LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I am filled at 1.5cc - I have never felt full after a few bites. However, I must eat real slow and chew food well because I can feel it slidding down. I can actually feel it slowly sliding down as I eat so I chew well and eat very slow. Is this okay? Do I need another fill to hold the food in the pouch longer? What is the normal time food is to stay in the pouch? Mine is slidding down within 30 seconds. I have never felt the fullness after several bites. Any advice would be helpful... Because I'm FRUSTRATED

I went for my first fill and it was horrible:( The doc could not find the band - and in some areas (where he KEPT injecting me over and over again!) i was getting sharp shooting pains - even on my chest! The doc said it was normal - it was just the abdominal wall or the muscles or something!! But i think i know the difference and it was NOT NICE! I have to go back tomorrow and i dont know how i am going to tell the doc i might be getting a stroke!

I would like to tell this story to reinforce the fact that the band is a TOOL, not a "cure" for weight loss: My wife works with a man who had the band one year ago. She thinks he has only had one fill. To date, he has lost a total of 5 pounds!!! He has failed to get fills when needed and is able to eat pretty much what he wants, and does!! He does not eat Protein first, and often not second or third. He finally heard her talking about me getting my second fill 8 weeks post-op, so he scheduled one for himself, probably out of guilt. He now is trying desperately to force down bread, cheese, crackers, and any other type of carb you can imagine. He told her he JUST NOW…

Do you or don't you need a pass port for flying into Mexico?

I started getting a little heartburn a few days before I got the stomach flu a couple of weeks ago. I took some Prilosec OTC for a couple of days and it went away. Then I got the flu, and I stopped taking it. The heartburn came back a few days after I started feeling better. But I would feel sick after I ate every time...no matter what I ate. It wasn't a sick in my little stomach- but sick in my big stomach. I thought it was the fact that I was eating crap-so I tried to watch it...still felt yucky. I even thought that maybe I had done something to my band after throwing up, but I could feel that it had nothing to do with the area of my band. I also was really tight,…

I am really thinking about getting a Band. Did an online info session tonite and that was helpful. Tell me why it has been good for you, I need to hear some of the positives, because the fear is a little overwhelming as is the guilt that I cannot control or manage this weight issue in my life. Thanks.

Tonight I was teasing my DH about new clothes. I figure that by the time the fall semester rolls around I’ll have dropped enough weight to become a svelte size 18. If/when that happens, I will definitely need new clothes. Probably not much, but some new clothes. He told me that I will have to get rid of a big whack of the clothes that are currently stuffed into my dresser before I can get new clothes. The thought of getting rid of the “extra” clothes sent me into a near panic. I don’t consider myself to be a clothes horse by any means, but I have a lot of clothes I used to fit into and figure that I will fit into once again. (yeah, a pipe dream.) The last time I lost a…

we should start a contest how many different sizes we have in our closets personally I have from 24 to size 10 I keep them all because I always have that hope I will fit in to them someday how many sizes do you all have

Hi! Has anyone had a fill at the WISH Center is San Antonio? I got my band on 3/2/05 in Mexico (with Dr. Ortiz). I don't want to go all the way back for fills, and just heard that the WISH Center is San Antonio has a program where they will fill Mexican banded patients. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks, Monica 185/170/Goal 135 Down 15 lbs. in 7 weeks

I live in Austin during the summers (UT), and I was hoping there might be others there. I'm having my surgery in August. I live in NC the rest of the year. Anyone out there?

Does anyone know of any DFW lap band surgeons that have financing options for those who won't be covered by insurance and want to self pay?

I had my weekend in New York City. I was quite nervous about eating as it would be the first time I'd be out with friends, eating Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It started badly when i overate on the plane and felt too full. Did the same thing in the evening. Began to get worried that I was doing damage and felt quite out of control. The next few days were OK and having just added up my calories for the weekend, I didn't overindulge as much as perhaps I thought I had. However, I seem to have lost all restriction suddenly and am worried that my band might have slipped. Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in day and I am petrified that I will have undone all my good work. I've been…

I went for my first fill today, had to pay big time cuz I am between Ins right now. Stupid Cobra! Anyways I got a 3cc fill and I am tempted to eat something to see if there is res. Maybe I could put a Chili Dog in the blender???

Does anyone have any comments, concerns or advise regarding the Molding Clinic in Mexico and the lap band surgery? D

I am so nervous, I am sick to my stomache.....Tomorrow is my band date, and I am not sure I am doing the right thing.... I am so sick....I know I can do this, and I will.....I have to be at the hospital by 5:30 AM. I will keep you posted...

Greetings from Australia, My name is Emmanual and I was banded 2 months ago. Yesterday I got a sudden pain in my upper/middle back- in between my shoulder blades. I am worried that this is referred pain from my stomach, and that something is wrong with the band or my stomach. The pain is not severe, it is quite mild- I don't even feel the need for pain killers- but it is definitely there. I have no other symptoms, I can keep Fluid and food down fine.. no reflux. If the pain is still there tomorrow I will see my doctor, but in the meantime if anyone can advise if they are aware of back pain being a symptom of problems with the band please let me know. Thanks i…

Just wanted to thank you for the post you provided with the food lists...it's a big help!

UPDATE: Kyleigh was the lucky recipient. This drawing is now closed. *************** I posted this in Nykee's food journal thread, and am bringing this info into the mainstream for anyone interested: ********** I have an extra "Picture Perfect Weight Loss" book by Dr. Shapiro that was sent to me by mistake when I ordered a different one of his books, and I never returned it. The cover is scuffed, but other than that it seems to be in new condition. If anyone wants it, EMAIL me. I imagine I will get several responses, so at the end of today/first thing Wednesday morning (4/13/05 PST) I will do a random drawing from the requests I receive and will send it off as a…

hey it's my first fill on wednesday I'm just a little concerned about the size of the needle! I thought it was the size of a normal injection?? Okk the main question is - DOES IT HURT MAN!!!!!!! i am already sweating - i need to be mentaly prepared! Does the needle look anything like the thing they use on pregnant women!!!

am seriously thinking of having it done by this doctor http://beliteweight.com and wondered if anyone else had used him-he is half the cost of having it done here and since I will have to pay for this myself 9k sounds ALOT better than 18k.

My pcp, who was DEAD set against lap band surgery when I had it almost a yr ago, in fact told me WHY it would NOT be successful and how I would fail with it, and how she would only support me having RNY...just surprised me. Back then, I gave her a TON of information on what lap band is and is not...and she snidely told me, yeah, she would eventually look at it....I just called her. I told her that I have lost 80 lbs and am very close to goal. I reminded her of who I was and what she had told me. She said not only did she remember me, but wanted to thank me, and tell me how grateful she was. She said she read everything I gave her, and has been passing THAT information off…

Am I the only one noticing the magic 150 number? That seems to be what most of us would like to weigh. What gives? I know that the "ideal weight range" for me based on my height is 135 - 145. Who came up with this scale? I bet it was a man. LOL!! Sorry banded guys. OK I am rebelling against that scale. I will weigh whatever I chose to weigh when I feel healthy. If that is 135 or 145 or 150 or 200 then that is what I will weigh. I am just a little stressed right now and this was the one thing I felt like venting that stress on. LOL!! SIGH!!

Just wondering if anyone had an answer to this... I am able to eat and drink a bandster portion. I am losing weight again, but I am having reflux. I am not too tight cause I can eat BBQ Pork chops and they go down fine. I have not had problems eating, but I was having reflux. I have woke up several times in the night choking on my spit. Yesterday morning I woke up with a temp of 101.4 and feeling horrible..hurt to take a deep breathe...and then this morning woke up again with a temp. Went to my primary doctor and I had Fluid in my lungs...aspiration pneumonia. They gave me 2 shots for that, one an antibiotic. So, then I went to my band doctor and explained to him …

I have been banded for 1 full year and still miserable with the band I want it to work so bad I dont know if I am non-compliant or I have a problem with the band itself I pb or vomit after almost all meals with or without restriction I am at no restriction right now and chew chew chew but things still get stuck. What does it mean when they say there band doesn't have enough restriction can they eat like before the band or can they just more then they would like too! I cant eat either way and have been in the hospital and had study after study and currently doing another study with no restriction to see if there is any slippage I have had so may studies and they keep telli…

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a big difference in taste between plain yogurt and sour cream.I really enjoyed adding a dry herb package to the sour cream and using it to dip veggies Would plain yogurt be a good subtitute?

I know this may sound strange. I am now getting too small for plus size fashions. I can't even remember a day when I didn't shop in the "Women's Plus size" dept for clothes. Usually squeezing into 2x when I should have worn 3x lol but surrounded with people who knew what it was like to be overweight. Today I was at Kohl's trying on 1x and they were too big. Plus size has been my home for so long, now I feel like I am the big kid again amongst the "small people" Searching for the largest Misses sizes instead of the smallest plus sizes. I thought I would be real excited about it untill I saw two girls looking me over (probably size 2 and 5) Granted, they may not ha…

Hi everyone! I had my pre op today and after the exam the nurse (the Dr. is out of town) looked at the results of my ultrasound and asked me if anyone had mentioned a "filter". The nurse said that due to an enlarged liver and portal vein, and a family history of blood clots, I would most likely have to have a filter placed in my inferior venae cavae to prevent pulmonary embolism, before I could have the surgery. I now have to do the pre op for this procedure one the 21st, the filter done on the 22nd and my surgery still on the 26th. Has this happened to anyone else? Does anybody know what the heck this is?

I had a fill on Saturday 04/16 and when I got my fill the doctor gave me a .5cc fill, then I go an unfill, checked again and I was still to tight, another unfill, checked again and it was okay so I was left with a .2 fill (now I am at 2.2cc). I was able to drink liquids okay but yesterday at 3:00 I tried to eat and my second spoon of food just came back, after that I visited the restroom about 4 more time each time coughing and with some food out. When I left on my way home I had that slimy stuff coming out and after that I was foaming, this happened for about an hour. Am I too tight or did I just eat to fast and not chew good enough???? I am afraid to eat because I d…

Hello, My name is Christina I weight 275lb 5'4". I looking into getting the Lap Band. I hear some good and bad stuff about it. I would like to talk to people that had it. Thank you Christina

Just an update, I unfortunately did NOT get banded on the 5th as planned...had a low grade fever so they sent me home.... Needless to say, I was VERY depressed and frustrated about it, which is why I didn't post anything...didn't want to whine out loud. However, I am now once again psyched up and ready to rock. I am scheduled for tomorrow morning (April 17th). So please wish me luck, I'm suppose to stay in the hospital for approx 4 days (doctors requirement) so I will send an update when I get out. Thank you all for the invaluable information you've provided.

Hi all. I just wanted to get a thread started about this hot topic. I have noticed a couple people posting about kids getting banded. What is your opinion? My opinion: I think banding in teenage years is okay as long as they are older and have had the majority of their growth spurts. If they have given it an honest effort and are not just being lazy then I am all for it!! I think that banding under the age of 14 is a tragedy as their bodies are still developing and growing. Especially for females, there is a HUGE growth spurt coming between 16-18. I also think that parenting is a key. Feeding your children healthy meals and still making good choices for them. …

I have had to postpone my surgery and re-schedule it next week. My husband's father passed away suddenly so it has been really hectic and a mess! He was only 57....anyway....good luck to all the April Banders and hopefully I can join in May!!!!

Check out the Website if you haven't already! dinner, Entertainment & Dancing. Join us and help make the FIRST ANNUAL MICHIGAN BANDSTOCK 2005 a success! Come Celebrate your life-changing decision with local and long-distant friends. See you there! Nancy

Hi Everyone, I live in Lakewood California and work in Fullerton. Would anyone like to meet for lunch or dinner to exchange experiences with the band?? This past weekend that I got my fill, this girl that got her band 10 days after me (we met thru a bandster board) went with me to get her fill and we had so much fun. The next day we meet again for a California bandster meeting and I just loved exchanging information. I would love to meet more people that are also banded, if you are interested please e-mail me!

In the past whenever I lost even the smallest amount of weight, whether it was 5 or 10 lbs. I always had the mentality that I could reward myself because I lost weight and could have treats, or eat whatever I wanted. I know it sounds stupid, but instead of rewarding myself with "things" I rewarded myself with food. And now that I'm banded, it's no different..... I am still rewarding myself. I'll get on the scale and if I've lost a lb. or 2 lbs. I find myself "picking" at food, or eating things I shouldn't. (like the chips, crackers and cookies that NEVER get stuck). I know I could be MUCH farther ahead in my weight loss if I was actually sticking to a true bandster diet.…

hello, every one. I' took my wife and kid's out to dinner to an all you can eat/choke down. it's better if you just don't even go there. well I' ate to much felt guilty all day Sunday. So I ate lite all day and got a four.eight mile walk in today feel a little better. just wanted to share that nasty story with you. I'm going to eat lite all week at school, as I'd like to be five pound's down this weekend! Plus lot's of walking! have a nice day God bless! John

I went for my 6 week post op visit today. I was going to get a fill, but since I have done well post surgery, my Dr suggested waiting until next month. I've lost 20 lbs post op (15 pre op), so down 35 lbs since January. So thats about 10 lbs a month. I was bummed out at first cause I had really braced myself for the fill, but I guess I can hang on another month. (he's afraid that I'll have too much restriction and need to have an unfill). I guess we'll see what next month brings!! Now on to regular food!! Patty

Hi all, I had surgery 4 weeks ago and am feeling GREAT, but now I'm getting more hungry. I'm in stage 5 for food, but I am finding I can eat more. I go for my first fill on Monday, April 25 and I also will get weighted. I know I've read this before on the board but I don't feel the restriction I felt when I first came home from the hospital. Corgi

The Texas Rangers is selling a sandwich called "The Big Dog" at their games this year. It costs $8.50. It is a half-pound hot dog (440 calories) (50 grams of fat) and that doesn't include the fixin's. These are some educated guesses on the final outcome: The bun is a foot long - and still doesn't envelop the whole dog. A 6 inch Rainbo hot dog bun has 110 calories so double that and it's 220. The dog is smothered with chili, cheese and onions. One serving of Wolf Brand chili, which is a cup contains 390 calories. A quarter-cup serving of Buena Comida cheddar cheese sauce is 70 calories. We'll give you a pass on the onions, and help yourself to ketchup, must…

Hi there, I have been unable to have access to teh net for a few months and just wanted to sign in and say g'day. I am desperately seeking some support and know that this is the place to come. Hope you are all well and living the life of your dreams, Cheers

Tomorrow will be five weeks since I’ve been banded. I haven’t really written much lately because I’ve been in a contemplative mood I suppose. Trying to figure out what is going on with me and my new symbiote. A couple of days ago, I moved to solid food and feel like I can eat anything, even a cheeseburger. I haven’t had a single PB or a sliming event, so yay! for me. I haven’t attempted a cheeseburger yet, but I’m not anticipating any problems. I’ve had ground beef, and have had no issues with it. Mike can’t do any form of ground beef, except taco meat texture. People have been talking a lot about mourning food, and Jessie suggested that was what I was doing. I…

Ok so I'm getting banded on Tuesday and I am SCARED TO DEATH. I'm scared of the surgery, scared of the pain (big time), and scared of what happens after the surgery. I know it's just nerves, but it almost has me paralyzed. (figuratively speaking) I have everything I need for home (and then some) and a totally awesome husband, family, and friends that are sooo supportive. I have no idea why I'm so scared, but it's awful. I have read everything of what to expect. My problem is that I feel like I am going to be the worst case scenario about every aspect of the band. AAAHHHH! Ok, just needed to vent! Kris

Pardon my language... but I'm bummed.... Tomorrow I start my 10 day pre-op diet.... So today was my last day to enjoy food. My boyfriend took the day off of work, and we planned a trip to Navy Pier and a few musuems, and we planned to go to a fancy restaurant for dinner. This morning, I woke up.... AND I WAS SICK AS HELL!!!!!!! I CAN'T taste anything. =( =( =( I feel soooo run down. We had to skip out on all of our plans and just see a movie and get dinner (which I couldn't taste or enjoy since my nose is so stuffed and my tonsils are so swollen =( Soooo... that was how my "last meal" went. I'm bummed. The next few days are going to be super-super-super…

okay,,,here it is....the end of the work day. These kids are outta controll and I want peanut M & M's RIGHT NOW....I stepped into the office where I work out of....and did my chant....NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING THIN FEELS...then I was interuped by another Para....sooo the chant didn't work...Im chewing gum and thats not helping...drinking loads of water...still not cutting it..... I really really really really really really want those M and Ms..... 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2......1 (deep breath....deep breath...) I think I will be okay now. I have only like 1/2 more hour, then I can go home...I am doing soo good sticking to the pre op diet. Had my shake for breakfast…

Im not even banded yet but I have lots of hangging skin in my inner thighs. I dont want this to be a problem for me when i do start to lose weight. Any ideas on some at home exercises that I can do? Thanks

Here are my stats, I am 5' 7", 464 pounds, with a BMI of 70+. I have been dieting since I was 14, and have been obese since that time. I have been told that my medical will not pay for this operation, nor will my husbands, so between friends, family and financing, I'm hoping to be able to pay cash for the operation. My question/issue is this? The surgeon I met with last week told me that I could not get the lap-band because my BMI is too high and that he would have to put the port so far under my skin that they would not be able to find it for the fills. Is this surgeon a loon?? Has anyone else been told this? Is there anyone who has the same stats as me, that has succe…

I had my LB done 11/04 at Baylor. By 2/05 I had 3 fills and lost 35 lbs. From around 2/05 to 4/10/05 I lost no more weight, even though I WAS eating considerably less than pre-surgury. I recently discovered the problem and though I would share it with the group. Where I work, lunch is catered 3 days a week. I knew from the start this was Bad-Mo-Jo, so I started eating the salad or veggies first. Now my rule of thumb is: 4x the volume of salad or veggies than 'main course', so by the time I get to the high cal/fat food, my pouch is getting full. BUT I went back to an old website I used to use in my hard-core dieting days (www.fitday.com - great site …

Hi everyone, Boy do I love to read all the support I see here, and I am wondering if anyone has felt like I am right now. I had my band on 7-27-04, and have lost 115 lbs. and I am so happy. But I am having some weird thoughts. I was talking to my husband about summer coming. I told him that I don't feel comfortable wearing shorts, tank tops, neverless a bathing suit. I told him the way my arms, and thighs look, I couldn't imagine wearing them. I thought about it, last summer I would wear shorts, and work out in the yard in my bathing suit at 351 lbs, with no problem. Now at 236 lbs, I can't imagine it. I have been walking alot, and was going to the gym on a regular basi…

Hi for those of you that have bought or been given one of these (magic bullet) is it worth it. I want one, and I think I am going to get one today but I really wanted to know how much someone uses it. I am kinda going from the mushy stage to the solid. But I can think that some meats would still be better chopped a bit before trying to chew them to death. Also when I get a fill, each time won't liquids and mushies for a couple of days be the norm. Also it could just come in handy for any meal prep. But before I buy yet another gadget (i am so the gadget queen) I really wanted to hear from some that have it. Is it better then a plain blender? Thanks so much Hugs …

I hope someone out there can help me out on this..... here goes my situation... I got my band - gained two pounds the first month - got a fill - lost the two pounds that I gained the first month and was back at my starting weight - extremely depressing - After the first fill, I did feel restriction some of the time, but I didn't feel that it was near enough for me since I was eating pretty much what I wanted and large quantities a lot of the time - I was very excited to get another fill - got it two days ago - now, I can't keep liquids down. When I drink, I take a tiny sip and it feels like it is sitting on my chest like a lead weight. My question is --- do I wait a whi…