project lisa

Update - it's been a tough time since May 2011! I was banded and then got an infection in my incision- I ended up at a wound clinic and on antibiotics for weeks - it got worse and I had the lap band removed 4 weeks post op. In August the lap band was replaced and for about 7 weeks I had good restriction and lost a total of 80 pounds between my pre diet and November. I stayed at the same weight until March - no loss - no gain and then I began to gain - I went every month and got fills but my diabetes flared up and I had to increase my insulin- this made me hungry and so I ate more. At some point I just gave up trying. Today it's been 14 months and I have gained 20 pounds in the past 4 months. AAAAGGGG frustration! Today I returned to the doctor and got another fill - my band now has over 7 cc. I am frequently asked if I would do the lap band again if I had to do over -- I can honestly say NO! I feel like I wasted $16K and after a total of 5 surgeries still have a bmi of 46. My weight is the same as it was a year ago in July!

I agree with you - live your life - drink in moderation and count the calories in your daily intake. I have a margarita when I want one and I am still losing weight - my first one was about 4 weeks post op with no problems

As I gained large amounts of weight my shoe size went from a 9 to an 11. I am only 2 weeks into this lapband journey but I am wondering if your shoe size changed after you lost a lot of weight.

It happened - after losing over 60 pounds - I bought a new pair of shoes and had to get 1/2 size smaller than normal! Yea I love it when I find a new place that is skinnier! it beats the heck out of the years I spent going to the closet and finding everything I wanted to wear was too small.

I am pretty new to this process but in my experience if I pay attention to my body and follow the doctors instructions to cut meat small and chew everything very well I don't have a problem - it's when I gulp something down that causes issues. I forget sometimes like earlier this week I was very hungry and made a PBJ sandwich and just practically inhaled half of it ( old habits die hard) I'm talking two bites and half of the sandwich was gone - I immediately knew I had made a mistake - to correct it I began drinking water and it quickly passed. Lesson learned - eat before I am starving hungry and pay attention to what goes into my mouth!

great progress - keep it up!

I also had a post op infection and had the tubing and port removed. They put it back in 4 weeks later and I have not had any problems in the 2 months since. I am losing weight much slower than I was prior to the removal.

Banded on 5/26/2011 68 pounds lost! It's been very slow the past 7 weeks and I am getting a fill every 2 weeks-

I can relate- in the beginning I was similar - I use low calorie gatorade instead of water - it comes in many flavors and will give you the electrolytes you need. Keep moving forward you can do this!

I can relate- in the beginning I was similar - I use low calorie gatorade instead of water - it comes in many flavors and will give you the electrolytes you need. Keep moving forward you can do this!

I took Phazyme - 2 small red pills eased my gas pains as well as hot showers- 3 - 4 x day and let the water hit on my aching shoulder. Both of these along with walking helped ease the pain a great deal. I had intense pain for more than a week due to gas. Good Luck - the first two weeks are hard but very well worth it.

Glad to hear you are doing so well.... keep up the walks and follow all the instructions - for many people the 3rd day post op is the hardest.

I was banded 5/26/2011 --- had tubing and port removed 7/12/2011 ( no fill in band) due to post op infection have lost 56 pounds - having tubing and port replaced 8/11/2011 ready for some restriction but still losing about 3 pounds per week - smaller stomach is making a difference in hunger

I received a card from the lap band company indicating the serial number of the lap band installed inside me but there was nothing mentioned about being able to order from a children's menu - I have never heard of this. Where did you receive this information?

Wow - this is an interesting issue- I would think after being banded and having significant weight loss you would be a much better risk - fewer co-morbidities and some assurance of not having to deal with future obesity issues. People frequently talk about healthcare reform - as a nurse I believe it starts with the insurance companies and employers who contract with them - As a nation we should reward healthy behaviors and lifestyles and possibly tax those who make other choices - If I chose to live an unhealthy lifestyle why should I not be the one to pay for the consequences like diabetes, hypertension and joint problems?

Finally my original incision sites are healing and not draining!!!! This is a wonderful milestone - after 8 weeks of packing and dressing a wound it's so nice to not worry about that. I am still on antibiotics and waiting for August 9th to arrive so I can get the tubing and port replaced. Feeling much better and weight loss continues although not very fast.

Just an update - the port and tubing are now out and the band is still intact. I'm on antibiotics and waiting for the abdominal infection to resolve. The plan right now is to return to surgery in a month to replace the tubing and port. The procedure was done with local anesthesia and just a little uncomfortable.

Hello lap band buddies - tomorrow I am going back to surgery and have my port and tubing taken out due to an infection. I was banded May 26th and have lost 46 pounds since May 12th my pre op diet date. I've had a lot of setbacks, starting with pharyngitis ( very sore throat) 3 days post op to issues with my knees hurting so bad I had to have injections in both of them and a round of oral steroids, then one of my incision sites swelled up and I had sever pain then another site broke open at 2 1/2 weeks and began draining. I've been going to a wound clinic for since mid June and it's been being packed and dressed but still continues to drain. Today I was supposed to have my first fill and instead my doctor feels it's not safe to leave the port or tubing in due to the infection at the incision sites. He will remove them tomorrow but says it's not safe to observe the band tomorrow because it may spread the infection. He will go back in next month and observe the band and if there is no infection then replace the port and tubing -- if the band it infected at that time It will have to be removed. I was not expecting this today it's quite a shock to have this set back. Keep posting of your progress - I enjoy reading them and I will update you on how my journey progresses.

Isn't it just the most wonderful feeling! Congrats!

same here - they say they will use it in the recovery room when you are waking up - but no one touched mine - it was a waste to take it

It's been a rollercoaster! I am 4 weeks post op - and I have had multiple problems. Pharyngitis, open incision at 3 weeks post op and draining incision sites, had to go on antibiotics, opposite side of abdomen huge hard egg shaped abcess, draining seroma near port, steroid injections for my knees, severe hyperglycemia following steroid injection. occluded stoma - had prime removed in first week. I've not found my doctors office very supportive. Today, I can eat just about anything - I'm losing much slower and taking in 800 - 1000 calories per day.Experienced severe dehydration due to occluded stoma- it took about a week to begin losing again - I gained 8 pounds when I began to drink fluids. sleeping much better - I think that may be due to caffeine withdrawl- I used to drink 4-6 diet cokes per day - I'm still struggling with what to drink - I am thirsty but nothing tastes good- I need sugar free due to diabetes. I get my first fill in early July. Right now I am learning to stop eating before I feel full- a challenge - and paying attention while I am eating - i have learned I am very distracted when eating - talking to others, reading, watching TV etc.... it takes effort to pay attention. I did eat a hamburger yesterday - just meat bread and cheese - it was soooo good! I am trying to get Protein in so my wounds will heal- find the easiest thing to eat is mashed potatoes, bacon, eggs, chicken salad. My clothes are much looser - i've gone down 2 sizes in pants and shirts.

Thanks for all the responses - I will wait awhile to purchase new shoes in anticipation of a reduction in size!