JamieNP

I did A LOT of research before I chose the lapband. I also worked with people that had gastric bypass and all but one gained thier weight back. Your doctor needs to keep up on the latest research. There are more serious complications with gastric bypass, and the mortality rate during surgery is much higher. It's been 4 year for me and I am very happy. Here is a site that charts the difference. http://www.wlshelp.com/lap-band-gastric-bypass.html

Thanks!

I had a long list like yours with similar questions. Some others were. How many incicdents of MRSA have you had? How many band slippages have you had and what was the cause. What do you think causes people to "fail" at the lapband. (he says "icecream/milshakes) Can I have an MRI (yes) Can I ever have an NG tube placed? What are the signs and symptoms that I need to go to the ER or into the office?

Do you snore? Since your husband has made remarks about it, you probably have it. I got diagnosed so it was one of my comorbidities. I was on cpap. I no longer have it since I have lost the weight.

I was right on the line also. As soon as you get the approval, start your diet Remember, a liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs.

It will have the name and size of your lapband. At buffets you will get the kids price

I was in your shoes 4 years ago!. Take pictures, keep a diary. Your life will change so much!. Get excited and motivated and remember this feeling! You never want feel like this again! When you get your band, go ALL OUT! Exercise, take your vitamins and stick with the diet. You will be happy with the results. Then next year at your cook out, everyone will be telling you how great you look!

Things you need to know post op: Make sure you understand your diet. Take it slowly. You want to heal well both inside and out. What exercise can you do? (of course walking will be one). How do you get in touch with him after hours if you have a problem (like get stuck) Make sure you have a "lap band" card. It will get you discounts at eating establishments. Also, if you go out of town it will have your band information on it just in case of an emergency. Can you swallow pills, or does he recommend you crush them? Depending on how far out you are, you may get a small fill now, but don't push it. I know it's exciting, but it takes awhile for your body and mind to get used to the restriction. Your scar will heal. Mine looked HORRIBLE, and now you can hardly see it.

Ok, do the balloon trick. Take a deflated balloon. Put it over the top of a full soda bottle. Wait a little bit...see what happens. This could happen to your "pouch". It is not just empty calories. Oh, and it corrosive also. You can use it to clean the battery acid off of your car battery. Drink water.

It was one of the rules from my surgeon. I don't miss it. I have had one sip and it made me feel "gassy"

I stretch my arms above my head..it kind of stretches my stomach and helps a bit.. If you are at home, you can get down on your hands and knees and put your arms out stretched, with your butt up in the air..It looks weird but it can help, otherwise, you will have to run to the bathroom..if you start getting hiccups..stop eating!

Four years ago, I began my journey and became a member of Lapband Talk. I am a Registered Nurse, and researched every article I could find on what type of surgery to have. When I went in for my initial family doctor's appointment, I was well prepared...I had already typed out my health history, weight history, and every diet plan I had ever tried. My doctor referred me to a bariatric doctor and I did the same with my surgeon's initial visit. Also included was a list of questions that I had about the surgery. I am sure they thought I was some geek. Here is what I have learned throughout the last 4 years and a bit of advice for those starting out. 1. Research pays off: talk to people that have had different types of bariatric surgeries. Look at the pros and cons. Can you handle the cons? 2. LBT provides great support. Use it and learn from others 3. If your insurance denies you, don't give up. I wrote a letter of appeal and got it. Just include research and your past medical history. 4. Restriction varies. You can be "tight" in the morning and then feel as though you have litle restriction in the evening. 5. Don't shoot for "too tight"...it is MISERABLE not being able to swallow your own spit. 6. If you are going to do this, then get pumped up and do it right...go all out! Follow the rules. Work out! 7. When you go out to eat, make sure you know where the closest bathroom is...just in case. 8. I often order more food than anyone else. My coworkers make fun of me. I know I still have an addiction to food...I only eat about 5 bites and I am done. Hey! I can make about 6 meals off of one dinner!! 9 Icecream might go down easy, but it can cause some people to have spasms. I can take a few bites and my band doesn't like it...a good thing. 10. Shoot for eating the hight protien foods first. At least get that in. 11. Some of those high Protein foods, like meats are dry and don't go down well. chicken is sometimes hard for me to eat. 12. I am always drawn to the "big girl" clothes. I am still a "fat chick" in my head. 13. Many bandsters talk about marriages ending after the band...mine did. He didn't like a "fat wife"and was embarrassed of me in public, so I left him when I lost the weight. Hope he is choking on those mean words! 14. The band is a TOOL! Use it as such. Don't continously drink high calorie drinks and wonder why you don't lose weight. 15. I have not had a carbonated beverage in 4 years. Never thought I could do it..but I don't miss it! 16. If you lose restriction all of a sudden, and it doesnt come back for days, then something is wrong...I had a leak in my port..had to get it replaced. 17. People will look at you and treat you differently when you are thinner. There are people that talk about "fat" people and when I tell them that I had weight loss surgery they can't believe it..I know they would never have given me the time of day, 4 years ago. 18. Don't eat bread or french fries..they don't go down well if you have the proper restriction. 19. Drink before your meal and then stop when your food is done. 20. Most places will let you eat off of the kids menu and buffets will let you have the discounted price (bring your card). If they don't, then speak to the manager. There is no sense in paying and adult price at a buffet when you are going to eat less than a 3 year old. 18. Enjoy your new life. Enjoy being healthy!

Last year I went in for a fill and two days later I lost all of my restriction. I had a hole in my port. It was a quick outpatient surgery and insurance will pay for it.

As a nurse, I know that most pills can be crushed or the formula can come in a liquid form. It is the extended release formulas you should not crush. Pills that are coated to protect the stomach should not be crushed. When in doubt, ask the pharmacy. My surgeon asks that all pills be crushed, or ask for liquid form. Keeps you out of the ER due to a big vitamin getting stuck. My family doctor is aware of this and checks the medications before prescribing them to make sure I can take them. I take two flintstones chewables. It has been almost 3 years and no medication issues.

I am getting my port replaced next week. They think my port is leaking. Could have been an issue with the needles.

Well, I went in for a check up, had some restriction. Got a half of a CC in and then NO restriction. Went back and some fluid was missing. Fluid put back in plus another cc. Again, no restriction. There is possibly a hole in my port and they are replacing it in 2 weeks. Anyone else had this happen? I have read medical ariticles that some brand of huber needles are being recalled because they are shearing ports (such as portacaths), but my surgeon did not use that brand.

I was in the hospital for about a week post op due to an infection. Was on strong antibiotics and it resolved. They treated me for MRSA but it never grew anything. Good luck to you.

My surgeon told me to eat the thinly shaved meats at that stage.

Well, I am 1 year, 3 months post op. I have always felt restriction after my fills. Last week during my check up the surgeon put .5 cc in. After that I feel NOTHNG! I feel like i dont even have the band. I tested it by trying things that I have never been able to get down, like french fries. I have no problem with these things. Don't get me wrong, I am not eating everything in sight. I just wanted to test it out. I am going tomorrow to get more put in. I was worried about the band slipping or a hole in it.

I am glad I found this thread. I have had my band for a little over a year and have lost about 80 lbs. I am near my goal wt. I went in for my yearly check up with the surgeon and we decided to put a half a cc in the band. I lost all of my restriction! I feel like I didn't even have the surgery! I am making the 2 hour drive to see my doc tomorrow and am praying there is noyhing wrong.

I don't even get stuck at all. Can't wait to find out what is going on.

Thanks again for your replies. I have gone by the book since day one of this journey and watch what I eat. No cokes no straws no pillsn, no drinking with eating . Low fat low carbs etc. I just know that I have never been able to eat a whole chicken breast until now. I go back to the doc on friday.

Let's put it this way . Before the fill I could barely eat one boiled egg. After my last fill I ate 2 boiled eggs and 2 bacons and still did not feel full. I have always had a hard time with nuts and I ate a handfull of almonds with no problem. I don't want to load up on a bunch of junk but I just don't have that discomfort that let's me know I ate enough. Thanks for your replies.

Thanks for the reply. You would think if it was swelling you would be tight. I have always felt restriction after adjustments and this time it just feels like "pre band". Hopefully after a week I will feel some restriction.