LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hey! Is there anyone out there ? I'm 25 and was just banded a week ago!! Lizz

Lapband Coffee Group – Toronto Saturday, September 27th – 2:00 p.m. Timothy's Coffee 425 Bloor St. E. M4W 3R4 (Turn right when you exit the Sherbourne Subway stop… there is also street parking near by.) The Lapband Coffee Groups are open to EVERYONE who has had Lapband Surgery or if you’re looking into the lapband process, recently banded, or a long time "Bandster". This is a great way to find out about the lapband from individuals who have had the surgery and to ask questions or just listen to individuals share their lapband journey experience. No need to sign up… just show up and if you can’t find the group ask for Tom at the cash register. …

My band was unfilled in February 2014. I started getting fills again in April 2014. I exercise 4-5 days a week which includes cardio and weight training. The scale has only moved up not down. This very depressing and I have decided to remove the band. I'm very disappointed ...,.I dread going back to my fat clothes ( that I gave away ) but this is not working any more. Before my slipped , my working out and eating regimen helped me lose weight moderately . If I'm gaining weight without eating the bad stuff and watching my portions then something is wrong.

So in the past few days Every time I eat anything I get super bloated! It's been 9 months since my surgery, I've always had constipation problems my whole life but I've also kinda been going regularly and I'm still bloated... Does anyone else have this problem... Do y'all think it's related to the band? I have a check up next week (I'm already to my green zone so it's just a follow up) but yeah...

I read this all the time. I'm able to eat blah blah blah. Doesn't matter what you are able to eat, the fact is that we are all able to eat whatever. Meaning...the band as I understand it, shouldn't stop you from eating nearly anything and if eaten slowly enough, shouldn't stop you from eating way more than normal. When you are able to eat more than you should, or food that is not the best choice, that's the time when the mental resolve must kick in. The band is just a tool and the change needs to come from within. I think because my weight loss has been so significant, people don't always realize I have plenty of moments where I want to eat more than I know I sho…

I was banded 3 years ago and had great success...started at 246 and got down to 140 at my lowest. Over months of being too tight and throwing up all the time, I developed a large pouch and had to have a complete defill and repositioning surgery back in March. Now they are slowly filling me back up, but in the meantime I have gained back 32 pounds! Although I have more fluid in my band now than ever before, I can eat everything (bread, pasta, rice) and I still get hungry every couple of hours. I wonder if I'll ever find my "sweet spot" again? I've fallen back into all my pre-band bad habits and feel like I have lost all willpower. I need some strict rules or a very d…

I am waiting for my insurance to OK my lap-band surgery. But in the mean time i am eating like i always have,its like i know i will never be able to have these foods again. And i guess maybe i will feel deprived and have mad cravings? why do i do this knowing i need to change? I feel like i want to eat everything ,i guess like a alcoholic having his last drink before going in to rehab. I just hope that i can get over these feelings and have better control of my eating. Maybe i will have to change or die.

Lapband Coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, September 30th – 7:00 p.m. Second Cup 901 Brant St Burlington, ON L7R 2J6 (Just West of the Walmart) The Lapband Coffee Groups are open to EVERYONE who has had Lapband Surgery or if you’re looking into the lapband process, recently banded, or a long time "Bandster". This is a great way to find out about the lapband from individuals who have had the surgery and to ask questions or just listen to individuals share their lapband journey experience. No need to sign up… just show up and if you can’t find the group ask for Tom at the cash register. If you have any questions before the coffee group please contact: Tom…

Hey everyone. I am 10 months out and down 115lbs. I usualy work out 4-5 times a week. Watch what I eat even allow for a treat every now and again. Haven't really been to the gym in 3 weeks. Something is always coming up. My fault for not prioritizing. Thing of it is. I've lost my motivation and really down on myself. I've only lost 5lbs since my last fill about 6 weeks ago. I'm struggling. I'm trying to lose another 15lbs and would like to do it before my year is up. My nut says I an to hard on myself. I tend to disagree. I'm so afraid of failing. I am lost. I know what I am doing wrong and keep screwing it up this past 6 weeks. I have my before pic and my pic from …

I woke up today feeling great and for the first time no reminders of my surgery. It is important to take the time to recuperate this isn't a race to the finish line. This is the start of a new way of life.

So my relationship with my lap band is going on two month! And I'm in love!! I have already lost 50 lbs. My band only has 3.5cc in it and I'm moving along fabulously! The only thing I'm concerned with is that pesky loose skin. I was wondering if anyone had any luck just tightening up with body wraps? You know, like giving myself a reward for doing so well! I understand my skin has been stretched for quite some time so getting back to that smooth tight look will most likely need plastics in the end.. but what about now?! I love love love my band but it's time for me to start making my skin look and feel better.

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The ALLERGAN protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band. Normal weight loss with a properly r…

Many of us have heard the incredibly high numbers of divorces among WLS patients. I am one of those women. I left a 15 year marriage exactly a year after surgery when I had lost 80 pounds and had a whole new life opening up in front of me. My partner just could not go on that journey with me. Well, now I am happily seeing someone new who wants to really be supportive during this journey with me. But what is the best way to do that? I wish there was a Board or support group for family members and spouses of Lap Band patients so they can understand what helps, what is not helpful and how to understand the journey we are on. My new partner says that living with someone who h…

So my weight has stalled n well I'm sure I am part to blame. I can eat way more than I'm supposed to. I can eat like 3 peice of pizza with no problems (shame on me) its rare that I splurge.. on a regular basis I get stuck on the 1st bite about twice a day. I'm only aloud 30min for lunch and I usually get stuck the 1st bite no matter how well I chew and I usually throw it up cause I'm so hungry I'm shaking bad. Than some times I don't get stuck . Usually can't eat any breakfast everything gets stuck. Example lunch is 3 oz chicken salad and yogurt or apple. I eat it n feel fine (if I don't get stuck) than 20 min layer I'm super hungry like stomach pain hungry . I dread eati…

I got banded 5 yrs ago and lost 30 kilos over 3 yrs - very slow but I was happy. I had some removed so I could enjoy my honeymoon and when I got home I had it refilled. I started to experience unexplained vomiting. It was not a block or a stuck as I know very intimately what that feels like. Instead the vomiting was violent, unpredictable and sudden and often I would not make it to the bathroom. I had a barium swallow but all was ok. I ended up having some fluid removed as I was so run down and exhausted not to mention highly embarrassed by the vomiting. There were times I would even loose bladder control. I am now back to my pre operative weight and am terrified of gett…

I realize in the beginning after surgery we are all gassy. My husband (God love him) now says I fart louder than anyone he's ever heard and he wants to know if this is the new normal in our house. I have 2 friends who have the band and one said yes and the other says no. My hubby doesn't care if this is forever because at 45 he still giggles at farts. I'm almost month post-op. Thanks for any input regarding one's output (his joke he wanted included with the question)

I have reached my half way point and lost steam. I find it all too easy to tell myself "you're good". Skip tracking and start snacking. It's hard to stay motivated when the the compliments keep rolling in. "You look fabulous!" "You're melting away". I realize this isn't the end of the race here, but it's so easy to slack. At this point. Actually my visit with my surgeon and nutritionist yesterday, showed a 3 lb gain. They took that quite seriously. I'm kinda glad because I need to wake up now, not 10-20lbs later. Many friends blow it off as "you're gaining muscle" or "it's probably just water weight". What I need is my bariatricpal family to give me a push to get my sw…

Well, I've made the decision and I have the surgery scheduled for 9/3/14. I am of equal excitement and nervousness. I am a female, age 39 (turning 40 on September 20th) and I am so ready to be done with being fat. I have struggled with my weight since I was 16 and I am officially done. I'm done being hungry all the time and done having clothes look like crap on me and not fitting, but most importantly, I'm done avoiding taking photos with my family. There hasn't been a photo of me in the past 5 years and when my youngest son cried when we were in Europe in May this year because I initially refused to take a photo with him, I knew it was time to do something serious. …

I've had 4 fills and the last 2 were both .5cc. I can feel restriction but if I eat slow enough, I can eat as much as I want. Is this normal? I feel like I should feel full since I know the band is tight. If I eat too fast or foods that disagree with the band, it just comes back up. I think this is called sliming. If I drink right after eating sceptic for tiny sips, that also comes right back up. I call it spitting up since the food hasn't made it to my stomach yet. I know because I drink a lot of powerade and it's still cold when it comes back up. Generally, I spit it out because it seems like more coned up than went in. Does this make an sense to anyone?? Does it sound …

A newbie member mentioned something that got me thinking...yes, sometimes that happens! I have what she called, a butt you could put a cup of coffee on. It's kind of personal, I know, but do any of you have this kind of butt? And what I really want to know, is Did you lose that "shelf" when you lost weight? It's my biggest fear that that won't go away.

I find it hard to eat healthy on this puree stage and i'm SICK of Protein drinks. I have had some fine shredded chicken and turkey i just hope i don't cause anything to slip by eating shredded chicken. I've been tolerating it just fine though. I'm supposed to start soft foods on Wednesday. I do feel some restriction. I eat about 1/2c to a 1c of food in an hr and my first fill is scheduled for July 19.

Well I would like to say that everything is awesome my first day after surgery, but it's pretty painful. I will say though it isn't that bad to swallow which I was overjoyed to see. But the tenderness and soreness feels like I went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. Another cool thing I was glad to see was that they glued my incisions up instead of stitches. You can almost barely see the cuts on my skin. All in all I don't feel real bad but like I said the soreness is pretty extensive. I'm going to get up and try to be more mobile today and hopefully some of the gas pains and little aches and pains will get better by tomorrow.

I am 2 weeks post op today and feeling great! No more gas pain. Just a little tenderness near the biggest incision. But I can already sleep on my stomach which is amazing. Sleeping was hard before, most of first week, since I'm a stomach sleeper. I was waking up every 2-3 hours. But thankfully it's improved now. Been exercising everyday at least 15 min up to 45 min walking or going to the gym on the stationary bike. I'm down 19 lbs since the pre op diet and have a goal of 65-70 more to go. Been tracking food, drinks and exercising on myfitnesspal. It keeps me honest. On soft foods now starting today although I've been slowly adding day by day since I've been hungry. I'm s…

Have a question for you please. Have been banded 3 and a bit weeks now, this week I have upped my water intake as I have struggled to "enjoy" water as much as before. I'm currently drinking about 1-1.5 litres over a day (no tea or coffee). Most of this water seems to be drank mid to late afternoon as I tend to feel really dehydrated at this time. In no way am I cheating with my puréed portions I'm allowed to have currently as suggested by the nutritionist, but I still seem to be putting on a little weight each day. To date this week it's been as high as 1.5kg which is making me a little disheartened. My only thinking is my body must be retaining some of the water I'…

So after 4 months of jumping through hoops for the insurance company, here I am 3 days away from surgery. The excitement has been shadowed by the nervousness of the situation. I started this journey not as much for me, but for my kids. After recently becoming a father again after 11 years, I worried about being around for those milestones in their lives. My wife loves me no matter how I look. Which from some of the stories I read on here is already a plus. But she like a lot of women has her insecurities. Her main worry is that I will lose all my wait and not want her anymore. And no matter how much I try to comfort her with this, it doesn't seem to get anywhere. …

Hi all, hate to be asking so many questions but I don't get full. No matter what I eat or drink, I can keep going. I haven't of course but last night I just couldn't be satisfied. I'm starting to miss eating pretzels and Snacks. I only lost 9 lbs since surgery. I thought it would come off quicker. Also, what is the green zone? Thanks for helping this newbie out!

Having any WLS is akin to trying to reinvent oneself (or it is to me!). So... If you were suddenly your perfect you... Who would you be? LOL It has NOTHING to do with my weight, really, but I'm a total Pinterest addict. I would be super fashionable, a great creative cook who made her kids super neat Bento Box lunches for school (everyday!!), decorated my house per holiday, could make origami napkins for parties and decorate cakes like a pro. Silly, I know, but I just love so many things I see that other folks can do and I feel so flabby and BORING! So, join me in fantasy land. Who would YOU be?

Anyone in or near Jax? Would love to talk to somebody. granniero@bellsouth.net

Odd science here, depending on your point of view, regardless of what the study showed, there is considerable disagreement on what it means: " NEW YORK (AP) -- Using artificial sweeteners may set the stage for diabetes in some people by hampering the way their bodies handle sugar, suggests a preliminary study done mostly in mice. The authors said they are not recommending any changes in how people use artificial sweeteners based on their study, which included some human experiments. The researchers and outside experts said more study is needed, while industry groups called the research limited and said other evidence shows sweeteners are safe and useful for weight co…

I have finelly gotten a referral and go to my info appt on 01/05/10..Iam aware that this could be along process but not as long as getting a referral. Family really is not so supportive but I have got to do this for me and I would like more info on the process if possible. A real time frame on how long it does take to get close to surgery.

Hi all, I just had a fill to 8.5 cc. Although I do feel some limitation I can still gulp down liquids orrery easily ( I only do this to test the tightness and not regularly). Also, I have a port that shifted it took 3 attempts from 2 docs to get in to do the fill. I'm worried that I will have to have a port revision soon I'd they can't get in next time. Anyone else have this issue T 8.5cc? Are my expectations too high for limitation on eating? Thanks for the help.

I'm having my lap band removed in a few weeks but I smoke occasionally and may still have THC in my system at the time of surgery... Does anyone know if I could be denied surgery if they detect any levels of THC in my blood/ urine tests? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I've been having problems for quite a few months with my band. I've been having serious acid reflux and heartburn issues so I finally had all the Fluid removed from the band. It took a few months to have any kind of effect as I was still having a hard time eating and still having acid reflux. My Dr. said everything was fine with placement of the band and that I am getting acid reflux because I didn't have enough substantial food in my stomach for the acid to do its job. He advised me to start eating more and eating more valuable food. (I'd begun to rely on sliders) Well, finally in the last month or so I've been able to eat ALOT more than I used to, but …

So i've basically been more or less the same weight for two months now and only losing 2lbs a month if i was lucky before that. i would see a little downward trend on the scale then bamn gone back to where i was. I'm not sure what to do at this point to change things up enough to make the weight drop off. I'll be honest food choices haven't been the best but over all i have stayed with in my calorie goal. i've even started taking classes in the gym to help with toning and strength so i'm working out 3/4 times a week if not more. i know my band could do with a fill i had to have some taken out as i got too tight. waiting till after my trip back home to Dublin before i do…

I start full liquids tomorrow. What are some things that qualify as "full liquids"? I will probably do Protein shakes to get in my protein, but what else can I have? Any suggestions are appreciated!

I am so happy to find a group of WLS (pre and post) who share great stories of the literal ups and downs of this journey! It Took some searching, but at least 40 people show up each month! It is inspirational to hear different paths we are all wandering down. Although there are not many lap banders (VSG seems to be in favor) we all share commonalities with weight issues. Just grateful .., just like with this site. It helps me, so thanks to all who contribute.

Hi everyone. I got my lapband in July from Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, MX. I don't want to have to go back for fills, so I went to Dr. Rincon in San Antonio. He was o.k., but his office procedures were crazy! (He got hung up in surgery and I had to wait 4 hours, he has surgery every day and doesn't schedule visits until after so there's no guarantee that this won't happen again.) My first fill was only 1 1/2 ccs and, honestly, it didn't do much. I was able to eat pizza this week. I know I shouldn't eat pizza - that's a whole other topic - but I feel like I probably shouldn't be able to. Anyway - looking for a fill doc in Austin, TX if anyone has recommendations. An…

I have had several people I know who are veterans, have to undergo emergency surgery because of various reasons, but it all usually pointed back to the fact that their port was in their stomach. I had my surgery 5/2/14 and my surgeon put my port close to my armpit, and I guess I was hoping that he did that to prevent these issues from happening. Everybody's okay, I am just a little freaked out lol. So I'm curious to know where everyone has their port.

Hi all, I just had my first fill and still feeling pretty hungry. is this normal or should I be going to get tightened sooner rather than later?

so lately i can really not eat much until like after 12 pm or 1. Breakfast is a no go at all i think i may be a little too tight . Sometimes lately i have issues eating and then i just won't eat . I was having some PB issues there for a while i would eat something little and yup back up it would come . I can not really eat salads anymore . My question is how do you know when your band has all the sudden gotten too tight. I do burp a lot . I guess i just need to eat slower and try to eat more frequent . i have problems with a lot of food that i am just afraid to eat in fear it will come back up . I am tiring to loose the last 20 lbs and my body will not budge . I need…

New to wichita need a buddy.

I've been enjoying the heck out of popping pop corn at home. I've been using canola oil (I know, I know, oil, but at least it's been one of the healthier oils) to pop. But I but an electric air popper this past weekend. So, I can make it healthy. Looking forward to using it soon.

so i went in today after spending the weekend in misery.. and in all honesty if i'm honest with myself i've had some level of misery for quite some time. and should have had this unfilled done at my last appointment 2wks ago. I have been having acid re-flux/heartburn and stuck episodes almost every time i ate. life just about sucked. to make me feel better the amount of fofo coffee i consumed increased as the warm drink made my band feel better so the scale hasn't really moved. .... I wanted to wait it out. i wanted to see if i could figure this out myself.. Stupid.. I'm a little crazy.. but this morning enough was enough. let me tell you my dr office IS AMAZING i …

Hello, any advice for soft solid food stage?? I don't want to over eat!! Thanks!!

Hello Everyone...although I apparently am fallen apart I am still around. Been exercising at the pool when my job and my hip allows me too. Am really slowed down on losing...upsetting-but am managing!!! Have yet another fill today...wondering if this will really ever work...but then I think to myself lately you are your own worse enemy, not the food!!! Attitude is everything and lately my everything isn't so great...so I need a fixer uppers from my friends here on the Lap Band page. Hope you all are doing well...reading alot of the post an apparently you all are really doing well!!! I hope to check in again sometime soon...take care and God bless Everyone!

Well, I went to a bariatric surgery seminar at my local hospital last week. The surgeons require attending one before they'll allow you to schedule a consultation. As I headed out the door, I told my husband I felt awkward, because I knew I'd be one of the smallest people in the room. “Don’t worry,” he said. After checking in and taking a seat, a nurse took it upon herself to come over and speak with me, because I “looked like a lightweight.” She didn’t want me to “waste my time,” by staying for the seminar, since I “probably didn’t qualify.” Mind you, I was the only person she singled out, we’d never met and she had none of my medical information. Even though she…

I was banded 4/18. I've had 5 small fills for a total of 3ccs in my 4cc band. I'm not quite in the green zone yet, but I'm close. My weight loss has been very slow. I had a stall of several weeks where l lost nothing. I added more cardio to my workout plan and I've started losing again. I go to the gym 4x a week and do cardio/strength training and I recently added couch to 5k to my routine; which is an additional 3x a week. I work out 7x a week now. Today I hit the -40 pound mark, and I'm having a hard time not beating myself up over my slow weight loss. I had anticipated losing at least 60 pounds by now. I try not to compare myself to others, but it's discouragin…

Ready to have my surgery next Thursday September 18th. Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Roger

I started 288 lbs. I was banded Aug 25th 2010. I went down to 153 lbs. I recently got sick and was put on steroids and I gained weight and I am current 220 lbs. I feel so frustrated, like a failure. I have been eating right and exercising but the weight is not coming off. I currently live in Charlotte, Nc. I need a buddy/mentor. I was to be at 170-180 lbs.

In one month I will have my one year band-i-versary...I cant believe it's already been a year. I am getting close to goal, but it seems it's getting much harder to lose those last 30 something pounds! Hows everyone else doing that is close to a year?