Search the Community

HELLO, CHECKING IN FROM PHILLY. I WAS BANDED ON 9-13-07 THAT SAME DAY MY DAD DROPPED DEAD OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK TWO HOURS AFTER HE LEFT SEEING ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT THIS WHOLE LAP-BAND EXPERIENCE HAS NOT BEEN A VERY POSTITIVE ONE TO SAY THE LEAST. MY DAD REALLY NEVER WANTED ME TO HAVE THE BAND HE SAID I DIDN'T NEED IT ( ISN'T THAT WHAT DADS ARE SUPPOSED TO SAY) ANY WAY I AM APPROACHING MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BAND/DAD AND TO DATE HAVE ONLY LOST 18 LBS. ONE WEEK AGO I HAD MY PORT REPLACED ?LEAK.... I LOST THE 18 LBS FROM SEPT-DEC 2007 NOTHING SINCE.I NEVER FELT SATISFIED,I COULD EAT ANYTHING WITH NO PROBLEMS AND EAT MOST OF THE TIME LIKE PRE-BAND. I HAVE A 4CC BAND. I HAVE HAD 11 FILLS IN 11 MONTHS LAST TIME TOTALLY 4CC IN 4CC BAND THEN FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS I FELT RESTRICTION THEN IT WOULD DISSAPPEAR.I HAVE KEPT A FOOD JOURNAL. MET WITH THE NUTRITIONIST, HAD AN UGI ( I AM AN X-RAY MYSELF) DID MANY X-RAYS ON MYSELF JUST TO MAKE SURE THE BAND WAS STILL THERE CAUSE IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING. WHAAT DETERMINED SURGERY WAS WHEN I WENT BACK FOR MY 11TH FILL THERE WAS ONLY 3 OF THE 4 CC OF SALINE IN THE BAND. SO FINALLY WE ARE BACK TO PRESENT DAY ONE WEEK POST-OP PORT REPLACEMENT SURGERY (HOPEFULLY THIS WILL DO THE TRICK). MY DOCTOR WHO I TRUST WHOLHEARTEDLY (BESIDES THE FACT HE IS REALLY CUTE) SAID THAT HE INJECTED METHELINE BLUE INTO THE PORT/BAND TO SEE WHERE AND IF THERE WAS A LEAK. HE DID SEE THE BLUE LIQUID OUTSIDE THE PORT SO YES THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK. I CANNOT HAVE ANY FILLS UNTIL 10-7-08 MY INCISION NEEDS TO HEAL AND APPARENTLY THE PORT IS A NEW ONE ALOT FLATTER THEN THE OLD ONE( IT DOESN'T FEEL FLATTER).....HAVE YOU BEEN CHECKED FOR A LEAK? WRITE BACK I'M REALLY INTERESTED .I KNOW ITS HARD BECAUSE ALOT OF TIMES I WISHED I WOULD HAVE DONE BYPASS TOO:unsure: BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. WELL STILL TRYING TO BE POSTITIVE ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING I'LL POST SOON SEE YA :confused_smile:LATER.............NANCY

I'm sorry you've had so many problems. Good luck with the bypass.

Thanks for posting this, I read it several days ago and I’ve been reminding myself that others experienced the same thing when I’ve been worrying that even after I graduate to puréed and eventually solid foods I still won’t feel any restriction/fullness. I’m two weeks out now and I’m still on liquids only until 8/20, and between being able to drink 4-5 oz of Water no problem and hitting the infamous two week stall slightly early my anxiety about whether this will work for me has been escalating. Even though my anxiety often refuses to respond to reason, it’s helpful to be able to remind the rational side of my brain that this is normal.  Was this true for those of you who did bypass as well as sleeve??

Hey man...I am not losing weight on a regular basis right now. I was sleeved Sept 16 and dropped about 60 lbs in the first 2 to 2.5 months. I started hitting the gym in November and lifting weights. I think I'm swapping the fat with muscle. I'll go for 3-4 weeks and not lose any weight. Then..I drop like 10 lbs..and don't lose any more for a while again. However, my waist has gone from a 54 to a 48..and almost about to grab a 46. Shirts have gone from 4XL to 3XL and I even wear a few 2XL now. The reward from this...and how great I feel...I stopped worrying about the scale. I'm 6 months post op; down 105 pounds; have the sex drive and stamina of a 25 year old; and feel like one big stud right now!! Lol!!! The weight will come off. I like the toning at the gym!

This post is very encouraging, I was banded on November 30 and while I have lost 30 lbs (10 pre-op and 20 post), I have really not lost anything in the last couple of months. I have only had one fill so far so I figure that is the reason, but I am self pay and the fills are fairly expensive. I plan to have another fill next month and a couple more in the next 2 months after that, so I hope to get some restriction after that. My husband thinks I am failing at this, and I had been thinking maybe that is true.

I agree, I've heard such bad things about Flinestones but so so many people take them. There is a reason bariatric vitamins are made the crazy thing is some people are 100% fine taking them and have great lab work then someone else is deficient on 3-4 things so IMO it's a better idea to just take the complete ones, take your iron (even though I know you all hate it), take your vitamin D and take your calcium..just do it..you got this surgery knowing you would have to take vitamins for the rest of your life so it kinda baffles me when people just stop taking them..you can't just stop eating small portions it's not your choice to make anymore. Sorry, I have vitamin rants often with bypass patients in clinic because people seem to "forget" after they lose the weight but you permanently altered your body for forever so take your gosh darn vitamins!!

I have always been the cute chubby girl. Then I became the pretty faced heavy girl. After having my third child, I was big. I looked at food I'd gain weight. I'd eat to hide my pain or if i was happy. I love food. Like most of everyone I have had my share of heartaches and disappointments. I'll be brief, my first born son passed away when he was 18 months old (medical complications), my step son passed away (he had cerebral palsy), my parents divorced when i was 15 and my father remarried (I love my step-mom) but the rest of the family won't speak to him anymore, its very hard for me to be in the middle, and other crap but that's the big stuff. So, for me hiding in my food felt so good at the time. I've tried all kinds of diets Jenny Craig, weight watchers (too many times too count), Atkins, lots of different pills...I would lose 40-50lbs the most and then I felt like it gave me the license to eat just 1 treat..... well that only led to many more rewards for myself.... Sometimes I wonder if I'm trying to sabotage my own success because then I would have to maintain a new figure?....hmmm I don't know...The breaking point came when I had seen pictures of myself at my son's birthday party...which of course was a water slide n swimming b-day party.I don't want my son to be ashamed off me or other kids to say things about me to him. I also don't want him to think that eating like I did was normal. I was so disgusted with myself. My husband of course said he loved me no matter how I looked but I didn't love myself. I was thinking about gastric bypass surgery (which was the last resort for me, I knew some people that had the surgery and I knew it was an extreme) when my Mom told me about a commercial she had seen about the Lap-Band. I went online and looked for Dr.s in Ohio. I think God had a hand in me finding my Dr. because he is great. I went to an informational meeting. I was so nervous my insurance wouldn't pay for this procedure (but I am so thankful and blessed to say my ins. paid for everything but $267). It took about 4 months before I actually had my surgery. It felt like it was never going to happen . I think one of the hardest parts was the 2 week liquid diet. Man was I a mean .......bleep! I felt sorry for my family and friends..LOL! (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention my step-sister was also going through the procedure with me we had our surgeries on the same day. She was 18y/o 309lbs and had high blood pressure).As far as my medical problems they were few. I have PCOS and had trouble conceiving my 3rd child (we used Clomid). I had gestational diabetes with my last baby as well. That's pretty much it. I had my surgery July 14, 2009. It took a few days to recover but I was excited and hopeful. The first couple of weeks were difficult learning how to follow the after surgery diet plan. At first appt. y sis and i learned we had diff. size bands. i had a 14 and she had a 10. The first couple of months went ok but I really stopped losing. i learned how to eat with my band i really mean cheating...Well, anyways, We would see the Dr. every 3 months. We started going to his satellite office and he hired a new dr. We loved him right away. He had the surgery 4yrs ago and he knows what we're going through. He, also, called us out on our bad habits no games or excuses. Well, my sis has lost 97lbs. and I've only lost 48lbs. as of May 2010. Very depressing for me. The dr. said he couldn't understand why I had such a big band. He said if i was a foot taller, 30yrs older and diabetic he could see the big band. But he said he wasn't there during surgery so he couldn't argue with my surgery dr. He has now filled my band up to 9.5 and I'm now starting to lose weight. I've lost 6lbs in 10 days. I'm sooo excited!!!!!

I'm a regular lurker on this site & I want to thank you all for helping me to get this far. Now I have an confirmed VSG surgery date - November 2nd - I feel official enough to do my first post. This date took a long time to come. I worked locally with a bariatric center that didn't pan out but I'm pleased that I have found my current bariatric team. All that's left is a meeting with the anesthesia team. When I heard my date, I was thinking, "Holy shit!" I'm quite glad that it's happening for real this time.????

The only thing that gives me some relief topically is BioFreeze roll on. I have severe arthritis in my spine. In fact I just had a 3 level cervical fusion 8 weeks ago. I take Tylenol and following bypass surgery, it actually helps. Unfortunately my weight loss has actually caused my back to be more painful. My doctors tell me this is pretty common post weight loss because all the fat was actually providing support. Also you carry yourself different and your more active. On a good note, ankles and knees are much better. Good luck!

I just got bypassed on the 10th and they sent me home the next day. I still have gas and alot of pressure tp the point i cant tell if im full or if its gas Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I am 12-yrs post gastric bypass. Back in the day, we did not have a treatment team to help us succeed in our journey. My surgeon, Dr. Vishal Mehta, told me, "I do the surgery. The rest is up to you." I was so focused on transforming my physical self and learning healthy eating that I never did the work to transform my inner self. I didn't even know it was part of the process. I think it is an important part of our transformation that is often overlooked -- we don't find ourselves. So I've been exploring finding myself, which has led me on a spiritual path where I've learned to love myself and others unconditionally. And I've started to share those experiences through my opinion pieces (articles) on BariatricPal. So I thought I'd put the links and synopisis here to those articles for those who may be on a similar path of finding themselves. I hope my experience in some way helps you on your journey to health in body, mind, and spirit. We all deserve to live a life we love! Soul Relationships, Part 1 Once we master our physical appetites we then begin to change the way we relate to ourselves and others. We are in a great transitional period. Our old way of being that was deeply entrenched in us was fearful. There is an awakening after obesity. We experience true living. Our lives can, in fact, be Heaven on Earth. True Love I grew up with a romanticized notion of love: One day my prince would come and life would be perfect. I still have my vision of him: A big, tall, dark and handsome dominate male, the stallion, who would rescue me, worship my feminine traits, but not possess me (except in the bedroom). Aside from the attributes in parenthesis, my fantasy man came straight from the Disney Princess movies of my childhood.

Shopping. I hated shopping before. Sex. Been so many years I forgot what that is. The Mirror. Bypassed mirrors in the past, can't help but to have a glance every time I go past. The Bath, had not had one in years, bit embarrassed, but now I can get in and out I have one every week, with bubbles.

KisKis ~ That's so awesome that you have someone close to you that can help you on the band journey! I know a few people who have had gastric bypass, but no banders -- except for my friends online. I'm sure you and your BFF will do extremely well -- we'll all be sharing tips, tricks, and recipes with each other -- it really is a great community. Best of luck to you both! Tom ~ I am sorry I haven't posted my questions for the pre-op. I'm still working on the list (my pre-op with my doctor is tomorrow). Some of my main points are: 1. How long will I have to go without: shower/bath, lifting (i.e., children, pets, groceries), sex, and exercise? 2. How long do you recommend that I take off from work? And, is it best to take leave during the liquid phase of the post-op? 3. What pain management protocols do you practice? 4. When will I have my first fill, and do you do them under flouroscopy? Do you do all of your fills, or do you have a PA who also does them? 5. How often will I actually see you after I am banded? Hope you all are doing well! Today is day 8 of my pre-op diet. On the scale this morning I was down another pound. I'm curious to see what I am on the doctor's scale -- for the life of me, I can't specifically remember what I weighed there the last time I went. I'm hoping that I am losing a sufficient amount. Question for all of you -- are any of you going to have a sensible "last meal"? Or, did you do it before the pre-op diet? My DH has been asking if I want to do that prior to surgery, but I'd really like to stay with my plan. Plus, I haven't really craved anything the last few days and my head hunger has been relatively under control. I'm still a little fatigued, but it seems to be improving as well. Fingers crossed. Have a wonderful day everybody!

I am three weeks post op and so hungry I feel like my stomach is eating itself! I met with my nutritionist a week ago and they said I could increase my calories to 600-800 daily if I feel I need to. They recommend 400-600 calories a day for the first 6 weeks after surgery. I understood going into this that it is not going to be an easy ride, but dang! Ive started on the purée stage and can eat tuna, canned chicken, refried Beans, cottage cheese, etc. don't get me wrong, I'm super excited to hit this stage, but to keep my calories in the 600 range, my portions are tiny and I never feel satisfied. I'm hungry an hour after eating. My surgeon told me that once the swelling went down, I'd be hungry since the band is empty. I'm eating to live, not living to eat any longer. I was hoping I'd be one of those lucky ones that feel restriction without a fill. Unfortunately my doctors office will not do the first fill until 8 weeks after surgery.. That puts me at jan. 26. URGH!! I'm miserable and I still have another month and a half of this. I returned to work today and people asked if I'm still happy with my decision.. My response was mostly. I really didn't expect that I would be so miserable and hungry at this stage. I went through 2 full workups since I was at first denied by ins., 2 years of "training" and am totally blown away with how unhappy I am. Should I have gone with a bypass??? With everything I've been through medically, I wanted the least invasive wls I could get. I know what the end result is and this isn't a post to dis the band.. I know I made the best decision for me. After two heart surgeries, a blood clot in my lungs and dealing with osteoarthritis at only the age of 31, I'm looking forward to looking and feeling healthy again! And all these feelings I'm having now will all just be a bad memory!

i'm not coming down on any1...i personally think that if u have lost 5 pounds or 125 pounds...u should b proud of urself...and b happy that u r losing...but when people arent losing they want to start blaming the surgeon...the surgeon is there to perform surgery and give u fills when needed...what else do u want him to do??????? they dont lose the weight 4 u...they dont watch what u eat...make u exercise or read u bedtime stories...i expected my surgeon to put this band on me safely...give me fills when i didnt feel restriction and make sure i was losing healthy...i didnt expect anything more from a doctor...u have to take responsibility for ur part in this journey...if ur not losing change ur eating or exercise habits...and be TRUTHFUL with urself as to y ur not losing...my friend who had the bypass is always boo--whooing about not losing the weight she thought she would while snacking on jack in the box at 10p.m....uuummmm hello????????? is that the surgeons fault???????????

There's nothing I can say about bypass. I was beginning to think I might be a revision candidate, but, happy to say, my band is still viable; seven years next month. May I ask why you're considering revision?

I guess I'm more OCD than most. I've had a gastric bypass and a reversal than a band and removal. I'm just nervous that this is another in my list of surgical failures.

Well I started my lap band actual journey this past Sunday the 15th of November when I started my pre-op liquid diet. It has not been as bad as I thought. Smell of food however is tough, so I try to escape that when I can. Yesterday the 19th, I went for my EKG, Chest X-Ray, blood work, urinalisis, visit with respiratory and also internalist for medical clearance for upcoming lap band surgery. All went well!!! YEAH!! Today I went and had the EGD done and all is well. So I am a GO for the 1st of December, report time to hospital 6:30am. I am now 115lbs away from my goal and on the march to get there!! :biggrin:

Hey! I’m hoping to find someone that’s going on a similar journey. in 2016 I had a sleeve. Lost 100 lbs, got pregnant in 2017 but Kept most of. Then in 2019 we started fertility treatments for number 2 and I gained all 100 back. I’m having bypass revision on Jan 6. I’m panicking. I’m 30, I have two girls, 4 and 1. Live in Illinois. I have an extremely sarcastic personality. Not a good marriage, not much support. I don’t really have friends. Anyone? Lol I sound like a blast

Since most of us are off restriction on what we can do... does anyone wanna do a November exercise challenge? Like I hope to do 3000 steps on the wii fit 5 days a week for November. Which would total 60,000 steps. Anyone wanna join me? BTW I can do that in 30 minutes max. So it's a total of 600 minutes for a month, 10 hours. teri

Hello Ladies ~ I am so glad we have this thread now. I enjoyed reading your posts and am so glad to learn that I am not in this boat alone . . . I feel like I am STARVING, yet the scale is not moving. I really don't want to fail at this! I am scheduled for my first fill this coming Thursday (2/8/07) and am very anxious to get that behind me. I have a friend who had the surgery with Dr. Spiegel in late November and she just had her second fill. So far she says she has much better restriction than after the first. I am just so ready to feel like the band is working. I also plan to attend the support groups (probably once a month too) starting in March, and look forward to meeting you. I need to stop drinking with my meals and start exercising. I didn't spend all of this money and suffer after the surgery not to see a big change . . . :confused: Lynn

fleur, i honestly believe this is a natural response. one i experienced myself. i am an r.n. who takes care of a lot of lapband & bypass pt's. this is a very common feeling both before & after surgery. please keep your ultimate goal in mind and you will do great. take care p.j.

Hi everyone! Hope all is well. I was wondering if there were any Bypass vets out there who's highest weight was the in the 400's. Mine was 437LB and I just want to know how much weight have you lost and about how long did it take you to lost it after surgery? Im curious because I am 3 weeks out and have only lost 5LBS. But I am not eating hardly anything. So just curious. Thanks.

I was hoping my insurance would pay. If I had to pay for a trip to mexico from the east coast I mind as well pay in country. My sister had bypass and I do billing for bariatric surgeons so I am aware of the complications. I am scheduled for the seminar tomorrow. I hope I have a better idea what i want tomorrow.

It might be beneficial to you to locate an informational seminar in your area and attend. Due to your neurological issues you would likely still need to have a consult with a bariatric surgeon but WLS would help you to lose weight with minimal exercise. It would just be a question as to whether or not your condition makes you a good candidate for surgery. As to the decision for bypass vs sleeve, currently the sleeve is so popular that for many it's just a matter of preference. For me I didn't want to reroute my internal organs and I was not thrilled at the idea of dumping syndrome. I also had not issues with heartburn or reflux prior to surgery so the sleeve was a better fit for me. I don't think one is better than the other. A good friend of mine had bypass. She is doing well and is very pleased with her results. She was even one of the lucky few to not have issues with loose skin.