LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

What question do you hate the most when you talk about your band with people. I have a few that I hate...especially when the person I'm talking to is thin. But here's the one I hate the most... Are you going to take your band out when you lose all of your weight? I give them a quick No! :-)

I went in and saw Dr. Jay yesterday for my 2 week followup to my surgery. I stepped on the scale and was I pleasantly surprised! I had lost 28.5 pounds in 3 weeks! He assured me that that wouldn't happen all the time but I told him I planned on being an overachiever. I know it's not the norm but boy it sure helped jump start me on my long journey of weight loss....I have quite a spell to go. I was so excited I just wanted to share my news with everyone. Plus I got to start mushies today and I have never loved a bowl of oatmeal so much in my whole life!

Hi everyone. I just had my first fill yesterday. I had 2.1 cc. I have a 10 mm Inamed band. I forgot to ask the doctor how much can this band hold? Also, he told me 5 days of liquids!!!?? Why so long? I was reading other posts and seems like no one is every told 5 days. His nurse told me 1-2 days and then he said 5 days. I am feeling really bloated today and kind of icky feeling but able to take liquids just fine, is this normal? Thanks!

Hi, I am just wondering about something. When you get a fill, at first you can't eat much and then I can eat alot and need another fill. What happens? Does the stomach streach? I was just wondering! thanks

Hello All, I Have Been Doing Research Online For The Lap Band, But I Still Feel As Though There Is Much More To Be Learned. Do Any Of You Have Some Good Web Sites Where I Can Go To Get More Info.... I Want To Be Fully Prepared For This Operation. I Have Read Many Of The Post You All Wrote And That Has Helped But I Want And Need More Info, Please Please Please

Hey everyone, I know I haven't posted in a long time, but I am having a bit of a problem now with my breasts hurting. I don't know what the problem is. I thought maybe it has to do with weightloss or hormonal changes. I figured I would ask if this has happened to any of you before I go to the doctor. All replies are greatly appreciated.

I was desperate for a small mcdonalds cheeseburger(hate all their other burgers)earlier today even though I knew itd be bad but I went for it anyway-I dont seem to be able to just quit it and I certainly can't pull off this chewchewchew thing-I mean geeeeeeeeeeez its so hard to chew things to smithereens.sighhhhh-well anyway i ended up choking it up.I could really use some mental excercises everyone else may have used.

I am newly banded as of 3/21/05 and I have had the hic-ups since surgery. They are not severe or painful, but just annoying. I get them about 4-5 times an hour, and their are only 3-6 at a time. As soon as I realize I have the hic-ups, they stop. Does anyone else have this? Does anyone know why? And on another note, I'm pretty new to this message board, but it has been helpful so far. Thanks for all the great info.

I wanted to forward this information on to those who I had spoken with regarding SandyRN from the yahoo group bandsters. I know there has been many people who have left due to her, and I wanted you guys to know you can come back now!! ps: this is not intended to flame or cause any drama toward this person I just know that many of us left bandsters because of her and we can go back now!

Hello Everyone, I Have Thyroid Issues And I Am Going Through The Loops To Be Banded, I Don't See To Much In My Research About This. Does Anyone Have Hypothyroidism Thats Had The Band And If So, What Has It Been Like For You Thank You All On Your Input Greatly Accepted

Yeap, I went back to work today and I really over did it! I called my boss a little while ago and said I am very sorry, but I think this is a little too soon for me, I am going to need Thursday and Friday off. Then on the weekend I am not moving outta bed..... I just feel plain old wiped out! I am on shakes now, but am having a hard time getting it all down. I am going on an hour right now for my dinner shake. I dressed it up a little bit but putting it in my magic bullet and adding some banana extract to it....Its a vanilla flavored shake. Tastes really good, but I just can't drink the whole thing... As I am approaching two hours, its just time to get rid of it. Am I…

I have been banded for six weeks now. Things started off well. The first week I lost six pounds. The second week I lost a few more pounds. For the past four weeks I have not lost any weight at all. I have never had any restriction whatsoever (even after having been filled once). I am frustrated. I'm sure many will respond with, "You must exercise and eat right." Since that has always been the case, then what is the point of the band? How is it supposed to be helping me lose weight? Please give advice. Should I get another fill right away?

You recently recounted an experience with aspiration pneumonia. Did that clear up with the treatment? And didn't you get an unfill to help with the reflux? Love an update, bandsister! I'm asking because last night I had a choking bout of reflux--note to self: do NOT eat pizza!!--and this morning I felt like CRAP. Fever, aches and pains, no appetite, and the runs to boot. It hurts a tiny bit to take a deep breath, but really only a little. I'd noticed the aches and pains starting up yesterday afternoon, before the reflux, so I'm wondering if I just had the bad luck to get the flu or something coincidentally. So how are you, and can you tell me if you had any of the sa…

Hi all, I thought I would write to get some advise, or to just vent. Well I am doing good, went to the Doctor to get a fill Wednesday, (at his office), and he couldn't do it, something with my port. I was angry because I have to pay for them because I have a different insurance (now aetna), and it cost over $300.00, but beside the money I needed that fill. So the nurse is sopose to set up a time to do it at the hosiptal with x-ray, I don't believe my insurance will even cover the x-ray, but my Dr. said one or two things could have happened. One is the port has turned alittle bit, and he just couldn't find it with the needle, or the port has moved all the way around whic…

Good Morning and happy Friday the 13th I'm 53 years old, married mom with two daughters and a white poodle. I work full time and live in Dallas, TX. I'm going to have my surgery at the Richardson Surgery Center by Dr. Anderson. Tentatively the surgery is planned for the last week in June. I wanted it earlier but we have a wedding in Canada on June 11th and I wanted to feel good since we are spending a ton of money to get there and stay for a week. Unfortunately, I'll be going there weighing 296 lbs. Since I don't live by any family, except my husband and daughters, next time the rest of the family sees me, hopefully it will be a new me. I look at the pictures of …

I cannot believe how much I miss chewing of all things to miss.... Maybe I'm just extra weird..lol

I am on my way as of today.....met with my surgeon, set up all my appointments, spoke with my PCP (he is wonderful!!) about diet history/letter....so by May 27th all the tests, etc. will be done and all the paperwork can be submitted to my insurance. I am so excited I could pee my pants! My surgeon says I will be able to have the sugery this summer....I am hoping early summer. I want to thank everyone on is board as I have been "lurking" for some time and I feel so blessed to have found all of you....I have learned so very much! I can't wait to be an official "bandster".... Margo

Hi, I am new to LapBandTalk. I am looking forward to finding some wonderful support here. :-) I am 28 years old and I was banded in October of 2003. I am down appox 105-110 lbs. (I don't weigh myself often). I've lost a little slower than I've wanted to, but I had to have my port replaced. I am very happy with my progress. I started out at 287 lbs and I am down around the 180ish mark, give or take a few. I may or may not ever reach my goal of 150, but if I don't I still concider myself a LapBand success. :-) Here are some of my before/after pictures. Enjoy....

Hey fellow Texans!!!!!!!!! I am new to the site and have been made to feel very welcome so far. My Nameis Mark and I play in a local Dallas/Ft. Worth band. I am scheduled for surgery on April 19th with Dr. Smith in Ft Worth and I can't wait. I would very much like to meet as many of you as possible so from time to time I will post an invitation as to when/where our group will be playing and would like to personally invite any and all to come out for a good time. We play all kinds of music and really love to bring the crowd into the action. We are in kind of a Hiatus from the club scene at the moment with doing several outdoor benefits and private weddings/parties. However…

I just came across this article in New York magazine about life after bariatric surgery. It mostly focuses on folks with the bypass, but what interested me are the psychological ramifications of what happens to you. It's definitely worth a read. http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/health/features/11958/index.html Hi Alex - see you at the next meeting - or in a shoe store! Cathy

When they inflate your body with the gas to perform the lap band does the skin stretch much? Has anyone came out of surgery with stretch marks?

Can someone tell me how I make it so that i don't get an email everytime someone posts to the forum. Thank you

I'm just curious to know if any of you have changed insurance post-op... Right now I've got great insurance that covers everything (they even covered my surgery at 100%!), but my husband is looking into getting a new job, and I know that a lot of insurance companies don't cover anything related to weight loss. So what about fills, etc? If you already have the surgery, is it considered a "pre-existing condition" that they will, therefore, cover?

For the past month I noticed that I am really losing alot of hair!! What can't I do to stop this??? I am getting scared!! Any advice anyone??

Just a little worried having surgery on a thursday and my two daughters dance recital on on saturday do you think I will be able to go do the give you pain medication prescription after surgery? let me know

This article was published in Prevention and I thought I would share it with y'all. Artificial sweetners - and the snacks and drinks that contain them are gobbling up ever more supermarket shelf space. Engineered to be much sweeter than sugar, these substances add flavor minus the calories. Here's the lowdown from the FDA and other sources. Name: Saccharin (Sweet'N Low, Sugar Twin, Sweet'N Low Brown, Necta Sweet) What is it? Chemical derived from coal tar Caveats - FDA approved, but a study suggested a link to bladder cancer. Daily Limit? Yes: 12 packets Name: Aspartame - NutraSweet, Equal What is it? Combination of amino acids Caveats - None …

I scheduled my Banding for Sept. 10th with Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey!!! I am nervous and excited. Just wanted to let everyone here know.:banana

How much protein are you supposed to eat in a day to keep your hair from falling out? Also, how do you get that much protein out of a liquid diet?

hey! One week has passed since my lapband op and i am really depressed:( ! I don't have anyone to talk to about my terrible experience! I feel sick when i think of liquids now:eek - especially milk in the mornings and i don't want to get out of bed! Can you imagine i hate milkshakes!!! OHH MY LORDDDD!!! I tried eating mushy foods but i can't take it yet! (okk, i tried eating a damn pizza but it didn't work out okk!!!!) Is this how it's going to be for the rest of my LIFE!! OHHH GODDDDDD!!!! I feel depressed not eating food man! I would rather be overweight and eat normal food (even a damn salad:( ) than starve like a maniac just to loose weight! Did anyone …

Here is something some may consider trying. Fresh salmon seared in a pan with olive oil. Add whatever herbs you desire. I like greek seasoning. Then some steamed snap peas (green beans) on the side. and then a mango/ornage salsa which consist of 1 chopped mango, 1 medium chopped orange, 1 small chopped onion, and a little cilantro. Place this salsa on top of the salmon. It is yummy. You might think the onions and cilantro would bitter the taste but it really doesn't. The salmon brings out all of the individual flavors.

I know this is only May 8th and my surgery is May 26th but I am leaving Tuesday May 10 for Ecuador. On my way home on the 17th, I need to start my pre-op diet. So I am saying good bye to my old way of life and preparing for the new journey of my life. Since I am adventurous, I think this will provide me oodles of new opportunities. For dinner, I made a t-bone and spinach salad (spinach, purple cabbage, leek, mushrooms, tomato with balsamic vinegar). After a couple of bites of the t-bone, I gave most of it to my beloved dalmation, melted some gargonzola cheese on the rest, added fresh chives and fresh ground pepper and enjoyed just a couple of bites of 'gourmet' steak…

I have been looking for a good Tread mill to buy. Trying to stay under $600.00 Dollers have been to sears and Sams club. Sams club had some really nice ones that were cheaper then Sears But there sold out of the really good ones and were now carrying the Proform model. The girl at Sams told me that this model more or less sucked! Well to save $300.00 I bought it any way. Well it did suck......It was all right to walk on but if you ran on it! It would stop! even my 71lb son could run on it and it would stop. I' payed $500.00 for it. Well need less to say Sams club got it back. So I have been walking out side every day and last night missed the tread mill so much I …

I saw Dr Benavides yesterday and I have lost 10 pounds in two weeks! I also dropped my BMI from 38 to 36!! He already wants me to do a fill. My appt for my first fill is May 2nd. But I have to introduce soft foods with my full liquid diet. I get to have tuna salad!!!! WooHoo!! Egg salad, too!!!! I almost feel like I can go in public and not eat funny! hehehe!!!

I ordered flowers for my Mom for Mother's Day on 05/03 to be delivered on 05/06 Friday. Well they never came. I gave them another day because they said sometimes they are so busy on holidays that they can't deliver on the day you request. I thought OK, because Mother's Day isn't until Sunday anyway. Well here it is Monday night and still NO F___ING FLOWERS!!! I called them this morning and they said they were sorry and I would get 20% off and a coupon for 20% off of my next order. They said everything would be taken care of and she would have flowers today. NOT!!!! I just talked to them again and they dont really know why this happened but I would now get 50% off and a c…

I attended my first information seminar and I am so excited!! I was tempted by the RNY surgery!! The immediate gratification monster reared its head briefly but reason came back to me. I have the info pkg with all the lab stuff I need to have completed before my appt in July. I was so disappointed that I had to wait that long. I was willing to take a week off to get it all done but alas, my dr will be away in June so July was the earliest. Oh well. I'm hoping that by August I will have a surgery date. I have Horizon BC/BS in New Jersey which the surgeon who conducted the info seminar stated is the best insurance to work with and almost always approves the surgery. …

I also belong to another board on obesityhelp.com, the AZ board! There was someone there telling about a Dr. Juarez in Phx. She told the Dr. that she was 90% sure she wanted the band and he told her that the band was only for the younger and very active people who wanted to lose only 40-50 lbs. WHAT??? So I told her about our group and how many successful people were here. Then others piped in saying that Bandsters don't lose weight like RNYer's do! No, we don't but that's a good thing!!! WE DO IT THE HEALTHER WAY!!! Well, I told them what I thought and that you could lose as much weight as you wanted with the BAND. I don't think I will be alowed back there. But tha…

Hello everyone.. My name is Tammy. I live close to Ft. Worth Tx. My husband is stationed in Hawaii in the Navy. I was there with him but came back home for school. I recently just started looking into the lap band surgery. I have been over weight since I was around 14 and I am now 22. I am young and dont want to get all the health problems that run in my family. I was looking at getting my surgery at the Texas Lap Band Center in Dallas with Dr. Jayaseelan. I went to the appointment where they show you the band and how it works and to get weighed and get my BMI. They told me I qualify to get the surgery. I was excited to know that I was just a step closer to getting it. We…

I have been having a busy time with my job not been able to post in a while. Missed being here and keeping up with you all. Latest on me.... total loss was 138.5....I was rebanded for slippage in February 2005 and had my first adjustment yesterday with 4 cc instilled. Woo Hoo! Bad news is I had gained 10 pounds between surgery date of revision until yesterday :cry so now my total loss is only 128.5 pounds. My doc was not fussy at all about it he said that it ws normal to gain before the first adjustment. I guess I was not expecting to gain as with my first band (in Feb 2004) I had a smaller band, and had immediate restriction even without an adjustment. This new ba…

O.K. this may be a silly question, but it has some "background", if you will....today I had my consultation and the nurse looked at a chart and said ,"o.k., your goal weight should be 150 pounds". End of discussion.... Well, now I have been thinking about this...hey, not that I won't want to weight 150, but I want to be realistic this time. I had lost (over 20 years ago) 75 pounds and I was very, very happy with my weight, but the Weight Watcher leader told me that I could not be on maintanence until I lost 5 more pounds. I got pissed....stopped going to the meetings. I was successful, BUT never hit my "goal" according to Weight Watchers. I was able to keep the weig…

Just an update. My wife and I have been on a long battle with weight loss. The last 6 months since surgery has made a big difference. In the last 3 years we have lost 273lbs together. In the last 6 months since we had surgery we has lost 128lbs. We are getting so close to our goals. I had a NSV this week. I started out in a 60long suit. I bought a 46long this week. My wife was a size 28-30. I bought her 12-14 for mother's day. The last time I was this size I was 15 years old. Dr. Sanchez put us on his success stories this week. All you support has been such a great blessing. Thanks Dow And Debbie Moses

Has anyone seen or heard from her in awhile? I recall someone mentioned some health issues but never knew the details and if it was her or someone in her family. I miss her though and find it odd she's been gone for so long. Teresa

(I am cross-posting this in the Insurance Forum too. Wanting to maximize viewing by members because I am so perplexed and need to hear from others ASAP.) I am scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz on May 18. I made one more phone call to my insurance company (PHP of Mid-Michigan) to verify that follow up treatment would be covered. Unfortunately, my call only raised more questions and concerns for me. I had called some time ago and had been assured that any "complications" from the surgery would be covered. Today I was told that if I presented with vomiting or internal bleeding, as complications from the surgery, those would be covered. But, if I required any "fo…

I would love to hear any information you may have to share about Dr. Kuri, thank you

Well wow its been a whole month! I'm finally home now (was in california house sitting for my parents) and today I get my first fill!! I've had no problems eating anything really, eggs.. bread.. you name it. I havent tried anything like steak and I listen to my body if i cant chew something *really* good.. i spit it out. I dont take any chances and because of it i've had no problems. Heartburn a few times.. but thats from the spices i think =) according to moms scale I'm down to 360 now, we will see the official reading today. I started at 386 so thats a huge thing for me. My clothes are so big on me its kinda embarassing, but at the same time i want to wear them to s…

Hey guys. I have a Vanguard band and I am up to 8 cc's and I can still eat too much. There for a while after my second fill I PB'd often. I felt I was too tight, but now its a totally different story. I admit I havent made great food choices lately, but I dont think I should be able to eat a whole hamburger shoud I?? I feel restriction at times when I dont chew well. I sometimes PB. So I know the band is working. I just dont understand what is going on with me. I have a call into my surgeon. I hope I dont have a leak or something.

But what about going to Maury Povich's show on wgn?! U know the one with ...u are NOT the father! I have my seminar next week and really excited to learn even more, and when i do get it and maybe a year down the line i want to go on the Maury Show! Come on people older bandsters meet up and show off what ya lost...it's definitely made for tv!

As some of you know I was suppose to get a Ultra Sound Wed's the 11th to check my Gall Bladder since I have been having attacks on the right side of my chest area. Now when I called the Facility to check if I was suppose to eat or Drink anything they did not even have me down. I had them check several times, different ways and still no appt for me. I called my PCP's office spoke to her assistant and she says yes you have an appt just call them back I told her no YOU call them, so she puts me on hold then comes back to tell me she has to call me back. After an hour of waiting I call The X-ray group to see if I have an appt or not they say yes but it's not till the 12th. Fu…

Hi Everyone....I was starting to feel bad because I seem to be skating through this whole experience but now I have a question.... The incision on my right side has a lump under it....not particularly painful but I know it's there...does anyone have any thoughts on what this is? I'm 3 weeks post-op today..I see my doc tomorrow and will ask him but was curious if anyone else has had this.. When I sneezed a while back and thought I'd torn a muscle..maybe I did the real damage at the incision site? Is it possible for scar tissue to build up this quickly? All input appreciated... Thanks

Hey guys, I recently joined the NY running club and someone introduced me to this c25k plan (couch to 5k marathon running plan). I LOVE IT! Thought I would see if anyone else is or has used it and what your experience has been thus far. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I hope you have a good birthday!!! Don't eat too much cake! LOL... I was thinking about my birthday a few months ago. It was during a period after my car accident and all I wanted was comfort foods so I decided to make my cake about 3 days early... Ends up I pb'ed on the first piece and ended up not touching the rest of it at all. Tossed it a week after my birthday and it was still almost whole. LOL... Anyway I hope you have a special one with lots of good memories. Teresa