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I went for my first fill about 5 weeks ago and really felt like there wasnt much restriction I just went for my second fill on the 4th and now am feeling much more retricted it varies by day and time though mornings more restricted nights less

Hi Allie, My situation is very similar to yours- banded quite a while, too-tight fill, ignoring the symptoms- thats me! I didn't have the 2nd stomach thing, but part of my lower stomach slipped above the band, making it larger and also causing the reflux problems. I had an unfill and it corrected itself, got another fill about a year later, and 6 weeks after that, the reflux started again. I was unfilled, it corrected itself and here I am. I have a small fill, which helps some, but I keep waiting for the reflux to start again. My surgeon has said that if it happens again, I have a couple of options- have my band repositioned, removed or convert to a gastic bypass. At this point, I'm not sure what I would do, but I'm very, very frustrated. My highest weight was 380, 330 at banding, 225 at the lowest and now I'm back up to 275. I just want reliable, predictable restriction. When its working, its WONDERFUL and I lose weight easily. It just doesn't seem to be working for me. Good Luck! Melissa

Thank you. You are right that website is a great resoure. I called my Dr. and they said that I did need to come in and have my fill adjusted. Apparently, the first fill is to "test " my eating habits and to make sure everything is working properly befor they give me a tighter fill. So three weeks later I am off to TN a 6 hour drive...for a 30 minute apt.! Ughhhh! Eliza

Feeling a little blue right now...The lithotripsy was okay I guess...but when the dr. came out and let me know that he only blasted the 8mm stone that was moving around ...the stint has to remain in and in about 3 weeks we do this all over again. Not what I really wanted to hear. Also, let me know my secondary problem ...yeast infection would probably continue because of the antibotics I will continue to take. Yuck! I also have the task of drinking 16 oz of Water before going to bed...making sure I get up during the night to urinate and then drinking another 16 oz before going back to bed. Sip, sip, sip means I won't be getting much sleep. My DH is usually very supportive but his teasingly telling me to quit whining isn't what I want. Tomorrow is a new day and I will get up, look in the mirror and tell myself all the things I have to be grateful for like a loss as of today of 75 lbs, 1 lbs to go to get of of the 300's, that's been at least 10 years ago that I saw that. That this is not fatal and it will pass ...just will take a little more time. Patience!!! And that I feel I have someone to talk to and that I can be honest with about my weight and journey. Since I started this I have made a promise to be honest with myself, DH, doctor and my new found friends here at LBT. Gee, I guess I started tonight and mentally I am starting to have an attitude adjustment. Apples2, Thanks for sharing your thoughts about how things are going that for out ... I've been following the LB rules but sometimes I get a little scared that I might fall back into old habits...I agree with you that the benefits I am starting to have high energy levels, more activity, and better health...well except for these temporary set backs is worth the effort of my new lifestyle. Thanks, Doxie...I have pain pills right now helping me through the next couple of days ... and I keep telling myself as I strain my urine ...This to will pass. But it does feel good to know others are thinking of me. DH said time for me to go to bed ....Thanks again. Deb

What a way to Celebrate my 3 month anniversary of being banded! Tomorrow I go for outpatient surgery to get 2 large kidney stones blasted. Last week I doubled over in pain at work...I thought it had something to do with the lapband they called my husband and to the Emergency Room I went...past 3 hospitals on the way but I kept telling my husband to take me where I was banded...called my surgeon on the way and he said the ER....After the diagnosis of one BIG kidney stone stuck and 1 in the kidney, I had surgery to get the big one out...I woke up to find out they pushed it back into the kidney ...to big to get out. So tomorrow I get them blasted! Even though my lapband surgeon does not handle kidney stones he visited me in the hospital twice and sent his intern in twice just to see how I was doing. Has anyone had this done since banded...I'm nervous ....worried about it effecting my band. I have been so uncomfortable since leaving the hospital...pain pills, antibiotics, I feel like a walking pharmacy. Any encouraging words about the procedure? Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Day of Surgery 345 Today 301.5

Here's an update, my doctor's appointment a week after my lithotripsy was not good...the kidney stone did not break up so I still have two, the stint is still in place sent me home to wait another week because he thought he saw a small fragment in the tube.....today was my 2nd doctor's appointment ... still have 2 stones, one is getting close to opening...he gave me a choice --to go in and try to remove both stones or wait it out....I have been so miserable that I've decided to do the surgery and I hope he'll be able to get both of them out...won't know until Monday when ... have to be sure I have no infection..culture has to come back clean. Monday is also my next LB appointment. 4 weeks ago my LBS and I decided not to do an adjustment with all the things going on but he did set up this appointment 2 weeks earlier.... for the past three weeks my body has been playing with my weight up acouple pounds then down. I've fluctuated around 6 pounds. I noticed when I started this thread I was 301.5 this morning I was 302. I don't know if it's my frame of mind or that I need my second adjustment but I am getting hungry and it's getting harder and harder to stay with my 1/2 cup meals. Sometimes I think it's just my habit of emotional eating causing this. Then at other times I have only been adjusted once and I might need to have another fill. But again until this kidney stone thing is done I am having to drink so much Water and that's so hard for me to do at the present time do I really want to deal with more restriction and my water intake. I just don't know what my feelings are about it... I know no one can make up my mind but maybe some different thoughts might help me out of my funk! Any thoughts? Help? Deb

Hi Thanks for replying. I have been just a little nervous. I had one incident about two yrs ago where I streched my pouch out a little. I got scared after that and just never put any Fluid back in once it was all out. I think from here on out I have to do very small fills. My band is working! Its only been a week since I got the fill I think I lose 5 pounds..lol. I'm happy. The only thing I'm worried about is, since I can get really only 3oz+ a little more in, is if I'm getting all the nutrtients I need. I have started, just eating my meat in one serving. waiting only 3 hours and eating a couple of veggies. Then I go back to 4 hours and eat meat and tiny fruit then later back to veggie in 3 hours with lil meat. What do you think about that? Now that I'm back on the bandwagon, I wanna dio it correctly. I think we are all different because I only have 1cc now and I don't think I would ever get to 2. However I notice that a 4 oz meal is all that I can eat. If I eat very very slow I'm full right away only after exactly 3. I cant finish a cup. Anyway are you in washington? Congrads on your weight loss, I can't even imagine that I will lose 70 pds! You must feel like you are flying! I'm so happy for you! Hi, I think your diet looks good. My doctor talks more about volume of food than weight of food. For example - my meals are to be less than one cup each (rather than 3 oz this or that). So, if I eat a cup of salad - that's only a few ounces. She's just more concerned about volume. So, I would say that so long as you are staying within about a cup at each meal - you should be good. I don't have any fill in my band so I don't really ever get that "full" feeling. I know some people get a hiccup or a burp or some slight pain in the shoulder but it sounds like you are making good choices. How is your weight loss going?

Well ebony I am back. My surgeon says that the doctor can modify your diet if need be. My dietician totally redid my diet. I am on a new diet that is so much better. I could ony do a week of liquids and if you are diabetic your diet should be different to allow for sugar control. Don't change your mind about the procedure because I was whining! Have the surgery, I am glad i did. My problem was my dietician had me doing the RNY diet instead of the lapband diet. Talk with your dietician call her/him and bug the hell out of them until you have a solution to make you feel better. After the surgery the liquids weren't that hard to do for the first 5 days for me it was that sixth day.

Ok, I had my first consult yesterday. I thought I was quite prepared for anything they would throw my way but I was kinda surprised at a couple of the things they require pre-op (not that they are bad or anything). My doctor requires a gallbladder ultrasound and a EGD along with the insurance required 6 month weigh-in's and the psych consult. Anyone else had to have a US and EGD pre-op? My band surgery will be done outpatient. 5 small incisions. Port will be placed just below my xyphoid. They use staples (bummer) I suggested surgical glue...who knows by the time I have surgery maybe they will be using the glue. 2 weeks of liquids post op then advance as tolerated. First fill done under flouro. Does this sound about average?

I almost never feel a fill until 5-7 days after it happens. Sounds weird, but it takes mine a while to kick in! Sounds like you should go back to your reg doc. Why the long wait for a fill? That sounds really crazy! My doc always gets you in within the week you call! Anyone else around you who does fills?

Anyone else just absolutely exhausted since surgery? I was pretty tired all the time BEFORE surgery but since surgery it's been worse. I'm seeing others and talking to others who've had surgery around the same time as I did and they all have tons of energy and feel great. I don't need tons of energy but I'd like SOME! LOL! I do have a 2 1/2 year old DD that I'm home with. I work about 5 hours a week, at home. DH is a fireman and works a 72 hour shift so for a good part of the week, it's just me with the kiddo. I know that's tiring but I'm not feeling like I should be THIS tired. I could've been in bed at 6 tonight and been happily asleep. It's crazy! I think I'm going to have to talk to my PCP. My bloodtests all show my thyroid levels are normal, tho I think they're on the low side. Maybe I need to be retested. I'm getting plenty of Protein, supplements are fine, I'm not taking Iron 'cause it scares me so I don't know how I'm doing on that end. Anyway, in the meantime, I thought I'd ask if anyone else is just sooo exhausted as well. Oh, and my mom, who's had several surgeries, says to give it 6 months! That would be end of February!

Unfill was easy...it was so good to be able to eat a meal without it getting stuck....you kinda get blase about it and really shouldn't...I feel kinda pissed at myself for leaving it the week and a half.....I am so going to be more on top of it next time. And hey at least this time I didn't have to go onto liquids then softs. I heart my doc though he is very nice and really caring. He tut tutted me when I told him I had vomited... with an 'Ohhh Lisa', he worries and rightly so but I am feeling much better now and will not leave it long if I am overfilled next time, especially now I know what to expect when I am too tight! So they took out 1mL then I am back in 2 weeks to get a 0.5mL put back in and then fills after that will be taken much slower. Mum had her gastroscopy and they said everything looks ok. She knows something isn't right though and she thinks maybe it is unrelated to the band and it was just a coincidence that it happened around the time of the band so she'll go and see an Ear Nose and Throat doc just to check herself over. But to forwarn you guys if you vomit, PB, my doc advises that you should go onto liquids for the next two meals then soft foods for one or two and then reintroduce the solid foods. If you then vomit again/have trouble with food getting stuck when you get to the solids, it is probable that you are overfilled and should probably have some taken out. So if this happens CALL YOUR DOCTOR and discuss it with them. Don't leave it too long, you don't want to cause a slip!!

I had one plain scrambled egg this morning, with half a mushy banana topped with a teaspoon of Peanut Butter. Heavenly! My stomach isn't very hungry yet, but after two weeks of Jello and yogurt smoothies my brain has been craving salty stuff. I bought some gooey shrimp dip with microscopic pieces of seafood; it really takes the edge off those salt pangs. Of course I can't dip anything into it except my finger, but it'll do for now. By the way, I'm finally on the other side of 250. It sounds silly, but it's a big milestone for me. (I have friends who would be mortified to weigh as much as 150!) I can almost imagine being under 200 again... look out world, here I come.

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!!

The best advice I can give you is to be patient bc in the beginning, when you have no restriction, it is very difficult. You have to be diligent and count calories/measure your food etc. Make sur eyou get your fills every 4 weeks. I began to feel restriction at my 5th fill and hit my sweet spot at my 6th fill. I am sure you will do great!

Remember, bands don't generally have any fill upon installation, or if they do it is a small amount. You are starting over like when you got your first band. The first 4-6 weeks are for healing, not losing. You need to go through the whole process of getting to your green zone again. You are doing very well! I lost 4 lbs the first week post-op, then nothing until my second fill. If you think you might be truly depressed, seek professional help.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I know I'm not drinking enough, so I can work on that. I typed a whole paragraph about my other surgery that was on Thursday, but it disappeared. I didn't realize it wasn't there when I posted the original post. I had a pain pump implanted on Thursday, and after thinking more, I'll bet I have a lot of Fluid retention. You know how IV fluids are. I think having 2 surgeries so close together has played with my emotions too. I haven't been able to be up moving around much, and so there is bound to be fluid retention. I'm realistic enough to know that I won't really lose anything for the next couple of weeks while I let my body recovery. I think I just panicked when I saw the scale, because I certainly don't want to gain. I have a 5ish inch incision in my abdomen and a 2.5 inch one in my back, so I'm pretty ouchy. Dumb question here, but what is TOM? Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words. I am moving to soft foods today (yay, no more pureed stuff), and I'll be very careful with what I put in my mouth! Cindy

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.

I have to do 2 weeks liquids... 2 weeks pureed/soft foods (like yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes.... then 3 weeks of slowing intro other softer foods. I can't wait until Dec. 26th, as I begin soft foods, so I can get Protein from scrambled eggs, etc.... I have had enough of this liquid already... but I am doing it!!!!!

Just curious to see what your Dr's have said regarding post op liquids and how long you're to be on them. Im to be on liquids, basically Clear Liquids PLUS tomoto Soup, including Jello, popsicles, crystal light, broth, diluted juice...ect... for a total of 4 weeks. Just wondering what your dr's have said.....

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?