LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Wow!!!!! what is up with this new VG band? two weeks ago I would have killed flipper for a tuna sandwich. Even a bowl of lard with a hair in it was sounding good. But now........ Now I can eat anything and everything as if I never had the surgery. I had ribeye last night for goodness sake. Man do I need to get this thing filled or what? I am curious. do you folks with the older band feel any restriction when you band is empty? Because I gotta tell you I woke up wondering what the heck these scars were on my belly. Surely I don't have the band.:-)

What is low fat diet. Thought I was already doing that. Any way Band Dr wants me to stick to mushy and low fat foods till my Ultra sound of my GallBladder next Wed's. So what do I eat is the question. Called and gave them the FYI from my PCP..

Well, Ive lost a total of 21 pounds since surgery right? and I was getting really depressed because the scale hasnt moved since week 2 of being banded. Well, I tried on a skirt I made for myself about 3 weeks before being banded and guess what? It was 4 inches too big in the waist! 4 inches! It fell off of me when I put it on. WHOOT! Also I saw a friend who came back from the army this week and he said "wow I can tell youve lost weight..expecially in the face" and he still cant get over the change in a short amount of time. Gotta love moments like this =) :hugs to all: -Kendra

Okay who ever is sitting on my tummy GET OFF!!!!!!!!! Oh I have more pressure today then yesturday.. and it has some tingling and little sperts of sharp pain... Sounds like a recipe for trouble... Anyway I know its normal and Im still a bit bloated.. Just wanted to vent a bit on what Im going thourgh. It was a bit hard getting down a protien shake this morning.. took me a few hours.. I made it really thin too.. thinner then paint... ( im suppose to drink anything with the same consistancey as paint) My upper thigh is killing me too I almost want to cry, its numb and burns and i get what feels like electric shock pains Ahhhhhhhh.... I went to my PCP and he told to just …

I'm 8 days post op- I've been doing really good with the "full" liquids diet. I don't think I've been going over about 600 calories a day, at the very most. The strange thing is, I haven't lost any weight since Saturday (5 days). Why is this??? It's really frustrating me. On top of that, I've been feeling sooo run down- all I've been doing is resting and sleeping. It's so bad that I can hardly keep my eyes open. Today I fell asleep at 1PM and didn't wake up until 10pm (I had gotten a full night's sleep the night before) Why am I not losing any weight, and What can I do to have more energy??

I need your help please. It's 7am here and to early to call the Dr. but do not want to go to the Emrg room. I got unfilled yesterday and had a migraine by the time I got off work. I went to bed early after taking a shower and when I would lay on my left side the pain on the right side of my temple would stop but if I layed on my right I could fill the throbbing (obviously not a migraine). Now I woke up fine no headache Thanks Be to God. But up only 45min and I got a pain in my right arm like someone punched me when I went to hold it a pain radiated through my right chest are from bra line above to the middle of my chest area. I thought I was going to pass out anyway I m…

Hello every one! have been working long hour's at work, have been eating less though I' started to reward myself with a Treat because I' have lost all this weight!! I' opened Pandora"s Box just for a few day's. A couple of Wendy's frosty's A couple of Mcdonld's Ice cream cone's And bang I, was up 3 or 4 pound's. I,have even been walking twice a day. So now Im mad at my self....... But I' closed the door back to losing weight...... Im down 56 pound's.... Was 60 but now I will have to hit it really hard again...... will let you no how it is going in a few day"s Please learn from my misstake. Hope this help,s

Thank you for your input. This will keep me surging forward with my weight loss. Cheryl

I am 10 weeks into my weight loss and have lost 25lbs. My fill is at 3.0 and the scales have stopped for the last 2 weeks. HELP! I am not over eating, in fact my band is good and tight.

as it always has thru my life-Im only 8 days postop and I ate a piece of meat and some fries-I know it was soooooooooo wrong and I also knew from posts that it was going to be painful-I had no idea what PB felt like-Now I do and it was painful.I dont knw how Im going to get thru this part of my eating issues-currently Im havin troubles with my 17 yr old daughter and it just makes me feel so helpless which in turn makes me miserable which as some of you can relate...makes me eat.Even with the horrible after effects of eating what I ate-it is still very hard not to do it right now.ugh

Will someone please tell me if and when I can sleep on my stomach again????? I had my surgery 4/29 and I so hate sleeping on my back! I have slept face down, flat on my stomach all my life and this sleeping arrangement is the only problem that I have had since my surgery. Someone please, I'm so scared I'm gonna flip and roll over in my sleep to my stomach and hurt something that I hardly sleep at all. Help!

Hi everybody. I've been reading the posts here for several months but just haven't posted yet. I am set to be banded 5/11/05 by Dr. Spivak in Houston. My question is about gas. Not the shoulder pain gas, but the upper and lower gas that comes out of your body. For my job, I sit in a room with clients for several hours on end (4 hour appts are typical) and am worried about being offensive. My surgery is on a Wednesday and I am returning to work on the next Monday. I know everybody is different, but I was just wondering what the variety of experiences were here. I am so embarrassed about asking this question, but I need to know so I can be prepared to return to work! Than…

I live in Camden, Arkansas. Had the Lapband 10 weeks ago. Good to have a friend close by.

...before getting the procedure done? I've done alot of research but don'tknow it all. So I'd like to get input from others who have been through this. What do they forget to tell you or did you not realize you'd expereince post op?

I was just wondering if there is anyone who can not feel their port? I was just banded 4-25 and I can not feel mine and have been told that is normal.

I dont know what I was worried about. I felt no pain whatsoever. It felt funny when he pulled the needle out but I never felt any pain. I already feel some restriction from it. Will this last or does it feel tighter and gradually loosen up over the next couple of days? He put 1.5ml in, plus he put some in when I had the op so...I think it is up to 3.5ml in a 10 or 11ml Vanguard. He said I can come in each week till I find the restriction I need. Kel

Ok, so now I am SO confused. My restriction has always felt like an uncomfortable, very slightly painful tightness in my stomach, when I am full. I mean, that and the hiccups have ALWAYS been my stopping notice. Since my last (3rd) fill, I don't get that feeling at ALL. I was feeling like I could eat non-stop. Now, I am noticing this tightness in my throat whenever I eat. It isn't like reflux, and it doesn't hurt. It is like the "golf ball" I have heard others talk about. I understand that, even at almost a yr out, there is STILL a learning curve with the band. Can this new feeling be my new stop signal? I am confused. I just ate two sandwich squares of American cheese (n…

A girlfriend and I were planning to go to Mexico later this month. Originally, I was scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz on May 26 but got moved up to May 18 when my friend said she wanted to go too. May 26 did not work for her and I did not want to delay to a date in June. Since we scheduled the surgery last week, my friend began having some serious reservations about the operation. She called me this afternoon and said that she just is not ready to have the surgery in 2 weeks and is thinking that she will wait until sometime in the fall to go. I know she feels like she is letting me down, but truly I am not disappointed with her decision. I would not want her …

To all interested Pre & Post-Op Lap-banders, What do you ALL think about having an early dinner say around 6:00 or 6:30 in Durham on Apr 29th? I was thinking of somewhere easy to find for those of us not from the area like either: Golden Corral Family Steak House just down from Durham Regional Hospital) 3800 North Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27704 (919) 471-6820 or IHOP (located just off I-85 next to Kroger's and PetCo) 1821 N Pointe Drive Durham , NC 27705 Phone: (919) 317-4161 What do you think? It would be so fun to see everyone in person and to have a place just to talk and catch-up with one another. S-o-o-o let's just do it! Always, Judy

Hi again, Is mints like Polo and chewing gum now a no no forever? I never thought of it before but I stopped smoking 2 years ago and since then have always had a piece of gum or a mint in my mouth........and today I am missing it big time..... Thank you

"The Benefits of H20" By Donald S. Robertson, M.D., M. Sc. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: The kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their workload is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it m…

hi Info please. Since yesterday I have been feeling unbelievable nauseas.Have this full swollen feeling in my tummy and even Water makes me feel sick. Is this normal........help please

Went to a Greek restaurant tonight and had a few spoons of rice! Wow - now I know what a PB is and how uncomfortable it can be to overeat! Lasted about a half hour and I'm glad that's over! I won't be doing that again! I was beginning to wonder if I needed to go to the hospital. I chewed really well and was very careful and then it just hit me like a brick! Had to be the rice. Beware all you new bandsters! Jeanette

Just trying to fix my ticker a signature

I'm getting banded on Monday. Just wondering if any of you already banded folks cheated on your pre-op diet and had a big "last meal" so to speak the day or so before your surgery. If so, what'd ya pick? I've been pretty good for the most part- cheated a little last weekend just cause I was running around doing dog rescue stuff and wasn't anywhere to make a shake or really eat anything sensable (pizza *hides*). I'm so afraid the doc's gonna be able to tell. I'm trying to decide if I want Mexican or Maccaroni Grill for my last one.

I'm so nervous my dr's offie submitted my insurance today. I will not be able to sleep now until I here.

Hi everyone I have a date for surgery June 9th at UMass/Memorial Worcester Ma my pre-op test date is June 2nd I can't believe it is finally here scared but excited I need support!!!! YAHOOOOOOOOOOO

Hi, I am really depressed again. Spent a whole week being good, eating right and exercising. Went from 185.5 back down to 182. I was really convinced I would get in the 170's this week, since I have been plateauing for more than 2 months now. I get on the scale this morning and I am back up to 185.5 again. How is this possible? I exercised for almost 4 hours at thge gym and jazzercise last week, walked on Saturday for about 4 miles or so and I am back where I started a week ago!!! I did not have a day where I ate more than 1200 calories except for Sunday when I ate at a CHinese buffet. For the most part, I made wise food choices except for dessert. I had a piece of ca…

ok its day 2 and I havent had anything but what they say(jello,broth) and it aint cuttin it!!My stomach is so hungry-please can someone tell me something to eat to fill me up without making me sick-I'm starved!!!!!

Had my band on 5/2/05 and have not drank much since. I am at work today and I can drink water but it feels funny and I am scared I will get sick. How do I know how much I can drink without getting sick? The pain has been slight, mostly around my port. Thanks Don

Is anyone insulin dependent and if so, has the rate of your weight loss been affected? I am eating 90% (if not more) the way I should, working out at curves 4 to 5 days a week and walking on weekends. Maybe it's just my impatience but I seem to be loosing at a very slow rate. I realize too that my age may be a factor (57). But, GOSH!! I've been feeling sooooo discouraged lately. I am able to get into some skirts that I previously was unable to wear but that's still not enough weight lost, in my opinion. I plan to speak to the nutritionist as well. I feel down-hearted at current. Sorry for posting a negative coment. I really need your input!!!

Has anyone had pain like this? Today while making dinner I just had to throw myself in the floor with really severy shoulder pain, both sides, just like I got post op..... Have no idea what brought that on!!?? very freaky.... is this even possible or was it something else? Was fine after an hour lying down.

Has anyone postband or preband ever tried Micheal Thurmond's program for weight loss & body makeover? He seems like the real deal & I thought maybe even after banding his program might be beneficial. What do you think?

Just wanted to know can you use a food processor instead of the magic bullet to pureed/chop food up I don't have a magic bullet

I have a friend who was banded 3 weeks ago and she does not have internet access.... her incisions are healing good, but all of the sudden she has a skin rash that itches really bad all across all her incisions. She hast not taken any new meds, ate any new foods, or switched detergents, soaps, etc, and is wondering what is going on. Anyone else develop a severe itching rash over just the incision sites? She does not have the rash anywhere else on her body. any suggestions are appreciated.

I'm sorry to post this here, I know it is completely unrelated, but I really need some advice. I'm not quite sure if I want to bring this up to my friends, but I really need some advice. In every normal long-term relationship, I'm sure the topic of the couple's "future" comes up at least once or twice. I've been with my boyfriend for a few years, and we've never, ever discussed getting married, moving in together, etc. which kind of strikes me as odd. I feel nervous bringing these things up, because I don't want him to feel funny. My boyfriend will soon be turning 23. He still lives with his parents, but the home he lives in was paid for in part by him and his olde…

I've been reading that some people already feel a somewhat of a restriction after the surgery. So after the post op diet and all that, would any of you say that there was definitely a difference in how much you could eat even without that first fill?

Hi all, Well as you know I have been a perfect healer from day 1. Then today happened. I am getting the worst cramps in my side next to my port. If feels as if my port wants to "pop out" of my tummy! I didn't do anything difficult, all I did was go to Sam's Club to get some groceries (wasn't lifting anything heavy and didn't even push the cart!) It feels very similar to a runners cramp. Ya know that cramp you get in your side after about 1 mile of walking fast or running??? And it seems to be better if I lean on a pillow on the port side and kind of "hold it all in". Am I wierd? I have only gotten this feeling before after eating but today it was hella w…

I'm getting banded soon and just wanted to know how everyones recovery period was good or bad i just want to know in general how long I will be laid up for.?

Hello everyone. I am new to this site. I have not been banded yet just have my first seminar and consultation withthe Doc on Saturday. I have read on other sites about people having to have some of there Fat pads removed during surgery. Did any of you have to get this done?

Post your date and doctor here...let's get ready to ride the wave together! Wheeeeeeee! April 8th Dr. Kuri TJ, Mexico

Hi, I have been doing all of my homework and research but don't know where to find the answer to this one... Can anyone explain to me (or point me in the right direction) the difference in the types of bands? I have seen references to Swedish or 9mm or 11 mm or????? I found one site that said there are four types of adjustable band used and it is important to understand which band will be used but that site didn't even name the four or give the differences. I haven't been able to find this info. What makes them different? Do they work differently based on shape or ??? Thanks.

OK, what is a PB???? Just starting down this slippery slope and need to know the lingo. Hope to set up consultation ASAP with Dr. Powell in DFW area.

Hello!! I have found a couple people who've had the Lap Band surgery with Dr. Powell. My hubby and I are both in the beginning stages of getting things sent off to our insurance company for approval. I would love to hear other's experiences with Dr. Powell. Thanks, Carrie

Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know that I finally feel better since my unfill of .25cc's. Boy that was some trip, I am not vomiting or pbing anymore, Thank God! I was able to eat yesterday slowly with no problem. I still feel restricted but my stomach and espohogas(sp) are not so irritated anymore. Thanks for all your help! Corgi

Hello all I'm still lurking around, seeing all of your great progress ! Hope this finds you well. I thought - as it was my 20 month bandiversary today, that i'd do a wee update... hope you don't mind. Over the last month or so I kept thinking that I was overdoing it - basically eating softer, high fat (easy to go through) foods.. my weight loss slowed and I was in the spiral that we get - I wasn't quite out of control (my band sorted that) but the feelings were there & I didn't like it... BUT ! My head is slowly getting out of my bum in the eating department.. I'm getting there. The problem is that I "think" i'm eating crap all the time - but i'm not - when I di…

I've noticed alot of people here, trying to choose between the gbp or the lap-band proceedure. Im not a specialist, but let me just tell you a story about two people I know personally. One got the lap-band, and the other the Gbp, both two years ago. My partner Dawn, and her cousin John were both very overweight as children. Johns parents decided they were going to pay 25,000 dollars and get John who was then 400 pounds gastric bypass. John did it..and came out with no problems. His surgery went well, and he was after only a few weeks starting to lose weight. Great right? We will see. Then theres Dawn. Dawns parents were also looking into getting Dawn gastric bypass, but…

I went to Mexico for my Lapband. I recently found out I could get fills about an hour from me in Oregon with Tom Eubanks for less than the cost of me traveling to Mexico. (and less hassle) When I was asking for all the info from Eubanks office, I pretty much thought I would have to pay a consult fee, flouro and fill the first time (about 550$) And then Fills only after that and maybe flouro too. I was told Fills were once a month. I had my first fill in April. The next fill in May 18. Well, I called yesterday to get a fill on May 18th. Suddenly......... I have to have a phone in session with 'nancy' and SHE decides if I need a fill and it cost 25$. I cant sche…

I wanted to let everyone know that John Trish's husband called and left a message that Trish got her band and her surgery went well!!!! I will update again when I hear from them. Trish~ I'm so excited to hear you are okay.I worried about you all day. I'm wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!! Thinking of you!!!! Trish got her band.... Trish got her band....... YIPPI ....... WOOOOHOOO!!!!!!