julieh

Steve, Thanks so much for giving me the name of your Dr. I would greatly appreciate a phone number for her so I can get some more information. Like, there are a lot of Dr.s who won't touch me because I had my lap band put surgery in Mexico. Also, how much does she charge for a fill and other appointments? I am so anxious to start losing weight again and I hope that my band hasn't slipped. Julie

Hey Steve, I moved to Staten Island a year ago, July 2011. I had my lap band surgery back in December 2007, in Mexico. At the time I lived in Southern Utah and it was cheaper to go to Mexico. Anyway, fast forward 5 years, I have gained back all the weight I did lose and now I trying to figure out where to even find a lap band center here in New York City. If you could reply to my email and give me some information on this, I would greatly appreciate it! JulieMOm

Oatmeal is about the only thing I can have for breakfast and I love it. I just do the plain oatmeal with honey!!!! Yummy!!

I absolutley love this post!!! I had my lap band surgery almost a year ago on December 17, 2007. So far I have lost around 60 lbs. Sometimes I get so frustrated because I see other people who have lost more than me in that same period of time and wonder why mine is taking so long. However, I know that it is my fault because I am having such a hard time staying away from the sweets!! I did really good for the first 6 months, but started slacking a little, and can't seem to give up the sweets. I am still in a better place this year than I was last year at this time. I can't believe what a differnce losing 60 lbs has made. I also have established a very good exercise habit and because of this I haven't gained any weight because of my sweet tooth. I just know I would have lost more weight if I could control my sweet tooth. I guess I thought the lap band would work miracles and make it so I wouln't or couldn't eat sweets anymore!!!!! So bottom line.....I know it is still up to me to change my eating habits. The band has and will continue to help me, it just isn't going to do it all by itself. Hopefully this next year I can keep plugging away at it, and keep working on my bad habits to lose another 60 lbs next year!!!!! Slowly but surely I can get this excess weight off!!! Good luck to you all!!!! Have a Happy Holiday Season!!!!!

I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who has those days where I can eat anything and everything and then the next day not get anything down. On 9/26 I got a fill which took me to 2.65 in my 10 cc band...I felt no restriction at all, so a week later on 10/3 I went and got another .35 which took it up to 3 for a total. I feel like a have a little restriction, but I have to eat alot more to get the restriction. Just to test it out I ordered a chicken sandwich from Wendy's and was able to eat almost the whole thing bread and all before I started to feel restricted!! I feel kind of like Bandfun4me, I don't get that stuck feeling, but I do feel full? I am so confused!! My Dr. wants me to go back to have the band checked out because he thinks I have enough of a fill........ However, I have lost 6 lbs in the last two weeks....when you get close to the sweet spot, do you feel more full and less restriction? (Does that make sense?)

I just tried your healthy pancakes and can I just say one word? YUM!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe, I can still have a pancake and protein too!!! My daughter even liked it It will definetley be a favorite of mine!!!!

In comparing the two surgeries, I have to say they were both pretty much the same. The only difference was that I had more gas pains with the Lap Band than with the gallbladder surgery. I think that is because of the changes made to the stomach. As far as recovery time, it is about the same for me. I am sure you will do fine with the lap band surgery. When do you have your surgery? I can honestly say that I am soooo happy with my band, I wish I would have done it sooner. Good luck and let me know how everything goes for you.

I had my gallbladder surgery on 5/23/08 one week sooner than I was scheduled. All went well. All I can say is that pain medicine is great!!! My Dr. did tell me that alot of people who lose weight have gallbladder problems....intersting huh? I am just glad that I don't ever have to worry about having that type of pain again. I have never hurt so bad in my life!!! My stomach is still a little bloated from the gas they use to enlarge it during the surgery, but other than that, all is good. Thanks for your help!!

Thanks for all of your responses. It makes me feel better to know that someone else has had the same surgery and that all is ok!!!

I just found out yesterday that I have to have my gallbladder removed. I have a horrible gallbladder attack on Sunday and ended up in the ER. Has anyone had this surgery since having their lap band? I just want to make sure that this surgery will not hurt my band. If anyone has any advice on this topic, please let me know!!!! Thanks!!!

Thanks!! I go to the fill center in Las Vegas, Nevada and I pay $165.00 a fill and had to pay $360 for the initial visit. It's good to know that the prices are comparable.

Bel, How did your fill go? Thanks for your advice on protein. I am going to a health food store to see what I can find with high protein and low carbs. What protein powder do you use? Do you use the P40 powder you told me about? I want one that tastes good too, if possible!!!

I am just curious as to how much it costs for a fill in Pocatello? That is near by home town of Burley. It would give me a good excuse to travel to Idaho!!!!

I am looking for a protein shake with high protein and low carbs. Does anyone know of anything like that? I am exercising 1 to 1 1/2 hours a day, 5 times a week. My Dr. told me to make sure to keep the protein high in order to build muscle. Right now he wants me to have 100 grams of protein a day. What has alot of protein??????

I had my surgery in mexico and was able to get my fill in Las Vegas, NV (which is closer to my home in St. George, UT). I know that there is a fill center in Boise, ID. Go to fill centers usa on the web. What part of Idaho do you live in? I was raised in Burley, Idaho and have lived in Driggs, Idaho as well.

I feel the same way!!! I was banded on December 17, 2007 and have had one fill on February 15, 2008. I have lost 50 lbs and continue to lose 1-2 lbs a week. I can also eat about anything I want. The only thing I have a problem with is bread or dry meat. Then if I eat it too fast or if the meat is too dry, I get that same horrible stuck feeling. However, as I am eating, I listen to my body and when I start to feel full, I burp alot. When I start burping, I know I need to stop eating because if I don't it really hurts. Even though I can just about eat everything, I am still eating alot less than I wasa before my surgery. It seems like during the daytime I have more restriction and at night time I have a little less. Does this happen to anyone else? I was going to get another fill, but I figure as long as I am losing at the rate I am, and am able to take my pills and eat a variety of food, I will wait until I have absolutley no restriction. Hope this helps!!!!

I hope your day is going better!! I know I have days where I eat something I shouldn't and I beat myself up for it. But then I look and realize that I am still not eating 1/2 as much as I used to and I am not eating the junk I used to. I know I am impatient with the weight loss. If I look back at where I started in November 2007, I have lost 45 lbs. So that averages out to 10+ lbs a month, which is great!!!! Sometimes I lose track of this. I only know that now I am only losing 1 to 2 lbs a week and it's too slow!!!! As far as the Protein. I questioned my Dr. about why he wanted me to eat so much. He told me that I should eat 1/2 my weight in protein to keep my muscles strong. I just can't seem to get that without drinking Protein drinks, and then that takes the place of my food and I am still hungry!!!! Hang in there and we will figure this thing out. I am glad I have people in my same situation who understand this whole lap band thing. We will have to help each other!!!!

I am following the rules about not drinking 30 minutes before and 1 hour after meals, and I am also chewing chewing chewing!! Even eating with a baby spoon!!! My Dr. told me I needed 125 grams of protein....How in the heck do I get that when I can't even eat that much food?????

I have a 10 cc band and received 3 cc's during my first fill on 2/15/08. I still have some restriction, but am not losing the weight as fast as I want to. I just wonder how much 1cc more will help me. When I look at what people are saying they eat in a day, I think I am eating too much, because I eat around 1 cup of food at every meal. Sometimes it's enough and sometimes I want more. But I am still losing weight slowly. I don't know what to do!!!!

Snowbird, I had my surgery by Dr. Martinez (Dr. Ortiz) on 12/17/07. Are you going back there for your fills? I had my first fill done in Las Vegas and think I will probably keep going there since it is so close to my home in St. George, UT.

I have the same question. However, I have only had one fill on 2/15/08. I am still feeling a little restriction and wonder if I should wait till it is totally gone, or if I should go for another one shortly.

I had my first fill on 2/15/08 and received 3 cc in my 10cc band. I am feeling a little restriction but wish I had more. However, I have noticed that if I don't chew chew chew, I can feel it all the way down!!!! I still feel hungry quite often and am not sure how to fix that. My Dr. recommended that I have 125 grams of Protein a day, there is no way I can eat all of that. Anyone have any idea of how to get that in? Thanks!!!

Thanks for your replies!!! They have helped tremendously. I have a 10cc band and on my first fill (Friday 2/15/08) the Dr. put in 3 cc. Today is the first day that I am eating solids, and I am not feeling any restriction. Is that normal just after a fill? Or does it take a while for the restriction to start?

I am having a hard time knowing how much food I am supposed to eat at a meal!! I have read several articles on how much to eat and it ranges from 1/4 cup every meal, to 1/3 cup every meal, to 1/2 cup every meal, to no more than 1 cup every meal!!!! Which one am I supposed to do? I just received my first fill yesterday and I don't want to hurt my band!!

My port is under my left breast too. I was banded 12/17/07 and it is only sore now if I stretch to far. Or sometimes if my waistband is too tight. My BMI was quite high so that is probably why my port is where it is.