LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I had my first fill today. I recieved 2 cc in my 10 cc band. Everything went ok, but I am scared to eat. I have eaten two very small meals. I feel like I did right out of surgery. My doctors office told me that I did not have to go on liquids, but I kind of feel like I should. For lunch I had 3 small shrimp and a small piece of cheese with ham and was stuffed. Should I be on liquids for a little while? I just want to take advantage of this stage as I have not lost a thing for weeks and weeks. How much can most of you eat at one time after a fill? Are you back to the two oz? I brought chicken to work with me for lunch, but am a little afraid to eat it. …

If you like spicy food, try this as a side dish: Butternut Squash with Cumin & Corianer 1 Tbs. cumin seeds 2 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. coriander 2 tsp. sugar ( I use Splenda) 4 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes 1/3 cup olive oil coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper - Heat oven to 400 degrees. - In a medium pan over medium heat, toast the cumin, pepper, and coriander, stirring, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the sugar and stir to combine. - Add the cubed squash and oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I did not use any). Toss to coat. Transfer the squash to …

Hello everyone, Im so happy I found this Forum! Its great to know there are so many out there just like me. I have my very First Appointment this coming Friday 1/7/05 Im driving about 400 miles to get this. I had a few simple questions, but first if you dont mind I will tell you a little about myself, since I might be sticking around for awhile! Im 28, married (6yrs) and I have no children. Perfect time in my life to get this done. I have struggled with my weight all my life, as most of you probably have too. I have been on so many diets its not funny.... I even went as far as excersing 8 hours a day eating nothing, i didnt get very far with that haha. I married at 230lbs…

Just wanted to pass this along for you ladies, (sorry guys), that need a new wardrobe, everything is 1/2 off and free shipping. This site has awesome clothes and small to xxxxl sizes. The code to use is WRH4329. Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me, but what size should I order, hummmm. Offer ends midnight 1/1/05.

The Glucose Revolution is the name of a book I just finished about high glycemic index vs. low glycemic index foods. Although I just finished the book, I had been reading a little bit about the glycemic index and had been on a low glycemic index diet (as well as the Omega-3 diet, they are not incompatible) for several weeks. Briefly, the glycemic index is a rating of foods according to how quickly and how high they boost blood glucose after consumption, but the main component is how quickly they raise it. Eating low glycemic index foods cause a lower, more gradual rise in blood sugar (glucose) and assist in managing blood glucose levels. I became interested because I …

If you have had surgery performed by either of these physicians I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks..alice

Do you guys feel the same amount of hunger as you did before you were banded? Do you still WANT to eat a whole lot but the band stops you? I have friends that have gastric and thier hunger is non-existent. But I can't get over the rearranging of your insides. Leigh

I can not get banded in USA because I am not 40 or over BMI. I am clinically obese, obesity runs in my family as does heart disease, diabettes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. It pissed me off that I don't have the option to be banded in USA, but I could go get an elective tummy tuck which is more invasive surgery and you are under longer. Actually in Mexico they have been doing the proceedures longer. Does anyone recommend a good surgeon in Mexico? Has anyone been banded under 35 BMI, if so can you share your results? Thanks

When I went to the Dr.today for my second fill we had a conversation about foods. Since I've been heavy my whole life I always look at foods and see fat vs. calories. vs carbs vs Protein etc. He told me to throw that out the window and just eat. If I want something sweet...have it. If I crave Lasagne...have it. The band will help me to eat small portions. BUT more important then how much I eat at each sitting...is how long I stay satisfied and don't need to eat again. That's how you determine if you need a fill. When I think about my eating habits, it's not that I've been a junk food junky...it's that I eat WAY TOO MUCH of the "right foods." I always needed so much…

On the Pill? Extra Weight Ups Pregnancy Risk Obese Women Get Less Birth Control Pill Protection Check it out at : http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/98/105012.htm All I have to say is there but for the grace of God have I gone ....oooh eee. Megan

I'm new to the forum, so yes, hi and thank you for the welcomes and all of that. I just sent all my info on to the insurance company. Sorry if i ask questions that have been answered before, but I am just now joining. What I really want to know is, will I be able to eat normal foods? My hospital acts like I have to eat lean Protein, fruit and vegetables, and thats it for the rest of my life. If this is the case, I should just stop right now, and now go on with the procedure, if I could do this, then there would be no need for the banding. I understand fully that I have to eat the right foods, but all the time? Will I get to eat McDonalds fries every once and awhi…

I just had a really good idea to help me with this week's goal for myself. I've been eating a lot of stuff that isn't going to get me to where I want to be. I think all the sugar I ate at Christmas time has triggered a huge sugar binge. I've gotten to the point where I no longer feel guilty or "bad" because I've eaten stuff like candy, Cookies, etc. But, I know it's not going to help me get to where I want to be. So- I'm going to get one of those little white wipeoff boards and put it on my fridge with my daily and weekly goals on it. I'll also put my reward on it as well. That way anytime I go into the kitchen I'll be reminded. I think I might put little stars …

Here's some pics taken on Christmas day... the other 2 were taken 2 weeks post op. Do you have any?? Show !!! Show !!! hehe.. let me see what you all look like! Hope you had a great christmas ! Aud x

Had my first fill on the 22nd. Felt restriction the first few days, then nothing. I wa able to eat whatever I wanted, almost, on Christmas. I gained three pounds over the holiday weekend. So of course Monday I was back on being a good girl and getting back on track. I was having a taco last night, the first bite kind of hurt when it went down. I took another one and it hurt as well so I tried to chew better. Third bite and WHAM,,,, I though I was having a heart attack. It hurt so bad. I sat there trying to catch my breath and then felt like I was going to be sick. I ran to the bathroom and spit "clear slime" but nothing else came up. I stood there until I fina…

Does anyone, or has anyone attended the Centennial Medical Center Support group that meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month? I'm going to attend tomorrow night and am excited about going. I would love to meet anyone from this board that attends. Tricia

Hi, Just wanted to update everyone. (Im so excited) I weighed today for the first time since surgery and Im down 15lbs!! Im sure it will slow down alot from here...the hunger is BACK! YIKES!!!!! Staci Orlando FL banded 12-14-04 Mexico

Thinnest People Eat a Lot of This food A four-nation study of more than 4,000 men and women ages 40 to 59 has produced a stunning conclusion in our Atkins diet-fueled society: The thinnest people on Earth eat the most carbohydrates. Even more alarming, the people who eat the most Protein are actually the heaviest. "Without exception, a high-complex-carbohydrate, high-vegetable-protein diet is associated with low body mass," study leader Linda Van Horn of Northwestern University said in a news conference reported by Reuters. "High-protein diets were associated with higher body weight." Before you reach for the nearest doughnut, realize that the carbs that do a body …

Hi Michelle, I am booking my tickets. I am heading to Evansville to see a client and wanted to know which airport is closer to you Nashville or Knoxville? Let me know soon. I need to book the tickets in the next day or so!!! Call me on my toll free. I tried your cell and no success!!!! Too busy with your lovely significant other.... I know, a guy wins out everytime!! LOL Babs in TX

So I was feeling kind of sad...being broke this X-mas. I spent all my money on the band and I usually am not that selfish. I go and see my family in Texas or I take my Hubby on trips. So I am looking through the old pics and I realize... like a flashlight going on. I was not selfish. I can walk now without worring about my knee. I can climb stairs without loosing my breath. I have become a better me for my hubbie. So now I am not so sad. I am infact quite glad I am broke this xmas. ....but next year I am taking the new me in the new bikini I plan to be able to fit back to the sun and fun of the carribean. I hope everyone had a wonderful X-mas and a safe and happy new year…

Hi everyone, I wanted to start off by saying that i really enjoy reading your threads ive been doing that for a while now but i feel kind of depressed because my surgery was on Sep 21st and ive had 3 fills but i am not restricted at all and i dont know why i really can eat everything i think the fills just didnt kick in and i dont know what to do any advice?

Hello everyone What's the deal with the different band sizes?? Is this determined by your doctor, preop weight, BMI or what??? Does anyone know what the criteria is with the band size?

I have had surgery - but I have questions about my diet afterwards. Anyone have any suggestions or hints or helps for me!

I have a question about exercise, Is there a certain amount of Cardio and other exercise we should do on a weekly basis? I have a treadmil(hubby got for Christmas for me, don't worry I asked for it!) And I have a exercise ball but other than Sit-ups I have no earthly clue what to do with it! I was also wondering if anyone knew how much exercise to start off with.??? I am a little confused by it all at this point. Can someone please help me.. I was also wondering how to calculate your fat burning Pulse. Help me please!

Hello, I am new to this site. I was just approved for a band today. I'm real excited and scared. I am an OR nurse, and know what to expect in the operating room, but not sure what to expect afterwards. All I can think about is wearing skinny clothes. Not eating real food for a while doesn't seem to phase me right now. But I know it will later. My confusion is because I was approved for the surgery, but my boyfriend, (you guys know him as willpower) was denied. I feel so bad for him. I feel guilty for being approved. we are trying a bunch of different things for him to be approved. Keep your fingers crossed for him. He really deserves this. I hate to see him s…

My doctor put a 10 cc band on me. Do others have different sizes? I am not drinking after meals but am trying to figure out why you are no soposed to. Please tell me. Thanks!

Hey all you great people out there: I am using this thread as a venting arena. I have been away from the boards for a couple of weeks now and visit every so often but just haven't had the urge to post. I spoke with Lisa (Delarla) online this afternoon and she made me realize I needed to come and post. Thanks Lisa. When you are a strong person through lots of situations sometimes it is the smallest of things that can knock you off your own pedestal. LOL!! I was knocked off mine by a 5 lbs gain. Seems funny to post that now but it is true. I can be strong for anyone else but ME. In the mindset I am now down and ready to climb in bed and cover my head till …

Hello to all, Wow, I just wrote a long story and then was told I was not logged on. I lost it all. Darnit - it was a heart felt one also. To make a long story short. I have a son, who will be 18 this January. He is morbidly obese. At 365 lbs. and even at 6"1" and a large bone structure, he is over 100 lbs overweight. We have tried everything. He simply does not want this bad enough. He will excercise with me every morning at 6:00 am with no complaints, but he seldom will do it at himself. I literally have a gymnasium in my house. We have 3 other children, (16, 12 & 7) and all are normal weight. I think he has genetic factors that make it more diffic…

I am trying to see if my picture of me is working. I hope so. I'm finally coming out.

For the first time in many a fat year, I'm NOT starting off my new year with a diet. My only resolution is to be a good bandster and make wise choices. A little regular exercise would be in my favor too. I'd like to wish my "extended-band-family" a very Happy and Safe New Year. Thanks to everyone for their support before my band, after the band, and in the future because I know I'll have lots more questions and ups and downs.

Im newly banded on 12-14-04. How do you know if your band has slipped? Seems I can eat alot of mushy food at once. Staci Orlando FL banded 12-14-04-Mexico

Has anyone in the D/FW area heard of or been seen by Dr. Nirmal Jayaseelan? I'm thinking of having my lapband done by him but would like to get some input from patients he's seen. Thanks!

G@# Da%# Mother #@$%^&( stupid Med-Valuless people screwed my chances to have it done this year. Now I have to appeal and pay $5,000.00 for my 2005 ded!!!AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It would have been paid 100% this year too!!! I was stupid to think that everything was going to go smoothly, they said that everything looked good...... I did everything that they told me to do and they still denied me. Some "doctor" said that I was not fat enough even though I can't tie my DAMN shoes!!!!!!! and that all my medical problems were not life threatening???? Then why am I spending $8,000.00 per year …

Hey you all, I have a question, does anyone else think that since the surgery that you are more prone to Anemia? I am so exhausted right before my cycle, and I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems with this. I am also having problems with sticking to the food groups I am SUPPOSED to be eating. The other night my husband picked me up some Crab and Lobster Wontons and they did not make me hurt or feel sick or anything like bread or meats do, Anyhow I hope I am not the only one here having issues with this. I had my surgery on Sept.23rd,04 And I am down like 31 pounds since then but I know I am capable of ALOT more. My husband bought me a treadmill for chri…

well i wasnt banded this time last year but this is when i got my gulf shores pics back that made me decide i HAD to do something. i have lost 84 since banding 8-18-03 and 25 pre-band these pics were taken almost exactly 1 year later and exactly 109 pounds thinner! view at they were taken with an ipod i'm not really impressed with the quality of the shots but it gets the job done! michelle 350-241-175 8-18-03 EVERYONE take pics to document your loss! anytime i get frustrated thats the first thing i do is look at how far i have came, you cant argue with photos! you dont have to post them although i wish you would!! LOL!!

I am home tucked safe away. LOL!! Ok the trip was long and tiring but also rewarding. Landed in Nashville to a winter wonderland. Snow and Ice all over the place including the roads. Just beautiful!! My daughter took lots of pics so she is sending me some. I took some but my camera went on the blink and not sure what pics I got or not. But anyway, we landed and the car rental place rented our reserved car out from under us and we had to fight to find another rental place that had one available. We found one and I cussed out the other people. THey are giving us a $130 check for the difference we had to pay to rent a car. I will NEVER EVER use them again. THRIFT…

Help...Im a week and 3 days post op and still have really bad gas??? pains in my shoulders. They come and go. Is this normal and does anyone know how to stop it. Staci

UHC PPO paid for my lapband but it ends 12-31-04. I will have Aetna from then on. It's a MC (Managerd Care) policy. I called once and was told fills would be paid for but I have received so much WRONG information when I call asking questions, I would't be surprised if they don't. Does anyone know about Aetna MC?

Silly question maybe-BUT I am wondering about deep dives & the possiblitiy of the band slipping out of place. Does anyone know if this could be a problem? Thanks

Hi Everyone, I had my surgery 12-17 and am now a BANSTER!! The whole surgery was more painful than I thought it would be. I did get up and walk at the hospital but not as much as I really could have. I just did not feel like it. It felt better to order pain releivers and lay it bed! Ha! I am exercising more now. All my incisions are OK, except my port incision is really sore. I am sure that it doesn't help much but I forget about it and seem to bump it often. It has a reddish circle around it, but I don't think it is infected. Did anyone else experience the red circle around your port incision? I'd really like to hear about this from several people. When I got home I …

I am scheduled for a lapband surgery this coming Tuesday, December 21. I have some questions which I haven't seen answered well on this site. 1) Do you have any tips that might make the surgery easier? Would you have done anything differently before the surgery, in hindsight, to make it easier after the surgery? 2) I am told that after the surgery, I am only supposed to 'sip' liquids and not to 'gulp' liquids. I have been trying to do this prior to the surgery, but don't understand how you 'sip' vs 'gulp' - can anyone shed some light on this for me? 3)During the first month after the surgery, before they adjust the band, does the feeling of hunger go away, or are …

Hello All! I'm back from Mexico with my new lapband. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez said they were astonished at the ease of my procedure and my recoop time. They said once they were there, it only took 7 minutes. Then 5 minutes out of the surgery room I was waking up. Everybody (especially me) was very happy. Had the regular gas pains, but walking, hot showers, warm tea has helped a lot. I just got home late tonight (Thursday the 23rd). Have not been hungry and for the most part feel pretty good. Will take it easy now for the most part as I don't have to return to work until Jan. 3rd. Thank you all for your wonderful support. So glad you're here! Merry Christmas!

Hello, Just a quick word of encouragement...I have had my band now for one year and have reached my personal goal of 155lb. I now plan to go beyond my wildest dreams and attempt to get down to my "medical" goal of 135lb!!! I am posting because I want to give encouragement to everyone- it is a long, hard road, but well worth it! Merry Xmas to all Seanmama

I am just letting you know I am flying out tomorrow morning for Nashville, TN The Land of SNOW, ICE, and idiots on the road. SIGH!! I will not be home or back online till Monday the 27th. Christmas will be fun this year with all the snow and ice. I will make sure to take pics. I might just get a snowball fight started. Haven't done that in years. The grandkids would love that. LOL!!! Have a wonderful and joyous and safe Holiday everyone.

Am I the only one who's starting to get freaked out about all the erosions we've been hearing about lately? I'm beginning to wonder if this is a more common problem than I realize. Lately I've been thinking that it almost seems unreasonable to believe that one could have a tight band around one's stomach for a long period of time and that it wouldn't erode or cause some other problem. Does anyone know what the real rate of erosion is? When I get to my goal weight I am definitely going to get as much of an unfill as I can while still maintaining my weight. Nancy

Been several days since I've gone potty. I'm in the mushy stage, I had hoped the refried beans would do the trick, but not! Any natural suggestions?

Just wondering. For those of you who ordered Dr. Ortiz's book, have you received it? Seems like it oughta be here by now, but I've not received mine???

Hi fellow banders, try this receipe, its hi in Protein & low on Carbs !! Works for me Ian Thai cod cakes Ingredients: 450g/1lb fresh cod 2 tablespoons red Thai curry paste 1 egg yolk 75g/2¾oz French Beans finely sliced 3 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped rind of 1 lime 1 tablespoon oil Cooking Instructions: Place the cod and the curry paste and egg yolk into a food processor or blender and blend until combined. Stir through the French beans, coriander and lime rind. Form the mixture into 12 patties and season well. Brush the patties with a little oil. Then place on a baking sheet and place under a preheated grill for 3-4 minutes on …

Let's all support our troups and send a Christmas greeting to them: www.OperationDearAbby.net

Darcey, Jack, and Barbara B: CONGRATULATIONS and come post letting us know how you are doing.

i was overfilled (3.7 cc) in late oct. and got an unfill (3.0) in early november. i was unfilled to let my stomache heal...i had lost MOST of my restriction with that unfill... i am sick...chest cold, coughing, body ache. i am TIGHT again. i pb'd like 5-10 times last night. on my way home i had to stop at cracker barrel for some moonpies and googoo's to take to WA. i decided to buy 3 buckeyes (chocolate cover peanut butter) so i eat 2 of them...i am fine for 30-45 minutes. after i leave the whole way home i am in TOTAL discomfort. i thought it was gas but i also truely thought my band feels REALLY tight, like REALLY TIGHT. i went to the grocery, bought some poweraide…