LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I am so frustrated. My surgery was July 1st. My starting weight in January of this year was 247. I am now 205. However I have had no loss in almost 3 weeks. My port incision was infected so I have not had a fill yet. I have had no appetite since my band. I do eat three meals a day but not reaching my calories or protein goal. I was still having significant pain under my shoulder so I do have an appt. For an upper Gi. I also sometimes feel like my throat is closing. Also is it normal to not be able to sleep on your left side??

I weighed 426lbs when I decided to get surgery. My insurance made me go through a 6 month song and dance before they would approve my lap band. During the six months, I got down to 330 on my own with counting carbs and walking. I had the lab band installed in May 2013 and I weighed 330. Here it is 9 months later and I am down to 320. I am very disappointed. I thought I would have been down to 230 by now. I have hade about 6 fills and the doctor wouldn't fill anymore. He said the lap band is just a tool and not a miracle cure. :-( Any advise?

I contacted both of my insurance companies today; and both my insurance companys told me WLS are not covered under my plan. 1). Primary = Anthem BCBS Blue Preferred Primary Plus (POS) As of 2004 they have an exclusion: Related to weight loss or treatment of obesity. 2). Secondary = United Health Care of ohio Choice They do not cover weight loss surgeries. I can't believe it! Now I have to come up with a plan B. I am so sad. I never thought both insurance compan

I was banded is 2011. I have lost over 50 pounds...the hard way. Whenever I get a fill that creates the restriction I need to lose weight, eventually (days, weeks, or months) the opening will close and I cannot tolerate even liquids. This has lead to many unfills and and ER visit. This past weekend, I had the second ER visit. I had been losing weight beautifully for 4 months. The band became too restrictive and fluids would not pass. The surgeon removed 2 cc's. After a week of pain in the esophagus, I felt normal again (he did an upper GI to check the band and it was fine). Three weeks later, he filled 1.25 cc's. The band became too restrictive a week later so we removed …

Omg I am so frustrated I was banded 12-12-13 and I only down 6lbs from surgery date!! Please tell me someone out there experienced this.

I've been a lapband patient for 10 years and just moved to Buckeye area in March. Would love to know if there's any groups out in my area that get together for meet & greets, excercise, etc.

Hey there ~ getting banded sept 4th with dr nurmil from true results~that's 3 days before my 32nd birthday...(happy birthday to me!) I live closest to 99th ave/camelback and have 3 day weekends so I have plenty of time for "band" buddies...anyone live near me?

But I need to catch myself before I fall too far. I have been hanging around 155-160 for the past couple of months and I have been fine with that. But tonight when I jumped on my scale it read 162.4. I have been looking back at what I have been eating and drinking and it has not even been my plan "z". Tomorrow is a new day and I will make new of it. It will be hard as I have NO restriction. I cannot get in with my dr until the 26th.

When I had my band almost 10 years ago I lost very quickly- I lost all my weight. Long story short I had to have all the Fluid taken out. 6 years later I gained a LOT back and nothing could stop it. Nothing shows up in lab results. I finally just had a pretty large fill. I can eat about 1000 a day. I could probably do 1300 if I wanted to but I don't. I'm not losing. I lost right after the fill on liquids but when I went to mushy stuff 2 lbs came back on. I figured that was Water and tried to get over it. Now it has been over a week and nothing. I'm drinking liquids, eating Protein and not high carb. Any ideas? When I didn't have a fill, I could starve off weight for a fe…

Hi guys! I'm kind of freaking out a bit. I had surgery this passed Tuesday 8/5 and compared to what I thought I would feel I was doing great. I went out for a walk yesterday and last night I started having severe pain! Did my bad slip because I walked too much? Is it normal to feel as if I did too many crunches ? It hurts and when I press down on my belly I feel gas moving around. Any advice? Lizz

10. Going up in the Arch in the pod-a fat chick is a funny site in one of those! 9. I dont want to be an exhibit at the Science Center on how obese Americans are. 8. Forest Park. THREE words- sinking a paddleboat! 7. West County, Chesterfield, Midrivers, The Mills. Shopping in "Non-big girl stores! 6. Six Flags. NEVER again will I have to get off the Screaming Eagle because I dont fit. 5. Busch Stadium- I'll be able to sit in the seats without the sidearms digging into my hips. 4. June - September in St. Louis. I will be able to go to pools in a swimsuit! 3. December-February in the STL. Sledding Art Hill without having a heart attack. 2. Susan G…

So I'm looking for a friend, pen pal, social media cheerleader, etc. My friends support me... My family supports me.. But not one of them know what I am mentally going through right now. If anyone would like to private message me here- go for it and you can find me on Instagram @jkitche

I swear no one seems to post anything and no one replys to anyone's questions. As a community I thought we were more supportive than that. But when I come in here and see nothing has been posted since May and not a single reply from anyone. Its a bit disheartening.

My husband and I went out to a Mexican Restaurant last night, I ate a little too much and since then, I feel the same soreness around the banded area as I did for a few days after my original surgery. I didn't have any slime or other side effects (but I did a NO-NO that I normally don't do and drank with dinner) . Has anyone ever eaten too much and felt sore in that area? Just new to the Banded Life and any new pain/ache, I get concerned. I've had no other issues, just sore right there. Thanks for any advice

Hi I'm new to this site I was just banded on July 30, 2014. Wanted to see if there was anyone else on this site that has recently been banded like myself please let me know!

Am wondering if it is normal that I am not able to get anything solid down after my first fill. Every time I try any solids they get stuck. Maybe I'm not eating slow enough? I can get Soup broth and my shakes down fine. But have not had any solids in a week. I was banded May 27th and have lost 29 lbs so far. I am leaving for Europe in Aug and don't want to have problems with the stuck food and throwing up from the saliva build up. I also don't want to go to Europe and just have broth ???? Suggestions? Tamara

I am looking for bander's in Prescott area. I am scheduled to be banded on Sept 19th and would love to have area support. Anyone out there?

Was shopping tonight to supplement my work wardrobe. Dresses were half price so I looked there instead of more slacks/blouses. I tried on a dark blue dress that was way more form fitting than I'm used to but I thought it looked pretty good. It came with a shrug-like top and I wasn't sure if it looked OK because it seemed a little big so I asked the young woman in the dressing room next to me for her opinion. She took one look and told me the dark color did nothing for me, nor did all the material used for the coverup. She said to me that it made me look old and that I had a lovely figure so why would I want to hide it? I don't see it...I swear I don't. All I see a…

For those nearing such Dx, or never having been through the process, David Mendoza adds some essential information too easily overlooked. http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/170243/receiving-diabetes-diagnosis

The last fill I got caused acid reflux, so I have gone in a couple of times for the surgeon to take some saline out, and the problem is going away. But, he said that since it has been so long, he wants to do an EGD. I am not sure this is necessary at this point, I'm ok, have only had some not too bad acid relux at night (when laying flat-and not every night-like I said this is going away since my band has been loosened). The procedure will cost me $525. I have had the lapband for 6 years and lost 105 pounds (240 down to 135-I want to get down to 120). I had a 4 year delay since I was living in Europe, but stayed in management (I eat healthy and slow anyway), so I cam…

Was going to get a fill this Thursday but I am having second thoughts. I have 2cc in my 10 cc band. I am on my monthly cycle and I heard the band can be righter during this time. I really have not ate much the past three days and have had Protein shakes for dinner just so I can get my protein in for the day. Well after I drank it I realized I forgot to take my antibotic. I opened it up and put it in applesauce but I has one pretty small ball in it besides the powder and it is smaller then all the pills I take in the morning. 15 minutes after I took the meds I started having very sharp chest pains which were right about the bottom of my breast bone. I did not burp or sl…

I had another .5 cc fill the other day. The nurse at my doctor's office is having me do a two week food journal so that if I don't start losing, they can make sure my band is ok. So, I am doing that. I can tell a difference with this small fill (I hope it doesn't go away). I can't eat fast, and in the morning, I have to wait a little while to drink my coffee. It is very tight first thing in the morning. meats are a little harder to get down, but they do go down. ...But, I think I am almost there!

Ugh. My surgery was 6/2 lost 30lbs so far but now my scale is going up cpl pounds. Frustrating. Only changes i can come up with, I stopped taking my blood pressure meds which include a water pill. I stopped them due to cramps at night and BP has been good.

So I haven't had a fill since January and I had to fight with the pa at that time. I had my surgery in October 2013 and as of January had lost 68 pounds. I had some major issues with this pa telling me before surgery I wouldn't be successful. I stuck with her and every visit had to fit for a fill. I have never been near the green zone. In the last few months I have had horrible issues with (hemmorphoids). That's a whisper word. This affected my diet and exercise. I still walk at times very painful but doing the best I can. I have a fitbit and average 16k-20k steps a day. But I haven't lost a pound. With my insurance now I get billed for fills. I finally scheduled a vis…

Hello, I am very happy because I have had pain for MONTHS, I finally went to the Dr. after having insurance again. Band is going to be removed at the end of the month. I have been having pain after just a few bits of well chewed food. Even yogurt was giving me chest pain. Went and had CT and band is in place. Dr. said that my "stomach" above band is probably swollen. I have had terrible upset stomach. I eat a few bites and am in pain within a few minutes. I feel better with nothing to eat. Since I have to eat, it is a liquid or something super chopped and about 4 oz. a serving, if that. I stay hydrated. Anything thicker than Water, causes pain. I have pain whe…

Lately I've been getting this weird look from servers when I eat at restaurants and I start asking for healthy options, which they have available, it seems they don't understand how an overweight person wants to eat healthy. They can not imagine the struggles we go thru everyday. Then they will pass by the table thousands of times asking "is everything ok?" Is the food ok? Yes people I am eating slowly, i am chewing not swallowing my food. The face that I love is the one they put when I am not able to eat everything in my plate and i ask for a box. I am a regular at the neighborhood Olive Garden i use to order soup and salad and i can easily used to eat 6 bowls of sou…

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.

I went to my Doctor today he told me he gave me 2 cc when I got the band (surgery) that explain a lot how I was feeling. Today he put 1 in half cc he told I have 3 in a half cc. I'm really uncomfortable is this normal after a fill? I'm going to start shakes for a few days then start back with solids. Thank you for your replies.

I have been struggling since I got overfilled and subsequently had to have an unfill. Since that incident I have had three fills and have not been in the green zone since. Im so afraid of being overfilled again that I don't want to ask for more fluid when the Dr is putting it in now. My confidence is shattered and my weightloss is screwed. How can you tell if you have enough (or not) in the office when you are actually getting filled? I never have problems chugging that water bottle but WHAT should I be experiencing to let me know for sure??? Help!

I wasn't expecting any pain the day after my first fill. My stomach around the port and pretty much all over my abdomen is cramping and really painful. I'm able to swallow liquids which is good. Is this pain normal?

It will be exactly one year since I had my last fill on tomorrow 8/7. I can't believe it's a year already. I was really hoping that this last fill would hold me as I was tired of getting poked every month. I guess I'm one of the lucky/blessed ones because finding my port was never a problem and I credit my surgeon for that. I haven't had any real problems until last month and that was eating just a little bit too much at dinner time because the food would taste soooo good and I was soooo hungry because I hadn't eaten all day because well I wasn't hungry. The problem that I "had" was night coughs and me spitting up water in the middle of the night until it was coming out m…

Hi, my name is Roger and I'm thinking about getting a lap band. I'm very nervous about it. Are there any Male lap banders out there who can share there experience? Thank you.

I'm so nervous, this is my first appointment since the surgery on the 1st July 2014 and this will be for my band fill too!! They only put an empty band in during surgery so I'm feeling anxious about how it's going to be afterwards! Since the 3rd week post surgery my appetite has been big and I've eaten a fair amount! I'm feeling like a bit of a failure to be honest as I went abroad with my husband, kids and parents (my parents don't know I've had this surgery and wouldn't understand either) and I pretty much ate as I always did before but in smaller portions this time which is not good. I'm hoping that after this fill my appetite will decrease and I can start as I me…

Hey guys, I am new to this site and to the idea of surgery. I am looking into a lap band and i think i want to do i t, but i need support.I am 19 and I am tentatively planning for surgery in December. I just want to know about people my age who have done what I am trying to do. I am worried about excess skin. If I go through ALL this and still have to hide Im going to be pissed lol I am tired of dressing around insecurities and really just want to move on with my life. What advise do you have? How successful have you guys been? What is something you guys wish you knew before surgery.

I am still 6 months out from my surgery completing my insurance requirements, but I am using this time to get myself on track. When I talked with my surgeon he said that one of the biggest reasons people fail in his practice with the band is because they drink with their meals. I always drink several glasses of Water with my meals, but I want to change this habit. Has anyone else had issues with this and if so how did you overcome it?

So, I'm getting pretty close to my goal now. I have 14 lbs left to reach my goal of 155 lbs, which will put my BMI at 25. I think that's a reasonable goal and so does my surgeon. Actually, we discussed this at my visit on Wednesday and he said that he thinks 155 should be my "goal" but that, ideally, my long-term goal should be to stay between 150-155. He said he doesn't ever want me below 150 or over 155 and that it's normal for our weight to fluctuate a little so that would be the goal range he thinks is good for me. I'm now at 169 lbs and I'm starting to get a lot of comments from people who say they think I'm losing too much weight and that I should stop trying to los…

Hey guys, I am very new to the band and still on liquids at the moment. I was wondering how people coped with eating chicken noodle Soup and other foods where there is liquid with solid. I know we are not supposed to drink when eating but is this a problem also? Thanks

Hello Band Buddies Well I’m back ! After taking a few months off from the coffee groups for my hip replacement I’ll be starting them up again starting in August and September. The Brampton group will be starting up again in September and I’m trying to figure out a date for the Durham group (I might try a Monday night) and also I will be again trying the Toronto group on a Saturday morning. The dates have not been finalized yet. I have to take it slow but I do miss the groups so I thought I would start with Burlington group and go from from there. Remember, the groups are successful because people make them successful… ONLY YOU can make the time to co…

Is 4 cc's a lot? Cause that's what they claimed to put in there today. Also - should I still be THIS hungry after the fill? I'm STARVED but have to do Clear liquids for the next 3 days then start with Stage 2 for a week (liquid protein) Stage 3 for a week (pureeds) and then back to Stage 4 (whole foods). I'm just wondering what to think and what's standard.

Hi all I had my band removed 4 weeks ago I have gained 1 stone roughly since it was removed I have been on the slimming world plan but still gaining. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Any suggestions would be great.

I'm divorcing and will soon have to change from my husband's excellent BCBS PPO insurance to my own company's plan. They offer a decent (so I'm told by coworkers) BCBS H M O and a pricey BCBS PPO. I haven't shopped for insurance in decades. If I go with the PPO I can keep my primary care physician, my dermatologist and my band doctor. If I go with the H M O I have to switch bariatric teams. I'm still looking into the options and providers but I do know that I definitely want an office with fluoroscopy like I have now. It's also a Bariatric Center of Excellence which is important to me. This change will likely happen in January if my husband is able to drop me …

Help! My surgeon is retired and my fill doctor just went out of practice! I need someone around LA area.

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Hi everyone, I get my first fill Aug. 6, on the 8th it will be one month since I had my Band. I was wondering if anyone ever had a 4cc or more put in the first time you received your first fill. Thank You for you reply

It's been highly recommended to me by a friend who had bypass about 10 years ago-- she SWEARS by it, but I've never heard of anyone else using it. Opinions?

I've been staring at this picture for several minutes because it just so happens that I'm wearing similar outfits in both and it's easy to do a comparison. The problem is that I have no idea who either of these women are. Yes...I know they are both me, but I don't recognize either of them. I didn't see myself as fat when I was and I don't see myself as normal which I understand I clearly am. I need to print this and bring it to my next therapy session. I'm still working on self image issues but it's like the weight loss journey...two steps forward and one step back. It's so easy for me to see other posters before/after pics and know the difference between them b…

In less than 2 weeks my family and I will be in Disney - Orlando for 8 days....staying at a nice resort on the mono rail line.... My family elected me to make the dinner reservations for everyday we are there....they still consider me the food connoisseur and restaurant junkie. So that is what I have been doing...making reservations for some very nice places to eat...some of which are upscale "Signature" establishments..... I find it very ironic and and somewhat amusing that I am doing this....actually enjoying myself. I'm picking the better restaurants because they have the better quality food...no burgers and fries places...and definitely no "Buffets". That would b…

I'm Melissa. Hiiiiiiiiiii. If you want my current situation, feel free to check out this post : http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/315695-starting-from-scratch-but-with-a-way-better-attitude-this-time/ If not, the basics are, I'm 36, I'm finishing nursing school in the Spring (May '15!) and will immediately start my Nurse Practitioner (God willing). I'm married (10 years in November) and have 2 gorgeous kiddos-- a 7 year old girl and a little boy who will be 5 in September. I've battled my weight my whole life, I thought, but looking back at pics from high school, apparently that was in my head. LOL It got real when I was in my 20s. I coached competitive gymnastics fr…

Two years post-op and I had my first pbing episode. My question is does this damage/effect your band in any way? I'm afraid I might have messed up my band. I have been on clear liquids all day. My episode lasted at least 30 minutes, that was awful.

Hello! I just discovered this app. Well I just had my 5 year anniversary and I'm struggling tremendously. My weight is creeping up. Due to husbands change of duty station we have relocated back to So. Cali I'm seeing a new doctor and he wants to convert my band to Gastric Bypass. For me that's out of the question. Any thoughts?