Search the Community

Kara, you are in the same place many of us have been in at one time. I would suggest seeing your primary care as planned and then researching as much as you can about lap band surgery and what is required after surgery. It is a great "tool" for weight loss, but it does require a lot of commitment. I am similar to you in that my highest weight was 260 and the lowest weight that I can remember since high school is 140. I even went on a strict diet and exercise program, went to school to become a fitness technician, and worked as a personal trainer for 4 years and was still only able to get down to 178. I kept at that weight for a year but then got pregnant with two more kids and ballooned back up to 260. That was when I decided to get the lap band surgery. I had been researching it off and on over the previous year and a half and was afraid to take such a drastic approach but I literally had tried everything else. I had surgery June 9, 2008 and so three months later, I have lost 35 pounds. I have been successful with the lap band so far, but I have tried to follow the Dr's orders as close as possible because that is what I have read and heard makes a huge difference in your success. I am sure if you decide to go ahead with surgery, with the right support, commitment, dedication, and determination, you will be very successful. Good luck!

Those are the things I worry about happening. Sorry, it has happened to you. I have had restriction the whole time but then the last couple weeks I feel like I dont even have a band. Good luck with your surgery.

My diet was very simple. 1 week of low carb protein drinks, with no restrictions on quantity.

I was banded 3 years ago this month. The first year the weight just flew off me. I will say i was very strict with myself and followed every rule to a T. I lost over a 100lbs the first year. My mindset was this, i willingly had an elective surgery that i was fortunate enough to have had insurance pay for, i'll be damned if i was gonna screw it up. I kept having small frequent fills in order to keep feeling a certain level of restriction. I am filled to 9.2 in the large VG band. I did have one temporary set back. I needed port replacement, i struggled to maintain my loss during that time when we were trying to figure out where my fluid was going. Luckily i did maintain my loss but it was pure hell without restriction. I joined a gym when i got to the point where i was comfy enough to exercise with others. I go 4-5 times a week. I will be perfectly honest and say i still have food issues and most likely always will, i am a total food addict. That is why i MUST keep myself super restricted so that it is impossible for me to overindulge. I am still able to eat anything i want but i am only able to eat a very small amount. Thats what works for me.

This is just me and not saying you should do this but I have chewed gum since week 2 post op and hasn't given me any gas. My dr never said I couldn't have it.

I went home with a 30 day script, but at 1 week appt, doc took me off of them because I'm not at risk for clotting. It seems to just be a part of the routine.

I am 5 weeks post-op today. I have healed well, tolerate a regular diet, and exercise (C25k three times a week and elliptical at the gym twice a week) regularly. I have been maintaining this routine since about week two. I lost 15 lbs during the first week post-op but have fluctuated at 298-300 for the past month. I saw my NUT last week who recommended increasing calories from 850/day to about 1000/day. I have been meeting my caloric, Protein, and Water goals but still have not lost weight. I haven't done measurements, but my clothes aren't fitting differently either. I know every other person has complained about slow weightloss, and it's a waiting game or loss comes down to switching up your routine, but I don't know what to do anymore! I feel like I have all of the inconveniences and discomforts of the surgery without the pay-off--I'm pretty bummed about it. Am I missing something obvious? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I'm also about 5 weeks out and have been stalled for 11 days. I've been told it's normal. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My pre-op journey has seemed to drag on forever. Monthly weigh-ins, a very occasional appointment. I was all psyched up as I finally had my cardio appointment scheduled, labs scheduled, next nurse practitioner appointment scheduled. Then came the phone call. A very strange phone call from the cardiology department, sounding like they had no idea why I was even coming in. Then another phone call. This one from the Bariatric Department. It seems that when cardio got my referral, they made my appointment with the WRONG DOCTOR!!! How does this happen? It seems to me that if Bariatrics is making the referral that it would be pretty obvious why I'm coming in. So, now, my cardio appointment has been pushed back a month. Because it got pushed back, my nurse practitioner appointment got cancelled! So, I went from full speed ahead to still in the Water (my famine). Very down, wanted to eat everything in sight. But!!! I stuck with my diet, kept going to weigh-ins. And this morning...another phone call. Due to my last weigh-in being in November and the holidays coming up, the patient advocate didn't want to take a chance of my appointments being "lost in the madness" (his words). So now I'm feasting with three appointments in September, two in October and my last weigh-in and follow up in Bariatrics to send everything to the insurance company in mid November! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for December surgery. It seems that it would make a nice circle as last December is when I decided to have RNY surgery.

I am 4 weeks post op this week, I have not lost anything. I go for my first fill on the 6th. But I feel hungry and before you know it I am looking for something to eat, I feel like I am slipping backwards. The more hungry I get the less I pay attention to what and how I eat. Good news is I haven't gained anything either! Any advice on this? Can some one please explain the "green zone" to me?

Hello. The last two fills i've had, my Dr. told me my band got really loose. He needed to add 2cc's. He wants to check me again in 3 weeks, to make sure nothing is wrong with my band. Has anyone experienced this??????

The rule of thumb I got from my doc is if I am following the bandster rules and I have not lost in 3 weeks in a row I need a fill. Are you making good food choices? Drinking all of your water and exercising? If so then maybe you do need a fill....I'm sure your doc will have an answer for you tomorrow. Good Luck~

The gas pain is horrible...I take Gas-x, pepcid, and Tums!! I alternate between them. My incision is pretty sore also. I can't sit for too long, I can't lay down for too long, I cant stand for too long! AHHHHHHHHHH! Can't wait for this part to be over. The good part is that I have lost like 7 pounds since surgery! It takes me 3 sittings to eat a 6 oz yogurt! I am sick of the shakes so what I do it put 2 scoops in 4 oz of skim milk and ice, blend it well so that way I only have to drink it once a day instead of twice or three times. I wanna sleep on my belly again too!!

Sorry, I should have told you about my post op. I was comfortable to go home the same day. I had my surgery at 8 am and Dr. Fielding sent me home after seeing me at 7pm. I only needed pain medication...IV in the recovery room. I didn't ask for it again. I took tylenol when I got home for the next 24-36 hours. I mostly took it, before bed. So I'd be most comfortable for sleep. I slept on pile of pillows as sitting up and lying down is the hardest move to do. I found at one week I was back to normal. Moving around and driving, cooking, shopping....but no heavy lifting. If you want to know more. Email me. put subject in email....otherwise I won't open.

Has anyone out there been banded at NYU- Interested in your experiences- Most curious about the first 2 to 3 week period post op- are you full, what is healing like, etc etc etc- what can one expect from someone who has had this ?

My first suggestion would be to just keep reading, there is a lot to be learned about the band! It is an awesome tool, but it like any other surgery is best gone into with a full understanding of what is being done and why. I will do my best to answer the questions you have ask here today. But I am not a good replacement for asking your Dr. these things. As for time off, I could not imagine needing 6 weeks. I was back up to normal in days. I was driving within a week I would guess, I might have waited the 10 days til my stitches were out. Most Dr.'s/surgeons, will begin to fill the band within 8 weeks of surgery if you are showing signs of needing a fill. Those signs include hunger, and an ability to eat large amounts of food. There is a wide range of how much and how often Dr.'s do fills. There is nothing preventing a fill after 2 years out, but usually by that time, you will have had a few fills. The fact that is IS adjustable is one of the biggest advantages of this surgery as opposed to rny, in my opinion. I am a cancer survivor, if I were to relapse, and need more nourishment than I am taking in with my band, it could be unfilled. With lap band we do not automtically suffer from malnourishment. The band, tubing and port are all ideally to remain prermanently in the body, able to be adjusted at any time. Even when one reaches goal weight there is no reason to remove any of the 3 parts. Good Luck on your continued research. Ask any questions you have...it is the best way to learn! Kat

I was out for one week, actually a day short of one week. I could have used a few more days, but could function. I have a desk job, but came back to a really busy time, and worked a lot of overtime my first couple of weeks back. Driving restriction was just no driving while still on the pain meds. Yes, they can adjust you as often as you need. I've had three fills, and am thinking about another one. That was one reason I chose this over the RNY, it can be customized for me. The port and the band are intended to be left in for life, barring any problems.

I went to the hospital where they did the surgery and they specialize in it.No not my surgeon was there but I have met all the docs before so they were fine.I call it water test,but if you even keep water down its bad and you should go to ER.they did gastroscopy I guess they wanted to see if everything is ok with my band and that way they helped me cause I got rid of everything that was in the pouche and of the stuck food. The third time they checked the band and saw that everything is ok:-) It wasnt like a golfball it was really bad I couldnt almost swallow my own spit, and it didnt go away for like three hours so thats why I decided to call the hospital and they asked me to come there right away...

Im wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I am nearly 6 weeks post op and for the last week I've been having sharp pain below the rib on the left side.

How do i make my story short and not so sweet? Anyway I had my sleeve done August 15th and was oh so happy and was dropping pounds like bombs and my doc was like you can exercise after 2 weeks. So what does Tashara do after 2 weeks? I went for a nice little bike-ride around DC, 2miles tops. Anyways, I came back and collapsed at my desk and had a high fever. (this was last Tuesday 8/30). So I go to kaiser urgent care who checks my blood and sends me home with Tylenol and says I have a bug. OK. Wednesday I call my surgeons office (Dr. Salemah and Dr. Mayes) and go in to have a UGI to make sure my sleeve is in good condition. So my sleeve is great, and then I suddenly get sharp pains in my left side along with my 102+ fever. But they too send me home and say follow up with PCP. Now its Thursday and I'm about to die and so I see my primary who puts me on an IV, antibiotics (Invans) and liquid Tylenol for my fever. They check my blood pressure and it has dropped to 88\48! Usually I have to take Lisinopril for my pressure but I haven't even taken it since my surgery, so that is some very low numbers. So my doc puts me on another bag of fluid and sends me home when my fever drops to 99 and my pressure is up to 95\56. I woke up early Friday morning shivering like no other and a temp of 104.3. I called an ambulance and was rushed to the ER. So they gave me a CT scan and come to find out..my spleen has an abscess of liquid on it. So now i'm being transported to Virginia Hospital Center (where I had my surgery) and of course Dr. Mayes comes to meet me and he is rushing me to their CT scan so they can take out my infected spleen and place a drain tube through my back to get all of the excess fluid. Pain Pain Pain Pain. Saturday, the infectious disease doc comes in and totally freaks me out saying that the spleen and the stomach are basically connected by some blood vessels. When they cut my stomach they had to remove the cells connected to the spleen which usually dies off and grows back. But instead mines picked up salmonella. SALMONELLA!!!! Has any body ever heard of a crazy thing like that. I caught salmonella during surgery on my friggin spleen. Like of all the times I have eaten somewhere that might not have been the cleanest or pigged out on some nasty fast food, I catch salmonella poisoning on my spleen during surgery. So my labor day weekend was spent in the hospital and I came home finally today with a taped up back and a drain with yucky stuff dripping out. Would i be wrong to ask my surgeon to foot my hospital bill, I mean c'mon son!

You can do this! By this time tomorrow you will be walking, burping and sipping! Best of luck and speedy recovery! You will love your sleeve in a few weeks!

Alexandra I've been following your posts and have a question. If I remember correctly, you had your surgery on 8/20. I'm right behind you - on 8/26. So, you're just 1 1/2 weeks post-op. Correct? And you're on mushy food already??? I'm amazed. I am just 4 days post-op and am on Clear liquids until next Tuesday, then I have a week of full liquids (Protein drinks and yogurt, etc.), before I am allowed to go to mushy foods in week three. I'm surprised that you are able to be on mushy (and soft?) already. Nice to hear though. What are the guidelines your doctor gives you? Your words of wisdom about protein are helpful. Actually, I'm pretty amazed I'm not starving right now. I've been having basically clear broth, Jello, fruit juice popsicles - AND a clear liquid Protein, which I think really helps. But I must say, I'm ready for the next phase. I'm sick of the clear liquids. Thanks for all your helpful posts. Mary

Wow!! I was borderline diabetic too! It's completely under control now as well..about your reflux..if you get anxious does it flare up?? Nerves might be getting to you?? I know waiting for all the requirements to be met made me so stressed I had headaches and stomach aches!! :cool2: Well I had to wait with my family doctor too but when she found out that my liver doctor was going to write a letter then she jumped on the band wagon and then the heart doctor but come to find out I didn't need all of those! Just getting the lapband doctor to do his report and have all my morbidity problems and my excessive weight and having proof of a supervised diet plan within the last five years..and failing of course..set me up! This is the first year my insurance covered the lap band. They would the by pass but my liver doc and family doc said they wouldn't recommend it because of so many problems that could be incurred..so my liver doc said..now a lap band I'll go for since it's reversible if things don't go well! So 2 years later I finally got my band! I just wish they had this available through my insurance years ago!! It sure would have saved them so much in prescriptions and doctor visits!! But better late than never!!:biggrin2:Please keep me posted as you go along and get things done and if you need anything I'll try to help you as much as I can! One thing I suggest..just because..if there is something that you really love to eat..get it and eat it!! I had steak for 2 whole weeks before my preop diet! HA! If I knew that those great rolls wouldn't go through my band I would have made myself sick eating those too because you are getting ready for a real strict amount and type of food you can eat! I can eat just about anything but chicken that's fried..forget it, if it has dry meat I gag!! I eat steak but my hubby cuts it really tiny because I'm real bad about not chewing as throughly as I should!:w00t: I eat fish, beef, pork (which seems to be the easiest for me to digest) and my veggies are limited because some of them are pretty stringy and you will fill up pretty quick with fiber!! I always try to eat my protein (meats/cheese/eggs etc) first..then proceed with what ever is on my diet! One mistake a friend of my daughters made was assuming the band was a cure all..it's not..it's a tool to HELP you but you have to follow the diet and be ready to exercise..all I do is walk and it does help!! You can still cheat but that's when your will power has to be overcome!! In the lapbandtalk forum there are a bunch of us that have plead guilty of cheating once in a while and it's really strange that the good stuff will make you puke but the bad stuff just goes right through! HA! But we are all trying to keep from cheating now! If it goes down that easy then that tells me it can be stored as fat!! I'm so tight right now I should be losing weight but like I said I haven't been exercising so I know it works because I'm eating a lot less but the scales are moving soooo slowly!! Anyway..just wanted to let you know some of the things I can look back on and wish I would have done but didn't..and now what I can do but try not to! I'm only half way through but my girlfriends at work think I've lost enough..as well as my hubby, but if I'm going to pay for plastic surgery I want to at least reach my goal first!! So I will plod along and maybe this time next year I can start my second phase of becoming a new me!! Best wishes for you!!

In my support group we meet for an hour every other week. The meeting is run by our outpatient exercise coordinator and either the dietician or psychologist. the meeting consists of powerpoint presentations and handouts. We are allowed to ask questions and make comments throughout the course of the meeting. I've been going to the meetings since March until last month, but I no longer go. I don't feel I'm getting anything from these meetings.

hi mate in the same boat just turned 40 3 kids and one on the way was going to do it last year but put it off then lost job so that put everything to halt but my weight kept gooing up so i got a loan from a good friend and booked in to a hospital in the uk cost 9000 euros as im from ireland i get it done in a fee week