LJS69

I have gained 2.4 pounds in 2 days (and only eating 3 cups of food per day). My rings aren't as loose as they were a few days ago. Does anyone know if this normal for other people and if there is anything that you can do about it??

Lap-band is basically just a tool. You need to get mentally in the game since to feel the proper restriction may take months of fills to get it just right. I'm about 2 months out and I feel some restriction some of the time but you need to get into a frame of mind that you can't eat certain foods and you really need to measure out the food and just eat that and no more.

My dr. only made me be on a liquid diet for 7 days - then it was on to pureed food. One thing about the band is that if you are doing something wrong - you will feel it!

My surgeon gave me a card before the surgery and it says "per doctor's orders". I've tried using it once at a buffet but they just looked at me like "what does that mean". I still do think they understood after explaining it to them several times! Lately I've just been cutting the food in 1/2 as soon as it is served and asking for a doggie bag right away and put the other 1/2 in the container right away so I'm not tempted to eat it. I figure if I don't eat it the next day, my husband or 14 yr old son will eat it.

I had my surgery at 7:30 a.m. and was released about 1:00 p.m. the same day. Hospital beds & recliners are never very comfortable - I enjoyed being home and being comfortable!!

I was a Dt Pepsi-aholic. When I talked with the dietician she suggested weaning myself off the pop as soon as possible. I miss it a little but I drink a bottled water of Crystal light every morning. My Dr & dietician said I can't drink pop ever again due to the fact that the carbonation will stretch out the stoma. I've been thinking about just trying a little but worried about ruining the $20,000 worth of surgery!! I think I'll wait yet - I'm not missing it that much!

I'm about 5 weeks post-op and I feel pretty "normal". I've had steak, hamburger, etc and really haven't found anything that I can't eat yet. I agree with Jachut, you really won't know what your problem foods will be until after the surgery.

I had surgery on 2/15/07 and my Dr. didn't even put bandages on my incisions and I didn't even have stitches - just glue (which was kind of scary!). Did you have it done laproscopic or what. If it was done laproscopic, I don't see any reason that you would not be able to take off the bandages.

I work 1 week off and 1 week on, so I scheduled the surgery for a week that I knew I would have off. But I still haven't told anyone at work. Why can't you just say that you are planning a vacation or need to do some spring cleaning, home repairds, etc. My biggest worry was that it would only be a matter of time before people would start to notice I was losing weight and what would I say?? My plan is to say that I rejoined Weight Watchers. Which would also help when it came to food at the work place (cake, pizza etc). I would allow 7 days off, you feel okay after about 4/5 days but very tired and I took a lot of naps (not normally a napper).

I know in regular dieting you reach plateaus - is that the same for the lap-band and how long does it last?? I've done good up to about a week ago and now no matter what I eat or how much I exercise, I can't lose anything!! I'm getting very frustrated and I'm only 5 weeks post-op. Anyone have any helpful ideas??

I got my first fill the end of February and I had the same thing happen. I have a Dr. appt on the 3rd of April and will most definitely ask him what the scoop is!!

My doctor is Dr. Thaemert at McKennan Hospital in SF.

Hi! I was banded on 2/15/07 and have lost 25.6 pounds so far. Things have been going great so far, no sickness and can tolerate any food but I'm not really feeling full. I just measure out my food and eat the portion size that I am supposed to. My doctor did put 4 cc of saline in my band about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Am I just weird or is this normal??

I was banded 1 month ago and my husband's company goes through BCBS of MN. They want at least 2 documented weight loss Dr. supervised programs, you need to visit with a Psych. (which is covered) and a dietician (which is not covered - cost about $300), you need a referral from you primary doctor. You need to be prepared to fill out forms that ask what diet programs you have tried (beginning weight, ending weight, how much you've gain back and how many months you were on that program). BCBS was pretty good to work with and I got approval in about 8 days. We are still waiting to see how much they will pay on the surgery which costs $5700 Dr fees and $13,500 for the hospital. Should be at least 90% or more since we have met our max. out of pocket expenses already this year. Hope this was helpful!