LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

does anyone out there know if there is a fill doctor anywhere close to north carolina, i had my lapband op in europe and i am worried as i know its a little different to the f.d.a approved ones hear in the states and i know i need a fill and feeling like if i don't find somewhere soon my whole op would have been a waste of time as i am slowly feeling less and less restriction. if anyone out there can give me somewhere east coast i would be very grateful. the closest to north carolina the better and some idea how much it might cost as i have no idea what i am looking at , as my fills were included with op. hope to hear from someone soon before i drift into an all you can e…

I went for my Upper GI barium swallow thing this morning. All I can say is the seltzer stuff wasnt bad, but the barium was less than desirabe, but tolerable all the same. It was so neat to watch it flow to my stomach!!! Gross and neat all at the same time.

Hey guys just wanted to lend my apologies to all of you fine people for letting the one thread get way out of hand. I had just as much to do with that as the starter of that thread. I sometimes forget that being such a strong willed person and not afraid to speak my mind can get me into situations that should be stopped long before they get to the point this thread did. I feel very strongly about the safety of the procedure along with the management of the patient whether there are complications or not after the surgery. Being an RN it really bothers me to see a surgeon not doing basic follow up by something as simple as a return phone call. Again I won't reh…

Hi everyone! I thought I'd start a thread for a change because after reading all your awesome threads I needed to jump in!!! Hope you don't mind! Revelations.....about myself....since my lap band surgery. Call it an NSV, a perk, a mini victory....call it what you like....but I think that everything I'm experiencing is AWESOME!!! I'm learning so much about the old me that I've never realized or thought about before. And I know you'll agree! One particular revelation for me is that I no longer have an over-abundance of napkins in my car!!! I know you can ALL relate to this...c'mon....fess up! But, the truth is, I went through the car wash last week and w…

Good day everyone, I was banded on Monday, November 29, 2004. I'm in a great deal of pain but I'm dealing with it. I'm a little concerned because I haven't had a bowel movement since surgery. Is this normal? My stomach seems to be making some weird noises. I don't know if it is growling or what. I'm not hungry though. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hello all, I hope this is not good bye to this wonderful site, but I called my insurance today and found out that any surgery or treatment for obesity is a strict exclusion!. I didn't know whether or not to punch a whole in the wall or my company presidents face! I cannot believe that we were all told several months ago that our insurance policy had been changed or revised and that there are soooooo many freakin exclusions in it that SHOULD NOT be there! I do not know what to do now. :cry I was so excited to become a bandster with everyone, but it looks like it may not happen and I can go find a nice high bridge. Just overdramatizing. Don't worry, I know that wo…

This afternoon I got a call from surgeon's office letting me know that all surgeries for tomorrow have been cancelled due to a death in the immediate family of the Proctor coming in to work with surgeons. They are changing over to the new type of band with inflatable sections/balloons and need to learn from a Proctor. So, they reset me for 12/15. I am disappointed as emotionally and logistically I was all set and things arranged at work, home, etc. Of course, I am sorry for his family and their loss. I just finished the two week diet and drank this horrible drink this afternoon to clean me out, I guess I will just continue the prep diet until the 15th. I am down 13 …

I lifted this from Jessie Ahroni on Smartbandsters. I think someone may have posted the link already, but nobody tells it like Jessie. ************************************************************ In diabetes education we figure a person's calorie needs based on 10-16 calories per pound of ideal body weight. If my ideal body weight were 135 pounds I would need to eat between 1350 and 2160 calories per day -- depending on my age, body fat, lean muscle mass, gender, activity, medications, etc. I ALWAYS use 10 calories per pound of ideal body weight in formerly obese females at the usual activity level. Only if they are very small or losing more than 2 or 3 pounds a…

Hi Everyone. I am new to the forum and new to this whole band thing. STATS: Banded - October 22, 2004 Pre-op Weight - 166 Weight today - 160 (Dec 1) Goal - 125 Height - 5'4" Age - 39 Surgeon - Dr. Rodriguez, Monterrey, MX I was wondering if there are any low BMI bandsters like me. My BMI was 28 before I had surgery. I was just looking for someone similar. Also, I am not feeling the restriction like I hear everyone talk about, so I am having a fill on Friday. Just looking for advice to make sure I am doing the right thing. Also, it is terrifying me to read about everyone's problems. How do you know if your band has eroded? What makes this happe…

O.K. I need some snack suggestions from you that have been banded for a while. What is good to just snack on? What are some suggestions for taking on a road trip etc.?

I am very interested in this procedure and am inquiring about prices. Can anyone help with the approximate cost of this proceedure?

Hi everyone , six weeks since my surgery now... I have been able to eat alot more than last week ...I even gained a pound or two....so I did keep my fill appointment today. I received one CC. The doctor told me I may feel I need more -that I should be able to tell in a few days and to come back and he will add more. I am not sure how much I should really be eating again?? Is it one cup three times per day??? Should I not be able to eat one cup after a fill or only a half cup?? I hate to probably be asking about stuff that has been printed hear before ... how many days should I wait to make sure it has kicked in or not??? Thanks

I discovered an awesome magazine called "Weight Loss Surgery Lifestyles Magazine". So many interesting and easy toi relate to articles. To get a glimpse of what it's all about go to their website: WWW.WLSLIFESTYLE.COM and see a preview of what they're all about. Also, another excellent site is: http://www.bariatricsupportcenter.com Even more helpful info!!! Check it out!!! Nancy* :-)

I have my 6 week check up tomorrow and when I called th office today they did not know if I was having a fill or not. I am going to ask him for one when I get there. Those of you who have had fills did you have to not eat that day so they could see what is going on? I just do not want to get there tomorrow afternoon and them say that I cannot get one because I ate. I need one and am hoping to get it done. I have been on a 3 week no loss zone and it is starting to move again, but will move more and faster with a fill.

Just a dozen days ago I was fitted with the Adjustable Gastric Band. Just a dozen days ago and much has happened. I have been learning a new way to eat. I have been congratulated on shaving my beard. Of course I never had a beard, but my face is thinner, maybe that's where the confusion starts. I have discovered how to eat too quickly, and the consequences of that lapse in judgement. I have found out about eating too much. I reccomend neither, except as learning experiences. I have discovered that, yes, just as the others have been saying, the band has a mind of it's own. One day I can absent mindedly eat more than I intended, and the next day Water can be…

:cry Thank you all for responding to my original thread. I have my date for having my band removed. I am going on Dec. 7th. I am a little nervous because it is the first one that this doctor has had to remove. I am so worried about how I am going to be successful with my weight loss after it is gone. I am especially angry to see that there have been at least 7 people who have had to have theirs removed that had their original surgery done by Dr. Lopez. I have contacted Inamed, and they asked a lot of questions, and they want me to send them my and after it has been removed. I also notified Dr. Lopez's office, and I got back one email saying that it needed to be confirmed…

Carmen's post (Lioness81970) has really gotten me thinking and I feel moved to write more about my own feelings on being banded. I had surgery exactly 15 months ago today. My primary reasons for doing it were that I wanted to get healthier and I wanted to look better. I could not have imagined then that the changes I was hoping to effect in my body would be nothing compared to the changes that would evolve in my mind and soul. I expected some psychological changes of course, but I was anticipating that they would be somewhat negative: I thought the behavior changes I would need to make would be difficult and that there might be some difficulties in relationships…

I feel bad because I most often post when I am feeling really desperate and that is what's going on for me again. I was banded 4/2003. Lost 40 lbs. and gained 30-35 back. Have been either too tight or too loose... Here are my questions: 1. How often do you PB? It seems like many people loosing are PBing alot. 2. Has anyone ever been at 1cc and had heartburn and can't eat much. I feel now at 1cc like I did a year ago at 2.2cc. 3. Why is it that I am the one person who cannot change psychologically? I feel like I have no willpower. (ie... I make bad food choices, and when my band is tighter, I get it unfilled because I don't like it) 4. Does anyone else get the…

This question has been asked MANY times here, but unless the mystery happens to me, I never remember the answer!!! I went for my 2nd fill today. Had my first fill back in Aug. - 1.6cc's. When Dr. Spiegel checked the level today it was a 1.2cc...... so, where did my fill go???

Gosh I've missed all of you. Have been off work for the last several weeks with severe bronchitis and upper respiratory infection. Actually needed to be on oxygen and have nebulizer treatments with a respiratory therapist three times a day. Was sleeping 16+ hours a day too. Took me two weeks just to read a book, couldn't concentrate on anything. Back to work part-time this week and hopefully full-time next week. Glad to hear the board is busy, New Hope, I promise I'll write down the crab dip recipe for you and get it to you next week. We are headed to friends for Thanksgiving as no-one wanted me to "make such a big effort" since I'm still recuperating. Saw Dr. …

Good day. I will be banded in the morning. I have been reading this site for a few weeks now. I think I got a little confused with the information from my doctor. Does anyone remember only eating Clear liquids 24 hours before surgery? I'm a little confused and I am starving. I know I can't eat anything after 12 midnight, but what about today? Please help!!

Hi Everyone, Trying to get through the 100's of emails both bandster and business related!! I seemed to have missed out on a whole lot of activity here.! Well, I defintely need a fill and plan to go and get one. My eating this last week has been out of control and I put on 4 pounds. I am sure that some of this is Water retention, since my rings on my fingers are struggling to come off. Its really hard being on a road trip. I resorted to eating pistachios in the car the whole ride there as well as tortilla chips and other assorted junk food. And lets not even talk about Thanksgiving. I ate my way through a buffet table that had everything from crabs legs, turkey, stuffi…

Tips for Beating the Flu <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> With the shortage of flu shots this season, here's an alternative. <o:p></o:p> Think about it, when you go for a shot, what do they do first? Clean your arm with alcohol. Why? Because alcohol kills germs. <o:p></o:p> So...... <o:p></o:p> <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6">Walk to the liquor store (exercise) <o:p></o:p><LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-ma…

Hi I am having surgery today as my band has come undone and needs to be closed or replaced. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happened ?? cheers Heather

Hi guys, I moved my surgury date up to November 30th and would have gone on the 23th if I wasn't going on vacation to Yosmite with my family and friends for Thanksgiving. They asked me not to miss the vacation and I am trying to make it work between two major family trips. We are going to NY on December 17th-27. So I thought I should do it as soon as possible so I can enjoy my family. Then the doctor told me I wouldn't be able to lift anything over 10 pounds for four weeks and freaked I out. I will not be able to take care of my baby for 4 weeks and then I panicked. I had planned for one week or so but not that long. So some of my friends have promised to step up …

Hi! My surgeon's office recommended this board. They say that people who get lap-banded and take advantage of a "support network" on-line or in person have a greater success rate. So here I am, to take advantage of all of you. I was banded November 23rd. Mostly I feel better, although I have some pain where the port is located and when bending or stretching. I'm also really sick of cream of chicken Soup, and it hasn't even been five days! Ack! I have another 9 days of the liquid diet (after a 2-day clear diet), then two weeks of 'pureed' solids, then soft solids, then solids. I feel like I could eat solids now. I swallow my Vitamins and everything just fine. The only…

Hi, I have been a stranger here for a while! I have spent the last 4 nights sleeping sitting up because I have had constant regurgitation during the night. It seems to happen if I ate something or if I drank something. I have not had a fill since the summer. I have noticed lately that my band seems tighter, and I did not think of that as a bad thing. I even had a few PB episodes, but I was eating and drinking okay, and then this started. Could this be a stomach virus? How long should I let it continue before letting my Dr. know? Is it possible for my band to just tighten to this point so long after getting a fill (August)??? I did not even eat any Thanksgiving d…

hi folks I wondered if anyone has any advice about explaining the lap band procedure to their children? I have two boys, the eldest is almost fourteen and is quite close to me. I have been pretty involved in researching and learning about the surgery and discussing it with my husband (in private, away from the kids). This morning my son came to me and wanted to know what's going on? He said "I know you and dad are discussing something and i heard one of you mention hospital". I didn't know what to say - I haven't a surgery date yet, I'm not even 100% sure (i am 99%!) sure i am going to go ahead with it so don't want to worry my son yet. We have had quite a bit of tr…

I pb'd last night and then I had the burps forever. Usually after I burp quite a bit the uncomfortableness goes away. Not this time, when I drink water or anything cold I have a uncomfortable feeling for a bit. Hot stuff is not to bad but something feels different. Could I have hurt something in there? Do you think I am just sore from the pb'ing. I still felt kinda of uncomfortable this morning and then I pb'd again after drinking some water. I have done liquids all day today and I am afraid to put anything in there. Is it possible to just be sore from the pb'ing that I did. Or could something be stuck? I had my first fill 4 weeks ago and I have pb'd a couple of times but…

I can't believe I did a 3 mile fun run yesterday. I participated in the 37 annual Turkey Trot in downtown Dallas. They hold it every Thanksgiving morning for the YMCA. My friends have done this for years but this is the first year I felt comfortable enough that I would get through the 3 miles. We had so much fun and there were over 20,000 people there with me. I would have never done this for myself if it hadn't been for the lap band. I am wearing my Turkey Trot tee-shirt proudly to work today and feel so good about myself for actually making it through the finish line. I'm already looking for the next run/walk I can sign up for because I think it will be a fun way…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Today is (ironically) my 1 year bandiversary and I must say that Thanksgiving has a brand new meaning for me!!! All my life I have been bigger than what society has deemed a "normal" weight. Growing up I was always the biggest in my class. When I got older and started having children the weight just started piling on. When I delivered my last child in 99 I was weighing in at 270 pounds. It was a very complicated pregnancy and my doctor told me that my weight was a big factor in it. About a year and a half later I ended up pregnant again and was just estatic!! I wanted another baby so bad and couldn't have been happier. When I hit …

I go to the sleep center On Halloween night to be re-tested. They think I have dropped enough weight to either have my C-PAP pressure reduced from 15 pounds to 8 pounds or come off the C-Pap altogether. I am worried about coming off altogether due to when I was found to have the disorder the nuerologist who did my study showed me that I stopped breathing 477 times in the 8 hour sleep. He told me I vertually was not sleeping and just a few months away from death at this rate. Thank God my wife ratted to the Dr about my restlessness at nite. I had no idea I was doing it. Just knew I was tired all the time. The C-PAP was the best thing that happended to me until the …

Well, I had my first appt Tuesday at the OCC in Boston. Reading all of your post regarding surgery related travel I realize how lucky I am that my surgery will be only 15 miles from home!! The 1st appointment was with the clinical Psychologist and it went well. She found me "sane" enough for surgery. (I think) I have to go to lots of meeting before the actual surgery gets done: New Patient Orientation Lap Band Support Group Open Conversation with the Surgeon Physical Activity for Life Education Lecture Series (3 lectures) 6-Session Behavior Change Group (once a week). I will be so busy with all of this, I wont have time to eat, which is a good thing, they…

Hello everyone! I have been lurking the past week or two not saying much cause I have been nervous but I got a call today and I am approved through Pacificare for surgery on December 9th! I am so nervous/scared/happy. I feel like a jumbled mess of emotions right now.

I was banded on 10/21. I lost a lot of weight in the begining and have not lost any for going on my 3rd week. Basically since I started eating food. I know that I have read on here that this is fairly normal. But wouldn't you lose something? Even 1 pounds a week with the way less amount of food you are taking in? My first fill in November 30, so I know that will help. Just want to make sure that this is somewhat normal. Seems odd that with taking in so much less that I am not loosing something. I should get the ok to start exercising after I see the surgeon on the 30th.

how long does the surgery actually take thanks tim dec 8 date

Boy do I love getting a fill under fluoroscope! :banana I was so nervous this morning cause I thought the doc was going to find a leak..What other explanation for the complete loss of restriction. I even had 2 pork chops last night, the last time I had 3 bites of a pork chop, I PBed!! So off to radiology I went with my head full of questions for the doc. I landed up waiting 2 hours to get in with only water I was pretty hungry. Dr McKeen struts in looking quite thin...I remark on how good he looks with his weight loss and his remark was "I did it the hard way" Then quickly apologizes and reams "I hope it stays off," we laughed as he pulls out a bag of goodies, syrin…

I am getting banded on Monday by Dr. Lopez in Tijuana. I am staying at the Lucerna and my procedure is being done at the Lityen. Can anyone give me ANY suggestions or advice. My mom will be with me. Has anyone been to either place? What did you think? What do I need to bring? Will my mom be O.K while I am having surgery? Is Dr Lopez's staff good? Facility clean? Anyone's feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

This is a neat site. Put in your IDEA weight and it will figure everything for you. www.room42.com/nutrition/basal.shtml

OK, I suppose this really belongs in the "General Discussion" list, but "Support" seems more appropriate. . . because my boobs are shrinking. I know this is a normal part of losing weight, but I'm starting to feel like a teenager all over again, and not in a good way -- I need to stuff gym socks in my C-cups, and it ain't pretty! I've still got a lot of weight to lose, so I don't want to run out and buy a bunch of new bras when I might be wearing nothing but an undershirt or two teaspoons taped together in another year or so. I need major hydraulics (I'm 47, and my bra size isn't much smaller) so I can't just do without. Any suggestions from someone who's been there? Or n…

I have been banded now 10 weeks. I received my frist fill about 1 month ago. I have had quite a bit of a learning curve. Have PBed many times. I am still losing very well, but I am having a hard time determining if I am full or if I have not chewed well or if I have eaten to fast. I can;t tell 1 feeling from the other. Actually I really never feel hungry anymore,but I am eating very little. I mean I can not eat much at all. Can some of you explain the differnce between being full, eating to fast and not chewing well. I feel the burning sensation in my chest a lot.

.....when I wake up? I feel very nauseated/queasy and can't eat or drink until I have been up for a while. Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks post-op. Thanks!

where are you all say hello to the new girl and lets talk some --would love to heal all about yourexperiences having it done Oct 26th--TALK TO ME!

I have really been struggling with variety on the mush stage. I don't know if anyone else is but here are a couple of suggestions I found. First I take about 3T of cottage cheese and mix about 1T of ricotta cheese with it. Then I add one of the little individual cups of s/f Jello. After I've stirred those together I add a tablespoon or 2 of Cool Whip Free. It is really delicious. Of course I chew and chew. The other thing I've found (and I've heard of this all my life, just didn't have the nerve to try it) is potted meat. Sounds yuk, I know, but when you are really wanting a meat flavor you resort to most anything that was previously not too palatable. I really love (…

Wow! Beyond my wildest dreams, I am down 73 pounds. I lurk alot on the board, try to contribute now and then. But I have to let EVERYONE on this board know that you all have been a big part of my success. I read everything on here, and I feel I have learned so much through all of your experiences. And for that I owe a big THANK YOU! Living with this band has been so interesting. Like the rest of you, sometimes I can eat a ton, and other times can hardly take a couple bites and be stuffed. I drink at least 150 oz of Water a day, and lots of times much more. I was fortunate that I was a heavy water drinker before, so this piece of the weight loss plan has been easy…

Now that all of you are back from the Vegas Bash, and the rest of us Pity Party goers are up off the couch - is anybody willing or interested in participating in an exercise challenge? I'm not thinking anything drastic - just more than what we're already doing. I think the goal should be for a 'heart healthy' 30 minutes of activity a day, at least 3 days a week. Anything more is a bonus and worth an extra woo-hoo from the group! Anything counts - weights (Darcy), walking, bike riding (Marie), playing tag with the kids (all the Moms out there), dancing your a** off (Leatha and Lisa). I know Penni wants to do a 5K here soon, and this would be a way we could all get …

I was banded 11/19 lost almost 23 lbs. I can eat roughly 2 cups or more of food no problems right now..regular food now...I am scheduled for a fill 11/30 next Tuesday. Should I do it??? Should I wait a few weeks????? I can feel that I can only eat a certain amount right now and feel it if I eat too much.....Should I wait?????? Is it too soon ???? I want to keep losing weight ......My faithful pals please respond... By the way I went away last week to the ABC Super Soap Weekend at MGM Studios In Disneyworld. I did great!!!!!!! I did have wine but I ate Like one meal a day.... and did not over eat ..... I am sooooo happy !!!!...I have been eating all of my vitamin…

Hi there, just wondering if anyone else has has difficulty loosing weight, I am eating so little and still no weight is coming off. I have only lost about 7-8 pounds since the surgery two weeks ago, and I know that is some weight, but I feel discouraged that I hear others lose so much in the first weeks that I just thought I would too. I have checked with my doctor and he has okayed that I can start doing my cardio exercises, maybe that will help drop some weight. If anyone out there has any tips for me to speed up my weight loss, please share them with me, it just doesn't seem fair that I am eating like a little birdy and not losing any weight, because the initial wei…

I have lost roughly 23 pounds since 10/19 the date of my banding.... I am able to eat roughly two Plus cups of food at a time. My six week fill date is 11/30 and I want to know from all of you experienced bandsters should I keep that appointment? Is it too soon? It is six weeks what I was told .... I Can eat alot more than I had but I am still losing about one -two pounds in the last few weeks ..... Please let me know.......

I had my surgery August 23rd. My first fill was Tues November 16th. I was told to do liquids for 2 days and then food as tolerated. While doing liquids I had 5 episodes where I had BP. 3 were while I was drinking my protein slowly, 1 was on OJ and the other 1 was when I took a vitamin. I called the doctor and they told me to come in and have some saline removed. Last night and this morning I was doing great and had no problems getting anything down so I was second guessed going to the docs office today. Around 10:00 I attempted to try real food so I had some eggs. Because the band is tighter in the morning I had a protein shake for breakfast and was going to do eggs as a…