LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Maybe this is a stupid question. But what exactly does restriction feel like? Like I have stick episodes and I can feel when it clears or when it slims and I have to burp it up, but I don't get what the restriction is supposed to feel like? Unless that is it?

Hi, I have my op booked for Mid June, after waiting for 4 years for a date to be set and it actually happening now...I feel very emotional and cant stop having mixed emotions. I know this is what I need because I have tried all sorts of diets etc and am trying to think of the positives that will come from this, like fitting in to chairs, flying etc but at times I feel I just don't know if I am doing the right thing... I keep looking around and thinking 'why am I having to go through such extreme measures to be NORMAL'... I guess I just need someone to talk to who went through this emotional roller coater as I am now 3 weeks before I have my op, I start liver shrinka…

Hi everyone. I haven't posted anything on this forum in a couple of years. I was banded in 2007 and did pretty well at first and lost about 80 pounds. Over the years, I have gained back about 2/3 of it and was too embarrased to go to my surgeon so I haven't been for an appointment in probably 4 years. Last night I experienced what I believe is a band slip so I'm forced to go back. I keep telling myself it will be okay but I'm really worried....I feel like a total failure and am scared I will have to go through another surgery. Is it possible that this won't result in another surgery and that I can have a fresh start with my band?

well ,yesterday was suppose to be my 2nd fill and like the first time the doctor had a real hard time getting the niddle in my port since the port flipped. FIRST TIME WAS SO PAINFULL. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS ND NOW WAS THE SAME ,I TOLD THE DOCTOR TO STOP.I WAS SO DESSAPOINTED .IN TWO WEEKS I HAVE TO GO BACK FOR 3RD ATTEMPT BUT THIS TIME I ASK THE DOCTOR IF HE CAN DO LOCAL ANESTHESIA SO DONT FEEL THAT POCKING AROUND AND TRYING TO GET THE NIDDLE INSIDE THE PORT... SINCE MY BAND IN JANUARY ,I HAVE LOST 50 LBS WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM THE BAND SINCE I ONLY HAVE 3CC OF LIQUID AND LOST A TOTAL OF 75 LBS SINCE OCTOBER UNTIL NOW,GREAT FEELING....

Does anyone else feel that hunger strikes them more at a particular time of the day?? I am not yet at full restriction with my band - I'm getting there but not there yet. I am trying to have quite small meals for every meal of the day. I find thought that if my Breakfast isn't substantial enough that I get 'peckish' throughout the day. It's sometimes less than 3 hours before I am looking for my next meal and this in turn leads to snacking. I'm trying really hard to not have bread throughout the working week, but for breakfast, toast seems to be the only thing that gets me through to 4 hours. Does anyone have a suggestion for me of a substantial breakfast that do…

I had my first fill yesterday and this morning as I'm trying to take my pills, they keep getting stuck... what do I do? Is this normal?

Okay so I just had a fill yesterday and I'm at 6 ccs in a 10 cc band. Well I made some grilled chicken. And I have taken super tiny bites and chewing all the way and it's still getting stuck. Plus I wait almost 2 minutes in between each bite. What am I doing wrong??

Well I know right now because I just got the news I might be over reacting but I'm heart broken. I had my surgery on June 5th. My insurance covered everything! I didn't pay a dime. I had a couple fills last year and then my husband's employer changed to United HealthCare Choice Plus and I had to find a new doctor that was "in-network". So I thought I found one, I had my fill scheduled for today (I SOOO NEED IT) and I just got a call that our new insurance doesn't cover bariatric at all. So in order to get my fill there I would need to pay $250. Now I know that there has to be places that are cheaper. Can anyone suggest some in my area? I live in Chicago but can drive …

Failing at my pre-op diet

Had the Lapband in September 2008 lost 185lbs over the next 2 years. In oct of 2012 Lapband was removed because it was tearing into my stomach. I lost 8 pints of blood and spent almost 3 weeks in the hospital. Now I have to live without it and its really hard. I'm only up 8lbs from my "normal weight" but I'm starting to slip in old habitats.

Anyone have some quick on the go ideas? I prep my lunches beforehand most days but not breakfast or snacks. Most protein bars have too much sugar. I like plain instant oatmeal but that gets old after a while. I enjoy my sleep too much to get up early enough to prepare breakfast, and I dislike yogurt. I'm looking for some low calorie grab and go items for breakfast and snacks.

Well my highest weight as 320 pounds. On the day of my lap band surgery, t was 304 . I never lost Weight. on January 21st I was 307. I had 4.5 cc in right after surgery. I never had another fill Until today. The DOC Put 2cc in. Also, my Weigh t today is 273 I haven't weighed that since 2012. Im ready to keep on losing and I want to lose as much as I Can before I start nursing school this fall. what do you think?

Got my band in 2013. Lost 80+ pounds. Gained 20 back. Trying to get back on track, having no luck! I need accountability!!!

Received a 3 cc fill last Friday. Prior to that, I received a 1 cc fill at the end of September 2014--3 weeks after I was banded. Since Friday, I've lost another 6 pounds. Is 6 pounds in about a week normal with a more substantial fill? It must be said that I have RESTRICTION & feel I've found my "sweet spot". I've been using all my best practices & I just don't have the "space" for anything that simply isn't protein or vitamin rich. I'm working hard to get in my daily 60 grams of protein. Is something wrong or is this weight loss normal? I'm not complaining... Lol! Just want to know I have no reason for concern.

Iv got a 10cc band and am currently at 7cc, im feeling restriction from my last fill but feel its not enough, when i eat fast or big bites it gets stuck would some people stop having fills at this point also i feel that i need more restriction to help me start loseing weight and has anyone found the only way to lose if to be a little bit to tight?

Hi all, Ok so for the last few months I have noticed I'm having on and off days.. For example one day I can. Eat or drink, the next day I can hardly eat at all.. I was wondering if this had something to do with my periods? I'm not 100% sure because it's only since Christmas time I have started to become regular where as before it was hardly ever!! I have made an appointment to speak with my dietitian to see what she thinks but just wanted someone else's opinion? I'm also going away on Saturday and I'm really worried about flying. The flight for this one is only about 3 hours but 3 weeks after this I fly to Mexico and that's 11 hours!? Any suggestions for flying w…

NSV this weekend. I flew first time since surgery in 11/2014 and I was actually comfortable and had 2 inches of belt left over. Last time I flew it was right before surgery and I was miserable and tight. Barely got the seatbelt to close. Actually, the reason I even looked into surgery was a flight where I where I realized how heavy I had gotten and how it was affecting my mobility.

Hi All - thanks for reading and sharing any thoughts... I was banded in July 2013, and had a great first year. I've lost just over 100lbs. Starting around July 2014 (when i'd steadily increased from 4CC to 7CC in band) i was feeling a lot of reflux and suspected i was too tight. i had 1CC removed but symptoms continued. I then went through close to 6 months of having no Fluid for a month, then trying a small fill, and ultimately going back and having the fluid removed again. my symptoms often feel like my stomach is bloated and full of saliva - and sometimes, especially late at night when it's most uncomfortable, i end up vomitting and it's just bellyful of spit tha…

Hello everyone! I am 34 years old and have had my band since August, 2007. I've had a few complications throughout my banding. I was having a lot of pain at first, I wasn't eating because everything made me throw up. I won't get into all the details but after switching doctors, they found that my port was infected internally. So, after surgery to remove the port and replace it, I started with some weight loss. Shortly after I became pregnant with my now 3yr old daughter. Not only have I put on weight, I've put on more weight that I ever thought humanly possibly. I used to tell my friends, if I ever get that big, shoot me. Well, I am that big now. I've been back to…

I had surgery a few days ago and just realized that my port is 2 inches above my navel! I told the doc right before surgery that I wanted it closer to my ribs. I plan to get pregnant in a year or so, so I hope this doesn't get in the way! also I hope it is not visible after i loose weight!

Gonna keep this short, surgery in 2011, 20 lbs to goal, working out every day with s trainer or doing boot camp, supposed to eat 1300 calories a day according to myfitness pal but too hard as I can't eat a lot of certain food and due to lap band, noticed I'm gaining weight, at next appt do I have my surgeon loosen my band so I can eat more since I'm working out or what! I'm so confused!

Has anyone done this? I am looking to re-motivate myself and I want to do the 5 day pouch test to help "go back to the basics." I feel like I am not paying attention to what I am eating or how much I am consuming. I have a few questions though... Days 1&2 are like the basic liquid diet post-op, right? Days 3-5 I understand are different consistencies of Protein.... When you get to day 4 or 5, can you include the protein consistencies from 3 and 4? Like can you have steamed scallops and then a peice of baked chicken on the same day..?! And what can you eat for Breakfast? Protein shake in the am and the soft/firm/solid Proteins for lunch and dinner? What …

I'm 6 mo out from lap band surgery and I'm finally in a comfortable green zone. I do have some fairly significant restriction from the time I wake up until dinner time. I have to follow the band rules carefully regarding slowly eating small bites, and chewing well, or else I'll be stuck. I've only had this level of restriction for about 6 weeks, so I'm still getting used to it (I'm getting better at it, but I'm trying to re-work decades of old habits). I was explaining the lap band to one of my close friends, and telling her about the requirement for eating carefully. She then asked a question that took me off guard - she asked if I enjoyed my food more now I was ta…

Has anyone had their port flipped? I had a revision sugery yesterday for this reason. I thought the procedure would be much more smoother than my lapband surgery 16 mths ago.

I wanted banded March 2015, my surgeon said he's not going to do a fill until late June. Is this normal? He also so I may not even need a fill then. I was losing 5 pounds a week in the beginning, now I'm losing 2 pounds a week. Is this a good loss rate for not having ANY fill at all?

Hi Guys, hope you are all well? I had my gastric band fitted 2 months ago, weight loss and whole experience has been excellent to date... no complaints at all apart from port site pain. It started 2 weeks ago after my first fill, it feels like stitch from exercise but that cannot be to fault as i've been taking it really steady and it only really comes on if I've ever stretched too much or have been sitting at work.. but I'm wondering if it really should be happening at all. The pain is intermittent and comes on like a REALLY sharp stab that leaves me feeling quite sore and sick but once it abates it just feels like ive been punched so I'm assuming it may be muscu…

I recently posted here suspecting I was experiencing dumping syndrome, due to accelerated heartbeat and heart arrthymia. Well, unfortunately it wasn't dumping syndrome; I've been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (aFib) and am now on beta blockers and a blood thinner, in an attempt to get my heart rhythm back to normal. There's been some posts about a possible connection between the lapband and atrial fibrillation but I can't find any real journal articles or studies to show my lapband surgeon and my [new] cardiologist. I would really like for them to take seriously my hypothesis that my lapband's position may be triggering the vagus nerve to be overstimulated, becaus…

Ughhh!!! So tight with congestion, I'm currently taking zirtec. I'm having to be on liquids, even mushies aren't going down. Anyone having the same issues? How are you dealing? I'm really sad that my normal methods like hot liquids aren't helping. I'm seriously considering a slight unfil.

I need recommendations for a fill doctor in Houston or surrounding areas. It has been about 4 years since my last fill. My doctor now charges $250.00 a fill.

Tried this today with some broccoli and thought it was decent. Protein rich. Swells up to a spaghetti size. Decent flavor. Another option w/ protein!

I took another big step a few days ago. I wore a bathing suit that did not have a skirt. I have very wrinkled upper legs and thighs and usually look for a skirt to cover what I can. I couldn't find a suit I liked with a skirt this time around though I did find some very nice one piece tank style suits. I look fine in one except for the legs. My tummy doesn't pouf out like it used to, nor does my behind so I put it on and had my mom give me her opinion and she said that I'm way more aware of the loose skin than anyone else would be and that I shouldn't worry about my legs. So, I wore it to the pool when I was in Florida last week. I tried to not think about it and …

It's about the 6 month mark for us November banders. How is everyone doing? High Weight: 315 Pre Surgery Weight: 289 Current Weight: 251 I'm working to get over a small hump, but so far have had few issues.

Hey guys, Im 3 weeks post op! Just started my purée phase, and since then every night i have a sore throat i basically feel it within an hour after dinner.. Its so painful, i don't have any cold or tonsillitis or anything.. I think its food related, I've read it can be linked to acid reflux.. Im on Nexium since the surgery as i had severe reflux.. My band hasn't been filled yet! Im due for my first fill next week.. Do you have any advice to soothe this pain in my throat.. Is there anything i can drink that will make it feel better? Anyone experienced the same? Im still new and looking forward to my new journey

Hello!! Does anybody use atkins shakes? If yes, are good??

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site. I was hoping someone could tell me of a good PCP that would recommend me having the lapband. My PCP doesn't agree with surgery. I have a BMI of o er 40. Thank you for any advice/help you can give me!!!

I've had my band for a year now, and I haven't had a fill since February. I lost weight at a steady 10 lbs per month until September. In September, I had an instance of vomiting and then had trouble eating anything for a period of a week or so. It went away about three days before my scheduled visit to the doctor. I was at 235 then. I completely stopped losing weight and assumed that I had plateaued. Two weeks ago, I overate (cheese from two slices of double-cheese pizza instead of one slice) and regurgitated it. That started several days of pain where EVERYTHING was getting stuck. Even liquids were giving me problems before they would go down. In addition, ever…

Any Houston bansters who are in a good support our may know of one

Are there any young 25-35 year old Lapbanded people in the greater Houston area?

I had a band put in 21/12/2014. At first it was fine and I could eat and drink normally, after my first fill it was the same. I had my third fill in March, and after the fill I was told to have a drink of water before I went home and stay on a liquid diet for 24 hours. I drunk the water before I left with no problems, but when I got home tried to have some soup which caused chest pain and instantly came back up. I couldn't even drink hardly anything, and didn't even try to eat for 3 days and felt terrible. After a few weeks I was able to drink with no problems, but eating was hit and miss - some days I could eat relatively normally (slowly and chewing well) but other days…

I am waiting to have an interview and i am so happy I got my band. If I was 315lbs going for this interview I would have no confidence and feeling like why bother? Now with 60 plus pounds gone I am not worried about my weight and I know I look good in my new suit I have a ways to go but I'm glad I'm here rather than there.

Hi guys. I was wondering if anyone has tried redoing their Pre-Op diet. Mine was very simple 3-4 Protein shakes during the day and 1 meal for dinner that consisted of a meat and veggie. I'm just looking to reboot and start over. I've lost 40 pounds so far and I'm pretty happy but it's time to take it to the next level. I haven't been on track at all the past few months. So I was just wondering if there was anybody else out there that had tried this. Any help is always appreciated

Oh my..... This is a long and very hard slog. I'm finally achieving weight loss but the band is waaaaaaaaay too tight. I realise now. I hiccup, burp, have reflux at night (sometimes vomit and can't make the bathroom.....awful) I have pain when I eat the smallest amount of well chewed food and I have a constant cough, day and night now. After my fill, 8 ish weeks ago, I had a bad few weeks. It settled down and now, it's so bad for me. I go back to the clinic on 22nd April. It would suit me to have the band emptied and removed. That's how bad I feel. Have I lost weight....sure I have. Who wouldn't on the amount I can get down. I can't wait to have the adjustment. I just wa…

I have an appointment Monday for a fill with my doctor. Since last month I have had at least 3-4 stuck episodes but I can honestly say that each time it was because I was not chewing enough or eating too fast. That being said I'm afraid of becoming too tight but can eat more than a cup of food. I generally am not hungry for 4 hours. So I'm torn. Opinions?

So I'm on the puréed/soft phase and made several recipes I saw on here and they have been great. But today I made one myself.... chicken artichoke spinach cups 1 -12 oz can of chicken breast 1/2 cup quartered artichokes (chop fine) 1 tbs minced garlic Pepper to taste 1 cup spinach raw (chopped fine) 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup light sour cream 1 scoop GENEPRO Protein powder Heat the chicken in a skillet and make sure it's shredded. Add garlic and chopped up artichokes (I use a food processor). Then add chopped spinach and mix well. While heating, mix parm cheese, Protein Powder and sour cream (I use a food processor). Remove chicken mix from heat, s…

Warning: May be a little gross! Due to severe allergies, I’ve kept a loose band for years, thus my weight is up and down by 10 – 15 lbs. Now that allergy season has semi slowed down for me, I went in for a fill and what I thought was the “green zone” before this fill was actually allergy driven zone. I finally have good restriction and in the green zone driven by the lapband, which, I have not felt in years. The difference with this fill, is that restriction is consistent vs daily variations and my hunger is hitting me every 4 – 5 hours. This is the most volume I’ve had in my band for the past 3 years. I’m sharing this because I want to help anyone considering t…

I am basically 6 months post-op. I have lost 35 pounds, but I want to quantify that as "only 35 pounds." I struggle with this almost every single day. BUT. I now weigh 249. I have not been under 250 since late teens/early 20's. Yea to a new decade! Or maybe I should say old, haha. I have now worked out with a private trainer twice a week for two months. This was unimaginable a few months ago! I have an actual waist. Not just columnar hidden by chest and hips. I have rock-hard, well defined legs. I walk up my flight of stairs (I live on the 2nd floor) without huffing. I bring in laundry or groceries without straining my arms. and one of my favorites?? …

Not sure the best place to place this. I was banded in September of 2009. When I was banded I was around 270 pounds. At my first visit I was 308. due to the lengthy approval process I lost a good bit before. I got down to 215 after surgery and creeped back up over the years to 247. I have been between 245 and 247 since 2010.I know my band works I have just not been working it. Plenty of restriction I just don't seem to lose. I really think I can pinpoint it to Exercise. As i get older my metabolism slowed. I also disconnected from this board and when you do that really take your mind off it. My insurance no longer covers Lap Band and When I called to get an appointment ju…

I have been a member for a long time but only recently started doing much posting. A post I read yesterday made me realise that it is quite common to use the site the same way I do - that is, busy people cannot check all the boards but read the recent posts list and answer those. On a quiet day, all the new posts may be there but on a busy day, an awful lot "slide off" the bottom and so people like me never see them. The way this board is set up means that people use "specialist"band boards more than they do the general one. So there can be just too many boards to check! Could the recent threads list be a bit longer?

I had my banding on 3-18 and all is going great! The only major complaint I have is the horrific gas pain in my shoulders. Gas x and the heating pad have become my best friend. I am tolerating the clears and am looking forward to my first post op appointment to be advanced to the next stage. How is everyone else doing so far?

I am finding it pretty difficult at the moment to say no to naughty yummy things in life - I think as it is getting cooler her in Australia, the comfort eating starts. Unfortunately, some of these bad foods are pretty band friendly and can get down no problem. I need a new mantra to tell myself to help me make a better decision, something that is positive.. Any suggestions????