LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Look at Belighter.com under Support Team. AnnMarie is gone and Shelly is President. Good for a laugh or two huh? This after she privated me her long post that was clipped originally, like I care. I hope all who wanted to sue them started...may be too late? Sue Shelly now, it is the same company. Best Wishes, Brad

I just had this HUGE sneeze and felt every muscle in my body tighten up (especially around the tummy) and then release. And then it hit me-----Big sneezes with the band????? Does it feel any different??? Two weeks from being banded, and inventing new questions to ask!!!!!! Go figure!

When I do my exercising every day, I feel so much better. I can actually feel the difference when I walk, stand up, bend over, sleep, go shopping, ride my motorcycle, and so many more things. I make better choices when I eat, I am happier, and healthier. SO........Why is it so hard for me to get myself to start each day? I can think of a thousand excuses not to exercise. It just doens't make sense to me when it makes me feel so good!

hI all this is Brenda and she is considering the Band too....Welcome her to the site BOBBY_Hamrick

Hi everyone, I am really down today :cry . I had my first fill a week and a half ago, and I think there is something wrong (I got 1.8cc). I can have Soups and my Protein Drinks, chopped up chicken (like chicken salad), and even a Protein Bar (like pria). But the thing is, I tried scrambled eggs today, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. The pain was incredible. I don't understand. This has happened for the last week, I think I can eat something, and then BAM! :eek it hits me like a ton of bricks. I know my fill is what it is supposed to be, because they did a fluorio and counted the seconds it took for the liquid to go through. The doctor said it had to…

Guys this band works. Even when you're too busy to work it. I started out wearing size 54 pants, and they were getting tight. Today I put on a pair of 48's and had to keep hitching 'em up all day. Yippee.

In the November 4-2003 issue of Family Circle they have an article about Weight Loss surgery and the Lap-Band is mentioned...but here is some advice they gave when looking for a Dr. I will post what they said about the lap-band in another post. Since all bariatric surgeries involve considerable risks, it is vialt to ask as many questions as possible, including the following, before deciding if a procedure is right for you: 1. Does the surgeon work with a team? Will a doctor, nutritionist and therapist screen you? Be wary of those planning little presurgery evaluation and follow-up. 2. Does the Doctor keep data on patients? Don't be concerned solely with how ma…

Yes that's right, Monterrey Mexico to be exact. For those of you that don't know my total story....here's a few bits of previous posts that will explain my situation. I posted this a year ago I went for a blind fill yesterday and this is how it went: Dr. numbed port area, inserted hebber needle. Went to withdraw old saline/fill, only got .5cc's out, previous fill 10 weeks ago was at 3.5cc's(I'm thinking I have big gremlins). He pulled that needle out and got a brand new needle and again nothing came out. So he put 2cc's in then tried to get that out...nothing. Pulled the needle out and tried again...nothing would come out, not even a drop. The questions start "whe…

Well, I finally got some restriction with my last fill, but I still don't get any signals that it is time to stop eating before it is too late. I take one bite and the next thing I know I feel like I have eaten way too much and I am uncomfortable. While I know I am not eating that much, I just can't seem to stop in time. I have not had any PB's or slime. Any suggestions?

hey there. i'm a 25 yr/old female from canada, and just resently i set the date to get my lap-band! I was wonderingif there is anybody out there thats my age, that could tell me about there experience with getting there lap-band? did it work for you? what kind of medication did you take after the procedure? did it hurt? Anything you wish to share. I'd love to here from anyone. thanks again, Iamcanadian25.

I am 2-1/2 weeks post-op. At my one week follow-up doctor said I can have anything that can go through a funnel - he ok'ed hummus and oatmeal. So since then here is what I have tried: Tomato Soup butternut squash soup hummus farina oatmeal spinach dip (the one you put in the bread bowl) guacamole refried Beans pea soup (had some very soft carrots and ham but I chewed it really well) chocolate covered halva (had to have something sweet but through the rest away after a taste!) cheese chewed to mush a few goldfish crackers chewed to mush mashed potatoes polenta veggie pate I have to say that some of these items won't go through a funnel but are they stil…

I had my third fill A week ago today. I felt ok ...though I kept to liquids almost 4 days. I have gradually tried soft foods beginning Monday but felt such uncomfortable feeling in my chest . The hiccups began and then I gagged a few times . Not alot came up infact almost nothing but I really have not eaten anything anyway. I guess Tuesday I felt I really better make sure I have a protein drink, some gatorade or something because I felt I could be heading for dehydration. Wednesday I felt awful just soooo uncomfortable and nauseas. I gagged four times during the day. My stomach is killing me from the muscles I guess and my throat from throwing up nothing. Today I …

The way Dr. McKean did it was, To fill with contrast while watching under fluoroscopy to see if the contrast leaks out. Don Mills of Inamed suggested the same process when I spoke with him yesterday. Is there any other ways?

I love this site =) There's a support group in my area that meets once a month. Once a month? Whateva! I know a support site like this can't replace a doctor's advice, but we all know how hard doctors are to get a hold of. It's SO nice to be able to get a quick answer (or even search instead of post and get a QUICKER answer) when you're worried about something. And it's nice to have some place to "hang out" where you KNOW you won't be judged. I love you guys =) Jonathan

Sigh...I have lost 70-72 lbs (depending on the week I weigh in) and have stalled out. This I can handle because I know the chocolate demon has discovered my name (again) and has been calling me daily. I am working on sending him back down to hell where he belongs. However, seeing this demon rekindle his evil relationship with me is discouraging and depressing. I thought I had this beat!!! I have an 2 yr old living in my brain saying, "I don't wanna!" I want to find my inner child and kick her little ass.....Anyway, for those of you joining my pity party...please take all the chocolate home with you...or toss it out your car windows or whatever....CALGON...TAKE ME AWAY! …

I usually weigh myself 3 times. I don't know why, I just do, LOL!!! This morning the first weight was 215, second 220.5, third 218. What the hell????? My scales aren't terribly old, what's going on here? I must need a new set. Can anyone recommend a reliable brand that I can depend on and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Thanks!

I've been getting the hiccups a lot lately. (At least they don't hurt anymore.) Anyone else have a higher rate of getting the hiccups, either right after being banded, or just with the band in *hic* general? Jonathan

I got my approval letter today in the mail. I thought that it would take longer. Whooo hooooooo. For all the United Healthcare insurance people there is hope.

Well the fill is in today. I got .6 and made a huge diffeence. From the looks of things I had little restriction now that is changed. I weighed in at 234 so I have managed to lose anyway. I have high hopes now again. I am still exercising. According to records I was in last January of 04 for the last fill. I've dropped little over the year like 10 lbs. Lot of cheating though. They did let me in on something I had not thought about. The Dr. claimed there is some Fat around the banded area and once this erodes or is lost it will allow less restriction. It seemed to me that I was able to eat more after like 6 months from last fill I was comcerned. Everything looks greaT .…

I guess I just need a little pep talk. Honestly, I've been so lucky with the lap band. No complications and weight loss has been great (87 lbs 6 1/2 months).But for the last 5 weeks, I am so stuck between 216 and 220. I'm positive that I am following the rules, joined a gym and feel great. I guess that I'm scared of failure now. That somehow my body has maxed out at 87 and won't let me go any further. I still need to lose at least 50 pounds, and like so many previous diet attempts, I can lose a certain amount, feel comfortable (not happy) with my size and then, WHAM..here comes all the weight back. I mean, how long can a plateau last? I feel like, well if I'm follow…

I am posting this because I wanted to get something off of my mind, and I thought you all would be the best people to tell. It is kind of a detailed story, so please bare with me. So, I had my pre-Lap Band final visit on Monday (2/7). Everything was going great, and then the fellow came in. The fellow is the Surgeon's fellow-a Dr. who helps out. I thought it was funny he was a fellow, and a fellow!!! He came into the room and said, "We have a problem, a big problem." Keep in mind, my surgery is this Thursday, and there have been no problems so far. So, I was a little startled. He said that since I have gained weight (6 lbs) since I first came into the clinic-that they…

O.K. Darcy, you have worked so hard to get below that 200 pound mark, you deserve your own thread! Congradulations! I am doing the "Happy Dance" for you! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana I am so proud of you! Whooooo Hooooo! You did it! :Bunny :Bunny

Just thought I would post an article regarding the band that was in a magazine in November of 2003! N-Joy

I'm having the band on March 1. Here's my big concern that they can't really tell me about in my town because I'm one of the first four to get it done: I'm a single Mom of a busy 21-month old little girl. The surgeon said I'll of course be able to lift her up "Uppie Mama" right after surgery (i.e., next day) but I wanted to hear from others who had had the surgery to find out how they have tolerated it and what the first few days after were like. Can you move? Work? Is there pain? How much? Thanks! GG

I was approved today and I am so very excited about this! United Health Care PPO s great! I got my approval in 16 days. I found out after 10 days you can ask for an "Expidite" and then you will have an answer in 7 days. Words can not express my eagerness to begin my new life. My surgery date is Dec 17. I am looking forward to meeting some Houston Bandsters in person before long. I hated to miss the Galveston get together. I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Spivak and he certaining is a nice person, along with his whole office crew, from what I have encountered so far.

I went in today for a fill after going a couple of weeks ago and not getting a fill because the port could not be located. So I went for a fluoroscope today and still couldn't get a fill. The surgeon informed me I would have to have surgery again that apparently the port is flipped and the sutures have torn away from the port. Has anyone else had this happen? It has been an emotional roller coaster for the past two weeks as this would have been my first fill. I so want to fill the restriction again I can eat most anything and just have to use lots of willpower. I don't want to gain what I've lost so far, but haven't lost anything the last 2 weeks.

Hello, I need a fill doctor in so. WI. Surgery in MX but need fill up here. Also, do you know $$? Thanks, Dawn

I haven't gotten to the food stage yet of my banding but I have read a lot of threads where people say they "can't tolerate" certain foods. I am just wondering what kind of effects you mean when you say you can't tolerate something? Is this like severe pain, throwing up or just a feeling of bloating? Is it ever possible to tolerate a slice of pizza again? That is the one food I seem to want more than anything, even though I didn't eat it much before surgery. Has anyone else noticed that their tastebuds seemed to change after surgery? I mean I used to love sweets and candies and now anything sweet is like 100 times sweeter to me and it is just too sweet for my tasteb…

ok guys the website is coming along great I'm getting a ton of feedback and I thank you. I'm also being asked what do I need so I'm gonna make a list and chage it as things progress. (please email me responses katie@griffonco.com) 2/9/05- This is what I'm in search for at the moment: Before & After Pictures Success Stories (before and after pictures welcome for this) Any information you think is important for those who are considering the surgery, including: Making a decision, Starting the process, preparing for surgery, about thoughts and feelings throughout this process, recovering from the surgery, dealing with physical changes.. well pretty much …

I had my second fill and finally restriction. I am still getting used to the feelings though. No matter what I eat the first few bites are uncomfortable going down. But if I sit there they will eventually pass and then I can eat with no problems slowly. Am I supposed to keep eating after this uncomfortable period or should I stop completely once I feel this? It is usually the first or second bite that hurts and then I chew well and everything else goes down fine. I know a girl at work that stops eating after the two bites that hurt...she has lost 85 pounds in 6 months. If I stopped eating everytime I felt a little pain I would never eat more than one bite of anythi…

hi i was wondering boy do i need to go back to work too much time to think all these crazy questions lol well here is it does the majority of the banded people expernice pb,s and vomiting all the time or just when you eat too fast and don,t chew right is the trancition from liquids to solids going to be easier then i think and a another question this is way out there has anybody tolrating popcorn in small amts just wondering thanks julie

Hee, hee....Did I get your attention? Well, this is a legit post. I just wanted to know what everyone wore home from the hospital. My doc says "loose fitting clothes." Well, if all of my stuff wasn't so darn tight, then maybe I wouldn't be needing this surgery so bad. Seriously, sweatpants? Should I go out and get something that's really loose? Just wondering? I'm gettting sooooo excited!

Hey guys, I went for my first fill 2 weeks ago. He pulled 2cc's of Fluid out of my Vanguard band. I had no idea that he gave me a fill during surgery, but that would explain the restriction I had. Anyways, he put 4.5 cc's back in and I dont feel much restriction. In fact, I get hungry about 2 hours after I eat. I can eat a little bit more too. Some days I feel more restriction than others but its all so inconsistant. I am scheduled to go back in 4 weeks. Should I try to get another fill or stick this out for a while?

Okay, I know most of you know I was in a car accident last week. I don't know if this problem is related but it is driving me nuts. For about 2 days after the accident my port area really was very tender and sore. I don't think the seatbelt rubbed or pulled on it in the accident and thought maybe I had just slept on it wrong. Sometimes that happens. That pain has gone away but now I have a needle like pain in the same area anytime I bend over or lean. I thought it was initially coming from a scar further down because there was a little bump on it and a needle size sore on it but now I am pretty sure it really is coming more from the port region itself. My job takes LOTS o…

- I can eat anything and as much of it as I want.... getting my first fill next Tuesday (thank God)... my question is, is it normal to have no restriction but still PB if I don't chew properly? I am chewing well, just clearly not well enough. Just wondering if I do have restriction but maybe am ignoring my "you are full" signs.... This whole head hunger vs. real hunger is so hard, unless I get to the point where I am physically starving. I am so worried about this fill too? Has anyone had it done with no numbing meds? It seems like I'll be taking one needle so I don't feel the second needle, wonder if I should bother with the numbing stuff... what do you think? …

Has anyone been filled by Dr.Felix Spiegel(In Houston) and how was it????? Does anyone know a fill doctor in Houston, that does fills on other patients?

I know this is off the banding subject but my car has been totalled and I'm stuck looking for a dependable vehicle at a reasonable cost. I am going to go look at 2 Ford Taurus's (2000 and a 2001) today. I used to own an 89 Taurus and it lasted forever but occassionally had some minor but expensive problems. The newer ones sound very nice but wanted to get some opinions. People seem to love or hate them and there does seem to be some lemon ones out there. I personally loved my 94 nissan sentra and planned on having it at least a few more years. It seems like anything quality like Honda's, Toyota's or Subaru's either have a ton of miles on them or are out of my price range.…

Would someone please explain what a pb is ? I hope I am not going to regret asking this.

Yep...I got it this weekend. I hadn't been feeling all that great for several days. Then I went out to dinner and started to feel a little queasy...but I just thought, I won't eat any popcorn at the movie and I"ll be fine. Well, half way through the movie "Wedding Date", they start talking about throwing up and well, that was all I could take. I calmly walked to the bathroom and barely made it into the stallbefore it started. Holy crap, with the first spasm I thought I was going to pull my band right off my stomach and throw it up. It hurt like an SOB, let me tell you! Then I kept throwing up, but nothing came up. It was horrid!!! After I stopped dry heaving, I bur…

I had the weridest call today.. Not werid, but to me, Im confused.... Let me start off by saying.. I have had 1 appointment with my Dr. I guess to just talk.. thats all we really did anyway. I had my Dietain appointment over the phone, not even in person. and I had my Psych Evaluation. My paper work for the Ins. is still in process. I have talked to my Dr.'s asstaint over the phone a few times just discussing the other Appointments. Thats were I am now.. Or this morning... Okay I read and read and read this site and others, So many diffrent things, Tests... appointments... everything like its all organized. Anyway, Im here sitting online and my phone rings.. its my D…

Greetings all, As a faithful reader of the last month or so, I feel I know many of you already. I really didn't expect to find myself actually messaging; thought I'd just gather info about this banding experience and get on with myself. Anyway, banded by Dr. Ortiz on 1/14. All went well - on the beach within two days and back to work the nest week. Basically followed the requirements of clear liquids week 1; mushies week 2 & 3 (although one might question my interpretation of "mushie"). Only lost about 5 lbs but knew I was in the healing phase and when the real food came all would kick-in. Well, that hasn't happened. It seems I've been able to eat lots (right …

This is for all the Louisiana bandsters that aren't true Cajuns! I'm from Nortwest Louisiana and my doc is George Merriman in Shreveport. So far my experiences with him and his staff have been EXCELLENT. My surgery date is Feb 28th. I'll post more then. Until then, I'd love to hear from anyone that may have used him. He's historically been the best bypass doc in town and just started doing the bands recently. I think I'm gonna be #75 or so. Happy Mardi Gras!

Hi guys, I'm new on here, and I'd just like to tell you all first how thrilled I am with how well ur getting on. I am in the UK, and my sister has had a band in for around 7 years, and has had nothing but problems. Her port keeps moving and bands have broken, it's been hell. I'm so proud of her tho, she's just kept going, and has lost approx 13.5 stones since she first started. But she still can't eat normally, she vomits almost everything. She's been coping really well tho, and doing what she can. But she recently had a stroke(age 34!!) and isn't coping so well. Nothing's staying down, and I feel like she's fading away from me. I've been researching, and reading your pos…

I want to ask if anyone has had a similar problem, in the last week I have had two episodes of PBing, I ate too fast I think, well anyways I felt like I was choking and couldn't grasp air. I ran to the bathroom and after I PB, I went to the sink to wash my face and my nose was bleeding, and it wasn't like I strained bad when I PB, is this normal? has this happened to anyone? I also wanted to ask if anyones port vibrates, or jumps while laying down, feels weird, like its jumping inside or something? Is that normal???? Just when I think that I understand this, something new is sent my way. Thanks.

There has been a rash of activity on here regarding Belighter.com and Ann Marie. As a result two threads have been locked. The offending posts have been deleted or trimmed. Currently, Ann Marie is using the name Hanna or Banding101. If you are disturbed by any other posts, threads, pms, and/or e-mails... please pm one of the moderators so this can be resolved (quickly and quietly). This notice is in no way meant to start an uproar from any party. Please, let's get back to the purpose of this forum....Support for LapBandsters!

Hi guys, as a couple of you saw I am starting a website that compiles a ton of info about this whole process but its far from complete. I really need help with it so someone suggested I reach out to you guys and here I am! I think my first post was lost in confusion so now that I have the design done I am really in need of some help. The website is www.banded.info be warned its still in the works but I think if people see what I'm doing I may get more help hehe. The message board links that is on the site will all link to this website once its done, for now I've thrown up a developer board so its easier to communicate the stuff I'm lacking. but feel free to p…

Hi all, I've been looking into weight loss surgery for a few months but have yet to follow thru. I'm 5"7" and well over 300lb. In my search I discovered the Lap Band proceedure. From what I've read it seems to be the safest of all the weight loss surgeries. I'm in the San Diego, CA area. Does anyone have a doctor in this area that they can recommend? svanessa

My job has its ups and downs. Right before the 1st and the 15th of every month, our office is a madhouse of activity and it's all I can do to keep afloat. But in the intervening periods there are always a few days of absolute, deadly BOREDOM. So what do I do? Nibble. I just nibbled my way through the entire middle of my ham-and-brie sandwich, PLUS half of the french-bread roll!! It's easy to eat if you nibble. COME ON, PHONE, RING!!! Save me from myself!! What do you do when there's nothing to do and you're trapped?

Happy 28th Birthday Michelle I read you get a fill today, hope it helps you get back on track.

I chose a surgeon to perform my surgery and just found out that he charges a $3500-$4000 "aftercare program" fee that is mandatory, not covered by insurance, and due at least 2 weeks before surgery. I thought this sounded extreme and I found another surgeon who charges $750 for basically the same program. The first surgeron told me that this fee covers fills for 2 years, a support group, dietician, and "access to him and his staff." I was told by the office of the new surgeon that fills are usually covered anyway by BCBS if they cover the surgery, and that I shouldn't have to pay for "access" to the staff. I'm just a little confused about all of this and not sure if th…