LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Was hit last night with the awful stomach bug that's going around. Hit all at once and stomach burned like crazy. The thing is only the horrible tasting bile came up. This was a first since I got my band in Sept. Is this normal when you get a bug? Once food passes through the band can it not come back up and that's while it was only the bile?

Please post some things you've been able to make peace with in your life because of the band. For example: I never feel the need to clean my plate. I used to have this nagging feeling that I had to eat a certain food or I'd never have another opportunity to have it. I could never say no. Foods will always still be there the next time I may want it (but I don't really want it anymore!) Exercise/sweating is wonderful, not punishment. The feeling of hunger (and if you've been thru the pre-op diet or bandster hell you know) won't kill me and doesn't bother me that much anymore. Thin really does taste better than any food. I was spending a ridiculous amount of money on fo…

Lapband Coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, February 25th – 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 c…

I'm looking for a band buddy in the middle GA area. I'm having surgery tomorrow. I would love a local buddy to chat with and possibly try some 5k's with in the future Thanks

For those interested, we're doing our first NYC and surrounding area meet and greet. Details below. Hope to see as many as possible. Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2014 Time: 3:00 PM Location: Europa Cafe. 1412 Broadway (between 39th and 40th streets) If we find that we want to do this on a regular basis in future, we'll look for public spaces that aren't necessarily food related

Hello everybody. I have had my band now for almost a year and have only lost about 55 pounds. Every time I get sick with my allergies. I have to have my band loosen almost all the way. It's very hard getting back on track since every time I loosen it i gain some weight. I just had my band tighten to about 6.8 cc since Christmas. Any advice on how to start on getting back on track.

Ok. I need some advice. I had my surgery on December 16, 2013. I have only lost 11 pounds with 10.2 of that being in the first month (when I couldn't eat solid food) and only .8 since. I have been getting very frustrated to say the least. I don't weigh myself every day, but I do weigh once a week. I have lost 14 inches so far which was helping me feel better about no weight loss, but over these past 2 weeks I have not lost any inches either. I got to two different types of yoga classes every week. I am currently going 3 times a week but I am going to start going 4 times a week. I make sure to drink my Water and I'm not eating very much. I am completely open t…

When I got my and placed I had Cigna United Healthcare through Connecticut general life insurance co. They covered lap band surgery and everything associated with it. Granted it took me over a 1 1/2 years to get them to actually pay for the surgery (after they kept telling me I didn't qualify even though I did and had over 50 pages of documentation proving it) it took hiring a lawyer and literally with in 1 week of going to US Dist court over the matter it was paid for! I had 12 months of free fills from my doc, now I have blue cross of Idaho as a state employee, they denied the payment stating "not covered through the terms of the policy" (which I have never been provide…

A while back some one put up a list of what things weigh and I realized then that I had three 33-pound cinder blocks to lose. I guess I latched on to this because at various times I've had to move cinder blocks around our little farm and they are so damn heavy. The thought of carrying three of them around with me all the time is just crazy. Well, I'm happy to report that I have lost one of them now. That one was on my belly, I think. Quite the chunk! Now two more to put down -- can't wait.

Had a very small fill last Wednesday ! I was good Thursday Friday and Saturday ! Yesterday not to good didn't feel well and couldn't hold much down. Today feeling better but now have minor cramps and and some lower back pain. Not sure if I'm to tight or if I am getting sick. To add to this my sons friend came over last night and must of had the stomach flu because we threw up EVERYWHERE! I have had the band for over a year and I do realize that with me and I am not sure if anyone else feels this way it seems to get a little tighter a week later? Any suggestions?

Im still pre-op at the moment, 7 days to go! Ok so I know the first 2 weeks is liquid only, im planning on having meal replacement shakes, soups, and yoghurt. Weeks 3&4 are soft food. What do you eat here? I can cook up some cottage pies and stews to make muchy, other ideas? Can I still use the meal replacement shakes after the first 2 weeks? My literature says no bread or rice for the first 3 months. What about pasta? I was also wondering about meat, I know all meat has to be minced, but is that allowed in this stage or not until later? I read somewhere that I shouldn't have/try meat until 3 months post op. Can anyone help clear this up for me? Thanks everyone. Xx

Ow do you all know you need a fill I eat protien for lunch then my stomach growles Then I am hungry again and I start picking at cheeee and stuff. I need some advice. I go for the fill tues

My name is Jennifer and I had surgery may 25, 2010. I lost all my 115 pounds in the first year. Since last year I have gained 35 back. I need to get back on the Wagon.

Just went from 4.8cc to 4cc because of dilation. I really need some encouragement to stay on track. Consistent support groups and tips on eating right would be helpful

I had my very first fill today , very very conservative which is how I want to go and I was in a panic sweating started crying ( super afraid of needles ) and it was a big nothing a tiny bit of pressure then he was done .I am so relived

I had a horrible stuck episode tonight before bed. I've gotten stuck before, on a small scale and it always passes quickly. But not tonight. I was stuck for about 20-25 minutes and I thought I was going to die!! Thankfully I did not vomit (TMI?) but there was lots of sliming. So tomorrow what should I do? Should I stick to liquids for a day it is that not necessary? I've never had such a bad episode and I don't want to anger an already irritated band! Thanks for your help!

Im looking for some ideas of Snacks that have a high Protein count. What do you carry around with you when you're on the go? What can I keep in my office for during the day (I do have a small fridge). Im not really into Jerky, but am not opposed to it. I do a lot of greek yogurts and cheeses (though cheese doesnt necessarily have a ton of protein it). And, I've kind of od'd on hummus. I just need some quick and easy, protein filled, snack ideas to get me through the day. Thanks so much in advance!

Well got .25 today ! Let's hope this helps. I feel like everything was going down way way way to easy ! I feel like a failure my band has 10 cc in ! I sometimes don't feel full. So in was time to put more in she said. Ugh any suggestions

Hi everyone. Am I the only one from England on this site as everyone seems to be from the beautiful US? I recently had my band fitted on 12th of November and was looking for support and ideas. X

I am sure anyone who has been banded for more that a couple of weeks has run into the issue of getting bored with the some old vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake. So what did you do when you got to this point..What is your favorite Protein shake recipe? So far my favorite is a chocolate and Peanut Butter that tastes like a reese's peanut butter cup.

When I first got my band in July, my big goal was to be 250 by this coming summer. At the time, it felt like such a reach! Completely doable, but a major reach! I would reach 250, I would go out and buy myself a new bathing suit for the first time in years, and I would swim my butt off all summer! Well, since I floated past that weight goal back during the holidays, my NEW summer goal is to hit 100 pounds lost! That would put me at 218 by summer, another 18 pounds to get there. My weight loss has definitely slowed over the past few months (as I expected it would), BUT I CAN DO THIS! I just can't imagine how it will feel when people ask me how much I've lost, to look at …

Its been 2 years ago that we had our surgery. How is everyone doing ups and downs?

Hi I was banded August 2013 and given instructions to eat. 3- 1 cup meals and 2 small Snacks. My friend had hers done and her dr said only 3 one cup meals no snacking? I know you should go by what you are recommended and I'm following my instructions to a t however very slow results. Mind you I'm not in green zone yet. I would please love others meal portion and opinion Thank you

You can now buy a Cinnabon Scent for your home made by Air Wick. Talk about insanity...crazy

Ok I'm going for another fill today....please let this be the one! I felt fuller faster after my last one 3 weeks ago but I'm looking for that restriction when I eat. Right now anything can be swallowed with no problem. I hope after today bread, tortillas etc will simply not be able to be swallowed. That is the only way I am able to stay away from them! I hope that I will HAVE to take tiny bites and eat slow. I'm also dreading going because I've gained 4 pds in the last 3 weeks. I was such a success with the band going from 314-170.....today my weight was 210. I've got to get me and my band in sync again! Wish me luck!

In trying to locate a bariatric doctor in my area for adjustments but when I Google all I find is weight loss ads n info on the surgery . how do I find a doctor .. No insurance eather

I'm in Romeoville and was banded 11/2/12.

Well just got back from my second fill, up to 4.25, and I am so glad too, it seemed like just a couple days after my first fill last month that all of a sudden I had no restriction at all! I found myself eating bigger quantities and took longer before my band would tell me , ok I'm full now! It was a little scary, almost was afraid to get weighed at the doctor today! I did lose but not as much as I wanted too , only 4# this month but the good news from my blood work was totally amazing! I get to cut my Metformin down to half of a dose, cause my A1C was down and my cholesterol #'s were awesome, the bad was down and the good was up! YAY, that's what I'm talking abo…

I had three great NSV's today! The first: I was on second call and I generally never get called in but I did get called in around ten am today. I ran downstairs to get dressed and tried to decide what to throw on. I saw some old scrubs that I had recently gotten out of storage. I haven't fit in them for like four years. I put them on, expecting them to fit very snug like they did before I outgrew them, but they were actually loose and very comfy! Woot! The second: As some of you may know, my hubby, though he did not get a lapband, has changed his diet and started exercising along with me. He had lost a little bit before I got banded and so far has lost about 50 pound…

So now I am playing the waiting game with my insurance company. I have Aetna, does anyone know about how long I have to wait for them to approve the procedure?

I had my fill and have been on liquids such as broth and tomato soups for weeks. No solids were going down with ease. I have not lost but 2 pounds. I figured if I was limited to food I would be losing something. I have continued to work out despite my lack of energy. It is very discouraging to not have the caloric intake and still not losing much. Last night was my first night eating a solid food. Ugh..... so discouraged....

I'm barely out of the 200s mark, and at 4'11 my "ideal" weight is near 120 lbs. I never intended on getting that small in the first place. I looooove a curvy body. I was thinking more around 140, but I'm starting to think that with 30 more lbs lost I'll be ok. That will put me around the 170s... I don't know, maybe my self-image is distorted. I look in the mirror and its almost like another face is looking back at me...

This isn't the first time I've participated in this race. However, it is the first time that I've done it since being banded. The difference is I wasn't dying from the long race. I didn't even drink as much Water as I did in the past. I even jogged more than walked as I have in previous years. It felt really good. Less weight makes a big difference in what you can do. Blessings everyone. [ATTACH]41501[/ATTACH]

I haven't posted in a few days but I'm feeling a little bit discouraged already. I lost 15 lbs the first two weeks and nothing the past week. I am trying my best to eat the way my surgeon recommends which is Protein and a little bit of veg. Lots of fluids (low or no cal) i try my best to go with low carbs. I am just so anxious to get to my first short term goal of 25 lbs down because I have it in my head that I will believe that the band is working once I see that number. I havent been that weight in years so that is why I feel that way. In the past year I fluctuated between 230-250 so I would just really like to see 225 and that is only 10 lbs away! I realize I that this…

I'm beginning to notice that I have more hair loss than usual now and I know I've read on here that lots of people use biotin supplements to help with the hair loss. If you take biotin, what brand do you use? And how much? I was going to buy some but then I noticed it comes in several different doses and formulas so I'm not sure which is best.

I know everyone is busy, so I’m not looking for sympathy or arguments, but I am having significant difficulty finding the time and energy to exercise. So, I’m hoping I can get some advice from other people who have found a way to balance it all. Presently, I'm lucky if I find time, remember and/or feel up to exercising 2-3 days a week. Weekends are a lot less of a problem, because I am off every Saturday and Sunday. But weekdays are impossible. Here is a little background info before you offer any suggestions. Monday - Friday - I get up at 4:15 a.m. to get ready for work. - I walk out the door around 4:50 so I can make it in by 5:30. - Upon arriva…

So my son was sick and had surgery and week before had a fill well needless to say I have been stressed out and throwing up daily. I can only hold down liquids but been constant problem the last two weeks. Put myself on liquids only but I am hoping someone can give me some advice pretty sure my esophagus is swollen...how long does it stay swollen???

Thinking of using Dr Williams and checking to see if any one has any info they could share..... Thanks

I made it, and it's too big to leave in a blog! Sorry but I am so excited. Someone at work came to me yesterday and said oh you lost weight I didn't notice until they, other coworkers, said it but you look good what did you do? To which I replied with my usual response, I don't drink soda, a little juice and lots of Water, Don't eat fast food, exercise smaller portions yada yada yada. Then the big question: How much did you lose? It seems so hard to come out and say it and expect people to believe me, because I barely believe it. It's just that hard to grasp the reality of it all. But I rounded and told her 130. Going back to my first consultation with my surgeon he ask…

Just curious what other insurance company's charge for fills. I was SHOCKED???? to find out that my fills will cost me $150... Seems a bit high for a 5 second "in-office procedure"..

I've done step one in my transition to maintenance. I don't plug in my food into myfitnesspal anymore and so far so good. I've been weighing daily in order to make sure I'm not creeping up without realizing it. Now that I feel confident that I'm still keeping within my daily calorie count, I'm done with daily weighing...so there is step two on the journey. I'll go down to weighing in once a week with an eventual goal of once a month. I think that's reasonable in a maintenance mode. I'm not going to stop weighing my food though...at least not yet and maybe never. I can eyeball fine when I'm out to eat but not on a daily basis. I just don't trust myself yet to m…

Sometimes I get discouraged because I miss getting to just relax and enjoy a meal... I posted this blog today about it. http://www.debbiedanthony.com/fighting-with-my-food/ I would love to know if anyone else feels the same way sometimes and how you get past it?

Generally speaking, everyone around me has been really supportive of my decision to get a LapBand. But, the farther along in my journey I get, the more I'm realizing a certain member of my family is doing a better job of pointing out the negatives and just generally discouraging me from things I feel excited about than giving me the support I need. So my question is, how do you deal with people who are bringing you down? Especially when it's close family members that aren't exactly open to having honest conversations?

Heyy y'all! I have had my band for almost exactly a year and have lost 90 pounds so far. My last fill was on Jan 6th. The dr said I was really restricted at that time but I wasn't feeling a whole lot of restriction. She added just a small amt of saline (idr exactly how much, I want to say .4). Now, and for the last week or so I don't feel an restriction again. Out of nowhere I can eat a lot more food, and feel hungry more often. I am worried my band has slipped or I stretched my pouch or something terrible is going on in there. Today, right now, I don't feel too good. I can't tell if im hungry or my stomach is hurting. Its growling but idk. im confused, I really d…

Hey guys I'm a week out and managing. I feel like I've been living on here. Anyone from around or near the area interested in being "friends". I can use all the help I can get.

Ugh. I am about to lose it on family... And friends. I am so sick of them telling me I don't eat enough. I'm losing weight too fast. I need to eat more veggies. My husband telling people. No she doesn't eat anymore. Not enough to keep a bird alive. Sorry I had one sancho (homemade) and not 3! I think my insurance company paid a dr a whole lot of money to help me manage this. I have lost 58 pounds since sept and still weight 165. At 5'5" I can still stand to drop a few more pounds. Guess I should have put this in the rant post. Just had to vent.

I am on my 3rd fill and have 6cc in my band. I am unable to tolerate anything other than mushy and liquids. Some have said the band is swollen after a fill or with weather change. I just don't want to unfill when my fills cost me $265 each time. Not covered by my insurance. Help!!

I am having my lap band surgery February 6, 2014. 2 more weeks to go !!

I know I need a fill....scheduled for Monday...hopefully this will be "the one" and will help my physical hunger. But I'm looking for ways that you deal with the head hunger. What do you do when your head wants the snacks? My toughest times are right after school(I'm a teacher) and in the evenings while watching tv. Especially when the hubs is working nights. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks so much for the encouragement!

This is my 5th or 6th fill and I always have the same question: Does your doctor tell you Clear liquids or just liquids and for how long? My doctor's post-fill instructions are the same as after my initial lap band instructions. Therefore, I seem to try to survey others to see their instructions. I am going to stick with clear liquids, today (day 1). Then tomorrow (day 2) regular liquids. For day 3 I was thinking liquids in the morning and gradually increase to yogurt, etc. at night.