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Hello Band Buddies One of the Lapband sites I belong to “www.afterband.net” recently had a VERY inspirational message about eating after the lapband. This site has a lot of great information. Remember… if you have fallen off the “band-wagon” whether is been for a few days, weeks or even longer it’s NEVER too late to get back on track. Take the time to read this message… if may help you to take a step in the right direction to getting you back on the “band-wagon”. I love the last line in the message… "Then do it again tomorrow, for it is just the next today." I shared this article with my Lapband coffee Group members (I host 3 groups) and the response was amazing... so many people found the item inspirational. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs Eating After the Lapband - Today is Your Day Today is a new day. Today you have the power to create and inspire change in your relationship with food. Your lap band or gastric bypass surgery is only a tool in meeting your weight loss goals. The power to make it work is in your hands. Really, today is the only day you have such power. Yesterday is gone. Your power over yesterday and what you ate and how much you exercised (or didn’t) has disappeared. Any regrets about yesterday are a waste of your time and emotions. Really, today is the only day you have power over food. Tomorrow is just beyond your finger tips. It has yet to arrive. But you can make tomorrow better by what you do TODAY. So, what will you do about today? You’ve been given the power to free yourself from the bondage of food addictions. You have immeasurable strength today to work with your lap band and not against it. You didn’t go through the pain of weight loss surgery to suffer the denial of you goals. You are stronger than that. And there are plenty of WLS support groups on-line to inspire and help you focus the power within you. Will you throw your hands up in defeat today? No, you will not. Today you are not a victim or slapped down by the victim mentality. Today you have the power over food. Food’s power over you is diminished. Today, you are in control. You know what to do. You know what and how much you should eat. Your lap band surgeons or gastric bypass surgeons gave you nutrition plans and dietary advice or certainly should have. Most do. If you need to re-set the way you eat, you have strength to do that today. Today is the day to follow doctor’s orders. Today you’ve been blessed with tremendous power to eat the way you know you should. Use that power to enjoy and embrace the after lap band diet and meet your goals that much sooner. You can do it, you have a mighty power inside you, and you will use it. Then do it again tomorrow, for it is just the next today. Read More http://afterlapband.net/

Wow, Leo - I don't think you're supposed to be able to see your port THAT well... lol Ah, I love a good ribbing... When I had my surgery 1/23/03, Dr Lopez told me that I would have the new mini-port (this is the Inamed lap-band). I'm not positive what it looks like, as he only had the "old" port on his display model, but I must say that when my port flipped, it sure did not feel like a "mini" ANYTHING - lol. Even now, after my revision, it seems very close to the surface (and not "flat", as far as low profile type "flat") and slanting from top to bottom, the top pushing out more. It doesn't hurt (which is all I care about!!) but the appearance certainly is not aesthetically pleasing, particularly with the big dent below (where the heck did that come from?!?!). I know you are all dying to see what I mean. I'll have to get the camera out and take a picture for posterity... :eek: I'd check into how much that little one day surgery is going to cost you (mine was $1821 just to reposition the existing port, not replacing it). If it's going to cost you $$$, and your port isn't causing you any problems, I personally would skip it. But then, no one ever accused me of being a fashion plate...

Hi! I'm new to the RNY process and I would love an experienced pal who will be willing to take this journey with me. I am a 55 year old Christian woman who, in 1991, had her stomach stapled and am now going through the revision process with RNY. I am a disabled American who has an a long and hard road to haul. I am an emotional eater who is now in the process of being "someone else" so that I can find the woman inside who has been silenced by Mike & Ikes! Is anyone available?

I am 5 days out with bypass and had this same issue. I figured out that I am having issues with lactose. Switched to muscle milk (nasty but doesn't make me literally hurt!) I'm waiting for my lactaid drops to come in to use the shakes I actually like. Maybe discuss it with your physician or nutritionist to see if they can help narrow down what is happening.

I could write a book about how to succeed with the band, including what and how to eat. As a matter of fact, I DID write a book about that, and I'd be happy to tell you more about it, but right now I want to say that there is no single way to succeed at weight loss with the band. No single food plan, no single exercise plan...because we're all unique individuals who have to figure out what works best for each of us...and that may change as we advance towards our weight goal. If you're a post-op and your surgeon or dietitian didn't give you a food/snack plan to follow, ask for it. If you're a pre-op wondering what a bandster eats, you'll find the answers extremely varied. One of the ways you can get ideas of what other people are eating each day is to post a daily "What are you eating today?" thread. If you had done that today, my answer would have been as follows: B: Protein latte S: egg beaters scrambled with chopped scallion, sugar snap peas, and cheese S: cinnamon-oat Breakfast cookie L: eggplant & tomato salad w/ Havarti cheese S: popcorn S: raw sugar snap peas D: sesame-orange shrimp, braised cabbage S: to be determined I should add that I have to eat 8+ times a day in order to manage some unwanted consequences of my 2012 revision from the band to the sleeve. It may look like I eat an awful lot, but each meal or snack is very, very small - maybe 3-4 bites each. Jean

3 weeks post op with gastric bypass. Dr recommends 60-80 grams of Protein per day. This is recommended to everyone. Question is, I'm 6'7" - 290 now and large build. This seems low to me. I can get 80 with just food and no Protein shakes. I don't want to add calories for no reason, but feel more protein may be needed. Any suggestions

I just had my gastric bypass in March 25th. I can drink a protien shake in 30 minutes, I drink about 70-80 ounces waters in the day. My hard part is eating I am so tired of pureed food. I have 4 days left, then I can have soft foods. I am looking forwards to being further out. 😆

I live in Denver, and my revision surgery is on June 28th. I'll come to you or meet you in the middle somewhere, if the offer is still available.

I actually posted this in another forum, but realized it would have been a better fit here, so thought I'd introduce myself. Hi there! I'm new here to the site. My name is Kari and I'm 30 years old from Michigan. I've been researching WLS for the last year and officially started this process this past January 2013. Initially, I started out thinking I was going to have the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, however after meeting my surgeon for the first time and going over my labs, it was discovered that I am very anemic and he felt that the RNY would not be a good option for me as in the long-term it will cause me more health problems than what it's worth. I completely trust his judgment, therefore I will be going with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! (And in all honesty, I feel better about this choice for some reason). Thankfully we have been blessed with great health insurance through my husband's employer, and they cover the surgery, no questions asked, no pre-approval. I just have to do everything my bariatric program requires, and I'm good to go. Next week I do my psych evaluation, and the following week I will do my exercise consultation. Sometime after that I will meet with a cardiac doctor to get surgery clearance, and have another visit with my surgeon. On that day I will also get to schedule my surgery. I'm excited and nervous, and I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions along the way! My highest weight ever was 320 lbs. My starting weight for this process was 311 and my current weight is 294. I look forward to getting to know many of you here! Thanks for allowing me to introduce myself! - Kari

Your doctor can request blood tests to make sure your vitamin levels are OK. He/she would probably run a normal cbc first since vitamin tests can run into big bucks and insurance won't pay without some indication that something could be wrong.(a cbc will show the possibility of low iron) My DH had gastric bypass and has to have vitamin levels checked because of the mal-absorption. He takes a handful of vitamins a day and still can run into problems. With the band we don't have trouble absorbing vitamins. Be sure to take a chewable multi vitamin and you should be fine. As for being cold, there are lots of threads talking about being cold as the result of weight loss. I'm not cold yet, but hope to be once the summer heat begins!

45 years old and doing this again. My 1st surgery had developed a fistula "whole" they need to repair/redo surgery . Anyone having problems with drain tube? It has been a week and I am still draing 3oz a day.

Two bands to bypass lots of scar tissue and adhesions 2/6/13. First 2.5 weeks lived in recliner chair. Everyone is different. My thought was sleeve but learned that I would have to have band removed recover be tested for Esophageal motility if was ok then another surgery for sleeve. Besides my good friend had a sleeve did good 6 months out now she looks like she gained it all back. The short of it was I would bypass the stuckness caused by band that could happen again with sleeve, for me my to band surgeries were easier than my conversion and I wished my surgeon would have warned me about the pain of cutting muscle/nerve. HW 250/1st Lapband 198/2nd Lapband 232/Pre conversion 2/6/13 to bypass 232.....Current 211

Does anyone know if it is standard surgical practice, just better, or irrelevant to empty the lapband prior to revision surgery?

With gastric bypass, your stomach goes to being extremely small, so too much liquid at once wouldnt go down so smoothly, everything is kind of in a healing process , so after a week or two it gets easier to swallow. You also should be sipping On liquids all day long (baby sips) if you don't continue to sip then you will become dehydrated. Once you start to feel better things fall into place

Why was it so rough, I actually have been ok just struggling with liquids and protein, also since the bypass it's seem like I can't sleep like I have developed insomnia I don't go to sleep until around 3 or 4 am n before I had the surgery I was able to go around 10 no later then 12

I am scheduled for Dec 9th. I'm so excited to finally get this started. I had Lapband Jan 2009. I lost almost 90 pounds then had a slip and revision surgery in May 2010. Then I started having problems again and had it removed in March 2012. I've since gained all the weight back that I previously lost (that has been pretty devastating!). I can't wait to get on the losing track again.

Yes I had my removed and bypass done on December 31 no problems the weight is a little slow coming off but it coming 30lbs so far down to 259 but I was told the revision lose slower has any one else heard that

huge hugs hunny!!! I have PTSD and agoraphobia from an assault 3 years ago. I also had to have a revision as my band had slipped after the assault. first time round I lost over 100 pounds in the first 12 months. Unfortunately that has not been the case. My revision was on the 25th of March 2009 and since then I have gone from 149kg to 187kg, down to 176kg and now back to 183kg. It has been a roller coaster of emotional stress, of me not feeling good enough to care for myself. I have had a fill and I am pretty sure I am at my sweet spot now....But it took me 2 years to even go back to see my surgeon to have one fill and I falter alot....You are not a failure hunny. My doctor said to me the other day without the band and with the head hunger I would be dead now. HE is so right I would of ended up being over 250kgs!!! he said that with all I have gone through he is proud of me!! I am seeing a counsellor weekly and the one thing that has always stuck in my mind that a very wise lady said to me "if your best friend was struggling like you are now, would you put her down, call her names, scream at her or be cruel to her" NO I snapped back......I would be gentle and soft, offer support and care and love........she looked at me and then it hit me!! instead of being my own best friend!! I have been my own worst enemy. Be gentle with yourself hunny and feel free to message me if you need a chat!!! I will leave you with a little saying that this beautiful lady taught me....When I am feeling sad, down, suicidal, anxious or frustrated, stop take three deep breaths, close your eyes and think of something beautiful and say this as many times as you need to May I be filled with loving kindness May I be happy May I be peaceful and at ease May I be well <3 <3 <3 <3

Phxmom, I don't think it's too unusual to be worried about the skin (excess skin). My closest friend had Gastric Bypass in July 2014 and "the skin" was what she talked about most leading up to the surgery. I think she's down about 60 lbs now. I went bra shopping with her and saw all there was to see. I gotta tell you, it really isn't that bad. Now i know she thinks it is but truly, if you think about it, we already have all that amount of skin. Right now it's filled in with weight / fat. As we change our habits, have the surgery, change our lives - the skin amount doesn't increase, it'll just be empty skin. Personally I'd rather have it empty and hanging then filled :-) There is the possibility of having surgery later to take care of skin...called body sculpting?? A lady at work will be having that soon, as she's 18 mos out and lost over 100 lbs. She claims the biggest way to get that surgery (have insurance cover) is to document on an ongoing basis the rashes you're getting, tell your doc (even primary care) at any and each appt that you're itchy, or you get occasional rashes. The documentation apparently aids in being able to proceed. You're a December date now - more time to prepare!

@Sprinkles1 hi cutie happiness is all that its cracked up to be!!☺️ wonderful bypass - wonderful success! 119 lbs gone out the window!! You are approaching weight loss finish line then you start all over w/maintenance for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life. reaching GOAL is wonderful - then hard work continues - following the rules forever and ever and ever keeping the lbs off - i know you can/will do this keep up the great job!! kathy congrats

I had bypass on 4/23/18. My starting weight was 340lbs. I'm currently 221lbs. That's a total weight loss of 119lbs! I honestly can't tell you a time I remember being this small my entire life. I'm so happy! First goal: 250lbs [emoji818] Second goal: 225lbs [emoji818] Third goal: 199lbs ...*pending* Final goal: 160-170lbs I never worked out until this month. These last 22lbs until onederland are stubborn. I'm also doing keto and intermittent fasting. This surgery changed my life. I'm almost positive I would be closer to 400lbs by now if I didn't have this surgery. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Dumping is often the result of eating foods with too much sugar but it can also be the result of eating carbs (for example white rice). Although decidedly unpleasant, dumping is seldom serious and rarely requires medical attention. It's also important to remember that many bypass patients never experience dumping. It's a mistake to count on dumping as a benefit of bypass since it may never occur. From a weight loss standpoint it makes no difference. There is no scientific evidence that patients who dump are any more or less successful than those who don't. For folks who experience dumping, about two-thirds experience early dumping. Early dumping usually occurs twenty to thirty minutes following eating. The remaining one third experience late dumping which usually occurs two to three hours following eating but can occur twelve hours or more later. Late dumping is usually reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and symptoms can usually be resolved quickly by eating just about anything that contains sugar. I seldom dump but when I do it's late dumping. In my case, white rice and popcorn are definitely off the menu options. The list of things that might result in dumping would be pretty long. But probably of little value anyway on an individual basis. Person A dumps on "X" every time while person B has no trouble at all with "X" but dumps on "Y", and person C doesn't dump on anything.. Regardless of whether you dump or not, you're gonna love the new you!!

I am so excited for you. Have to let us know how it goes. Are you have the bypass?

MY COMMENTS ARE IN ALL CAPS I can't decide between lap-band and gastric bypass. BOTH SURGERIES REQUIRE THE SAME TYPE OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TO BE A SUCCESS. I am 28 years old and I weigh 440 pounds. MY STARTING WEIGHT WAS 570 POUNDS I have seen two surgeons already. The first one said lap-band would be great for me. I would lose the weight and still be able to have kids. THAT'S TRUE. The second surgeon pushed gastric bypass. He said b/c I am so overweight that I would lose more weight by doing gastric. THAT IS A COMMON FALLACY. He also told me that since lap-band is a new procedure, there is not much research on the matter. THAT, HOWEVER, IS A FLAT-OUT LIE. THE LAP-BAND IS NOT A NEW PROCEDURE. IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS IN EUROPE, AND THE LAP-BAND IS AN FDA-APPROVED DEVICE. THE FDA DOES NOT APPROVE EXPERIMENTAL DEVICES. He claims that all bands will have to be replaced in 10-15 years. THAT IS ALSO A FLAT-OUT LIE. INAMED, THE MAKER OF THE BAND, TELLS SURGEONS TO INFORM THEIR PATIENTS THAT THE BAND IS A PERMANENT IMPLANT. Has anyone else heard this? Also, his nurse said that they will not be able to access the port to fill the lap-band for someone my size. OK, THAT'S THREE LIES AND THEY'RE OUT. I WEIGHED FAR MORE THAN YOU DO, AND GETTING A FILL HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE. She said that they do not make 8-12 inch needles to fill the band. First of all, I thought the port was placed in the area under my rib cage. THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE MINE IS. I don't have 8-12 inches of fat there. Also, the second surgeon said that 54% of severe morbid ob. patients that get lap-band end up getting gastric bypass. HE'S A LIAR, WE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT, BUT IF YOU EVER WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS PERSON AGAIN, I WANT YOU TO ASK HIM WHERE HE GOT THAT STATISTIC. INAMED STATES THAT LESS THAN 3% OF ALL LAP-BANDS ARE REMOVED FOR ALL REASONS COMBINED, SO EITHER THIS GUY OR INAMED IS LYING. I am just very confused on what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated HERE'S MY ADVICE: NEVER TRUST A DOCTOR WHO LIES.

Hi guys--my name is Amanda. I'm 29 and it's been a long road to this point. I've battled my weight my whole life, and finally i'm here. My bypass is scheduled for this Saturday, December 10th. I'm super excited for the journey ahead, but since it's getting so close i'm feeling scared at the same time--just basically the fact that i have to have surgery...haha. Did you guys feel the same way before you had yours? I've read some posts here that kind of make me feel like i'm not the only one. AND...i'm on my pre-op liquid diet...which for me is only protein shakes, broth and clear liquids...and i'm STARVING!! It'll be worth it, i know. Thanks for listening & i wish all of you the best of luck!