LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I have read several references to varied foods causing a blockage or making someone get 'clogged'. What are they talking about? How serious is this? What causes this? How is it treated?

Hi my Dr told me I need my band removed due too,air traped in the stomach and not been able to be realesed due to the scare tissue around the band . I have been in pain for awhile and the hospital and quite a few times. can some one tell me what to expect for after it is removed thank you

How is everyone doing? I have my 1 year surgiversary today. Pounds lost since pre surgery: 74 Since surgery: 48 CW: 241 Goal: 200 I have been kind of hanging around the same 10lbs for a few months. My next mini goal is to get into the 230s.

Hi, Here I go again asking ignorant questions but Ive been thinking about this for 2 weeks now. My Doctor told me on my first review that he will see me in months time for my first filler. It will now be in 2 weeks and i can't help freaking out. I HATE needles!! yep Im a chicken, lol i can put up with child birth but when it comes to needles I freak. Can anyone describe to me the feeling to expect. Do i tell the doctor how much to put in or does he decide. How much in enough and how much would be too much or not enough? Will I faint? or will it be like "Oh is that all it was" The way Im stressing is that I will rather starve myself to avoid getting a filler. Wou…

I had my band put in 7 years ago, and I've never really had luck with fills or restriction from it. I would be fine for months then suddenly be over restricted. Therefore the majority of the time I left the band empty. I had not had any fills or issues for a year (empty band) until I was suddenly in so much pain at my band site that I couldn't function from a Friday to a Monday. I got into doctor ASAP on Monday morning and they said I had an infection and abscess near my port and lap band had to come out that day. I was in the hospital 4 days after surgery due to the infection. I am now post op 8 days and have been having a hard time eating regular food (even though …

Today, at a routine visit with a new lapband surgeon, I learned my band had slipped. Rather than being at the traditional 45 degree angle, it was pretty much vertical. I was not experiencing any pain or other sign that anything was off, other than some esophegal spasms from time to time. But I'd had those spasms since being banded in 2013, so this wasn't worrisome to me. I actually set up this appointment just for a routine band check. I used a new surgeon because my banding surgeon would not respond to any phone calls or emails. The new surgeon doesn't do lapbands anymore and hasn't in years, but he knows bands and showed me on the xray what a slipped band looks l…

Best of luck to all my WLS cyber friends. I'm a bit frightful of all the candy surrounding me...going out for fresh fish dinner instead. Hoping we all do well with our tricks...and our treats!

Hi, I am newly banded (Oct 14th) and have to go on a work trip this week. I have heard that the band can cause some discomfort while in the air and was curious if anyone else has experienced this issue? I would like to get an idea what I am in for. I don't have a fill yet and am fairly comfortable with no big restrictions. Thanks!

Hi guys, I am scheduled for surgery on Nov 4 and started my 2 weeks of pre op shakes on Wednesday. Today I was really struggling with hunger and broke down and ate a load of food I shouldn't have - I was just so hungry. I am back on the wagon and trying to stay positive, but I would be grateful for any before/after photos and anything else you can throw my way to stay motivated. I know I have to complete the pre op diet, or there is a chance they will not operate so I really need to pull myself together. I'm finding this pre op stage very emotional but remain focused on what I need to do to achieve my goals. Thank you for your help!

An absolute great and understandible article by David Mendosa, long term diabetic who sends his newsletter no charge. I recommend you take a look at his work: "The new food insulin index can work much better than carbohydrate counting, which for years has been considered to be the gold standard for improving glycemic control. For those of us who have diabetes, this index is also a more comprehensive guide to blood sugar control than the glycemic index. For years the limitation of the food insulin index (also known as just the insulin index) was the few foods tested. The original 1997 study, which in 2003 I reviewed in detail for the first time in the article “Insulin…

I've struggled with my weight all my life. My mom's put me on a diet for as long as I remember and never felt good enough unless I'd loose weight. The first diet I was on was Jenny Craig @ 7years old and throughout my teen years I've been on everything. After HS a "blossomed" to a whopping 243 and finally decided I needed to do something about it and went on weight watchers, lost 50 lbs and it was marvelous. Until times at home got darker. I became an emotional eater and gained about more then 1/2 the weight back. It's become a major psychological thing wanting what you cant have Fooooooooood. In 2007 I decided to get the lapband & it's helped me from eating less, b…

I had my surgery on September 17th, down 27 lbs...had my 1st fill of 3ccs 3 weeks ago and I feel nausious and have lower intestinal pains like I have to go to the bathroom . Doesn't happen every day but this past week it has happened more frequently. Has anyone else experienced this?

So I had my band surgery in 2008, a couple weeks ago I had a upper gi series because I was getting stuck often. Md took 1cc out. Since then I have had the pressure that's feels like reflux move up my esophagus, but there is no acid taste. I'm embarrassed cause I say I burp like a man. And now I have this pain in the central abdominal pain near my belly button. I went to my primary today and when she pressed on the area I thought I would jump off the table. Wondering if anyone has every experienced this.

Hello everyone, Always read everyone's posts here but this is my first post. My history: Banded early 2013. Max weight lost 115 lbs Starting weight 275lbs Achieved 160 lbs in 1 1/2 years Then the problems started. Fills and defills. Burning sensation, to barium Swallows showing slightly enlarged pouch, slight slippage as per doc. Kept defilling me up to the point where as of now I have 1cc in my band. Anyways back to the present. Gained 25 lbs back. Presently at 185 lbs. Finally after constant pestering the doc has decided to reposition my band as it is under the 5 year warranty. But has also told me that if there is a lot of scar tissue they will take the band…

Had my port revision yesterday. Glad it's over is all I can say. But here's my takeaway story for the day. So I'm wearing the horrible hospital gown with the sock thingies on as well and waiting with the BF for my surgeon to come in to see me. Already got alot of comments from the nursing staff about the weight loss and was OK with it knowing it would stop once I went home. So as you likely know, the surgical floor is kept fairly cold and while waiting for the surgeon, I tucked my legs up under myself to keep warm. The surgeon walks in and first thing she says after good morning is 'well...look who's all curled up in the chair there.' Figures she would spot that rig…

July 6th, is National Fried chicken Day! One of my favorite dishes is fried chicken but we all know how unhealthy fried chicken can be! The nutritionist (she is a registered dietician) supplied this recipe for those that can eat regular food on their banded journey. So....below are some healthier options to Celebrate this wonderful day 1) Perdue simply smart lightly breaded chicken 140-190 calories, 5g fat, 400mg sodium, 6-8g carbs, 0g Fiber, 1g sugar, 17-29g Protein 2) Morningstar Farms Chik Patties Original 140 calories, 5g fat, 590mg sodium, 16g carbs, 2g fiber, 1g sugar, 8g protein 3) Applegate natural chicken nuggets For 7 nuggets: 180 calories, 9g fat, 2…

Looking for some inspirational blogs to read they always encourage me! Do you have any favorites??

I have had 3 fills and I am now at 5cc's. When I get fills the doctor makes me drink water as he fills me.. As soon as his nurse hears me "gurgle" she stops with the fill. My last one was .9cc's and so I'm hungry I have no restrictions at all!! I can eat anything and as much as I want but if I drink very much it starts gurgling...does anyone else have this issue?? I thought water would go right down.. It seems to stop and my food seems to go right down...

Need Sponsor! Hello my name is Denise..from Ga! Recently banded 27aug2015-

I'm 26 and newly banded. I live in the suburbs of St. Louis and would love to make some band buddies.

Hi! I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area and wondering if there are any bandsters in the area? I am having surgery on Jan 29 at Cleveland Clinic, Weston FL. Like to share experiences!

I'm almost five years out of surgery and I'm struggling a bit. I'd love to find a local support group as well as a surgeon in the area for follow up. Please help.

Did anyone have this issue of low copper with lap band placement? I had it removed 9/17/15 due to rejection after 4 years.

Does anyone know if we are allowed to ingest Essential Oils? Only reason I ask is because of not being allowed to aspirin...not that the oils contain aspirin. Thanks!

My baby is 8 months now carried to full term with a filled band (dr removed some fluid at month 3 of pregnancy) went back about 3 weeks ago for a small fill and ended up in ER a few days later with dehydration, lost 7 pounds in a matter of days.. Had bad acid reflux had to get more fluid removed... The small fill he originally gave me made me feel "tighter" just the way it feels before a menstruation. Anyhow, I want to attribute my "tightness" to my hormones but not sure. The night I checked in to the ER they did an MRI on me and emergency dr attributed my band was too tight.. Saw my dr within a matter of hours felt great Relief with the removal of .5 cc's oh yeah he also…

I was banded in Sept 2010 . My start weight was 275. My lowest weight was 205 (about a yr 1/2 into the surgery) and my current weight is 256. A husband & 2 babies later I am completely unfilled and am going to get my first re-fill in about a month. Anyone do a re do & started from scratch and had a good outcome? What did you do in the beginning? I'm thinking to just treat it as if I'm getting the surgery again. I was so excited when I first got it done and felt amazing when I lost the weight. I need support. So much hafs changed in my personal life , I'm hoping it won't be so bad.

So I was doing really good up until seven weeks ago. Following SugarBusters diet, getting my daily Protein amounts, drinking my fluids, etc...all along losing pounds every month. I was feeling really good about myself too...then the scale went the wrong way.???? Dang it!! I actually called before my scheduled monthly weigh-in and discussed how disgusted ???? I was with everything. I was told that I wasn't taking in enough calories per day and maybe my body was going into starvation mode. Oh goody! ????. So now I am still not seeing a positive change again and am really ready for a flippin' fill. The nurse didn't recommend one last time because they feel that I am in…

Hi Arkansas Bandsters, I am about to move to Conway for at least a year from Lubbock, TX, and am looking for a doc to do any fills or help with any problems should they come up. I had my band done in Texas a little over 2 years ago. I'm looking for any opinions/recommendations for a doctor in the Little Rock area. I am considering right now Dr. Wellborn, Dr. Baker, Dr. Luttrell, and maybe Dr. Gibbs in Searcy. I'm mostly just looking for a place that is comfortable and helpful if I get freaked out about any problems. I haven't had many, but a few times things have gotten irritated and I needed to go on liquids for a few days to calm it down or have an unfill. My…

I have started my self in soft diet today,, 1/2 cup oatmeal,, with diced,dates and 1/2 scoop soy protein ,, eating slowly,, going down nicely,, haven't had any nausea to date

Hi everyone, I had my surgery in June and just had my second band fill on September 30th. For about a week everything was fine, business as usual. Then after a week I was disgusted by food. Nothing sounds appetizing. The thought of food makes me nauseated. When I do eat something - yogurt, protein shakes, veggies, whatever - it goes down all right so I don't think my band is too tight but I'm not really sure? Is this maybe just a psychological thing? I did have some bread stick for the first time, which freaked me out. Shortly after is when I lost my taste for all food. :/ Thanks in advance for the advice!

Just had my first fill of 3ccs a week ago and I am hungry ALL the time. I think I have already gained all the weight I lost on the pre and post op diet and I am only 3 weeks post surgery. Hope this gets better, after all this money I'm spending! What is the likelihood I will reach "green zone" after 2nd fill? Will my appetite at least diminish?

Hi folks day nine after band,,, feeling really good,,, down 22 lbs since starting liquid pre-op diet,,, wanna lose 40 more,,,) I see the doctor for my follow up visit Wednesday,,, anxious to see what he says I can start doing physically,,, Mentally I'm strong,,, I have noted my appetite returning,,, but I am working on calories and quantity,,,) Would love to hear from others Thanks Pat

This question isn't about myself, but I just honestly want to know what to expect or how I can be supportive. My boyfriend had his lap band done a handful of years ago at a time in between when we were together, so I don't know what it was like for him in the very beginning, and I don't think we got back together when he was at his lowest weight ever, but since then he's always kind of maintained whatever weight he's at. He's miserable with his band. And he will typically eat junk food more than healthier foods because he says it's actually easier for the bad food to go and stay down. He says that he wants his band out with no revision to a different WLS, and that his…

I just needed to release the tension I have today. Every other day has been pretty good, even the first day. But today? Hell. I am so irritable right now and I would just like to eat something...or someone... Or just some form of meat or carb ( bread, pasta, etc). Please tell me this gets better! Or that my life is just that pitiful that my happiness is based somewhat on what I can eat! The struggle is real and it's eating at me and I'm jealous!

I had my lab band surgery in 11/2011. I had normal symptoms due to my own devices. I had not seen a lap band specialist for 4 years due to moving and having other live events. But recently I felt I was getting stuck more often and sought the help of a specialist. He did an upper gi series which show my band in the right position so he just did an adjustment of taking 1cc out (which I thought was to much). Anyway the other night I took a medication with no problem, but during the night I woke up with the need to vomit. It was very strenuous. Since then I have this pain I have never had before. Nothing gets stuck but I have these spontaneous pains from the top of my…

Hi I have had my band for 8 months and never any problems but today I have had a lot of discomfort it is tender do anyone know why

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted. I was banded July 2014. Lost 35 lbs. In the last 3 months I've gained 10 pounds back writing it makes me cringe. It's not because of the band not working, it's because of me and my addiction to fast food. Can anyone give me some advice or a good word to help motivate me. I don't know what to do.... I mean we all know what we SHOULD do but the power of flavor takes over my brain. HELP

I hit it! I now weight 198.8. Typing that 1 at the beginning of my weight is surreal to me. 14 months ago I weighed 337 pounds. 8 months ago tomorrow I had my surgery. I've lost 96 pounds in that time frame. I'm not perfect and I've had my bad days. I hate that I can still have bad days but I ate the wrong way for many years. It'll take time and I get that. There is no way I can complain about losing 138 pounds and being in ONEDERLAND. I have 32 pounds to hit the goal I set for myself. Once I get there I'll see how I look and feel and see if I want to lose more. For right now though I think I'll just enjoy my success so far and that big ole *1* at the beginning o…

Anyone know of a lapband dr that will do fills that didn't initially do the surgery? Someone closer to tampa/Wesley chapel area? My dr is completely disinterested in any of his patients ( I say any bc ive spoken to alot of his patients that say the same thing ) we come to our appts pay 350$ for a fill , he walks in 10 min. Does the fill and walks straight out of the room. No questions. No small talk no nothing. I want someone that motivates me. Helps me reach my goal. Or just talks to me!! Any reccomendations will be great!!

Morning folks,, my mood seems brighter today,,, I don't know if it's because I feel less bloated or that I'm going to get out of the house,, either way it's a blessing,,)

I was curious of the type of band I had so emailed my dietitian (I thought it was the Hage heard it mentioned when I had my firest fill) but wanted to double check seeing I was doing a bit of research.. Hear is part of her reply... Hi Marion You have the HAGE band which is the smaller of the 2 Heliogast Bands. It has a 7ml capacity for fluid fills but we don't usually go to this level with any patients unless we are trying to establish if there is a leak in the 'system'. I read the notes after Julie saw you yesterday so congratulations on going along so well. I'm glad you are getting into the exercise early on and not just relying on the band as it won't work on it…

I got banded at the end of Feb. My first two fills didn't work at all because the nurse was a nitwit and didn't even get the saline in the band. So....I've had five fills total, but since two of them didn't work at all (and the doctor totally recognizes/admits this) I've really only had 3 fills. First "real" fill was in May for 3 ccs. I felt nothing at all. Second "real" fill was in May again for 1.5 ccs and again I felt nothing at all. Last "real" fill was in early June for .75ccs and that one worked. I FINALLY feel restriction! I have a total of 5.3 ccs currently I haven't lost a single pound. So I finally feel restriction which is good. On the other han…

I am one week post-op and people are already asking me how much weight I have lost so far It is so anoying as they claim to see weight loss already and this is impossible as I have hardly lost anything (more than i have in years though and i am grateful) . I feel like I am under a microscope and everyone is watching me, I hate the pressure. I just finished doing my tickers and it has just dawned on me how long of a process this is, I really just wanted to be healthier but having to select a goal weight... its all filling me with anxiety really. did anyone else feel like this?

Today I had my post-op even though surgery was 17 days ago. The surgeon seemed really happy and surprised to discover I had lost 17 pounds. My band does not have much restriction so I will have a first fill in two weeks. All in all, I am very happy with the progress so far. I no longer take blood pressure or diabetes medicines and that makes me very happy. I'm still on arthritis medication, but am hoping once large amounts of weight come off, I'll be able to survive without it. I would recommend the lap band to anyone!

Hi Everyone, I had my band put in on the 29th September. I really had hardly any idea what I was doing. I went to my doctor told him I was sick of my yoyo diet and he recommended the "LapBand" Even with my surgeon who has been rated one of the best, I could not think of any questions and actually thought. Yes the "LapBand" I will have a small appetite. Was I in for shock at all that comes with it and the work that needs to be done to maintain this little piece of equipment that I have adopted. Its really hard work!!! I so admire all the of you during your courageous journey to health. My next review appointment is next week so that will be 2 weeks and 1 day since my…

I am still pre surgery, I have my first group meeting on Feb 2nd. I have seen the food discussed, Since I am type II Diabetes, and don't use insulin but pills and have no other diabetes problems except my BS is a bit higher than the doctor would like. What is good to eat with the band. I though of the Glucerna shakes that don' t have sugar and have protein in them would be good and soups and such. I see some people eat salads? Is there a problem with them? I love salads especially in the summer. Also any problems swimming with the band? I do love all the information makes me feel like I am making the right decision.

i recently changed doctors because my insurance company will no longer pay for the original doctor who performed my procedure. On my first visit I was immediately impressed with how friendly, professional, and caring Dr. Kerri Seymour was. She schedule me a fill under Fluro which I had never had done in the 6 years of being banded. When I arrived at the Duke-Raleigh Radiology my wait was short and I was escorted to the back. Once she began to access my port , frustration set in. After 30 minutes, of poking and looking at x-rays, she concluded that my port had flipped and need revising. Just my luck!!!!

I have lost 50 lbs since April 17 the date of surgery but I am struggling now I can't exercise due to a severe back issue and I'm not real active. I'm not losing much at all anymore. I eat chicken fish tuna veggies and some legumes. I use the plate the dr givw me to portion my food. Idk what else to do. What am.i doin wrong? I'm not eating much at all and to top it off I'm having a constipation issue and it takes days for me to go and even then it's hard to do. I'm trying stool softener but it does t seem to be helping too good. I started flax seed a few days ago with no luck yet. Please help

The comments here following the report are interesting and raise many points we all face. There are obvious questions about this individual. While the article lacks specifics, it does help raise general awareness of the difficulties of altering our eating behavior. pizza

I recently relocated to Tampa Florida. My new insurance will not start until January 2016. I had an unfill after a tummy tuck. I experienced alot of avid reflux I believe due to swelling from tummy tuck procedure. Any advice on local doctors for private pay?