LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hi All.... I have been banded since 2008 and have lost over 100lbs. My weight has remained the same for a little over a year now. In march of 2013, my bad was at 5.8cc and I was having issues with severe heartburn, and food coming back up frequently. I went for testing for hernias and such and all was good. My doctor removed 1cc. By September, we decided to drain the band and start from scratch. 5cc was added. End of sept another 0.6 (5.6). End of October back to 5.8 and was still feeling like I was not at my sweet spot despite being back at 5.8. So went to 6. Tooooo tight!!!!! So back to 5.6. At 5.6 my weight has maintained (not gaining). I can't eat any…

Noticed every now and then my stomach gets swollen like at the band area is this normal it also hurts very slightly. I have been banded for 5 1/2 months down 48 pounds. If anyone has had the same problem please inform. Thanks

Hi all. I recently had 7.3cc in the band and was doing frequent vomiting though I was losing weight. After about a month, I went back to the Dr and he took me down to 7.1 when I told him about the vomiting. In a month at 7.1, I didn't lose a thing and felt no restriction so I had to call him back and go back in. This time, I saw a physician assistant. After explaining everything, he added some Fluid and brought me back to 7.3cc. I was a little ticked because I had told him that was probably too much and that 7.2 was likely what I needed. But, because I hadn't lost an ounce at 7.1cc, I decided to just give 7.3 another try and chew, chew and chew some more. However,…

As I've mentioned on other threads, I am three weeks out from surgery. I am on solid foods and have eaten many delicious things like chicken, shrimp, fish, fruits, vegetables, and have not had any stuck episodes yet. While I would not say that I feel "restriction", I have a pleasant dulling of hunger and minimal desire to over eat or eat unhealthy foods. I have lost 15 pounds over the past four weeks from when I started the pre-op diet. This might not sound like a lot, but I am happy with it as it is 13% of the total amount of weight I hope to lose which is 115 pounds. My question is should I get a fill when I go to the doctor in the beginning of November. I hate…

Hi all. Just switched doctors. using dr korn now in boise. anybody else use him? what did you think? going to his seminar on nov. 18th, had to postpone because of gas money issues. Let me know. Haven't met him yet but would appreciate any and all opinions and suggestions.

I had my lap and placed about a year ago. I have been able to maintain about a 40 to 50 pound loss.Ups and downs and I totally refocused. I just had a fill on Tuesday and I am experiencing very increased restriction. I can barely keep liquids down. But the last time I had a fail I had to go for an unfilled the next day because he put too much fluid in the band and I and after that I basically had no restriction which is why I've been up-and-down so much so I don't want to jump the gun and go ahead and call and have him do it unfill when maybe this is just some swelling because I am experiencing a little more pain at my at my port site than I ever remember having before so…

Hello all I'm have my band fitted in 7 days and would love a buddy/friend that's going though the same as me, my friends don't understand why I'm having a gastric band fitted, they wouldn't they weight about 9st, always up for a friendly chat Jo x

I live by myself and often buy chicken breasts or some other type of meat that's individually packaged. I know I can make meals and freeze leftovers, but right now my freezer is full (I keep extra meat, TV dinners for work, and some frozen chili in there). Anybody have simple, easy and affordable meals I can scale down just for one or two meals (that way I'm not eating leftovers for 3-4 days ) Thanks

Hi All.... I have been banded since 2008 and have lost over 100lbs. My weight has remained the same for a little over a year now. In march of 2013, my bad was at 5.8cc and I was having issues with severe heartburn, and food coming back up frequently. I went for testing for hernias and such and all was good. My doctor removed 1cc. By September, we decided to drain the band and start from scratch. 5cc was added. End of sept another 0.6 (5.6). End of October back to 5.8 and was still feeling like I was not at my sweet spot despite being back at 5.8. So went to 6. Tooooo tight!!!!! So back to 5.6. At 5.6 my weight has maintained (not gaining). I can't eat any…

Hi everyone! If anyone is looking for a lap band buddy (I am 21 so I would really like to talk to others around my age or anyone)...e-mail me! LapBandLaur@gmail.com I had my surgery July 14 so a little over 3 months ago. I'm at the point now where I would really like to talk to other patients and be able to get and give support. Thanks

I am 2.5 months post op, I've lost about 40 lbs and lots of inches. Overall it is the single best decision I have made for my health. The issue I have has now occurred 7 times. Out of nowhere I am awakened or simply feel it coming on when I am awake. It starts as a dull pain on the left side near the port area. Just that area not the port at all. The pain intensifies over a 30 minute time period and I get cold sweats and feel like I'm having what I would think a heart attack feels like. I'm nauseated, out of breathe and just cry because it hurts so much. My lower back aches and so I figured it had to be gas after the second time. So I make myself jog in place o…

Sorry for the multi-topic header, but I have a rambly topic to discuss... My obsessively poor eating, and the massive amounts of guilt I feel about it. Since getting my band 2.5 years ago, I've lost nearly 100lbs. My life has changed, my tastebuds have changed, everything has changed. Life is grand. But I have a LOT of guilt around my bad eating habits. I'm working on changing it, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue and successfully turned their diet around? I used to love tangy, spicy, salty foods. Hot sauce, artichokes, hearts of palm, balsamic vinegar, mustard, olives, onions, tomato sauce, etc... But my taste buds have changed completely sinc…

So I had surgery on May 15, 2014. I'm at about 7.0 ml in my band. I was at 6.0 and was barely feeling restriction. Then two weeks ago I got my fill for the month putting me at 7.0 and after the initial first few days of liquids to soft to normal I never got to normal. I have literally only been able to eat yogurt, liquids, ice cream, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes...hopefully you get the picture. Yesterday I tried some chicken nuggets. Really really real chewed them up and it was pretty difficult. Even these mushy foods can be hard to have sometimes. I have thrown up a lot just figuring out what I can and cannot eat. Don't get me wrong I'm glad to FINALLY be feeling rest…

I had my band removed last December after three years of problems. I'm struggling with controlling my weight, but taking it day-by-day. Within the last week, despite my careful diet control I.e., salads, yogurt - no sugar, junk food etc., I've developed pain in the area of my gall bladder. When I push on the area - who hasn't had something they've worried about and can't stop touching - I get an instant acid reflux feeling in my throat!? Is this nuts? Has anyone else experienced this? This long after band removal? Seeing my doctor on Thursday, but I can't help worrying.

Ok people out there in lap band world, I have hit a plateau and I'm going insane!! Eating 1000-1200 calories a day tracking with my fitness pal and I can't drop anything significant!! Driving me crazy feeling like a failure, it's been atleast 3 months since I have seen a good change on the scales. I have heard about this 5:2 intermittent fasting and I'm interested in doing it. I have read all I can find about it online but I'm interested to hear about anyone in this forum whose tried it, how it's worked for them and any tips!! ????

Ok, so I am new to this forum. My name is Tricia and I was banded at St Vincents Trussville AL on Nov 22, 2011. I quickly lost 50lbs and the loss slowed down to a stand still. I was ok with that for a while and went to have them put more Fluid in my band. I went from a 7.5cc to a 9.5 cc over a few months. I got the restriction I needed, but over time developed the horrid complication of nausea and vomiting just about everything including Water. Went back to their office, ( I live 50+ miles away), had a barium swallow and endoscopy which were both inconclusive. Had all fluid removed and basically was told my system needed a break and to reboot. I (and I know thi…

I am starting the pre-op Optifast next week for 3 weeks. How much weight can I potentially lose in this time and also the 3 weeks post-op before I begin eating solids again?

I am experiencing my first slime episode.....omg trying to sleep wtf......only ate 2'bites and they both came up over an hour ago...what can I do to sleep???

Okay, maybe I'm paranoid. Last night I got stuck while eating some chicken and broccoli casserole. I did have PB with it. After that I ate and drank fine. At about 3:30 this morning I woke up thirsty and took a drink of Water. Upon swallowing I noticed that ten seconds or so after swallowing I got a pain in the back of my throat. NOT a stuck feeling. The feeling you get when you swallow a pill too hard, right in the back of my throat. This pain continued for the rest of morning everytime I would take a drink. I have not had solid food this morning (in fear of agitating something). I'm going to do liquids for the rest of the day. It is about 10:30 am now and the pain seems…

I was banded 16th Sept, weighing 365LB with my weight sitting mostly on my butt, thighs, titties and arms. I'd be really interested to talk to other "heavy weights" in their 20s who might have some tips so I can get this right from the start. My main concern at the moment is excess skin. My mum was banded 3 years ago and subsequently had a tummy tuck 2 months ago. She had major complications and spent an extra month in hospital - so understandably I would like to avoid having to have anything tucked once I reach my goal. I get that each body is different but surely there must be some things I can start doing now that can help minimise my chances!

Hi- for those of you who've experienced a slip, what did it feel like? I'm having some chest pain in the last 3 days. I thought it was because I was overeating some, but today I was determined to stop the second I felt uncomfortable and realized I was in pain most of the day... It feels like something's squeezing me, not sharp shooting pain, rather a dull ache that's worse if I lie on my stomach and better if I lie on my back. I've eaten very little over the course of the whole day today (1c cottage cheese, 1/2c raspberries, less than 1c quinoa and veggies between). I tried having a Protein shake and feel it going down ok... Any thoughts? Obviously I'll call my dr tomor…

Just wanted to share a happy time! I weighed this morning and I am 6 lbs under my first after surgery goal weight. Now to work hard and stay under to hit my next one!! Hope everyone has a great day and keeps hope alive!

I had surgery about a year ago and I have lost 40 lbs. I haven't been to see the doctor in about 2 months though and have gained about 10 pounds. I'm too embarrassed to go back and admit how bad I've messed up. Help :/

Hi! I was wondering if anyone was from Montréal, Québec or close by. Got banded in April and having a hard time losing weight, would like to meet up with fellow bandsters

Hi I am having my Lap Band removed today! My surgery is this afternoon. I was banded in July of 2010 and was very successful in losing weight the first year. Then I had a series of odd symptoms and a lot of discomfort that has taken 2 years and many tests/doctors to come to the conclusion that it is best to remove the band. There is also a leak in the band (since there is no fluid in there at all after 3 fills) and I believe my surgeon accidentally poked a hole in it while doing a difficult fill early in 2011. Because of that experience, I would suggest people have fills done under the fluoroscope and not blind, so the doctor can see exactly where the needle should g…

Just curious about what everyone's reason was to chose the lapband out of all the other chooses. Please feel free to share.

Hi Friends. Thought I'd post this before heading out to Water exercise class. I went to three doctors yesterday for some follow ups. My orthopedic surgeon was one of those appointments. I'm one year out from bi-lateral hip replacement and this was a regular follow up. The doctor is the head of orthopedics at The Hospital for Joint Diseases/NYU Langone in NYC. You would think he'd know everything medical right? No so much. He had several questions about the band and how it worked. He really didn't understand and I had to explain that I am less hungry which allows me to eat less. But he asked about feeling full and I told him that full means you've gone too fa…

Lots of ups & downs these past couple of weeks -- literally & figuratively! Down a few pounds, then they're right back on. Going for another fill mid-November when my Dr is back from maternity leave. Meeting with my nutritionist next week to see where I'm making mistakes. The thing is that I don't feel much restriction right now but I'm not feeling like starvation central either. I haven't been eating anything "bad" & I've been exercising. Being stuck at the same weight for the last three weeks is making me feel a little down. True, I haven't gained, but I haven't lost additional weight either. Is this normal? Any tips on how to jump start the weight loss aga…

Does anyone take Topamax? Is it safe with our band. Heard it can cause stomach irritation. I'm suffering with migraines and need relief

I had a weight watchers lasagna for lunch today. I didn't have any trouble with it getting stuck but it seems to be just sitting in my stomach uncomfortably and not digesting very well. Is this why they say we should avoid Pasta with the band? Is this a common reaction to eating pasta? It feels sort of like it did last week when I tried french fries.

Went to Dr today can't keep drink my protein drink down, cant really keep anything down. Having heartburn when I lay down at night acid reflux He did an X-ray band has slipped.... He took out more fluid then said make appt for next week see if it goes back. Anybody have this problem did it go back on its own or did u have to have surgery?

this is 5 pounds of muscle and 5 pounds of fat...... in the picture,, the 5 lbs. of fat is much bulkier than the 5 lbs. of muscle, but five pounds is still five pounds. Muscle does not weigh more than fat. Fat is bulky and lumpy so if you carry an extra five pounds of fat, you'll be lumpier than with five pounds more muscle. A five pound pile of fat will take up more space (volume) than a five pound pile of muscle; but five pounds is still five pounds. **i got this info on line from weight watcers.com, prevention magazine, my persnal trainer link and many others INCHES you lose, means you are losing fat/actual weight regardless of what the scale says or does not s…

I had lap band on March 5th 2014 upon release from the hospital I felt like I was about to live the life I was meant too with weight loss. Then the weight loss wall hit and hit hard I was 349 to 275 and have been there for 2 months. My diet is very minimal bad food but I am not without sin. I exercise regularly and very intense. I do not know what to do. I used to look foreword to weighing in now I stay away from the scale in fear of weight gain. I have had 3 fills and have some restriction based on the meal and the day. I know what some will say " look at what you have accomplished" but to me I am no where ear where I should or want to be. What do I do what am I…

My doctor wants to try topomax to get some weight off. Iv stopped losing weight n gained quite a bit I'm hungry all the time . So he suggested topomax ..anyone use it with the band n seen results?

Hey all. So there's a bunch of us in this group, all split up into our different banding days. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have one master thread as we move through the month, in which all of us could post as we go, from the pioneers going on March 1st to the finalists on March 31st. I'd love to talk about our anticipation and any worries as we approach our banding date, for people to talk about exactly what happened from the moment they walked into the hospital door until the second they walked out, about how recovery is going, about weight loss and plateaus, about non-scale victories and challenges. I was thinking that if we all contribute to …

As embarrassing as this sounds I must ask. After your thighs actually breathe after all the weight loss. Does the dark area go back to its normal skin color?

I am so close to my goal weight of 200 pounds but I need some help getting there..I started at 320 and I am at 260... Please make suggestions to help me. Thanks

Please respond

I've been banded for a couple of months now!! I live in mastic if anyone needs support just someone to talk to about the lap-band if you have it of your think about getting it message me anytime:) Dr Allum is my dr but I also know some more dr that do the surgery. We all have to support each other this isn't easy.. My mom has had it for about 6 or 7 yrs now and my girlfriend just got it in feb. any questions comments anything I am here

I've had my band for a bit..since 2008 after my 1st child. Was losing weight great and then got pregnant back to back with both my girls and now I'm really struggling to lose more weight. Trying to find a walking buddy maybe or just some great motivation as to what seems to work for you. Really frustrated right now and would like to actually lose some weight finally!! Thank you!! Laura

My surgery date is November 11th. I started my pre-op diet last Thursday. I felt I was doing great for the first few days. By Monday I managed to catch a stomach bug. So two days of little food and lots of throwing up. Now I feel like I'm making a mistake even having the surgery. I'm worried this whole journey is going to be a mess. Help.

I have been on Seroquel for many years for my Bipolar disorder and it has worked amazingly well. Last month my Dr. increased my dosage due to some problems I was having. I gained 8 lbs. Now he says he will take me off Seroquel and put me on Geodone if I can't lose the weight. I SOOOO DON't want that and am working hard to lose the excess weight so I can stay on Seroquel. Has this happened to anyone else? Has a medicine made you gain weight? I thought it was up to me to control the weight, but Dr. says "NO" some medicines make you gain weight. Do you agree or disagree with my Doctor? Did any medicine make you gain weight? Thanks, Terry

Had my first fill this morning on my way to work......for anyone wondering it is a piece of cake!!! I barely felt anything...so do not be afraid of the unknown!!

I started my Lapband journey 1 month ago. I am getting all my appointments done and working on losing my required 22lbs before surgery. I am excited but try not to get my hopes up just in case I get denied surgery. I do not have high blood pressure or diabetes but I did a sleep study a few days ago and I have been told I need to come back for a second night and wear a CPAP so am assuming they suspect sleep apnea so that would help my approval. I have been walking 2 miles every other day but I think I will start walking 1mile every day. Maybe that will benefit me better. I have very supportive friends and family and I am looking forward to a healthier me.

I am a type 2 diabetic since 1990 (recently confirmed still 2 not 1). I had a sleeve last November lost 52 lbs mostly by sticking with low carb Gary Taubes type diet. I've been in and out of ketosis and the only reason I go out is because my blood sugar readings sky rocket in ketosis. i verified with many it is the case. Understanding why is way over my head science wise and I can't follow it. When I can control my sugar and just eat enough to keep me out my morning readings on very little insulin are 90-100. But in Ketosis like now I take 4-5 times the insulin and my sugars are up 150-200 sometimes. I shoot up to lower them. I'm eating not much at all mostly protein and…

OK, as somebody who has been banded 6+ years, I have to say that at least 60% of the people I know who were Banded around the time I was Banded or soon after no longer have their Bands. I know that if I post something like this in the General forums... I get a lot of hands over eyes and mouth saying "no no no ... that can't be true..." because most newly Banded people do not want to hear this. I can't find any concrete statistics from Inamed/Allergan.. nor do I think they keep them (or want to keep them)... but I did find this study: A 10-year experience with laparoscopic gastric ban...[Obes Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result I guess I'm feeling bad because I one person…

Looking for a fill location in or around Atlanta. Surgery being performed in Mexico.

I AM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME! Is this a potentially normal response? I'm three weeks post surgery today and have moved up to "normal" food over the last week. I weigh the same today as I did on surgery day. I had lost a couple pounds, but they've come back. Should I just concentrate on the small bites and chewing and wait for my fill to worry about losing weight? Or should I be dieting "the old way" being hungry and miserable all the time?

Hi there curious to know who out there has had the Iband at Fort Worth lap band or the gastric plication under band somewhere else?!? Any complications?? Thanks

Can I please get an idea on recovery times for keyhole lapband surgery? How long before I can drive and other day to day stuff. I am having a week off work.