LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I would like information from those that know. My history -- Had Stomach Stapling in 1981. I dropped 100 lbs (225 to 125), felt great, was working out like crazy, and didn't have any problems with it. I maintained this loss for almost 10 years. Slowly, through a divorce and major life changes the weight began to crawl back on. NOW add menopause on top of that... and my mom just died... and my business just failed... etc. and I am totally out of control and headed for an early grave. Currently I am 5 ft tall and 210 lbs. I gained 10 lbs in March and 10 lbs in April, while my mom was in the hospital and at hospice. Lately, I have been walking for 30 minutes 4 times…

...or has my scale totally gone on the fritz!? Begining of pre-op diet I was 212, morning of surgery 208 (altho the scale at the surgery center said 207)....Friday 204...yesterday 200.........and today 198!! Do you normally lose THAT fast? I guess I could considering I've had nothing but soup, applesauce, pudding and yogart for the past 9 days LOL. If it is true wooohoooo I broke 200!!!

I'm having my second fill at the end of the month and can't feel my port. When I had my first fill I could feel it, and it was still a fairly unpleasant experience with a couple of goes and some digging around. If I can't feel it, can the doctor? I'm interested to know how many people can feel theirs. Thanks, Rachel.

I was just wondering girls how did your husbands or partners react to you when you told your decisions on getting the band good or bad ?

i havent had a good nights sleep since being banded over 3 weeks ago..if i go on my stomach it still hurts..any of you guys that have been banded for awhile please tell me i will be able to sleep again someday:sleep

I keep reading here and on other lap band boards about people concerned with their plateaus and comparison weight losses. In fact in many cases, I have been the poster! Well, I had a reality check recently which may help put this in perspective. The common thought is that as a bandster, generally speaking, we lose an average of 1.5-2 lbs a week. Well, I have hit MANY pleateaus lasting from 1 to a few months. I, (like many others) get frustrated and impatient with these. I never think at those times about the weeks where I actually lost 3-5 lbs, in a WEEK! So, not having a brain for ANY kind of math, I asked my husband to take the entire amount of weight I have lost and …

Surgery was 1/24/05 and I have been stuck at 297.5-299.5 for a while now. I had a stomach virus yesterday and I weighed myself this morning and the scale said 292.5!! I hope it counts and is not just being sick! Everyone has been telling me that I have lost more weight and I kept saying that I wish my scale would say it! Also a few fellow wls people have told me that this is how weight loss works for some of us - you will hit a plateau and then boom - a loss! Thanks

Hi everyone. I am debating whether or not to get a fill. I was filled 2.5 cc at the time of surgery in a 4 cc band. I had surgery on Feb 10th and have lost a total of 50 lbs now, that includes 14 lbs pre op. I am starting to feel hungrier than I have been since surgery. The weight loss seems to be continuing though. I am wondering what are your thoughts of getting a fill or waiting another month or so. What do you all base your fills on?

HI, I have been reading about port posistions for some time and just read the thread about the bikini line port...anyway, my doctor said he is going to place my port between my rib cage right under the sternum. He said he would use the low-profile since I do not have as much body fat on this area. Does anyone else have theirs at this position and should I expect it to move or stay put if placed there? Nita

I've read a couple of posts that said that their port was located above their hip... Mine is on mid-upper abdomin just slightly to the left. Why the different placements? Pros and Cons of each? (It's too late now to move mine! Just glad I have it.) Thanks!

Hi Everyone, Just an update, FINALLY yesterday for the first time I felt normal...no pain, I slept on my left side last night (it's the small things that matter!)! I figured out that with all the coughing causing the pain that if I bend over when I have to cough...it doesn't hurt (all that excess makes a cushion) and therefore doesn't irrate and it's finally getting back to normal. I get to eat REAL food now and that's great! Discovered that Lean Cuisine (thanks to j.lynn) is PERFECT! Thank you-Thank you-Thank-you to everyone...I find such inspiration from all of you. I've never been a "joiner" but you guys embodie the positives of a group spirit and give me …

Because of various reasons I have kept my lapband surgery confidential to all but two friends and the immediate family only. Everyone else believes I have just been following a very strict diet. I am finding that my lapband secret is getting harder to keep since my last fill. I don't know what to do. Last weekend I was invited to a small barbecue dinner with friends. Instead of a choice of foods, steak was the main dish. I cut a 2" piece off a larger piece of meat and could only get down about a 1/2" of it very uncomfortably after 2 hours of picking. I ate a couple of small pieces of soft potato to try to minimize what was on my plate and was so uncomfortable aft…

OK, It's time for me to fess up. I drink when I eat. I started doing it when I wasn't quite restricted enough and got hungry an hour after I ate. So, I learned that if I took little sips of Water throught my meal- big gulps only got stuff stuck- that I could eat a little more and I wouldn't be hungry so soon. Now that I'm at a good level of restriction, I still drink! I don't do it when I eat at home, but when I'm out at a restaurant I sip sip sip. DUH!!!!! So, today is the day I'm going to go cold turkey from drinking with meals. I am going to ask the waitress to take my water away. I will not drink with meals! Megan

Hi, I was just curious are there any women on here who have the Lapband and is expecting?? If so, how is your pregnancy going?? One of my goals when I lose weight is for my husband and I to have atleast 2 kids (I'm an only child)... Thanks for a response. Paula Surgery date June 28th!!!!!!!!!!!!! :nervous

I found this online tonight and wanted to post it. I figured that it would help those who are still researching which choice is right for them. I hope it helps. <TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#f5938a cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="95%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2> The Sapala-Wood Micropouch® Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Operation <TABLE cellPadding=10 width="99%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width="29%"></TD><TD width="71%">In the Sapala-Wood Micropouch® operation the very top of the stomach is completely divided. It is not stapled. This division results in th…

Hi all, I had my first fill on Monday 4/25 and had to go back to the doctor on Friday for an unfill. I was vomiting and pb'ing after just a very small amount of mushy's. I was orginally filled +1.75cc and then was unfilled -.25, I feel a difference but not that much. I have been on full liquids and today will start to have some pureed/mushies for the next few days. The way I feel now I don't EVER want to have another fill again, I feel restricted enough already. I'm just afaird I'm not getting enough nutrients or calories at this point. I hope I get loser.... And Thanks to all of you for your support, I don't know what it would do without this board. Corgi

Thank you all for the support yesterday. I was going through food withdraws. I went home, ready to cheat, but my sister was there and reminded me it was only a few hours until bed and I could make it...I then drank a zone drink (which the chocolate I give 3 thumbs up to), took a shower and went to bed....I was so proud of myself.... Today is much better... Pre-op diet 1 day down 9 more to go Aileena To be banded 05/26/05

So yesterday I'm on the treadmill, cruising along at a brisk 3.8, 3.9 mph, when the music picked up. I made the speed a little higher, about 4.2, and suddenly found myself in a sort of jog! I kep that up for oh, wow, a whole 90 seconds and then I had to go. But I'm eager to try it again! I've never been able to run and have always been scared of what it might do to my knees. But that 90-second experience showed me I could do it, that the treadmill won't break, and that my knees won't give way immediately. It would have been no big achievement for anyone else, but holy cow! I couldn't believe I went more than a few steps at a jogging pace and didn't immediately get wind…

Okay, I have posted on here before about my boyfriend, and his obnoxious ways. Well were at it again. This time it is so big that I am not sure that we can recover. My Bf made a remark about my past to me during a heated argument. "The best that you could get was a Momma's Boy, because you wanted to bully him." The discussion started with me expressing my feelings to him, and how his actions play a role in my feelings, and how he makes me confused. I told him that he does things that makes me feel as though he doesnt respect me as a person. Like talk over me while I'm talking, or cut me off, or change the subject, that he doesn't listen to me, he's judgemental an…

Well today im going to the seminar at 5pm today and uber excited! The only question is that I'm wondering how far apart from the seminar that they look into insurance cause im hoping insurance covers it all or at least a good chunk of it. It probably won't be until we set up a separate appointment to see the doctor. I heard my doctor is actually good so im excited, even my underweight friend is coming with. We're going to say it's for him :-P. I'm glad i got my best friend buddy's support!

Had the sleep study last night. My final step before insurance approval. What a nightmare that was, how do they expect anyone to sleep with all of those wires stuck to your head and everywhere else? I started my "own" pre-op diet, I have to lose 14 pounds before surgery (there diet didn't seem all that appealing). I have worked out everyday except yesterday (worked 13 hours then went to the sleep lab), so far I have lost 9 pounds. If only it were this easy to lose weight all the time. hmmm. something to ponder.

What is the deal? I had a fill on 5/4 and did my 3 days of liquids even though DR said 24 hours. Everything going ok and then WHAM! My first PB. Felt like a HUGE burning bubble and then the saliva starts and running to the bathroom. I'm guessing that's exactly what it was - correct? PB????!!!! I hear it is possible to feel the restriction a week or two after the fill and am I not being careful enough with food maybe? I was stressing Friday night before it started. Afterward I immediately stopped eating and then WHAM - again the next morning. I should have probably done liquids for 24 hours but thought I felt ok. This morning and afternoon were fine and then WH…

Im near willowbrook mall in Houston and would like a local friend who is very close by so we can realisticly do things-Im not much of a driver so dont venture far from home when I have to drive(had a car wreck and going out of comfort zone kind freaks me out-weird but working on it)would like someone to go to lunch with,movies,shopping that sort of thing.I am off on Mon,tues and fridays.

Hi, I am new to the site and just wanted to say hello. I am in the Houston, Texas area. I, like so many others, have been overweight most of my life. I diet all the time...although obviously not successfully...LOL. I am 34 yrs. old, 5'4", and 253# size 18-20. Like I said, obviously not successful with that dieting all the time. I did manage to lose 80 pounds with the help of too many pills to count ( none of wich were labled, so who knows what that doctor was giving me) about four years ago taking me from 298 down to 218. As far as I know 298 was my high weight but since I avoided scales like the plauge...it is quite possible I may have been higher than that. Unfortun…

So I'm planning my little trip to Mexico soon, and I need to be able to call home. I am assuming my cell phone won't work from TJ, and if it does it would be quite a bill, I'm sure. So I have heard it suggested that I get a Phone card with pre-paid minutes to and from Mexico. ??? Anyone with experience with this? The corner gas station has advertised them at the gas pump, but I have no idea...do I have to use a pay phone? Can I call from the hospital room? Do I pay by the minute? Duhhh...any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have been researching WLS for over 3 yrs. and except for an insurance exclusion I am going to have it done. My PCP told me today I just needed to go to see a nutrtionist or get a good calorie counting book. I was so mad. I am a type 1 diabetic of 23 yrs. so I have been on a diet for quite a long time and have seen my share of nutritionist. They always have a way of telling you "ALL" the bad stuf you are doing but give you little information on how to change it. I am having alot of complications start and feel that if I don't do something soon it may be to late. I just get so tired of the lack of knowledge about obesity and living with it. I might add that on a wet day h…

I am so excited!! I have 10 days left before my surgery. I want so bad to clean out my closet, but I am afraid still. I haven't slept well, and I am experiencing the craziest dreams, about being skinny. Did anyone experience these dreams? I have posted my pic

I've made my decision, and I am going for it! My sister-in-law is Bandmesoon. We are going to do this together!!!!! NOW I AM SO EXCITED! Here is my pic

Hi all. I had my surgery on Thursday morning and am back to work today. I have felt great with no problems whatsoever. I may not be able to stay all day as I feel a little tired but so far so good. I am on anything that you can sip through a straw or eat with a spoon...but I have kept it simple like clear soups, jello, popcycles, water thinking that would make my adjustment easier and maybe less painful. Dr. Malley was great as was Midland Spine and Specialty Hospital in Overland Park..so if anyone form the KS areas is reading these posts...three thumbs up!

Ok, so I went for my first fill last Thursday, he found my port no problem and gave me 2cc's. This was all done without flora.. At one point he pushed and it hurt.. I could tell he was already in the port then, the push, now my port site hurts?? And around the area dosn't feel smooth like it used to, and maybe I can feel a weird egde.. I'm so scared, I have had a dream band experiance up untill now.. I don't know what to do, do I wait 2 more weeks at my fill check up apt. to mention it, or should I call.... I am so scared it's going to be another surg..... Do you know if my port has moved or tipped, will he beable to tell by feel??? I feel like crying... I feel like it's …

Can someone please tell me what PB means, I'm going crazy reading all the post trying to figure this out...HELP

Okay guys I've been trying to figure out this crazy fill and I'm not getting anywhere by myself..... I need some help! I got a fill 3 weeks ago..I felt I could tell a difference immediatly.I even had a couple episodes with the stuck feeling at first. Then I felt like I was being able to eat more as each day went by with out getting the stuck feeling. like maybe the first restriction was from swelling after the fill or something.Now WAME!!!! everything I've eaten yesterday and today has gotten stuck... Even very soft potatoes cooked in the crock pot with a roast!!! I'm not sure what is going on its like 3 weeks from the time I got my fill and it kicked in or something.…

Hi there Can anybody suggest any quick and easy meals for bandsters, I'm in the UK and tend to stick with, yogurt and banana for brekkie, salad and protein for lunch and dinner and yogurt or fruit in between meals. I am now 14weeks post op and have lost 43IBS, I had my first fill at 11 weeks any advice would be very much appreciated. thanks Gaynor

so down in the dumps.....just stuck after two fills, eating all the wrong things--drinking tons of water, tho.....and just stuck. So depressed. I feel like I fell off the wagon so long ago, i can't even SEE my wagon anymore. I needed to go see my doc last month, but I got behind on my payments and felt bad about it. Finally able to send a big $1000.00 check to him, but still owe $750......making payments on that. I am a nurse and we have all the stuff at work to do a fill and honestly, I have been tempted to do it myself! I am depressed. Wah! :think

Hello everyone, I had my 3rd fill on April 28th and lost another 5 pounds within a week. That's great, but for some reason I am stuck at 215 now. After my second fill, the same thing happened. I was 226 and then got down to 220 and just stayed there till this last fill. Is it suppossed to be this way? Do I have to keep getting fills or is this normal and can I still lose weight with this last fill?

I've always been a nail biter.... but I've noticed that since I got banded, I'm not biting my nails anymore!!!! I'm really not sure why I feel like the band is what made me quit but it has! I guess I've been worried I'd swallow a piece of finger nail or something! Any body else not biting thier nails since banding??

I am new and am just now considering lap band surgery. I have contacted a hospital here in Oklahoma that has a program and have received a packet full of great information. My problem is that I am feeling some anxiety over feeling like this is the last ditch effort, and saying to myself that I really do not have any control over my eating habits and now am considering surgically altering my body to stop my addiction to food! Did any one else have these feelings initially? Please help. I am attending a class next month and am not even sure I will qualify as I am 95 lbs overweight and have been for the last 20 years. I have chronic asthma, GERD, and joint problems from all …

Just wondering about the scars on your stomach post op or long term do you even see them after like one year. I had a c-section and the doctor said after a year how your scar is is how it will be forever it takes that long to heal just don't want it to be to noticebable.

Hi Everyone Guess I am hopeing someone will be able to give me a little feedback, Went to the doctors today and he has told me I have a very fatty liver, and at the present time it would be to dangerious to operate on me. He wants to see itf I can loose 10kg in a month, Wonder if anyone has gone through similar trouble or at least can give me some addvice how to loose that much weight in a short time Jan

Hello everyone. I am six weeks post - op and was doing great until this week when I discovered cheez-its! Once I had a few, i just kept going back for more and I am having a hard time stopping. Does anyone have any quick fixes to get me to not eat cheez-its?

Just wanted to say hello. And to talk about how important it is to make time in are busy lifes with kidds family & Jobs. To make time for are selfs...........even an half hour a day will make a big change in ones attitude and health.It will take some time to notice but it will happen. Also don't for get your Water. It will help your muscles and your thirst and help with flushing your system out! It is recommend to walk 10.000 steps a day. That is 5 miles I' believe. but it will take some time for a lot of people because we are not all athletes. Some are in better shape then other, but we are all on this site to lose weight with the same goal some banded some…

Hi every body.Last week was my band anniversary. I started at 249 and now I ame 193. I have lost 56 lbs. I had hoped to loose 60 lbs by now. But I think I am doing good especially since I have never had a fill or had a PB. I plan on loosing about 30 more pounds but I already feel so much better and have more confidence, and its great to get some new clothes out of the regular people size. I am very grateful for my band...Best wishes...Janie

I am wishing to purchase a good set of digital scales. Any suggestions to the name of any good ones or online sources? Thanks so much!

Sorry I'm not sure where I"m supposed to post this. i would like to change my name and I can't figure out how to do it? anyone know? thankss so much!

Hey guys...oh my gosh, I am having a bad day!!!! I wanna eat and eat and eat. I actually would be happy with just some cottage cheese. Something different than liquids. The shakes are starting to piss me off....The Isopro was good for about thirty seconds. The Carb Solutions are pissin me off and I feel like I have a constant lump in my throat. I dont know if thats from all the concentrated protein or if I am actually full...I have no pain, no hiccups....The consistancy of these shakes remind me of Pepto Bismal.....I am tempted to throw some coffee in a vanilla shake and blend it up with some ice....I dunno I guess Im just fustrated.....I wanna move on......I know "Be ge…

I am so happy! My scale hit under 260 today! Haven't seen those numbers in a very long time. I know my restriction is pretty high right now and changing jobs has made it harder to eat so I eat when I can and whatever I can get down. Some days I just concern myself more with getting my liquids and Water in than anything else. NSVs: 1. My attitude toward food is finally changing. I used to plan and think about what I would eat the next time I had opportunity to eat. Now, food is NOT my main concern with life. Plus I know now that if I feel uncomfortable after only 2 bites, it's OKAY to stop (and definitely is in my best interest). 2. Went to a concert of a friend …

I just stumbled on this sight this morning, I'm being banded on Wed. 5/18/05 I'm excited and nervous at the same time, but seeing all of you and the before and after pics have been very encouraging.

I was banded Wednesday, May 4th and have been on the "liquid diet" since. I know that's only 4 days but I'm having a MAJOR problem with diarrhea. Is there anyone else who has had this problem? Is that normal? Should I call the doctor? I know it sounds stupid but I can't keep ANYTHING on my stomach and I'm getting really weak and shaky from it.

I was banded one year ago today in Mexico. I've lost 67 pounds and gained an entire life. I haven't lost any weight in months. I gained back 7, but lost 4, so for the first time in my life I’m actually maintaining weight loss instead of constantly climbing upward. It's astonishing. I don't have a port because it got infected and was surgically removed a month after banding. I had a second port put in several months ago, but the original wound wasn't healthy enough, so the second port was also infected. In January, my second port was removed along with a huge chunk of infected flesh. My doctor said I can have a new port after November, but with all the extra b…

I've heard of these lapband brokers referred to before. Can anyone tell me how you can tell if you are on the surgeon's website or that of a broker? Also has anyone heard of the "free lapband" giveaway on Dr.Rumbaut's website? Is this on the up and up? Cathy