project lisa

Update - it's been a tough time since May 2011! I was banded and then got an infection in my incision- I ended up at a wound clinic and on antibiotics for weeks - it got worse and I had the lap band removed 4 weeks post op. In August the lap band was replaced and for about 7 weeks I had good restriction and lost a total of 80 pounds between my pre diet and November. I stayed at the same weight until March - no loss - no gain and then I began to gain - I went every month and got fills but my diabetes flared up and I had to increase my insulin- this made me hungry and so I ate more. At some point I just gave up trying. Today it's been 14 months and I have gained 20 pounds in the past 4 months. AAAAGGGG frustration! Today I returned to the doctor and got another fill - my band now has over 7 cc. I am frequently asked if I would do the lap band again if I had to do over -- I can honestly say NO! I feel like I wasted $16K and after a total of 5 surgeries still have a bmi of 46. My weight is the same as it was a year ago in July!

I agree with you - live your life - drink in moderation and count the calories in your daily intake. I have a margarita when I want one and I am still losing weight - my first one was about 4 weeks post op with no problems

It happened - after losing over 60 pounds - I bought a new pair of shoes and had to get 1/2 size smaller than normal! Yea I love it when I find a new place that is skinnier! it beats the heck out of the years I spent going to the closet and finding everything I wanted to wear was too small.

I am pretty new to this process but in my experience if I pay attention to my body and follow the doctors instructions to cut meat small and chew everything very well I don't have a problem - it's when I gulp something down that causes issues. I forget sometimes like earlier this week I was very hungry and made a PBJ sandwich and just practically inhaled half of it ( old habits die hard) I'm talking two bites and half of the sandwich was gone - I immediately knew I had made a mistake - to correct it I began drinking water and it quickly passed. Lesson learned - eat before I am starving hungry and pay attention to what goes into my mouth!

great progress - keep it up!

I also had a post op infection and had the tubing and port removed. They put it back in 4 weeks later and I have not had any problems in the 2 months since. I am losing weight much slower than I was prior to the removal.

Banded on 5/26/2011 68 pounds lost! It's been very slow the past 7 weeks and I am getting a fill every 2 weeks-

I can relate- in the beginning I was similar - I use low calorie gatorade instead of water - it comes in many flavors and will give you the electrolytes you need. Keep moving forward you can do this!

I can relate- in the beginning I was similar - I use low calorie gatorade instead of water - it comes in many flavors and will give you the electrolytes you need. Keep moving forward you can do this!

I took Phazyme - 2 small red pills eased my gas pains as well as hot showers- 3 - 4 x day and let the water hit on my aching shoulder. Both of these along with walking helped ease the pain a great deal. I had intense pain for more than a week due to gas. Good Luck - the first two weeks are hard but very well worth it.

Glad to hear you are doing so well.... keep up the walks and follow all the instructions - for many people the 3rd day post op is the hardest.

I was banded 5/26/2011 --- had tubing and port removed 7/12/2011 ( no fill in band) due to post op infection have lost 56 pounds - having tubing and port replaced 8/11/2011 ready for some restriction but still losing about 3 pounds per week - smaller stomach is making a difference in hunger

I received a card from the lap band company indicating the serial number of the lap band installed inside me but there was nothing mentioned about being able to order from a children's menu - I have never heard of this. Where did you receive this information?

Wow - this is an interesting issue- I would think after being banded and having significant weight loss you would be a much better risk - fewer co-morbidities and some assurance of not having to deal with future obesity issues. People frequently talk about healthcare reform - as a nurse I believe it starts with the insurance companies and employers who contract with them - As a nation we should reward healthy behaviors and lifestyles and possibly tax those who make other choices - If I chose to live an unhealthy lifestyle why should I not be the one to pay for the consequences like diabetes, hypertension and joint problems?