LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Ihad my first fill on December 13 and was so excited since I had no restriction with my initial surgery. I was on liquids and mushies for a few days after the fill and now that I am back to regular food I can eat wahtever I want. I keep waiting for that full feeling but it never comes. For lunch I had a baked potato, some pickles and a roll. Would it be bad to already go back to the doctor and ask for my next fill? I think they are trying to get all of the money out me they can since they only filled me a 0.8 on the first one. I want more restriction...it is so hard doing this by myself over the holidays...that is why I got the band before they started. How soon h…

I miss Donali Has anyone heard from her? I use to come on this board every morning just to read her inteligent, caring posts. I miss her. I know there’s no reason for her to frequent here since she had to have her band removed due to erosion. Donali if you ever lurk…Merry Christmas and I miss you.

The Good News is that I found a doctor (a couple of 'em actually) here in Colorado that will do fills and follow-up care for patients banded in Mexico. I went to see Dr. Johnelle in Greely (about two hours from where I live in south Denver Metro) The bad news is that after my 2nd fill, I still don't have any restriction. They sent me for a flouroscopy before my fill. Even though Dr. Johnelle's office is in the hospital, the flouro lab was about 10 miles away. What a pain. Dr. Kuri gave me my first fill in October of almost 2.0 cc's. Of that initial fill, 1.3 cc's was still 'left' in the band. The PA went ahead and gave me a fill of .7 cc's, which only took me back t…

I have the Inamed 11cm. band. During surgery my Dr. put in 4cc's. After 6 weeks I had 1.5cc's added to it. I don't have much restriction and have only lost 15 pounds so far (almost 3 months out). Question: I am self pay, need another fill, have to travel to Costa Rica to do this and don't want to go for a fill as often as if I had a local Dr...... how much of a fill should I ask for? I know that the ladies who have the 4cm bands get smaller fills, but it seems to me that with this band I need more each time to feel it. Do you think if I ask for 2cc's next month that will be too much to ask for? I don;t even know why he used the 11cm band (BMI 32%) but it's too late now …

Lisa, My mom was to come and visit me over the holidays and one of the things she wanted to do was go to Vegas (it has been over 40 years since she has been there). Anyway to make a long story short, she fell at church on Sunday and broke her wrist to the point that she's having surgery today on it (she lives in Florida). So,here is the deal. I will be at the Flamingo for the night of the 22 and 23rd. I have two tickets to see Mama Mia on the 23rd. Are you available? It's on me, I just hate to see the tickets go to waste as already her flight part is lost. They are 3rd row center tickets!! Also, we could have a slumber party in my room if you wanted to get away…

I've had serioulsy bad experiences with my Mexican surgeon. But he is only ONE doctor among many, and only a small percentage of his patients have complaints that I know of (he's done 1500 surgeries and I know of 7 complaints.) Maybe my experience sucked, but Inamed stands behind my doctor 100%, which is why I am considering giving my original surgeon a second chance. I'm not speaking in his defense, and I don't forgive his lack of aftercare, but for anyone new that's considering Mexico, there are Mexian doctors that get raving reviews. Even with the hell I've been through with my band, I'd let him put another band in me this minute! The risks are worth every tear, e…

Jack, please know that I'll be thinking about you and sending you comforting thoughts and prayers as you officially become what you've been working so hard for...for a very long time.....a healthier, new-improved YOU! This little band will help free you from those health problems, pills, needles, machines, and other paraphanelia that have held you down for so long. You'll be fine!

Happy Holidays everyone! I was wondering what the veteran bandsters out there (1 year plus) feel about how tight a fill is. I've noticed that there are quite a few folks who find themselves filled too tight- but don't have an unfill because they are loosing weight faster. Why do people do this? I mean, I understand emotionally why but with all the talk about erosion and slippage lately- why compromise your band just to lose faster? I guess to me it doesn't make a lot of sense- if you get the band to get healthy and you leave your band too tight and can't eat normal, healthy foods- aren't you doing something just as unhealthy? I'm not refering to anyone or any…

My brother-in-law came in late last night to spend the night, I was asleep so he didn't see me. I was really hoping to keep my weight loss from him and his wife and surprise them this spring when we rode the Harleys down to their house. I purposely put on baggy pants and a big bulky sweater to hide some of the weight loss. I walked out in the dining room and right off the bat he said "Boy Betty, you have lost weight". I said yeah, a little bit. He said "no, a lot". I loved getting the compliment, but sure was hoping to hide it for a while from them. I guess I will have to try and lose a lot more before I go~

Darcey, Sending you (((hugs))) and prayers for a noneventful surgery and smooth recovery. We look forward to hearing about your adventures "on the other side". Best of luck!

I'm on the east coast and we have a fast food place called Hardees. Well they have this Breakfast food called, low carb brkfst in a bowl. I remembered my doc said I could have a scrambled egg and cheese starting today. This bowl had a scrambled egg on the bottom, then a sausage patty, then another scrambled egg with cheese, then real crumbled bacon and cheese. It's so funny, before my band I could have eaten the entire thing and added some hashbrowns, instead I made 3 meals out of this one bowl. Just some food for thought.

A friend of mine sent me this and after reading it I felt it says just what I feel for the people I have meet here so I'm posting the site as My Holiday Wishes for all here. No matter what religion you have or if You don't I wish everyone a Safe and Love Filled Time as we end this Year and begin a New Year http://www.attictrinkets.com/xemail/xemail.html

Best of luck to you on your 12/21 banding! As Jack says, Freedom Day! Please let us know how you're doing as soon as you feel like it. You'll do fine!

Hello Adorable Friends, I am home and so GLAD to be home. The surgery went fine, recovery room was a little scarey, I had never been anesthesized before and I was very uncomfortable coming out of that. There was a nurse right there every time I opened my eyes assuring me what I was feeling was normal. My Mom came and spent the day and evening helping me get around; wow, what a blessing she is. My throat was very sore from the tube, that actually hurt worse than my tummy. Today now my throat is better and the port section of tummy is very sore, but none of the gas pains that some of you dear ones suffered with. Hopefully, I will be spared. To be home in my own quiet…

Well, I'm bandless. I went in last Tuesday to have it removed due to the erosion, Doc. said I should go home the next day if no problems. Well I didn't get to come home for 8 days. I ended up getting an infection, which the infectuous disease doc, doesn't know if it was there prior to surgery or not. I had so much inflamation in there, they put in a drainage tube, and I had to wear it home, I go back next tue. to hopefully have it removed. My hemoglobin level dropped so low,that they were on the verge of giving me blood, which totally grosses me out. My white blood count was super high, but once they started me on the iv antibiotics it started to go down, and my fever sta…

i have been out of surgery since dec 8 things went great, but i notice red to pinkish color around all my incisions looks like some type of infection or is this just normal color after surgery to heal or something else ? i also have a 99.3 temperature should i call the doc or take tylenol and wait it out ? thanks alot

Hi I am new to the site. I have been reading and reading for months, and researching for about 1 year. I would love to have a few opinions from folks about how they made their decision for the lab-band vs the Gastic ByPass. Here is one of the things that worries me. I have been on ever diet you can imagine, and overwieght my entire life. I started to gain weight the moment I was born according to my mother. I have been on my diets a few recently even, and I have managed to loose weight. As a last ditch effort I recently was on a modified fasting diet thru a hospital here in Houston and managed well enough to drink only fluids for 14wks. But after that I just could no…

Hi Everyone, I went to our neighborhood block party on Friday last week. I was also there last year and had already lost 75 pounds as of last Christmas. Since then I have lost another 71, so I figured people would notice. One of my neighbors (a woman) came in to the party, walked around and then said hello to me. She walked up to me and said, "You look different. "Did you change your haircolor?" I just about barfed my glass of wine! Some of the other folks there were about to crack up as well, but I was gracious enough not to say anything to embarrass her! Later in the evening, she figured it out and I am sure that she was feeling pretty ridiculous. It reminded me a…

Hi everyone, My name is Tina and i am new to the board. For the past month I have visited the board and love the type of community that is here. Since my decision to get the Lap Band I have felt very alone until now. The few people I have told have not been very supportive. I have decided not to tell anyone if I am approved and have the surgery. To tell you about myself, i am 5,9 and 320 lbs. My BMI is 49. I am in the process of getting approved for the Lap Band in New York with Dr. Christine Ren and Dr. Fielding. I have been referred by primary doctor and my insurance company Oxford said that the surgery is covered if medically necessary. My doctor says its m…

ok you ladies some of you may relate... this happens to me once in a blue moon when things fall into place (or the wrong place) anyhow...after ending my last LTR i moved in with my parents to focus on my bills off. my father has never grasped the whole put the toilet seat down after you pee thing. lastnight i woke up in the middle of the night and had to pee, so i stumble, fumble downstairs to the bathroom and go to pee and SPLASH when i went to sit down the toilet seat had been left up ( ) and i fell in!!!! and i mean IN!!! my butt hit WATER!!! :eek :eek :eek so my butt is no longer wider than the toilet...that WOKE me up!!! thank god my dad can atleas…

So today was the day Patty and I had set aside to do our Christmas shopping. Well, HER Christmas shopping. I don't have any family to speak of, so all I buy for is her. But she has lots of family, and they are on their best behaviour right now, too. Her family gives presents that are to die for. We were out shopping, her in her Amigo thing with a basket, and me walking beside her. We have division of labor, she tells me what to get and then I put it in the cart. It's her job to decide what we're buying for her side, and while we're in the stores I pick up necessities. I bought dog food. Got a great deal on fifty pounds. When we got home I had to carry a…

I think I'm heading for that bandster bugaboo, soft-food syndrome. Winter has something to do with it, and also the fact that I have not yet completely separated the fact of food from the feeling of comfort. Eating the bandster way is easy during the day. I have a Protein bar for Breakfast and my guts-of-a-deli-sandwich lunch every day. But when I get home I find myself hoping that DH will have made something yummy, and soft, for dinner. Like tonight's stew, or the other night's lasagna. These are foods I can eat a "normal" portion of and feel just fine, as opposed to nibbling half a salad-plate-full and having to leave the table to keep from feeling deprived. Of cou…

Hi, I just found this board. I normally post on Spotlighthealth.com or Obesityhelp as Singingblu. Just wanted to say HI and I will be back frequently! Blu Banded 5/27/04 233/172/125

I just want to wish you a wonderful holiday season and an amazing 2005 full of love and blessings and more lost weight. I wont have access to my computer for a few weeks and I dont want to miss the opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate this wonderful community and how grateful I am to have found this place and all of you. Be safe, be happy and enjoy the season. love, Tellie

Hi everyone, Haven't been here much lately. Busy, busy and did I say busy. As I am sure are all of you are the same. I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. We are spending Christmas Eve with our family here in Washington and then we fly out Christmas night to be with middle daughter (Angie) & Jose and baby Nevaeh in Reno for a week. She is going to be 6 months old, I can't believe how time flys. I just want to wish all of you the best through the holiday season. You are all wonderful people here I thank all of you for the support, comfort, friendship and inspiration that you have given me and others. And a special thanks to the person that creat…

What I've found is that Weight Loss Surgery is a long and hard road... it's certainly not the easy way out.... I wish it were.... BUT, if used correctly, banding is a great tool to aid you in our weight loss goals. Dont get me wrong, all weight loss surgeries have to be worked at. WE know that the band is a tool and not a magic pill. I wish it were ! So far, I am definately finding it easier and more successful than anything I have attempted before. One thing that I love about the band opposed to dieting alone, is that it wont allow me to throw in the towel and undo all the good work that i've done. Previously on diets I could stay motivated for a few months then fo…

What's up girl?? Where are you??

I am getting more and more excited each day as I will be banded on Friday. I can't wait and feel like a kid waiting for Christmas!

This is the first year we took a group shot...in the past it was only the kids. :laugh Merry Christmas

I'M so excited I think I'm in shock they approved me. My date to be a bander is Jan 4, 2004.I'm estadic I'm going to be able to go on this journey to be healthier,and have my outside match my inside(BEAUTIFUL). Happy holiday to all of you! I've gotten the BEST present ever.Thank you GOD!!!!!!!!

Well, I took my next baby step towards this procedure. I went to my PCP for the first time in 1 1/2 years, for one reason to finally be put on medication for high blood pressure and to discuss WLS. The ironic thing is, I had been avoiding this doctor becuase every time I went to see her, even if it was for a cold, etc, she would wiegh me then get on my case about my weight. I never wanted to go to her. Well, she never even mentioned my weight yesterday, which was ironic because I borught it up to her. She is very willing to back me on this, and told me to let her know if I needed a letter of medical necessity. I told her the two seminars I would be attending tomorrow (…

Hello, I have been reading posts on the site for months now. My surgery was exactly 1 week ago. I did not think it was too bad. Pretty sore until a few days ago. Things have been going well except now I have put on a few pounds. I have been hungry since the surgery and I have been trying to add things to give me a few extra calories and to stop the hunger pains. I did Clear liquids for the first few days and now have added creamy liquids to my diet. I did add 1 milk shake the last 2 days and each day I have put on a pound. I was happy to weigh myself the first few days because the scale was going down each day. I know that I should not be weighting myself each da…

It sure wasn't what I was expecting though. I had to actually register and be admitted to the hospital (on paper only). They even put a bracelet on me!! Anyone else have to do that? What should take only a few minutes to accomplish took up a half day for me! Sheesh!! The dr deadened the area and swabbed it all down with iodine. They had some sort of x-ray machine (flouro?) hovering over me so they could see my port on a screen, then she used a paper clip, of all things, to mark the spot where she needed to stick the needle. The fill was a 2 needle process. There was this big needle with a port type thing on one end and she stuck the other end into my port. Then…

Are any of you losing your hair? Mine seems to be coming out lately. When I shower and wash my hair, I have to clean hair out of the drain 3-4 times, quite a bit of hair each time. And my hair is short!! Help!! Does anyone know if this is caused by lapband surgery? Or does losing weight cause this? Or maybe I'm lacking something in my diet? I've lost 34 lbs. since my surgery on Aug. 25, 2004. I've had one fill of 1.2cc. Any help or advice would really be appreciated.

I have always had fine hair, so even a little hair loss is significant. I started losing my hair *before* I was banded and I now believe it may be because of the beta blockers. I did some research and found they are associated with hair loss, and it was shortly after I started one that my hair started thinning noticeably in front. Well now, it's thinning at the crown. I feel very distressed by this. I know I'm not eating enough Protein because, honestly, I abhor the Protein shakes. I have WheyPro. Maybe there is something better out there? I mix it with Skim Plus, six packets of Splenda, and sometimes blend it with crushed ice (sometimes just drink it). Either way, it…

Hi Everyone, I did some research regarding my previous post about esophageal achalasia. The radiologist detected this problem when I had my last fill on Friday. For those who dont know what this means, it is lack of esophagus function in one or more areas of the esophagus. For the general unbanded population, this is a rare disorder usually found in only 2 in 200,000 folks and usually found in geriatric patients. Some of them have trouble swallowing, since their esophagus loses sensation. According to Inamed, for banded folks who have tight fills, achalasia could cause reflux, gastritis and numerous other issues. To some extent, folks who have a really tight fill…

Hi Everyone I am back from my appointment with Dr. Ortiz, First let me thank all of you for your support and thoughts that were with me all this morning. I arrived at Ortiz's office at 9:30 as I was waiting for Ortiz to show up, Dr Martinez called the office to make sure I arrived OK. Dr. Ortiz arrived at 9:45 and I was his only appointment today he made a special trip just to see me. Martinez is out of town so no fills scheduled ( he is the fill master they only do fills on Mondays & Saturdays surgery the rest of the week) Ortiz took me into the fluoro room where I explained all that was going on. I told him about my ALMOST PB on a bite of bread last Monday night…

So I have been fat for a while now and have the FUPA issue. For those of you who doesn't know what a FUPA is I will explain but I will not give you the actual meaning of the letters in the word because this is not that kind of site. A FUPA is the belly part that hangs down past your goodies down below. The part that sits in your lap when you sit down. I just got one about a year or two ago due to becoming so overweight. Well I have never had trouble with this before but about 2 weeks ago I started having pain in my muscles that are in the crease of my legs up under there above my thigh. If I sit for too long or just from the car ride from work to home. It takes me …

I am officially a Bandster!! I had my surgery on Thursday. He took my gallbladder out also. I had over 30 stones in there! He gave us 3 of them, they are funny lookin. I am thinking about gettin some google eyes and some of that craft pipe cleaner and make a little bug out of them hehe. Think I can sell em on ebay? LOL I am feeling great. I am glad its over. Now I can just heal and enjoy my band.

My port is moving around and I go into my dr. on Wednesday. The port has always been difficult to access for a fill and after several tries in the dr. office I am usually sent to the hospital for it to be done under flouro. The dr.'s nurse said that it would require surgery. Has anybody else have this happen and how did the surgery go?

Hi Everyone, I went for a fill on Friday morning done by flouroscopy which I hoped would be my last fill to get to goal. I was also hoping that I would never need another fill again. Instead of the radiologist I normally have, they scheduled me with a new guy. Of course I was livid cause my regular guy has done my last few fills and I feel very comfortable with him. Anyway, I decided to let the new guy do it after talking with him a little about my fill history. Apparently he had done some fills over several months and wasnt a complete newbie. A little fill history first: Banded June 23, 2003 August 2003 - 1.00 CC by flouro / No restriction August 2003 / 1 w…

Hi All" Im new here. Have doctor's consult in February. My sister lost over 100 pounds with gastric by-pass but Im considering lapband. My questions: What makes the "addiction" to food go away? Do you all of a sudden just dont care to eat anymore? What keeps you from eating? Is it because you will feel really sick? Im probably going to have this proceedure. However, in the back of my mind probably from years of failed attempts at weightloss, Im thinking this isnt going to work for me. Im so depressed. Any information, encouragement would help! Thanks!

Well... it's official... I had my first official PB tonight. I have had the terrible pain and sliming before... but this was the first time it came up instead of finally going down. I still feel like the one bite of dinner I had is stuck... any suggestions if I keep harking up slime balls and the food stays stuck????? I want to take a sip of Water SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad... it's taking all of my willpower to ignore this urge! :ermm

Hey, girl, December 15th is almost here! So you better enjoy your wanton, eat anything you want days while you can. LOL But I know that you are more than ready to get on with "Living Your Life"! Sending you (((hugs))) and prayers that God guides the surgeon's hands and that you have a minimum pain recovery period. I know that you'll be a good bandster and follow your surgeon's post-op care. Best of luck to you!

My port is protruding from my stomach. I keep trying to push it back, but it keeps coming out. It is not through the skin or anything, however hurts if I bump it. The skin is red and warm at the site. Anyone else have this problem???

All I gotta say is HOLY MOLY!!!! I am so pleased with my progress to date. Went to my regular doc for a routine appt and everyone of the office staff remarked how much weight I had lost and that I looked GREAT. Even the doctor said "WOW!, you look great." Isn't that just the coolest thing? Here are my 8 month anniversary pics. Compare them to my Sept pics as I don't have a pic beyond that since now. I will include a before pic as well so you have some reference too.

Roll call, ladies. Where are you and how are you doing??

I want to fully understand why we have to take liquid meds or crush our pills or open capsules. Can someone please explain this to me? My pharmacist told me that with 2 of my meds I cannot do that with so I am having to be changed to a different medication. My old meds worked so well for me.

banding date dec 8 at 1:30p.m. dismissed from the hosp on dec 9 at 1:15 p.m. the night after surgery , honestly it felt like he never even did anything . the next morning a little sore but nothing like i was thinking it was going to be. so far piece of cake (oh sorry ). thanks for all the support and will post more down the road. tim do i start the Protein drinks now? thanks

I was banded in Mexico in July and I desperately need a fill. I live in Cincinnati OH and I am looking for a fill Dr. I am willing to travel. Please help.