LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Just checking on my fellow October Bandster to see how you all are feeling. Has anyone gotten their first fill yet? If so how did it go? What are you eating? Are you loosing any weight yet? Lol My surgery was October 15, 2013. As for me during the week of surgery I loss 17lbs and when I started eating food again I gained back 7lbs then loss almost 4lbs. So my total weight loss is 14 lbs. I started walking about 2 miles 2-3 days/week. My port area is still a little sore but I can sleep on my left side now & my stomach. I am eating regular foods like fish, shrimp, hamburger, and veggies. I need to eat more fruit and drink more Water. I usually stay full for 3-4 hours…

HI, Firstly, I am a long term bander. It will be 16 years this february. It was not a great success for me and I have no interest in weight loss at this junction but I have a problem and it is a weird one. My port has vanished. It disappear about five years ago and CAT scans, xrays and ultrasound has failed to find it. Removal is not an option. Due to severe complications from statins, I have mitochondrial disease and cannot have anaesthetics. I am wondering if anyone else here has had this happen and what was the outcome? I have googled this multiple times with no luck.

Is it ok to eat? If so, what do you eat with it? I've had people tell me raw carrots, crackers, wheat thins. I'm almost a month post band and have eaten soft mush foods.

I had my first fill last Monday (1cc). I didn't feel anything until 5 days later when I had a stuck episode. For 3 days after this stuck episode I couldn't eat anything, now I can only tolerate liquids. I haven't felt this sad in the entire time I had the lap band. I had surgery in May and have lost 45 lbs. I got the fill because I started to notice I was hungry between meals and was able to eat a lot more. But now I regret getting the fill because now I can't eat anything, at all. And I am really upset. And my drs office is closed until after the holidays. I hate this too tight feeling.

Merry Christmas!! I am 5 days post-op and have 4mls in my 10ml band. My surgeon actually had 6mls in there but i was unable to swallow Water without pain so he removed 2mls. I am fine, i drink my water all day and am still on liquids and about to go on soft solids in 2 days. I dont feel hungry but i do notice i can feel my bands rescriction in the morning. So have just been having water and then having my Protein drink made into a fruit smoothie with fruit and yogurt for lunch and then Soup or runny oatmeal for dinner if i even have dinner. When i am tight i can feel it even before anything goes into my mouth, it is truly just a "tight" feeling in my stomach. Its gre…

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to my Lap Band Family!!!

Wanted to know if anyone had Dr. Reilly out of the west Houston medical center. And where did put your port and how well did you heal with your incisions.

i cant decide what my fave xmas movie is....... i like ebbie (with susan lucci) and christmas carol (one with george c scott and one with patrick sewart) i really like its a wonderful life (who doesnt) and elf (with will ferrel whom my ole man hates) christmas vacation also... see, i cant decide......what is yours?

I am having my first bad episode of allergy/sinus discomfort. I have a super low tolerance for medication, so in the past, I've always used either AlkaSeltzer cold and sinus or TheraFlu to get some relief. I have high blood pressure, so I stay away from a lot of the other meds. Plus, everything, other than the 2 aforementioned things, makes me extremely sleepy. I haven't had a carbonated beverage of any kind since March, but didn't think twice about downing AlkaSeltzer right before a meeting at work. BIG MISTAKE! My stomach made the most violent, horrific noises ever!!! Sounded like a freight train was trying to find its way out! I didn't feel sick or anything, just noisy…

Alex posted this yesterday and I missed it. Here it is again: DO THE MATH 164 Studies, 161,756 Patients Over Nearly 10 Years: What Does This Add Up To? BARIATRIC AND METABOLIC SURGERY IS EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AND GETTING SAFER! A new meta-analysis of studies carried out between 2003 and 2012 shows higher remission rates of diabetes and high blood pressure and a lower mortality rate than previously reported. The study, published online in JAMA Surgery, is an update to a meta-analysis of studies conducted between 1990 and 2003 and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, Buchwald et. al.) back in October 2004. …

I feel no restriction I. My bad I have a total of 7cc when I had 8 cc it was too much at times I was unable to eat. Is it possible to have stretched my band ?

Has anyone ever done crossfit if so what do you think of it?

I am so angry at myself. I've falling into the same "holiday pattern" that I do every year. People are constantly dropping off snacks at my desk at work, and my family is making sweet treats out the WahZoo. And pretty much since Thanksgiving I've been having a treat here or there and it has really stalled my weight loss. I'm sooooooooooo close to being at the 50 lb loss mark.. like 3 lbs. But for some reason I keep justifying "just one more bite" of fudge, etc. Anyone else having trouble? Got any good tips?

Came to get my first fill and was not able to get it because my dr put my port right underneath my port and my incision hasn't healed. It's infected so now I have to wait till I don't know when. Hopefully I can make due without. I was really counting on this fill. I think I needed it.

Today I am 17 days post surgery and have went from a liquid diet to a soft diet (cottage cheese, etc). I have had about 3 bites of baked macaroni as I chewed each bite 30+ times. I also had recently just the inside meat of a boneless chicken wing chewed to mush. Yesterday my husband and I went shopping to finish up Christmas gifts and we ate at Applebee's. Well, my husband did. I ordered their macaroni as I knew it would be soft and mushy to eat. I had one bite of a 1 inch spiral noodle with cheese on it, chewed 30+ times and I was VERY full. I'm thinking my band disliked the sodium!! Lesson learned!!! That noodle was bloating me from 3pm until 7pm. This morning, ba…

Hello all, I'm new to this site and this is my first post. I just want to tell my story. I am 33 years old. Single mom to a 16year old. I have not always been overweight but I've always been tall. I started struggling with my weight after I had my son. It was hard and lonely dealing with a baby and still being a teenager so food became my friend. My weight fluctuated over the years but I never really loss more than 40 lbs at a time and then I would self sabotage. I've tried everything, from weight watchers, diet pills, starving myself and I would lose but over and over again I would either find a reason to stop, or eat, or both. I had a friend a few years ago tha…

Ok long story short. Had my surgery 10/16- went in for first fill dec 2nd. Flipped surgery to correct 12/9. My doc put in 2 ccs on 12/9. I don't notice much of a difference. I go back first week of January for my port follow up. Is that too soon to ask for another fill? I want to start slow I was thinking maybe asking for 1 cc, just wanted some input

I have a hiatal hernia and band slippage. I don't want to give up my lap band but the hiatal hernia is big and needs to be repaired also. I need to see a doctor that know how to fix these two issues and I don't know where to begin because a local doctor told "no" I could never have a lap band again, So Three questions: I need help finding a good doctor, can I get a hiatal hernia and lap band slippage fix all at the same time?

LOL I am never first for anything... but looks like I may be the only one so far looking ahead to May. I thought initially I would be scheduling for April, but I hadn't taken into account the two week pre-op diet. So... I will be booking tomorrow for the first week of May. Hope to see more people join me!

I love the expensive (high calorie) drinks at coffee shops. One of my favorites is a caramel cafe mocha. Problem is, even a medium one at McDonalds is a whopping 280 calories. So I have been experimenting and I have finally perfected a homemade one that is simply yummy. Honestly, it's so good I don't even want a calories ridden coffee shop one anymore. Swiss Miss makes a diet hot chocolate. Now, they also make a no sugar added one, and it's not the same thing. In fact, the no sugar added one DOES still have sugar and it's 60 calories per serving whereas the diet is only 25 calories per serving. So, you need the diet Swiss Miss hot chocolate Cafe al Fresco makes…

Hi all! So I got home about 1 hour after surgery and have been so uncomfortable. My Dr said I had a Hernia so he had to fix thAt. Is that the reason the sensitive abdominal pain? I also feel this pressure in my chest area especially when i try to lie down. I get up constantly to walk around because its so uncomfortable... I know it will be worth it at the end!! Staying super strong..

I really need some help. I had surgery over 4 years ago. I initially lost about 60 lbs. I lost my job in October of 2009, and had my last fill in Nov 2009. I started my weight loss surgery at 272lbs. I am back up to 243lbs. My lowest weight was 219lbs. I can not afford to pay for the fills, as they are about $250.00 and my doctor will not take credit cards. Can anyone please help me find a doctor that will help me by taking a credit card for a fill? I need to try to get back to losing weight instead of gaining. I am very depressed, and am at my wits end. I had to pay for my surgery, and that cost me $18000 cash. Please help!!!

I was banded in May. At my last fill they saw something unusual on X-ray so I had Egd (endoscopy) and they found I now have a hiatal hernia. I've heard of a lot of people having hernia repaired during lap band surgery but has anyone experienced hernia AFTER lap band. Did they repair your hernia laparoscopically? What was recovery time? When can I return to work? Dr said they would unbuckle band during surgery and buckle it back during surgery. He said I would feel different restriction after hernia repaired. Anyone else have this?

Hey everyone. Questions, how many incisions do you have? Are they all the same size, where is your port located? I have 5 incisions, 4 small and one that's about an inch or so long. My surgeon put my port right underneath it. This is incision is taking forever to heal. I was thinking maybe because my port right right there.

There has been some discussion lately about being able to afford fills, if your insurance doesn't have bariatric coverage, so I thought I would post my costs. I was self pay, and the procedure came with 12 months of fills. After 12 months, my Dr. charges 75.00 a visit, or 300.00 for unlimited fills/unfills throughout the year. These are non fluoroscope fils. Personally I find this a very reasonable rate.

When I undertook this journey almost a year ago, it wasn't just about weight loss for me. I have taken a good long look at myself; who I have become. I didn't like some things about myself and so I set about changing some of my ways. So along with changing my lifestyle as far as eating and exercising I also worked on my character, attitude and the way I handle situations. I viewed certain people in my life as toxic, and they are to a degree still toxic, but I had to look at how I contributed to that toxicity...and admit that I did indeed contribute. I believe we are all a work in progress, no matter how old, there is always room for improvement. I like the me I am b…

Has anyone had a gas pain in their shoulder after a fill? I had my fill about 10 days ago, and am still feeling a gas pain in my shoulder blade. It's similar to when I had surgery, but the pain isn't as bad. Just curious if anyone else has had it.

Looking for someone to share food ideas, meet for lunch and chat and someone to maybe work-out with... Pat

I went for my first fill yesterday, had my surgery August 5, but he put the needle in twice ( painful) and he decided I was still too sore? Made my appointment to come back November for first fill. I have nothing in band, and I am staying hungry! I don't want to gain the 24 pounds I have lost back...........

So after over a year and a half of not getting any fills I made my appointment for a fill on the first available appointment which is January 6th. Now going all over this website to gather information and get myself mentally ready. Cause I know if my mind is not right then I will fail. Started drinking Water and making better choices on food but I have been overeating so long that it will be a struggle just have to pull my big girl panites up and do this....Also have found a friend that is all ready to exercise with me feel need to get that started now so it will give me a jump start. Found my lapband book on shelf in cabinet and already reading it again from start.

Now that I've gotten nearly to my goal, my niece and arguably the person closest to me has started taking "pot shots" at me, trying to make me feel bad that I'm so small now. She says I don't look good (the ONLY person in my life to say that) and other mean things to try to make me feel bad. I should add that she is bigger than I was at my heaviest weight and secretly wishes she had the band, too. She bought a brand new car on Monday and thought I would be jealous or something, but when I was happy for her and told her how proud I was that she was able to get the deal she got...she turned on me and began verbal attacks. It was the craziest thing! As I reflect over o…

I was banded June 2010. The first year went great. I lost close to 75 lbs. One day I went to get a fill and the dr filled me so tight, the min I took a sip of water I felt a horrible pain and vomited immediately. Ever since... 2.5 years later I have struggled. I vomit almost all I eat. I've been several times to be tested for hernias, upper gi, endoscopy , and barium swallow. They never find anything wrong. Therefore I am done. I haven't been tested in about a year. I got tired of forking out money. Now, I am DONE. I want it out. Ive read several stories on here. I guess I know to expect a week off work. But what I'm most concerned over is the scar tissue. What other side…

I got my band 5/31/2004, I have never had problems with it very seldom something would get stuck because I wasn't paying attention to something I was eating or I ate too large of a piece dof food. My question to other banisters is how many people that have had to have theirs removed? I started having problems aboiut. 1 1/2 months ago. It started with a tightness in my chest and food started getting stuck a and therew was some vomiting happening as soon as I ate. I went to my surgeon and he took out 2 cc's of a 4 cc band. In 2 weeks I went back on July 3rd for an endoscopy, as soon as he did it I had to have emergency surgery. Dr. Fegelman said I had a very badly er…

Today is day 13 post op and the last few days I could eat mushy things. I had a holiday party at work and everyone brought a dish or dessert. I had 1/4 c or less of baked macaroni, 5 small bites of Pasta salad. I also tested and could eat a mini BBQ sausage after chewing it to mush. I don't feel as full but know that as each day passes, I'm healing and realizing less restriction only because the swelling is going down. I'm still only around 450-500 calories a day. My next appointment is 1/22/14 for a questionable fill. Two days ago I would have said no way. I'm thinking by 1/22 I better get a little fill. Can you explain in detail the green zone. I only fille…

Trying to form local support group for lower Delaware. If interested text me 302-222-9411

I was banded on 5/23/13 and I've had great success with weight loss. At least initially. I've got a 10cc band with 5 cc's of saline in it. I've been having problems swallowing things like chicken, rice and shrimp. My doctor thought it was weird that the food is stuck just trying to swallow but he drained my band for 3 weeks just to see if that was the cause. The swallowing problem got better but didn't go away altogether. The Dr didn't think it was related to the band and refilled it to 5 cc's and referred me to an ENT doctor. This Dr put me on meds for acid reflux, I've been on them for over a month but things only seem to have gotten worse. My family doctor says so…

I had surgery on the 26th of August and my first fill was a week ago today I have now lost 40 pounds since surgery !!!!!!!!! I already feel restriction from the fill and feel great!!!! I would do this surgery over and over again I had no problems and have completely redone my life I eat totally different no Cokes no breads and walk 2 miles a night I'm loving my new life

September was 2 years since me lapband surgery. When I went in for my 2 year follow up the doctor took some liquid out, because I was having a hard time keeping food down. OMG! Now I can eat anything and everything. I have started gaining weight again. I know I'm consciously eating more because I'm able too again and I love food, but what's happening to my band? Could this be dangerous? I know I should go back to the doctor which I plan to after the New Year, but I want to enjoy the holidays. I definitely have food issues. Anyone?

After maintaining my 40lb loss since May, two weeks ago I really noticed I was up 5lbs and eating 1800-2000cals so I made an appt. I was really nervous to go in to see my surgeon (I usually see the NP) because I feel a bit like a lapband failure having only lost 40lbs since January. I have been eating all the time, a lot of crap, but even good stuff in large amounts and STILL wanting to eat off my own arm. He was sooo great! He congratulated me on seeing the signs and coming in for a fill. He ended up giving me a full ML after doing a half and the barium swallow not showing much restriction. I left feeling renewed like I can really do this again and won't be hu…

So my Dr. puts me on a liquid diet for 6 days. I've attached a image of what he tells us to do. Now normally I just do the first day of Clear liquids then basically shorten each step by a day. What are ya'lls thoughts on this and what do ya'll do after getting filled. Also he told me to never chew gum after the surgery and I have not since my surgery date almost 3 years ago. Is that true?

A WLS friend of mine, Tom B., posted a great article on his blog yesterday: 10 Cold Hard Facts about Weight Loss Surgery. I highly recommend reading the article no matter where you are in your WLS journey. Tom states those 10 facts quite plainly, but not in an accusatory manner - more like a good friend who's answering you honestly when you've asked, "What's it really like?" Here's a link to the article: http://beariatric.com/2013/12/16/10-cold-hard-facts-about-weight-loss-surgery/ Jean

Had my first fill on 10/7. I've been eating semi normally since about that Friday. They put in .2 ccs which puts me now at 3.2ccs in my band (my surgeon put 3ccs in my band at surgery). I've noticed I'm still the same weight give or take since I was last week. On top of that I'm not feeling full all the time. Sometimes I'll eat and I notice "whoa, I'm fully already?!" and others I'm like "stop eating, you're eating too much". I'm getting discouraged and so frustrated. I do zumba 3x per week and swim the other two. My boyfriend has been getting me to go do kick boxing a few times and I may get into that too.

Surgeon had a terrible time trying to find my port! Got poked at least 4 times! Last two times were even under X-ray! He had a hard time last time as well, but got it in with only one actual poke. He said he would write down how he found it and we would do it under X-ray next time and it wouldn't be as bad. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Sorry if this is to much info, but is anybody else having trouble with gas and constipation. My surgery day was 12/8/11.

I'm scheduled for a fill tomorrow but I'm not sure if I should get one. I'm very close to green... If I'm not already there. I'm hunger-free for FOUR hours, but I can definitely eat more than a cup of food; also, I don't wake up hungry, but I've been sliming & throwing up a little too much lately MOSTLY because of eating too fast and not chewing as much as I should. I need to chew better, eat slower, and take smaller bites and that should take are of the sliming & regurgitation If I get it, I'll ask for .25 ONLY.... Help me sort this out, guys. Thanks.

It's been a long four and a half year beat down fight with the hospital and finally got them to turn over my papers to insurance and was accepted for surgery!! My operation date is set for January 6th at 10:30 and am very psyched!!

Hi there! I just posted a new high-protein, low carb recipe. Pictures and nutritional details at http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/shrimp-with-cotijo-and-tomatillos/ Makes 4 bariatric servings, probably feeds two non-ops Ingredients1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 jalapeno chiles, seeded, minced 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 lb tomatillos, chopped Salt 1/8 cup water 1/2 lb shrimp, cleaned, deveined 1/2 cup Cotija queso seco cheese (can substitute feta) 1/8 cup chopped cilantro Lime juice Black pepper MethodHeat oil in a pan. Add the onions and jalapeños, cook for 5 minutes on medium high until the onions begin to brown. Add the garlic and…

I'm excited. Bit scared. What should I take to hospital? Xx

i got banded sept19 2013 i want to find people near my area and possibly start a support group here