JennieT311

I have had the same issues. I am never sure what they are thinking or not thinking. The reasons beteen filling and not filling has never made since to me. True Results in Pheonix screwed up my port, hid it from than refused to give me a fill. They never took a picture to see where my restriction was, the True Result has taken pictures and proved to me that Pheonix drs. never had me at any type of restriction. I have my band for nearly two years, I have only had true restriction for one month. I would ask to do berium swollow/x-ay to see your restriction.

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. I'm hoping I can stick to this but I completely agree this is a very hard habit to quit!!!! And of course I'm sure you all would agree when you are hungry sometimes smoking can curve that so I am trying very hard now before my surgery not to pick at food when all I want is to smoke. I'm going stay on this track til at least my surgery so I can heal properly and hopefully HOPEFULLY never start again!

I hate to admit this, but this forum is about honesty and helping each other. I am a current smoker - before the surgery and still today, 5 1/2 months later. I tried to quit, but my life is hectic and too many life changes at once didn't seem like a good idea at the time. I know, neither is/was smoking. However, as any smoker knows - this is a horrible habit and once you pick it up it holds on for dear life. That's neither here nor there. But to answer your question, I haven't had any adverse affects from smoking but I have cut down a lot - the desire is just not as strong as it was before the lapband.
WE have to stop smoking. It is imperative. Being a smoker, I understand that it is easier said than done...but it can be done.
Good luck and best wishes!

i'm an a on and off smoker. for over 20yrs. i hadn't smoked for almost 11mts before the surgery and then about 3 wks ago.. life in general was well CRAZY that i relapsed.. that didn't last long i could see how much the chemicals messed with me i was retaining Water like crazy - felt like crap..
all i can say for giving up.. it's a one day at a time for the rest of your life.. least that's how it is for me. every day i wake up and decided. usually for the best..
It is most certainly the right thing to quit before surgery.. it can really mess with how you heal. and i talk from past experience . I know it's easy for other folks to say just quit.. it's a drug and an addictive one at that you just have to want something more than that smoke....
best of luck i hope you find something that works for you

I quit about 3 years ago, this is when my weight went out of control (way before band). I used Champix (called Chantix in the USA) and LOVED it. I still miss smoking but it is an awful habit, so I will never go back. Good luck, I know it is hard! I smoked for about 20 years uggh!

Just wanted to know if anyone else was or is still a smoker. I have to quit a month before surgery and after reading some of the paper work given to me from my surgeon looks like I should never smoke again. I have been a smoker for about 15 years so quitting has been rough. Through out the last six months I have tried to quit but then after week 2 I went back to smoking. Just wondering if anyone else was or is going through the same thing.

Im from pittsburgh. Dr Anita Courcoulas at Magee was my surgeon...love her. I did not have a preop diet either. I was banded in June. Keep in touch...good luck

Hello there, Wow it's great to see someone from my area on here! I saw your location and am also from western PA!! However, I am just beginning the process, I have decided on Lap Band surgery. Can you tell me a little about your initial visit to the doctor. I am scheduled to go to an informative meeting on December 5th. Back in 2008 I began the process, but decided to hold off and wait, we were trying for another child. I remember meeting with the nurse and then with the psychologist but that was when she told me that it may be a good idea to not have the surgery since I had some doubts and was actively trying to conceive. Just wondering if anything has changed. How long from the initial visit to the actual surgery? I am 37 and weigh 297 and am 5ft 9in, I'm hoping to lose weight and have better health. Hope to hear from you!

Hi K, going to be banded at Magees 12/27. I wasn't given a pre op diet either which I see on here a lot of people do.

Good morning Bandsters,
Happy Halloween! Today marks my 1 week anniversary of being banded! As of today, I am 12lbs. down, with a journey to go! I'm inspired daily with knowing that I have made the best decision ever to invest into my health!