LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I donpt believe it. I am down 9 pounds. I had my surgery on Friday and I can't believe this already. I am watching my intake and making sure to take in as much protein, without getting sick, as I can. I haven't had a PB or anything. I think the second time around for me with be the charm

With the change of consumption I wonder if there are other changes with the bodies ways of emptying.ie haveing a dump(poo).As I must admit this does worry me some as I can't think of anything worse than being in the loo 1 minute longer than nessary.I know therethose who like to read or ponder on things.Could you please tell me if Iam to expect changes in the rear end side of things.Not a nice subject but nessary. Many thanks Annette.

Hi I was talking to my friend about getting lap band and I told her that you lose 1-2 pounds a week and then she says you could do that on weight watchers then I said but this makes you keep it off then she proceeded to say well what about your legs their not normal even when you were skinny they were big. thats why I tend not to tell many people about surgery

It is official, I am now in a size 10 pants What a thril this is for me, I can not remember the last time I wore a size 10. Went shopping yesterday and today and bought 3 pairs size 10 capris The scale has not moved much for me the last month or so but the inches are coming off. So for those of you who are discouraged the scale is not moving, do not fret, your probably losing inches..I'm living proof What I weigh is not as important as how I look & how I feel and right now I'm feeling pretty damn good!!! Just thought I share my fantastic NSV with all of you I LOVE MY BAND!!! 14 lbs to goal :banana

How often do you get a fill?

Ok, from the liquid stage to the mushy stage, is it normal to gain back a few pounds of lost weight? I figure it should be due to increasing your calories just a bit..heres what happened.. I was on liquids for a week and a half..lost 20 pounds. Went to mushies, and gained 2 pounds...is this normal? Perhaps im not watching the caloric intake as well as I should be. Ive only been on mushies for a weekend..but it scares me that Ive gained back 2 pounds. eep!

Oh Man, I am so nervous now, 8 hrs till surgery. Went back quickly looking for threads on pain, if anyone can give me suggestions for managaing pain when I return home, it would be much appreciated, thanks so much!

Hurray....the surgeons office has finally booked my pre-surgical consult for May 4th.....:Bunny I'm almost there!!!! So hopefull......

Hi y'all! Well, I started my liquid diet today. I technically don't have to start it until Thursday but I figured all the heck I put my poor liver through it would need some extra shrinkage time! Giving up my diet Dr. Peppers are gonna be the hardest thing for me but I can do it (she said not so convincingly). My surgery date is April 29th and I am so ready....nervous, anxious but so excited! I so look forward to becoming a healthier person. I have a new granddaughter and she's my inspiration to lose this darn weight so I can keep up with her! It's so great having all of y'all in this with me cause no one understands like someone that's either gone through this or …

Hi all! I did it. I am a bandster now. I had my band placed on Friday in Mesquite. I have to say that the hospital staff was really great.. better than I had expected. They were so nice there and now I understand why they have a 100% satisfaction rate. I was so afraid that I would be in major pain and would not be able to swallow or have those crazy complications. But, luckily I have had NONE! I am a bit sore.. and thats it..and 2 of my staples came out.. but no biggie. I can swig Protein Drinks and Water with no problems.. I am actually afraid i am too loose.. but.. i wont complain.. i couldnt handle being one of those who cant swallow their own saliva. i …

cause I'm in a jury trial and will be there for about a week longer. Of course I can't talk about it. I am the plaintif and have been waiting for this trial for a long time. Anyway....I've been in court from 8-5 then home with the kids and my duties...... Other then that, I'm very restricted still. I have protien shakes and vits in the morning, water....water...water, soup for lunch and dinner, had three bites of tuna today and got the hiccups!!. Loving the restriction I've lost 8 lbs. since rebanding. Miss you guys DBV

ok seriously.. whats with this broth and runny mash potatos cant i just blend up what my hubbys having for dinner?

Hi all! This site was mentioned at my Lap band support meeting...great info! Well, I am currently waiting for final insurance approval! ( Completed the nutrition consult and psych eval ). I am beyond excited but nervous too. I have been fighting my weight all my life and have just had enough. I am finally able to say " I need some help" and the lap band will be that extra tool I need. I have been researching this for 2 years. ( I had looked at Gastric Bypass as 2 freidns had it but don't like the idea of "messing up the plumbing".) I am thankful to have found a site where I can find the support I need to help me thru this journey! I can't wait to be a LOSER!! lol Michel…

Well I know my hubby came here and posted but im to tired and sore to find it so i figured i will just start a new one. Monday april 11th i went in for a lapband. I came out and was told everything went great. by tuesday I still wasnt able to swallow anything and could barely do much of anything. Morphine wasnt helping much. I did a barrum swallow tuesday and it showed nothing going through so my doctor gave me one more day to figure out if the swelling would go down. He gave me throat spray and told me no more Water or ice chips till the next test. Wednesday morning I had another swallow test, same results. it was going through but very very slowly. and my throat was …

Im kinda bored here, so I starting thinking about food. Then I started wondering what everyone was eating for supper tonight. So, what did you have for supper tonight? **whoever has the best meal gets to cook for all of us tomorrow night **

Ok, my story is very long and I won't go into all the details or this will be too long. I was banded July 1, 2003. That October I moved to Pennsylvania. I had major complications after surgery and my original Dr. thought I had a hole because I could not get the proper restriction. The did x-ray's but could not see a hole. I moved bac to PA like I said and started seeing a Dr. here. Who discovered I did in fact have a hole but that it was a slow leak and that is why they could not see it before. My Dr. believes the hole was there from day #1. My husband and I were going to try to get pregnant so I told him I would hold off for awhile. Well, now my question is does…

Hello, I have been banded for 8 weeks and I was just wondering what is the normal amount of food I should be able to eat at one setting. I need to know if I need a fill. I can eat a whole peanut butter sandwich or I can eat 2 chicken thighs(baked) and 1/2 cup of green beans, or I can eat 1 1/2 cups of salad as long as it is lite on veggies and mostly lettuce. It seems like so much compared to at 4 and 5 weeks that it makes me think it is time for a fill. Any advise? Thanks Jody 8 weeks banded 34 pds gone 132 to go

Haven't been banded yet but would like to know what the feeling is when you are full is it a feeling of fullness or do you feel a tightness or a pain I have never felt a fullness feeling and am worried I will overeat and PB or worse please let me know

I am a bit off-centered as anyone who knows me may tell you...lol. I have decided that once I reach my personal goal (29-30 more lbs) I am getting another (my second) tattoo. It is of a certain pirate whose spirit seems to represent an awakened part of me. What are the rewards you have in mind upon reaching your personal goal? -Wyld Blu-

OK, I took the kids to McDonalds for our weekly Sunday Breakfast. I ordered an Egg McMuffin, thinking that I would only eat about half of it....Well the whole thing went down no problem....I didnt even really have to go very slow, although I was mindful about my chewing. I had my first fill 10 days ago of 1.6. The doctor said that was very aggressive, but I'm yet to feel it....Should I wait and see if it kicks in like some have said theirs did, or go back for more? I'm not as concerned about the cost issue as I am about getting this scale moving!!!!!! Thanks for any feedback, Monica

Anyone have issues with crunches? I decided to finally include this in my routine and I feel that port in my stomach while doing these. not pain but awareness.

I JUST GOTTA PHONE CALL FROM MY SURGEONS OFFICE....AFTER HAVING SUBMITTED MY PAPERWORK TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY.....ONLY TWO DAYS AGO....WE GOT AN APPROVAL BACK ALL READY!!!! THAT WAS QUICK!! I ALMOST PASSED OUT WHEN SHE TOLD ME....(please forgive my caps, I don't mean to yell, but I gotta vent!) Sooo this is it!!! Crunch time! I feel like Rocky chasing that chicken around the coop and FINALLY being able to catch it! Remember how happy he was!!! Thats me now! I gotta get control of this diet NOW....sooooo this is it...do or die time. No more cheating. My surgery is May 5th. I go for preop stuff on the 3rd...Do you know how quickly thats gonna get here???? GEEEEZ …

My mom has been overweight ALL of her life. Not just overweight, but MO. She has very high BP and is also a severe diabetic. She NEVER has any energy - takes about 4 naps a day; and she is always in so much pain from arthritis. Im thinking that her maintenance drugs total around 10 a day! Anyway, last spring - when I was 'investigating' WLS, she was somewhat interested herself. She said several times that she wanted to see my progress from the band, then she would decide if this surgery is for her. Well, she's still thinking about it! So, what I would like to know... has any of you had this many health problems, had WLS and recover well? Im just scared…

Does anymore have before and after pictures I think everyone likes looking at everyone successes and it gives inspiration to us

I'm sooooo glad I bumped into this website. I'm going to my first lap band information seminar in NJ. I'm so ready. I've been trying desperately for so long to lose all this weight and I feel hopeless. I've 120 pds. to lose. My BMI is over 45. I have to admit I'm a quite terrified at the though of it and more terrified still that for some freaky reason I won't be qualified to get the surgery. How long does it take to get everything scheduled? What happens first? thanks for this board!!!! Roxanne

Hi, Having surgery the end of April and wondering if anyone has information on doctors in NW Arkansas or Tulsa who do fills? Thanks, Paula

Just wanted to know when do you think lap banding will be more popular than gastric bypass it is less invasive and shorter hospital stay it is new technology even the doctors seem to press for gastric bypass just dont understand

Has anyone tried eating Chinese Food after being banded? If so, how did it go down? I am sooo craving some sesame chicken and pork fried rice...

Hi everyone....I need your input. I have been banded for a year next month. I have ok restriction, but seem to be hungry a lot sooner after a meal than in the recent past. I go in to the docs on the 27th of this month for a band check and maybe a fill. My problem is that for the last few days, I have woken up in the middle of the night with burning acid in my throat...the worse reflux ever. I had bad reflux before banding (never like this though)but none after, until now. I am eating dinner at least 3 hours before I go to bed. The only difference I can think of is that I have had 2 strawberries around 4 in the afternoon each day this has happened. Could this be it? I woul…

Hi Everyone, An update on my plastic surgery saga. I was approved by my insurance company for an abdominoplasty which was originally scheduled for May 5th 2005. I decided to change plastic surgeons and went for a new consult a few weeks ago. The new surgeon was willing to do multiple procedures at the same time. Originally I wanted to have a medial thighplasty and TT at the same time, but the first surgeon (who works alone) did not want to do this. Surgeon 2 has no problems with this because he tag teams with a partner and they work together and are able to complete the surgery in half the time this way. I figured it was better to have both surgeries done together so I …

Yikes - everything I swallow is painful - I get that stuck feeling and it takes a while before it goes away. I did liquids yesterday and today am trying soft foods but it hurts!! I had my fill under flouro and the barium went through fine - I had a bit of a stay and then it went down. I had 1.6 ccs putin my 4 cc band Will this feeling go away??

:hurt I hadn't thought that it would be so hard on me, this time around trying to lose weight. After being turned down by my insurance company. Did call Dr. Maese's office and let his office know about it. Said they would try and do the best they could for me, as far as an appeal. But I know it wont be happening for me. After all I've looked into as far as my insurance goes. After you appeal it, it still won't happen. I want to look at this objectively, but I cant!!! I started back at Curves. But I'm alot bigger this time around. First few days was extremly hard. I mostly blame myself for all the weight . Maybe things will get better for me in the long run. But how i…

Okay gang, I have been researching old threads and there is lots of good info and I have come up with several great options...but I don't have the stamina or time (due to 2yo son at home with me) to search carefully, AND since I am such a new bandster, I'm not sure how much all the info applies to me, AND since we have so many new bandsters, a new thread for the newly banded would not only help me, but others, so here goes... I was banded Friday, today is Wednesday (day 5 after surgery). Since Saturday, I have eaten chicken broth, hot tea (caffienated), V-8 juice, fruit nectars (guava, mango, etc) 1 scoop of Protein powder daily since Monday, 2tbsp daily of Centrum liq…

After the hell I've been through during these last couple of weeks, it seems as though this last surgery has done the trick. Although I am still recovering from two surgeries, three scopes and was hospitalized for dehydration twice all in a week and a half, everything now seems to be in working order. I haven't been dehydrated once and I can actually eat and it all stays down! Yeah! My arms may be covered in dark bruises (hope when I venture out of the house, nobody thinks I'm a little druggie!), but I'm feeling so much better. I'm still pretty weak from the second surgery, but I keep telling myself that I'm still recovering from the first surgery too. The soreness and sw…

I was at the deli this afternoon picking up cold cuts for my kids' lunch. While I stood there I knew I just had to have a yodel ... sneak it on the way home so no one would know ... then I read the calorie count (440 for one serving!!!) and I put it down. I told myself why did you bother with the surgery to do this! Now this may not seem like much to some of you, but believe me this is a big deal for me. I would buy those family size boxes of devil dogs and eat the whole thing. So I'd like to pat myself on the back and share it with you guys who will understand!! Thanks! Mayra

WHOA, WHOA, I had my nutrional appointment today, I'm almost there. Had my Physc. evaluation last week...hopefully isurance will be submitted next week or the following. Did anyone else have an upper GI prior to insurance being submitted or after insurance submits?

Hi all, this is Katie's husband posting while she is still in the hospital. She went in on Apr 11, at 11:30am, the doctor said everything went fine, and Katie is doing good. She was supposed to come home today, but the swelling around her esophagus is preventing liquids from passing at a rate the doctor would like. There is a chance they might have to go back in and install a larger band, we wont know anything until tomorrow. We're hoping she'll be able to come home tomorrow, and should be back posting in a few days!

Just freaking great!!!!! Hubby wants to go to the Southwestern Beer and Picnic Festival in Scottsdale Arizona this week. Grrrrr, 3 weeks banded and he wants me to watch him taste test all kinds of beer and food... while I do what? ((sigh)) but he is darn good to me, so I guess I will just go for the exercise of walking around. (they also have a Absolut Vodka taste testing tent there, is that okay for bandsters?) Good news is that the food tasting are very small portions. Bad news is that if I get sick I won't really know what did it. Oh, who am I kidding? I am eating whatever right now with no issues at all. Man, that first fill can't come fast enough!

I am so proud of my wife. Today was weigh day and she has lost 49lbs in 6 months since surgery. I have lost 53lbs. In the last 3 years we have lost 253lbs. My wife is only 13lbs from her goal, but I have a long ways to go. This is a picture we took sunday.

Well- Just an update on the waiting game. As for the show "biggest loser" I never recieved a phone call from the producer. I should have know better because of the source it came from. Oh Well- I wasn't all that jazzed anyway(maybe a little). As for the insurance - finally the rebuttal was sent in 4/4 & another one is being sent tomorrow - because they had my weight not updated & my height a full inch too high. Which made a huge difference in the BMI. So now I am over 41.5 BMI Which qualifies:0) I guess thats good & Bad-LOL I am going to wait one week & than call the insurance Co & cross my fingers. If I do get a NO than I am prepeared to switch…

Hello all, I just had my first fill yesterday. Pretty much uneventful...I did freak a little at the size of the ice pick he stuch in my belly though. Anyway....today I noticed that the area that he did the fill on is a little puffy (not super swollen though) and it has a bit of a pink color to it. Is this normal? I'm not sore... Still on liquids today...so it's hard to tell if this fill had any effect on me yet. Patiently awaiting your wisdom....

I just discovered the best drink at the gas station the other day. It's called SoBe Lean Diet Energy Drink. It's citris flavored and non carbonated. It's got caffeine in it, and Lisa it has chromium in it so you might not want to drink it. But, it tastes great and I've been so sick of plain old Water that it is heavenly. It's made with Splenda, too, instead of that nasty aspertame stuff. I still like my Tropical Punch sugar free Kool Aid, but this stuff gives me a little kick when I need it. Megan

Ohh I am so glad I had the band surgery. I have lost 115 lbs now and never thought this would ever happen for me. Nothing good ever happens to me , but this has. This is the thinnest I have ever been cloths are smaller and I FEEL GREAT. I feel that this procedure saved my life. I thank Dr Spivak from the bottom of my heart.

I was able to eat runny oatmeal this am 1/2c and about 1/3c of Beans with cheece for lunch. I have had fresh spinich, carrot, celery and beet juice to make sure I am getting nutrients. I also can snack on nuts if I chew real good. It seems the later it is in the evening the better I can eat. I was able to eat some moist fish the size of two half dollars last night and 1/2 lentil Soup. I don't know what to do. I was at 1 cc and went to 1.6cc. I can only eat deli meat, a couple slices. I am concerned that I am not eatting enough. I keep hearing what a fine line it is and I just don't know and that is why I am telling you what I have eatten. It seems I get full on N…

Hello, I was wondering how long you all had discomfort in the area of the large incision where the port went in. It is not pain on the outside but way inside and it comes with physical activity. I can push on the area and it does not hurt. It is not warm to the touch or red. It feels like muscle pain inside, deep. I can not bend down all the way to the floor without holding on to something because the left side doesn't have the strength that the right has. It has been 8 weeks since surgery. Did this happen to anyone else? If so how long until I am back to normal? Thanks, Jody Banded 2/17/05

I live in Diana, TX. This is close to Longview and Marshall, ETC. Is there anyone in my surrounding area that has the band? Just wondering.

I was just banded on April 1 and I can eat everything and anything without any problems (if I take small bites and chew very thoroughly). I've had soft pieces of chicken and rice, actually anything that my family eats! I've already lost more than 20 pounds and it hasn't even been two weeks! I'm starting to think something is terribly wrong. Oh, and I don't know how to post pictures! My nose and chin are coming along just fine and I have lots of pictures, but don't know how to post them. My computer was down for a few days, sorry for the late response!

I am 6 weeks banded and due to have first fill on the 24th. I have had some foods get stuck and ouch it hurts but it never comes back up - I get this slimy stuff that I will spit out but the food eventually goes down. How come it does not come back up and what is with the slimes?? Lauren

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary of being banded, and the verdict is in. My thought process regarding food is exactly the same. I still think like a fat person. I still obsess about food and give in to the demons. My weight has changed but that will only be temporary unless I find another solution. My thinking hasn't changed one ounce. I hoped that after a year I would have gained a new outlook on food, but it is still just as disturbing as ever. The Band physically prevents me from overeating during the day, but at night I can eat too much, and my head sill isn't strong enough to fight the evening demons. I have a lot of great days, but it's very rare tha…

I am a re-bandster and was curious if there are others here. I had my first band placed Feb 2004 and it slipped in January 2005 and had replacement Feb 2005. Would like to have a place for questions and discussions here on this board for just such folks (rebandsters) like myself. Thanks,