LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hi All - For those of you who are interested, I got this announcement from Spotlight Health today: Dear Community Members, In this month's chat, we'll be discussing why weight loss with the LAP-BAND is typically more gradual than with the gastric bypass. How do you determine when you should reach your goal weight? And what should your goal weight be, anyway? Is 50% of your excess body weight a good result? Dr. Helmuth Billy, a board-certified surgeon from Ventura, California, discusses how to gauge your success and the importance of setting realistic expectations. The chat will be held Tuesday, August 10, at 6 p.m. PST / 9 p.m. EST. Note new time! To particip…

I just wanted to let everyone know about a protein drink I have been using. My personal trainer who is totally into all of this told me he thought this one taste better than most he has tried. It is the one they use at the smoothie factory for the base of the protein smoothie's and you can buy packets there. I think you can also get it at GNC or order online. It is called Lean Body for her it contains 30g of protein 1g of fat and only 10g of carbs. The flavor I have is Vanilla ice cream. It also comes in Chocolate, but I like the Vanilla because I can mix all kinds of fruit or other flavors. The brand is LaBrada. I usually mix in frozen fruit a couple of splenda's …

I thought this story was very interesting, and am DYING to know if MO people have the same kind of brain function reaction to the foods we eat as drug addicts. I have always said that food was my drug of choice, and for me it is definitely a sedative-type of reaction. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/03/health/03addi.html?pagewanted=1&th It would be swell if these drug addiction scientists could spare some time to look at the MO population and do some studies on us as well, in this kind of context. I also wonder if some of their drug addiction solutions are inspired by drugs like Meridia. I like the idea of blocking the pleasure pathways that eliminate the "hig…

I've been banded for a little over 8 months and have never PB'd..........until yesterday. My in-laws have a picnic every summer for the family. There is always plenty of food!!! So when I fixed my plate I did it the way a bandster would have. I grabbed a chicken leg, 1 rib and a spoonful of spaghetti. Now I have never had a problem eating anything. Well I was picking at the chicken leg eating small pieces of it and then decided I wanted to have a bit of spaghetti. It's never given me a problem before so why not? Ate the first bite and seemed ok. Ate the second bite and again all was great in the world. Ate the third bite and WHAM!!!! The golfball feeling that I…

Hello everyone. I had my band put on 2 weeks ago today. I am not as restricted as I thought I would be. I can eat pretty much what ever I want in small amounts. Is this normal, and will this all change when I get my first fill?

Just wondering if anyone knows why it takes some people up to a week before the fill kicks in? I got my second fill yesterday and it feels the same as before the fill. (I haven't had the honor to feel that "restriction" yet and have been anxiously waiting for it!) A friend who got her fill on Monday, too, said I might be able to feel the restriction by drinking a big gulp of Water as it may hurt a little/or i might feel it. I drank three gulps of water and nothing. I was disappointed! Maybe some of you wiser folks will know. Thanks!

I am going to see my first set of Doctors next week and I am getting a bit nervous that they will find something wrong with me and I will not be able to get the band. I was wondering what kind of things would cause me not to qualify for the lap band. I have heard of so many conflicting things. and I know this should be a question for my surgeon but I forgot to ask. Also, did everyone have to have a stress test before getting their band. If so what is it like. Thanks so much. Amy

does anyone know any fill dr's in fl or me as my mom had the surgery in mexico and now cant find a dr that will take her.thanks

You're right. HOWEVER, I went Yahoo board cruising and I read about our friend Sandy who was here soliciting folks to join the lapband board that is just another recruiting tool for Ortiz...remember her?? This weekend, she was kicked off of one of the boards because she was pretending to be someone "gailkitty" (go figure) who was shopping for the right doctor and was using that "disguise " to recruit more patients away from a particularly pro-Kuri board to become Ortiz patients. The moderator said she was "sharking," but I'm starting to think that, in the case of SOME of these people, that term is insulting to sharks everywhere.

To all prospective newcomers to the Vegas BASH: Below is a tentative Itinerary for the October events. 8th = Friday night we have a dinner meet at some area restaurant or in one of the restaurants in the hotels. Buca DiBeppo was a suggestion by Lisa. Head over to the BINGO and disrupt the proceedings. LOL!!! 9th = Saturday we plan on heading to Lisa's house for the day. Barbeque later that afternoon. Gabbing till we drop. Prize to the most original scar design. Prize to the either Penni or Lisa for who lost the most weight. LOL!! 10th = Sunday (depending on when people have to leave) do a brunch somewhere and say our goodbyes. Most of us are staying at th…

Well, I finally got re-filled back to where I was before the unfill. I am so glad to have restriction again and can't wait to start losing weight again. I'm giving it time to settle, of course, but I just hope it is not going to be too tight. I can drink without problem, but so far have not even been able to eat mushies yet (which they told me to start today). Wish me luck. Nancy

Hey everyone, I had my band put in 2 weeks ago today. I don't have as much restriction as I thiught I would. I can eat pretty much whatever I want in small amounts. Is this normal? Will it change after I get my first fill?

When we look at the obese person what do we see? The fatlady at the circus? A novelty, something to make us ooh, and ah, and maybe laugh? Santa Claus? He's fat. But he can still make it down the chimney. Buddha? Giver of Light? He's fat, but preached self restraint? Do we see someone who is always conscious of the gaze of strangers? Someone who hates their disability? Someone who feels guilty buying anything more substantial than a head of lettuce at the supermarket? If I could lose a pound for every time I"ve heard someone say "Dont' buy that, it'll make you fat" I just wish I could answer them this way: "Too bad we don't know what food makes peop…

After a fill? I told my work I will be in right after my appointment, will I feel bad?? Thanks! Baileym _____________ June 14th 1st fill 8/6/04

Last night Jamie Summers (that's what I named my band)and I went out to a fabulous dinner as a local resturant named Sevilla. I love their spanish cuizine(spelling)I followed the "rules" and stopped drinking well before the "Tapas" came Which were delicious. We had calamari. But Jamie stood me up. She was bothering me all day I could barely eat and then... Nothing. I had the bread... down without a problem. I ordered the seafood pasta and finished every bite. I didn't even notice Jamie was missing in action until my campanion said, "Wow you can still eat that much and loose so much weight?" I looked down and it was gone, my whole meal. Yes, I was talking and eating and la…

Hi everyone! I was just courious about what some of you have been telling people about how you lost your weight? I know when I see a co worker that's losing weight, I'm the first one asking "How did you do it"? I don't think I'm ready to tell the world I'm banded. Does that make me a hypocrite? I mean I enjoy sharing my experience with you guys but the rest of the world is very judgemental. Does everyone know that YOU were banded? Love, Margret Banded 7/26/04 Dr. Lopez-T.J. 215/210/140

Did'ja ever notice that when a person quits smoking they give up cigs entirely? Did'ja ever notice when a person gives up their heroin addiction they give up drugs, entirely? Did'ja ever notice that an alchoholic can quit by not drinking any more alchohol, ever? But, did'ja also notice that if some one addicted to food gives up their drug of choice they'll starve to death? How terrible if you had to quit smoking but still had to take three puffs a day for the rest of your life. Or you had to take three sips of alchohol, but couldn't have any more than that. I don't think will power alone can beat this weight thing. Food is the enemy. We must avoid the ene…

I was banded 4-2-04 and had a 2cc fill three weeks ago. Everyting was fine until last week. I started to burb a lot with a little stabbing pain which seems to be from my esophagus. I have the same pain when I take a deep breath. I am thinking I might be a tad tight. I have a call into the doctor but I was wanting to hear what ya'll had to say I don't have problems eating or drinking. Does this sound like it is indicative of being too tight? I sure like not feeling hungry and eating only a little bit and then feeling full. On the other hand I know being too filled can contribute to slippage. I certainly do not want that. I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks…

Hmmm, Need some advice.... I believe I have been having allergies the last few days, either that or I have gotten a cold. I also have been getting a little headaches here and there... What can be taken over the counter? I broke down last week and took some advil for a headache, which worked great! Any help would be great thanks! Baileym _____________ June 14th

Hi everyone, I am in the mushy phase, and have a craving for some type of pasta. When do you guys think I could try just some? I'm one of the lucky ones, I guess, because I have restriction already, so volume isn't a problem. My doc told me that the band was pretty snug from surgery, (suggesting politely, that I have a BIG stomach!). I was also wondering when you guys started to drink carbonated beverages comfortably. Thanks. Cindy

I need a doctor. I was banded in Indiana and got a fill before we were stationed here in Texas but having a few problems.. I need a doctor.. I'm located at Ft Hood. Dallas or Austin ?? Where do I even look? PLEASE HELP!!!

I was banded on July 19 and I feel great but I seem to be always hungry now and I think I'm eating too much before I get that full feeling. Has anyone out there had this experience so soon after banding, could it be possibe I need a little fill. Right now I have nothing in there at all. I lost 15 lbs but that was in the first 2 weeks and when I got on the scale this moring I gained 1 1/2 lbs. Now I'm getting nervous Janis:cry

Last weekend we attended a party for a cousin's child. (See photos in A Chance to Compare.) Last night I got an e-mail from my uncle, who has long been a beloved figure in our lives but whom we only get to see twice a year or so. Since my dad died in 1994 this uncle has served in loco parentis when needed. He said, essentially, that he was sorry he hadn't had a chance to compliment me on how I looked at the party. He said: "I gather you've reached your objective." I was stunned, but realize that he hasn't seen me at this weight, well, ever. So that was pretty cool right there. But I wrote back and told him that while I have reached AN objective I'm not done losing …

Hey Lisa; I see you have lost a total of 43 lbs. WAY TO GO!!!!! I have lost 43.5 lbs. Looks like we are neck and neck. Wanna race????? LOLOLOLOL

Michelle (Shelly), would you mind posting some of your hard-earned lessons on "living with the band"? You have done an absolutely fantastic job! What was your beginning weight, current weight, height, co-morbidities (if any)? How long have you been banded? Any band-related problems? Please share anything you've learned that you feel is beneficial. Thanks so much! Congratulations on a "job well done"!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes guys! That was really sweet....I've been crazy busy this past weekend...sisters wedding shower...family picture...shopping for wedding dresses for Mom and Grandma...eesh! I just found out yesterday that one of my friends and coworkers died...not sure how yet but praying it wasn't suicide...so...I had a pretty rough night to be totally honest...one thing...this is when I would normally stuff myself and I didn't...so that is good...if anything positive could come out of it... Anyway...gotta get ready for work and try to do something to my puffy eyes... Love you all.

I got good news today at my endoscopy appt. The band is not eroding. He said he was check for erosion and whether the band was pressing on my esphogus. Both were negative. I am soooo soooo happy. The only thing he kept telling me and my husband was that he would not take the band out now but that they would have to "play' with it a bit. He was not sure if the band is in the correct spot at this point since he was looking from the inside. He said he could see the restriction of the band on the inside of the stomach. He thought maybe the band needs to be repositioned. The last time I talked to my surgeon (a week ago) he said the band was on an angle with p…

or almost! See, it is related to losing weight in that I bought a pant ( lost 2 sizes!) verra pretty ( sorry, I am reading this books with some scottish caracters and I canna help myself!) cream colour..... and managed to spill red nail varnish all over them!!! well, not all over, just the front of both legs.... ARGH!!!!!! ( all my other pants are big and baggie ) I deserved the sexy pants..... the irony of it all is.... i bite my nails so I really didn't need to paint them! Anybody knows if it can come off? dry cleaners? soaking in v. remover? I read somewhere a hot iron and a wet towel would work but i thought that was for wax..... I will appreciate suggestions t…

Hi everyone! Finally, the mushy stage! Wanted to ask you guys, about creamed Soups. Should I be looking at caliore content in the creamed soups that I choose? Some are noteably higher in calories and I didn't know if I should be trying to avoid these kinds of soups. I love creamed soups by the way!! What do you think?? Love, Margret Banded 7-26-04 Dr. Lopez- T.J. 215/205/140

Hello all... Last night when I went to bed I had that framiliar old yuccky feeling. I havent experienced since I was banded. That feeling of having eaten way too much and too much sugar in my body. I can only describe it as yuccky. A bloated full, fat , tired feeling. We celebrated two of our daughters birthdays, One turned 21 and the other turned 30. We had homeade chocolate cake and homeade peach ice cream. plus barbecue and fried chicken. I dont know what came over me. Plus we went to the movies to see the Borne supremecy. There I had buttered popcorn and lemonaide. …

I thought I would pass this info along. There is a new Lapband support message board. You can join by going to www.lapbandforum.com There will eventually be live chats with Lapband experts, etc.! Sandy

hello just wanted to ask a few questions and see if anyone could give me some advice. i was banded on 3/2/2004 and so far i have lost 50lbs, but in the recent month i put on about 8 or so so i went back to my doctor tod him i could eat alot more and he gave me a fill which is my third the first 2 he said was .5 each time and this time was 1.0 he also said he that if i could eat the same then maybe he would have to do it under an x-ray. but that was a week ago and 5 of those 8 lbs have come off and now i cant stop burping i mean for a good hour or so. is this normal and is this restriction? im a little worried, i still can eat normal food never any pain just alot of burpin…

Hi. I would like to fing a lapband support group. I live in the mid cities in Texas. I am between Ft. Worth and Dallas. My Doctors support groups are gastric by pass. I have tried looking on the computer but havent had much luck. If anyone knows of one or could tell me how to find one I would really appreciate it... Thanks Janie

Hi all! I'm 3 days post-op and feeling great. My one and only complaint is, how do you get that yellow betadyne off? I just feel dirty after a shower and see it still there. Is there something that gets it out or is it one of those things I need to wait out and will eventually fade. I've also been putting vitamin E on my incisions. Anyone else do that? Just looking for some input that will calm my neurosis about this yellow pigment on my skin. Thanks!

Hi guys, just sharing some thoughts. Last week 60 mins australia did a piece on weight loss surgery on children (as young as 12). Of course the slant of the show wasn't very favourable to any of it. And as usual, it wasn;t very informative. They interviewed an aussie doctor ( who is banded himself, sadly not as elocuent as I would have hoped) who works here and in the US. Yet, all the kids interviewd had had a gastric bypass not a lap band and only made a brief reference to the fact that it's not the same thing. They ended the piece with a 15 year old, 4 week post op, crying in pain and asking her mother how could she have let her do this to herself. *sigh* The repor…

okay so I had no problem eating tons of them before, but I am eating almost no fruits and veggies. They are like the hardest thing for me to eat. well I am also just eating so much less. Well I mean I eat them in smoothies and cooked in stuff, but it seems impossible for me to eat a fresh fruit or veggie that hasn't been blended or cooked to death. I am a vegetarian for crying out loud. Other wise I am feelin good.

Just returned from Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez and had a great experience. I'm feeling a little uncomfortable. I think it's that extra gas floating around in there, and I get the occassional pain in my left shoulder. I'm warming up the heating pad to see if that helps some. Any suggestions?

It's pretty amazing......day to day I don't feel like I'm on a diet.......day to day I eat whatever will give me optimum Protein and goes down easily..........day to day I feel like I never had surgery, then I realize how little I eat and how full I feel.......day to day I try not to think that I am not on a "diet", I concentrate on lifestyle change.........day to day my job keeps my mind quite occupied so that there's little time to fret over what to eat, feel bad about something I shouldn't have eaten, or wonder what I am going to have for dinner.........all of these days have added up to 22 weeks post-op, and at yesterday's weigh-in at the docs office I cried and cried…

Ya'll, I am totally shocked at this feeling of restriction. I got filled last Friday and I doubted that he was even in the port, because I was eating like a lumberjack! Suddenly today, after 4 or 5 bites I am finished, full all the way to my adam's apple. I know I read that it takes a few days, but this just doesn't make sense to me. I wonder why it works this way. Whatever, I am glad it works. I am gonna drop some lbs now! Yeah!

I finished lunch about 30 mintues ago and I am dying of thirst. I know a lot of you drink with meals or have no problem waiting, but I love to drink! ....well let me clarify........I like to drink boring stuff....I love to drink ice Water or ice tea and would drink it 24 hours a day if I could........and well if I always knew where a bathroom was all the time. I tried to drink a soda the other day and choked on it. I also tried to drink a slurpie and instead of getting brain freeze I got band freeze oh god it hurt. I am staring at a bottle of water on my desk and it is tormenting me. This is probably one of the hardest things for me. I was drinking a little while I…

Even though I don't have a port, looks like my band is officially normal. Today I had my first PB ever. I never eat in the morning because my Protein shake works really well for me. But I didn't have dinner last night, and I had to work today. I thought I should eat some protein before work, so I ate a handful of peanuts. They got stuck in my throat and refused to go down. It was really uncomfortable. I officially PB'd 5 minutes later in the shower. I've been living on peanuts for two weeks. It's the protein my body has been craving. Well, looks like I'm over the peanut phase of my life because after my PB they seriously lost their appeal.

I am done!I feel like just quitting! I scheduled a fill but Dr has no appt's until September.This set me off on a MAJOR binge. I tallied up the total for yesterday and it was 2719 calories. In the last three weeks i have gained almost 10 pounds.Of course i quit smoking(again)3 weeks ago as well. Why do i do this? Sometimes i eat and the food does not even taste good.I eat it anyways.I KNOW i am full but i sip Water slowly and then eat more! I feel like just giving up. I KNOW that i need to do the work but i just cannot change these bad habits.If i could, i would have done it without the band...right? Is it really easier with a good tight fill?Just becuase i KNOW…

Here the Doctor that does the Lap Band and other WLS surgeries requires a questionnaire be filled out before starting the process to get surgery. I filled mine out, but when I came to the last page I was stumped for a minute. It merely says "Why You Want To Lose Weight" at the top. I thought that was a pretty stupid question. Then I realized, he's skinny. He can try to understand, and I know he does try, but he can't really understand. So. Here is my answer to that stupid question: I want to tie my shoes without planning how. I want to buy clothes on sale. I want to hug the love of my life, without wishing for longer arms. I want to stop smiling polite…

My hubby and I went out to Breakfast on Saturday (Firt time since being banded). I ordered one egg and toast... mind you... I haven't had bread in any shape or form post-op. Let me tell you... I have never enjoyed toast so much in my entire life!!! I felt guilty because I was actually able to eat 2 slices along with my egg... but then I thought... before ... I would have eaten 2 eggs... hashbrowns... bacon... and pancakes! I was addicted to bread/carbs prior to surgery so I am actually a little scared to add them back into my diet. I think the difference would be that now I crave Protein and not carbs... weird. I'm scared to death that I will lose restriction p…

Hi, I was banded 7/23/04 by Dr Rodriquez in Acuna. All went perfect. Dr Rod was the best dr that I have been to in a long time. He also answers his cel phone (which he gives you the number at his office and cel) I had called him and asked questions and e-mailed him both before surgery. He responded with a reply right away. He has an excellent bed side manner. He is kind and caring. I would go to him again in a heart beat. As for the hospital and the nurses and care I got there, I could have not asked for any better. Barbara ia an Angel. She is right there by your side if you need anything and walks you through everything. In a whole I had an excellent experience and I am…

I have had the worst week ever. At this point I don't know whether to believe my radiologist or my surgeons. I have been vomiting a lot lately and stupid me never told my doctors. I finally told them and now I had to have the remaining 1cc taken out last Thursday. The first 1cc was taken out a month before because I could not eat anything. They thought it was too tight. Last Thursday I went for an unfill under flouro. It took this man 45 minutes and lots of sticks to finally get the Fluid out. He said I had a lot of scar tissue and that the port keep moving away. So now I am black and blue. Normally the radiologist does not talk to patients and tell them what …

I think my port may have tilted some, or flipped........... during a wild escapade last night! If this has happened would it hurt? i have no pain but it feels funny when I touch it.

Hard to believe that I have had my band for 6 weeks now. I went to see my surgeon yesterday and to weigh in... I lost 10 more pounds for a total of 36 pounds in 6 weeks !! I am so pleased !!! And so was he !!! For once in my life I really feel as if I am gonna get my weight under control... well with the help of my new best friend.. bandette !!! I have not had a fill yet, and won't until I slow down with the weight loss. I told the dr. that I had thrown up once, from not chewing my food well enough. I also added that I was sorta glad I did. Even though the pain in my chest was the worst I have ever felt....throwing up made me know for sure he had put the band in…

I was 201.5 this morning!!! That makes -101.5 pounds since 1/23/03. Whooo hooo!! And ONEderland is only 1.5 pounds away. YAAAAAY, Casper!! (the friendly phantom band... )

I went back to my aftercare doctor today to have my band tweaked. I was hungry! Last week he put .8cc in the band, but I think he misssed! When he accessed the port today and tried to withdraw the saline there was none. He said either I have a leak or he missed. I think he missed, because I could feel the difference today and I couldn't tell at all last time. A few days after the fill, I thought I felt restriction one day, after I ate one of those nasty golf balls! Anyway, I will go back next week to have it checked for leaks!