cmacinga

Today is my one year anniversary of having the lap-band surgery. I have lost 50 pounds as of this morning and 4 dress sizes. I guess I am one of the slow ones to get to goal, which will be 50 more pounds and 4 more dress sizes, but I am working my way towards a better life. I walk 2 miles Monday through Friday with friends from work. I had my last fill last Friday. Doctor says I am as tight as it is going to get. Anyone else having an anniversary? What has been your progress to date? Thanks, Carol :w00t:

I often wanted to see a week's worth of what people eat. After the fill, my praticular surgeon has me on clear liquids for one week, full liquids for the second week, pureed foods, the third week, and soft foods the forth week. Just like after surgery. The same schedule. Today for breakfast I had a "Kellogg's Special K20 protein Water." I didn't feel like Isopure protein drink and I did not feel like a Protein shake. The downside is the Kelloggs protein water only has 5 grams of protein while the shakes and isopure have 40 grams. Big difference. Lunch today is a bowl of chopped up tomatoes and a side salad. I don't know what I will do with dinner. Depends if I can keep this salad down or not. So far so good. I am terrible at filling up on Crystal Lite Ice Tea all day. What is everyone else eating. Can anyone share a week's menu with us so we can get on track, too? Steamed vegies do not go down. Too much throwing up and slime and spitting up.

Thank you so much for responding. Everytime I post something, no one ever seems to want to reply to my questions. So I stopped coming to this forum for a long time. I thought one more time, I'll try and ask for some support and information. Thank you for replying. You have given me hope. I keep thinking as well, that with my next fill, I will lose more. And I do, except when I get back to the solid foods, most don't stay down all the time, and it seems like I can eat every other day. And what I reach for as the things to I know go down and stay down, but they are filled with calories. I was walking every day at lunch, 2 miles, but then, winter set in, and I have stopped walking and got busy with other stuff. So that definitely stopped my weight loss dead in its tracks. I know what I need to do, it's a matter of doing it, and struggling so much with eating every day discourages me from accepting the truth: Small portions, best food choices and exercise. God Bless you and I hope you are very successful and keep pushing forward in your weight loss journey! Carol

I'm gaining weight after 3 fills. I've read the following. Has anyone been thought this terrible time? Thanks, Carol Please read below... Lap Band and weight GAIN... Is there such a thing as having the band tightened too much? Yes, the band can be over-adjusted. When the band is too tight, patients cannot eat solid foods without regurgitating the food or feeling very uncomfortable for many hours. When the band is too tight, patients tend to gain weight because they are resorting to the liquid and/or softer foods that travel through the band easily. These foods tend to be higher in fat and higher in sugar. When patients start this dysfunctional eating pattern, they are taking in more calories than if the band was looser. A band that is too tight will also cause heartburn and coughing in some patients. If after surgery, and despite following all the rules, I am at a plateau of weight loss, what should I do? Plateaus are a normal part of the weight loss process. In the first year or two after surgery, weight loss plateau usually means that you need to come in and have a little bit of Fluid put in the band to increase restriction. Occasionally, plateaus are caused by the Band being too tight. If the Band is too tight, weight loss will resume after a little fluid is taken out of the Band. If the above causes are ruled out, we will have you keep a food and exercise diary. The diary will include the times and quantities of foods eaten, drinks taken, Protein grams consumed, and an exercise log. We may have you consult with the dietician as well. What happens if 10 years from now I start to gain weight? What do I do? We see you annually in the office for a check-up, however if you are gaining weight, it is time to come in so that we can assess the problem. It could mean that you need a little adjustment in your band volume to provide a little more restriction. There may be a problem related to the types of food you are eating or there may have been a life crisis and emotional eating or depression may be taking hold.

Hi Everyone: I am struggling with this lap-band. I am yo-yoing back and forth and can't get past the 35 pound mark. I drop to 194 then back up to 202. My problem, I think, is when I get filled, I am on liquids for 2-4 weeks, that's clear, to full liquids just like after surgery. While on that timeframe, I can lose 15 pounds no problem, cause I'm not eating. As soon as I start taking in solids, I gain. Please help! I am 9 cc filled. Last fill was one week before Thanksgiving 2007. We are nearing our one year anniversary mark, and I am no where close to goal! Thanks, Carol

how much does our band hold? what is 'PBing' ???

Hi, it's Carol. I went for my second fill lst Friday, November 16. I don't feel to good. I have not lost any more weight. A total of only 20 pounds since being banded. I am stuck. Now the doctor really filled me up. I am at 9 cc now. I think that might be too much and am tempted to call him and ask him to take some out. What do you recommend? Did anyone else get really filled up on the seond time? Doctor told me to start post-surgery diet all over again now. So that's one week clear fluids, second week, full liquids, third week, blender foods, forth week, mushies. And yes, I am missing thanksgiving this year. How much do you recommend for the second fill? how much should he have given to me and no more? looking for a number of ccs, please.

Hi, I am frustrated as well. I started at 242 and am stuck around 210. I am eating everything not because I want to, but because I can. I need to get back on track. I miss the days of chicken broth and protein drinks only. I saw a big difference in myself, but ever since I started testing out old foods again, and am not having any problem with them, I am eating them and I hate myself for falling back into my old habits. I need some real support and guidence. The only positive thing that has happened to me since surgery is I have found the love of my life and will probably be engaged next year. He's supportive very much, but still, I hate that I can't get the ball rolling again.

Count me in on the exercise! carol

Hi Indiana Lap-Banders: I am from Northwest Indiana. I was banded on May 30, 2007 I am almost 3 weeks post-op now. I have lost 30 pounds from pre-op through present time. The weight loss has slowed drastically now, as it ususally is. Moved into the pureed stage last Friday. I'm tired of eating creamed soups. That's probably why the weight loss has stopped. Too many calories.:hungry: How are the rest of you doing? any questions? Am curious where everyone in Indiana, especially those in Northwest Indiana where you chose to have your surgery done at. Carol

I'll have to look into that. I know Gerald Cahill was the first with gastric-bypass followed by the lapband. Regardless, he was the best choice for me and I am very pleased with everything from day one.

Hello Everyone: I'm from Merrillville, Indiana. If anyone out there has not yet committed to a hospital, and if you are thinking of Broadway Methodist, please contact me at cmacinga@dcgary.org and I want to share some information with you. If you have had your surgery at St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana, definitely contact me. That's where I had mine on May 30. I am with the doctor who brought the lap-band surgery to Chicago and Northwest Indiana. If you want the very best care, and you are from my area, let's talk. I started out at 240 and am now at 210. I have lots to share of a very exceptionally perfect experience, no pain, none of the horror stories that one might read of those unfortunate to have encountered complications. If anyone is also on the 6 weeks full liquids post-op, please let me know what your basic daily diet consists of. I know the cream soups are full of calories, so I'm on the protein shake, sugar free: pudding, jello, yogart and apple sauce. Good luck to anyone out there who has not yet had surgery. It's the best decision you will make to save your life!:clap2: Carol

I see everyone is taking vitamins. Where are you getting them from and are they liquid? how much are you paying. I get banded on May 29 and just want to get stuff in order. thanks!:youcandothis:

DVSABOSS: Thank you for the pdf of the cards. That will help a lot. I agree with everyone about the senior menu. I was just repeating what I was told by Grand Park Surgical Center about the "kids menu" yes, that menu is full of junk. By the way, I left Grand Park Surgical Center and went to a well-informed and trained staff of employees at St. Margaret Medical Center in Dyer, Indiana. But they had not heard of the cards either. So thanks. I will share this information with them. See how I can be told the wrong information and you folks can help straighten out the truth? !!! Thanks for being her to support all of us. God Bless each of you!!!!

Last week Friday, I went to see my pulmonary doctor, and he read the tests I took, asked me about my sleep apena, told him I had surgery for that like 3 years ago, and he said that he wanted me in the sleep lab that night. So I called my work, told them I was not coming in, went to the sleep lab last Friday night and took the sleep study. Did real bad until the cpap machine at 2 a.m. then I slept like a baby. Am on cpap machine now until surgery. Was told patients who use cpap machine up until surgery come out of surgery and recover more quickly because of all the oxegen in the blood. So then the next morning, I had the scoop down the throat test, and threw up all over the table. Luckily, I had no food in my stomach for over 15 hours, so it was dry throwing up, but it as awful. Not like I remember having when I was a teenager. So they found the dredded hiatal hernia and said something about taking a biopsy of it??? !!! When I was leaving the hospital Saturday afternoon, I asked if I was gonna be seeing them (the great nurses in the same day surgery unit) and they said, Yes, you will start out here and then go to recovery, and then to your room for a few days 3-4 days! I thought this lap-band was same day surgery then you go home. So my question is this: Does anyone else have the hiatal hernia before surgery, and did anyone else stay a few days in the hospital before being released? How was it? My surgery is May 29.

Depending on your health, you will need to get clearance from a cardiologist, a nutritionist, a psychologist, your surgeon, your anesthesiologist, blood tests, upper gi, colonoscopy, sleep study, complete poluminary function, heart ultra sound, endoscope, and more if needed. Let them check you out as much as they want. The more they find wrong now, the less chance you will have of having your surgery held up or not being performed at all. Think of this as a 'one-time' head-2-toe check-up! You'll be grateful for it later on when all you have to consentrate on is getting skinny, skinny, skinny! Good luck!

Who is Inamed? The manufacturer of the devise? Just in case, how does one contact them? Thanks for all the information!

That's interesting. Is the card laminated? When did you actually receive it and by whom?

You're right. They made it sound like "Oh everyone in the world is knowledgable about lap-band patients and honor all their requests for only being served 4 oz of a meal!" I continue to see how deceiving that place really was! I am so grateful I left them. I am not banded yet. I get banded on May 29, 2007!!!!!!!!!! thank you so much for your response about the airport. Glad to know the truth resides out there somewhere! Have a great day!

I have to wonder if that place is a scam. Cause everything went WRONG there and since I have left them, I see all their wrong doings. Beware of Grand Park Surgical Center in Merrillville Indiana. Ask plenty of questions and be sure to keep on TOP of your own paperwork. If you choose to use them, I wish you the best of luck. I don't think those cards exist at all either. And I never throught that it would set off airport alarms! Thanks for the quick response!

Has anyone received a card - one that is given to lap-band patients that you take with you when you go out to eat :hungry: that says you are a lap-band recipient and the establishment must honor your ordering off the kids menu or asking for a smaller portion and adjusting the price accordingly? Second card you take with you when you travel because the port will set off the security alarms at the airport. The card says something like you are a lap-band recipient, and you have a devise installed in your body that will set off the the alarms? I went to a seminar at Grand Park Surgical Center in Merrillville, Indiana, and they mentioned these two cards that the patients are given to make things easier on them eating out and traveling. When i asked them today for a copy of those cards to present to my surgeon at the hospital I am now with, they said they would not give me one, that it was reserved for "their patients" and that quote: "All training and availabilities are offered to all performing providers. " Does anyone have such cards that they care share with me what the wording is so that St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana can create them for their patients? Thank you.

Thank you for the clarification. It's not that I'm not interested in the topic. I'm new to the site, and didn't realize there were other sections to be visited. I simply saw the headline "abortion" and wanted to know what was going on. I actually am involved in weekend retreats twice a year to help those men and women who have had abortions or whose lives have been touched by abortions to heal and find forgiveness for themselves. I don't want to get into a discussion with anyone here about what I do as I am simply here to imporve my health through getting banded on May 29. Anyway, thank you again for your response. God Bless all of you!

I'm new to this site and had hoped it was developed to be directed to Lap-Band pre and post op support. How did abortion get thrown into this Lap-Band Chat site? Isn't this site monitored for content by someone? Wouldn't it be best to talk about these things some other place? Thank you.

I had absolutely NO problem using Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem. They are one of the BEST insurance companies for Lap-Band surgery. I have them out of Indiana, and it took all but 10 minutes after all the paperwork was there to get approved. I spoke directly to Diane, who did everything in her power to get this paperwork filed quickly. I began on April 6th and by April 13, I was approved.