LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I'm more than a year out from surgery. I had some oral surgery done just after Christmas, after which I had two days of severe gas issues (I'm thinking because I was under anesthesia, with my mouth open or something and swallowed a lot of air?). Since then, I've been having pain under my left rib. It doesn't seem to have rhyme or reason, sometimes it happens after I eat, sometimes it happens if I haven't eaten in a while. I just feel this general pressure under my left rib cage, and sometimes right under my diaphragm. It isn't excrutiating pain, but it is really annoying. And it makes me worry that something is wrong with my lapband.

Hi There, I was banded a few weeks ago and so far so good. I started out with a BMI of 31 and I was just wondering if any other low BMI banders have had good weight loss results with the band? So far things are going great and I am so happy I got banded but just wanted to see how things are going for people in the long term? I had my first fill a week ago still and have not found the happy green spot as of yet. Thanks!

Looking to connect or hear stories of people's success with lapband with a bmi of around 35. I cuurently have a 35 bmi and am just curious how long it typically took people to reach a goal of a normal bmi. Thanks!

Please, please tell me there are others out there like me... Whenever I am hungry, I get really b**chy. I was never like this pre-banding. When I am starting to get hungry, I always give hubby the heads up letting him know I'm getting hungry. But it takes so little time to get from starting to get hungry to hungry & I become a bitch. It's like I HAVE to eat. Maybe I just have 'issues'. LMAO Anyway, hubby is use to it by now & knows when I say I am getting hungry that we need to start preparing a meal OR head out to buy one.

I've been hitting the gym every other day and doing crunches on the machine and noticed my port area swollen and painful. Anyone had this issue? I don't think it flipped but it worries me non the less...

Hi all, Got the call to schedule my surgery, which will be Jan. 29th! Very excited, have had a lot of other crap going on in my life the past couple weeks so this was the good news I needed! So now I start the 800/day liquid diet per the surgeon, any words of wisdom to get me through the next 2 weeks of this?

I've been reading a bunch of lapband blogs and I get such a giggle out of people naming their bands. One chick named her band Donnie Wahlberg. Hilarious!! I have named mine Brunhilde. Anyone else have a name for their band?

I know it's based of many factors but I'm super worried about this. I have 100+ lbs to lose and I'm so scared of the possibility of lose skin! (not enough to scare me away from getting banded though) I mean I'm young so I have that on my side at least but MOST of the women I look at who have lost with a band and I see them and say "wow that's amazing!" have also had cosmetic surgery... I don't really want/ or can afford cosmetic surgery. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself and that everyone is different but it seems all these women have had it!

Before I lost weight I was never cold; I was always warm/hot. No, cold is not the most comfortable situation, but to me, it is a celebration of change! I would rather wear a jacket, sweatshirt or even a coat (hardly EVER wore a coat before!) than almost 50 extra pounds for warmth! Besides, now I can sit in a ball on the sofa, reading or watching tv, with my feet under me and my knees drawn up because my belly is no longer in the way...as much. lol Any other 'weird' NSV's?

I had my lap band 12/2009 but recently got a job transfer to Las vegas and I need to find a doctor to help me continue this journey. Any suggestions are welcomed

http://www.ted.com/talks/sandra_aamodt_why_dieting_doesn_t_usually_work.html Hi there, I've been watching Ted Talks while working out and this one struck me as quite interesting. The speaker, a neuro-scientist, has some thoughts on what so many of us already know: diets don't work. There is a missed opportunity here as WLS is not discussed, but I still really enjoyed the background from a scientific point of view. In my own life I have been such a professional dieter (though unsuccessful, obviously) and I tend to be a restricter, so I am working the mindfulness angle heavily in terms of assessing my hunger and whether or not I am delaying eating because I am so us…

Just curious if anyone loses during this phase before switching to solids.

I was told they were good!

I walked into work this morning and there is donuts, king cake, cupcakes and cookies...wtf!!! Luckily I have two friends at work who are also working on there weight and we are just staying out of the kitchen...heres the thing everytime someone is trying to lose weight I have one co worker who does this crap first I just though they were being nice but now I think its something different...she is also a large girl but has no will power at all... Just got to remember this is my journey and mine alone just need to drive right over speed bumps in my path...

Hello everyone. I am so upset about what happened to me today. First, let me begin by telling my story: About 2 months ago, I had my third fill. My doctor has been aggressive with the fills from the very beginning. Always adding 2.0 cc at a time. The last fill took me over the top. I was so tight, that I had to go back to the office twice to get Fluid removed from my band. When I was tight, it was difficult for me to swallow food and liquids. I had a doctors appointment for December 2, but I had to reschedule that appointment for personal reasons. They could not fit me in until today, January 6th. As always, I had to take time off from work. I keep reading on …

Hello I'm 8 weeks post op the doctor released me for normal activity. I've worked out for at least an hour everyday last week and this week, however I have gained a pound. I don't get it. What an I doing worng?

I just wanted to mention that even with the fantastic loss I've had, and the lapband sitting there inside me, I am still and will always be a foodaholic. I was walking home yesterday from the grocery store and all I could think about was wanting to order a baked ziti from the Italian restaurant for dinner that night. I didn't....I had a chef salad instead, but oh boy was the urge strong. And this is not a once in a while feeling...it's alot of the time and I just fight it when it comes on and am grateful when the feeling passes. I guess I'm going to have to work this just like with any other kind of addiction...one day at a time.

I had my surgery August 27th 2013 and I've lost 30 pounds so far. I feel like that's really slow and I've had 3 fills already. I've been walking and exercising. I'm not sure why I'm losing so slow. I'm so frustrated!

Ok, I am just wondering if anyone else has cancer and what they did with their band fill?? I have breast cancer and I start radiation tomorrow. I am also supose to do chemo but I have not decided if I will do it or not, as I don't really want to go through it. My ? is should I take all my fill out, just incase I get sick??? Anyone else going through this prob. I would love to talk to you?:help: Thanks, Shelley

I have a smoothie every morning for Breakfast, made with Protein powder, milk, greek yogurt & an assortment of berries. We purchase our Protein Powder at costco. Up until now, I have always just purchased whey Protein Powder. This past week, it was time to restock & they had Whey Protein Isolates on sale for the same price as the regular protein powder I use. I've been told the Isolates are better. I'm just an average, ordinary person. I Googled it and still don't have a clear understanding.Can someone tell me the difference between the two & if Isolates is indeed better, why? I really appreciate some insight.

I'm being banded at the end of the month, and was looking for others in the area doing the same thing. My surgery date is January 27, and I'm excited and nervous about the whole new life ahead of me. Does anyone have any tips out there for me?

So I was out shopping with my husband and he pulled me into New York and Company. This used to be my favorite store until I couldnt fit into their clothes anymore. The largest size they have in the store (in jeans) is an 18. I started at a size 20 in plus size jeans. He took the 18, and sent me into the dressing room. I gave myself a pep-talk....this isn't a plus size store. The 18s might be tight but that's ok. If you went into Lane Bryant they would probably be a little loose. You'll get there. So I pulled them up, suprisingly easily, and smiled when I realized they were too big. I asked him to get me a 16. He came back. They fit pretty good. He said, "just…

Be read many threads on here about a fill that is too tight. I had a fill two weeks ago and it is def tight. I don't know if I should have any removed. Some say leave it and it will relax after about four months, and others say have some removed. I hate to do this because it is actually the first fill I have lost with. Any suggestions?

I love my doctor and I just found out that he has a contest for a FREE weight loss surgery! I think more people should know about it because many don't have insurance or ways of getting the procedure. This is a life saving surgery and I know for fact how is has changed my life. His name is Dr. Michael Baptista and his website is www.jaxsurgical.com . I hope someone from this website can be fortunate to win this contest! Please share it with your relatives or friends!

My daughter just got back from a week long conference for cardiologists in Miami, Florida... She tells me 70% of this conference had to do with Prevention, and a Heart Healthy Lifestyle... Specifically, they were emphasizing the Mediterranean Diet that emphasizes fruits, veggies, whole grains, Beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and flavorful herbs and spices; eating fish and seafood at least a couple of times a week; enjoying poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt in moderation; and saving sweets and red meat for special occasions. Top it off with a splash of red wine.... Seeing how I have had one heart attack, etc...she was all over me with this information.... Ironicall…

So I know how we are supposed to eat 1/2 to 1 cup of food per meal. This is easy to measure if you are eating soup, yogurt, oatmeal, protein shake, etc. And this maybe a silly question, but say you are eating a sandwich, salad, chicken wing, pizza, etc....pretty much anything that you can't really put into a measuring cup. How are you supposed to know how much to eat??

Ok so I have had success with the Lapband without doing any specific exercise. I moved alot after work (we live on the farm so I have lots to do) but I have decided to add something more in the evenings before I retire for the night. So last night I pulled some Zumba videos off youtube got 15 minutes of that finished ( this is the part that my mind said you are coordinated enough to do this, but my body had serious reservations, lol) then I got out my gazelle and rode it for 21 minutes. I had broke out in a sweat by the time I was finished so I kept up a good pace. So I guess I wonder if anyone else is using a gazelle and how do you like it? Will a combo of the two wor…

Hello, I am 7 days banded and starting to get a significant amount of "charlie horse" like spasms in the legs and feet. Has anyone experienced this and what can I do to relieve the spasm. They happen more at night .I know it has something to do with the weight lose and lots of peeing I'm doing. I'm drinking smart water with electrolytes and taking xtra Cal/magnesium and potassium.

Ok I would like to put a question out there, Are your eating and exercising habits the only changes you made to your life when you had surgery or did you make other changes ie: I redirected my life spiritually, I took a long look at what I was investing into my marriage and spouse, and I have made physical changes to our house. I also stand up for myself more now than ever before. Just curious to see what changes others have done.

I just had my surgery yesterday and I am still very sore I was up most of the night and was having trouble getting comfortable. I was wondering how long does it usually take to start feeling normal again?

Hey my fellow Banded friends!! I'm new to the forum and also pretty new to the whole "Lapband life"!! I recently had my surgery Nov. 8, 2013. With my Dr, I didn't get my first fill until 6 weeks post-op. Well my first fill went great!!! But the only thing is I'm still hungry between meals and I also feel that my portions are too big. I purposely watch my portions, but sometimes I can eat more (at least more that what I feel I should be eating)!! I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is it common to have more that your first fill before you are truly where you should be? I don't feel that I'm "in the green" yet, could this be true, and that I really do need another fill? I ha…

Hi All, I am 38 years old & have been banded for nearly 2 years. I started this process at 293.2 lbs. In year 1, I lost 80lbs, after which, I become `comfortable`with my new body weight & become complacent. In year 2, I`ve loss about 15 lbs, maybe even a little less. It has teken me a year to refocus & get back on track. I am finally ready - my body seems ready to move past its plateau & I feel I am mentally ready to finish what I started and get to goal. I am about 0.5 lbs away from Onderland & about 50 lbs from goal. I`m looking for an accountability partner that I can check in with daily or every other day. I feel like I am back on program but w…

Hi! I am a big advocate of the paleo/caveman way of eating however I wondered if there were any others out there and if you had any mushies stage recipes you could share. At the moment I cant stop thinking about mashed avocado w.mashed up boiled egg. I think I may have gone nuts on broth this week as that sounds like the worst combo haha. If you aren't familiar with paleo/caveman the basic principles are if you can't pick it or kill it don't eat it. So no grains, sugars, dairy etc etc. Its very basic but I find it very filling and clean as a way of eating.

Hi I am considering Dr. Jawad and my WLS. Can anyone give me some information regarding their experience with Dr Jawad and the Bariatric Center in Ocala, FL? Thanks, Gina

Last night went out to dinner with my Wife.....sat down, ordered drinks, then ordered our food.... They brought out the fresh bread.....it looked very soft, warm....but I should know better...I do not eat bread.... But it happens, you just don't think sometimes. Cut a small slice, took a small bite, chewed and swallowed....BAM...it just sat there! I could feel it. Not quite stuck, but I knew if I took one more swallow of ANYTHING it would be a disaster..... Now I'm in trouble...they have not even started to bring out our food yet, and I am unable to eat or drink another thing..... I excused myself to go to the men's room.....I guess just from getting up and walking…

I was on the phone the other day with the pre-op nurse. I'm having a procedure on Monday and she needed to go over some things with me. While discussing my medical history, she was basically confirming what was already on her records...which included my last weigh-in which was oh..maybe 3 or 4 lbs. more than my current weight. But I heard her loud and clear when she noted that I was obese. OK, I thought...yes, technically I still am obese based on my BMI...but this obese woman is wearing a size 12 slacks and tops anywhere from small to XL depending on the manufacturer. This obese woman fits into tight spaces, airplane seats, restaurant booths, suway and bus seats, and …

Hi just wondering if anyone out there had any complications with lap band + plication? And if so, what kind of reactions did you have? Like did u feel nauseas? Fevers? Hard time breathing? Painful cramps? Bleeding? How did you know that something was wrong?

Story time: So I went to my gramma's house two weeks ago and while I was there we were chatting about clothing and such. My gramma tried to send me home with a huge bag of potatoes which I kindly told her I was not interested in. She shot back with "What you don't eat potatoes now either!" (Referencing my parents who are healthy eaters as of these last two years and having lost lots of weight and wanting to keep it off.) I told her "No I eat potatoes but I will never remember to take them home with me." I then proceeded to mention that I do try to eat a little better and that I had lost 50+ pounds....She looked me right in the eye and said "Oh, you've lost weight? Reall…

I just got tightened because I wasn't loosing and could eat too much, but I notice I need sauces or more soupy type foods to get it down. I am stuck eating protein shakes or soups most of the time. I eat yogurt or 60 cal puddings, etc. I can get spaghetti and meatballs if I have a lot of sauce. Any ideas for low calorie sauces. Fish is good for me with tarter sauce. I need more variety. I am losing again now, so I don't really want to get loosened, any recommendations??? I need help with my diet please !!!

I'm 5 lbs. from my goal and my port is very apparent now. When I started this journey, there was so much fat around my middle, I could hardly feel the port, much less see it. Well now, most of the fat is gone and the port is very high profile and I'm self conscious during sex because it's so hard and very noticeable. What are my options? I'm going for a Brazilian Butt Lift (yeah, my junk is gone and I'm relocating the rest of my fat so I can put it back) in March, so I don't want to do anything too drastic that might make me loose more weight - I can't really afford to lose another ounce of fat. Any suggestions?

I'm still thinking about having this procedure. My main concern is I'm afraid of eating the wrong things. What is getting "stuck" Can I have it taken out or no more fills? I don't want to be to skinny, just a healthy weight. Does lapband help you know when your full? I'm sure I'll have other questions later. Thanks for your input

I am coming up on a year banded. The last few months have been a road block. No real weight loss. And then a 2/3 lb gain over the holiday (which is now gone, yay!) I am not in the green zone yet, but feel very close. and go for a fill Monday. So here I was thinking I am at a standstill, but I had a realization. I know the band is physical. But I had a mental breakthrough without even knowing it; til now. I used to go to bed at night thinking of what I was going to eat the next day for Breakfast. Would I give in to the fast food breakfast (my fav) or eat XY or Z? lunch...hmmm...what WOULD I have for lunch. Usually the plan was to eat healthier the following day …

I am on my third day of a head cold. From the neck down I feel fine but above the neck, not so much. Popping ears, stuffy nose, scratchy throat with dry cough. It's been a real chore. I had made a contract with myself that since, as a nurse, I only work three days a week, that the other four days I would do some sort of exercise for 30 minutes. It doesn't have to be running or anything crazy. Just go to the park and walk the dogs or walk on the treadmill. I was off yesterday, but didn't get in my exercise due to the head cold. I woke up kinda grumpy today cause I was still kinda sick and my hubby really irritated the piss out me last night and it was seeping into toda…

Was banded in 6/09, and lost over 80 pounds, became an avid kick boxer and gym goer. My surgeon moved away and I haven't found a dr that has a vested interest in me or working with the band that another surgeon placed. I am able to eat too much and hurt my knee , so exercise is at nil right now, I have regained 30 pounds, I need so e support and help to get back down in weight. Thanks

I'm curious if anyone else feels like this... because I am hungry below my band but above my band I feel like I've eaten enough (b/c of soft signs like hiccup or tightness). I'm trying to listen to my upper stomach but I feel hungry. I'm eating mostly Protein (chicken, salmon, eggs for the most part) and a little veggies and very little starch. It's a new week and I'm really going to concentrate on what's happening with me and hunger and document. Just curious if any of you have experienced this before - I am under 3 months banded (Oct. 23rd) and I've been filled twice and have 6 cc's in the 10 cc band.

I'm 4 years post opt Lapband and fell way off track after having a baby .. My band ima as tight as aloud but I'm always hungry .. I'll eat like 5oz of chicken be full than about hour later super hungry again like hunger pains.. So here's my plan I'm gonna do protein shake in morning 75g protein .. Than 5oz of white chicken chili with quinoa for lunch than if I'm super hungry another shake 75g of protien than dinner later meat n veggies.. Am I doing to much protein? Any thoughts to helping me stay full

I was back at the radiologist's practice this morning. I'm seeing him all too often. Two weeks ago I was on his table, getting fill number three injected into my lapband. I sensed immediate restriction but figured the tightness would settle down over time. It didn't. Not only did it not loosen up enough for me to eat comfortably, last weekend, while I was riding my bike all alone in the woods, possibly kilometer 13-14 or so, I started having these intense spasms/pain in the middle of my breastbone. I had experienced this type of pain after my initial surgery and immediately went to my doctor to rule out a cardiac incident, since the pain mimics one symptom of a heart at…

Less than 2 weeks until I am finally going to be banded! I'm so psyched and just ready to get the ball rolling. I am the most impatient person in this world. I have no idea how to get through these next few days! Also, still super nervous for surgery!!!

My initial LB surgery, was covered. Left the job I was at, new insurance has.... NO Bariatric coverage. Haven't been to my Dr. In 2 yrs. Gained 30 outta the 50 I lost! That said, no insurance, I was told the follow- up visits would be $150 (no fill) $250 with fill. Is this normal? (In the US. Virginia)

I was banded on July 18th, 2013. I am only down 25lbs and am struggling to not only stay motivated, but to not be discouraged ..... I am overwhelmed with my failure to be consistent and even more frustrated that I am in this position when it went so well the first few months