LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I'm so excited and terrified at the same time! I went out with a guy on Saturday night...and Monday night...and last night. He's called me every day since Saturday...and we email a couple times a day. He asked me out this Saturday- he wants to go to a super nice restaurant and made reservations. As I'm writing this, it sounds so silly that I'm so surprised...but I have dated a whole bunch of players over the last four years or so and this actually feels really weird to have a guy be doing the right things. How do you get over the feeling that you don't deserve it? He makes me laugh, he laughs at my jokes, he kisses like a rock star, and is so cute I just can't st…

Hi Everyone, I just wanted ot share with you some very exciting news. I had sent my before and after pictures to Dr. Ortiz and his staff about a month ago just to show him my progress. 3 weeks ago I go an email from his office asking me if I would be interested in allowing Dr. Ortiz to use my pictures in an info-mercial he is in the process doing on the Lap Band. How awesome is that? He is very pleased with my success in the last year and thinks my pictures will be very motivating for others who are considering the surgery. Iam SO FLATTERED AND HONORED!!! I gave this great thought over the weeks and discussed it with my husband, family, friends and a few he…

I am right now, at this very moment about to pop a recee cup into my mouth!!!! SOMEBODY TALK ME DOWN:(

I am getting my band on Friday, 3/18..can we have sparkling Water? My husband just came back from Costco's and bought fruit flavored sparkling water, 3 calories, 1 carb with splenda.... Thanks, Corgi

Ok.. so here im sitting and i get a call saying "oh this is melissa from Western surgical i forgot to let you know we need you on a liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery so you need to start, like today" Then she told me to call the local university and find out about the liquid diet supplement they have and to get started on that.... HAHAHAHAH OMG i just called the university.. $200 bucks!! they need 200 bucks.. and Im supposed to start TODAY. so im in tears.. i dont know what to do we cant come up with 200 bucks and i dont know what to do. she said GNC has something for 800 calorie liquid diet and when i called them they said they had no idea what it w…

Could you just give me an average on how long you all had to wait for approval from your insurance company after your initial meeting with the surgeon. Just wanted to get a general idea. In regards to such things as work, time-off, vacations schedules at work and so on.

I have not received insurance approval yet but I am thinking ahead. I understand you have to drink protein drinks for 2 weeks prior to surgery. What is the best protein drink and what is the best way to fix it so it taste good?

Hi I was just wondering for people who have insurance does the insurance pay for the fills after surgery or is that out of pocket I have blue cross blue sheild new england, and is also how many people are going to Mexico to get the lap band done do that many insurance companies not pay for the procedure.

I am excited to say that I have lost 16 pounds. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks. I cannot have a fill for another 3 weeks, per my Dr.'s advice. I can eat anything. Is the normal fill after surgery 6 weeks?

Hi everyone, I have an appointment with my surgeon on 4/18/05. I am excited and nervous. I have read through various messages and there are some problems that some people have experienced. Disputs some negative things I have read I am still determined to get the lap band surgery. Could use some support. Maria:banana

I was just wondering does anyone notice that their port is sticking out far I don't think I would want the band sticking out so far that it is noticable let me know.

I don't think I have ever got to say anything so stupid and be so excited at the same time. :banana :banana I crossed over int "one-der-land" early last week- but this morning it said 193 and I am officially a BMI of 29.3 (I am 5'8 1/2") so I have gone from super morbid to overweight and am really thrilled. I just keep thinking I have lost a whole person (from my heaviest- not my surgery) and when I lose this last 33 pounds- I'll have done what I never thought I could!!! I am so excited, happy and thrilled - I put on a large oh yeah a large 12/14 sund dress and if it weren't for my batwings - almost 6 1/2 inches of them- it would have been great (oh thank you…

Ok, I'm just over a month banded. Eating regular foods finally. I go see my nutritionist in a couple of weeks and I'm sure that she will "school" me in the ways I'm suppose to be eating now. I can't help but feel guilty with what I am eating now. Since I don't have a fill yet, I really am not feeling much restriction. I haven't had any problems eating "normal" food at all. I'm still eating smaller quantities and less frequently than pre-band....but I have to admit that I am still giving in to poor food choices sometimes. Today at 4 pm, I had 3 chips ahoy choc chip Cookies. WHY DO I DO THIS? It's like I am testing this darn thing. Since I'm still losing weight, I keep…

successful in their weight loss journey?and why? Now for the why i ask. I schedualed another fill but don't honestly know if this is what i need. I haven't been following the rules.I know i can eat alot.I eat exactly what i want just like before and am not trying at all.I don't know why i do this.It seems i will be going along, doing all the right things for several weeks and then revert back to all the old behavior.It seems like an up and down pattern. I don't know if i should get a fill and recommit myself to losing weight or try and change my habit first then get a fill what do you think?

I just wanted to share a NSV with you all...Summer clothes shopping is my least favorite thing to do in the world. At least buying winter clothes, I am able to buy big sweaters and stuff. But shopping for summer clothes (especially bathing suits) has always been so depressing to me....until now!!! I went to Target the other day and found myself in the clothing department (not even plus size department) and I tried on some swimsuits and some summer dresses. They all fit me and I actually liked the way they looked on me!!! My only problem was deciding which to buy because I liked them all. That hasn't happened to me in a long time!!!! I came home so excited and calle…

Ok, as most of you know I just got a new job and am starting may 11th, one month after surgery. my question is this.. I weigh 384 lbs right now, and wear a size 34 (OMG i said that in public!!) With my new 800 calorie diet till April 11th (surgery date) and being hopeful (most ppl my size tend to loose more the first month than average) I'm worried about cloths. I have to wear scrubs at my new job so my question is.. about how much weight brings you down a size? I know nothing is FOR sure and everyone is different.. but what was your experience? example.. when will I drop a size after 10 lbs? 20? 30? hehe thanks in advance

As with most females of age Id assume everyone had to get on birth control for the surgery.. i did anyway hehe anyways i got this new kind called seasonale its 3 months of pills then you know what i feel kinda weary about going back on BC but i know it has to be done!! But anyways anyone have any experience with this seasonale stuff? i was kinda bumed to find out my insurance copays made me pay $90 because it was 3 months worth instead of my normal $30 copay =( but other than that it kinda makes me excited to know that with the surgery my chances of concieving are better!! YEY! (we tried 3 years.. one year on clomid) sooo hopefully ill be able to pop a few lil o…

I wish to thank you all for your inspiring comments and helpful information. i can see that i am gonna spend hours on this site reading all your comments. i am researching into this lap band process, would love to hear from people in australia who have had this done, as well as other parts of the world. i have made the decision to do this....recently having a health scare has done its job and scared me into seriously losing weight.....and as i have a LOT of weight to lose and like all have tried everything under the sun to try to lose it ...i only pray that this is indeed the answer for me as it has been for many of you ....even reading all the setbacks etc is very he…

I was just wondering is their any special precautions you have to take if you are going to get any type of surgery done after you have the lap band done, and also do all medications pill form have to be switched to liquid form just thinking long term.

I have only posted on here a couple of times so I know most of you don't know me. My name is Amber and I am having lap-band surgery next Wednsday. I am excited but getting a little scared. I guess mostly I am scared of failure because I am on this 10 day pre-op diet and tonight had such strong cravings and hunger pangs. I allowed myself to cheat (just a very small peice of lean chicken breast) and I feel so guilty about it. I keep telling myself if I can cheat like this now then what about after the surgery when swelling has went down and I am just before having a fill. Will I be able to keep from gaining weight back that I have lost in the liquid phase? I am so v…

Hey everyone! I'm due to be banded in about three weeks, and one of my biggest concerns is the fact that I might be left with a lot of excess skin after weight loss. I know two people personally who have gotten the surgery, and both were young (21 and 28) and they were left with LOTS of extra skin and both had to get body lifts, plus one got a breast lift and another got implants. I'm 21, 5'6 and 250lbs. Will I be stuck with lots of extra skin as well? I'd really like to avoid having to get plastic surgery... I hate the thought of it. I'm planning on buying an elipticall machine for my house, but I don't know if that will be enough. What kind of excersizes are good …

i am very new to the whole lap band idea... i just read about it recently and had a question. If a person gets the band put on and then doesnt exercise or eat right, will they still lose weight? is it fail-safe? thanks

Hi I haven't gotten my band yet and was wondering if I would be coming home the same day and how long does it take for you to feel better I have 4 kids and my husband is away alot on business let me know waiting to be banded soon

Hello, I was banded on March 2nd and have had a really good experience so far! I lost 15 pounds during the liquid stage and then on day 21 when I started solids that was it!! I actually gained a pound this weekend. I am really not hungry during the a.m. and then the afternoon and evenings I'm starving! I am eating slowly, chewing, not drinking during or an hour after meals, but I swear I can eat the same amount as before!! I was wondering how everyone else handled this situation? What about experiences after the first fill? I was hoping I wouldn't have to travel so soon back to TJ, but I don't want to stop my weight loss, I was so excited about those first 15!!!!!! Any s…

I know I don't post here much now and I "lurk" a lot now... but tomorrow is my "QUIT SMOKING NOW AND GET READY TO BE HEALTHY" date. I am quitting 3 weeks before surgery and using the patch. Tomorrow I am destroying all cigarette related merchandise and having the "smoke smell" removed (if they can) from my car. I know I don't have to beg because you all are always so generous with encouragement but please please please lend me some words of encouragement as I quit tomorrow for life. Thanks. Jenna

I have my consultation this Friday, April 1st. The day after, I will begin my 2 week pre-op fast. I'll also have to quit smoking. I just started on Spring break from college last Thursday. Since I'm getting the surgery, I decided to take this next quarter off to allow myself to adjust & heal. I was going to get a temp job until I get surgery, but decided I should just focus on the two week fast & my quitting smoking, since that will be stressful on my body. I'm only 6 days into my "time off" and I'm going NUTS! I still have about a month left until I'll be fully healed and off of this one month fast I have to go through. I miss taking the train downtown to cl…

I'm leaving for Mexico tomorrow! I'm scheduled for nose and chin surgery on Thursday at 9am and banding on Friday at 9am. I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited! :banana :banana :banana I want to say thank you to all of you for being so encouraging, I'm so glad to have such a wonderful resource to turn to. I can't wait to meet you all at the Vegas bash! Vera - I'll see you in Monterrey!

I am writing this to help new bandsters. I read a very similar story when I just starting on my journey, and it helped me a great deal. I thought I would 'Pay it Forward' I've posted my stats, with weights and dates and fill levels in my signature. You can see that at this point, more than 6 months after surgery, I've lost about 27 pounds. There are many, many people on this board who have lost this much just in the two week liquid phase after surgery. For quite a while, I would read everything on this board, but I wouldn't post, because I didn't feel like I had anything worthwhile to add. I did not have any restriction after surgery. I lost 10 lbs on the liquid phase…

Hi all, Im 5 weeks post op and following my Doctors Orders. Im now on solids but I thought I was being very clever today and tried Lamb! Well how stupid was I. Must of eaten too quickly as 10 mins later I had the most tremendous pain in my chest.Felt like a ball and I could feel it moving up & down. Then the slime started before the Hiccups. No way was it going down but decided to come back up! This circle continued about 12 times before I finally felt the pain disappear. I guess this must be my first PB but I never expected it to be so painful? Does the pain differ depending on what has caused the PB? Is it normal for a PB to last about an hour??? Thanks

Fear of losing the Weight Loss Battle You won't lose the battle if you are willing to work with the band and do Your part:) But I can almost guarantee: ·You will have plateaus when you first switch to solids until your body gets used to being fed instead of starved (most likely 1-2 weeks but could be 3 like mine was) ·During many plateaus you will lose inches not lbs and finally a larger loss. ·Your loss in the first 30-40 days is a never to be repeated experience so enjoy it Then you begin the long slow journey downward (not upward) ·You will learn the fine art of PB's and what causes them for you is it swallowing air when you eat. Eating too fast.. Not che…

I am starving and i am weak any suggestions to help me before i go to the surgery. Water is not helping.

Hi everyone just looking for people who have been umass in worcester ma I would like to talk to someone who has already been banded and what their experience was bad or good.

My 20 yr old son, in an effort to illustate to me just how much weight he sees I have lost, surprised the hell outta me on Saturday, when he reached down and picked me up (baby style)and kind tossed me up and down (me screaming and laughing all the time). NOBODY has EVER picked me up, ANY way since my adulthood. Not even my husband on our wedding day, across the threshold. I also NEVER allowed anyone to pick me up knowing just how VERY heavy I was. He is no muscle man, but an average 20 yr old (and vertically challanged like me, lol). He said, "Mom, what are you bitching about your weight for? You weigh like nothing anymore." I started crying. He got worried...LOL. Until …

Anyone going to this conference? It looks like fun. http://www.texasbandsterbash.com/

Hi Everyone, I saw my surgeon yesterday and am scheduled for the 5th of April! :laugh I'm so excited! He uses the "Swedish Band" which I'm not familiar with....does anyone know about it? I thought I saw someone who had it in their signature.... I still have a few tests and if all is well it's a go so wish me luck! One funny thing that happened was the dietician asked me how I have dieted and I of course have been on every diet known to man including acupuncture and I told her that the only real success I had was when we could get anphetamines and she rolled her eyes and said that was terrible they could kill you and I just laughed (being the sarcastic one) and said …

Donali, you have been so successful in your weight loss in a really short length of time. Would you please share some of your winning weight loss secrets? In an average day, what are number of meals, and what each meal consists of? Do you weigh and measure your food before eating --- always? Fluids, how much do you try to intake on a given day? Exercise, what form do you enjoy and routinely use? I am so in awe of you. I want to do what I possible can to have a fraction of the success that you have. Any info. that you can share will be greatly appreciated by us lowly peon bandsters.

It's the last Wednesday of the month, people, and that means it's support group time! Tomorrow's meeting is at 7:00 p.m. at the Florham Park offices of Drs. Abkin & Bertha. Hope to see you there!!

Hello! I just found out about a new program at CentraState Hospital in Freehold- it's a comprehensive one year post-op group. It includes nutition and lifestyle classes every first and third Saturday at 10am. The cost is $299 for the year and it is only for bandsters. The first meeting is this Saturday (April 2). Also includes several one-on-one counseling sessions during the year. If anyone would like info, email me at cuillard@comcast.net I'll be there!! P.S. They also have a program for pre-op patients, too. For either program, you do not have to be banded there. I was banded at NYU.

Hello, When I got the band I didn't think about the long term process.. Once I loose the weight will it stay off? I'm not going to go thru the yo yo again, am I? Somestimes I wonder if i should have had another procedure. And what if the weight doesn't come off? What if I only loose 20# and then nothing. Any long timers out there to another these questions and after a year or two does the band still work for you.

Well, I am almost healed and am going to that Dr. today. It seems that all my fat is under my abs so my port it poking out a little. I hope that it settles down. I thought that it was going to be more hidden.

I've had 2 fills and I'm still not losing . I lost 15lbs. in the first 2 weeks after surgery. I'm feeling really depressed. I hope the 3rd fill will be a charm.Time is passing I had my surgery 1/4/05. I thought I would have been a little further along. Feeling like a failure.PLEASE HELP NEED ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks in advance for your support. Monica

I was banded on 3/2/04 and have lost 26 lbs so far. I think that I am, losing muscle instead of fat, I talked to my muscle disease Dr., and we discussed me having the band, and as I have a pre existing medical condition. I have sarcoidosis it affects my muscles, to where they break down, and the Protein from my muscles breaks down, and it turns my urine black like a cup of coffee. It is usually treated with a massive amount of steroids and a couple of weeks in the hospital. My dr. thinks that I may be losing muscle instead of fat, and that I really need to increase my protein intake. I have only been drinking slimfast shakes, and he thinks that is not enough. He tol…

I just tracked my calories for the last several days, and I haven't broken 900 calories. I probably won't break 600 today. I'm not hungry and I'm not tired. I'm still on mostly liquids, only now venturing into the wide world of mush.

Okay, it's tuesday night and you are having surgery tomorrow 3/23 with Dr Ponce...Eliza's getting her ba-and, Elizas' getting her ba-and (song stolen from vinesqueen, thanks, it's cute) Post as soon as you can and let us know how you are feeling! Happy Banding!!!

I am in need of a little fill and don't really want to take a day off of work and drive for 3 hours to get it. There is a woman 20 min. away from me that does them for $75. I only want about .2 or .3 cc's. I wouldn't tell my surgeon about it in fear that he would drop me as a paitent. What would you do?

I am not sure what the deal is, but my band feels like it doesn't work after 5pm. I have restriction during the day which keeps me from over eating, but by dinner time I can eat way way more than I would like to. This is the time that I am the most hungry and it seems like my band is almost non existent. What is the deal? I have had one fill so far and that was about 3 wks ago.

How soon after surgery should you get a fill? I had surgery on 3/19 and I am trying to schedule a fill, they said the 29th, is this normal? S WIlliams

Hi everyone! Long time lurker and have a general question. Does anyone know why the ban on caffeine before surgery and three months post op? My surgery date in May 20th but have been doing all of the preop requirements since January and am seriously missing my coffee in the morning!

I had my lap band surgery back in August. Recently I have had the urge to smoke again and have done so. Besides the obvious dangers of smoking which should scare me enough to quit what are the added dangers I face with the band?

Hello all, I had my lap band 2 days ago, and have felt awful since. I can't seem to stop dry heaving, and Dr. Kwon just said to stop taking the liquid vicodin, but that hasn't stopped the pukiness! Any suggestions or has anyone else had this problem. I constantly feel like something is sitting on my diaphragm too, is that normal? Vauren NY