LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hi all, I had my surgery on 2/24/05 in Monterry, Mexico, I lost 20lbs. in the first 6 weeks. I went back to Mexico on 4/8/05 to get my first fill. He put 1.6cc in. He tried putting in 2 but he said it was too much. I couln't eat anything without throwing it up. I felt hurgry all the time. Now I can eat somethings, but I don't feel like I have enough restriction. Somethings I eat I have to throw up. I am afraid I'm gonna make my band slip. Does anyone know: is it hard to make your band slip? When I have to throw up, it gets like stuck in my esophagus, and it causes me to throw up quite a bit, and I'm afraid my band it gonna slip. Anyway, now I feel I need more…

I recieved my band yesterday and even know I'm in pain I feel extactic. I have waited and researched so long that part of me thought it would never happen. I could see the door to my healthy future, with no more back pain, no more embrassment for my husband and son, no more being embrassed of myself. The problem was I could never get in. Now, I feel there is now a big neon sign above the door that say "OPEN." Last night was not easy but, I have faith that everyday will be better. The worst part is the gas so far. My husband has no problem belching 30 times an hour and the funny thing is I have never been so envious of his musical talent until today. I just keep thinking …

I've had two fills, (3/7/05 1.0cc and 3/23/05 0.5cc) for a total of 1.5cc. I haven't lost a speck since the second fill. Nor have I lost a single inch on my body. I have TERRIBLE problems with food sticking so I tend to avoid dry meat or meat in general. I can ALWAYS eat more then 1/2 cup capacity. Plus I'm always starving after about 3 hrs. and I "pick" at home on my days off. What are your opinions? do I need another fill. HELP!!

How long have you been banded? What do you eat each day? How much do you eat? Do you eat sweets? How much have you lost? Do you feel its worth it?

Ok everyone..I need someone to kick me in the behind. I do the local renaissance faire right? and we camp there over the weekend..well our groups cook is amazing.. and since were out there, pretty much no where close to any place where I can get food, I ate what they had. Im only about 3 weeks out of surgery, and I ate solid food. I was on mushies, but there really wasnt anything mushy out there to eat...so I ate corned beef!!! ahh!!. I felt this HORRIBLE pain in my esophigus, and it came in waves for about 5 mins. All I could do was pace back and forth because it hurt less when I stood. My partner said I was having a Port block. Lovely..It hurt...it finally went away..b…

wow.. i had my surgery 2 weeks ago thats sick! anyways i figured id post one of my ever so cute ramblings so overall i feel great, ive gone from about 381 day of surgery to 365 as of this morning. my pants are saggyin off my butt which i find more cute than annoying. i really hope the weight keeps coming off this rate (which i know it wont but i can really hope it does cant i?) my incisions are finally healing up, the port area being the only one of concern last week when I went in for my post op appointment i was started on antibiotics (yucky pink liquid stuff they give kids.. seriously YUCK) and it seems i'm getting all cleared up. I had some major drainage fr…

I know that they orientation staff told me that the band will not set off an airport metal detector but will it set of something more sensitve, such as when you have to enter a federal building? I know it sounds stupid, just wondering.

Alright, I'm kinda new around here and I just recently got filled so that I'm finally losing weight. In the last 3 and a half weeks I'm down almost 18 pounds (liquids, blenderized, soft, etc) and I've changed nothing in the way that I'm eating over the weekend. But now the scale went up 6 pounds since Friday. Now, could this huge weight increase be because I'm supposed to "start" pretty soon or what? I'm keeping track of all of my foods/calories/protein like I should be. I'm getting 1200 - 1500 cal. per day and 60 - 70 grams of protein a day. I'm only drinking water like I should be and I'm walking, like I should be. But it's just frustrating that after weeks of lo…

ok guys i am not sure but... i dont think my band is working. I got it on the 15th.... and i have had NO problems.. I feel bad saying that since some people are just having the worst time since getting the band. I am blessed with no problems... but it isnt just that i have no problems... i can eat ANYTHING. I tried some solids with no problems.. i am just sampling some things at this point.. i mostly live on baked potatoes and other assorted mushies..but i managed to eat a piece of chicken and some rice the other nite with my family.. yesterday i had baked lays...today i had half of a sandwich from jason's deli.. the club royale (with croissant and all!!!).... then ha…

I finally got some (plenty actually (restriction of course)) with my second band, yet the experience is completely different from the first time around. So I am wondering if it is different for each person, or if its due to the fact that I am "wearing" a different "model" ( inamed too, but 12 ml) this time. The first time around, I was very restricted in the morning, but could have a couple of bites of something or other, a bit more for lunch, and yet a bit more for dinner. This time, I can only manage liquids until 3-4 pm, when I can start having solids, very very slowly (2-3 hrs for a tiny portion). By 8 pm, I actually have to control what I eat, because anything and …

And everything I bought was in a size 14/16 (tops) or 16 (bottoms). I came out of the dressing room in a blouse to ask the salesperson if she thought it fit me. It is a fitted blouse with darts and a nipped-in waist, and I honestly couldn't tell if it fit or was a little too snug. I thought it looked great, but can't really trust my own eyes. She confirmed for me that it did indeed fit and if I went up a size I'd be swimming in it. When I told her I'd NEVER bought tops this size and was more used to a 28, she said she'd never have believed I was that big. Wow. Just wow.

I grew up in Orem and my family now lives in Provo. I'm just wondering if there are any dr's in the Orem/Provo or SLC area that does fills for patients banded elsewhere? I"m in Utah enough that it makes sense for me instead of driving across the state of washington where I have to get a hotel and such. I'm in Utah pretty much once every three months. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Why would you go to Mexico when you can stay in the US for just a couple thousand more. They even accept fills for peopel who were banded in Mexico. http://www.wishcenter.org/

Hi all, Just wanted to check in, I had my first fill 1.75cc today (5 weeks after surgery), I'm happy because last week I was starting to get hungry and it worried me. They told me in the office today that that's not unusal. I did lose another 5lbs since my last weight in 3.5 weeks ago, totally 17 pounds in 5 weeks. I'm a slow loser so that' good for me. Love my Band

I posted on Monday about a PB episode I had on Sunday after getting a fill on Saturday 04/16, after that I went back on liquids, Monday and Tuesday I had Soup almost all day and yesterday evening I was able to eat about 5-6 spoons of food (some spagetti) I know it isnt band food but I had just a little bite because that was all I could eat. Well today I tried to have toast and oatmeal in the morning and all I was able to eat was 2 bites of toast and 3 spoons of oatmeal and I felt so full like it I was about to throw up (very uncomfortable) but no PB, before lunch (30 minutes before) I drank a tea so the warmth could help relax my stomache and at lunch time I had a Healthy…

My first post here, i've been looking for awhile now. I went yesterday for an eval. and a skinny little nurse practitioner w/ no sense of humor told me i was "way off' and to come back when i had gained 60 lbs. I did not get to see the Dr. ( i did see the psych. they have it all in one office, and he said i was a good candidate). i am 5'6" and currently have a bmi of 33.9, i have lots of other physical problems but none alone life threatening. stress incont., big time., extreme shortness of breath w/min. exertion, swelling of the ankles by afternoon, (i am a nurse and work long days) depression, cysts on my ovaries (not PCOS though), joint pain, back pain. . . . .ok ok th…

Hi All, I will be making a grocery shopping trip in the nest week or so and I was wondering if anybody had any tips for things that are good for bandsters to buy which I can not get hre in Canada (which by the way is a lot of things with artificial sweetener) I am looking for things like crystal light (we do get that here) snack foods and any other suggestions.(nothing frozen) Thanks for the help

:banana Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know that lives in Arizona to watch news channel 3 Thursady 4-28-05 at 9:00 p.m. Beverly Kidd went to Mexico with me and filmed my story on why? I went to Mexico. Im so excited for this to air I can't wait another week. I have to date lost 16 lbs. I know I still have a long way to go, but by the grace of God I will make it. I will get a taping of the show and my surgery, I want to burn it and send it out to people that have not had the surgery yet, so they can see whats it's all about. If there is anything I can do to help anyone just let me know.

Im curious about prices and also please say where you got it and a link if you can.Thanks everyone.

Has anyone heard of a Dr in Louisiana named james Shamblin? supposed to help you with ins approval and info appreciated thanks

ok question. i am 6 days out and people have been telling me i should be walking and all that.. but i have been mostly able to go from bed to living room to bed and thats it... but today i had to go to kinkos... i felt ok this morning. i started having pain in the car... BAD pain.... pretty sure its gas... cuz id burp and be ok.. then it felt like hunger pain only 20 times worse... so i am not sure what it is.. havent had my swig of tylenol all day at this point either... got to kinkos.. walked in.. puttered around the fax machine a bit.. started to sweat... alot... then short of breath.... drove home nervous and huffing.. now here it is 2 hours later and i am so…

I was banded on Thursday 4/21 the doctor said water only till I see him on4/26...is there anything I could have besides the water? I'm hungry ...:notagree

Hi all you all wanted to know how I'm doing so here goes. I was sick to my stomache the day of surgery but felt better by Fri am. Now I feel ok except I'm alittle sore. My fluids are going down fine and I have alittle gas but not bad.

Hi! I had a tough past couple of days. I was in our yearly manager's meetings since Wednesday and each meal is prearranged for the group. The meetings are 8am to 5pm and then dinner each night. It was tough to find things I felt were good to eat as well as the liquor that always is consumed. I'm happy to say though that the meetings are now over as of last night, and I think I've been able to maintain what I've lost. I can not wait for my first fill on 5/4 and onto my journey!

I am in stage 5 and I got home late last night and stopped to pick up dinner for me and my DH. Well I bought a roasted chicken and when I got home I was so hungry I started eating it, skin and all, forgetting to chew. Well within minutes I had so much discomfort in the middle of my chest, I pb'd for about 30 minutes then made myself throw up because something felt stuck and everything came up. I'm embarrased to tell everyone, because I know better, but my old self kicked in. This happened once before BUT never this bad! Any suggestions what to do when this happens, besides trying to make myself barf it up? Corgi

Please make it better for me... I just got so lost agian... Im so dang gunho about the Lapband.... and I go and Chat with ObesityHelp.com people and they just put down the Lapband. Saying that at my height and weight I need more then just a band... I said I wanted the band to lose weight slower, to be able to have kids later.... they says no matter what you do you will always have excess skin lapband or bypass, kids i can have kids on the bypass... i was told i couldnt why?? thats why i wanted the lapband to have kids and now what?? i can have them on the bypass??? they say im to BIG to just have a band... i need more... then brings me back to when i was upset before....…

I was actually wondering..if anyone besides myself pictured themselves at the end of thier weightloss as still a bit chubby? I think we all have a picture of the size we want to be in our heads. Maybe Im weird..but I actually want to be around a size 14 when im done. Im a very big girl..(tall, big structure) and I really dont think I would look that bad at that size. When my partner and I were comparing notes on what we wanted to accomplish..hers was somewhere around a size 10. Mine was about a 14-16. Still, where I could fit into normal clothes..but not where I was "skinny". I like curves. So what do you see yourself at, your perfect weights? Just curious =) -Kend…

I feel like I understand most of time when I can eat or cant. I shouldnt say understand but recognize. There are days I can eat a lot if I am careful and cheat by drinking ofcourse. There are other days it just isnt happening. Now even when I cheat I eat less than most every one else around but too much for me. What I dont get is how is it that some times I can eat things and some times I cant. I'm guessing its the chemistry somehow. I do know if I add fiber to my breakfast protien shake I aint eatin nothing for 5 plus hours. I can eat steak most of the time with care and I do try once a week at least as I need the protein and amino's....Med. Rare !!! What kind of exper…

Hi Everybody, DeniseG mentioned that bands could be affected by pollens eg get tighter. As an asthmatic I'm interested if other people with hayfever, asthma, sinus problems have experienced any related problems. Take care all, Rachel.

I have avoided the dentist for the last year because my life long favorite dentist retired and I hated the person I tried after he retired. I'm finally trying a new dentist and am getting a cleaning and pics tomorrow. Has anyone else had to get an antibiotic before going to the dentist because of the band? I asked my family practitioner and he wanted me to take one. I recall they wanted me to take them because of my pins in my once broken ankle too. Has anyone else been told they need one before going to the dentist?

Hey, the name is Joe. I'm 6'4"1/2 (yes i'm VERY tall) and i weigh around 402lbs. I used to be 430 but im glad i was able to lose some weight but that was awhile though. Im currently looking to this surgery due to the fact that its harder for me to run at times cause of my feet and that the doctor said i may have developed asthma although my breathing has been fine. If there is anyone who has gone through the surgery that i can talk to PLEASE email me at joe_60618@yahoo.com or AIM AOL : AiAnimator i would really would like to hear from someone about it. Thanks!

Hello All, I need some help/clarification on a few things. First of all is orange juice a good thing or bad thing for the band? Is it only in the first few weeks not good? I have heard conflicting answers. Also, what about crackers, I hear some of you are eating them at your mushy stage but that's not a mushy food, right? Or is it that your mushy stage is not as long as mine which is for 2 weeks. What about bananas, I hear some of you say ok for a mushy and some are saying no? And last but not least, how many calories should I be looking at? I am around the 1200 right now, is that good or bad? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ok all, I was wondering what you would do? I have a 3 yr. old boy in my preschool class who is VERY obese. His father will pick him up at lunch and take him to burger king because he wont eat what we serve.(healthy meals) Everyone in his family is very obese. I have to talk to parents all the time about their children, how they are doing with class work, behavior and all that fun stuff. But I have never had to talk to a parent about their overweight child. The children are already leaving him out of things and asking why his stomach sticks out so far. I can't believe this starts at age 3. He can't climb the outside equipment unless I or my aide is there to help lift his l…

OK No one told me that I would not be able to drink. Granted I'm not a lush but I do enjoy the occasional margarita. Last Friday I tried one and have never been so sick in all my life. Is this a permenant deal or just because I've only been banded a few weeks? I have to say I was truly mortified because I was in a social situation when this happened. Wish I had known:think

While making this journey I have had many anxieties. In the beginning I wondered if something was wrong because I could eat. Later after fills it was better and I was losing but not enough. More fills until finally I was rite. Then I thought too much restrictin I cant live like this. I did and it subsided after a couple weeks and now its just rite. Anxieties! Like life I know I have to be [patient and learn what I can do with this tool I bought. Many new people and old here go through many of these situations. The people who really have the understanding and have lost so much have the answers. Its appreciated.

:banana Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know that lives in Arizona to watch news channel 3 Thursady 4-28-05 at 9:00 p.m. Beverly Kidd went to Mexico with me and filmed my story on why? I went to Mexico. Im so excited for this to air I can't wait another week. I have to date lost 16 lbs. I know I still have a long way to go, but by the grace of God I will make it. I will get a taping of the show and my surgery, I want to burn it and send it out to people that have not had the surgery yet, so they can see whats it's all about. If there is anything I can do to help anyone just let me know.

OMG these people work quick!!!I am having it done wednesday with dr kuri in tijuana!!Im scared but excited-had to rush around for a flight-I also have to go alone which is scary but hopefully I wont be too alone.Wish me luck and if anyone is in the area and wants to comfort me Im all for it:p

Good evening bandsters! Well, here's my scenario. First fill of 1 c.c was nothing. Second fill of another c.c. was nothing. Yesterday, I went in for fill #3. She put in .5 c.c. but I couldn't get any water down. She removed .2 c.c. That makes me at 2.3 c.c. I am still drinking liquids and it hurts going down. It's only been 24 hours- am I still swollen? Should I wait a few days? How do you know if you are too tight? Any advice would help! Thanks so much!

I was wondering does anyone know of any good Doctors to do fills in the Orlando, FL area that uses floralscope method. I will be banded in Mexico on 4/26/05 but I will need to get my fills here.

and yes I'm shouting.....I GOT IT!!!!!!!!! UHC APPROVED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMGoodness- big huge crocidile tears. The inside of me feels like it's going to burst if I don't screem but I might get fired if I do. LOL :banana :banana :banana :banana I'm officially a May bandster!!! May 9th to be exact :banana .

*sigh*...i'm so frustrated right now...i've been literally working 7 day weeks as of late and spent all this money on a gym that I can't get to. By the time I am heading home these days its 10 at night and i'm ready to fall head first into the bed. I feel like I'm defeating myself and my band by not aiding with exercise. My mom and friends tell me to get up earlier but frankly given the long days I have I am loathe to do that and still have to get home late at night...I'd be burning both ends of the candle. The one thing I have thought about was leavign a little bit earlier and getting off one stop before my train stop to walk teh rest of the way to work but that…

I'm outta here April 27th. I'm on my way to have a clandestine meeting with silicone Bandito. And with any luck we will have a very long and fulfilling affair.

yEA i HAVE IT ALL SET UP to be banded in MX on MAY 11th by Dr Lopez do now i have just a few questions if anyone can help me I see ppl tal;king about the cc that there band holds what is the deciding factory on that size? Where can I go look at a guide for pre and post op diets? I feel like there is so much more i need to know about here. When you have to take pills do you crush them? any web site that tells about the best Vitamins for us to take? hmm I guess that is all for now lmao . sorry i am a bit excited tonight thanks for all the info that you ahve already given me and im sure will have more answers and more questions if you all get tired of me just tell…

I got my lap band today, and I am tons of pain.....does anyone have their port, at the top of their rib cage? My bra lays on it.....of course I am not wearing a bra now, but it hurts like mad... Also....can anyone tell me, when taking liquid tylenol....do you swallow it all at one time, or sip....its nasty, but so is the pain meds.... thanks for any replys...

So I was on another obesity site that has a chat forum... and I was chatting it up with others.. and a lady gave me a 10 minute tirade on how I made a huge mistake getting the lap band versus the RNY that she had.. and how I would end up having the bypass anyway.. blah blah... she said so many negative things... and i know i shouldnt care.. but i just had surgery on friday and i am afraid i made the wrong choice.... i was so confident but now i am not sure.. i am swayed easily by negativity... i am trying to work on that too.. she said i wouldnt ever get to my goal weight.... and since my starting weight wasnt incredibly high to begin with that i wouldnt lose much …

How stringent is this requirement about showing proof of supervised weight loss programs? What would suffice as proof? If it was Weight Watchers for instance, what do they want to see? Registration books?

so i went to dr. gansers yesterday and had my first follow up appointment. Heres the basics: - I am down to 374 from 386 =) and he said i have probably at least 10-15 lbs of Water and swelling on me. - I am out of liquid phase and have moved on to mushies and he told me when I feel I am ready to go ahead and experiment with "solids" - all my battle wounds look great except where the port is, it looks to be infected so I got an antibiotic and they covered it with sterile strips (its kinda gross all leaking and everything) so.. i leave for california today for 2 weeks. I am taking my computer but leaving my hubby behind! hehe its gonna be weird being gone…

Where's our cop Greg when you need him? I have been on an ice-cream kick for the last several weeks, and I'm afraid it's getting out of control. I'm not talking about one treat every month or every week anymore. I'm talking about craving ice cream every day. I was able to hold this urge at bay with diet Fudgsicles for a long time, but I've had a serious sugar jones for over a month now. It started when I took steroids (not the anabolic ones a la Jose Conseco), but that was back in February, and now what's my excuse? Any one else go through this? What's the best way to get over it, other than give into it? I'm really not beating myself up for being a bad bandster -- yet.…

Friday I rec'd my approval letter from my insurance company!! I was so excited I cried, then I called my sister and she cried also (after calling me a sap) So....Now what?? When will I start the liquid diet? I thought I had all the info I needed untill I got that letter and all of a sudden my brain blanked out all known info. HAHA :guess Any way, I'm supposed to call my surgeon's office ( Dr. Cribbins) Monday to get a surg date. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight....excitement reigns supreme!!

I have a stupid question. I am new to this and I keep reading PB, what does that mean? Thanks! Ali Banded 2/24/05 Dr. Javier Gerardo de la Garza Monterrey, Mexico