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I am glad you have had a good response. In the north there seems to be no movement with a support group. It was one of the main reasons that I went with the company was the lady that I met as the advisor. She was called JUdy and she had had the surgery herself and she met people individually and grouped people together if you wanted. I am so fed up with the service that I have received from the Hospital group that I am writing a formal complaint although I know that i will not be the first they have received it may get some action! I wish I would have found this web site before the surgery and then I may have researched the Hospital Group a little more! On the up side I have had my first fill and it has given me some good restriction. Praise the Lord something is going right for a change!

Hi Helen, I'm having my op done in my local hospital in Dewsbury on the NHS. I come under Mid Yorkshire PCT incorporating Huddersfield, Wakefield & Pontefract areas. Anyone having the op done has to come to Dewsbury for referral and all their appointments and to have the surgery. My surgeon is Mr Clive White who also does the procedure privately at the Spire hospital in Elland. He has years of experience. He has been an upper GI cancer speciallist for years and performed partial and full gastrectomies on cancer patients before the VSG came in for weight loss. He is really nice and I have every confidence in him. I can have some fruit and veg on the pre op diet, woo hoo ! I'll have to get a bit creative with that won't I ? I asked Mr White if it would be a complete disaster if I had the odd bit of fish or chicken if I get desperate, he said he has no problem with that. I think he would prefer that rather than me going completely off the wagon and guzzling buckets of rubbish LOL !!! I live on my own, so I'm getting as organised as I can. All my friends are lining up to help and I have a direct line to my GP surgery, for any post op issues, as I work for them ! I think the main issue I have at first is working out how to feed my cats without busting a gut LOL !!!! I've been trying to train them to jump up to be fed, but they're not having any of that so far ! Thanks for replying and for the advice, look forward to joining you on the loosers bench. Best wishes Angela x

So my weekend is over and tomorrow i head back to work. i thought that this weekend was going to be the hardest and that i wasnt going to make it bc lets face it when you are on the go constantly like i am its easy just to grab an optifast and go. but when you are home all day and have to make breakfest, lunch, and dinner for kids its a completely different situation. sunday was the hardest day for me this weekend bc i had to cook the family dinner for everyone. :rolleyes2: so i made dinner and then i went to walmart until i couldnt smell or imagine the dinner anymore. but the important thing is that i made it and its gotten easier. this is a lifestyle change and i understand that which is why i am trying my damnest to make this work. i am determined especially when i looked at the calandar and seen that my surgery is basically next thursday 9.5 days to go!!!!! back to work tomorrow. just taking it one day at a time. :thumbup:

I used BC for many years untill my mom had cancer and went off. Never had any problems. Then when I was 24 the doc wanted me to go on them to regulate my menstral flow as it was wild. OMG, I felt crazy, and Dc switched to lower dose, felt crazier and did things that were completly out of character for me, I was switched again, after 2 months of *morning sickness* I just stopped taking them and told the Dc why. He gave me different pills but buy then I was more regulated...I know I will never take BC pills again...Ewww not a cool prospect that hormones are released when ya lose wieght..LOL I am just CRAZY!!!!

Most of my black friends are offended by the term "African American". The only people I know who care about whether or not blacks are called blacks are white people. My grandfather was from Greece, but I was born and raised in San Diego. I've certainly never been called "Greecian American", I'm called white. So why does my black friend, who is 3 generations removed from Africa and who was born and raised in Chicago, get called "African American"? (PC BS). And I hate "He's racial" being misused as a negative statement. We all have race. We're all racial. Something I've found interesting, but never shared here - a black lady I work with is considering LB seriously, and we've talked quite a bit about it. Another black lady sits across from her and once day when I was coming up to talk to first lady, second lady says something to her - I didn't hear what - and first lady looks at me and says, "It's a black thing..." So I asked her, "What's a black thing?" - as I hadn't heard what was said. She tells me "Weightloss surgery... black people don't really like that stuff." And lady 2 then says, "It's just a matter of mindset, you don't need all that stuff" (referring to the surgery) and walks away. I have noticed that of the people who post pictures here, that I've seen, the majority are white. So since I heard this conversation, I've been curious about how WLS is perceived among different races. My mom has two bothers, one who is married to a Hispanic lady who had two kids from her previous marriage w/ a Hispanic man. One of those kids is very, very dark-skinner, the other is light medium. Once several years ago the older of those two kids was "discovered" to be dating a black guy. All hell broke loose, and my aunt started ranting and raving that her daughter was ONLY to date her own kind. So I asked, "What - you will only allow her to date Hispanics?" -- and she got irate and started screaming at me about how her daughter is white because her adoptive father (my uncle) is white, and how could I be such a racist, and how could I offend my own family that way. She said no other race would ever be good enough for her daughters (even their own, apparently).

Yea, I think I am going to get back on my BC because since surgery I have had a period every month but it just comes whenever it's not on regular schedule. Sometimes its a week early or a week late. Right now I am another week late!

Hi ALL... Hope you are all having a great weekend! Pat... I'm so sorry about your friend. (((Hugs))) I'm terrible about going to funerals... I'm such an emotional person that it's almost impossible for me to remain "together". Working with Hospice patients nearly pushed me right over the edge... I was in a constant state of grieving. Sounds like you really have your plate full right now... glad you checked in and hope your pool is ready for you to float around in the cool water with your screwdriver soon! Flowers... let me tell ya...living in a state were nearly everything is an annual sucks...lol. I say that I am not going to buy flowers every year but I just can't help myself! BS??? I didn't see any of that... I have my rose colored LBT glasses on... they work great and they keep me out of trouble! :grouphug: Betty... You must be leaving a smoke trail for as fast as you are moving from one thing to the next! I'm glad you got to relax by the pool... the mind and body need a zen moment every once in awhile to stay healthy! I'm soooo not a sports minded gal... although I loved watching the Tour de France... and I enjoy watching the Packer's. I'm lucky that my hubby isn't a big sports fanatic... we are nicely matched. Cindy... YAY for the end of the school year arriving but I'm so sorry that you have to share that excitement with an uncomfortable family situation. Try and have a good and safe trip... I sure miss seeing your posts so I'll look forward to your return! Eileen... I'm not sure what is wrong with me... I normally HATE exercise... I actually think it's the socialization that I am loving and the exercise just happens to be a part of that. Mmmmmm... I loooovvvveeeee tomatoes!!!! I could just sit in the middle of the plants and eat them while they are warmed from the sun... Yum! My DD wants to see Over the Hedge... how was it???? PAtty... Hey???? What's that sound???? Ohhhhhh...it's CURVES callin your name. Italian charms... Hmmm... I may have to check into that on eBay... sounds like fun! You really are a fantastic parent and teacher and I imagine you make a big difference in many children's lives. Have fun shopping! Mary... Have you ever heard that song by the Dixie Chicks about "Earl"???? IMHO it's a must hear for any woman having a tough time with an Ex. Just hang on and let the little stuff go... save all of your energy for the big stuff... you are going to need it! (((Hugs))) We had a great time at the cabin... it was beautiful... green... and my sister and her family finally were up there as well! We did a lot of work around the cabin but with lots of family time in between. We took a long and beautiful bike ride on Saturday morning... Ahhhhh...the air smelled wonderful and the temp was perfect! It felt like I had a bike seat lodged up my arse for hours afterwards but it was still worth it...lol. We're headed out on the boat today to do a little fishing... it's supposed to be hot and humid so that is the best place to be! TTFN...

you're not overreacting...insurance companies suck....my friend and I were scheduled to have surgery two days apart...she got insurance approval...I had BC/BS and got nothing but delays...I finally called my state board of insurance...and got nowhere there either.....finally got denied by BC/BS because "lap band is not proven to lower your BMI"...huh ??....went NUTS...screamed and cursed like a truck driver at one of the myriad of morons they call supervisors...used the "F" word a dozen times or more and other words I dont want to admit to....an hour later I was approved...go figure....I had surgry two days ago and while sore I know it was all worth it....you will too...dont give up....you'll get through it too..

After many years as a lap band patient, I am at the end of my rope. I had my original surgery in June of 2002. Since then I have been through 3 doctors. One resigned, I fired one, and a new one since I relocated. Additionally I have had 4 surgeries all related to the lap band. Lets see, my first fill resulted in a raging infection that was treated for 6 months unsucessfully. Ultimately,my port had to be removed until the infection cleared up. That took another 2 months. All of this time I've had no restriction! Then we started again and I got up to two cc's and my port flipped. Another surgery. We start again and the tubing disconnects form the port. Another surgery!! Now we move on to a new doctor and he wants to put in a new port because the old one is on a angle and "hitting" the port for a fill is near impossible. Another surgery!!! We start again!!!! I get back up to 1.75cc's and my husband and I hit the road for 6 months. The doctor tells me to see him when I get back, which I did, and even though I had not lost any weight in those 6 months(I wasn't tight enough) he refuses to give me a fill. I get slightly annoyed to say the least and after a few words with him, I ask for my records and never went back!!! Still only 1.75 cc's. We relocated to South Carolina and after searching for a bariatric Dr. I find one that was somewhat reluctant to take me as a patient with all my previous problems, but finally agreed to see me. I really liked him and we arranged for a fluroscopy to see what's happening , and before I can get it done, I get a letter saying that he had resigned and relocated to another office 300 miles away. OH BOY!!! Should I be surprised?? Well. he has a partner and I started seeing him last October. This Dr gave me a fill under fluro in October, I feel nothing and I tell him so. Another fill in Nov....nothing... I tell him I think I have a leak.... I feel nothing! But he says no I don't have a leak. OK, I'm thinking maybe I just haven't hit my sweet spot yet. I get another fill in January of 2.8ccs and actually feel a restriction!!! ALLRIGHT now we're cooking!!! Finally! Well........2 days later...guess what....I FEEL NOTHING! I finally talk him into putting a little contrast in there and under fluro we find out that the inner ballon is leaking. Very slowly, but its leaking!!! YIPEE!!! I'm relieved to know that I'm not losing my mind!! So I ask the DR about a revision. But, because of all my previous surgeries with the lapband, it would be a BIG surgery!! I am not willing to put myself through a major surgery with no guarantee of leaks and flips and infections not happening again, so I'm sure you can understand why I am fed up.....and.....I AM DONE with the lapband and am resigned to live with the appliance sitting in me doing nothing. :cursing: In closing let me say, I do know several people that have been quite successful with their weight loss with the lapband, unfortunately, I am not one of them. Than you for taking the time to read this. Colleen

I know that I am in perimenopause. My GYN diagnosed that last year after I kept complaining about hot flashes. This year is the first time that I have skipped periods without being on some type of bc pills. I am hoping that I won't have to go the route of hysterectomy. My mom had hers done in her 30s. I am already starting all of the problems she had plus PCOS. Thanks EVE for screwing it up for all womankind! lol

After I met with my surgeon, we set 190 as a good goal weight for me. There are several factors, I'm 5' 71/2", have a large frame and have been overweight pretty much my entire life. Unlike a lot of posters here, I didn't put on my weight after having children. I was normal size until I got sick the entire summer between first and second grade (measles, mumps and bronchitis) so I was just lying in bed being fed anything I could keep down. After that I was always chubby. I got down to around 190 when I was 20 and felt really good. At 22 I was married, pregnant and packed on 60 pounds. After that, I yoyo'd back and forth but never got below 200 pounds again. My goal of 190 puts me in the overweight category (but not obese!) If I look at the ideal height/weight charts, I should be no heavier than 165. I can't even fathom being that weight. So for those like me who have always been overweight, how did you arrive at your goal weight? Did you achieve it? Am I being realistic with my goal or am I limiting my possibilities by "settling"? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

Bc it's lowered the IQ in your brains to find the real articles... But please do it and see how long you live not my problem! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Had surgery 4/21 and over the last 24 hours I have felt also sick. I haven't ate anything of purée substance bc my stomach is upset ( nausea and diarrhea) so I don't know if that's the reason for me feeling so bad today with

I told very few people. I told my family, my immediate family of course, and my good friends who I knew would love and support me. Even now when people see how much weight I lost and ask me how Idid it, I dont tell alot of people. I hate the judgements and stuff...Ill just wait till Im super hott then be like well yeah but look at me now! However, people who are overweight and I feel really want to know so they can hekp themselves, I am very upfront andhonest about it. I feel I made a good descion and if my weight loss can help others turn thier lives around like mine did... As for everyone else, bc I go to school, I told people I had a portion of my small intestine removed, my gall bladder removed and the sphincter between my esophagus and stomach operated on. The intestine and gall bladder my sister had taken out, and restricted what foods she could and couldnt eat and how fast, it also helped with the surgery. As for the other, well I kinda made it up, but I told people it was because I wasnt able tokeep food down, which is what that sphincter does, so the doc tried to repair it..they have no clue what caused it, but whenever I overate, I told people my sphincter was acting up..people never questioned it..Works...maybe not honest, but it makes me more comfortable then telling people how Ive been overweight and depressed for so long and all that, plus so many people think this is a quick fix...which its not!

I was banded in September 2009 and became pregnant in April of 2010 with twins. I was down 63lbs (weighing 158lbs) at the start of my pregnancy. I had no band complications but was concerned with my babies getting enough nutrients since I didn't get an unfill. I did see my band surgeon upon finding out I was pregnant and his recommendation was to stay where I was and play it by ear. His point behind doing that was the fact of unhealthy eating and blood sugar levels while pregnant. With my pregnancy being twins and my history of miscarriage, I was watched very closely by my OB and Perio. Both doctor offices agreed with my band surgeon. I delivered 8 weeks early but at weeks before delivery I was having a hard time with heartburn (which ended after being banded) and everything being "squished". It would take me a long time to eat but I would do what I could to get it down. I breast fed which made a huge difference in my post baby weight loss. My boys were in NICU for 34 days and when I got home from the hospital and NICU stay I had lost all my pregnancy weight plus an additional 2 lbs. All in all, I delivered 2 healthy baby boys and I am still healthy too!

bc of my weight and high 60+ bmi my dr wanted me to do the bypass also but i did not want my insides cut so i stuck by my guns and got the lap band. he told me id have to help the band to make it work by eating better quality foods, smaller amounts (the band helps with this) and beginning to exercise... its not a miracle. its hard. but so worth it. and anyone who gets any WLS can gain it back by eating the cheap/easy foods. i have seen it happen and you will read it on here. do what works for YOU as you are the one who has to do it. whatever you decide, decide with all your heart and then do what you need to do to make it happen. (forget dieting or fads as we know that doesnt work).

Carrie, I'm sorry for all you have gone through. I read your OP and felt it was a bunch of BS that they continued with your surgery, infact you could have a lawsuit. We do a lot for our families and are easily persuaded by only hearing positives. I'm glad you chose to tell your story here and I hope that you are able to find some support elsewhere. Perhaps through a therapist, because what happened to you had to be traumatic.

Can't wait to hear some answers. I'm about 4wks post op and have just wanted sangria but avoided it bc of high sugar content.

Thanks . I was surprised. Not because I thought I had it but bc the pulse ox thing I had to do the weekend before they said was consistent with apnea which was why I was sent for the study.

Yes, probably temporary water gain for hormonal reasons (ovulation or pre-menstrual fluid retention), but if you don't think that's it and you are concerned, definitely go see your doctor, bc sometimes it can be something more serious. Make sure you are getting plenty of protein and limiting carbs plus drink extra water. Great "recipe" for diuresis.

Thanks for the Tums info, BUTTTT,. I eat two every night, I keep the large bottle in my nightstand, otherwise my back kills me, but as soon as I pop two, it's gone instantly :thumbdown:. I will keep that in mind though, because during my TT recovery I didn't really use them, but I'm back on them now. I can sleep on my tummy now, woohoo. Sherry, I fed my critters today too, I took three bags of chips and old bread down to the pier and threw it overboard, it was so funny, I thought I was going to be chit on for sure, those seagulls come out of nowhere! Oh yeah, loved the Tattoos, I always wanted a little Casper on my outer thigh, but I was chicken, NOTHING chicken about our Sherry! I fixed a crock of soup today, then tonight made a soup run, took containers to my mom, my son, and my grandson. It was good, but hubby said it needed more "soup", so I had a bottle of Bloody Mary mix I bought today, then didn't like my drink, so I poured almost the entire bottle in the soup, hey it's soup now! I had steak I had cut up for kabobs this summer and used the foodsaver to freeze them, well, it sure made the soup delicious . OK, I'm outta here.

Yeah I know, but I believe there is one other doctor in the state that does fills...yay! so...I'll try there but I wonder if they are going to give me some BS about "well they didn't do the surgery, they can't do the fills". Though it would be a lot shorter drive. And I'm doing ok...went down to 236ish. Just sitting there now lol...Can't wait till I get to the 220's and 210's. Right now the "Omg! I'm losing weight" hasn't hit me because I've been able to get this low before, but never any lower and I always gained it back and then some lol...

To the OP. I would seriously spend the money and do a consult with a different doctor. It is NUTS that you had ANY fluid in your band at the surgery. I did not get a fill until about six weeks in. I am in BC and my doctor is helpful, but it's a little far for you:(

At the time of surgery I had 1cc in my band. My first fill he added 2cc totaling 3cc.I am 1 month post op. Down 24 lbs. It didn't hurt, just a little pinch of the needle. It felt weird bc he had to feel around & press down on my port. Sent from my SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 using LapBandTalk

I had my surgery 7/30/13 and my weight is up and down. Last time I went to the doctor he wasn't happy bc of the weight I gained. However I was off work for three months due to hand surgery and us "bigger" folks when they are bored what do they turn to???? FOOD!!!! So I am trying to get back on track...I think the one thing that hurts me is I'm such a picky eater. And also I guess I thought the band would be this miracle cute but it takes a lot of work and maintenance to keep up with. I thought I would've been further then what I am but I try to stay positive at least what I have lost is a loss and on the plus side I didn't gain all the weight back that I was on surgery or before surgery so ill take it