I got the lap band in 2006. I had a hematoma develop over the port site soon after surgery. Once that resolved, I got another hematoma over the port site. My doctor said my port was infected. I had a surgery to remove it, and later, a surgery to replace it. That's three lap band surgeries.

At the same time, I had just started my first real job. I had a lot of responsibility and had to work with some VERY difficult personalities. I had to take Zyprexa to handle my growing anxiety about being at work. Zyprexa causes weight gain and increases risk of early onset of Type 2 Diabetes. I was very discouraged at this point and lost all confidence in the band. I had it completely unfilled.

Six years later, I've tried several interesting diets and lost no weight. Giving up hope again, I remembered I still have a lap band! I've had three fills since mid-January and have lost 36 pounds. I like the amount of restriction I have, but it's been a problem the past two days when it comes to morning pill taking time. I think I need to change from cold lattes to hot lattes. I just don't think I like hot soy milk. I will find out tomorrow.

I thought I would have to give up my vegan lifestyle, and started out with meat to meet that all important Protein requirement, but I've found it's easy to be vegan on the band. Soy milk for Breakfast, chickpeas and tabbouleh for lunch, and homemade bean chili with TVP for dinner, or something from Appetite for Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Quinoa is a complete protein and is very filling even in small portions.

I've found I've forgotten all the rules. I read Band Wagon and got a lot of answers. It's been a slow process getting back on board but I think I get better ideas every day. The last two days I had significant trouble with my morning pills. It felt like they just sat in my stomach all day and made me feel vomiting. Two days with headache, too.

Must stop writing. Can't keep my eyes open

Good luck with everything! Is there any way you can change your pills from the morning? Otherwise, definitely try a hot drink in the morning. My fill nurse really recommends it. It just gets you open a bit and ready to take in some nutrition (and would probably work with your pills too).

I would also suggest maybe switching pill time to the evenings.

Good luck!

Thanx for sharing I'm also a vegan you have given me hope that I can do this and remain true to my health and my passion for animals..keep up the good work

I have to have something hot in the morning to be able to even get a Protein shake down. My band just isn't happy in the mornings.

Can you spilt your pills or crush them? If they are a capsule, can you open the capsule and take the granules only? I open the capsule of my antidepressant and just take the contents.

Glad that you have decided to try using the band again. Hopefully this time you achieve the success that you are looking for.

I FIND IF I DRINK A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE MORNING THINGS GO DOWN EASIER.SO I STARTED PUTTING VANILLA PROTEIN POWDER IN MY FIRST CUP AND HAVE VANILLA COFFEE WHICH IS TASTY TO ME.

It has been a little over three years since I have had a fill, and moved to a different state in which I had surgery, do you know if I can still have a fill, and if you know if insurance will still pay, I want to get back to losing weight, have tryed other diet, doesn't work, have gained just about all my weight back,......HELP IN FLORIDA

Have you tryed the Unjury protien drink, it's the best there is, all flavors, you will have to order online, it is very good.....try it you will like it...

I'm so sorry, I have no idea. I live in the same place and see my original surgeon.

Your story is just what I needed to hear. I had my lapband in 2008 and did great until about a year later when I became very ill with Pneumonia and had an ER doctor unfill my band. I have had struggles ever since and have gained back nearly everything I lost. I have been feeling so hopeless, but realizing that I am not alone is so comforting. I paid cash for my surgery and so each fill costs $150,but I am going to value myself enough to set that money aside and begin to take care of me again.

thank you for sharing! I am so thankful to have found this website!

Welterrn, I'm so glad to be of help to you. I know my story is atypical, but since I didn't find much on the topic, I wanted to share my experience. I also had trouble finding much about being vegan with the band.

I took my pills with hot coffee this morning and they went down fine, but then I participated in some vigorous activity and got heartburn. I've never had heartburn before, and now I'm worried I'll have to get an unfill. I've just had a bad week :-/

Amazing story. Glad it's working for you now. As others stated drink hot coffee in the AM, most report it helps relax everything and makes for a better day of eating and drinking.

Hey there, I have a similar story -- I was banded in 2006 and it helped me to the point where I was not really using it anymore (the restriction was "ok" but easy to eat through and I only had 1 fill) --- recently I lost all restriction and discovered a malfunctional tubing.. I had the tubing replaced 3 days ago and its like I have a brand new band... but I too, hav forgotten the rules.. and have noticed there really isn't much restriction at all

are your pills crushable or available in liquid form? since you only take one med, that would be an easy fix

Lol, oh how I WISH it were only one pill! Or even just once a day!

I always take my morning meds with hot coffee, they go down much easier! Good luck on your journey!