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You don't have any help yet, the band without fill is like a car without gas. Relax, practice your new eating skills (if you are on food yet), small bites, eat slowly, chew, chew, chew and start walking if your not already. :devil_smile: Everyone went through this, as a matter of fact I gained weight before my first fill. Then I started getting help from the band and lost 2 pounds a week until I had the last 15 and now only a pound every 10 days or so. It will be fine, practice your band skills and it will be fine.

Hi Everyone! Im pre-op and set for surgery Dec 5th. Im excited but nervous at the same time. Dr. Hess (in Boston) is doing my surgery. Im more worried about excess skin and not being able to loose the wt after surgery. Right now Im around 265 (on a good day) and hoping to get down to about 150. It took me over two years to decide what to do. I have tried so many different diets and nothing worked. I once lost 30lbs on my own and gained it all back and then some. Weight Watchers worked for a while until I just stopped loosing weight. I got annoyed at all the work I was putting into it with no results. My entire life I have always been overweight and I just hate it. I want to be able to walk with out getting out of breath, shop somewhere other than Lane Bryant, not have to adjust my shirt everytime I sit or stand, and not have knee pain. Im just sick of being fat!! Im still having some trouble loosing the pre-op wt requirement. I have to loose about 10 more pounds before surgery and they are just not coming off easy. Any suggestions? Thanks for listening!

Hello Everyone, I'm new here but I have a few questions..... First of all I go this Thurs for Blood Work and then I go the following Thursday( March 31st) for my nutrition class ( 8-10), then at 10:30 I have my one on one with the Bariatric Counselor and then I meet with the surgeon , I already know my Co-pay But will the surgeon be giving me a surgery date ?? Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using the BariatricPal App

Right now, my goal is to look back a year from my surgery and know I did the right thing for myself. My goal is to not keep getting fatter, and do something! I am sure that my goals will change, and develop around and ideal weight. But for me, I'd like to get back down to a size 10. I like the way I look at a size 10, and it's healthier than the 20 I am in now. I would be happy with that. If I do even better than that, it would just be gravy to me.

Hi... I live in Medford... I went to Penn Hosp with Dr Kirkland. He is a great doc! I would refer anyone to him. He listens to you. As I have read in here some docs are making people wait for their 1st adjustment. Dr. Kirkland wants you to be sucsessful & does not want you to have the hungry feeling at all. So me having my surgery on 10/5 he is ajusting me on 11/5, then again before Christmas. I feel like I need an adjustment as I am starting to get hungry. Good luck in your search. Check out Dr Kirkland. Google him and you will see he is a great doctor.

To say I'm excited is an understatement! I'm finally getting this damn band out. I've only had it in for 8 months, but it has been no fun for me at all. Thanks to everyone for all of your assistance as I researched and researched within these forums. I think I've read every single post on this site. I'm feeling really good about my decision. Anyone else having surgery at the same time?

I have had good success with my band but lap band is not for every one and I have had several co-workers who have not done as well and one even had what they are calling band failure. She did not tolerate the band well and the restriction, she had her band removed after 2 years and had the gastric sleeve 2 months ago and has done very well. Typically you do not lose weight as fast with lap band and some seem to lose faster than others. The one thing you really need to focus on is, are you ready for WLS. The surgery itself which ever one you have only gives you a tool and the tool is only as good as it is used. It does make your stomach smaller, or as with lap band it gives you restriction, but what it does not fix is how we think and relate to food. That is the hardest part of the journey, developing healthy habits and truly making a life style change. If you are a bulk eater than you will do with WLS because it will limit how much you eat at meals, if you are a grazer and like to nibble on things off and on through out the day, you will struggle no matter what surgery you have. I strongly urge anyone thinking about WLS to have physiological screening and be totally honest with all your issues and continue with a few sessions for the first 6 months after surgery. Another key for success to support, family and friends can either support or sabotage you, make sure you have their total support. Your life does change after WLS and for me it has been a positive change. I am almost 2 years out with my LB and am 5 lbs from my goal weight. I have changed my life style, I eat healthy, I exercise, I weigh and measure everything I eat, I log my food everyday, I drink my water and get all my protein in. This has been a journey but for me well worth it. When you have your appointment with your MD, I suggest you discuss all your options, be honest about your commitment, how you eat and how much support you have. My husband went with me through every pre surgery visit and seminar. I wanted him to understand everything I was going to experience. For the most part he has been my rock but he also has went through some turmoil. He now has a tiny wife and I had been over weight and they past 10 years morbidly obese. WLS puts strain on relationships if you allow it because you both change and you must be honest with each other along the way. Good luck to you and I hope I haven't scared you off. But I want you to be prepared for all the emotions and obstacles you will have to over come in this journey. Good luck, Diane

hi my name is samantha. im 19 years old and i live in nyc. i just got my insurance approval and will have my surgery sometime in august. im so excited! well i just wanted to introduce myself. good luck to everyone!

Well I'm a pro at short term disability. I've used it 4 times for the birth of my kids. Many companies have a waiting period before your short term disability kicks in. Some have no waiting time but typically it ranges from 3 to 10 days. For the 3 to 10 days you have to use sick or vacation time. Once that kicks in, you should have your other paperwork already completed by your surgeon and it starts automatically. The problem I think you are going to have is that the time off has to be doctor approved. Unless you have complications from the lapband (which I hope you don't), the doctor will probably only give you a 1 to 2 week recovery period. This is something you really need to talk over with your doctor. I'm not sure how much time you are wanting to take off. So you might not be granted STD based off of the doctors release. The key thing to remember is that you need to file for FMLA (family medical leave act) this is DIFFERENT from STD but should be in the same packet of info that you get. The FMLA ensures that you have a job to come back to if you are going to use STD or if you don't have sick/vacation days to use. Hope this helps!!

:Hey! NIce to hear from someone who appreciates the beauty in "the land of enchantmant"! I am going to Ojo Caliente, halfway between Santa Fe and Taos. I go twice a year and stay 10 days each time. I like to think of it as my home away from home. I heard it was pretty cold up there at this time. I always take layered clothing cuz ya never know what the weather is going to do. I love it!!!

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. After surgery I was given a maximum weight lifting restriction. Since it was so long ago I don't really recall the limit but it was around 10 or 15 pounds. That restriction went away fairly quickly. I think by the time of the first follow-up meeting where they removed the stitches after surgery, they eliminated this weight limit. The weight limit was in writing and most companies will honor the weight limit due to recovery from surgery. It means that certain tasks cannot be performed until you are healed. If you work in surgery, I would think most hospitals would comply with this requirement.

Hi wonderkidsmom!! If we met in Tempe on a Saturday at about 10 a.m. would that be convenient for you? I think Tempe is probably the most central for everyone. Where's all the other AZ Bandsters?!?! Come out! Come out!! Where ever you are!!!

Hi there. Hope everything will go well for you. My op date is 10 June and has been on liquid diet for nearly 2 weeks and mus stay on it for a nother 10 days!!! I feel the same way about the shakes now. Anyway take care and thumbs up for tomorrow!!!!

There was this chinese restaurant in Boulder Co that had some kind of special where if you bring in 8 or more people, order this house special, they would start bringing out platters of food. Each platter was different. They would keep bringing different platters out until we didn't finish one. Then the party was over. I just recall eating from 7-10 different platters plus a mound of rice and Soup. OMG, it was so good but I remember going home and could hardly breath. And I was thin at that time. Probably close to my goal weight now. Oh, the good ole days. tmf

Teapot-- I did not end up with a leak but I also had a student who jabbed that darn thing in and out 10 to 15 times and never did find the port hole. He obviously was becoming upset and finally stopped without filling. It was VERY upsetting for me to keep being stuck over and over like that. I was also very upset that I didn't get a fill. I had to wait 1 month before they could get me in to the flouro and my experienced surgeon. When I finally got there --- he didn't see any reason why the student should have had a problem. He did say that, at first, the port can feel a bit tight and perhaps the student was afraid to push down. I had 2 issues with all of this. First, if the students are new to the process --someone should at least be in there with them supervising them and ready to take over if there is a problem. Second, I lost 2 whole months in the early months of my banding without a proper start in fills. I honestly think I lost some the the advantages of early stage post-banding weight loss. I also know that getting a fill under flouro allows the MD to fill it more quickly to the most effective level. You may want to wait a whole 4 weeks before going back to check on it but if I were in your situation -- I'd get on the phone and talk to whoever is in charge and make some noise about what the student did and your concerns that there is a leak. I'd insist on a flouro check immediately to see if the student damaged the tubing. If he did --- they need to repair that pronto! And if they didn't damage it -- then you will have some peace of mind in addition to a more accurate fill. Do not be afraid to call and tell them what you want. What happened to you is simply unacceptable and if there was damage - they need to make it right --- NOW---and they KNOW that--so I seriously doubt they will argue the point with you. Hope this helps.

I was banded march 2012. I am down almost 90 lbs. I had a fill in January that put me in the red zone. They removed the fill. I was ok at my February appointment and didn't need or want a fill. Last month, I felt I needed an adjustment (since ice been on a plateau since January). They gave me .2, I can't tolerate anything more than that. Anything more takes me right in the red. Anyways,,,, I've always been tight in the morning, coffee is my morning beverage of choice always. I have trouble with tiny tiny sips for about the first 2 hours in awake. About 4 hours after I'm awake, I can comfortable eat oatmeal and nothing else. Breakfast is usually about 10 am. lunch comes at noon and usually I can eat my lunchtime meal. After lunch my band is really open and I'm totally in the yellow zone and constantly hungry till about 6 pm. About that time, I'm in that wonderful green zone. I tighten up almost immediately as soon as I lay down. My first and second meal have to stay on schedule... If I don't have my lunch on time, it's Soup the rest of the day or I have to start over with oatmeal. If I go more than a few hours without eating... I close up. I've never had symptoms of being too tight. Besides the over restricted, nothing is getting through this baby bandster hell. No night cough, reflux, weight gain... Nothing. At my last appointment last week, they did a swallow, due to my appointment, I skipped my noon meal and of course I was over restricted. The barium was sitting right on top of my band. I had a tiny bit of dilation but not enough to warrant a complete unfill or even a partial unfill which shocked me. She put me on the 2/2 as if I had a fill and said to come back if I had anymore problems. Before being banded, I had really bad reflux. Once I was banded it completely disappeared. There was NO hiatal hernia repair either. There are times I feel burning around my band, but nothing like the reflux I experienced post-banding. I'm finally losing again, being 4 lbs the last month! Not much, but so glad I'm on the losers bench again. Has anyone ever experienced this kind of fluctuation between zones? What have your experiences been? Mine are: No more than .2 at a fill 2-4 weeks before I'm adjusted to the fill Extreme morning restriction If I lay down more than 5 minutes, I'm super tight. After 30 minutes... It's as if I'm at my morning tightness. I have to eat on schedule Any recommendations? It's really hard to keep a newborn eating schedule and I live in constant fear of eating! As long as I stick to my schedule, the PBing is maybe 4-6 times a week. Thanks for any input!

I have been thinking about having this done for quite some time and am now REALLY wanting to get on with it. I attend my first seminar on October 19th and then will be anxious to hear what my insurance (Aetna) will do. I have my doctor's full support, as I am dealing with many issues including Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and the usual. I've been overweight since childhood, parents putting me on medications by age of 10, and then done every diet known to woman, and then some. I've done many of the diets more than once, losing, only to gain back more than I lost. It's is so wonderful to come to this place and hear your wonderful success stories, hear your concerns and get the support, and have you ask the same questions as many of us have - and have them answered. Thank you to all of you who put in your time and effort to support and encourage me, us! Success and health to everyone on your venture and endeavor!

I bought a cook book over the weekend called Hungry Girl. This girl makes all our favorite recipes in low calorie, low fat versions. I made the salsa pumpkin Soup for lunch today and it was DELISH! So, here it is... Ingredients 4 cups fat-free chicken or vegetable broth One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin (I used Libby's) One 15-ounce can black Beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup canned sweet corn kernels 3/4 cup salsa 1 tablespoon minced garlic (I used a little garlic powder instead) 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Directions In a medium pot, bring broth and spices to a simmer. (if you are using the minced garlic, spray the pot with a little cooking spray and cook garlic for a minute before adding broth and spices). Add pumpkin and mix well. Add remaining ingredients, stir, and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Enjoy! Makes 4 very generous servings! (I would guess 1.5 cups or so, maybe even a little more) Per Serving: 177 calories, 1g fat, 991mg sodium, 35g carbs, 8.5g Fiber, 8g sugars, 9g Protein

Today I decided to get a fruit & yogurt parfait from McDonalds for the first time. I ate about half the yogurt but not the fruit. 10 minutes later I had some serious back pain going across my mid back. It lasted for about an hour. Well, jus to make sure that I wasn't imagining things I just ate the other half of the yogart. Lo & Behold my back is killing me again. Has anyone experienced anything like this? What causes this type of reaction? Any info. would help. Thanks!

hi Tippytoe I understand what your concerns are.We also camp a lot and well,being on Atkins all my life took care of that........and gaining and losing 150 pounds 5 times in 10 years....but mostly gaining... Yip, and the liquid diet makes you ask why one isnt thin when one can actually manage to eat nothing for days? I also wonder what am I going to do? Is this for the rest of my life? But being thin and healthy is 100 persent worth sacraficing for........ As far as the not food intake is concerned it seems that people can eat almost anything to soon after the operation.Mind you that also seems to be the reason why people stop losing weight.I suppose when you look at the really successful bandsters you will see that there is always a change in what they eat and it is not completely effortless...... I think not worrying about these things would be not normal. My doctor keeps telling me the band is not a "SELF ACTING SLIMMING DEVICE" and that dietary compliance is what makes it successful. Please come back and tell us how it was and I am thinking of you.

Yeah, that sounds about right. You should try to find a doctor that will also give you the fills for free with that price. My doctor charges 15k for everything including all dr. visits and fills for a year. I think there is a doctor in Colorado that charges 10 or 11k for everything, but then you have to find a fill center around you. But, it might be work it if you save 5k. Yes, I'm glad I got the band. I'm very happy with my results so far and I'm still on my journey.

Hello everybody! I too am new-just joined yesterday. I got banded on 10-7-05 and Dr. St. Laurent says that I have done real good for a bandster because I have lost 58 pounds in just 3 months!!! However, I had my second fill 5 days ago and and am not doing well at all. I can just barely keep down liquids or a few bites of yogurt. I'm going to give myself another 3 or 4 days and if no improvement I will call the doctor back. Does anybody think that this is too restrictive or should it settle down after a week or so? I tried a few bites of baked fish yesterday and it got "stuck" and lasted for about 2 hours and I about died. Couldn't throw it up but it finally stopped. I am afraid to eat any solid food right now and I swear that I will never go through that again!!!

I had my Surgery on 12-10-12 anytime I eat anything it seen like it get Stuck in my Throat and that is with little bits and I get a really bad Headache and it makes me sick has this happen to anyone. I know you not Supposed throw up with the sleeve.

I've tried Bariatric Advantage, BSN, Un Jury and Syntrax nectar. The Syntrax IMO is the BEST! If you call them and ask for a sampler they will send you a single serving of all their flavors for $9.99 with shipping. It's a total of 10 or 11 flavors. The number is 1-866-333-7403