LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

It's 4am, having my morning coffee(s) along with my Vitamins and a shot of Protein before heading to the gym when they open at 5.... Thinking about the day coming up...Thanksgiving...gonna be with 20 people +, plenty of food and drink all day long...and I just reinforced my thinking, finding it comforting to know, and getting more motivated by the minute..... At first, I started to get nervous about what is to come today....but then, I realized..... THE BAND IS THE BAND IS THE BAND IS THE BAND.......Does not matter today is Thanksgiving, Christmas, a day spent on a cruise ship..or any other day....the BAND STILL BEHAVES THE SAME.....it does not change by what is go…

So I've lost over 100 lbs and have been hovering close to weighing less than 300lbs for 3 months now without actually breaking that barrier. The other day I realized I was about to slip back to less than 100lbs lost and immediately had less of an appetite and shed 5 lbs over the next 3 days. I'm going to see my surgeon next week and I'm torn about whether I need a fill or if I just need to refocus on my behavior (cold weather has ruined my running routine). I don't have much Fluid in my band (less than 4cc in 10cc band) and still feel restriction but I'm really frustrated with the stall I'm seeing on the scale.

Before I had Lapband surgery 09/19/13, I was so focused on losing weight and forgot about losing inches. I did not measure myself until 10/13/13. Well, on 11/24/13, I re-measured and have lost a total of 19 inches. Oh what a feeling Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Have finally lost 50 lbs since April 2013 and I'm so excited :-) I can't really tell yet but I know what the scale says so I'm going with it haha!

Happy Tuesday everyone! I found this article and I wanted to share with everyone. http://blog.loseit.com/2013/11/25/steps-for-a-healthy-thanksgiving/ Also I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and I wanted to give thanks to you guys. I will be so lost without y'all.

Calling any/all June 2012 banders...How are you???

I'm one week post op today and I'm having pain near my port site. Is that normal?

Does anyone know how much a small band holds? I had my first fill and it was 3cc. I was told I have a #2 band. Not sure what that means or how much it holds.

My sister and I were interviewed on Huffington Post Live. She has lost 207 and I have now lost 275 lbs. Here is the link: http://huff.lv/VomVRy Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present ! Lee

Hi there! Well, here I go again...I'm starting over. I was originally banned in 03/2010 and successfully lost 62lbs. Unfortunately, I had to be unfilled COMPLETELY in April 2012 due to complications with my pregnancy. As a result...and my irresponsible eating habits, I gained all of my weight back plus 10lbs. So, here I am, starting completely over...and it's bitter sweet. I didn't lose as fast as I'd like to - so in a way, this is like a "do over." This time, it's going to be different. I am a seasoned "bandster" and I now realize that my niave idea that my band is a "Magic Button" that will allow me lose tons of weight effortlessly was just plan stupid. I now …

I was banded several years ago and my doctor said he can't do anything else for me. I have severe esophageal spasms and it is causing stomach acid to stay in my throat, causing me to choke at night, etc. He said what I should consider is revision to gastric bypass, but I have to see a specialist first to make sure I don't have some disorder where my esophagus does not open and close correctly. The biggest hurdle is my BMI is 37 and I have no co-morbidities - he said having pcos will not be enough - and he says insurance is going to give me trouble about that. I will likely have to appeal. And revision surgery scares me a bit. I am not going to purposely gain weight - my p…

Just read this online after my first stuck episode. It worked! Try putting your left hand under left armpit, and flap your arm like it's a chicken wing. Until you get unstuck! Try it. It works!

for my 8 month follow, lost 7 since last month for total of 101 just had to share....(made it also into the 230's)...double happy !!

Over the last week or so I have started to feel my port more often. I can feel it through my skin and feel it when I am moving around. I just started working out and it feels uncomfortable as I move. Is this more that I am not used to it or should I call my doctor? I had such a bad experience with anesthesia during my surgery I do not want to do anything that will cause me to have to go through it again. Could it be the type of exercise? I have started doing Zumba and that is a lot of twisting and moving. Any thoughts would be great. Thank you!

Well I was banded in 2007 and lost about 70 pounds in 5 months. It was wonderful until I slowly got back into bad eating habits and generally lost control. I enlarged my upper pouch too much, which I cannot fix now. The band did slip a little, but not enough for emergency surgery. Now I take acid pills (Fomotidine 20 mg) like they were M&M's and an Omeprizol before bed and first thing in the morning. I sleep well about 20% of the time, but the rest of the time I wind up with a mouth full of vomit at 2am trying not to drown. I spend at least 3 days a week so tired that I can't really function and it takes the better part of the day to clear the aspiration from my…

I just received and EDG 2 weeks ago and a port replacement a week ago went to see the doctor today and my fluid was a slight yellow this happen before by port replacement and still seems to be the sample problem. Doctor has never seen this before anyone had or heard of this ??? Desperate for answers

I was banded Nov 7 and will be planning to move to Billings sometime early next year and need the name(s) of some excellent Band Doctors! Thank you!

Is there a way to change settings so fitness pal doesn't add exercise calories back in?

I'm stuck and slowly sipping pineapple juice. Wondering how long it usually takes? I ate cheese and some corn chips.

I'm going next Wednesday to see my surgeon and will get my first fill. I'm nervous but I'm sure it will be fine! just that first-time anxiety!!! I'm starting to get hungry here and there so the timing will be good. I don't get startving but I notice that about 20 minutes before lunch/dinner I'll get a little hungry. I was banded on 4/29 and I've lost 33 pounds to date. I think the fill will be very helpful to keep me on track here and is definitely coming at a good time!!!

Soooo..... I was banded 9/10/2013 and things have been going great. I had my second fill 11/5 with no problems. I woke up 11/10 (My 25th birthday ) with alot of pain around my band... I chalked it up to a rough fill. Well the area around my port over the next 4 days grew in size as well as pain. I went to the ER on 11/14 and was un-banded 11/15. My band had eroded into my stomach (after only two months) and I had an abscess the size of a softball in my abdomen. After many MANY tears about losing my band, I was down over 30 lbs already and so excited for the future. I went BACK into surgery 11/18 because I couldn't break a fever of over 104 low blood pressure high heart r…

My surgeons office just called and said my secondary insurance UHC Plus will not cover Bariatric surgery and I will be responsible for the $5800 they don't cover. Being a family of seven I cannot magicaly come up with it. So my apts scheduled for next week have been canceled; ( I'm so heartbroken right now! I've done everything they asked of me; ( All my hard work was just flushed down the drain; ( I'm going to take a long bath and have a good cry; (( I wish my kids didn't have school today because I really need a hug; ((

I need advice...I am going in for my third fill in 6 weeks. I was told I have 3.5ccs in my band. I hope I do. 2 weeks ago the NP stuck me several times before she changed the needle. I was numb so I did not feel the multiple sticks. When she remove the needle and syringe there was blood in the saline. This has only started to concern me since I am going back tomorrow morning. Is it normal to see blood in the syringe? I do not know if she is filling the band . I have absolutely no restriction whatsoever. If she is sticking the soft spot on the port, why is there blood in the syringe? What should I do?

Day 9 of my liquid diet and I cheated big time I had a stressfull day so I, ate a bag (2oz bag) of your dill pickle potato chips, which was delicious. A few pieces of peper jack cheese and some Turkey I feel like a failure. Did anybody else ever cheat?

Hi there, I have literally just joined the forum after having read it for a month or so whilst debating whether to get the lap-band surgery. I still have a tonne of questions, which I am sure I will be sending to my surgeon when I see him in a fortnight, however it would be great to get some of your opinions if possible? I am pretty active and have PT sessions about 2/3 times a week, how soon after the surgery can you expect to start exercising again? Does adding exercise to the lap-band experience help loose weight faster? Do you lose muscle mass with the surgery? Failure rate? What circumstances have to occur for the band not to work at all? I have heard there is q…

What is yours and where do u get it? Also how man grams of protein do you shoot for?

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/408513215 There is a certain sense of exhilaration as you are riding through a series of large boulders when you feel your rear wheel lifting up over your head and you see a rock coming towards your face

Sharing. Found this interesting. What things weigh. Compare it to how much u have lost. I have lost a cinder block!!!! 1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts 2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs 3 pounds = an average human brain 4 pounds = an ostrich egg 5 pounds = a Chihuahua 6 pounds = a human skin 7.5 pounds = an average newborn 8 pounds = a human head 10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year 11 pounds = an average housecat 12 pounds = a Bald Eagle 15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs 16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain 20 pounds = an automobile tire 23 pounds = amount of ****a an average American eats in a year 24 pounds = …

I got my 3rd fill Wednesday this is the first time I had 1cc put in. Yesterday I was able to eat soup n drink tea, today I can't even hold down water I am miserable. I was fine at first, has anyone ever experienced this?

I wanted to share this recipe with everyone. Since the holidays are coming up and winter I figure why not! I think I am going to make it with my day care kids and this would be a great gift idea too! Enjoy. http://www.bariatriceating.com/2013/10/25/sugar-free-hot-cocoa-mix/

Hi Fellow Bandsters! I've been away from the forum for awhile since having lost my band two years ago due to appendicitis. I have gained all of my weight back. I had previously lost over 100 pounds with the band. I am considering getting rebanded but for right now I am on an off label weight loss medicine called Victoza. Recently, I've been doing research into the two new studies which came out in the last few weeks on genetic causes of obesity. However, I've noticed that many people refuse to accept the new research findings. I'd like to get everyone's take on this. What do you think about genetic causes of obesity? My article focuses on how people refuse to acknowledg…

I am a month & 1/2 post op and just found out my freaking Thyroid is acting up. Had an ultrasound last week and I have a few goiters/noduals. Biopsy 12/5 & results on 12/13. Just wondering if your doctors checked for thyroid problems before surgery??? Well I am glad we found out about this problem early on. What could be more worse than having weight loss surgery and your thyroid gland is working against you?!?!? At least now I have a reason why I was having weight problems. Has anyone else had this problem?

So when I got banded on 11/12/2012 I weighed 298.5 lbs. I now weight 219 lbs almost a year later. My goal was to loose 100 lbs by my birthday this year wich is 12/17. I have a 10cc band and at 5.5 cc full. I feel restriction after I eat and get stuck occasionally. I'm plateauing right now and not getting that last bit of weight off. Been like this for a month. Worried that if I get another fill that I will have lots of more stuck episodes. When they happen I can usually get the food to pass within minutes. I just swallow a couple gulps of ginger ale and up it comes!!! But I really want to get to my goal by the end of this year. Should I just go get like a half cc just…

Exercise and Hair Care I walk 4-5 miles Mon-Fri mornings with Leslie Sansone’s Walk away the Pounds series. Since my goal in 2012 is no relaxers I’m currently wearing a sew-in which I do over “my-self” every 3 weeks or so. I pull it in a high pony tail and get to working out. I make sure that I wash (clarify) and deep condition my hair when I do the sew-in over. How are you guys doing it?

Have had my band since 2005. I lost over 100lbs within the first two years and loved it. I had to loosen my band after I got pneumonia in about 2008 and refused to believe my band had anything to do with it. I didn't have any other major issues until after I was married in 2009. I got pregnant shortly after. I emptied my band even though the nurses told me I didn't need to. I had some serious heartburn and pegged it as Prego problems. Had my baby a little early with some complication but am unsure if the band caused problems. The heartburn continued and was so bad I went to a GI dr who did an endoscopy. Found out I had ulcers and really bad reflux. I started taking m…

Banded 11/9/2012 Weight at Surgery: 172 Current Weight:165 Goal Weight: 125 Goals: Lose 5lbs/month Exercise: C25k Age: 26 Location: Michigan for now, LA in the near future I'm not so much looking for a mentor as someone at the same point in the journey with a relatively similar amount of weight to lose (40-50lbs). I'm 6 weeks post-op. I've found that daily weighing keeps me on track like nothing else, so I'm looking for someone to-without excuses--email each other our weights every morning and also talk about our ongoing progress and struggles.

Funny story... Last night I when laying on my back I thought I found a bump on my left side by my incision and started freaking out until I felt my right side and realized it had one also. I was feeling my ribs. For the first time in a long time I can feel my ribs with out pressing extra hard. It's amazing what 48 pounds has done.

Hey guys, I was banded on the 7th of August 2012, did find my sweet spot with my fills and everything was going amazingly I've lost 43kg's so far. I use to struggle in my green zone with certain foods but I find I am struggling with eating meals most of the time now. Without fail I get heartburn at least once a day. I have been doing a lot of weight training but I wasn't to sure if this would cause my band to tighten or not which is resulting in not being able to eat and not to mention the unbearable heartburn. I was considering getting a small amount of Fluid taken out today to see if this would help. I just want to know if anyone else has experienced this befo…

I was banded back in 2007. I have a 4 cc band. I did good first few years lost over 100lbs and had a tummy tuck back in 2010 I was doing great. Then in 2011 I was having some issues with depression and a bad marriage. I was in the hospital twice and not able to keep anything down. Long story short I was very ill and had dilated esophagus and my band was emptied. It took 6 months before fills could start again and I'm currently at 2.5 cc for last year and a half. Since this happened...I divorced and remarried.. and am much happier except about my weight. When I was sick I got down to 143 but I wasn't healthy now I'm up to 186 and healthy but I am struggling to loose weight…

I threw out the junk I had, IM going to exercise today, I am going to my lapband doctor and if I gained, I will face the music and hopefully I will get a fill. I see my therapist today and will talk to her about how I am using food to deal. Onward and upward!

Had my 2nd fill Thursday - up to 4.25cc. Not having any problems. Able to eat. What could be causing this? Thanks.

Had my 2nd fill 11/21/13. 2cc's. Up to 4.25. Lost 6 more lbs for a total of 38 lbs Feeling great! Having Thanksgiving with hubby's side of the family which means a lot of food. Having potluck at work Monday, again, a lot of food! Will eat healthy and measure out approximate of 4oz and after eating plan on going walking my 4 miles on Thanksgiving. I walk 30 mins each day at work. I know I will get thru the holidays because I am determined!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I know slim fast usually is high in sugar but I've found a shake by them that has 20g of protein and only 2g of sugar! It is so good! If you can't find one you like you should go try it.

I was banded on 10/25 and have not had eegular bowel movments since. I tlkd to the dr and he suggested metamucil daily and miralax. Neither have been working. I talked to a friend who suggested pinnaple juice, sugar free candy or prune juice. Still no relief any suggestions im very uncomfortable and want to get regular again.

Wow no matter how many times you read about it there is never a way to know what it feels like. I was sitting at my desk checking emails at the same time I was having some scrambled eggs. I don't think I was paying attention and just kept eating. Low and behold ----PAIN!!! Thought I was having a heart attack! I work in a cardiac Cath lab so this is everyone's biggest fear----can't be me. Thank goodness I have read do much on here and know what it was! I got up and started walking--no relief. I had a dip of milk----no relief. I was sweating and thought how am I going to get this to pass. Next thing---got sick!!! That pain was gone but still didn't feel all that great. …

Does anybody else have problems for a few days after they have a fill? its only for 2-3 days then im able to eat properly again. Is it from swelling?

So since my fourth fill (4cc's) I have been throwing up every day. Its been 3 weeks - the first 2 I could only hold down liquids and mushy foods. I was able to eat a half deli meat sandwich a few times and not throw up but then other times I try that and I do throw up. Some days are much worse than others. But on the average I throw up at least one meal if not all meals every day. All my friends keep telling me to go get Fluid taken out. But I am concerned maybe its just me - I had practically no restriction with 3 cc's. I can usually eat - f/f cottage cheese, greek yogurt, crackers, toast, light non-chunky Soup, belvita Breakfast biscuit I held down a few times (but t…

I had my first fill a week ago. 3cc's. I have been hungry all week even though I have tried to eat 6 to 7 times a day. I didn't expect to be in the green right away but didn't expect to be this hungry. Not to mention the scale is not moving. Ugh...

I had my first fill on Monday and ever since I have had a tight feeling in my chest. I'll also get a sharp pain in my back. Not so much in my shoulder like when I had my surgery. Is it just sore from the fill? food is going down ok. I need to practice eating slower. After so many years of eating fast sometimes I forget.

I just read people talking about no fills, or 2 to 5 fills being what gets you to the green zone. I have had like 6 fills and I don't think I am in the green zone yet. I know everyone is different, but reading these things gives me a moment of self doubt....is this not gonna work for me? am I not going to get into the green zone? Ugh. Reassurance needed....