else that has been through this. Am I the only one that has not lost weight untill getting filled???? Please share your experience and if you felt …

Hi Guys, Has anyone gained weight between having surgery and getting your first fill? I have (about 7 lbs). I'm so glad I'm getting a fill tomarrow, maybe at least I'll feel I'm on my way to losing some weight! Patty

Hello guys: I just wanted to let you know that I have found a GREAT liquid Vitamin that works for me. What: Source of Life Liquid Vitamin by Nature's Plus Where: The Vitamin Shoppe. Just put in Source of Life Liquid in the search and it will pop up. Price: On the website it is around $23.96 on sale or $29.95 regular price, but if you go to the Vitamin Shoppe store I got it for $22.00. You can see the ingredients listed on the website. No after taste No horrible taste period. I drink it straight and don't even need to drink Water after with it. You don't have to eat with it either to keep from getting nauseated with some Vitamins. You can mix it in…

Is anyone interested in doing this running program with me? I am interested, but I might need some modivation...anyone....anyone...Bueller...Bueller..(can you believe it's been almost 20 years?)

Ok I know what a fill does, but somethings about them I dont get. Whats flouro? DO i have to swallow barium at fills? YUCK!

When can I start putting mederma for scars on my incision I still have the streri strips on should I wait till those come off to apply it also I have an antibiotic creme neosporin should I put that over the steri strips so confused please offer your advice what you all did thanks

I dont know if this is possible, but is is possible for something to get a LITTLE stuck? I had Chineese food last night....chicken and broccoli. I also had maybe 1/3 cup of rice mixed in there. About 10 minutes after eatting, I felt the restriction....then there was a little weird pain in the center of my sternum. Felt like there was something possibly stuck and then went way. Maybe I didn't chew a piece of broccoli good enough? Maybe it was the rice? I am blaming the rice.....I have heard a lot of people say they can't do rice. I have been filled....If I remember correctly I am at 2.5...I could be wrong....the humidity in NY has been CRAZY so I may be outta my mind j…

This is one of my journal entries from last year -- pre-band, when I was still trying to fight this battle on my own... every day thinking that tomorrow would be the day I'd turn things around... I thought I'd share it with you all, in case there's anyone out there still waiting for tomorrow to change their life... If Tomorrow Never Comes If tomorrow never comes Will she know how much I loved her Did I try in every way to show her every day That she's my only one And if my time on earth were through And she must face this world without me Is the love I gave her in the past Gonna be enough to last If tomorrow never comes - Ronan Keating You may not know who Ro…

i am almost 8 weeks and i still have occasional soreness in my port insicion...is this normal or should i be concerned.?.. i have had a fill so my doctor has seen whats going on in there and she said everything looked great...has anyone else expierenced this??

two questions how long do you have the port pain and how many incisions does everyone have I have five total is that normal to have this tugging at my port site is uncomfortable please answer thanks

Just wanted to know how can people not lose weight with lap band surgery I was going through web sites and some people swith to gastric bypass why would that be ,scared just go lap band

Do you burp and fart more after you have the band it has been like non stop burping but not bringing anything up is this all normal sorry little crude but would like to know

Good Afternoon Everyone, I am new to this sight and wondering if anyone can help me in contacting the owners of the site. Let me explain. My name is Iris and I work for Bariatric Support Specialists. Two years ago we launced the Bypass Buddies Weight Loss Surgery Cruise & Conference, and have had many requests for a similar conference for lapband patients. I would like to discuss with the owners of this sight the possibility of working with them on a cruise conference for lapband patients. I in no way want to post on the message boards anything that is inapporiate for the boards which is why I would like to speak with the owners/moderators first. If anyone can…

OMG, what is wrong with me?? Have I gone nuts!!? I got hungry and thought ok I'll have a bowl of ice cream. Why? That damn gallon has been in the freezer torturing me for weeks. I thought to myself, the faster I eat it, the faster it's gone and not torturing me. I know, that makes no since. My mind somehow had me convinced that if I ate the ice cream it would make my weight loss easier!! I had 3 HUGE bowls!!! I am stuffed full of ice cream and feel like crying. It's too late, I can't rewind time and change my decision. I must have had 1000 calories of ice cream. I am going to gain 5 lbs in one day!!! I have no self control!! Why couldn't I just stop? I know why, it was th…

Has anyone else used Dory Ferraro for fills and what has your experience been?

Well has many of you know I threw my back out two weeks before surgery & was completly not walking for most of that time. So the Hidden blessing was that all my neighbors/friends/family knew this & had seen me taking 15 mins to get into cars for doctor appts & stuff. I am a closet bandster. Many have helped out cutting the grass or walking the dog. So when I had my surgery I just continued to tell them how bad my back was & that it wasn't any better & the Docs said at least 2 more weeks. In reality my back has been much better BUT having 5 NEW HOLES in my gut have made walking & moving difficult. OK so here is the Nsv - it a small one but still …

I had my surgery JUNE 9. The whole experience was great.

Help I get no sign what so ever to show me I have had enough to eat.That is mostly after having no idea what to eat.....I just cannot seem to know what to eat.... No soft stop and well,the hard stop comes about 20 minutes after I have stopped eating.I get a pressure pain in my stomach and back(area where stomach is) I now know already that this happens too often but do I stop eating after I get the "idea" that I have had enough?No.......and so the pain comes and well,I have to sit it out.... Stupid.The problem is will I ever learn? I had one fill and well,some restriction if I should use it correctly...... What do you all do with your heads? I have fine days …

I everyone I have a great need for some support today, first of all I ended the relationship with my boyfriend of 2 years. He was getting to possesive and I could not handle it any more. He didnt want me to get the surgery from the very beggining and when I started lossing weight he was getting worse, very insecure and always acussing me of cheating or always causing a scene when we went out (we went dancing every weekend). It is so hard but I just can't get my self to show any emotions over all this, my 2 children (not from him) were attached to him and that makes it even harder. To top it all off I came in to work this morning and find out that a co-worker passed aw…

I was banded on May 30th and I am still in the liquid stage. My doctor wants 3 weeks of liquids. Anyway, I am starting to be able to drink more and more. Is this OK and is this normal. I also worry constantly that my port has moved. My doctor said that he was a little concerned about the port placement due to some excess fat where he placed it. Is it easy for the port to move, or am I just being overly nervous. Thanks for your help! By the way, I have lost 20lbs since surgery!!!! YEA!!!!

Just wondering was anyone afraid to eat after the mushie stage I just got the band three days ago and am afraid of getting something stuck or pbs any suggestions I know I'm far away from the food stage but thinking about it. any suggestions would be welcome I'm sure there are alot of june bandsters out there with similar questions too.

I have scheduled (2) consults w/surgeons. I live in Corpus Christi, Tx. I surgeon is 1 1/2 hours away, and the other is 4 hours away. The one 4 hours away has tons of experience (part in the FDA trials, etc.). The closer one also has a good reputation. Has anyone out there had to travel far distances (2 hrs+) to see their surgeon? I am worried that something may go wrong, when I am at home and my surgeon is so far away. I am also thinking of the travel time to do fills and unfills. Also, do many folks get overfilled only to have to return to the surgeon the next day or so... Thanks, Shawn

I am 5 days post-op and I have some questions. I am, for the most part, doing fantastic. My incisions are beautiful and healing nicely. BUT last night I had some miso Soup and I think I had reflux. It came up, I took a couple of more sips then remembered that I was told to stop for the night if I had PBs. Don't know that this was PBs or not. So I stopped witht he exception of some tiny sips of Water. I had chest pain that scared me! This morning my chest is just a little sore, not too bad. Is this normal? What is this feeling? I bought some maalox, which I assume is safe. ANy other thoughts? Also, since surgery there have been several times that I felt the n…

just curious-are there benefits to the diff size?how do they determine the size?Mines a 10

ok i have had 1 fill.. and that was last tuesday... i got 1.5 cc... until then i felt NO restriction at all... i had such high hopes for the fill.. and i thought maybe it was working as it took me longer to eat sometimes.... and sometimes i couldnt eat everything on my plate.. but that is RARE.... since the fill i can still eat a FULL amount of food... all day long if i wanted...i can also report that i have lost no weight...i can eat anything and everything. my question is about the elusive PB or restriction feeling... i have had the golfball many times... sometimes BAAAAD and sometimes just a minor pain... so i sit there and wait a minute or two (i learned not to d…

After banding how long does the port site hurt for mines been 3 days now please reply is this normal thanks

I was banded on Wed and I have been trying to drink my protein and eat some jello and I am extremely nauseas. Is this a normal feeling. I am scared that I am not getting m protein but I feel so sick afterwards.

I am almost 2 weeks post. I am on purees. When they say puree, does it have to be liquid? Can i chop Boars head turkey and have that? They said i can have chicken salad, egg salad and chili, so i am not sure about the bh turkey!

Just back from Barnes and Noble tonight and read this weeks People Magazine. There was an article about surgery outside the US specifically cosmetic surgery and weight loss surgery. The surgeon from Monterrey- Dr. Sanchez was named as the surgeoen who "never placed" the band in a women (who I have read about here on these message boards---was it Penni who told everyone???I forget. ) Any way when she got home and went for a fill at home with an aftercare Doc in the US he checked her out and found the band floating under her stomach!!!! Sanchez was quoted as saying he mad a mistake.... I am sure some of you heard about her. I forget her name...Anyway...I feel very l…

Hi all, I just moved to Portland and am interested in meeting other bandsters. Is there a support group around these parts? Thanks, Sarah

We are going to Hershey Park in 2 weeks and i was wondering if i should avoid any rides?...I am7 weeks banded today....I just dont want to do anything that might cause it to slip...Has anyone been to any parks with big rides???... Do you think i should avoid the roller coasters and really bumpy rides???...HELP I want to have a good time but i dont want to do anything that might damage my band!!

Weird post... I know. My dog of 10 years is an old girl, so needless to say, she doesn't move around as much as she used to. But now, I've made it even worse for her, she's getting fat! She gets so many table scraps because I always take too much food and can't eat it all. My mother brainwashed me! She told me not to waste food and that there were starving children in China and now instead of throwing it away, my poor dog is feasting on scraps and becoming as big around as she is tall!! Poor girl has become rather.... well lets just say that she doesn't smell as good as she used to! Anyone else had a puppy dog that has been over indulged??

For some reason, I cannot eat meat. Any meat. It turns my tummy in a bad way. Does anyone have and ideas for non meat protien?

I was banded on Tuesday and am on my fourth day of the liquid diet. I love to drink clamato and I like to spice it up. Also, I like tomato Soup a little spicy. Is there anything wrong with spices, pepper or spicy-ness in general? Any info would be great! Lindsay

I did it I'm banded doing great so far little groggy all day from anesthesia but now better just wanted to check in so HAPPY to start my jorney thanks everyone

"Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding - Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Mininally Invasive Surgery" by Jessie H Ahroni?? If so, please tell me your thoughts. It is available by mail order through one of our bookstores here and I am wondering if it is a worthwhile investment. This message board has been a wonderful source of information but I am always on the prowl for more! Thanks, Kirstie.

Well...went to visit Dory in Soho for fill number 2...I definitely feel a whisper of something, but not a really tight restriction. Last time I got my fill (it was my first) I ate first and had no restriction afterwards...this time I had no food before the fill and while I feel something (i'm at 1.6) I can't wait until I can get it just right. I'll just keep the faith and try to be patient. I noticed now that i'm running my appetite is growing more frequent...that's my big fear. Keep sending the positive vibes please.

This will show you the band and how it works. http://www.weightless.com.au/medical/xrays/ie_index.html#