Lumpy

Congrats! I went thru hell too. I ended up doing 10 months because I had to start over with the 6 mos hoop because I had two appointments too close to gether but in different months. That SUCKED! But I finally got it all done and approved and had the band Dec. 2007. I was 250, went to 150 and now at 170 and happy! Trying to loose 10 lbs now. I got off track this fall.

Wooo Hooo...... I just got my insurance approval!!!!! Just waiting now for my surgery date.

It has been a long six months of jumping through hoops but now I am already on my sugar busters and sitting on ready.

wow, you have lost the weight fast! Are you eating healthy? I lost 100 lbs. my first 6 months. I was going by the rules but looking back, I don't think I was getting enough food. I still don't believe 1/2 cup is enough. The first 2 years I was so tired with no energy at all. How are you feeling. I had them take some Fluid out so I could eat more to gain some energy. I did gain a few lbs, but started to feel better and had energy instead of laying on the couch every minute when home.

You will do just fine! This is coming from somone who feels the EXACT same way you do about needles!!!! BUT i went in for my first fill and was all worked up and nervous and it was like a little bee sting literally the Dr. was giving me a hand up and I was like what's wrong and he said nothing you're all done. You feel a small sting some pressure and then hear a click and you're done. It really is very simple. You will do great just remember to breath:-)!!

Well most all times it burned like a little bee sting when inserting but that's all. After that, no pain at all. The last time I hardly felt it. It all depends on how good the nurse is injecting the needle. Actually, I think it's pretty cool that they can excess my port like that.

I need to get my first adjustment and I'm uncomfortable with needles, does it hurt? What should I expect? Any residual pain? Also typically how much is put into a first adjust if anyone knows?

I didn't tell anyone but my husband about my surgery. So glad I did it this way. I told my mom 2 days after and she was supportive and agreed that I shouldn't have told her before because she probably would have worried too much and talked me out of it. I haven't told anyone else. I feel like this is my journey. I don't need anyone else's input.

You just do what you want and need to do. I'm very open and tell everyone because I can't lie and act like I lost 100 lbs on my own. Of course, I did everything right, but without my tool, it would've been impossible. I'm not too proud. It is what it is. I'm proud that I have accomplished my goal even if it took some assistance. I healthy 80 lbs lighter and happy. Good luck!

I've been very select to whom I tell about my surgery. My boyfriend has been skeptical but supportive. Well I decided to tell my mom and my nephew. Well needless to say all I heard was people die from those things, just stop eating, it's not going to work or you will do good for a few months then gain it back or just exercise. I was hurt but got mad. I finally said it's going to happen and my mind is made up. I didn't say it in an ugly fashion. My children are supportive and the 3 other people I did tell.

From this point forward I will not tell a soul. I told my boyfriend to not take any time off from work. I will do this alone. He was not happy but I know he will make sure I follow the doctors orders to a T. (Ex-military) and have me exercising daily.

I would love to have some removed but can't afford it and really don't need it. I just know under my tripceps, between my thighs and my gut could be much tighter. It's not to gross looking. I would love to donate. I am a donor. I would do it now, if I know the surgery would go well. I'm scared that I'd regret it or get batch job. I had breast lift and looks like a doctor did one breast and a kid did the other. They are totally different and it sucks!!!

I got my in 2007. Its about 3 inches above and right of my belly button. It's a little tilted and I can feel it and see a bump sometimes but no problem with the fills even though the needle always stings! But I have a scar about 2 inches wide on my stomach and would prefer it be under my arm. Plus your port in 2014 probably is smaller and better than mine from 2007. I think you will be just fine!

My port hurts sometimes I'm leaning or laying on it like in bed, lounge chair or against my desk and my elastic waste band is right in that location so I would prefer it be in deifferent location, but I'm just glad I have it!

wow, yall done so well. I did good but gained some lbs back. My band slipped now so starting over since banded in 2007. But from size 24 to 12 isn't bad. I am healthier now than ever. I just have to retrain myself and remember the rules that I got away from. I rather be size 12 or 10 and healthy with the band than size 24 and feel like shit and die early in life.

Of course, if I felt I was getting too skinny, I would take some Fluid out. As a matter of fact, for 2 years after my surgery I had NO energy so I had Fluid pulled out so I could eat more just so I could have some energy.

well, I got the band in 2007 and just had it repositioned because it slipped. I have no idea when it slipped...I think back and remember a period where I was having trouble with it being tight a year ago. So I am day 6 post op and only have 3 Boost Protein shakes a day right now and doing well. I do have hunger pains, but I tell myself, it's ok, I'm not starving and it's not a big deal to have hunger pains. Rather have them and be size 12 than size 24.

I was 250 and lost 100, got to 150 in just 6 months. I was VERY careful and strict with my diet. I went from size 24 to 8, yes in 6 months. I am now in size 12 at 173 lb now but working on it.

It's so important to think healthy! The band is a tool and you can still eat calories and fat and the band won't help. So don't think this is a quick fix. You have to do the work! I would do it all over again and again.

Start exercising!!!! best thing for you! Good luck!!

It is nice, huh? As time goes on you will start to have hunger pains as the surgery heals.. but still evan later on, it's nice to have the band keep you feeling full longer than with out the band. I love my band, but there have been times when I had a rough go at it. Just go by the rules!! Good luck!

Can't believe it is day 3. Still on clear liquid diet until tmrw, then goes to full liquids. Have absolutely NO hunger pains whatsoever. My total intake last two days is two bottles of gatorade, small black coffee and a bowl of Vietnamese pho broth. This just seems crazy to me, but I am along for the ride at this point. Started feeling some tight pain in stomach area last night and took a pain pill. Slept fine no problems. Went to work this morning for 4 hours, now back home trying to take it easy. Kinda hard to put on my socks and/or bend down this morning when putting on my suit.

Every time I tried a diet in the past it was always the hunger pains that got me miserable and put me in a really bad mood. So weird not to have them. I basically have not had much to eat or drink since monday morning, and have dropped 13 pounds since then. It almost seems too good to be true, but then again I have read on this site that almost no one feels hungry after banding surgery for a while.

Congrats on the band! I was banded in 2007 and on Feb. 14 had my slipped band put back in place. I remember now those pains up around my shoulder and neck area. It's weird. I'm doing fine but can't wait for it to all be gone.

I'm doing full liquids right now and not really hungry, thank God!

Good luck!

OMG! I LOVE peanutbutter...eat it right out of the jar every day!

I feel like I could do some really light and simple exercises... 6 weeks without anything but walking...omg!

I have Peanut Butter by the jar with my hot cocoa (1% milk, spenda, cocoa) DAILY! I gotta have it, but try to limit myself just just one and that is usually after I get home from work or the gym.

If you can't get it down don't eat it or loosing your band.

I was banded in 2007 and had it SLIPPED and repositioned yesterday so I MUST be more careful this time. I think my band was too tight; after looking back. Well, I started 'slimming' all the time and a quite a few times vomiting. Then I'd do liquids for a day or so hoping the food would pass but ended up draingin my band a few times because I couldn't pass liquids. If you cant drink liquids, tea, Water, milk you are in a bind. Have the band drained right away. Don't wait a week or two and have the band and you suffer.

You also need to change the way you think. I brain wash myself. When that cheeseburger comes on the tv, I change the channel and tell myself it's so gross and not healthy at all.

It is all worth it to loose 100 lbs and feel 30 years unger without alot of problems or meds.

This is serious stuff!!!! Good luck!

I was banded in 2007 and only had trouble with liquids when I had something stuck and had to have my band drained. I am a gulpper! List to your band, test it with a few swallows first. I was rebanded yesterday due to 'slipped band'. Why? because of slimming and vomiting. DONT DO THIS!!! Be careful to chew your food to mush!!! and only eat the half cup. I never ate a half cup...more like 1-2 cups. I asked my doctor yesterday about gulping, he said gulping Water is fine. I told him I jog ang gulp Water. I asked about gulping down HOT tea, coffee and he said that's fine and hot is fine too. So I know it's the food that stretches the pounch and causes you trouble.

I was banded in 2007 and was better in about a week. I just had my band repositioned yesterday and gained 6 lbs in a day. I have, I guess it's gas pain, at the top of my shoulders/neck area. My tummy feels bloated. Hope this leaves soon.

I don't think it's a slip of the band. But if you are having pain, something is wrong. Perhaps nothing to do with your band, but who knows. PAIN is warning that somethings wrong.

I could use some advice. I'm not sure if my band slipped. I've researched and I don't have any problems eating or keeping fluids down. I don't have pressure in the area. And when I press against my stomach in the area where the band is located, there is no pain. The only problem I am having is pain, kind of feels like a pulled muscle but its in the area located around the band. It started yesterday after I woke up. I experienced no pain until after I lifted my 18 month old. Now it hurts to lift either of my sons, at times after standing up and moving around I feel nausiated but its not nausiation from eating or drinking. The only time I'm not feeling pain is when I'm laying down.

Here's my problem. I had the surgery in 2007 and it was paid for out of pocket. I have no insurance as I am currently unemployeed. I have never had any problem with the band except one time in 2009 I wasn't paying attention while eating and I didn't chew my food correctly and a piece of food became stuck. At that time I went and they deflated the band, the food passed through. My band has NOT been inflated since that time because I went from $40,000 a year, to $8.75 an hour to now not being employeed.

I hate my doctor with a passion. If I had to do it again, I would have the surgery with another surgeon. When the food became stuck in 2009 he yelled at me. Yelled, not talking to me as a normal person would with a loud voice but yelled at me. It was extremly unprofessional and uncalled for...trust me I didn't get the food stuck on purpose, it was a mistake and one that I have never repeated. I also refuse to go see him again because of how he yelled at me...did I mention he yelled at me!

Anyway, if I do have to go to see a doctor, it will have to be an ER at different hospital who also does lap band surgery and being unemployeed, I have no idea how I'm going to pay the bill.

I'm a bit worried because I literally have no money to go to the ER. Advice would be appreciated.

So, my question is...do you think its a slippage or maybe just a pulled muscle in the area of the band.

I have no idea....weird..call your doctor. Other than the noise, does it feel funny or bad?

All of a sudden, over the last 2 -3 weeks my band makes the loudest noises just after a couple bites if food. I have 2-3 bites and the noise kicks in and I have to stop and wait 30 min to an hour before I can resume my meal. I wanted to know if only I could hear it or if people around me could too. So I recorded it and it is loud. To save embarrassment I will only have some Soup at lunch at work. I don't want people around me to hear.
Anyone have any ideas. I had a fill last November but it seems like the noise has started the last couple of weeks. Anyone have any info ?? Help!

Well, I was banded in 2007 at 250 lbs. Lost 100 lbs in 6 mos beacuse I went by the rules!!!! Over the past few years, I started cheating some and forgetting some rules. I got down to 150 lbs and now at 173. Found out my band has slipped so going back under to reposition it Feb. 14. I can't wait wait. I don't think I will want my band to be as tight has I have had it in the past. I've learned that you must exercise and eat healthy. Think if your body like a car. You have to keep the oil changed and filters clean for it to last 200K miles, well you have to put in good fuel to your body to feel good too. Even if I had the band removed, I am far better off today than before because getting banded to begin with gave me that tool and condifendce to help myself. I could've never done it by myself. Now that I know what I need to do, I could be ok with out but I know it still would be hard. So I choose to have my band repositioned instead of removed (hopefully) so I won't be hungry all the time.

You can't go by what others say or what you read about people. You have to know what you are capable of doing and are you willing to give up so much to get healthier. You won't be joining people eating all the time at parties and when you go out to dinner, you will eat like a little bird. It's your choice.

I'll say one thing! I'd do it again and again because I am healthier now and feel 20 years younger. Yes, sometimes, I think I'd like to eat the entire pizza, etc. but now I tell myself, that's why I got to 250 and it's not good for me and I don't want to go back to getting out of breath with I tie my shoes, etc. I can do so much now. I'm jogging and exercising. You can do it to!

Good luck!

I'm brand new here and about 4-6 weeks away from lap band surgery. I was doing great and had totally made up my mind about the surgery until yesterday. I told a friend about my plans and she was mortified by this. She said she had seen many people fail and/or end up with major complications. I Googled lapband complications and there are a number of people out there who are not happy about their surgery.

After reading that, I'm second guessing myself and would like to get some feedback from others who have had success with the lap band. I'm freaking out. Is this normal? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you. Nina

I think you will be alright, not feeling your best and a little sore but if you're just sitting at a desk you should be alright. I took a week off and thought it was a little longer than what I needed because I didn't have an active job. But you have to do what you have to do.

There was no way I'd have went back to work 3 days post op. I didn't have any bad pain or anything, but I took my meds...ALL of them. I took two weeks off work...probably a few days more than really necessary.
But each person is different. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

Thanks for your input catfish...With my upcoming schedule, I don't know that I will have much choice, but your story and what I've been reading does make me think...outside of gas pains and soreness of the incisions, what else should I be thinking about for post op?

I don't understand either. I'm on a two week liver shrinking diet. I have my Booste high Protein shake twice a day with small fruit for snack and very light dinner. I have no idea why they would want you to have clear before the surgery. I just know it works. This will clean you out too so you don't crave carbs.

I'm on day 4 of my 5 day pre op clear liquid diet. Any suggestions on how to beat this sluggish feeling. Not feeling so well. Also, any ideas on why there are so many varieties of pre op diets? A month, a week, 5 days. Clear liquids , Protein shakes, food. I do have a Protein supplement totals 65g a day, very curious... Why clear liquids...

Yes! Get you a good one. You don't need to spend $600 but it would be worth it! Spend at least $200. You'll use it a lot for a long time.

I am schedule for Feb. 14 to reposition my band that slipped. I got banded Dec. 2007 and have done very well! Good luck!

I'm scheduled for Feb 6. Can't wait! Start my 3 week liquid diet Friday.

Hi there, sounds like you have a good understanding of all this. I got banded in Dec. 2007, lost 100 lbs. I thought my band was really tight because I could hardly eat 1/2 cup...so later I asked to have it loosened so I can eat more because I was just so sleepy and no energy at all. I ate more and started feeling better but then stll from time to time I would be in the bathroom slimming for 30 minutes, etc. Over 6 years, I thought I was doing pretty good. I started picking up on some bad habits again, but still jogged and ate good. I never know when I can eat. Out of the blue I will be TIGHT. Other days, I can eat a lot. So I throw up once in a while and slimming here and there. I had no idea that my band slipped. It could've slipped a year ago. I have no idea when it slipped. Other than my throat burning from reflux, I think my band is just fine. Well, I need it reposition and have to start all over with my band. Hopefully, everything will go well. I'll find out after I wake up from the surgery in a few weeks. I realize now that I MUST go by the rules even if I feel ok....Do you think it wil slip again?

Hello...

It all depends on how bad the slippage is, will determine what your options are.

If your band has truly 'slipped' you need to get it surgically fixed, removed or replaced.

The Band-aid approach is to remove all saline, go on a liquid diet for a bit and slowly refill and most people are ok with this, however, it may be difficult for you to get back into the Green zone WITHOUT reflux and other issues. But this can be managed by either taking PPi's (acid reducers) and not keeping the band too tight.

If things get worse, your only options are is to fix the band, your surgeon can re-position the band if it has slipped out of place,, there are several types of band slippage,

Here are some information on Band slippage, hopefully it can help you out.

Good luck

Lapband Slippage

Lap Band Slippage - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

A condition in which sometimes the stomach wall can slip through the band resulting in lap band slippage. This slipping will result in a bulge above the band. Sometimes this will resolve itself, others it will be more severe and have side effects such as nausea and making it harder to eat or drink. The following pictures depict a normal and a slipped band.
Normal Band



Slipped Band





Two common types of slippage:

Anterior slippage: the front of the stomach slips past the band. To try to secure the band at the time of installation, the stomach on either side of the band is stiched together trapping the band.
Posterior slippage: the rear of the stomach slides up through the band. This type of slippage was more common in the early 90's in Europe because they used the perigastric technique. Since then they've moved to the method employed in the U.S. and now commonly accepted as safe, the pars flaccida method.

Diagnosis of Band Slippage: How can you tell?

Usually it's fairly simple to diagnose. If a patient has had no problems for a period of time and suddenly has acid reflux or if you can eat more than before with a tight band it may mean that the small pouch has been stretched by overeating and some of the stomach has pulled through the band. An x-ray with barium easily confirms the issue.
As stated earlier, nausea or difficulty eating may accompany slippage. The only sure way to tell is to visit your doctor and have a ugi series also known as an upper GI series x-ray.

Treatment of Band Slippage:

• Mild slip: Deflate the band; reinflate in one to two weeks.
• Moderate slip: Deflate the band, operate to reposition band.
• Severe slip: Deflate band and operate to remove band.
• Less than five percent of patients will require removal or reoperation
• In extreme cases the stomach above or within the band may need to be removed.

Prevention of Band Slippage:

• Appropriate band placement by surgeon
• Careful progression of diet by patient. Follow your meal plan to a "T" No solid foods for 4 weeks.
• Wait at least 6 weeks for first adjustment.
• Avoid vomiting or purging
• Avoid over eating and stretching the stomach pouch
• Chew food slowly and completely

wow....you're doing great!

Good luck to you in surgery tomorrow.

Seems everyone is doing great. I got banded Dec. 2007, lost 100 lbs in 6 mos....kept it off a while and over the past 4 years gained 28 lbs. I started at 250, went down to 150 and now at 178. Just learned my band has slipped bad and had my band drained. I have to start all over and have band fixed. But I am excited and at the same time realize that even though I thought I wasn't doing so bad, I really was doing harm to my band causing all the reflux and slipage. I need to learn to seat SLOWLY.