LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Hello Everyone, I am in the Ottawa area. I heading to Toronto on June 21st for my surgery. I would love to connect with other Canadians, not matter where you are. Are there any support groups in Ottawa?

I could use some mentoring if anyone is up for it. I was banded in April 2008. I haven't followed the plan at all. I eat all wrong. I've gained weight back. I'm also a compulsive eater and sugar addict. I eat emotionally. Learned all that in the last two years. I overeat and my stomach bloats and is distended. I am suffering from a multitude of problems from binge eating. I did think lap band would solve all my problems. When I went in I thought I was ready. Clearly I was not. Later I learned about OA and I do attend meetings. I can't remember lap band guidelines cuz I never really tried to follow them. But I'm suffering with a lot of stomach pain and bloating and need t…

Good evening all, My local fitness center offers TRX classes. I know the instructor from some kettle bell classes that I took several years ago. I go to the fitness center three to four times a week for spin classes and occasionally use the elliptical. But I need some new routines. My experience with weight lifting was short lived. Is anyone doing this training? Do you feel it's giving you done upper body strength and a stronger core? I have some lower back issues from time to time and a physical therapist said I need a stronger core. I'd appreciate knowing your experiences, both good and bad.

I have lost 60 pounds and my goal is 80 pounds. I feel great and in a size 8 and small tops. The lapband is only a tool of about 20% and I must do the other with food choices and exercise. I hope to get to goal at my 2 year mark.

It has taken me 6 months to have new pictures taken, but I finally did it. I have lost 27.5 inches in the last 6 months and 25 pounds. I know that it may seem dumb, but I am still having a hard time seeing any changes. That is one of the reasons I wanted to have the pictures done. I can see a slight difference, but I don't see as much as I would like. Anyway, the pictures are posted on my blog .... http://adventuresinlapbandland.blogspot.com/

I've read this for years and thought the address should be available for those interested. http://mendosa.com/diabetes_update_191.htm He sends a monthly newsletter to your email. I've never found any downside from it, no advertising etc as far as I can tell. Never met the man but am very pleased with his ongoing updates.

This probably sounds really weird, but I ordered new pants (2 sizes down) because of all of mine are really big but have elastic in the waist....so I kept wearing them...but these are too big too!!! but the weird part of it is I just don't see me any smaller. I am changing my options starting today...gonna stop eating any form of junk foods-which I have to say I do have every now and then to be honest. so I am gonna try really hard and gonna start with Breakfast...Protein first and then veggies and fruits. its too easy to fall off the wagon. so here I go again...need and want to start losing more weight a month besides 4 lbs. Yesterday was my bday and I have decided tha…

Ella! I wanted to pick your brains and find out what recipes you use to up your Protein grams each day? As my band gets tighter I am struggling to get down meats like chicken, beef, pork - I think we've all been there and at the moment it's really fish like salmon and tuna that is getting my grams up of protein. I really don't want to resort to a Protein shake unless it's really the last resort. Although I think it's heading that way. Any recipes or snack ideas for protein would be great. Thanks in advance!

I received my band October 4, 2013 and have been struggling to lose. I have never lost more than 5 pounds in a month and last month I gained a pound. Usually I lose about 2 lbs a month. I have a job where I spend most my 12 hr shift sitting. I try to walk as much as I can. I feel I just need more support from something that has been through this and understands what I am going through. I have gotten a fill every month since my fill. I do feel restriction at this time. I am just asking for some help and advise from someone

I'm almost 6 wks post op. I've had one fill of 2 1/2 cc in my 10cc band & feel no difference. I go back Tuesday for my 2nd fill of hopefully 2 1/2 again. How much was just right for those of you who care to respond? Thanks so much.

I got a fill last Wed I was 232 got on scale today and it said 220 I thought scale was messed up up at Manor so went over to hospital to weigh it said 219 lol. Love Love Love my lap band. First significant loss I have had in awhile. I even called Dr. thinking maybe I was confused about weight and or date I got fill but nope it is true. 12 pounds since May 14th. And yes I am eating enough. Definitely not starving myself.

I have been struggling recently and was feeling down about my weight loss. But I came on this forum and it has helped me get back on track. There is always someone on here who is experiencing something similar to you, so you never feel on your own. My problem was I wasn't using my lap band tool properly and was eating around it. It had been a gradual thing and I realised I was eating slider foods I am back on track now without causing too much damage! Thank you so much to the wonderful people on here who are willing to share. ❤️????????????

So it has been 17 days since I got lap band surgery. I'm doing great. I got in a fight with my boyfriend tonight and my stress eating came out. I ate a little over a cup of mashed potatoes and I feel weird now. I know I ate them too fast. Sorta felt like I had to throw up but couldn't. What did I just do???

I have been doing hot yoga for a while now, but I am looking to find some cardio/circuit training. I have been looking into Curves and I am hoping to get feedback from people on their experience. Also, please check out my blog. I use it as a tool to track my progress throughout the whole process. http://adventuresinlapbandland.blogspot.com/

Nice concise summary of a recent study: http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/169135/short-insulin-results-diabetes

Hello everyone. I am new here. I have had a love/hate relationship with my band for over 12 years. I went to Mexico back when the lapband wasn't even being done here in the States. I lost my weight (the usual marathon way not the sprint way like other surgeries). I loved my band and the way that it helped me to keep from overeating. I was such a success, that I began to work for my doctor's in Mexico. I helped explain the "in's and out's" of living with the band. was the huge success that everyone looked up to. Only behind the curtain there was something else happening. I always kept myself so tight that I truly wasn't eating, my nutrition was minimal and my tests showed…

Hello! It has been a very long time since I came on here, i am giving myself a massive "sort it out" as i have been trying to get through everything with the knowledge I have, thinking I can do this on my own and actually, I don't think I can. So I have come back here to let you know what I have been doing in the hope someone can give me a kick up the arse or maybe share some insight or knowledge as to whether I am on the right track or not. I had my surgery on the 4th Jan, so we're about 5 months in, I started at 97kg and am now at 88/87ish. So 10kg down - i'm pretty happy with this so far as slow and steady is good, but really I think it should be higher than this? Gi…

It is a very thin line, a delicate balance between having the band properly adjusted, and adapting new habits in order to exist and let the band work optimally....and the perception of what is that "perfect" place is left up to the individual.....many variables to consider.... The hardest aspect of the Lap band Surgery was finding that place....took many months of some very hard lessons, many stuck episodes, a lot of behavior modification....some very miserable experiences. I had to accept things that I did not want to accept....I had to loose things I did not want to loose....I had to change...I was forced to change..... The downside to all this is that is is totall…

I've been going to Water exercise classes for about six months now. Well, I made a friend there. She's a very nice lady and we get along nicely. So, last night we walked out together and we had been discussing some discomfort I have in the hip area. Most of you know that I've gone through major surgery to replace the hip joints and while I am doing unbelievably better, I still have some residual issues that cause me pain. Anyway, like I said, we were walking and Barbara says to me that she also has aches and pains and it worries her because she sees someone like me who is thin and still has issues and she is bigger than me so it worries her. I hesitated...thinking …

I am 11 weeks post op and had my second fill today. 2.5 added and now I have 7 in my 14 cc band. I love watching the fluoroscope and seeing what the NP sees. She drew a little out, put the Fluid in, had me swallow. I had a little gurgling so she drew some out and had me swallow again. That went through pretty fast so more in, swallow again. Perfect. I'm impressed with the accuracy and thoroughness of this office. Next fill will be 5 - 1/2 weeks from now so I can get an appointment late in the day. Otherwise it would be four weeks. She said the next adjustments will probably be much smaller as we narrow in on my green zone. I'm excited to be on this path an…

My surgery is in 2 weeks (June 10th)! ACK! Nervous, and excited. Trying to get through the pre-op diet...this is harder than I thought it would be. I'm on day 3 of the diet. I hope today is easier than yesterday. Anyone else getting banded in June, or just banded? It would be great to motivate each other as we go through the stages :-)

So, I traveled to Italy with my husband and younger college daughter, meeting my older college daughter there after her semester abroad in Madrid. Today is the second day. I decided to start a thread for this because I'm so unbelievably happy with all the changes in my life so far that are making this trip truly one in a lifetime. I also wanted to not hijack the NSV thread because I have so much to be happy about, and this trip will be for two weeks! Before I departed Chicago, I was 9 weeks postop and 4 weeks after my first band fill. I had dropped 55 pounds from my high weight in February. I was 302 then and 247 now. I was nervous about flying, and my new band being …

Not sure why but my journey with liquids was much easier thanthe idea of purees. I have found myself very gassy and with a tight chest. I think I have gained weight too which is so disheartening. Just rambling I guess; feeling pretty down, discouraged, unmotivated and gassy. What did you guys eat during this stage? I received a sheet but its all so boring. Averiex

so i had a fill about 4 weeks ago (i believe my band is right around 4cc) and i went through the usual you know adjusting to eating smaller portions/ smaller bites no big deal not anything bad, well about a week ago my allergies flair up and now I haven't been able to eat pretty much anything for 4 days now i can drink liquids as long as its tiny sips at a time? does anyone else have this problem i really don't want to get an unfill since i think its just my allergies causing me problems i have an appointment with my surgeon next week Im hoping that i will feel better before then.

I'm having my band put in tomorrow morning! I'm nervous/super excited! I have a friend that's a fee years out but not nobody recent! So I need a buddy And support please!

I get banded on Monday.....would sure help to have someone to talk to

AAAH, Summer time my absolute favorite time of year!!! So with Memorial Day weekend being the official kick-off to summer my weekend was packed full of BBQ's, pool time and hanging with friends and family. I love everything about summer, the sun, water, bbq's and just the overall laid back feeling you get during this time of year. However, this will be the FIRST summer I've been healthy in like 11 years so I've been planning away and our schedule is looking pretty busy:-) I've learned some lessons this weekend in regards to needing modifications for my new life. During all the festivities of this past weekend and when looking at my upcoming calendar I realized some…

Did anyone get rashes after their lapband surgeries, I seem to have some on my face near my nose and my forearms...was just wondering if that is normal and if I might be lacking something? thanks for any info you can offer!!!

Hi It's been 2 years since I have been lap banded. I have gained 15 pounds. I wanted to know if anyone have any suggestions for me to get back on track. Someone recommended the 5 day pouch not sure how it works

Loud noises...anyone else have these this bad! Even drinking room temp water, my stomach gurgles so loud that people can hear it. My last fill was in Dec and about 3 weeks later it started. I called the dr on call and he just said to eat and drink slower. It seems to be getting worse so I called Dr today and the nurse said I need to get in on Monday (tech is only there 2x a month). And they will take all fluid out. She was so rude on phone and mad that I waited so long. I tried to tell her that I can eat but choose to do more liquids because it's too noisy at work. I told her I did call they're dr on call. Why all fluid have to come out? Any one else having the gu…

2 Months I went to the doctor to find out my lapband was obstructed and nothing would pass through. He took what little fluid I had out so it was empty and fully open. I wasn't able to get back till last Monday and he put 2 CC's in and now a week later I feel no tightness whatsoever !! Is this normal ?? I'm aging weight and staying hungry all the time. I've never been able to have a lot of CC's in at once so maybe this has changed? Is that possible ? And now I don't go back to doctor till June 25...

I'm a little over 6 weeks out from surgery and I went it a little over a week ago and had a fill. But I called to get another fill cause I can't stay full! I'm always wanting to eat! I will eat what I'm suppose to eat and I'm still hungry or hungry 20-30min later. It really sucks cause I keep snaking cause I'm hungry! Sure hope this next fill does something!! Is this normal before finding the green zone?

So it's been a little over a year since I've had my surgery, I've lost 76lbs! Now here is the crazy wonderful part that i wanted to share that has inspired me to keep it up. On mother's Day my children all made me a card as they always do, however, my 9 year old made a list of all the things she loves about me or words that represented qualities i had. The word that made me feel confused at first and then happy was ATHLETIC in my 33 years of life i have never been referred to as athletic (fat, chubby,curvy, thick) maybe but never athletic. I realized that my whole family has seen my journey and the changes i have made better then myself. To have her see me as a mommy t…

Just had my first fill. My surgeon has a nurse who typically does the fills but he always does the first one. I have a 4cc band which he filled up completely then drained until I could drink Water to his liking. I had some sort of vasovagal episode and kept teetering in the brink of blacking out for about 35 minutes after he drained most of the saline out. In the end, he only left .5cc. I was sweating, ears were ringing, room was spinning, had tunnel vision and everything. No good. Is filling to capacity then draining saline standard procedure? This was a nightmare and I won't do it like this again. Should I insist that my next fill be a small .5cc fill without thi…

Please, please, please....I know I am close but so want to be THERE! My doc fills very slowly and I am good with that, but so ready to get there and have it last! Fingers crossed!!!

I cant say it enough. I'm SO HAPPY with the decision I've made regarding the lap-band!! At this point, I'm 2 1/2 weeks post-op, and have lost a total of 30 lbs, including the pre-op diet, 11 lbs since surgery. My energy is up, my attitude is great, and I'm following my doctors orders so I don't mess anything up. Today was my first day back to work since May 8th, because I took a week for surgery which happened to be the week before my already planned 'staycation'. I'm actually really glad i had 2 weeks off, because I was really sore until about day 10. My clothes that I wore 2 weeks ago are already loose! I think whats helped me so far, is just keeping a positive…

If anyone is looking for a good protein bar that fills you up, I recommend the nature valley protein bars. I got the dark chocolate nut flavored. I had to be very careful with chewing it but it keeps me full longer than any food I've had. It has 10g protein per bar.

Hi all, I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for at least helping keeping your skin moisturized and maintain to elasticity to decrease with loose skin and stretch marks? I know it is inevitable but wondering what people have heard or have been using? Thanks.... Jessie

I dont know the calorie content of this, but wow , is it good and taste rich !! 1 frozen banana, cut into pieces, 2 tsp honey, 1 Tbls cocoa, milk of your choice, coconut, 1%, almond milk, whatever you like, use 2 Tbls milk for ice cream consistency, or 1/2 cup milk for a thin milkshake. Blend all ingredients in a blender, pour into bowl or glass. Yuuuuummmmmmmm

Hello Band Buddies One of the Lapband sites I belong to “www.afterband.net” recently had a VERY inspirational message about eating after the lapband. This site has a lot of great information. Remember… if you have fallen off the “band-wagon” whether is been for a few days, weeks or even longer it’s NEVER too late to get back on track. Take the time to read this message… if may help you to take a step in the right direction to getting you back on the “band-wagon”. I love the last line in the message… "Then do it again tomorrow, for it is just the next today." I shared this article with my Lapband coffee Group members (I host 3 groups) and the respon…

I lost a total of 20 pounds between the 2 week bariatric shakes (lost 10pounds) and my first follow up with my surgeon (another 10) he was so excited. Now I gained 3 pounds back and I can't figure out how. I really want to make some friends here who can poke me with a sharp stick every once in a while! I am a 49 yr old female who doesn't look like i weight as much as I do. I have a weird sense of humor and love to laugh! I need zome guidance on the eating portion s lol and encouragement for exercise. Talk to y'all soon! Anne Marie

I just got banded yesterday. I am looking to start a support group of new bandsters. I live in the NRH area. Anyone close to me that would like to get together? My email is mystafly1@yahoo.com email me if you are interested. Thanks!

Was banded May 2013 and lost about 23 pounds but since august I have gained it all back and more so. My band is filled to the max but I can eat with few problems at times and never feel full and yet at times I have stuck issues. I constantly burp even if I only have a drink of tea, I do not have acid reflux but the burping is unreal. Do I have a slip? My weight around my top of stomach looks like I am prego. I am so depressed and disgusted I go back to Dr. On tues but really to sure if he will care. He is not nice if you gain the weight back, so I am nervous. Is this a slip? At times I feel like it is.....the burping is driving me crazy..any suggestions?

Hello, I am posting this because I am passionate about band patients.... because I am one! I was banded in June 2013 and have had good days and bad ones! I have lost about 60 pounds and have about 15 to go! One of the main things I struggled with was shakes. I know its an important part of making sure we get the nutrition we need since we can not take Vitamins and I spent soooo much money trying different ones and hated them all and finally just gave up. Therefore, I struggled with the fact that I was tired all the time and just wasn't getting all the nutrients I needed! A friend approached me about a supplement called Thrive and I liked that it was a 3 step process…

Do you really truly begin to lose the weight after u find the green zone? or should you be losing even before this happens....

I love having several cups of coffee in the morning. I don't eat a lot in the day and I just realized that my coffee is sabotaging my efforts. I don't actually love the taste of coffee, but I do love it sweet and creamy with creamer. Does anyone have any ways to make my coffee like I enjoy it but with less calories and sugar? My friend uses monkeys fruit as a sweetener. What about that? I love spends but I heard it can be bad for sugar substitute.

Hi everyone! I need your opinion. I had my lap band back in October. I have not lost much weight. I have 4 cc in my band at this time. its been a really slow process. But I did notice that since then I have not been feeling the same. To start off I take B-complex, Omega fish oil, Ester C, plus my multivitamin. Well I have the following: Fatigue, very sleepy all day, can't focus, I have trouble comprehending. I talk to my Primary Dr. A few times he didn't want to order any blood test. He just said to exercise and I'll would feel better. Oh and I forgot one more thing a week ago I get dizzy one to two times a day. Am I missing something? Or do you think it has nothing…

I live alone and as such, don't pay attention much to anything but my own food intake. Maybe those of you with partners/children are more aware of consumption but for me, like I said...I am not really aware. So...it's coming as quite a surprise to watch my family and what they are eating while I am visiting with them this week. People stuff themselves. It's that simple. I love my family...it has nothing to do with that. I just can't help but notice how much friggin' food is going into their mouths...and used to go into mine I might add. We went to a bistro for dinner last night and ordered the following to share: Soup, salad, mussels, fish, vegetables, and a chick…

Hi everyone. I got my surgery Thursday and ALL day I have felt weird. I am drinking and not throwing up so nothing is stuck but it feels like something is stuck.