Andy Dufresne

Hey everyone- Just went to the surgeon yesterday. Weighed 288 at my heaviest (Lapband put in Jan 2011), and was at 198 weighing in yesterday (WOO HOO!!!). For someone who is 5 foot 10, this is right where I want to be, maybe even a few pounds under a good "Fighting weight" for me. I have a 14CC band which was increased back in August to 10CC and THAT is when the weight started to melt off. From August to Feb I went from 263 to 223, and 223 to 198 in 1 month from Feb to yesterday (YIKES). Well, I knew with the last fill in August that 10CC was too constrictive, but I was willing to live with it (Means to an end) and it paid off. I kept with the Vitamins and Protien and much as I could, and also dealt with a LOT of regurgitating and mucous sticking in my throat. The last week was too much though; nothing stayed down, acidic taste in my mouth/throat 100% of the time, being woken up in the middle of the night to acidic burning in my throat, and I felt my health slipping. Went from 263 to 198 with the LapBand being a very instrumental tool. Well, I had the PA unfill the Band to 6.5CC and I can actually eat again!!! No more food stuck in my throat, I can actually eat small portions of food at times, and I feel like training wheels are off and I can actually have the freedom to eat again. Of course I am nervous because I got as big as I did due to bad choices over and over. Hopefully I have learned from this huge undertaking and will do the right things going forward. For the immediate short term, I will have a little of this and little of that and maybe even gain back a few pounds. Long term, tighten up, Bulk up, and work on the cardio to maintain my weight. I have found that you can't recommend something like this for anyone; It is a decision that they have to ultimately make for themselves one way or the other. I also realize that the road I took is probably not recommended by a lot of doctors. However I am personally thrilled with having it done and how I mapped it out as I know it probably saved my life. I feel 20 years younger and can't wait to begin a new life with my wife and kids as a dad/husband who doesn't have to feel self-conscious about himself anymore, or worry about his health being a problem for his family.

I got the surgery 1/19/2011. 14 CC band, it is 9cc full right now. Pretty restrictive; I can't eat much of anything- But that's the whole point of having the surgery in the first place, right? I have my Vitamins and protien every day and eat what I can (Which doesnt really amount to much TBH). I am very happy I had the surgery and have no regrets, although I realize it isn't for everyone. I have gotten used to the (Very) small portions of food, and look/feel much healthier now. To not have my life controlled by food, and all the guilty feelings associated with being fat is just liberating. 1 year post op. 288 at my heaviest, down to 222 now....Looking forward to hitting my goal of 199.

I wouldn't worry at all about it. I am 22 days post-op myself, and for the last 10 days I have paid no mind to the dietary guidelines. I've tried everything and have had no problems. Good Luck!

Hey everyone- I wanted to take a few and share my frustration. I am 3 weeks post-banding, and everything has gone absolutely great. The only problem I have experienced the entire time was when the gas had to make it's way out of my system 48 hours after the surgery. I've dropped about 20 pounds since the surgery (Although I probably havent dropped much at all over the last 7-10 days), and I've lost a total of 45 pounds including pre-op diet to be down just below 240 pounds and I am now feeling healthy, slim, and good. I can squeeze into size 36 Jeans and feel as healthy as I ever have. I saw my primary yesterday, and for all intents and purposes the HBP and Diabetes I had 2 months ago are now effectively gone! Life is good, and I am very happy I got this procedure done. The lap-band is in and wide open; no fills yet. OK, Now here it comes... BUTTTTTTT.......... I haven't exactly been sticking religiously to the post op diet. For the first 1 1/2 weeks, I Did for the most part and just had liquids (The substance I would have would be applesauce or yogurt), however the last week I have pretty much eaten whatever I want to. My body is accepting it, and it is going down with no problems whatsoever. I feel no restrictions and quite honestly at this point could eat the same way that got me into trouble in the first place if I wanted to. I even had a few bowl of Pasta and sauce on Super bowl Sunday. There's nothing I haven't re-tried over the last week, and as I stated everything is going down fine and without problem whatsoever. It bothers me that this is happening. I was trying to eat the "bad foods" hoping that my body would reject them and that I would sublimally know not to do it again. I KNOW that if I wanted to, I could completely pig out and go eat whatever I wanted to just the same as before. My willpower is obviously not as strong as it was leading up to the surgery and directly after the surgery, and now that I know I can go back to my bad habits...I just do not trust myself because I can see the bad habits coming back. Over the last 3 days I have not shown much restraint and eaten pretty much whatever I wanted to and I'm not happy with myself- but again, Now that I know I can I feel like I've opened Pandora's box and that there's no closing it. I don't THINK I will sabotage myself, however part of the reason I had this lap band placed in me was to know that I would be restricting myself using this tool...Which is not helping in the least bit right now.......I can eat and eat and eat if I want. I had my initial follow up with my surgeon yesterday. He was very happy with my weight loss and progress, and said that He is pleased and everything looks great. Of course I completely lied to him and said that I was following all the dietary guidelines (I didn't want to raise any red flags or stop him from doing a fill). I then told him that I had really serious hunger urges and that I would like to have a fill. He then told me that he wouldn't do a fill unless I plateau'd and showed I wasn't losing any weight. DAMN. This is blowing up in my face. So I need to show that I can't lose the weight for him to do a fill? This makes no sense to me- Why wouldn't he just do a fill? Isn't that part of the surgery? I don't get it and I am frustrated. In any case, I have another Appointment with him scheduled for 4 weeks from now.....I have to NOT lose weight in order to get a fill? That makes no sense to me. This surgeon did an AWESOME job in placing the lab-band; he is obviously one of the best at what he does, and I know I should just do what he tells me......But still, I am questioning the point of not doing a fill. Do I need to flat out tell him that I am not controlling my hunger and eating whatever I want? because IMO if I do that he will NOT do the fill because he will be afraid I will damage the lapband or hurt myself....Whatever...I'm confused... Any and all advice would be appreciated...Thanks in Advance!

I am in the same exact boat as you. My lap band was 3 weeks ago today, and I have found my hunger has returned. I'm trying to be good, but I feel myself leaning towards the dark side LOL. Check my past post; I did a pretty big write up a few days ago on this very subject and good luck!

FWIW...My 2 Cents... Stay positive and don't pay any mind to what negative people say. You're right- there ARE plenty of people who look to make others look bad (Thinking it will make them look good), as well as plenty of people who think that THEIR way is the ONLY way to do something correctly. This applies to every facet of life as well as recovering from lap band surgery. Be positive in what you do, and do not worry about negativity from others. There are many people who will be positive and give you constructive advice; These are the ones you should pay mind to and take the good from them while at the same time block out the negativity. This is the internet, and if you are sensitive to what people are writing behind their computers on a message board, then you should probably re-evaluate your priorites. Again, good luck in your recovery, and do what you know is best. Stop being so sensitive, and just filter out the negativity. I have found in life that when you let someone know that what they are doing is bothering you (When their entire intention WAS to bother you), then you are giving them exactly what they want and putting undue stress on yourself. Be positive, and move in the right direction with or without the support of others. Good Luck!

It is a decision that only you can make, really. All I can do is tell you that I am VERY happy with my decision to have the Lapband put in. I was also considering it for the very same reasons that you list, and eventually I came to the decision that my health was more important than anything else, and that I needed to be here in 20 years for my children rather than drop dead of a heart attack or have a stroke because of my selfish decisions which I could have done something about but never did. Like I said, it is a decision that only you can make. I suggest sitting down and making a list of the Pros and Cons for both decisions (Having the Surgery vs not having the surgery), and then evaluate everything and decide what is the best thing for you to do. Good luck with whatever you choose!

I was in absolute agony on day 2 after the surgery (I am now 10-days post-op) when the gasses where passing through. I tried absolutely everything from walking around to breathing heavy to even sitting on top of my washing machine. Finally after 15 hours of misery (I could have set my clock to the pain; it was 15-20 Seconds of sheer torture in my belly followed by 45 seconds of no pain...Rinse, repeat for 15 hours). I passed out from the pain twice. I finally tried laying down on my right side and EVERYTHING came out in 3 or 4 looooooooooong farts and I was instantly relieved and out of pain. Hopefully this will help you. BTW I am still VERY gassy, but I was also very gassy pre-surgery

Hey everyone! This looks like the place to be for lapbanders like myself, so I figured I'd jump into the Water right away. I got banded 8 days ago, and I feel GREAT! No problems, pain, or complications whatsoever since the surgery except for the passing of the gas which took about 14 hours. I can honestly say at this point 8 days later I am 100% and feel as strong as I did before the surgery, but with the added bonus of having shed 15 pounds since the surgery (35 pounds total) I felt good about having the surgery, and now I am very happy I had it done. I know I will meet all my goals and more importantly BE HEALTHY the rest of my life! My Surgeon was Dr. Malcolm Robinson at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston. He came highly recommended, and I have nothing but praise for him.

Hey everyone! I am obviously new to this site. I googled "Lap band message board" and this was the first place that popped up. I must say that it looks like there are many resources here and plenty of help and support to get me through this. Thanks in advance! I had the LapBand put in 8 days ago by a well referred surgeon in Boston (Dr. Malcolm Robinson at Brigham and Women's), and It's been an awesome experience. From the moment I came to from surgery, I haven't had any pain at all- Just discomfort and some uncomfortableness due to the air they pumped into me for the surgery. Once the Air passed through my system (Felt like 16 hours of labor!) I have felt like a million bucks and feel as strong as I did before the surgery. Up until today, I have been strictly on liquids and completely abiding by the dietary guidelines. Well, today I decided to be brave. Ive had about 20 Green olives, 4 whole pickles, and some very thick and creamy Soup. (Of course I chewed everything up to a pulp before swallowing) and everything is going down great with nothing coming back up, and no dumping. As I said before, my body feels %100 now and I really feel the same way I did before the surgery. I lost about 20 Lbs pre-surgery, and about 15 since the surgery...Soooooo...Ive gone from 280 to 245 in the last month or so (I am 5 foot 10) and I feel so good; I havent been down this low in at least 5-6 years. I can fit in size 38 pants now, My shirts look good on me and dont look like they were painted onto my chest. I looks and feel GREAT and I am pumped up to lose another 50-70 pounds.....I like what I've done and where I am going. Well, here is my question after my long post. I am only 8 days removed from the surgery, but as I said before everything feels great and nothing feels wrong at all. I am eating things I probably shouldn't be eating at this point, but in doing so I am finding that I can obvious consume more than just the liquids that are advised in my dietary guidelines. I am obviously chewing everything down to where it is passing through the lapband with no problems......Is that the only thing I should worry about? I figure by this point the swelling has gone down and my body has accepted the hardware. Do I need to worry about my body breaking food down? Because I assume once it goes past the lapband it gets broken down the same way as before as long as it is passing through. Now to clarify, I'm not going to go wolfing down a burger, pizza, bread, or anything crazy lol..........but the thought IS crossing my mind to have little samples of food here and there that I'm not supposed to at this point. Again, is it OK to keep eating solid foods as long as my body keeps accepting them? Obviously if my body has a problem with them it will tell me quite fast LOL. What is the harm and/or risk I can run by not just drinking liquids over the next week, and then going to mushy foods next week. As I said before, by body is accepting everything just fine and I feel great. Can I stretch the lapband out and would that be bad? Am I supposed to be shrinking my whole stomach by drinking all these fluids? I know I probably should have gotten these answers from my surgeon and the nutritionist, but I figure you guys can set me straight. All advice is welcome, and thanks again in advance.