LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I had my band June 4 th - lost 36 - band was to tight at 11cc - was vomiting too often and in Nov they emptied my band. I gained back 12 lbs, and at the beginning of Dec had a new fill - 9 cc this time. I'm still not able to control my portions or food, always hungry - so stressed and once again a failure. I'm suppose to go for a fill this week, but I believe the snow storm has other plans for me. I'm really just ranting here. I know come Monday I can go for my fill. I do know what I need to do, but I have no will power. Sad but true. #fail

Any single bandsters in Missouri???

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed. "A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL". What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some f…

Hello, new to ns mayport. Went to see my pcp todat and he was very reluctant to give me a referral to see the bariatric specakist. Insead he gave( well put in for me to start a 8 week health and nutrition class here on base. My question is will this class lead to me being apprived for the bariatrics, has anyone has any experience with ns mayport and their approval process. Are their any doctors who are better with referrals in this matter. I have a bmi of 42.7 and im qualified for tricare. thank you in advance....

Today I had wedding soup for lunch and a little whir later I had horrible pains like I was stuck. This ony has happened two times to me so I think that's what happened. I felt line something was sitting in the middle of my chest--like horrible heartburn then I threw up like slime I think. But I still feel like something is stuck and it's been hours. What do I do?

I'm 13 months post band. Overall doing very well. I had a small fill about a month ago and I have had a few vomiting episodes - most likely my own fault for eating too fast or too much. Tonight I went out for steak dinner - ate about 4 oz and tried to chew very well. I had a piece stuck which I eventually vomited. That was about an hour ago, but I'm still throwing up the clear stuff. Dinner was 3 hours ago. Anything I can do? Did my band slip?

This is me lately. I had surgery in March of 2011. I started at 255 pounds and got down to 202 and since then have been struggling to lose weight. I currently weigh 217 pounds. I have had a lot of health issues before and after the surgery including numerouse back surgeries-to many to count so exercise has been an issue. I keep trying, though, and that says a lot in itself. I would like to find a mental, or buddy that would be willing to help me with all types of issues including psychological, health, and nutrition issues. Thanks for listening and hope to hear from someone soon.

i have heard from several people who are no longer posting on this forum (for various reasons)...some who are very successfu, some at goal...some just starting..... i will miss them...i miss them now as i write this i also thought about leaving recently (and a couple of times in the past due to neg nellies) but i need the support....me coming here and posting and commenting holds me accountable not only to myself but maybe, just maybe, a larger bmi who is starting can see me and think, yes, the band or whatever wls they choose, works...it does work....if YOU work it and use it correctly and stop with excuses.. change is hard via from eating crap and unhealthy …

Looking for a support group in San Diego. :-)

Hey everybody, We are looking for anyone interested in a local support group in the Irvine area or somewhere in S Cali. If you r interested please post and we will try to get something going. Thanks!

I've been banded for a while but I had a baby and some complications and getting back on track. Just wanted to connect with other banders out here as my support group mostly moved out of state. I don't mind if you just started or getting ready to start your journey, just needing the support we all need to stay focused =)

I have been struggling for a few months with acid reflux and have gone in to have a few de fills. I have had the band for over a year and up to this point have been really happy with it. Now - I have days where the heart burn and acid reflux are unbearable, I am vomiting often and spend most of the night coughing - sometimes I cough up bile but often it is just coughing.... all night!!! I have an appointment for the upper GI to see if it has slipped but that is not for a few weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this in the meantime. I am drinking lots of protein shakes when I can, only soft food, I don't eat anything after 7pm.....I am at my w…

just wanted to say hi and introduce myself! its always nice hearing from people my age (in my 20s) and their experiences and how everything has worked out for them! i'm about 1 1/2 months out from completing my 12 month supervised coaching program through anthem cova care. I have two of my doctors appts on jan 6 and I hope to talk to my doctor to see when we can get this ball rolling! this has been such a long process, i'm so anxious to just get the surgery over with! please feel free to add me as a friend, I would love all the support I can get

I'm feeling very torn right now. I live in Louisville, KY and if you know anything about college basketball, you know that the state of Kentucky lives and dies for college basketball. Today is the greatest rivalry game of the year. University of Louisville v. University of Kentucky. The city has lost it's mind today. My hubby is an avid UK fan. He is going up to a bar to watch the game with his buddies and many, many of our friends (male and female). Even my two step-sisters are going to be there. He really wants me to go. The problem is, I'm just not sure that I want to go for so many reasons. I want to go to make him happy. I want to go because I know I should be …

Breakfast smoothies This morning we are all drinking a smoothie made from: pineapple w/core Carrot w/peel Baby Kale Orange Frozen strawberries Chobani Greek 0% fat yogurt Agave Syrup The kale flavor definitely shines through, but it has 170 % of the daily Vitamin c, not to mention amazing amounts of A and K as well. Add in the Fiber and probiotic benefits and it is a great way to start the day. Besides that, it tastes great.

I was banded January 2012 and everything was going great. I was down 50 pounds. Then something happened, I just quit, I stopped going to get fills, I stopped exercising like I was. I thought that the band would continue to do what it was supposed to do without me doing my part. Fast forward to present. I have gained 40 pounds back. BOOHISSBOOOOO... So, I went in for a fill today, it has been since around April since I went, and even then she didn't give me a fill because she thought I had enough even though I was telling her that I was still hungry soon after I ate. My band was ok, no issues, no slippage. So, I tried the whole 2 Protein shakes and 1 meal thing that she to…

I came across this message in my in box today, and I thought I would share it with you all. Recently we had a discussion in another post about adapting to the changes in our bodies and accepting our new bodies as they grow leaner. Reading this excerpt and working on some of the thought exercises has really helped me to refocus my reaction to certain stresses in my life, as well as to refocus some of the goals that I have set for myself now and in the coming year ahead. This is an excerpt from: From Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul On-Line Course by Deepak Chopra http://www.dailyom.com/cgi-bin/courses/courseoverview.cgi?cid=122&aff= Your body is …

I've started reading a bandster's blog elsewhere on the internet. She was banded a few years ago and has had great success. I noticed while reading some old posts that she really seemed to test the limits of the band. She didn't do a lot of actual vomiting but definitely PB'ed A LOT. My question is: Is PBing as bad for the band as vomiting? And for those that have been banded a while, how often do you PB?

Our on site Doctor sent us this Wellness tip today, and I thought it might be something good to share. Please take care of yourself during this Holiday Season, and be well! Sadly, five flu-related deaths were reported in Texas over the last few days; some involving unvaccinated individuals. With peak flu activity taking place in January and February, such deaths make it all the more important to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the flu. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get the flu vaccine. The H1N1 flu strain is a component of this year’s vaccine and can provide protection. Also, tak…

I'm trying to decide between getting a my next scheduled fill on the 30th or if I should postpone it until after my travels in Jan. I have 2 trips to make in Jan a one day trip to CA which will be an hour flight which I think I'll manage just fine as i will be back home at the end of the day. however i have a second trip date yet to be determined but will be early Jan where I will have to fly to Boston from Phoenix.. it's a 5hr flight at min. right now I'm not in the green zone but feel that i am close. i am hoping my next fill will put me right where i want to be. i am already eating much less but still more than what i should be and really do not want to postpone my fil…

Hello! I have been banded for 9 months as of today. I am down almost 50 pounds. I had my banding, then had to have my gallbladder taken out, got set back, and now I am back on track. My question to you folks is this: What does your diet consist of? I am on Atkins. Restarted at the 20-25 net carbs a day (introductory phase), I upped my Water intake, started taking Fiber supplement for obvi reasons....Now I want to know what you are all doing?

The last month or so I have been waking up coughing and sometimes having to throw up. I cant eat much and am forced back to almost all liquid. I am afraid my band may have slipped and dont want to get the fluid out since I know I will definetly put weight back on. I have come to far to go back. Question, a girl at my work was banded at the same place I was and said the same thing happened to her and they told her to back on liquids for about 2 weeks. I have been reading on this forum that allot of people having similar symptoms bought otc meds for acid relfux and it helped. Can anyone give me any advise, especially if you have suffered with the same thing. I cant aff…

So, I'm pretty good at taking care of my teeth and gums and usually never have cavities. You can imagine my surprise when at my bi-yearly cleaning at the dentist I had 4 cavities ... FOUR!!! WTH! The dentist wanted to know what has changed in my life and how that has effected my eating habits. My last cleaning was in March. I started my lap-band process in July and was banded at the end of October. Pre packaged Protein shakes, fruit juice with my doses of miralax, milk based Protein Shakes, and not drinking with or after eating ... BINGO! You can imagine my surprise! Apparently when we banders, thinking we are doing great things for our weight loss, eat the things that ar…

Does anybody else out there have a certain something they want to fit in at some point? My parents bought me a Glee Dalton Academy Warbler uniform for Christmas, intentionally too small, and it's kinda my goal to be able to wear it this summer to a convention. Do you guys have something special that you want to fit in? <3

Without directly responded to any one person on any of several threads....I just want to say............ I am reading post after post after post about stress levels dealing with Holiday foods, temptations, reverting back to old habits,..etc..... When I read these posts, the ONLY thing that cones to mind is WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAND???? Is that not why we endured this surgery? Yet no one even mentions it...as if it does not exist... When you chose to have this surgery, did you not have some expectations as to what this will do for you? Why did we have this surgery? Seriously!!! Just saying....I'm a happy Bander....Happy because the very things that made me fat,…

Hey people, how is everyone? I was banded on the 22nd of November. Was just looking for a band buddy I can chat with. It's hard dealing with this alone, no one understands what us bandsters are going through.

Hey y'all, thought I would share a recipe that is really easy, simple and delicious! I know some lap banders can't have shrimp and some can. I have been fortunate. I have 7.5 or 7.75cc in a 10 cc band and can still eat everything. I just take my time and chew! 2 servings raw shrimp (I used Sea Queen medium shrimp from aldi) 1 tbs yogurt butter spread (Brummel and Brown) 1 tbs minced garlic (can be adjusted to taste) juice from 1/2 lemon 2 tbs Parmesan cheese Cooking spray Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Melt the butter in the pan and add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. Add shrimp in a single layer and squeeze the hal…

I have had a rough couple of weeks. I won't go into all the details mostly because they only serve to upset me. Suffice to say that I had some major issues with my middle son who is 22 and my stress levels have been through the roof. The holidays are here, and it's the perfect time to indulge in all those bad habits if I let myself fall back into the trap. The trap is decorated in all my favorite kind of shiny sparkly things, so it's a very attractive trap. The holiday sweetness abounds as candy canes, and chocolate are given out as gifts attached to cards and left on the desk. There is no judgement in popping it into your mouth that's what it's there for scream the gi…

Hi Everyone, I am new to the forum and have found so many helpful tips. I recently moved to Warren County and I am searching for a new doctor. Does anyone have any suggestions? I live in Stewartsville, NJ. Close to Phillipsburg, NJ or Easton, PA. Thank You!

I was banded in 1/13 and I have a flipped port. I'm pretty sure it's been flipped since very shortly after my surgery because at my first fill and ever since my surgeon has had a hard time accessing my port, but he never said it was flipped. At first I thought it was normal and maybe just my body or the position of the port. But I saw another surgeon in the practice and he was immediately like "oh my goodness you have a 90 degree flip!" He showed me the flip on X-ray, and now I know why I can only feel the side of my port. My question is has anyone else experienced this and more importantly, did you have pain with it? I have a lot of pain in my port area and susp…

Found out best friend is dying, band won't let me eat

Hi

hello all! I was banded in july of this year, i have about 5.5 cc in my 10 cc band. this last fill, the dr gave me a full 1 cc because the prior fill of a half cc didn't do a thing. about two weeks after my fill, i am suddenly finding myself full on a few bites of food (about half a cup), which is great, i find it amazing, actually! but i'm still only staying full for 3 hours, i'm really looking to go 4 hours. i'm deliberate not to drink an hour after i eat (i thought that was the problem at one point, because i wasn't watching the clock too closely, but i've since set a timer on my phone) and i'm not eating mushy food; i'm getting Protein in first. i'm slow to los…

I had lap band surgery about 6 months ago. Lately I am struggling a bit. I seem to fall off the wagon a day or so a week. I was hoping to connect with some people for encouragement and support! I've lost 54 pounds so far. Gotta keep it going!

I had my Lap Band this time last year and I did great at first but once I got to 30 pounds I was stuck. Being stuck took its toll and I have up. I'm back to the right mind set and ready to focus but I'm scared that I've already messed up my band. I haven't had a full for five months. Is it to late to get back on track ? Has anyone else had this problem ?

Just wanted to say hi to everyone on here. I'm getting banded on January 7th and I'm excited and nervous about it. I was wondering why some of you guys picked the band. I decided on it because in your 20's I feel like I can lose the weight and the skin can snap back too.

I am just wondering if anyone else has a bucket list & things they want to do once they hit goal? I have been overweight my entire life & have a bucket list of things I want to do once I hit goal that I couldn't before due to weight. What is some things you all planned for when you loose weight or during your loosing phase with lap band?

I had my surgery back in March, the 6th to be exact. It has sure been a crazy time for me since. I had Major hernia repair at the same time. Days after surgery I developed pneumonia and acute kidney failure. The pneumonia just kept coming back again & again. I had 1 fill during that time. They kept running test after test on me & at one point even thought I had lung cancer. Come to find out I had histoplasmosis. I have finally gotten that under control & have been able to stay out of the hospital. Was given permission by my Dr to get another fill, that was about 6 weeks ago. I had 3cc's added & am now at 7cc's in a 14cc band. My weight has been at a stand …

So I had my surger on September 24th and then had to have it revised on november 12th because my port flipped. Well ive been fine and losing weight but im starting to feel some pain right below my left breast. Its not major pain but it hurts if I lay on that side or bend over. I see my doctor in the morning but im paranoid and wont sleep thinking about it. Has anyone experienced this? I read that it could be a sign on slippage but I have no other symptoms at all. Anyways any insight would help! Thanks!

Was banded in May 2013 and have had several fills, my last fill was about a month ago. About two weeks ago I began feeling really bloated and so gassy. I have a lot of discomfort. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions. My diet has not changed in that period of time. Protein first then veggies and I chew, chew, chew.

Hi All, I've had an account here for a while, but haven't ever really been active. I was banded in June of '08 and had a serious rollercoaster ride with my band, almost from the start. About six months after surgery, I started having problems finding the proverbial "sweet spot." I either had too little restriction and wouldn't lose weight, or I had too much, and would start upon a horrible cycle of sliming, throwing up, and eventually being so swollen that I couldn't eat or drink. I had difficulty eating meat, and most fruits and vegetables. salad was a total no-go. This was often the case even when I didn't seem to be too tight and had no problem eating other foods. I …

Ok. October 18th I had my 8th fill and hit green zone. Everything has been fine for over a month. All of a sudden, yesterday and today, I can hardly get anything down. I ate a granola bar and it went down. Chips, water, salsa etc etc is all coming back up. Or it just sits in my esophagus. I don't have acid coming up. I spent Thanksgiving in Texas and didn't drink much. I think I'm a bit dehydrated. Why today can i all of a sudden not get anything down?

Not sure if anyone else has posted this site or come across but somene shared it on a different online support group and I thought it was great so i wanted to share it with everyone here!! http://www.bandfriendlyrecipes.com/search/label/Muffin%20Tin%20Meals

If you haven't already checked out my blog, I invite you to do so. Blogging has helped me tremendously with my journey. My honest assessments of life's ups and downs not only help me keep myself in check, but continues to motivate me to stay on track with this decision that I have committed to. Merry Christmas everyone. We are all in this together! www.mybandemonium.blogspot.com

I got the lap band surgery back in November 2012 and have lost a good amount of weight steadily with kicking my butt in the gym and eating right etc. However, due circumstances out of my control - had to have 1.5cc's removed because I was too tight due to time of month and bringing food back up. Then add on I have PCOS and Thyroid issues and haven't been able to work out due to hurting myself at the gym the last 3 weeks I have gained 20 pounds (which gaining weight is VERY easy with PCOS and Thyroid issues - I can easily gain 70lbs in 6 months or less if I'm not eating right 90% of the time) I know this week has been bad and a portion of it is self control, not being i…

Since last night I haven't been able to eat or drink anything. It all comes back up. I haven't had a fill in a few months so I know it's not that. I'm always burping and still throwing up Silva. Anyone have this problem

My family is here for the holidays and it appears that some sort of stomach bug is going around. I have luckily never vomited with the lap band, and I know it's a bad thing. How do you deal with a tummy bug? Anything I should know?

So I had a 2 for 1 appt today, first one with my Dr's PA that doesnt like to give fills. I stayed the same weight since last visit (5 weeks ago) so we talked about why I was hungry, the frustration of only having 1 fill (in july) , how to fix my hunger issues....etc....so she kindly gave me a .5 cc fill. FINALLY!! But i still dont like her that much. Ok now I see my surgeon. Dr Courcoulas is amazing. I discuss the torture of the PA not giving me fills, i told her the PA said that they dont like to fill the band past 5cc and ask if this is true? The look on her face was priceless. Answer NO not true!! So my surgron said there are actually 3 PA's at the office. Sh…

So, I've had my port revision surgery and it's time for my next fill. I'm ready for it because I feel like my food cravings are getting out of control since my last fill was in September. Thankful though because I've still been losing weight. I'm ready to get back on target and my workouts have been very helpful but I want to keep the momentum going, I have a lot more I intend on losing!!

Is having filet mignon for BREAKFAST too pretentious??? I think NOT!