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I was banded a week ago today and I have to say I must beg to differ on the not being hungry while your stomach is swelled--My surgery was on a Wed. and by Fri. I was hungry! I had chicken broth. My doctor is more into the Optisource and water and any liquids that have zero calories after surgery so I've had to follow the nutrionist menu to include broth/drained soups/sugar free popcicles/water/skim or 1% milk--I did the sugar free jello and while it didn't make me sick it didn't really agree with me either but I don't know if I ate too much or it just didn't agree with me. You need to get your protein in so sip on your protein drinks. I did find that Special K has protein water but it does have 50 calories and they also have packages you can add to your own water that is only 30 calories. I've been doing that to help me get my protein in my system. I (knock on wood) have been very blessed that other then the jello anything I have tried has been easy on me but also keep in mind I haven't gone overboard either I've stuck with the soups, protein drinks, etc. Good luck on your journey and I hope you feel better soon!!

i had my port replaced in december and all is well so far. idk if this is the place to ask... i have been having lower abdominal pain for almost a week. it began in the lower left side, now it's in the front. super low. almost like menstrual cramps to the max!!!!! anyone else experience this? i feel like poo! it's making me not want to eat. my husband keeps telling to go to the doctor. we don't have insurance, so that's my last resort. thanks in advance.

Hi All - Just a heads up. I picked up a brochure from Dr. Lopez's office once while I was there, and it had a color xerox cover with the Oasis Hospital logo on it. It was blue, and seemed to be intended to be from the Oasis Hospital. Inside were supposed guidelines for patients who had the lapband. I have to tell you, that article was taken WORD for WORD from an RnY doctor's article, which was written specifically for gastric bypass patients. The word "lapband" had been substituted everywhere the word gastric bypass appeared in the original article. The doctor was not credited. I started getting suspicious because it said that there would be no hunger for 6 months, at which time hunger would start to return. I knew that wasn't true for the lapband - no WAY, no HOW. But, having a sister who had the RnY, I knew it was true for her. Because the brochure was so long, I couldn't believe it was typed from scratch, so I took a key phrase and Googled it, and lo and behold, I found the original bypass article. The post-op protocol for the RnY is drastically different from the post-op protocol for the lapband. The only thing they have in common is the liquid diet post op. But even that is shorter for lapbanders, and not restricted in quantity, like it is for the RnYers - there is no drinking a thimble-full of Protein shake every hour directly after post-op, like the RnYers are required to do. The only other similarity between the two is the longterm strategy of how to use the pouch to its fullest advantage - eating solid food, not drinking with meals, waterloading prior to meals, and avoiding gastric irritants like Aspirin, Advil, and other NSAIDs. There is no "window of opportunity" for weightloss with the band. With the RnY, it is expected that weightloss pretty much stops 18-24 months out. That's how long it takes the body to adjust and compensate for the malabsorptive part of the bypass. For Bandsters, our band will continue to be a tool in our weightloss journey - there are bandsters 4-5 years out who have continued to lose weight with the band. Also, it is NOT expected that a bandster lose 30-45 pounds in the first month. That is a gastric bypass stat. The expected average weightloss with the band is 1-2 pounds a week. I'm not sure how widely dispersed this pirated booklet is. But for anyone who has gotten a thick xerox brochure on the lapband while they were in Mexico, beware. It is unlikely that is it truly a lapband brochure, since there does not appear to BE one!! Which I imagine is why someone got the bright idea to create one in this manner. Here is a link to the original article by Latham Flanagan, Jr., M.D., FACS : http://obesitysurgery-info.com/understandingsmallgastricpouch.htm

HI. I live in Akron and was just re-banded by Dr. Zografakas. I gather you have been banded for a few years. How did it go? I lost about 70 pounds with the first band, which slipped. He replaced it and fixed a hiatal hernia three weeks ago. I think that this site and the boois I have bought will give more support than I got at Summa. I would like to lose about 30 more, but Dr Z says I have done very well.

For six weeks no bending, no lifting over 5-10 lbs., no strenuous exercise other than walking, and no swimming whatsoever (jacuzzi, pool, ocean). The more you get moving the better you'll recoup; just stick to those rules so you don't have problems with healing the sutures or infections. Good luck!

Hi, it has been awhile, but it seems like other than walking, my doctor made my wait six weeks before starting any type of vigorous exercise program. Good luck tomorrow, let us know how everything went once you are feeling up to it.

I am so worried that I may have slipped! I had my third fill yesterday (now I'm at 2 cc in a 4 cc band) and I STILL feel very little resistriction. I KNOW that it can take a few days (or weeks) for the fill to "kick in" but I keep reading about how people can't eat this or can't eat that--I have yet to eat anything that I can't eat. Could I have slipped? I have heartburn every once in awhile, it's definitely not every day and I have thrown up a few times when I overate or was sick, although is it really throwing up or is it a PB? I'm totally stressing because I definitely cannot afford another surgery. If I did have a slip, would I have to get surgery or could I live with the slip for awhile?

My husband had surgery 3 years ago when things ran rampid. Since he was one of the lucky ones that week he vowed to help assist others when he can. Many people (mainly women) go down bythemselves. When asked, the number one reason is to keep it a secret. If you tell just 1 person... your lie can be found out so easily.He was asked to help someone with their fears a few years back so he boarded a plane, met a complete stranger and became their... guess you would call it... the patient coordinator. (Their servant) Just so happened that woman had a real hard time with surgery and he was there to comfort her, get her ice, make her walk, speak to the nurses about pain when she couldnt, make sure her drains (2) were emptied... you get it. Some patients dont need a friend with them but when its all done and over with... many say that they wish they had someone with them. We both retired before we were 50 and I guess financially... pretty well off. Money was never an issue. Safety and well being are. Now he still goes down with people but he lets them buy his airfare. He does not charge them a dime. He is GOOD at what he does. I guess its his way of passing it forward. During the days of his surgery... a few patients died that week. When we pulled up to the place I wish we would of walked out. we were warned... but the surgeon had a great reputation, great web site... we got sucked in. Wow... to long a post. So again, its just his way of paying it forward. Hope that helped with your question. Edit note... hotel was fine. Grand and the Marriot are the same price... its just that he personally likes the grand. Must be a pretty waitress there lol

Yes, I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr.Rodriguez on March 20 - three weeks from today.

Hi Micki, I am still 2 weeks out before banding and I don't know if I will have to go on the liquid diet but I know it will be tough. Do the best you can to stick with it, remembering that it is only for a short time. Try and keep yourself busy. I too worry about the big life change and I try to just think about it like this. Currently, without the band, I don't eat foods that for whatever reason don't set well with me and I don't miss them because I don't have the desire to eat them. While I know the foods that I eat vs. the foods that I don't eat will change but I am thinking it will be the same result. When I don't do well with them I won't enjoy eating them so I won't have the desire to eat them. I also keep in mind that there aren't any foods that I can't eat, it will just be much smaller portions, but I will be satisfied with the smaller portion. I know some of the experience bandsters will chime in here and give you some good support. Best wishes on your upcoming big day.

My husband is taking the week of surgery off and my mom is too, so yes I do have support. Now that I am thinking about it, I'm going to save my frozen stuff for when they go back to work. I'll let them deal with the feedings of the "animals".

What is hurting is it your band or your port? If it is your port it may be that it is pressing on a nerve or something like that. If this is the case you will probably need to have it repositioned. Generally we don't feel the actual band. If it is your band and if it has slipped this can sometimes be fixed by having a complete unfill for a couple of weeks. If it is a really bad slip then you may need surgery to reposition or replace it. With a slip there are normally other symptoms such as inability to eat/keep food down, bad reflux etc. So where exactly is the pain and do you have other symptoms. If you are in a lot of pain then you are going to have to do something. The best thing to do first would be to call and discuss it with your surgeon.

Hi Zoe, Congratulations and good luck in your lap band journey. I will be banded in about 2 weeks! A little scared but excited as well. Looking forward to a new chapter in my life. Good luck to you!

i too had my surgery on tuesday. I had the dry heaves when i woke up from the general anesthesia. they kept me in the hospital over night and on morphine until i left. They sent me home with liquid lori tab and told me to sip sip sip sip sip. i am three days out now and I still feel twinges of pain in my belly. but I am also trying to keep up with the chewable GAS X that was recommended by other bandsters in my area. That really has helped to eliminate the bloating from my gut and to keep the burps at a minimum. Hopefully it will work for you too.

For my last two fills I have had my throat burn and irritated,it started both times about 1 week after the fill not in the first week and both times I had a headache with it.I was not as concerned the first time as I had Pb'd a couple nights before and put it off on that.But the second time it was just outta the blue.I was able to use an old fashion remedy for acid reflux and knock it out both times.Milk and honey works wonders for acid reflux.But it does seem to be related to the fill and maybe the swelling from the fill,I am thinking my esophagus swells from fills now that I am getting to the true restriction stage.I am currently at 6.2 in a 10cc band so I think after my next fill if it happens again I will hold off awhile before I go for another.

I have been banded 2 years. I was banded at 285 and am down to 215. I have 15 lbs until goal. My lapband surgeon said I am a success at 75% weight loss. I had a tummy tuck 6 weeks ago and feel good. I started in a size 24 and now wear a size 16. I am 5'8 and am happy at that size. One day I may get down to 185 but for now I am happy at 200 lbs. Thanks for the post.

Hi. I had surgery on 8/1/06 and my first fill was 1.4 cc on 9/14/06 (more than 6 weeks after surgery) I have been havinf a lot of pain with solids and it has nothing to do with my band being too tight (I dont think). As soon as I swallow any solids food, no matter how well I chew, it gives me immediate hearburn. From feeling like hard stabbing pain to the burn that feels liek a fire. And its all from my throat to top of stomach. I feel this pain way before the food would have had time to reach my stomach so I know its not directly about the band rtestriction. I cannot eat any solids til late afternoon and only after Ive eaten liquids or mushies every three hours before hand. Has anyone experienced this? Can you give me some advice or insight? I have not been able to speak with my surgeon yet. Thank you soo much. Im so uncomfortable :-( PS when I can finally eat, I do not feel much restriction at all. I'm definately not at my "sweet spot".

HI Terri, I'm working in Az for 5 weeks and I need a fill. Where do you get your fills? I'm in Marana this week then I go to Globe next week. Finally be in phoenix for 3 weeks after that. Any fills docs around these areas? Are you even close to these areas?

jsagiha please do call your dr just to be on the safe side...I know it can take weeks after your fill to start bp'ing but if you are doing it constantly and in pain...that needs to be checked out. you don't want the risk of slippage/erosion or anything...keep us posted. becky

The 2 week diet is to help shrink the liver before the surgery. I know some surgeons don't require this but I think it's really a good idea. I am an ultrasound tech. I have scanned myself and know that my liver is way too big and it's due to excess fat in it. During surgery the liver can flop right over where the surgery is happening, so if there is anything I can do to keep the surgeon away from my liver, I am doing it. Good luck withyour research! Christine

hi bandista , I am hoping to see my dr this week to discuss whats going on , its been suggested today it could be stress related , the trouble is if I have trouble trying to eat I then dread the next meal incase I have problems again . Its so good to be able to get advice from others that have actually had the same operation

<HR style="COLOR: #cdccde" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> so i didnt get a chance to measure myself before the surgery so i measured about 1 week after surgery so now that you know that i have news!!! I MEASURED ON THE 9TH OF AUGUST AND I MEASURED AGAIN TODAY JUST FOR KICKS!!!! AND............................................... ...... I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 9 INCHES IN 10 DAYS!!!!!

omg! This sounds SOOOOOOO delish! and you ONLY had 1 piece???? good good good for you! Sorry Im late - but I hope you had an awesome day and an even better birthday WEEK!!!

Nothing special planned? Are you nuts? Milk the heck out of this day, heck, milk the whole week! Go shopping, to a show, buy yourself some bling! Happy Birthday

It is more than likely due to swelling in your stomach, it should get better. When I get an unfill my Dr puts me on liquids for a week.