SuzyGayle

I had my lap band on 9-21-07 and have yet to have my 1st fill. Was back to see surgeon for 1st fill 1st week in November (6 weeks after surgery) and didn't get one....we agreed I was still having restriction from surgery and am losing weight. He said to get an appointment in one month if I'm NOT losing at least one lb per week....here I'm losing 1-1/2 lbs per week and have lost 38lbs without fill.....I've delayed it until January....I'm in no hurry to use the fill as a crutch....want to see how far I can do this w/o fill.....as long as I'm going down is the goal!

Juno610 Go to any drugstore and get a pill grinder...I was grinding my meds post-op as I was taking 5 metforming plus 3 other pills.....am now able to get it down with no problems..

Hi Allheart: I live in Crofton, MD...had surgery on Fri 9/21 and took the following week off....by the following Wednesday, I was planting fall flowers....I bypassed the pain prescription given by the surgeon and just used liquid Tylenol and was driving in 2 days.... Good luck!

Lapband has really helped me with my type II diabetes. Was diagnosed around 8 years ago and had increased my meds to 5 over the years....would have my diabetes in control for 6 months and then would have to add another med. -was on 5 metformin per day -1 pill of glimerpiride per day -1 pill of avandia per day -2 injections of 10 units of Byetta per day -1 injection of 35 units of Lantus per day plus 1 med for high blood pressure, 1 med for cholestral had my surgery and now take 3 metformin per day, 1/2 avandia and 8 units of Lantus. -am off the cholestral med, and next doctor visit, might go off the Lantus. Was paying between $250-300 a month for co-pays for meds plus the supplies and hope to get off most if not all. My diabetes doctor has 12 patients besides me that had the lapband and ALL are off meds for diabetes and sleep apnea. This is the only thing that helped me and is a lifesaver. Good luck on your journey!

I've hap pcos for decades....all the female and related problems, weight gain around the middle, and ultimately type II diabetes....most of the female problems were resolved through surgery or menopause, but the diabetes is now under control with the surgery....I was on 5 meds for diabetes, and am now down to 2. I've lost 31 lbs since surgery 9-21-07...it's probably more, but each doctor I go for my various other problems, shows different numbers on their scales so I don't get too excited about it... Was supposed to get my 1st fill 2 weeks ago but still have some restriction since surgery so we decided to come back in a month, but the surgeon stated that if I'm losing a minimum of 1 lb per week, come back in 2 months...which is what I'm going to do... Good luck with your weight loss program, just remember, we all lose in our own ways, but if we follow the program, we lose !

I had surgery at 11 AM and a friend drove me home in her little Honda....no problem....I did take a pillow with me .... Good luck !

I had surgery 9-21-07 and have yet to have my 1st fill. Was at the surgeon last week and he is extremely pleased with the weight loss. I have some restrictions with the solid food and he said that if I'm losing a pound a week see him in 2 months, but if not see him in one month for 1st fill....I'm in no hurry...when I feel very hungry, I notice that it's when I'm not getting enough protein that day, so I just hit a protein shake, protein water and take my greyhound for a walk !! Again, as many have said, each person is different and the lap band experiences, what you can eat, etc all vary from person to person...find out what's best for you.

I can't get down ANY form of chicken or tuna salad! Cottage cheese, or any type of cheese is okay....was at a seminar and one of the lunch items was a steak filet and was able to eat 3 bites, but no problem going down. I've had scrambled eggs at home with no problem, but had scrambled eggs at work and had a major problem....found out from the cook in the cafeteria that the eggs are reconsitituted with some citrus...anything thats too dry.....

Ditto the choices...am skipping pre and post dinner choices but just doing the basic bites of the main course.....BUT it's hard not to taste too much when I'm the cook!

If you are on prescription pain meds post op, no driving while on those.......I didn't fill the doctors prescription and just used liquid tylenol for a couple of days....I drove 2 days post op and no problem. Good luck !

Had my surgery on 9-21 and still haven't had my 1st fill....was back to the surgeon last week to get my 1st fill and we are waiting for another month....still have restrictions from original surgery....am hungry sometimes, but get a little more protein either with food or Isopure and am good to go !

Off my 4th medication.... Stacy 73… 40 TulipStar…22 Mdicurn…20 time4me…27.8 Magooz07…11 Caresarn…16 Klpdbl…31 Lapband4me...32 Sirusman…45 Allisarin…23 Tishamarie…49 EL1…23 Juliacleone…14 Kimmie…45 dsmit13…23 ScareDcat…32 Lapitup…22.5 mandi78…23 andrea71…28 Thinmom…23 Kellymovingon...35 flipper64...30 kagoscuba...37 Lucylu...15 Gurlygirl....23 Amber...39 suzygayle....31 Linda E......24.5 lbs Texrose 575 .....24.0 lbs

I've been type II diabetic for 8 years and before surgery was on 5 diabetes medications, 1 for high blood pressure and 1 for cholestral... Had surgery on 9-21 and am off the cholestral meds, have eliminated 2 of the 5 diabetes meds, have cut down the metformin from 5 a day to 3 a day, cut another in half and reduced my insulin shot from 35 units to 8....that's next to go! Plus, just think of the cost savings of all these meds...was paying between $250 and 300 a month for co-pays plus supplies...... My diabetes doctor has 13 patients who had this surgery and almost all are off all meds including sleep apnea... SO yes, this surgery will HELP you control your diabetes.

I've a several surgeries and this surgery by far was the easiest....the death issue never concerned me until you have to sign the papers before surgery ! BUT, just think of the long term and how much healthier you will be and live longer because of it ...that makes it all worth it. Good luck !

my first meal after the soft food was salmon and green beans...got that down okay....tried chicken salad and tuna salad and it's tough to go down for me....soups are still good, but adding very small pieces of chicken and some veggies down... I think the mushie stage is easier !

You are never too old...most doctors perform surgery for patients up to 70 or 75. I'm 54 and had my surgery 9-21-07 and have lost 31 lbs. I also have more than 100 lbs to lose, but as you see I'm 1/3 of the way there. I was on 5 diabetes meds, 1 for high blood pressure, and 1 for cholestrol. I'm off of the cholestrol med, reduced the BP med, and of the 5 for diabetes, am off of 2, reduced the other 3. I was spending between $250-300 for meds and supplies and hope to save that money... My diabetes doctor had 12 people before me that had this surgery and ALL are off meds for diabetes, HBP, cholestrol, and sleep apnea.... There is no reason NOT to do this, but being more healthy and more active and PLUS saving $$ is a great motivator... plus I iust adopted a retired greyhound...and he gives me more motivation to walk with him... The biggest advantage to this surgery, is you CAN'T eat the quantify of food like you used to, and after a few weeks you won't want to. But also, don't get into bad habits of high carb and high calorie food and a low quantity....protein is the key for me....when I get hungry, just have a Protein drink and that really helps! Good Luck...look forward and not backward.

Girlygirl, 24 lbs is nothing to sneeze at!! Just think of a 20 lb sack of flour and a 4 lb sack of sugar that your body doesn't have to lug around anymore !! Keep it up! SuzyGayle

How hard is it to have trick or treat night with candy in the house and not have a piece.....I admit, I had a peanut butter cup...was soft...should have bought candy I don't like...BUT, went back on being good.....

Well, I had my 1st and hopefully only episode one week ago...I was eating chicken salad and ate entirely too fast. I started hiccupping white froth and then the slime....lasted approx 45 minutes...thankfully no actually vomiting....also good thing I was home.... eating fast was my nbr one problem before surgery and was doing well since surgery 9-21....got right back on track with the baby spoon and take my time....

Am down 31 since 9-21-07. Am scheduled to see my surgeon on 11-13 and may still not have my 1st fill. My espaphagus swelled up 2 days post op and was re-admitted for IVs for dehydration and for steroids to reduce the selling...fine since then, but Doc said that my band was tight....I do get hungry but that's when I'm lacking the Protein and I can definitely feel it. Plus I was going to join a gym and do Water aerobics but currently have a toe ulcer being treated by a wound center, so water is out for a few weeks. Have been walking tho....just adopted a greyhound...Misha! So I can't really complain of losing 31 lbs without serious exercise and no fills! Stacy 73… 40 TulipStar…22 Mdicurn…20 time4me…27.8 Magooz07…11 Caresarn…16 Klpdbl…31 Lapband4me...32 Sirusman…23 Allisarin…23 Tishamarie…49 EL1…23 Juliacleone…14 Kimmie…43 dsmit13…23 ScareDcat…22 Lapitup…22.5 mandi78…23 andrea71…28 Thinmom…23 Kellymovingon...35 flipper64...30 kagoscuba...37 Lucylu...15 Gurlygirl....23 Amber...39 suzygayle...31

After losing big at first then hit a plateau, starting to lose again. No fill scheduled yet.

Not sure the well toasted bread was a good idea. May have been too dry...I was told no bread for at least 6 months.

Have been type 2 diabetic for 8 years...was maxed out on Metformin, also on avandia, glimerpiride, byetta and lantus injections. I had surgery 3 weeks ago and had to go off the metformin 2 days before surgery as it interferes with the anathesia...my diabetes doctor said to stay off it post -op and see him afterwards. my surgar levels are normal now and also am off of the byetta. My diabetes doctor had 13 patients before me who had the band and ALL are off their diabetes meds, high blood pressure and sleep apnea meds. Just think, I've been spending between $250-300 a month just for diabetes supplies and meds co-pay that I'll be able to use! I tired of the yo-yo dieting that did not help the diabetes. Hopefully, now it's under my control. Good luck with your decision.

<p>I was banded 3 weeks ago and was in the same situation and I was fine. I did not get the prescription for pain medication filled and only used liquid tylenol. Just make sure you have the clear liquids you will need for a few days broth, water, popsicles, sugar free jello. I also have Isopure, protein water and found it at Vitamin Shoppe. </p> <p> </p> <p>Just take it easy, but get up and walk around a lot. On Sunday I drove to the store and was fine. Just don't drive while on prescription pain pills..</p> <p> </p> <p>Good Luck!</p>

Check with your surgeon asap. Sounds similar to what I went through...was banded on 9/21...two days later couldn't get a teaspoon of liquid down....went back to surgeon next day...x-rayed my swallowing and here my esophagus had swollen....was admitted for 1-1/2 days to get IVs for dehydration, plus steroids for reducing the swelling...cleared up very quickly and am much better..... Good luck !