cmacinga

I'm gaining weight after 3 fills. I've read the following. Has anyone been thought this terrible time? Thanks, Carol Please read below... Lap Band and weight GAIN... Is there such a thing as having the band tightened too much? Yes, the band can be over-adjusted. When the band is too tight, patients cannot eat solid foods without regurgitating the food or feeling very uncomfortable for many hours. When the band is too tight, patients tend to gain weight because they are resorting to the liquid and/or softer foods that travel through the band easily. These foods tend to be higher in fat and higher in sugar. When patients start this dysfunctional eating pattern, they are taking in more calories than if the band was looser. A band that is too tight will also cause heartburn and coughing in some patients. If after surgery, and despite following all the rules, I am at a plateau of weight loss, what should I do? Plateaus are a normal part of the weight loss process. In the first year or two after surgery, weight loss plateau usually means that you need to come in and have a little bit of Fluid put in the band to increase restriction. Occasionally, plateaus are caused by the Band being too tight. If the Band is too tight, weight loss will resume after a little fluid is taken out of the Band. If the above causes are ruled out, we will have you keep a food and exercise diary. The diary will include the times and quantities of foods eaten, drinks taken, Protein grams consumed, and an exercise log. We may have you consult with the dietician as well. What happens if 10 years from now I start to gain weight? What do I do? We see you annually in the office for a check-up, however if you are gaining weight, it is time to come in so that we can assess the problem. It could mean that you need a little adjustment in your band volume to provide a little more restriction. There may be a problem related to the types of food you are eating or there may have been a life crisis and emotional eating or depression may be taking hold.

Hello: I am contemplating LapBand surgery. I am from Northwest Indiana. Any suggestions? I'm looking in Southlake Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, Indiana. That is very close to me. How has your experience been. Anything I should know that would make me say, "Yes, let's do it!" Thanks for your time, Carol

Today is my one year anniversary of having the lap-band surgery. I have lost 50 pounds as of this morning and 4 dress sizes. I guess I am one of the slow ones to get to goal, which will be 50 more pounds and 4 more dress sizes, but I am working my way towards a better life. I walk 2 miles Monday through Friday with friends from work. I had my last fill last Friday. Doctor says I am as tight as it is going to get. Anyone else having an anniversary? What has been your progress to date? Thanks, Carol :w00t:

Hi Everyone: I am struggling with this lap-band. I am yo-yoing back and forth and can't get past the 35 pound mark. I drop to 194 then back up to 202. My problem, I think, is when I get filled, I am on liquids for 2-4 weeks, that's clear, to full liquids just like after surgery. While on that timeframe, I can lose 15 pounds no problem, cause I'm not eating. As soon as I start taking in solids, I gain. Please help! I am 9 cc filled. Last fill was one week before Thanksgiving 2007. We are nearing our one year anniversary mark, and I am no where close to goal! Thanks, Carol

I often wanted to see a week's worth of what people eat. After the fill, my praticular surgeon has me on clear liquids for one week, full liquids for the second week, pureed foods, the third week, and soft foods the forth week. Just like after surgery. The same schedule. Today for breakfast I had a "Kellogg's Special K20 protein Water." I didn't feel like Isopure protein drink and I did not feel like a Protein shake. The downside is the Kelloggs protein water only has 5 grams of protein while the shakes and isopure have 40 grams. Big difference. Lunch today is a bowl of chopped up tomatoes and a side salad. I don't know what I will do with dinner. Depends if I can keep this salad down or not. So far so good. I am terrible at filling up on Crystal Lite Ice Tea all day. What is everyone else eating. Can anyone share a week's menu with us so we can get on track, too? Steamed vegies do not go down. Too much throwing up and slime and spitting up.

Can anyone tell me why we PB: Why we slime and barf so much? Every time I eat, I take a few bites, then I have to stop. Chest feels like heart attack then I begin to slime, and I have to go to sink and spit for a while. Sometimes, it turns out I have to throw up. Other times, its a lot of burping and spitting slime. Why didn't we burp and slime before getting the band? I guess that will answer why we do it now. But why do we do it now. Please help. How do we stop doing it. It is embarassing in public... Carol

Thank you so much for responding. Everytime I post something, no one ever seems to want to reply to my questions. So I stopped coming to this forum for a long time. I thought one more time, I'll try and ask for some support and information. Thank you for replying. You have given me hope. I keep thinking as well, that with my next fill, I will lose more. And I do, except when I get back to the solid foods, most don't stay down all the time, and it seems like I can eat every other day. And what I reach for as the things to I know go down and stay down, but they are filled with calories. I was walking every day at lunch, 2 miles, but then, winter set in, and I have stopped walking and got busy with other stuff. So that definitely stopped my weight loss dead in its tracks. I know what I need to do, it's a matter of doing it, and struggling so much with eating every day discourages me from accepting the truth: Small portions, best food choices and exercise. God Bless you and I hope you are very successful and keep pushing forward in your weight loss journey! Carol

how much does our band hold? what is 'PBing' ???

Hi, it's Carol. I went for my second fill lst Friday, November 16. I don't feel to good. I have not lost any more weight. A total of only 20 pounds since being banded. I am stuck. Now the doctor really filled me up. I am at 9 cc now. I think that might be too much and am tempted to call him and ask him to take some out. What do you recommend? Did anyone else get really filled up on the seond time? Doctor told me to start post-surgery diet all over again now. So that's one week clear fluids, second week, full liquids, third week, blender foods, forth week, mushies. And yes, I am missing thanksgiving this year. How much do you recommend for the second fill? how much should he have given to me and no more? looking for a number of ccs, please.

Last week Friday, I went to see my pulmonary doctor, and he read the tests I took, asked me about my sleep apena, told him I had surgery for that like 3 years ago, and he said that he wanted me in the sleep lab that night. So I called my work, told them I was not coming in, went to the sleep lab last Friday night and took the sleep study. Did real bad until the cpap machine at 2 a.m. then I slept like a baby. Am on cpap machine now until surgery. Was told patients who use cpap machine up until surgery come out of surgery and recover more quickly because of all the oxegen in the blood. So then the next morning, I had the scoop down the throat test, and threw up all over the table. Luckily, I had no food in my stomach for over 15 hours, so it was dry throwing up, but it as awful. Not like I remember having when I was a teenager. So they found the dredded hiatal hernia and said something about taking a biopsy of it??? !!! When I was leaving the hospital Saturday afternoon, I asked if I was gonna be seeing them (the great nurses in the same day surgery unit) and they said, Yes, you will start out here and then go to recovery, and then to your room for a few days 3-4 days! I thought this lap-band was same day surgery then you go home. So my question is this: Does anyone else have the hiatal hernia before surgery, and did anyone else stay a few days in the hospital before being released? How was it? My surgery is May 29.

Hi, I am frustrated as well. I started at 242 and am stuck around 210. I am eating everything not because I want to, but because I can. I need to get back on track. I miss the days of chicken broth and protein drinks only. I saw a big difference in myself, but ever since I started testing out old foods again, and am not having any problem with them, I am eating them and I hate myself for falling back into my old habits. I need some real support and guidence. The only positive thing that has happened to me since surgery is I have found the love of my life and will probably be engaged next year. He's supportive very much, but still, I hate that I can't get the ball rolling again.

Count me in on the exercise! carol

Hi Indiana Lap-Banders: I am from Northwest Indiana. I was banded on May 30, 2007 I am almost 3 weeks post-op now. I have lost 30 pounds from pre-op through present time. The weight loss has slowed drastically now, as it ususally is. Moved into the pureed stage last Friday. I'm tired of eating creamed soups. That's probably why the weight loss has stopped. Too many calories.:hungry: How are the rest of you doing? any questions? Am curious where everyone in Indiana, especially those in Northwest Indiana where you chose to have your surgery done at. Carol

I'll have to look into that. I know Gerald Cahill was the first with gastric-bypass followed by the lapband. Regardless, he was the best choice for me and I am very pleased with everything from day one.

Hello Everyone: I'm from Merrillville, Indiana. If anyone out there has not yet committed to a hospital, and if you are thinking of Broadway Methodist, please contact me at cmacinga@dcgary.org and I want to share some information with you. If you have had your surgery at St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana, definitely contact me. That's where I had mine on May 30. I am with the doctor who brought the lap-band surgery to Chicago and Northwest Indiana. If you want the very best care, and you are from my area, let's talk. I started out at 240 and am now at 210. I have lots to share of a very exceptionally perfect experience, no pain, none of the horror stories that one might read of those unfortunate to have encountered complications. If anyone is also on the 6 weeks full liquids post-op, please let me know what your basic daily diet consists of. I know the cream soups are full of calories, so I'm on the protein shake, sugar free: pudding, jello, yogart and apple sauce. Good luck to anyone out there who has not yet had surgery. It's the best decision you will make to save your life!:clap2: Carol

Kacee: I think you are right about not sweating the small stuff. I have had a life of pain in one way or another, so my pain tollerance is very high. :help: I do have a question for anyone out there. Since I am stuck on 6 weeks of liquids, and you are sharing with me that creamed soups are high in calories, then what would you recommend as a daily menu samplier combining clear liquids and full liquids to give a good menu. I am drinking the protein shakes and I do have in the house, sugar free pudding and jello and popcicles. What else do you think would be okay? What would YOU eat in my situation. I don't want to gain weight at this point. I'm too close to the 200 mark to go back towards 240! :nono: thanks! Carol

Since surgery on May 30, I have lost 17 pounds. Anyone else on strict full liquids for 6 weeks after surgery? Carol :phanvan

Hello Everyone. I feel guilty posting my results to you because I did not have any pain, did not need to take any pain medication, and have lost almost 30 pounds so far. Started at 240 now down to 208. I saw my doctor this past Tuesday, and he said I am one in a million. I am doing sooo good and I look sooo good you'd never know I had surgery a little more than a week ago. I am walking a lot every day down the street and around the yard. I will be on full liquids from now for the next 40 days. Doctor says it is important for the band to be secured to the body by the body creating adhesions over the band. Then he said beginning around second week in July, I will move to mushy stage for two weeks, then to the solid foods. I am not arguing against his logic. He is the surgeon who brought the lap-band surgery to Chicago and to Northwest Indiana. I know I am with the best. He has done over 1,000 weight loss surgeries and for me, personally, I have chosen the best. Before surgery I read all your posts and thought I was in for a hell of a ride. But, again, I must honestly tell you I am teriffic and I am very blessed to be in such good health. However, I must tell you my secret..... I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day for almost a month before surgery. So I only have my Lord to thank for my success. Carol

I had a doctor's visit today, and my surgery got postponed by one day. Now it is May 30 instead of May 29. That's good, I guess. Wouldn't want the surgeon to have a hangover from all the Memorial Day drinking he might do the following morning!:faint: Anyone else on May 30th? Carol

Lori Ann: How are you doing since being banded on May 24? Did you have a hospital stay?

Hello Everyone in May 2007. I am so happy to have all of you as a support system. I am soooo ready for the surgery. Decided to go on the pre-op diet on May 10, that's 2 weeks and 5 days before surgery. Lost 10 pounds. I see the problem I've always had. I get stuck and can't lose past a certain point. Will the lap-band push me through those stuck periods? Have I done right getting used to eating lightly in advance of them telling me to start pre-op diet tomorrow? Won't they be surprised to hear I've already done it now for 11 days already!

I see everyone is taking vitamins. Where are you getting them from and are they liquid? how much are you paying. I get banded on May 29 and just want to get stuff in order. thanks!:youcandothis:

DVSABOSS: Thank you for the pdf of the cards. That will help a lot. I agree with everyone about the senior menu. I was just repeating what I was told by Grand Park Surgical Center about the "kids menu" yes, that menu is full of junk. By the way, I left Grand Park Surgical Center and went to a well-informed and trained staff of employees at St. Margaret Medical Center in Dyer, Indiana. But they had not heard of the cards either. So thanks. I will share this information with them. See how I can be told the wrong information and you folks can help straighten out the truth? !!! Thanks for being her to support all of us. God Bless each of you!!!!

Has anyone received a card - one that is given to lap-band patients that you take with you when you go out to eat :hungry: that says you are a lap-band recipient and the establishment must honor your ordering off the kids menu or asking for a smaller portion and adjusting the price accordingly? Second card you take with you when you travel because the port will set off the security alarms at the airport. The card says something like you are a lap-band recipient, and you have a devise installed in your body that will set off the the alarms? I went to a seminar at Grand Park Surgical Center in Merrillville, Indiana, and they mentioned these two cards that the patients are given to make things easier on them eating out and traveling. When i asked them today for a copy of those cards to present to my surgeon at the hospital I am now with, they said they would not give me one, that it was reserved for "their patients" and that quote: "All training and availabilities are offered to all performing providers. " Does anyone have such cards that they care share with me what the wording is so that St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana can create them for their patients? Thank you.