LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hello Everyone, I know it's been a long time since I posted. But i'm mad. I went for my 1st fill today and it did not go well. It seems that my port has flipped somewhow. So I wasn't able to get a fill. I have to go back in a week or so to have revision done. But, it's going to take longer than that since i have to wait on referarral from insurance. I am just so discussted (excuse spelling). It just seems that if it weren't for bad luck i wouldn't have any. I'm just destined to be fat for the rest of my life. Ok that's one story, I went back to work last week, things were fine, but now i'm off another week already my back went out on me, my doctor says …

I was wondering if anyone had tried and either had trouble or success with eating beef jerkey. I used to LOVE the stuff when I was a kid and since I have been having these terrible snack cravings (especially at work when everyone else is munching on crackers and microwave popcorn) that jerkey might be a good way to get the protein in but wasn't sure if it was too dry or chewy to go through well. Heck, I don't even know if the stuff is good for me anyway with all the sodium and sometimes sugar content but I was just wondering.

You know I still struggle with what and what not to eat. My best days is Oatmeal (1 Cup) for breakfast with raisins and honey with a cup of TAZO Green Tea. Healthy huh! Then I eat really lean the rest of the day also. This goes on for a few days yet i return to my Spanish food bonanzas. Yeah I can still eat most anything especially with liquid preferably a magaritta so this has been whay it has taken me so long to lose and also what holds me up. I am posting this ticker and telling you all this in an effort to make progress. I have to stay out of these Resturaunts! :chinese After 4 fills I sometimes feel like I should go for another yet I am reluctant because I think I …

I met with Dr. Lopez this month and asked him why he has so many recent erosions. He didn't lie or dance around the issue, he was honest and simply doesn't know the answer. I'm under the impression that Inamed was on his tail about all his erosions because they questioned his technique. He explained to Inamed that his technique hasn't changed. Lopez asked Inamed how many erosions he had the previous year - they said, "zero." I asked Lopez if perhaps there was a bad batch of bands. His eyebrows raised and his shoulders lifted as if he wanted to say it was a possiblity, but all he could say was he doesn't know. I read his body movement and facial expressions as we…

Greeting! I have a question.. If you have Good Restriction or have reached your "sweet spot": 1). How much solid food should one be able to eat? 2). How long should food stay in the pouch before you feel it sliding down?

My question to you is whether or not anyone here has had this happen to them in between fills. Ever have the saline dissipate, dissolve, leak, disappear....etc...etc....??? Makes me curious now. I know the saline is safe and can't harm you; but I was just wondering. Here's what happened: I went to the surgeon today for my 2nd fill, which was supposed to be 1/2cc. I scheduled one because since the day after Christmas I have been hungry between meals and was not satisfied with the amount of food i was used to eating. The doctor said I was losing steadily, and have not gained, but had not lost as much as he would like since 12/1/04; but was still losing. An…

I am going to attend - I am a newbie and it will be my first "big bandster" event. If others are attending, would love to meet folks face to face!

I wanted to get back in and catch you all up. You were all so helpful or rather are do helpful to me. My last issue was family related in that my daughter had moved out. I'm happy to report that she is home and seemingly humbled. I believe she lerned some valuable lessons and I let her find her own way with my support instaed of making demands. Remember our relationships are or should be based on trust and caring not aurthority and intimidation. I feel really good about everything now we are all together and the stress level has been returned to normal. My blood psi was 128/81 yesterday and 56 BPM. I have been back at the gym for two weeks after skimpining along throu…

OMG!!!! This morning were getting ready to go to the stock show, so I was trying to decide which jeans to put on when I ran across my size 16 Lee's. I haven't been able to wear them in almost 2 years, but this morning they slid right on with no problems!!! I can't believe I'm finally seeing a result from having this lapband!!!

Hello, Im from Albuquerque, New Mexico! Is there anyone else from my area that has the LapBand or is looking in to getting one?

Monte Carlo Hotel (on the strip) Sunday 29th May (Registration) and Monday 30th May Meetings and Dance. (Monday is Memorial Day, and of course is a holiday!!!!) Hotel room rate is $89 per night and for a 4* poperty on the strip on Memorial day is fantastic!! This year we will have our usual Bandster Discussion groups on various topics, but the guest Doctors, Plastic Surgeons and various speakers will probably be geared more toward Q & A sessions rather than just a straight lecture. So come and join us for some education and fun in the greatest City in the World! Registration details and website will be available any day now. Watch this space. Here is …

Surgery went fine...got home last night didnt sleep well gas gas gas gas ewwww but feel a little better today walking walking as much as possible...go see doc next week...gonna be fun fun..... thanks for all you guys support

Wooooo hoooo, I went to my Dr. Appointment today and left with the surgery date of my choice. Febuary 18th. One week after my last show, 3 weeks before my next show and a friday so Angus can be with me on the weekend. Yay! I am soooo excited. I really dont feel to nervous, but lets see me on my pre op testing date. LOL, WUSS! Thanks for being my support system, your soon to be banded sister,

My sister lives in another town and has a schedule which is opposite from mine, so we don't get to see each other that often. I last saw her about three or four months ago. Today we decided to meet in a town half-way between hers and mine for lunch. I was waiting outside my car at the appointed meeting place. My sister said she almost didn't say anything to me. She thought it was me at first, but then decided it couldn't be because I was too thin! Nancy

I just turned 38 Saturday . I actually weighed in and had reached a number I had hoped I would make by that day....I went upstairs and pulled out some jeans I have not put on in five years the last time I was that number. I can't believe this is actually happening. This band just stopped me dead in my tracks. I simply cannot overeat anymore! I am so busy with my kids and schedule even if I don't get the "right " foods in me that day , I still am ok because I did not overeat! I can't eat certain things and others surprisingly I still can. I am ready to add exercise now and plan to begin this week. I really feel I have hope for reaching my goals ....I don't feel de…

I keep getting hiccups.... actually, that should be HICCUP (not plural). Several times a day I get one hiccup. Any idea what that is about? Think it will hurt my band since I am less than two weeks post op? I am on full fluids if that means anything... Never in the world did I think a hiccup would worry me, lol. HELP!

OK. I got on the board this morning in order to get some advice for the weird thing my band is doing and already I've read 3 other posts of people who are experiencing the exact same thing I am. I had my first fill on the 2nd on December and I have never felt any real restriction from it. Mostly, I've just had to keep myself on track. I was scheduled for my second fill this morning but due to passing of my grandmother, I am now in Texas with my daughter to be with my family and to Celebrate her life. Of course as with any funeral, there has been TONS of food and I have been very good but just to give you an idea of my minimal restriction lately, in the last week, I hav…

I have yet ANOTHER question. My port site (5 days post op) is firm, bruised, has a bit of a sensation like it's pulling or that something is tight, and when I put my hand flat over it I can feel a bump about the size of a tablespoon that is rounded and kind of firm right under the skin. Is this Normal swelling or should I be worried about something else? (YIKES!) I don't know if it's just implanted kind of shallow??? I do know that I have the new Mini port (not yet FDA approved). Just wondering if I should be concerned. THANKS!

Thank You For All Replies It Was Great The Support.i Am Going To Be Banded Instead Of The Bypass. But With Me Its Tough I Have Alot Of Health Problems And I Dont Know If The Doc Will Do. First Of All I Have Liver Problems And Now I Have A Large Vein In My Throat That I Had Bands Put On Already To Shrink So I Dont Know If They Will Do This For Me. My Question Is Does Anyone Have Any Of These Problems Also Or Any Kind Of Stomach Problems Maybe One Of You Can Ask Your Doctor If I Would Be A Canidate Please Please Please.i Am So Sick Of Being Trapped In This Body At 32yrs Old.

Hi Everyone, Can band slippage occur from sex? Also, how soon after being banded can you have sex! (seems like the motion in that area would cause problems) OK...Im ready for these responses!!!! (and yes I have, but very carefully) Staci Orlando FL banded in Mexico 12-14-04 "Well behaved women rarley make history"

Hi everyone haven't posted in a while, I went and had my second fill because I thought I was eating more. Something was trying to tell me I shouldn't get this fill. I went in Monday the 10th got poked 5 times Dr. couldn't find the right spot. So I had to go back in on Wednesday to have it done with floro, well on my way I got stuck in traffic for a hour. There was a bad accident one of the figure skaters in town for the competion was in a roll over and her mother was killed. It was awful. Well the doctor was still able to do my fill. It went well I even got pictures. I drank 2 small cups of water before I left, seemed to be ok. The Dr. said take it easy on liquids for th…

I just love to see pics of everyone and their families/significant others so I thought I would start a thread to let everyone show us what inspries you. I mean, I know we all want to lose the weight to get healthy and have longer lives or to regain our self-confidence but what is it, underneath the health issues and vanity that truly inspires you? What makes you keep going everytime you start to feel down or feel like you are going to fail?. Or what keeps you from giving up and heading down the old path of head hunger and complacity with your life? I know that my true inspiration and the final reason I made the decision to have this done is my daughter. And not so much …

I know I should post this in the fills section- it just seems that not many people visit there:( here's my question: The closest fill Dr. for me is Dr. Hoekstra in Elkhart, In. Has anyone used him for a fill? If so how much was it? I got his name from Dr. Kuri's office, and I want to set up an appt. for my first fill, just in case he's booked out a month or so in advance. Also, does anyone know if he uses flouro.? Thanks~! Pati

Hi All, First, Ive lost 22lbs in one month! YEAH!!! Tomorrow I drive to Miami (4hours) for my first fill. But, I have a concern. My time of the month (period) will start tonight, and I had herad that can affect a fill. True??? Should I wait?? This fill is $600 and a 8 hour drive, so I want it to work well. Help, any suggestions. Staci Orlando FL banded in Mexico 12-14-04 "Well behaved women rarley make history"

hi everyone, it is now day six after my surgery, and man this is hard, i am on a clear liquid diet, and i just can not seem to find anything that makes me happy to eat, i thought maybe if i wrote to all of you, you could maybe help me out on find more things i can eat, the foods i am eating now is (Water,tea,coffee,broth,Jello,sherbet,popcycles,skin milk,juice, i can have yogurt for my protien, but i have to make sure it is watered down.) i dont get hungry much, but when i am, i just dont even want to eat any of thoses things because they are so plain, and i have had those for so long now and it is driving me nuts, so i have just been really drinking water, and stuff, be…

As most of you may know, I am exactly two weeks post op as of today (Monday). For the past four or five days I've been experiencing burning pain around the band area of my tummy. It has caused the entire area to become sore. I was not having this before, in fact I thought I was healing very well. It all started a few nights ago when I was repositioning myself in bed as I slept when suddenly I got this sharp pain each time I would move. So, I just layed there and was still for a while. But it seems that since them I'm having severe burning. It is very uncomfortable. Initially, I thought it was a part of the healing process. But it hasn't gotten any better yet. …

Is it normal to have a bruise after a fill? I had my fill on Tuesday, but I just noticed this big black bruise today. The radiologist jabbed that needle into my port so hard, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. No wonder I have felt so tender all week! As if my purple incision weren't purty enough!!!

Okay so I have said tricare approved my approval- Well I am still being told by Dr. Smiths office (AFTER tricare called them personaly and told them its covered) that tricare won't pay for the lap band but they will cover the bypass. Makes no dam* sence to me at all.. I told them and told them they will but they wont believe for or them and they say in a stuck up way "well we can send them the paper work but don't be disappointed when a letter comes in the mail saying it wasnt approved!" I am only having the stuck up attitude form Tammy the insurance cord. for Dr. Smiths office.. I want to pull my hair out.. I called the tricare referral line again to double check my refe…

Ice cream was pretty much the only sweets we ever had too. I came from a very dysfunctional place too. My father was an abusive alcoholic and my mother was a very sick co-dependant. We were very poor due to my father's escapades - drinking up the pay check/bailing out of jail. Not a pretty picture, I know. However, his favorite thing was ice cream after dinner in the evening. If we had anything more than ice cream as dessert, it was definitely a holiday or guests were around. So, that's the one habit that we all inherited. Ice cream in the evening. My brother still thinks he has to have half a gallon at a sitting. I'm much better, although it's been hard. It's oka…

Well tommorow is the day....the countdown is over with....have to be at the hospital at five am gee lol.....the chickens aint even up at that time......Well I am ready...sinus are draining still a little...wonder if that will matter ....and I am a little horse from it....gee I hate having allergies......oh well only tommorow will tell...... Take care everyone see ya tommorow eve let ya know how it goes...... <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/"> <img border="0" src="<A href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;0;105;0;0/c/0/t/-79/k/6748/weight.png"></a">http://www.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;0;105;0;0/c/0/t/-79/k/6748/weight.png"></a> …

hi, everyone, i am so happy to be able to speak to you all everyday, it has made me feel so much better everyday to be able to speak to someone, i dont want to call the doctors all the time because i feel like i would be bothing the nurses to much, so that is why i like to write to you all. in the last letter i wrote to all of you, i asked you all what other things i can eat because of a clear liquid diet was driving me nuts, well i did speak to the nurses today and they said i can have creamy Soups, but i have to Water them down, so that they are not to creamy, but at least i can have more options then what i had with just the broths, so i am a little more happy, at le…

For those that are banded-- Do you know if you forever will be getting filled on & off throughout the years? Or does one find that "perfect" fill & remain there for a lifetime? If you get lots of fills throughout a year & have a small band, once its down to nothing , can it stretch out? I read alot about bandsters getting fills & wanting more to feel good. So I am just curious as to: is there a time when we won't need fills? Or is it that we feel tight than get used to it & want to feel tighter & than tighter & so forth? Thank you for your toughts

I saw something somewhere about a lap band cruise coming up this summer (2005). Can someone tell me where to get more info about it? I can't seem to find it. Thanks.

Awesome Hi-Protein/Low-Carb/Hi-Fiber Foods/Site!!! I was in Walgreens a while back and picked up a lone can of KETO Hot Cereal - Old Fashioned oatmeal. The reason it caught my eye was because, not only does it have 3g of net carbs, it also has 9g of Fiber, and 17g of protein!!! In Diabetic Exchanges, one serving = 2 vegetables and 2 lean meat exchanges. And, best of all, it tastes great! Their website was shown on the package, and there are tons of products....and it also lists the nutritional information. There is probably a location near you!!! Check it out....you will love it!!! Great way to get in the extra Protein and fiber without the high carbs…

Well, these bands are definitely a mystery. Last night, while sleeping, I had the strangest thing happen. Before bed, I had eaten my normal 4 oz of yogurt to take my nighttime meds with and all was well. I don't do well with just drinking water and taking them. I have one that has gotten hung up in the past, if I don't take it with something like food, ice cream/yogurt, etc, so I try never to take it any other way. Anyway, I may have laid down sooner than I usually do, because around 1:50am while sleeping, I became aware of this constant, excessive salivating. I was having to keep swallowing in my sleep. Eventually, I woke up and went to the restroom to make sure all …

Please mark your calendars for the next 3 Lap Band Support Group Meetings: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 6:30 PM Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 6:30 PM Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 6:30 PM For further info: Office - 586-774-8811 Nancy - Email - NANCYSMILES@GMAIL.COM

Hi there, I'm going for my first fill tomorrow but with a doctor other than the one that fitted my Lapband. How many cc's of solution is normal for the first fill? I don't want to be over filled (ever, but especially with the first fill) but I have to pay 150 euros for each fill so I don't want to be significantly underfilled each time either. A bit of a quandry but will be easier if I know the amount that is "usual". Lapband Germany 22/11/04

Hey ya'll, My first confession 5 days out! I am supposed to be on clear liquid..ie..broth,gatorade,liquid jello, tea, etc.. And I have been absolutely hungry. It seems like everything is going right through me and I am sure it is....sooooo I tried a fudgsicle which led to sugar free pudding last night. This morning when I woke up I was still hungry and I decided that since the pudding didn't hurt me I should try a protien shake. And now after sipping water and crystal lite all day, I got hungry again. I have resorted to my old ways of standing in front of the food pantry trying to find anything to stick to my ribs. I found a package of instant mashed potatoes and made th…

This is for people who like to cook and like spicy foods. Tortillas 1 tablespoon butter, melted 2 (10-inch) fat-free flour tortillas Soup 1 tablespoon butter 1 med. onion, divided into quarters 1 chipotle pepper (opt. for more spice; make sure you seed pepper) 1 to 2 tbsp of adobe sauce (from chipotle pepper) 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic 1-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 2 (14-1/2 oz.) cans chicken broth or vegetable broth or homemade Five fresh tomatoes 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/2 cup lowfat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro fresh ground pepper, three twists 1. Heat oven to broil. Core tomatoes …

I have read about people using Protein powders and making Protein shakes, also adding the powders to other foods.....and drinks. Where can I find these??? Does anyone have recipes or recipe sites or books on the use of these protein supplements??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Nancy

SOrry for the disgusting question, but I was banded two days ago by Dr. Kuri and I feel like I need to have a HUGE burp but can't get it out. Any suggestions on how to relieve this or on what is causing this? My stomach growls constantly so I've been sipping clear liquids all day and night, but these gas bubbles are driving me crazY! thanks , Pati

Today I decided to call TRICARE to check and see if my referral had gone though yet or not- I was shocked to hear that it was APPROVED! I had to replay it like 3 times before it sunk in. I was about to bust into tears. So, now all I ave to do is all my appointments needed for the LAP band. You dont even know how happy I am.. Well I am sure you all know the feeling.. Just wanted to share the news.. I will soon be a bandster.... *DOES THE HAPPY DANCE*:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Did anyone have a lot of swelling after the surgery? I read a lot about gas, is that from the anesthesia?

Hello, I have not posted on awhile. I had my surgery on August 25, 2004, and I have only lost 28 pounds I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. I had my first fill about a month after and then my second fill around the first of December. My first fill really did not have that much of an effect on me, but this second has. I still feel a lot of restriction, like I know its working, but I just can't seem to loose anymore weight. I know that I have lost inches, because my clothes are really baggy, but the scale is just not reflecting any weight loss. I have been exercising atleast 3 times a week, and I still have not lost. I was wondering if anybody could give me some mea…

I had wriiten last week that i was having reservations. Many of your ideas helped me. I am now worried that I will not be able to follow the diet that the doctor gave me for post surgery. I can stay on a diet for a week or 2 but I am worried about a lifetime.

I'm 3 months post op. I have lost 40lbs. I have not lost anthing for 3 weeks. My problem is early in the day everything I eat comes back up, but later in the day I can over eat. I often eat why to much at night. I am afraid if I get a fill I will not be able to eat anthing until night. My wife is having her first fill next week. I may go to. I'm just wondering if this is strange to not be able to eat early in the day and be able to eat to much in the evenings.

I posted an earlier thread about feeling kind of weak and since I've been to my doctor and she's run all kinds of tests which were all normal, I wondered whether it could be that I've just lost a lot of muscle mass. Well, since I have a Tanita scale and I know where I started out and where I am now, it occurred to me that I could figure out exactly how much muscle (and/or water) I've lost. Here's the grand total: I've lost 73 pounds Of that, 50 pounds were fat. And 23 pounds were something else, presumably muscle. That's a lot of muscle. So people, it really is no joke. Eat your Protein and do weight training. Especially those of you who are just starting …

Well, I'm done jumping through hoops. I had my $60, 15 minute exercise consultation and my $150, 20 minute psych evaluation this week. Both were fine. The psychiatrist said I was an excellent candidate for the surgery, which means I successfully tricked him into thinking I'm sane. My surgery date was confirmed for January 31st, and they told me it would be $15,000. They've been saying $16,000 the entire time, so a $1000 break rocks. Although, I won't be shocked if they end up billing me $16,000. Anyway... two weeks to go! I start the pre-op (low carb) diet on Monday. Now I need to find one of those places that give you your meal for free if you can eat their 4…

I got the fill yesterday, 1cc. I had restriction last night at supper. I made one of those SkilletSensation meals with roast beef, veggies and sauce and I could only eat about 1 1/4 cup then I got that stuffed feeling in my chest and slime in my mouth, but nothing came back up. LOL, I need to figure out how to stop before I get to that point!! I'm hoping this is real restriction and not just swelling from the fill. I am very concerned that I am already filled to 3cc's in a 4cc band and am only at the beginning of my journey. :nervous This morning I had my usual amount of coffee at around 5:30, and at about 6:45 I had a cheese omlett. No problems. By 9:30 I was hung…

I was banded May 27th and can get my first fill in 6 weeks. I can probably eat about 1/2 of what I used to but I still think that is too much. I am kind of nervous about the fill. Does it hurt? Does the doctor numb the area. Is the need huge? My doctor does it with the xray thing maybe called a floroscope I think. The area where my port is located is the only place that has really bothered me and it is still tender at three weeks past surgery. The other cuts are not tender at all. Is this normal? I went to work yesterday and someone I don't know very well commented that I was losing weight (9 lbs so far). I was thrilled. Thanks Connie