LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I had my band back in 09 and it worked BEAUTIFULLY ...losing easily, not hungry....then at the end of 2011 I had a HORRIBLE stomach bug for a few days..and DIDN"T go in for an unfill....it irritated my band/stomach so much that after a complete unfill I was ok for about a week, then it flared up and I needed emergency surgery because I couldn't even get fluids down (from inflamation)... My surgeon left my port in place and told me to wait about 6 months to have it put back in, and that insuranace would cover it because it was a complication and not a choice, but I lost my insurance. I FINALLY have insurance again (yay yay yay) and I've made my appointment to see my s…

I was banded 6-11-2014. So far i've lost 38 lbs. I haven't been seen or had a fill since August. I had to start paying out of pocket. I would of at least liked follow up appointments to see my progress and just make sure everything is good with the band. I fell off my exercise routine and i keep up with my diet here and there. Its no ones fault but my own. If i knew the extent of the how high maintenance the band was, i think i would of opted for the sleeve. I recently received a 6,000 dollar bill for my lap band. apparently my insurance didn't cover it when i was told it was. The clinic i was going to closed without notice. I went months calling the office until i go…

The Washington State WLS Support Group is now holding meetings on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Next meetings: Sundays March 1st and 15th at 3PM The Den Coffeehouse & Cafe 10415 Beardslee Blvd., Bothell, WA 98011 425-892-8954 These are newly forming meetings and are general support but will be opening to more social and fitness activities as the weather returns. These meetings are great for people who had surgery out of state or country and who are looking for more face-to-face support. All levels and surgeries welcome. Spread the word to people that may be interested in attending. Hosts: Kay Feather & Michelle Lotus, kayfeather304@gmail.com, mountingwin…

I had my first fill today! I've been mostly able to keep it to three meals per day leading up to this, but was still just a little hungry. The PA gave me the choice of fill or no fill. I went ahead and did it. So far I'm down 23 lbs since surgery 3 weeks ago and seem to be slowing down on losing weight. Here's hoping I keep up a good pace! Nick

On the 23rd my doc brought me up to 5cc I had missed 2 visits due to ice and snow and lost 11lbs despite my treadmill breaking and no restriction, he was pleased. So finally I can feel this thing, I can still eat more than 4 ounces but there is a point where I am like WOE!! I can not eat another bite, I got the hiccups even. This morning I had 2 ounces of pepperoni cheese and a handful of cherry tomatoes. For lunch I had 2 chipotle chicken kabobs and some jalopenos, I had a hand ful of peanuts as a snack which my Dr. ok'd I was under the impression I wasn't supposed to eat peanuts, he also ok'd Peanut Butter but told me to be very careful of portion size and added su…

I am finally able to Celebrate Spring. I took time to ride my horse yesterday. What a great feeling to be able to get in the saddle again and with ease. My best friend and I also recently went to Montgomery Alabama to the Alabama Horse Fair and got to see Pat Parelli, one of the best horse whisperer's there is. She and I travel together often especially if it's a horse event. 2 years ago before my lapband I had about given up going anywhere . My weight was affecting my mobility, mood and health. Thank God I found a solution. I am happy and raring to go . At age 68 I am truly blessed.

I cannot figure out how to delete this. I think I posted it in the wrong area. Sorry guys!

I just wanted to put this out there, I see posts alot, of people like me that have been banded a few months frustrated cause they've not lost the weight they think they should have lost, and I wanted to make sure when you come on here not to compare yourself to others by looking at their weight loss ticker. I have been banded since Nov 21 I have lost a total of 25lbs since being banded my ticker shows over 100lb lost, I count the weight I've lost since starting my Dr. supervised diet in May of 2014. The reason I feel the need to put that out there is I don't want to mislead or frustrate anyone. Lapband can be slow at 1st but once you hit that sweet spot it should speed…

Hello, Does anyone know if there's any meet up support groups in New York?

Im getting LB on June 27...5 days away! I have 60 lbs to lose and my mom thinks I'm crazy. Actually I feel she thinks I'm just lazy and taking the easy way out. I should have her read some of these posts, it's NOT easy! I've been gaining more than losing on all the diets, acupuncture and hypnotherapy. I'm always hungry! I'm ready for a change! Healthy weight here I come!

MARCH 2007 (not 2008) 8 years ago I was miserable, hating myself. 270 lbs and growing. I decided to have the lapband and never looked back. My earlier posts tells the story of my journey. This year I'd like to talk about.... This year. After losing the weight..... The next big hurdle and probably the biggest in my book.... Is dealing with headhunger. It has been the most difficult part of the journey. I have everything I want in my life... So why do I eat sugar (mainly) or sometimes eat obsessively. I've been working with a therapist and I have to say, I'm learning to "sit with my feelings" and not eat over them. I've had periods of great success and periods o…

Hello, my name is Tresa. I'm 43. I was banded on 11-12-14. I'm struggling a bit lately. But hope I can find some support and help support others as well!

I was on a short flight yesterday 1.5 hours each way and now I'm struggling to eat solid food, it feels painful, will this pass??

I got my band 6 years ago. The first year it worked ok but fills were a nightmare. About a year and a half in, it got to the point where I couldn't get fills because I would not be able to keep down my own saliva. It has not been filled since. I am thinking it needs to be removed. From the beginning, I could no longer eat healthy food. Everything gets stuck! I can eat all the junk food I want but virtually no veggies or fruit and I don't understand that. I have also had constant pain at my port site. At times, it hurts for my shirt to touch my skin where the port is. Does anyone have any advice? It's almost as if my body rejected the band. When I mentioned it to my doctor…

I just left MD office with my first fill...2 cc's. I still have a lot of swelling around my port site. I was plesaed I had no pain with the fill. He numbed me first but that didn't hurt at all. On liquids today and then soft foods tom. I also met with the nutritionist. I had no idea I was eating "slider foods." I thought meal replacement shakes and soups were a great idea...NOT....apparently protein should be from preferably animal source...3 oz on a small plate and then if still hungry, I can have veggie or fruit. No starches x 3 months. Hoping to actually have some type of restriction now that I have some saline in the port. I've been feeling like I didn't have any rest…

Hi everyone. Just wondering any of you stop taking your diabetes med? Any hypo episodes? I work in a dialysis center and I walk almost 5miles a day in a 12hr shift. I been having problem with being hypo all the time. Anyone else work in a hospital and having problem? I cant eat fast during my break so i just live with a few bites and just candy every hour.

Hello all! I'm getting my lap band removed on April 14 (after having it for almost 8 years). No revision surgery. Any of you who had the same, could you please share your recovery experiences? I was planning on going back to work on the 20th. Thanks!!

I decided that there should be a PCOS Bandster group. Hopefully the numbers will grow and we can all offer each other support and information to help each other. My name is Victoria and I am 28 years old and have been officially diagnosed with PCOS for 5 years. I have been through a lot of the horrible aspects of PCOS and I am hoping that with the band that the PCOS will go away. I have been banded for only 4 days but I am hoping that the weight comes off quickly and I can feel like a normal woman. Thats all I want. I hope that there are more woman out there that will join this group and that it helps people with support and understanding of what we all have gone through …

I am looking for people in my area who have had the lap band. I had my surgery at Smartshape (SWLC) in Mississauga. They have a support group once a month but it is 3.5 hours away so I am not able to attend. If anyone is in my area I would love to get together for coffee and maybe start a new support group up here. Dr Cobourn's office said he would pay for renting a venue for the group if needed. Lynn

Where are you guys getting your fills now? Please help!

How can I loose weight.. can anyone help Me I been calling alot places an I just Can seem fine Right one

Can anyone suggest a good Multivitamin, preferably petite and not a chewable? I've been taking the Bariatric Advantage Chewable (Oranrge) and I am kind of sick of the flavor.

Well hello there everyone - long time no see!!! It has been 3 weeks since my last post (that sounds like I'm in confession!!) I've been on a wonderful holiday in Khao Lak and Phuket Thailand. The weather was great, the resorts were amazing and I've come home feeling fully re-charged. On my holiday, although I didn't over-eat, I definitely ate whatever I wanted and didn't think too much at all about the calories - except when it came to cocktails, I couldn't get it out of my head that I was consuming empty calories with no nutritional value. I am so happy to report that I've returned home weighing exactly the same as when I left. I know the goal of this thing is …

Hi All, My name is Rick and I am 46yrs old. Here is my nightmare situation. Suggestions or help welcomed! After hearing the 1 800 Get-Slim commercials, I signed up in late 2010 and eventually had my surgery in April of 2011 with "Dr. T" in Beverly Hills. For the first 2yrs I was the model patient....Dr. T even asked me to take part in their advertisements (I declined). I started at almost 300lbs and made it down to 218lbs with my highest fill being 10cc (14cc band). Like many, I slowly put on 15lbs and then stayed pretty flat. I was totally happy, active, and doing pretty well with the lifestyle. The only odd bit was that fills were getting harder and harder to do as…

It's been a year and a half since surgery. I think when I lost initial weight I was happy with that and as long as I didn't gain, wasn't too concerned. I know that's stupid. I am currently 24 pounds from onederland. I guess I thought after the band I could eat small amounts of anything. But really, that's not the case. I need to avoid carbs. Is it too late for me ? I have had 4 fills going for another in April. I am hoping they given me one Sometimes, if you haven't lost, they threaten not to give you a fill. I am going to lose between now and appointment. I hope I can get back on track.

Hi guys, I'm still on the liquid stage of the post op diet but I am taking in too much air when I drink. I keep hiccuping after drinking which may be a good sign but it hurts. Generally about 2-4 mins after drinking I get really bad trapped wind in my chest and as I am unable to burp it gets stuck and feels sore. I can get rid of this with Windeeze but it takes some time. Is it better to gulp drinks (thought being ill take on less air) or sip little bit by little bit?? Any ideas on how I can take in less air?? Very many thanks in advance!

Good Morning fellow Banders, finally getting to go to the Dr. after a long 6wks, my appointments got cancelled 3 times because of weather. So I really should have been at least twice in those 6 wks. I think since last appointment I have lost 10lbs but I'll know more about that this afternoon. I can still eat a pretty good portion of food at a setting but I do feel fullness and can go longer between meals without feeling hungry I don't know if it's the band or my stomach shrinking, but I am going to see if he might consider giving me a full 1cc today he does it just a little at a time I think I have 3.75cc in right now. I am feeling more positive today. Sorry if I ha…

Post op I've only lost 8 pounds since January 28th, 2015 It's been 10 weeks...Im Soon disappointed. I have about 60 pounds total that I want too loose. I exercise about twice a week & don't eat very much at meals, I also eat healthy. Once a week I get frozen yogurt, which is my down fall. I just got a fill around Feb.3 & feel the restriction, so that's not the problem, Im just so upset that I've lost very little after post lap band....Any help would be very appreciated

How much is too much? If you guys experience an episode of BP'ing ... how long do you do liquids before going back and trying to eat? At times experienced PB'ing - thought is was more or less due to what I was eatting or not chewing it well before swallowing. I haven't been going back to liquids if I experience and eposiode - SHOULD I? I do not eat before 2 or 3 in the afternoon as only liquids will go down. Does anyone else have this schedule daily? I can PB when I drive...yep multi tasking ... going down the road - cup in hand. Loosing right at a pound a week, thought I had FINALLY found my green/sweet spot - now I am beginning to ask if I am getting tighter…

This post could really be for any of us. My mother in law invited our family over for lasagna, she makes killer lasagna, but I declined because I can't have Pasta. I was told that she can't be expected to cook just for me and my needs. lol I never asked her to, I just told her I wasn't going to come, for that very reason I don't expect people to change what they eat, or cook for me, but I also am not going to put myself in a situation where I am driving myself crazy thinking about wanting something, but not being able to have it, smells really get to me right now. Years from now I might have my cravings and longings for things I love but choose not to eat under contr…

I posted last month that I thought I was at green. Nope! I didn't lose a single pound last month and I didn't change anything - except for join a gym, lol. I got half a cc and now have 6.5 cc's in my band. But, really, I am going to give a teeny tiny mini rant. All of my fills are done at an aftercare center, which is fine. My office has been in flux since my frst fill and have moved twice. My 1st fill was at their old office, all the others at their 'new' temporary offices, and by my next follow up they will be in their 'new' permanent office. The nurses who take the vitals have all been the same but I have seen a different tech every single time. Not a bad th…

I just had my 4th fill and I feel great. I have not felt very hungry at all these past few days. Leading up to this fill, I could go about 4 hours between meals but I could still eat larger amounts than what I knew I should be doing. My doc's office was happy since I had lost 8 pounds since the last fill, but I knew I wanted another fill. I have high hopes that this could put me at my sweet spot. I am 6 cc's in my 10 cc band.

I'm looking to get a lap band surgery. I have gained a significant amount of weight over the past 7 years. My weight has gotten up to 470 pounds. Some of the reasons I am considered lap band is I hate surgery. The lap band seems to be the least invasive and I'm not comfortable with surgery that removes part of my stomach. I do like the fact it is adjustable and can be reversed if needed. Everything I read is from doctors or people who have not been overweight. I am hoping to hear from people who have had or are considering other options. Just 7 years ago I weighed 240 pounds. I'm still discussing with my doctor about possible reasons I have gained 230 pounds in 7 y…

I'm 1 week post op today. When eating dinner I think I ate too fast or maybe even didn't chew enough. I think a bite got stuck a little... I could feel it and it hurt really bad. I've never felt such pain... I tried to throw up and couldn't but need to do something so I stretched and wiggled a bit and the pain went away. Anyone experience this?

I was looking for everyone that their Lap band surgery in December. I had my surgery December 23, 2014. I just went back to work today. I am now able to eat more that just liquids . I have lost 32 pounds so far still have a ways to go. I feel great though and looking forward to the New Smaller me. I am looking for people to connect with.

January 15, 2014 was my band date and over a year later I've lost a total of 90lbs with just watching what I eat (no excersize yet). I was 287 and I'm 197 now. My goal is 180 so I'm almost there (I'm 5'11"). Best decision I ever made. I feel and look amazing. If you are contemplating whether to get the band or not, GET IT! :-)

I have read a bunch of "stall" posts recently, and even though everyone's situation is different, I feel I can relate! Ugh - I have been craving junk lately like crazy. I am having a hard time separating real hunger and head hunger, even though I know I should ask myself questions like 'would an apple sate me or am I just wanting sugar'. But it's hard! I haven't lost anything this past month, so it is frustrating, even when I know I am probably my own saboteur. But I joined a gym and have a fill scheduled this week. Just trying to get my head back in a good place and eat better and know that I can do this, but acknowledge that is still requires work on my part.

Hello! Just had lap band done March 11th 2015. Looking for support buddies! I am in New York... My email is Storgean@gmail.com You can email me anytime, just write "lap band buddy" as a subject so I know not to delete.. Best of luck!

Needing to know is it bad to only have 2 protein smoothies, one for breakfast, and one for dinner. I'll have a grilled chicken salad for lunch.

I just seem to either be putting on or not loseing at all this is so anoyying i feel like iv wasted my money, i see people saying they have lost 40 ect before they even have a fill i had surgery in november 2014 and in total have lost 20lb (which 10 was feom pre op), has anyone else been like this, iv had 2 fills and one next week but i can still eat as much i could before surgery i dont want to be struggerling like this reason why i got the band!!!!

I got my third fill on Tuesday and as soon as I took the sip of Water, I could FEEL it! Restriction - glorious restriction! I had not felt that before unless I ate something starchy/bread. After fill, was not hungry the rest of the day. Yesterday, ate a small amount for Breakfast, not hungry until dinner and then very satisfied with a small amount. This morning, the scale finally MOVED down - 5 lbs from where I was the previous weigh (and i admit that's been several weeks as feeling down that I was so hungry after all of the surgery costs and discomfort, etc). Now I feel I am IN THE GAME and I am so excited to know THIS is what it is supposed to feel like! I don't…

Hi all, I have a question about lapband and alcohol. I had a few too many drinks on Saturday night with some girlfriends. Since then I've had some stuck issues and vomited a bit. I am hoping this is all part of my learning curve and learning my new limits. Maybe big nights need to be a thing of the past? Has anyone else experienced this??

I was banded on 2/17/15. Since I had the surgery, I have had nothing but problems. I was in and out of ER every other day to get IV fluids because I was constantly vomiting. I couldn't even sip water. I had no energy and wasn't even able to take care of my own basic needs. I called my surgeon's office and they kept telling me I needed to give it more time. After a month though, I could no longer take it. I demanded they get me in for an emergency appointment, which they did. I convinced the surgeon it needed to come out immediately. Luckily, he listened. After surgery he came in to talk with me about how things went. He said once he opened me up, he couldn't believe what …

Hi all I'd love to link up with a band buddy/ buddies I have my surgery tomorrow and would love to have someone(s) to chat with, share experiences etc. Thanks!!

Hey my friends, I have not been on site in a while because I have had a lot going on. I lost my sister in November it was so unexpected. My birthday was two weeks later. Just could not Celebrate knowing my rock was gone. I was also moving in a month giving me more stress. finally went back to the doctor I needed a fill which was ok. In Feb I did not think I need another fill but I did it anyway. I am now down another 8.5 lbs in a month so I guess I did. I am feeling better. Please keep me in your prayers I am still now there yet.

I want to express how upset i am with the new Health insurance they have now. My company was bought by another and my insurance changed. So they do not cover anything for Bariatric Surgery. This is horrible -- cover something but none at all. I am approaching my 9th yr anniversary with my "coach" keeping off 210lbs. it has been a struggle and i had to have two surgeries one was for a port leakage and the other was my band was knocked off by what they thought was me throwing up (which i told them i stay away from doing that - i dont like it one bit). But it was because i had a huge Hiatial Hernia which they didnt see until they went in to fix the band My point is …

Happy Dance Happy Dance!!!!! I can finally weigh on a normal household scale!!! WOW!!! My BMI is under 50 I'm like so amazed and so excited...I can't believe it!! It all seems so amazing to me!! I had no idea that the band could help me like this!! Sure I only lost 25 lbs so far but I can't believe the difference it has made! wow! I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like in another 25 lbs from now! I was just so excited I had to tell someone....Plus I eat so little! & I'm not hungry it's like wow...who knew? I never would of thought I could eat so little and NOT be hungry!! I ate a spring roll...took me over 20 mins to eat it and when done...I was Full…

I am 9 1/2 years post op. My last visit for a fill was about two years ago. At that time I had a procedure to check the position of my band ( can't remember what type) My band was still in the correct position. My original Dr., who I have never liked, said my band was the first style to be used and should be replaced, since there are now using a sixth generation ( that was two years ago) I told him that I had thought my band was good for a lifetime. He said no, it is not. Even though he said it should be replaced, he is reluctant to do so because of my age (69). He said he would think about it, that was two years ago and I have not heard from him since. I'm wonderi…

Hi everyone! new to this website I came here for some guidance/suggestions/buddy/mentor. I am post opt - I have my lapband for 8 yrs and have kept off 210lbs all together by myself and with lapband. I need to loss my last 50lbs; i did gain 15lbs. I just got tightened - at least the hungry went away but the weight is not coming off!! i am not sure what i am doing wrong!!

Hi everyone! My name is Jennifer. I am just starting my weight loss journey, I have an appointment with a Gastric Bypass surgeon on April 8! I am really looking forward to this, I have been waiting for years, and I now FINALLY have an insurance that covers weight loss surgery! Yay! I am currently torn between the gastric bypass surgery and the Lap Band. I am hoping to hear about your experiences with the Lap Band. I have read that weight loss is much slower with the lap band. Does this help with preventing excess skin? I look forward to hearing about your thoughts on this surgery and would love to hear about your successes!