LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I'm considering a band. When I eat very little, I usually get headaches and have low energy. What has been this group's experience with these two issues since being banded? Thanks so much.

How long did others have to take off from work? I am hoping to take only 4 days. Is this unreasonable? I really don't want to use all of my time. Especially with the "new me" waiting to come for the summer.

Tracie, sending you (((hugs))) and prayers for a non-eventful banding and a minimum pain recovery time. You've done your research and you have a wonderful surgeon. Now get your band and get out there and enjoy life to it's fullest w/your precious family. Best of luck to you!

coffee?? Yes or no How do you "sip" all that Water and do you have to literally sip forever? How soon after surgery were allowed to have some water? Will I be starving during the healing stage?? I guess I am afraid I will not be able to do this, so many unknowns!! Lauren 326 1/24/05 Dr Bertha

Hey Michelle, I think I irritated my esophagus. Two nights ago I made the idiotic mistake of nibbling on peanuts almost immediately before bedtime. :ermm I woke up in the middle of the night with reflux, and then all day yesterday had low-level pain far down in my throat. I was very careful all day, consuming almost nothing solid, but then I made another idiotic mistake and had hot-and-sour Soup for dinner. (WHAT is wrong with me??) So I was awakened again last night with pain in my throat. Sitting upright and a Pepcid AC helped a lot, and a couple of hours later I could go back to bed. So this morning I still have a little minor pain in my throat. I read over your…

Hi All. I'm new here. I met with Dr. Bertha yesterday regarding the Band. I thought that this was something that could offer me some hope in my battle with my weight. I have been lurking on this site, and similar sites, for a few months and was really impressed with everything I have read. Until my meeting with the doc yesterday, I was pretty sure that banding was right for me. The doc said that I could not expect to lose more than 30-50% of my excess weight. And that it would likely be closer the th 30%. NOT what I wanted to hear. He was painfully honest with me, and I do appreciate that, but it discouraged me horribly. I don't know what to do at this point. I do know th…

Hi I am Lauren and I am having the lapband with Dr. Bertha on January 24th. I had the pre-op class today and was reassured as well as scared with my decision. It is weird, I am not sure how to feel at this point. I am excited to get going with this but at the same time it does not feel real. How will I deal with this drastic change in my diet and the fact that I cannot cheat! How will I feel after? I have a 14month old son and he is my motivation for this decision. I want to be the best mom I can for him. Anyway, thanks for listening. Lauren 326/326/healthy

I Called TRICARE Prime today and sure enough Dr. J is out of network. So I had them call Dr. Adam Smith to see if he was in network and took TRICARE Prime and he is in network. I was Happy to hear that after all the stuff with Dr. J. I called my primary care dr. and talked to the nurse and she is going to send my referral to him on Monday and give me a call after lunch to let me know when the next seminar is. She said the seminar is requierd so I am slowly getting there. What exactly goes on at the seminar? Does anyone know how fast the process is after the seminar for Dr. Smith is before your able to get the process on the road for the surgery? Tammy

Well its count down time.. just found out I get banned on the 17th of this month, omg lol I am a bit nervous, but very ready for the procedure...I just hope the person who gives up the gas lol knows how much to give...gee I don't want to be a satistic for overdosing on gas..... hahaha Well I go for my pre op on the 12th...I got to start crushing up my pills I take from now till time....gees gonna be nasty tasting for sure....but hopefully losing weight will get me off all those seven little pills I take a day...dropping off one by one..and all that money I save I can buy new clothes with lol yea a shopping spree hahahahah...and for skinny clothes no more size 22 hahahah…

Well pre op is on the 12th...it is getting closer and closer...I was thinking about a lot of things which are rushing through my mind...I been really excited about this...since I heard about the procedure...I know their are going to be a lot of changes in eating habits, that is for sure lol... What do I expect at preop...? What do I expect the day I go in for surgery...? Do we get to talk to the anistiseoglogist lol did I spell that wrong gees...? Then I think of why I didn't tell my family....which includes kids, sisters...but I told friends...pondering on that one...? I have sent a ton of friends to this site....I told them this is the best site in the world....…

HI I am new to this site. I have just received insurance approval. My surgey is scheduled later this month. I guess I am scared but more excited than anything. I have one question,. My doctor wants me to quit smoking prior to the surgery. I think that trying to quit 2 major addictions at the same time could be self defeating. Any ideas??

I am scheduled to be banded then end of the month. I am wondering if anyone has any regrets about having the surgery.

Hi everybody. I have missed all of you so much. Our computer went out around the first of November and we just got a new one tonight. YEA. Thank you Teresa so much for talking to me yesterday and saying hi for me. I have struggled during the Holidays I gained 2 pounds but am working on loosing them. I havent had a chance to read many posts yet but cant wait to.I just saw how much weight Ryan has lost and it sounds great. Michele you are doing great also. WOW I am so excited to be back... Love to you all...Janie

Paid off my Band. It took me over 16 months @ 5.9 %, but it's finally paid off. :banana :banana :banana So to Celebrate I've decided to get topped off a bit. I've been able to eat way too much. My last fill was November 11th under flouro, even though the doc said it was a textbook fill it never felt as tight as I did last year at this time. When I was newly banded and adjusted just right I had trained myself not to eat certain things such as breads and Pasta cause I knew they would come back up on me or give me a hard time going down (get stuck). I watched everything I ate! I need to get back on track, use FitDay and exercise. I lost that restricted feelin…

The "before" picture was taken the week before my surgery, at 296 pounds. The other picture was taken a couple of weeks ago, at 190 pounds. I'm now at 188, and my goal is 130, so I've still got a way to go, but I'm thrilled to be where I'm at!

I was banded almost exactly a year ago, and I didn't really lose anything from January to May. Then from May to October I lost about 70 lbs! Since the beginning of November I've been on a plateau. I'm ecstatic about being consistently under 200 for the past few months - I think this is the thinnest I've been in my adult life, and a couple weeks ago I bought a little black dress in...get this...a size 12! At a regular store! And a little skirt suit set in an 11/12. I still can't wrap my mind around that. Even though I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, I feel like I've just been slacking for the past couple months. This is the first time I've logged on here i…

Hi everyone I am back home. I had no internet in Reno at my daughters to keep in touch. So I am way behind. So how is everyone?? We had a nice trip, the baby was awesome. She had grown so much in 3 months. We had 24 inches of snow while we were there. Worst storm Reno has had since 1911. So we were snowbound and not a whole lot to do. We did enjoy that grandbaby. I will try to attach some pictures. Glad to be back missed you all. Hope everyone had a great holiday. I did manage to loose a pound, I had a flu bug so that helped. I finally hit 230 on the scale.

I was in a hurry this morning, so I grabbed a can of ravioli instead of something healthy. I just ate lunch. I knew ravioli was a bad choice, so I just half the can. I threw the rest away. Now I miss it. I want my ravioli back. I have RSA (Ravioli Separation Anxiety.) I hate throwing away food. Hate it.

Hi Everyone, I have not seen much on this topic but here goes. Really try and get enough water in please as much as you can and do include fiber in your daily routine if you feel that you are getting constipated please get some kind of stool softner into you as soon as possible. You see I waited to long and now I am paying for it. Three years ago when my youngest son was born I got what they call a Thrombosis Hemorroid and it had to be lacerated because there was nothing that could heal it. Well 3 weeks ago I started getting constipated whether it was from not enough water or fiber I do not know think it was both to tell the truth well lo and behold guess what popped up…

Today is the third day in a row of a nagging headache. I don't usually have headaches. It took me three days to realize what was going on. The pain starts in my shoulders and neck, and comes up and around the back of my head. Oh, yeah, that's right, a stress headache. In a twisted kind of way I take a stress headache as an NSV. I never used to get them. And I bet I wouldn't have one now if I could go to my kitchen and graze. I can simulate grazing, but it's only a nibble. I can't reach that mindless state of carb and fat laden fullness any more. So, I must find a way to cope. I've lost my drug. This headache is a sort of withdrawal. I don't like the he…

This is the first of multiple times I have read to eat the meat first, then veggies, then carbs!....Maybe this is what I am doing wrong!!! But I asked my dietitian and she said it didn't matter....Can you tell me why your docs suggest to eat meat first???? Anyway.....about starting with the Protein first. I asked my dietitian about that and she said she'd never heard that....but I have read it several times on here....Maybe there is truth to it cuz I have been eating the veggies first and then the mushy carbs....then the protein; because I figured I would get more veggies in that way.....what do they say is the theory behind eating protein first??? Thanks! …

I got my date today: Monday, January 31st! 3 1/2 weeks... what did you all do to pass the days from the time you found out your date and the day it arrived? I was hoping for something a little sooner, but I'm just glad there's finally a definite date! Jonathan

Greetings I just wanted to let my lapbandtalk family know that I passed my phychological evaluation. Yay! He said that I had above average knowlegde of the procedure and what to expect post op. Thanks for sharing my joy,

I was banded Tuesday night (48 hours tonight). I have moved most of the gas. The pills they gave me for pain were not efficient. I broke up a darvocette when I got home and it has helped. I am walking. I am unclear about what to take by mouth. Their diet said yougert and milk, but that is not Clear liquids. I have been drinking chicken broth, tea, juice and Water. My stomach growls and wants more, but I know it needs to heal. How long did you stay on "clear liquids"? I feel tired too.

Hi Everyone, I am trying to catch up on posts and I noticed there are lots of new folks here!! That is truly wonderful. I am presently fighting the battle to get the last 18 pounds off my body. Been plateauing for the last 6 weeks. Went to the gym today after taking a 6 week hiatus, so I am hoping that this will get me back on track. I am really monitoring my food intake and trying to keep it under or about 1000-1100 per day. I am leaving this weekend to go to Nashville, Baltimore, PA, back to Nashville and also Indiana to visit clients. I am meeting up with Shelly (Southern Bandgal) and Calvin on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. I am really looking forward t…

Greetings For my new years resolution I wanted to stop drinking diet soda, learn to love exercise again, chew 25x with each bite, and not drink 30 minutes before, during or after meals in anticipation of being banded. First let me say that I never realized how acustomed I had become to WOLFING down my food. Yikes. Chewing 25x seems like a joke. I had to start using a lobster fork to help with the portion size. It seems to be working. Ok, lets talk about the exercise. I knew when I made this resolution to learn to love exercise again that it would be a double edge sword. So I dont know about you people but I get bad cramps in my legs when I over do ANYTHING. Walking…

Hello - to all of you Colorado Bandsters out there! We would LOVE to meet you! Do a search under yahoo groups for *coloradobandsters* and join our local group also. We post our meetings and support questions there. We meet twice a month for support groups and would love to have you join us. We have a great group of local Bandsters, with a lot of local support. Open to EVERYBODY - Pre OP and Post OP Lisa Chavez Dr Kuri Banded: 2-16-04 323/220/190

I had my surgery in Feb '04 starting at 265 pounds. I followed all my surgeons instructions to a T -- because I can be anal retentive and didn't want to sabbotage myself and don't believe in fooling myself either. Even my wonderful husband was amazed. Lost 30 pounds during the liquid diet portion and only another 10 pounds by May. Surgeon had my diet diary evaluated by his nutritionist -- she said the only suggestion she could make even though it was nit picky, was to cut out the glass of red wine I had every couple days, because it was a dehydrant. (was drinking 120 oz of Water a day) Said I was taking in between 800 and 1100 calories a day and my diet was very well ba…

I am feeling frustrated with my slow progress, at least it seems slow compared to that of a lot of others who post here. I am now almost six weeks post op and have only lost 19 pounds. Fourteen of those were in the first two weeks, which means I've lost only five pounds in four weeks. I wouldn't be unhappy about it if I could say "Well I don't feel restricted and I'm eating a bunch" and then get a fill and "do better," but I do feel restricted, and I'm not eating a bunch. I'm certainly eating way less than I ever used to. I can manage to finish one slice of pizza. Is this typical or atypical? Should I not be able to finish a whole slice? I don't always get my Protein …

I woke up this morning to a cold snowy Chicago morning and started my regular routine-brushing my teeth and hair, getting my daughter ready, fixing Breakfast. Just your ordinary Wednesday morning. But suddenly, I noticed this person staring at me, someone I knew but couldn't quite put a name to the face. And as I am so blatantly staring back at this person, I slowly begin to realize that this isn't just any person but me, not the me I usually think of, hidden under large sweaters and tunic tops coupled with a pair of stretch, wide-legged pants and sensible shoes but the me I can faintly recall from years ago, before I forgot how to take care of myself and feel as though I…

Last night, I had really bad stomach pain. It felt like someone had punched me in the stomach or was squeezing my stomach. It was two to three inches below my sternum right in the center. It felt strange to breathe. The pain would be strong, then lighten a little, then be strong again. I finally fell back asleep. This morning I just feel a slight ache. Although I've had no acid in my throat that would indicate reflux, could this be caused by acid reflux, just not coming all the way up? Or would this happen if one of my Vitamins got stuck? (I take two vitamins every night and never had any problems so far with them getting stuck) I have my regular appointment to see my…

Hi, for those that dont know I was loosing like crazy, felt like a million dollars, but then got really sick from not enough nutrition. Then I got some fill out. Well 10 plus pounds latter, and almost no restriction I am now getting a top up. I am back to being food obsessed & feeling fat & like a failure. This time round I will concintrate on eatting better. I hope & pray that I can loose weight & be healthy because being thin & sick is no good but being fat & out of control is bad too. For me a tight fill stops the food deamons...or at least puts them to sleep! Because I am a binge eatter rather than just an over eatter, I suffer mentally whe…

I have taken bigger bites of food than I should a couple of times, usually when I am starving. What is that hung up, painful as hell feeling that happens when I dont chew well? I know how to prevent it, but it has happened a couple of times and it hurts soooo bad. Where exactly is the food getting stuck at? I have no fill yet. My mom had hiatel hernia surgery and she says she has the same problem if she takes too big of a bite and doesnt chew well. Makes sense as they wrapped her stomach around her esophagus but what makes ours do that? Please tell me I am not the only one lol.

Hello, Remember Janie? The girl who paints murals??? She called me last night and we got to chat. Her computer died a few months ago and so she has been without internet service. She really misses everyone and sends her best regards. She said a new computer will be arriving soon so she'll be back then. It sounded like she was doing pretty good though. She has an appt. for her first fill later this month and since she was banded about the same time I was, the fill sounds like it is needed. Anyway she wanted me to tell everyone hello. Teresa

Anyone hear from Kelly lately? It's been a few days and she wasn't feeling well. Here's to you Kelly girl, hope you're ok.

Hello Everyone, I've been a lurker for about two months now. I was banded on 12/20/04 and have had a "smooth ride" thus far considering that I have done extensive research on the lap band and knew what to expect. Today, however, I have been experiencing some pain on my far right side. This pain has been fairly persistent, and radiates towards the center of my chest. I am fairly young, and considering that I have never had any heart problems prior to banding, I'm thinking the pain is there because of the band. Has anyone experienced these types of pains? Any information would be helpful. Thanks, kibuluna

HI ALL, Happy New Year! I have a dumb question...I'm new. Is it true you arent suppose to eat and drink at the same time. No one told me this.... please help. Staci Orlando FL Banded 12-14-04 TJ Mexico "Well behaved women rarely make history"

I had requests for pics of my tube coming out of my port. Don't look if it will gross you out! Sorry, couldn't find the famous purple bra, but I did find this slutty hooker glove for your enjoyment. DeLarla's back... feeling much better emotionally since I have a plan and a surgeon to help me Thursday morning.

At my vist today they took some black & white pictures and showed me what I use to look like right before surgery and where I am today. Did not need a fill today and am in good spirits with my loss.

You people have got to be tired of hearing me complain about my port! First, someone asked for pictures of my ugly, swollen port incision, so I'm attaching one here. Second, can anyone who has experience a port injury explain to me how they knew it was injured, and not just painful from normal surgical healing? As if my incision isn't ugly enough, in addition my port, about an inch below the incision is having sharp, stabbing pains. No swelling or infection, just painful when I move certain ways.

What causes lap bands to slip?

I have been absent for nine months. I believe I have been ignoring the band, and trying to go on with "normal" life. BUT...and this is a big but...I haven't lost any more weight, have probably, no definately put on some, and I p.b. nearly every day! I think I got into the mind set that I was a failure, so I'm going to not think of failure,because thinking of failure brings more failure, so that included not thinking about the band. I did just recently go in to have the band checked out, and under fluro, it was fine, actually the restriction was such that the Dr. would normally add saline, but since I am p.b.ing so much, we decided not to do anything. Which adds t…

Hi everyone - I need help and advice from all. I got banded 4 weeks ago. At first everything was great, I lost a lot the first two weeks and didn't feel hungry. But since I entered the mushies stage, I am SO HUNGRY. I don't go over my alloted 1000 daily calories, and I have not lost any weight in the past two weeks, in fact I gained a pound. I wasn't planning on getting my first fill until February, but does this mean I should plan on getting a fill sooner? Am I doing something wrong with my diet? I have read all the food boards and have gotten some great food ideas for this stage, but like I said, I don't feel full at all (OK if I eat too fast, it does hurt at first and…

Remember:"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." </FONT> Ok let's here what everyone is saying this Dec 31st Mine: Is to be more considerate of people I could not tolerate in the past.

Hi guys know I havent been around for awhile, I was busy graduating from COLLEGE!!!!! Then of course there was those wonderful holidays!! Anyway I have a question...I just got my second fill and while food is passing, albeit less (which is the point of course!) sometimes it feels like my stomach is irritated if that makes any sense....it's hard to explain..I haven't PB'd or anything I just have to eat super slow and chew super fine...is this finally my bandland experience or do you guys think something could be wrong? I guess I'm asking if I'm normal to go from feeling semi-restricted to pretty restricted? From what I read here I should go back to him if I can't get anyth…

I think it's time. This is just for starters. Please add or modify by cutting and pasting into a new post so we keep the list current: PB - Productive Burp: There are many versions to the PB, but it's basically when slime comes back up often followed by the food you just ate after the food refuses to go down. NSV- Non scale Victory: Something fabulous that happens as a result of weight loss that doesn't have anything to do with numbers, like getting flirted with or picking up something off the floor without falling over. ESOPHOGITUS STICKY PM - Private Message: If you want to say something privately to another member, just click on their name for an option t…

Before having my surgery, I was always way too hot. It could be 20 below, and I'd be sweating up a storm. Since losing my weight, I can never get warm enough! To give you an example, I can barely write most of the time because my hands are so cold! I figured that it was just because I've lost weight so quickly (lost my layers of insulation!), and my body hasn't learned to regulate its temperature yet. But tonight, my husband was saying that it has nothing to do with regulating my body temp and since it's a matter of no longer having that insulation, I'll probably just have to learn to enjoy wearing sweaters when it's 110 degrees outside. What about you? Are you ex…

Help. I am in the mushy phase and I need more fiber in my diet. Can I use beneful or fibercon chewable type fiber tablets? I also have been having trouble getting all eight glasses of water a day (yes, I know this would help). Any ideas on fiber rich food that I can have?

Happy New Year Everyone. Well it looks like it is going to be a Happy New Year for me. I found out on Thursday that I was approved for surgery. And on Friday was given the Date of Feb. 3 for surgery. I am kinda in shock. I feel like I will really believe it when I am being wheeled from surgery. Thanks for the knowledge and Support. I am sure to need you guys as much as ever. Hugs and Best Wishes Vicki in Indy

Hi Everyone, My hubby got me a gift certificate to Victorias Secret. So off I went to try on some lingerie. I just wanted a bolster holder that fits properly. Since I have lost 85% of the weight I need to lose, I really dont know what size bra I wear. I was a 46 D and now according to the measurements, I am a 38 C-D. I am inbetween sizes. The D's are too big and the C's are too tight in my opinion. Depending on the bra, they sometimes spill out. Or even worse, when they are pushed up, I now get to see all the excess skin being pushed up under my arms and it appears to be hanging over the bra at the armpit.! Yuchhhh! I was pretty depressed and I know now for sure that I…