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I am having a hard time stayng on the two week diet-- protein drink twice and then two small meals hope everything goes fine for you seems to me like if you gain that should indicate you really need the surgery...Twirl

Zet, Don't let anyone try to change your mind if this is what you want. I've lost over 50 pounds in three months and even though I have at least 50 more to go you can't believe how much good it has done for me and this is a forever fix. It can stay in you and work with you until your dead and gone. As far as foreign objects, I have more metal in my neck and back and foot than this band takes up and what about crowns on your teeth, they're foreign. You just don't pay any attention to them. We'll all be supporting you here.

First of all, Donali and Kelly WOW! you look great! Love the new pics! Kelly I am glad you sorted out your problem by having some liquid removed. It is a horrible feeling when nothing goes through. Enjoy your meals while you can have slightly biggers serves, and remember sometimes eating again activates the metabolism ( specially if combined with a bit of excersise). cheers Tellie ps, Its so weird! after being very careful for weeks on what I eat, went crazy on mac and cheese, chocolate and ice cream on sunday, and finally lost a kilo after 3 weeks of nothing!!!!! back to salad land now tho....

Hey, Happy Birthday, Pam! However, I know you won't get your favorite gift for 3 - 4 weeks yet....a brand new grandson...Dylan! Hope you have a wonderful day. Behave and eat like a Bandster!

I have crazy dreams all the time. So far, none about the surgery. But I do dream about food. I am hoping that as I lose weight I will dream about oreos and brownies and so forth less. I think I am stuck dreaming about pizza-- I take pizza orders for a job. Right now I can get a craving and it can be weeks that have passed and the craving will not go away until I eat whatever it is that I am craving. And the dreams usually make me crave something!

did anyone else (or is anyone else) having crazy weird pre-op dreams?! last night i dreamt i was in the hospital (which looked an awful lot like a 7-11/cheap motel combo) laying in a huge bathtub filled with bubbles while my nurse was busy making a bunch of big gulps. i drank part of one and she yelled at me that my surgery was going to be postponed if i continued to drink soda. so i sat in the bubble bath and nervously waited for the other nurse to come draw my blood. i panicked that i forgot my laptop and was scared that i couldn't find my friend to help me go through the surgery. the water got cold and then i woke up. i also had a dream that i was already banded and was on a roller coaster. we went over a HUGE hill (hill?) and then went down a dip super fast and i threw up my band! never mind that it's on the OUTSIDE on my tummy. i woke up freaked out a bit. LOL. i have WEEKS to go and i'm already having crazy dreams every night. can't wait to see what my mind produces as the date gets closer!!! :heh:

Hi bunnies, I have been struggling for a couple of weeks. My brother passed away two weeks ago tomorrow. I immediately dropped all the rules and ate whatever I wanted. I felt fine until last night. My stomach was full and then I made the mistake of drinking water less than 30 min. after. I felt miserable until I fell asleep. I had just determined I would go back on liquids today and tomorrow, mushies Wednesday and Thursday, and back to solids Friday. I have an appt. for a fill next Friday. I was really needing that fill. Well I got on the scale yesterday and I was 218, not a lb. lost or gained, needless to say I was shocked. This morning I was 216! I ate really badly yesterday, although it wasn’t much it was all bad. This morning I drank a bottle of water on my way to work, nothing out of the ordinary. I noticed how full I was, like when I have a fresh fill. Then I drank a half muscle milk at breakfast time. It took me a half hour when I could normally (when needing a fill) can finish a whole on in that time. Now, Im sitting here w/my tuna (lunch) and Ive had 3 bites and Im full. Ive heard of stress making your band tighter (I certainly fit that bill - stressed). Im wondering though, if my band has slipped or Ive irritated my stomach with all the bad food. What do you think?

I have a 9cc Realize Band, and I had to have filled past the point of 9cc to get good restriction. I was a grazer, not an emotional eater, and I am able to distinguish between head hunger and actual hunger pretty well. Not saying that I don't have head hunger, but I recognize it for what it is. I'm not sure how often it happens with the Lap Band, but there are several Realize Band patients that need more than the 9cc to get good restriction, so I wouldn't necessarily chalk up your hunger to head hunger (or emotional eating) so fast. My doctor does a pressure fill measurement to Realize Band patients who are having trouble finding good restriction, rather than only relying on the saline measurement. Once I had good restriction, I was able to eliminate the grazing, because I was no longer hungry between meals. I eat 1/2 cup solid meals three times/day, one healthy snack, a Protein shake in the early a.m. on the morning I'm heading to the gym before the sun comes up, and lots of liquids in between meals. My weight is coming off at a snail's pace now that I'm getting close to goal, but my clothes are still getting loser and I'm able to move my belts down a notch ever so often, so I know I'm still losing fat. If you're still able to eat good healthy meals, and aren't pb'ing, having reflux, or other signs of being too filled, I'd go in for more adjustments before contemplating revision surgery.

It has been a while. I have been banded since 02/2008 and at my lowest weight ha lost 111 lbs. I had thyroid cancer that was caught by my lap-band doctor when I put on 30 lbs in a few months and had trouble swallowing. I am now down 86 lbs but struggle to lose again. I had to have an unexpected surgery in May and didn't even think about what effects it might have on my band. I am in my 6th week f recovery and I have started feelig like my band is too tight. I can drink slowly but most all foods just find their way back up. It is not horribly painful like the "stuck" feelig but lots of pressure. I have days I can eat anythig and days I can't swallow my own spit. It is very bothersome and I worry that it could be something more. Thinking of going back on liquids for a few days and seeing if it helps any. Has anyone else had a surgery like this that an share the effects on the band? Also, what did you do to jump start the weight loss again after everythig settled down? Thanks for the support and advice.

I was initially advised not to drink coffee. But after 5 mons doc gave approval to drink it if i must. suggested that i mix it though. Truth is my stomach can't tolerate to much caffeine at all now. So I mix a small cup 1/2 decaf & 1/2 reg when I do drink it and it's satisfying. I really just drink it only once a week.

Hello fellow lapbanders. Just a warning. I had my lapband in for 5 years. Last January my port area started to become inflamed with a red area around it. It eventually looked like an half of an egg raised up. It was so painful. My Doctor finally did a scope down my throat and found that the lapband was growing right into my stomach. After a 4 1/2 hour surgery, they finally got it out. I was in the hospital 3 weeks. I ended up in ICU for 3 days. I almost died. I'm not saying don't do it. Just have your Dr. do a scope down your our throat every 6 months. It worked for me. I lost my weight in about 1 and 1/2 years. I'm at a comfortable weight now. I just think if you do not monitor the banding, our bodies will try to incorporate the band into our bodies. Good luck everyone.

Started my liquid diet yesterday, I definitely ate at all my favorite restaurants within the last week!

With the right restriction, you will be totally satisfied with one slice of pizza. Having the correct fill makes all the difference in the world. If I were you, I would definitely be looking for another doctor. Your doctor doesn't sound helpful. My doctor gives fills every 6 weeks. I told him I wanted an aggressive fill, and he listened. After that, I started losing much better. I was full from a very small amount of food.

I almost passed out during my first fill. It was because I had not eaten before, I had to get stuck several times (port was tilted and unable to align needle with porthole) and my blood sugar dropped. I have had three fills since then and no problems.

I just had a fill about 10 days ago. It was my second fill, and I am up to 5 cc. Water went down fine as did liquids for day 1 and 2. Mushies were a bit harder day 3 and 4 as I ate a bit too fast or they were not mushie enough. But solids have been difficult. (They were the last time as well and it took me like two to three weeks to get to a comfort zone.) But this time I have had some real vomiting experiences. I have had this really full feeling for about 24 hours. Feels like the food is at the top of my stomach and end of my esophogus. I really don't want to unfill if this will pass. But I cannot seem to eat much at all. Had 1/2 an egg and 1/2 slice of cheee for breakfast and then a few almonds a few minutes ago. That is all along with some coffee and juice and I feel like I have eaten Thanksgiving dinner. I did have some PB late morning and then an actual wretch....UGHHH I am so scared I slipped the band. What does that actually feel like? Anyone know? CIndi

Sometimes they schedule you for all in one day- labs, nutritionist, physical therapist, psychologist, and nurse practitioner (obviously who you see will depend on requirements of clinic). I had my visits over three appointments. I was also required to have a sleep study.

100lb give or take over about three years (most of it in the first 18months)

OH MY GOD... YES, YES, YES I have experienced these spasms. Let me tell you my story: I was banded on 5/22/08. Was doing great until February of this year. About 8 weeks after I had had a fill (was thinking of going for another as I was eating anything and everything) I awoke one night with severe chest pain radiationg into my neck, down my arms, vomiting, was diaphoretic (cold sweats), and feeling like I was dying. Went to the local emergency room. Had full diagnostic work up with some EKG changes though not enough to cause the pain I had. Was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Well...from the vomiting with the chest pain I developed swelling to the band area. Went to my Lap-Band surgeon expecting just a small unfill to get back on track. He unfilled me immediately (didn't listen to what I had to say as to what I think had happened to cause the pain-I was thinking esophageal spasm as a Donnatal coctail eased my chest pain in the E.R.) and decided to take me to surgery for a diagnostic laparoscopy. Well, that was normal. He did do some lysis of adhesions. Anyway, I have been going back for gradual refills. The last time I went for a fill was about 5 weeks ago. Well, 2 weeks ago I had a really bad incident happen (life incident so to speak-was involved in a really bad accident where my car was totalled but I was not hurt) and vomited due to the stress. Well, since that time I can't eat without severe pain. This pain occurred just as soon as the first bite would round my throat on the way down to my stomach. Hadn't even reached my stomach. Well, after the spasm, I couldn't eat as every bite I tried would lead to a spasm. Went to my family doctor who told me to use nitroglycerine 5 min before I eat-I can't do this as my blood pressure is normally only about 110 on a good day. When I take the nitro I feel like passing out as it lowers my blood pressure. The family doctor did give me some very mild "nerve" pills to take if something bad happens again to prevent vomiting in the first place. Anyway, I continued to have the horrible, severe spasms until I got the bright idea to drink some hot Water or tea just prior to eating and then eat with a warm pack (one of those cloth bags filled with dry Beans or rice warmed up in a microwave) on my chest. Now I can eat with no pain. I am able to eat like I should. I know my band isn't too tight because I have just had a barium swallow which I am awaiting results on but the radiologist did say that the band was not too tight. The warmth of the hot drink and the warm pack keeps the inital spasm from happening and starting a viscious circle. I have been able to eat for the last 2 days like this and feel like I'm on the road to recovery, so to speak. Hope this helps. It is too bad that Docotors don't listen to their band patients and take it from there. I feel as though I had an un-needed surgery and other tests done because they wouldn't listen. Millie

Of course there's hope for you! You can do this and you don't even need to know your way around the kitchen. This is what the nutritionist told me Pre op Breakfast 4oz Protein shake 1/2 c juice (no sugar added) 16 oz Water broth or sugar free popsicle or Jello if hungry between breakfast and lunch Lunch 4oz Protein Shake 1/2 C skim milk broth or sugar free popsicle or jello if hungry dinner 4oz protein shake 1/2 C gatorade or sf juice 16 oz water broth or sugar free popsicle or jello if hungry Snack 4 oz protein shake 1/2 C skim milk 16 oz water Having the Protein shakes every four hours or so will help keep you from being hungry. Post op The day of was clear liquid. Water, broth, sugar free jello, sf popsicles For two weeks after: Thined or blended soups with no solid pieces, skim milk, vegetable or tomatoe juice, no sugar added low fat yogart, low fat sugar free pudding, Cereal with milk let it get soggy, or thinned cooked oatmeal or cream of wheat or grits...4 oz of any of the above at a time three times a day only!! As a snack in between meals 4 oz of your protein shake. sample menu Brkfast 4 oz No sugar low fat yogart snack 4 oz protein shake Lunch 2 oz blended Soup and 2 oz sugar free pudding snack 4 oz protein shake Dinner 4 oz cereal with milk (let it get soggy) Hope this helps and YES YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!! I would advice having a serious discussion with your health team and make sure they are going to be there for you throughout this whole process. It's not something you can have done, take your money and then they forget about you.

I will give you some advice. Before the pre-op started I said I'll have to hit all my favorite spots and have my farewells. Well that said and done I really wish I hadn't. It made me miserable the first week. When you make a sudden drop in calories going from 2,000+ and go to say 600-800. It really shocked my system. Day two I had the worst headache. Spent a good amount of time face down in the bathroom. Then from there felt very weak and like I had low blood sugar. I tested my levels and they weren't. If I could do it again I'd reign myself in and try to ween myself off progressively slower. Just a forewarning for all of you thinking of making it your last hurrah.

Thanks for asking this - I am going to Cabo and Maui over the next two months and I wondered the same thing. I am planning on hitting the beds next week.

Sorry to hear that, wondering if I have the same thing. Had an appointment for endoscopy next week and canceled it. Guess I better Re schedule it. Did you have any gurgling as well? Good luck! Hope all works out for you!

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Thank you, two. That's good to know! But I sucked it up and changed my date by a week so that a) I don't have to pre-op diet during my vacation to Las Vegas and my husband can come with me. I'm so very glad I wised up about it, especially after hearing you have to leave with someone! I'm hoping the surgery will be super easy for me. With my third c-section, I was up and walking right away and talked my doctor in discharging me within 24 hours of my surgery so I could attend my other child's preschool graduation. Here's to hoping, right? Thank you both again for replying!

Hi Roni, When I first got my band (2/13) I felt that pain too when I went on mushies. It does go away. I noticed when I ate a little too much is when I'd get that feeling. You are definately still healing and perhaps your pouch was so full it pulled a bit? If it's very painful and doesn't go away I would call your surgeon. That pain just under my left ribs where the port is took me a little over 4 weeks to go away. Lots of work is done in that area, said my surgeon, so it definately takes time hence the reason they tell you to not pick up more than 15 pounds for the first 8 weeks or so or to do abdominal exercises. Hope that helped. Sherry