LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I've been wondering if anyone else has this problem. There were a few of us who asked about this and is there any truth to this? I take the Brand name Synthroid, but heard that if you take the generic (which is supposed to be the same) then it affects your TSH level or other Thyroid lab tests. Has anyone or their doctors mentioned this at all? Nancy

Hi there, I got my band placed in Mexico. I could go down there to get my fills for free, but I was wondering how much it would be to get a fill done by an American doctor. Do they do them?

I dare ya! I double dare ya! Is there anyone who's roughly at the same place I am (70-100 lbs. to go, 1-6 months after banding, 35-55 yrs. old) who'll take up a challenge from me? Oh, hell, I'll challenge anybody! Weigh in on Nov. 22 (the 41st anniversary of the JFK assassination), check in again on Jan. 3 (first Monday of the new year). Only rule is: no fasting or other insane food deprivation. Or, if you want, we can have a straight exercise challenge on the honor system; you set the terms, whether it's miles, steps, minutes, etc. One-on-one, in the street, you vs. me. Come on, you competitive bandsters, just try to kick my ass! (Mind you, that's a big target.)

You've lost a hundred pounds! Congratulations! What an accomplishment :banana :banana :banana

What i have been doing when the head hunger happens is i get out my big clothes catalogue (sears) and look through all the beautiful clothes and imagine myself in them in various trips through out the world or out with friends or camping or after a shower or at work or at a beach resort or cruise ect.. I do this in a quiet room and just imagine...hehe by the time i'm done i don't want to eat and usually am motivated enough to actually want to exercise! works for me anyway!! I find it relaxing too!

hello, i just wanted to tell everyone, i did have my surgery done on the 11th of jan. i am doing great, i was real sore when the surgery was over with, but i had a lot of support from love ones and they got me through it. i stayed in the hopsital for a few days only because i had some pain that would not go away because when they gave me my lap band surgery they found out i had a hernia that was starting and they had to take care of that as well, which i am greatful because i got both things taken care of. i must say i am not hungry, the only problem i found was that watching tv i did not realize how many commericals have food, and it all does still look so good,…

Am I being crazy?? I have been under twice before but last time I was 17 and now I am 31. I am so afraid of not waking up and everytime I think about I get sick because I imagine not seeing my son again. Please help calm my nerves - surgery is coming up fast - January 24th. Lauren Dr. Bertha 326/???

Greetings, Last night I went to Dr. Grossbards seminar. He has been banded and lost 100 pounds. He said that he wants everyone to be on atkins or (KETOSIS) before surgery to prove your conviction toward you new life. So I started this morning to get a head start. My 1st appointment is on Tuesday for a one on one. But I've been told by the office manager that I could be in for surgery by Feb 14th. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Excited and nervous because its coming.....LOL Here are some pics of some overeating tragedies.

Well monday is lap band surgery ...SO far...but their are a few problems...the nurse failed to tell me I need to get a release from my doctor, so they call him and he said NO...he doesn't believe in lap band surgery.....so I don't know what they will do....I fired the doctor and went back to my old doctor....This has been a costly endeavour so far....I had to fax all my papers to my insurance since no one did...costing 56 dollars...for 28 pages....then I have high long distance from being put on hold all the time..gees nothing is going right...now I have a sinus cold which i been taking everything under the sun for.....gees what is next

Brighteyes, best of luck Tuesday, January 11, when you get your band! Now get that hip replaced and you'll be good to go! Really, take care, have a smooth surgery and easy recovery! Please come back here and let us know how you're doing!

The next Eastside Surgical Specialists, P.C., Lap Band Seminar Presentation by Dr. Hawasli and/or Dr. Meguid will Group Meeting will be held on Monday, January 24, 2005 at 6:00pm in the Lower Level Conference Room at St. John Hospital & Medical Center at Mack and Moross in Detroit. If you would like more about what Lap-Band can do for you, attend one of our free seminars. For more information about our seminars or if you would like to register, call 1-888-757-5463.

Hi I'm trying to make up my mind. I'm trying to decide which is best for me, lap-band or gastric bypass. I'm sure there have been lots of discussions before, but, I'm new to all of this. I have tried to weigh them, but it's not working out for me. Q1 : Does anyone have any words of wisdom that might help me out? Why do you think one is better than the other? Q2 : What foods can you absolutely not eat, or eat much of. Also, if you want to include what happens when you eat them. Q3: What were your complications, if any? Thanks Leigh

Hi everyone, I haven't posted too much here...but I had to share this with someone!!! Progress has been sort of slow for me. I was banded 11-05-04. I lost 15 on the pre-op and then only 10 post-op and that was in the first 2 weeks on the liquids/mush stages. I had a fill 12-11-04. Still not the restriction I wanted, but I was being conservative since the holidays were at hand. I had also heard that sometimes restriction will hit after 2 weeks. It didn't. I was hungry but still was careful what I ate except for a few sweets I HAD to have. I didn't eat NEAR what I would have or did last year during the holiday season. So, consequently, I didn't gain any over the holid…

What does everybody pay for a fill? My best friend is an RN in Texas currently fininishing her MBA. She's going to be a professor but she's also learning about the band. She might decide to do fills in Texas one day. I told her I'd find out what everyone pays. In Tijuana you can get a fill under fluoro for $50 to $100. In Vegas, one doc charges $100 for the initial consult, $300 for each fill, plus several hundred to the hospital for the use of a fluoro machine. Where do you go, and what do you pay?

I was sent this website and it is a great one. Hope you all get as much out of it as do.......... http://www.skinnydaily.com/about.html Becki

And towards my dr! On my initial visit, the dr said I would get the smaller size band, but then gave me the 10cc and didn't even tell me until a few weeks AFTER surgery. When my DH and I attended the initial seminar that this dr and his partner held, we were told that the price included 18 months of free follow up and fills. Now that I have the band, the dr decided that fills should be done at the hosp under flouro (for which I am glad), but I feel like my insurance and my wallet (I have to pay a portion) are being milked for all they can get and I STILL don't have restriction after 2 fills. Now that the new year is here, I will have to pay my deductibles all over aga…

I was curious to what blender is the best (that is a reasonable price) to make smoothies.. I am trying to get all things prepared that I will need after I get banded *CROSSES FINGURES* Also, what protien mix is the best and where can you buy it.. And the final question is what recipe do you use if any Thanx in advance...

LAP BAND SUPPORT GROUP The next Eastside Surgical Specialists, P.C., Lap Band Support Group Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 6:30pm. Please note the location change for this meeting. It will be held at the City of Grosse Pointe Woods Courtroom, which is located in the same building as the Police & Fire Department, City Offices and the Community Center. They are in one huge building on Mack, set back off the road, between Moross (7 Mile Rd.) and Vernier (8Mile Rd.). The Court is at the rear of the building on the North Side (Vernier Rd. side). From Vernier: The court is on the right as you drive towards Moross. From Moross: The …

I know you all know and/or have heard me say My 1st Appt is on Jan 7th... ohhhh thats tomorrow.. woohoo all i can say is why i waited so long.... Its 10:50pm my time so i should be off to bed being i have to be up early tomorrow for my "Drive" of a life time its only a 5hour drive.. says my DH hehehe lets just see...... a vaction at once, as well, I hope im ready for this... at 320lbs I think I am... Thank you all for your support and information you all are wonderful and I know i have TRUE friends here Take Care and wish me luck.,..... Talk to you all Saturday night or Sunday night... we might stay there a day extra... (((((((((((BIG GROUP HUG))))))))))))

I need help. I had my lap band on 12-1-04 and 3 days after surgery I was starving. I stayed up all night hungry, not able to sleep from hunger. I was drinking liquids as instructed by my dr. , but it was not helping. I called dr. office to ask if I can eat something and nurse never returned my call. I ate solid foods already and now I am afraid that I have done damage to my self. I had no problem eating solid foods, no thorowing up or anything. On 12-10-04 I went for check up and nurse just looked at my scar and said you are fine you can go home. I told her i have not been able to do liquid diet and am afraid of complications and all she asked is did you throw up and I sa…

I am going to call my doctor this morning, but I just wanted to know if anyone has heard of this or experienced this. I was banded August 23rd and in the past two months there have been two times where I have severe stomach pain that lasts about 15-20 min and then goes away. The pain is all throughout my middle stomach area. Well yesterday afternoon I had another episode then a few hours later I had another one then this morning I had one more. This scared me because I never had so many episodes in a row like that. Anyone have any thoughts.

this past weekend was the winter banquet for my 2nd job...i will post last years pic and this years... *last year i wore a size 24 dress (after losing 50 lbs!)... ~this year i wore a size 14 dress (after losing 143)... *last year i had a plain jane not sexy dress... ~this year i had a VERY sexy dress (that got to tight from my unfill) so i had to buy a new dress...not super sexy but i liked it! *last year i didnt have restriction and ate like a pig.. ~this year same thing..no restriction so i had a big meal i am gonna try to post the pics...if that doesnt work you can view them on my picture trail in the last photo album...also look under lapband buddies...…

Hello everyone!!! I just joined this site on Jan 11, 2005. I've been thinking of getting either lap band or bypass done for at least the last year. Plus my mom has been trying to get me to go the extra step and actually get it done for a while too. I've been leaning WAY towards the lap band, because of alot of the reasons alot of you did: its reversable, adjustable, slower weight loss. Oh, suppose I should tell ya some more about who I am, huh?? Well, my name is Neil, and I'm 32. I live in Oshkosh Wisconsin and I've been handicapped since birth. When I was younger I never really had any major issues with my weight, but when I got to my sophomore year in high school, m…

Hey guys: I want to participate in the Los Angeles 5K walk / run Marathon. I thought for a fleeting second about the HUGE marathon but that is a brutal 26 miles. WHEW!! I think I can handle the 5K better which is only 3.1 miles. Here is some info: The Emerald Nuts 5k Run/Walk takes place on Sunday, March 6, 2005 in conjunction with the 20th Los Angeles Marathon. Shortly after watching 23,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes pass the one-mile mark of the City of Los Angeles Marathon in front of Staples Center, an estimated 4000 people will start the 3.1 mile Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk. The Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk offers a full morning of family fun. After…

Hi everyone...I'm curious to know what everyone thinks that follow up care SHOULD be like? What services do you wish your surgeon's office offered? What do they offer you now that you find very valuable? I have a meeting with my surgeon in a couple of weeks and I'd like to bring him information like this to help him better serve his patients. Thanks!! Megan

I'm new to the site...my husband Mike and I were banded on the same day (11-19-04). We're set to have our first fill this Thursday. Any tips?

Hey everyone I signed up for the Discovery Weightloss challange. I did it last year, but this year I am going to be truly commited. It's great they give you a 2 month membership to Bally's. No Strings attached. I think it's a perfect way to get the ball rolling. My mom says if I win I am cheating...lol I told her they did not ask so I figure I am in the same boat as everyone else... and if they ask I won't deny it. Does anyone want to do it with me? You don't even have to go to the store like last year all you have to go to the web site. banana :banana :banana

Just a little venting and an update.. Well as you all know I managed to get my referral but the nurse is taking her sweet time on sending it to Dr. Smith. So, I took it upon myself to call Dr. Smiths office to let them know that my nurse is suppose to be sending a refferal.. I asked her for the next date for the seminar to attend and that date is Jan. 22nd.. Well after she had told me that, she asked what insurance I had. I was thinking to myself ohhh no not again. I told her TRICARE Prime and she replied TRICARE prime is no longer convering the LAP Band procedure. I was like what and once again begin to get tears in my eyes. I couldnt believe that was possible and told h…

As I was laying in bed last night, I was thinking about once and when I have my surgery and after I have recovered from it, will I ever be able to sleep on my stomack again? I know that during the healing process I wont be able to but just curious about later on.. I HATE SLEEPING ON MY BACK, but if I have to in order for the LAP band then I am there.. Thanx in advance for any info give...

:knockedou :banana :banana :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :D :D Woohoo!! I broke 183!!! Finally, since friggin Labor Day!! This morning my scale says 181.8. I know that's not a big loss, but I have been so bad and unable to break that darn 183. I know by evening, things will change but I have SEEN 181.8!!!! I have been working hard to get off the carb machine, so maybe I am headed in the right direction. I may see the 170's yet!!!

Hi! I am having my surgery in two weeks and although my doctor told me there is no real diet plan to follow before surgery, I should try to get into a habit of cutting down on sugars and carbonated beverages, etc. I will be on liquids for 3 weeks and then mushies for 3 weeks after surgery. My problem is I feel like this is feast or famine for me now. I almost feel like a bear who is about to go into hibernation state and I must eat everything my heart desires now before I will have to live on liquids for 3 weeks. Meanwhile I am sure I have probably gained some weight during this period. Did anyone else have this problem? I have been trying different Protein drink…

Well, I have cut bait with PHCS..UCK!!!! And now I am with United Health Care. IF ANYONE IS WITH PHCS OR PACIFICARE.........DUMP THEM! All they do is treat you like a circus animal........JUMP, SIT, STAY, ROLL OVER, YOUR DENIED PORKY!!! BACK TO THE END OF THE LINE! I am startin all over, SQUARE ONE! and hope that I will get approved this time. I was thinking about not getting it done all together. If it had not been for the love of my GiRl I would not be able to get back up and try again. She was approved for this month. So, I can't let the monster get me because I am angry, or stressed out........ Wish me luck!

Merry Christmas to all!! Jeremy, Leatha_G, Mimi & John

hello this is the first time i have asked anyone anything but your help would be appreciated. i have had the lap band for 8 weeks now and got my first fill a few weeks ago. it wasnt enough so i got another fill 4 days ago. now nothing goes down good and i do chew. it feels like my food is hung in my throat with bad pain and i have to go to bathroom and get it out. what do you think? am i to tight and if so will the hurting feeling, when i eat go away soon? thanks for your advise..

Just wanted to say thank you for letting me know about Meralax my sons's appt was yesterday and I explained what I thought it was to the DR and he agreed and put my son on Meralax.

Hi everyone, There was a topic on the board about colds & flu how we can get more restricted when we have one. I cannot find it but if anyone can tell me what we can have medication wise (over the counter) I would be so ever grateful. I have been sitting here all more blowing my nose as I well as trying to eat my salad for lunch and just cannot do it. I know I have more restriction today and usually by this time I should be able to eat. Is any kinda Cold stuff ok to take? Powder, Liquid

I had my first appointment with the surgeon since my surgery two weeks ago. I've lost 12 pounds since the surgery, a total of 28 pounds since my orientation in June! I now weigh 271 pounds and I'm thrilled! Have a great night everyone!

I am back, 10 pounds heavier after the holidays, waiting for my fill which I should have booked last month. Anyway Its good to be back, I have to read so much! what did I miss???!!! Hope everyone is well. Cheers, Tellie

Just curious and would greatly appreciate your input.... Our Lap Band Support Group meets once a month in the doctor's office. Some weeks it seems to get out of control, off-track, etc. Questions: - Are your Support Groups formal/informal? - Are they run by a moderator? - Does anyone from the staff attend to answer questions? - Does your group have a newsletter? There are probably a hundred more questions I could ask...but I am going to hand it over to you now. Any ideas or information would be AWESOME!! Thanks In Advance (the friendly TIA) Nancy*

CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP. I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and i can eat a lot. My first fill will be next week but I think I regained most of the weight I lost in the firse 2-3 weeks. Is this normal? Will I feel less hunger when I get a fill and will I start loosing weight. I f I don't I just think I will end my life becuse this was my last weight loss try.

I am having serious second thoughts about my upcoming surgery. I am scheduled for the 24th of this month. I have been following the south beach program and have lost 15 pounds so far in 14 days.( I have about 85 to go to my goal) I feel I am really clicked into it and am considering cancelling or at least postponing my date. I mean if I can follow this program without the aid of the band then why put myself through the risk of surgery. Has anyone gone through this phase. Am I nuts to think that I can follow this on my own?????

Hey everyone. I am having a problem with my port site. At first I thought it was infected but recently it is starting to pop up and look strange. It is sore and the skin around it is peeling. I called my doc today but no answer since it is sunday I guess. I hate to run over to Tj for no reason but can this thing pop thru the skin?? I hope the pics don't gross anyone but I need advice.

hi, i wanted to thank everyone that wrote to me and i must say you all did put my mind at ease a lot. a part of me is still a little scared but i guess that is probably normal. it is nice to see that so many people have had great success with this, and i hope you all the best in losing more weight and being more happy with yourselves. i am very glad there are people out there that we can all speak to, to let out our worries, and feelings, and i must say until i was able to actually speak to some of you, i did not know how to feel, but it is so much better now. i am 5'9 and i weight 240 and i must lose some good amount of weight, and i hope to do so before i get…

Hi Everyone! Thought I would give an update as a sit in the LA airport for another 6 hours!!! Our flight got bumped and now we are sitting in El Cholo Cantina and my hubby is still eating mexican food believe it or not! I may have messed up on my liquid phase (a little)... I had strained tortilla Soup that was a little spicy and very tomato-y... I think that Dr. Ortiz said guidelines are meant to be broken occasionally but I don't think he meant day 3! My incisions are getting a little sore from sitting here, but besides that I feel great! No gas pains in the shoulders, however I keep feeling like I need to hiccup but it is getting caught inside and causing my sto…

I thought I'd psych msyelf up by posting some pictures. Here I was in 2000: Then, I lost 30 lbs and looked like this in April of 2002: Then I lost 100 lbs (diet and excercise) and looked like this by August 2002: Here's what I looked liked before I lost the weight with my shirt off: Here's what I look like now with my shirt off: I still can't believe that I did all the work, lost the weight, then let it all come back. I really thought I could be one of the 3-5% of people who can actually keep weight off with just a "diet". But, it doesn't matter, cause here's what I *know* I can look like, because I *did* look like this 2 years ago!!: So,…

OK guys, its Monday morning. I need to get my butt back into high gear. No weight loss, feeling slow and sleepy from all the holiday carbs, eating too much and too often.... I need help! So Im getting back to the basic's - Water intake! I (honestly speaking here) am only drinking about 20 oz's a day - ouch! And I feel it. So TODAY is the day!!!! Ive got my two - 20oz AquaFina water bottles full and Im determined to drink each one - 2 times! So thats 80oz's of water, a little more then 1/2 a gallon. This should be enough to get me started in the right direction. ANYONE else interested in this challenge??? Ive never done a challenge before, so I have no …

I am at day 6 post op and can have some cream Soup, but milk makes me so gassy. It never made me gassy before. I am still drinking broth and eatting yogurt. Anything else I can have at this point? It seems even Water gives me a gas bubble, is this normal? Warm stuff is the best it seems. Thanks for any help.

I just uploaded a new avatar but it looks really pixelated. Does anybody know how to avoid that?

Now that the holidays are behind us and we're back to our normal routine of things. I was just wondering if those of you in the DFW area are interested in maybe getting together for dinner or lunch or just meet up somewhere and share experience, strength and hope? I'm up for anything. I realize we're all spread out, but it would be fun to try to get together maybe once a month or once a quarter? There are, of course, other support groups locally, but I think here at LBT we share a pretty special bond, so it might be fun and encouraging just to visit on occasion and catch up. I'm certainly open to ideas and not afraid to drive most anywhere. We could meet at someo…

hello, i am new to this whole thing, i wanted to ask you all a few questions, i read this web site everyday, and everyday every one on here seems to me doing different things with there surgery, and i am a little scared if maybe i am not doing what i am subpost to be doing. my surgery is on Jan. 11, my doctor is Dr. Boutt, of port huron hospital in michigan. he has a good record of doing the lap band procedure, so that is about the only thing that i know for sure that i am doing right, is that i chose the right doctor. he does not have me doing any liquid diet before surgery, only the day before, and on the day of surgery he told me i would not get nothing to dr…