LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I've decided the lap band is the option for me, however I was wondering about supplimentation. How many suppliments do you take daily? Thanks, Misty

Okay, I am down 25 pounds. The scales have not really moved in over a month. I got my first fill last Tuesday. I eatting but am not feeling stuffed full that I thought I would be feeling. I was filled 1.5cc and my stomach is 1 ounce? I know I'm eatting more than one ounce at a time. Any suggestions here? I am starting Curves in the morning and I'm hoping that just more excersise will get the scales moving again? Like now I think I'm hungery? I could eat now... I've have today: 1-6oz glass oj--Breakfast Lunch- rib meat 8 to 10 small bites 3 tablespoons mash potato 1 teaspoon applesauce walked outside working hanging christmas lights dinner 1/2 cup refried be…

For those who are emotional eaters, does the lap-band help? I eat healthy meals, and do exercise (although irregularly), but my biggest problem is I'm an emotional eater. I also have overweight parents who both struggle with weight, but want to know. Is the lap-band helpful to someone like me?

I'm really thinking of keeping things private. Of course my husband would know, but I don't want anyone else to know. I don't even want to tell my kids. Well my youngest would be too young anyway, but my oldest would tell the world. I don't know if I could really pull that off (because I'm really an open book). But did anyone keep things private? If so, how? For those who decided to tell. How did you go about stating things? I just don't want to deal with people just telling me to stop eating, or try such and such a diet.

How many of you had trouble starting the liquid phase upon coming home from the hospital? I was banded on the 17th, but just came home from the hospital today, as the band was super-tight and basically obstructed. I had to be on IV fluids for 5 days and was vomiting frequently. My surgeon says he is not worried about a slippage though, because the band was so tight. Both lunch and supper today came back up on me. I know that the liquid is getting through to the lower stomach, but I can't figure out why it's coming back up. Any of you have that problem or know somebody that did? I'm entirely open for suggestions!

I have all these feelings running through my mind right now. I am going to be banded on Tuesday and I am so excited, nervous and SCARED. I have never had any type of surgery before and as the time is winding down to my date all kinds of what if's are going through my mind. Tonight my husband and I got into an argument and I called him an insensative jerk. One of the women that is in a local support group was followed from her surgery date until 1 yr post op (she had the gastric bypass done) by one of our local news stations. They were showing the promo on tv and I told my husband I wanted to watch and support her cause she did a great job. Anyways, we were talking a…

Does anyone else have this fear of being thin, yet you really want to be normal again? I know why I have the fear. It's because I fear getting too much male attention, yet I hate being fat because I'm unable to be as adventurous as I'd like to be. Any ideas how to get over this fear thing? I should add. I'm 29, married, and have two children. I just see how women are treated as sex objects and I don't want to be seen as one in my day to day activities. Maybe my thoughts are distorted, but it's an issue I have.

Well it happened I was denied again..To start over ...I went to a Dr.Grossbard in tampa fl, and he told me i had a few comorbids and would have no problem getting approved ..i have UHC..so about 2 weeks later the ins. girl called and said they denied stating not medically necessary and she was resummiting with plenty of reasons for a approval..well she called me about 2 weeks after that and said im so sorry they denied us again and suggest i write a appeal letter.. I am so fustrated and sad and well alot of you know what i mean...The worst part is I am waiting to get a back surgury I am 225 and 5'5 and the back surgen doesnot what to do a surgury untill i lose the weight …

I had to share this because it was funny to me. I weighed myself last Sunday and I was 229, down 21lbs since surgery 11/5/03. Yesterday, after having a bought with stomach flu and diarrhea for two days I weighed myself. To my absolute dismay I was at 240! Oh how heartbroken was I...thinking have I drank my Water...gosh I haven't been eating alot...maybe that handful of tortilla chips...EESH! I chocked it up to water weight and immediately ran to grab my Nalgene bottle and start sipping. Later in the day I was cleaning my bathroom and noticed my very posh glass see through scale was quite dusty. I picked it up to clean and when I looked at the dial it was on …

My appetite is so different these days, especially compared to pre-band. Lately, I don't even have to stuff my pouch to feel satiety. For example, there is a sweet potato pie on the kitchen counter right now. I figured I would take a piece, because I've not eaten much today and could spare the calories for a treat. My surgeon's philosophy is "Don't deprive yourself" (just cut down on the quantities). However, when I started to pick up the pie, I felt a twinge in my stomach and realized I have NO appetite. The pie just didn't look good AT ALL once I took a good look at it. So, I put it down and walked away. I've decided that I'm done eating for today, and I don't feel th…

...I can't believe how good I feel!! I still tire out pretty easily, but other than that, I'm feelin' pretty darn good! I ventured out of the house for the first time today and went to my MOPS meeting. It was fun to see everyone who knew that I was going to be having this done and having them shower me with hugs and asking how I was doing. Sounds selfish, I know, but with three small kids, the attention is rarely on me, and it feels good every now and then. Well, now I'm pooped from my busy morning, so I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the day; I completely understand the pitfalls of feeling good and doing too much too fast!

well i went ahead and got a little more fill putting me at 3.4 cc i think this will be my sweeeet spot! i lost 8 lbs since my last fill (yipeee!) and that puts me under 300!!!! so now i only have 100 to lose to be under 200!!! it seems more attainable now!

I am having a really hard time trying to stick to the pre-op liquid diet that they have me on. My surgery is a week from today and I have really been trying. I just don't like the protien drinks - gag - so I have been drinking water and orange juice. I have ben eating jello and soups. This sucks!!! Does anyone know something that I can do to get me through this? I must admit, I did cheat. I had a piece of bread yesterday and the day before I had a chicken tender......HELP!!!

i had my 5th fill yesterday bringing me to 3.4 cc and i ate Soup last night. today for Breakfast i ate 1 scrambled egg and noticed i did not have any discomfort with it going down (usually evey morning when it 'hits' the band i can FEEL it) then for lunch i brought 2 pieces of chicken- a leg and a thigh and was able to eat BOTH of them PLUS some broccoli WITHOUT getting full. (and i never felt it 'hit' my band and stop) i could NOT have eaten this much before the fill and i am worried that my port is leaking!!!! i brought the 2nd peice to have for dinner and now i am dinnerless and worried???? i know it has only been 24 hours but it seems i am actually looser with this…

Hello all- I am 3 1/2 weeks post op and feel pretty good about the weight I have lost (30lbs.). Is there anything that says we have to have a fill at the six week post-op? I am finally able to eat a few more things other than Soup (but still only 1/4 of what I used to eat), and I'm afraid that a fill might restrict me to just Soups again. Has anyone out there passed on their first fill? Thanks. Dan

Hello, I have already met with my pcp and my surgeon. He gave me the papers to do the testing. My question is; Is what do I do next? Do I go take all of these test's and wait? Do I wait to take the test's to see if my insurance company approves me? What should I do now? Please someone help me out. Thank You in advance!!!!

I know that most people require one or more fills before they really feel restricted, but this soon after surgery, shouldn't I feel SOMETHING?? I am getting no sensation of fulness, and I sit here with my stomach grumbling and feeling hungry ALL THE TIME. I don't get my first fill unitl I'm six weeks post-op, and I just don't know how I'm going to make it that long!! I'm already wanting to order a pizza... Is this normal?

Don't you just love it when you wear a shirt and it fits and the next week you put it on and it's baggy.. or when you put on a pair and jeans and they are a little tight and the next week you put them on and they are comfortable!!! and when your wedding ring keeps turning upside down because it is too big!! And your sandals, yes your sandals, are loose... Gosh I LOVE my band:p :D

Hello everyone! I was just wondering can bandsters eat sushi? It would be nice to hear from you all if you can and or can not and how much would you be able to eat. I am scheduled for my surgery on 11/17 and just wondering cause I love it! Thanks, Zhanna

Actually, I came home yesterday afternoon, but I was still pretty easily fatigued, so I didn't have a chance to post to you guys. (I did, however, make time to read the threads that I missed while I was gone! LOL) Anyway, I'm doing well. We arrived at the hospital at 6am, got checked in... you know the drill. After a while, they gave me some "I don't care what you do to me medicine", and I don't remember much after that. I vaguely remember being moved to the surgical table in the OR, but I don't even remember being given the anesthesia to knock me out. The next thing I remember is waking up in my room afterward. My muscles are a lot more sore than I had thought that the…

Well, I was pretty nervious about the fill because of all the sites I've read. Man it was pretty easy. I can't say it did not hurt but it is over and I'm filled! I was pretty surprized too! I thought I'd get maybe .8cc NO I got 1.5cc I was shocked. He said it looked PERFECT! Now it is back to liquids for 3-5days then mush 3-5day then try food.. There goes Thanksgiving for me:cry Ohwell next year I'll be thin and eat:D

Hello everyone, A quick update. I am scheduled for my band on 12/9! So far I have done the sleep study- what a weird experience!! In the morning I asked the tec if I had obliged with some good snores-LOL- and she said yes, and I had even stopped breathing a few times! What a pleasure to have someone appreciate my nightly noises! I now have the psych eval on 11/25 ahead of me. UHC kindly approved 2 follow up counciling sessions, mmmm, will I need those? My preop stuff is on 12/2 , then, the presurg appt with my Dr is on 12/3. Apparently he will provide me with a guide book- has anyone else had this? I am also trying to practice chewing my food as long as possible- o…

Today I am 25 pounds lighter than I was on my surgery date. I am 10 weeks out and probably don't have optimum restriction (going for a fill Thursday), but I have enough restriction to. . .well, restrict my food intake. The reason this milestone is so important to me is that for two years prior to getting the band I had been trying my darndest to stick to Weight Watchers - with no success. It was diet and binge, diet and binge. Well, weight watchers considers a 10% weight loss to be significant and a major benefit to health. So I had been striving for that, but never even got close. Well, today with my 25 pound weight loss, I have lost 10% of my body weight and almo…

Has anyone else found that they have problems with certain medicines? I haven't really taken much since my surgery so when I pulled a muscle in my arm (or did something to it, not sure what) then I took some Advil Liqui-Gel tablets. It seemed to make me feel pretty yucky for a few hours. I decided the pain wasn't that bad and I didn't take anymore. Well, a few days ago I started having sinus trouble (it is that time of the year) so I took some meds for that and they made me feel queasy and light headed. I have always tolerated most meds well but since surgery it seems everything makes me sick to my stomach and my head feel yucky. I started on birth control pills (I had …

Has anyone had the surgery with a BMI under 40? I'm guessing mine is around 35-36 and have an appointment with a doctor next week. I'm just wondering what he will say and how I can best present my case to him. I really want the surgery. Thanks!

I am newly banded 5 days post. I have a questions about foods. Are there any food items we will never beable to eat again. I am wondering about a slice of pizza or maybe a pancake once in a while. Do these types of food get stuck??? I am just curious as I have just started my protein drink today and am tolerated them well. I hope that I will be able to eat some mushy foods on Thanksgiving as I will be 2 weeks out by then. Thanks

This may sound like a stupid question but it is one that has been in the back of my mind since I have started to look into this procedure. Can you drink beer? I am by no means an alcoholic but I do enjoy hanging with friends and haveing a few (sometimes several) beers every few months. I know that loosing weight is way more important than having a few beers once in a while. But, if I will never be allowed to have them again I need to break it slowly to my inner Homer Simpson. AL

Hi... I had my surgery last Friday, November 14th. I went home the same night. I'm really, really sore. I expected some soreness, but I didn't expect not to be able to get out of bed on my own. I've read where some said they took little or no pain meds when they came home. I have been rationing out my pain meds, but if I had a larger supply I'd be taking them all the time. I'm not a baby about pain, I've had other surgeries, four children, etc. It just seems more painful than I'd read other people saying. This evening I've developed a low grade fever (100) that I'll call the dr. about tomorrow. feeling a little depressed....Wish I could have stayed in the…

Don't you just hate it when Connie tells you that she's lost 22 pounds in 2 weeks on Medifast? Don't you just hate it when Mary says she lost 25 in 6 weeks on weight watchers? Don't you just hate it when you tell people you've lost only 22 pounds in 3 months AFTER surgery and they say "Really? I thought yuou would have lost more by now with surgery!" Well, I thought that too!!! What a surprise to learn that I am a slow loser.... bah humbug... The only thing I have going for me right now is that I will not gain back the weight I lost unless I try reaaaallly hard. Can you tell we had people over last night?? Just needed to vent... thank you!

I was banded on October 6th, and have so far lost 20 and a half pounds. I have had a couple of episodes of food getting stuck, and one gross "slime" episode. I am totally honest with my nurse, and last thursday saw him for a follow-up, and he said no fill for two to three months (due to these episodes.) I am kind-of bummed. I want the loss to continue, and I am afraid that I'll gain in the couple of months to come. Just thought I'd share my predicament with all of you! Sheryl Dr. Wetherille 10/06/03

Okay My doctor and Dietitian have been real sticky about what to and not to eat. I'm on real foods stage now but no Red meat, bread, rice, pasta or coke for 1 year plus! I go Tuesday for my first fill and I'll meet with my dietitian after. OkAY question-- What is the rule on eatting salad? Tommorow is my daughters 10th birthday and for dinner she want to go to Olive Garden. I just love the salad there! Do you think I can or should eat it? What about the soups there? Any suggestions PLEASE!! THANKS:cool:

I'm just curious...do any of you wear a medic alert bracelet now that you are banded? The dietician at my doctors office recommends it but the doctor says it isn't mandatory. What do you all think? Marsha:confused:

Well, the only thing standing between me and my band now is a weekend! While I feel thoroughly prepared, and I'm not in the least bit anxious, it's like it is just now beginning to set in how close I am to having it done! Woo-hoo!!

Okay, I'd like to complain here. Doctors. Not all, of course, but many. Have they all read the same instruction manual? Do they stay up late nights making stuff up? A few issues: *Pre-op diets--There are some surgeons who want their patients on liquid diets or yogurt and Water only for two or three weeks pre-op. They say that they are doing that to shrink the liver. Well, humbug! When I first read that claim, the doctors who were actually running a study (in New Zealand) to see if that even worked had no test results. And, I worried about that. So I asked my doctor post-op. He said that yeah, my liver was fatty, but it sat this-a-way, as opposed to that-a-way…

Hi everyone. I just need to vent a little tonight. I'm frustrated with my band. I had the Swedish band placed Oct. 15th...at first I lost 14 pounds. I've gained back about 7 and I'm really sad. I understand that the Swedish band is flexible (vs. the molded rubber of the Lap-Band) so that may be the cause of my problems. You see, I have absolutely no restriction what so ever. I've eaten everything in sight, and then some. I went on a long weekend vacation to South Dakota and ate my way across the state and back. My intellect tells me to be patient and that after my fill on Nov. 22nd things will be better. But, my heart is sad and I feel like a failure and if o…

Ahh, what the band makes possible. Yesterday I had occasion to attend a Breakfast meeting held at one of our justly famous New Jersey diners. Since I rise at 6:15 and the meeting didn't start until 9:00, I had breakfast at home. Later, surrounded by huge plates of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns, I was able to pass on breakfast without any hesitation. Not because I was intentionally trying to avoind it, but because I truly did not want it. Before banding, the fact that I wasn't hungry (which I would have been, anyway) would not have stopped me from ordering and enjoying a second breakfast. Now, both the knowledge that I couldn't eat any more AND the actual fac…

My port is starting to stick out and I asked my doc if there was anything I could do once I got to my weight loss goal. I figure it'll be more noticeable once I loose more weight. She told me that they now have a flat port which doesn't stick out that much. I wonder when this came out ? She said it's a pretty simple one day procedure to replace the port once I'm ready or interested.

I have 2.0 cc in my band. I was at 2.2 and felt too loose, so I went up to 2.7. I was PBing all the time. I got really sick. That is why they took me back down to 2.0cc. I am gaining weight (mostly because I am making horrible food choices, chips and candy and whatever). I just don' t know if I should get another fill or not. I don't want to be sick, but I don't want to be gaining weight either. And, I know I need to start making better food choices. Thanks!

I had my second fill yesterday and it went better than the first. The good news was I exceeded my goal by 3 lbs. I was 245lbs my short goal was 247. I am 12 weeks post op. I weighed 276 when this started. I have been worried to death because I could eat a 10 oz ribeye still! Well worry no more cause they got the sqeeze on now. I barely got don 3/4 can of tuna after not eating 7 hrs. I'm excited cause I know with the way I been exercising I'm goping to really drop off now. I just needed my fork slowed down a little more. Any of you thinking it aint working and you will never be restricted, have faith I felt the same way and I am here.

Cross posting this to the Spotlight board too.. Hi y'all, I've had a weird pain a couple of times in the past few days. It's a kind of sharp pain, right in the middle of my chest where I picture my band is located. This morning I had coffee, then was drinking Water. The water slowed down a great deal, which isn't that unusual as I am sometimes pretty tight in the mornings. However, as soon as it went down, I had an episode of reflux of the coffee and water which is something I have never experienced before. I called my doc's office immediately and they want me to have a barium swallow tomorrow. If the fluoro shows what the nurse suspects, which is pouch dilata…

Well, I'm experiencing a new feeling the last two days and am wondering if I'm actually properly restricted - or if there's a problem. The real question is... can the restriction just begin to "kick-in" 10 days after a fill? Some background... I was banded 8/26 and have had 2 fills - one on 10/3 and one on 10/31. I had been doing very well with my weight loss - I actually was down 50 pounds as of last week, but then gained 2 back this week! Up until this week, I have not had any problems with eating. Although I was eating much more than the expected amount, I was making the right choices, just eating larger amounts than 1/4 - 1/2 cup at a time. In fact, I was doing abou…

Old habits die hard. I was banded two weeks ago, and I'm supposed to be on full liquids for another 2-3 weeks. I'm so sad to admit this - but I've been eating some regular food......... nowhere near as much as before and chewing it really well, but now I'm starting to get concerned. I have no restriction and no problem with any kind of food going down. Is it possible to stretch out, or damage, the "new stomach" without knowing it? I don't want to be a failure - again. :D

Hello Everyone~ I'm just so damn excited! Before my surgery I sat down and made a list of goal. Well, Tonight I met my first GOAL!! 3 years ago I bought a pair of leather pants. I know how 1980's but hey... I could not even get them 4inches to being closed. Tonight I saw them hanging there and THEY FIT.. I buttoned them without even having to lay on a bed. THIS BAND IS AWESOME! It will be 5 weeks tommorow.. I have been feeling down because I've not lost any more weight. I guess I've lost inches.. YES!!

I don't post here much, but I wanted to quickly post for the newbies. I just got back yesterday from surgery in Mexico with Dr. Sanchez and I am just thrilled! He is the warmest nicest doctor that I have ever met and everyone on his staff was just as wonderful. I am a nursing student so you can bet that I throughly checked out the hospital- it was state of the art and so very comfortable. The hotel staff was gracious and many of them spoke English which made the trip so much easier. I am feeling really good now, just hungry and a little gassy! I have quite a bit of bruising at the incision sites (I am a fair skinned Celt) which has helped to make them sore, but other t…

I was told by my dr. while waiting for the insurence, to follow the adtkins diet... that it would shrink my liver making it easier to get to my stomach..so I am doing my best sticking to it ..has anyone out there been told the same thing..and how much difference does a liquid diet compare to the adtkins..i am finding ways to get yummy treats I want to share with any other adtkin dieters. Take a spoonfull of peanut butter and 2 spoonfulls of coolwhip( in a tub)and mix together with a hand mixer on high for a minute or two and the result is a party in your mouth!!! its comes out like a mouse it is awesome and this may work for any still on the creamy stage of after surgery?…

Hi folks - tomorrow I will be banded two weeks and am feeling great - no pain or discomfort anywhere and no hunger yet - yay! However, I have a question about my port - I have my port on the left side of my stomach between the last two incisions, and I can feel it really easily - but it's really long!!! I thought I would be feeling a circular shape about an inch in diameter but I am feeling about a three or four inch length of - well - of hard plastic I guess! What do the rest of you feel? I know most of you seem to have the port under the breast bone, and I'm not sure I like the sensation of it "floating" around my not inconsiderable tummy!!! I am hoping to fly back to…

GREAT FILL DOCTORS IN LOUISIANA THAT WILL FILL ANYBODY!!!! / What I mean is Dr. Curtis and Dr. Wells (Baton Rouge//Prairieville area) will do fills on any banded patient. Most doctors will only do fills on their patients that they banded themselves. But what about those of us that were banded in Mexico or Sweden etc. Well they were trained in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Sanchez. They do fills with xray and charge 250.00 for the first fill then 200.00 there after. I think eventually they are talking about doing blind fills for even less. Anyway if anybody needs a fill please call Dana to schedule an appointment @ 225-673-8983. They really are great.

I was just wondering how many people were required to see a nutritionist for there surgery. My surgeon requires one year of nutritionist visits after surgery. Anyone else have something like this?

i have been banded since 8-18, i have had virtually no restriction since first week of banding, i have had 4 fills. i am at 3.2 cc. i have lost 13 pounds since banding. i am closer with this 4th fill and think it will only take a little more. i can feel solids stop in my pouch but they only take about 30 minutes to an hour till they slide on down. i have read alot of bandsters saying the tighten up after a few weeks? my dr said the oposite that i might loosen up after 2 weeks? i have fill # 5 scheduled for 11-20 (exactly 2 weeks from 4th) and i only want like .1 cc to take me to 3.3 cc maybe 3.4 (will discuss and see how things go) ALSO how long should i stay full…

First, I want to clarify that I am totally at ease about what I am about to have done. I feel like I've done my homework, and I made a well-informed decision. There is not one Fiber of my being that is nervous; I'm just eager to get this show on the road! On the other hand... My husband is a nervous wreck! He has been by my side throughout every step of this journey so far, so he too is well-informed about what to expect. (The only thing that he hasn't participated in has been the message boards, which I suppose is where I've gotten a lot of my reassurance.) But now that it's all "really happening", he is a nervous wreck... in his own words. Could some of you g…