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We are seeking individuals that have had the LAP-BAND®® surgery (specifically the Realize LAP-BAND®®) within the last year to participate in a clinical market study. Interviews are by telephone, can be scheduled between 9/28and 10/2, 60 minutes and participants receive $100. The purpose of this study is to understand what people think about the experience and how it can be improved. All results are reported anonymous and for he purpose of research only. Respond with interest to below contacts. Kind Regards, Jan Mallery-Groom RN Clinical Project Manager +510-922-9710 jmallery@recruitingresourcesllc.com

Congratulations.:clap2: They say every 10# we lose, affects our hormones and our fertility - so you're a prime example of that. I have no first hand knowledge of this (I'm very single, whew! :guess ) but lots of other LapBandTalk members have been there. Since so many Bandsters have been in your situation (do a keyword search here for PREGNANCY and you'll see the many threads about it) and please know that we have a bunch of very healthy Bandster Moms and Bandster Babies here. That's what's great about this tool - it can be adjusted to accommodate any situation. You'll do fine.

Thank you everyone, i will try to show him, i dont plan on going anywhere, i know i have told him a million times, after all we have been together 10 years and have kids together lol! I do wish he would be happier for me, and not say things like, well i guess we wont be going to the buffet any more! Smh

I made this Soup yesterday and it's super easy and tasty. It freezes great too, goes right into my freezer in 1/2 cup to 1 cup portions! Slow Cooker Ham and Great Northern Bean Soup http://soup-a-woman.blogspot.com/2012/10/deliberate-leftovers-slow-cooker-ham.html

I started at 238.4, I'm not quite 4 months out, exercise practically never, and I'm already at 193.6 (feeling like a slow loser compared to most on here!). So that puts me at within a half pound of your starting weight and already less than 10 lbs to their goal weight in 4 months, and I am by no means super strict about diet or exercise! So I think they're being very conservative. 140 is my goal too and my surgeon expects me to hit it around 12-15 months.

Everyone ends up with a different experience no matter which surgery you choose. I have a friend that is about four years post op, is struggling with anemia and has gained some ( maybe twenty to twenty five pounds) of the weight back. Has trouble with some Desserts with the dumping syndrome, but cheesecake( and some other desserts) are no problem. Some gastric bypass people gain their weight back and some Lap Band gain their weight back. For me, GBP was not an option. I could not get over the rerouting and bypassing of my stomach issue. As far as what you can eat after. That varies, too. Some banders choose a stronger level of restriction or band fill than others and with a strong fill level, it's possible to have difficulty with a larger variety of food. But having the flexibility with the band is something that bypass don't have. Their pouch is formed and that's it. No adjustment is possible. did your surgeon say why he thought GBP was better for you? Many surgeons prefer one procedure over another simply because they do more of them and a few might prefer it as ins. pays more. Or are they doing more Bypass because they keep recommending it? So far, I do not slime, I have had food stuck a couple times in the beginning stage of being banded. Why is it hard getting fills? It takes about a 10 min. appt for my fills and most of that time is talking to the PA about how I'm doing. Yes, losing weight is slower with bands but many GBP patients look wasted and gray in the first six months from the rapid weight loss and the malabsorbtion of nutrients. Both procedures have pros and cons. Keep reading and learning about both procedures and you'll be able to make your decision. There are forums that have more GBP people then banders, this site has mostly banders on it.

I have the same problem. I had surgery June 15th and I am still on liquids. I only consume 150-200 cals per day and maybe 10-20 grams of Protein. Nothing appeals to me except yogurt. I eat the Fage yogurt because it is high in protein. I was able to drink Protein shakes preop too, however now they make me retch. I was able to add some of the Protein powder to my yogurt and it went down okay. Hope you the chicken soup works for you.

For years - I have probably been up and down 40-50 lbs three or four times in my life - Adkins or Sugarbusters seemed to work the best on me. Now I find myself one month out of sleeve surgery and not able to eat red meat or chicken yet (which for years has been my mainstay - avoid the carbs and eat the lean meats right?). Since the surgery I am not hungry at all. The only way I know to eat is I get a weird kind of pain in the middle of my back and realize it is meal time. Presurgery I did the shakes and protein pudding and lost some pounds and thought the shakes would work for me after surgery. I am not sure what happened but since the surgery the shakes make me GAG. It is so weird to have to 'make" myself eat something. After years of being able to eat everything and anything.....I find myself standing in the kitchen scratching my head ALOT. I am really not hungry. I think to myself "drink the shake" and almost immediatly think "barf". I have ordered the chicken soup with protein added. I am hoping when it gets here that will help my problem. I really can't eat enough real food right now to meet the protein 40-50 mark and I really just can't do the shakes. Will there come a time when I can eat enough meat to not have to do the protein supplements? Will it hurt for now if I only get 30 ish of protein for the next couple of weeks? I am loosing alot of weight and my energy and stamina feel fine. I have lost 37 lbs so far (10 were presurgery). Thanks for any suggestions.

I just got sleeve on 4/10. I am having a little trouble peeing because my muscles are so tight. I have not gone number two but jut started passing gas yesterday . It hurts a lilt eh wine I do pass gas. Has anyone experiment this ? Does anyone have any suggestions to facilitate going number one an two? I am wondering if I am dehydrated and that's why I can not. Go number one. I was going to get as enema for number two, any suggested? Feed back is much appreciated.

@Sherrie ScharbroughI don't have a lot of weight in my upper stomach. Insurance is paying for mine as well. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience! They are doing a mons lift as well. This is kind of an in between surgery as I am not at goal yet but need this skin taken off now. As long as I don't have a terrible experience I will most likely need a revision tummy tuck that will focus more on shaping. Thank you! @Julie nortonThanks! I'm hopibng it only takes me 10 days to feel better! I don't usually do well after surgery @Suaniya Thank you!!

I had gall blatter removed 2/22/10 then on 4/29 I had Lap Band now thurs. I am having Breast Lift/ reduction. With Lap Band I was so prepared. I new what to expect before durring and after. Mainly b/c of this forum. I am mostly dreading my Breast surgery and I am very nervous. Can anybody share thier experience with me. Good, bad or the ugly. The Dr. has told me the medical side of it. But I really like hearring from people who have been through it. Thank you so much. Teri

I had the band for 10 years. I chose 2 separate surgeries to revise because 3.5 years ago there wasn't that much evidence but it seemed safer. I had no complications. What does surgeon say about risks in 1 surgery vs 2? I think revisions have "about" double the complication rare as virgin sleevers but it's still low.

Thanks for the replies! Band surgery wasn't bad for me at all. I went home about 4 hours after the actual procedure, and 15 mins into recovery room I was asking to be discharged. No gas problems at all. My biggest discomfort was, aside from the actual port incision, that I was allergic to the adhesive they placed over my staples. I hear so many mixed reports on post-GB removal. I spoke with a woman last night who swore that even just yogurt send her running to the toilet within 10 minutes. BTW, came across this looking at more information:

So here I am having lost 128 pounds, joined a softball team.. feeling terrific.. and it hasn't even been a year! I keep thinking how amazing it is. I am still losing at a pretty good clip. I am not thinking about food at all. I eat when I am hungry and have so much energy it is amazing. Last year at this time I would have been thinking about what was I going to have for lunch what was I going to make for dinner etc. Now I don't even have thoughts like that. It is amazing. I also have to say .. my sex life with hubby has always been awesome but holy crap it's out of this world now! We are like newlyweds! Can you tell I am loving life? If not I AM LOVING LIFE! Praise God for my lapband!

I feel as if it will never arrive...the accumulation of a lifetime of emotional and stress eating, bad habits, addictions and now...at 42....a do-over. I am being banded at 10:30 Wednesday the 22nd. I quit smoking 11 weeks ago cold turkey ending a 24 yr on again off again love hate relationship with tobacco. I have gained a few pounds in the past couple of months and after a nasty round of bronchitis in February, I still have this lingering nagging cough...I worry about this. Has anyone else gone into the surgery with respiratory or coughing issues? My surgery was originally slated for the 15th but I found an abscessed tooth and had to have emergency oral surgery on the 14th and they had to push the lapband off. I am afraid...elated..and excited to know that in about a year....should all go well...I will see my 8th grade body for the first time in 30 years...God help us....please remember me on this journey... Katie

I am FAR from skin and bones, but I am very comfortable at my size. I am having a TT in July so I will lose the rest of my problem area. My goal weight was actually increased by 10 pounds until the TT. Then I will reevaluate. I hate the scale...don't get me wrong, I am addicted...but I still hate it. I have decided that I don't care what it says. I can get into size 6 clothes...Even if the BMI chart says that I am still overweight...I think the size 6 says I am not! It is all about being comfortable AND healthy. I was NEVER comfortable at a size 24 and 250 pounds!

I got the following: Protein drinks Optimfast sugar-free Jello Progresso chicken Soup and strained it for the broth... bullion cubes suck Vitawater 10 (Lemonade is my favorite) Gummybear Vitamins Good earth tea Gas-x strips

you will find a lot of us here experienced the same things with our surgeons (trying to talk us out of the band). My mind was made up before my first surgeon appt. the ONLY surgery i was getting was the band - period. I have lost almost 120 pounds in 10 months. I am seeing the same results as if i had gotten gastric and my surgery was so much safer than gastric. I think i have quite a bit of discipline on eating though - my problem before was portion control and the band has cured that problem. Best of luck with whatever you decide!!!

I had my band put in Oct 10ccband. First fill blind poke three tries 3cc in. Second two pokes dig dig 3cc in, third three pokes dig dig 1ccin RESTRICTION!!! Ya good weight loss happy. Fourth wanted to tweak a little only had restriction in the morning fill 1cc five pokes dig dig. Next day no restriction I think I have a leak. Drive another 200 miles for fluoro and she is able to get 5cc out I should have 8cc plus doc put in 2cc at time of surgery (that is 10 in a 10cc band) she adds 1cc more Fill # Five now I should have 11cc no restriction at all I have a leak. She said sometimes the tube collapses and you can’t get a true read. She said you don’t have a leak because I got something out. They don’t want to take any responsibility for f-ing it up. The obvious problem with having bands in Mexico is the after care. I knew this and yet chose to go for it. If I go back to my doc it is $2500 to replace port and tube. Then what who do I have do the fills? I should have had a sleeve that is what my doc is famous for and there would have been no fills, no leak and it was $2000 more than a band so in the long run cheaper after you factor in the cost of fills and heart ache!! ANYONE OUT THERE DO NOT HAVE NORTH WEST FILL CENTER IN ARLINGTON WASHINGTON DO YOUR FILLS. QUACKS!!! So where do I go from here?? Right now after I beat myself up I am doing nothing can’t afford it so I am trying on denial to convince myself that I have restriction. Any suggestions???

Hi everyone! I am officially a bandster. Woo hoo!! Mom flew in the night before and we briefly chatted and got ready for bed. I was really tired, but once I was in bed I was quite anxious so I took my $13 Valium. Next thing I knew it was morning. We had to be at the surgery center at 6:45 so we were up and at it bright and early. We happened to walk in with my surgeon so I felt that was a good sign somehow. I was slated to go second for the day and I filled out my paperwork. They took the first girl back and it seemed just a few minutes later that they called me back. The nurses were super sweet as they prepped me. I had to give a urine sample before I had the surgery but I had to wait until the first girl was out of the bathroom. That took about 20 minutes, I think. Poor girl could never go so they brought her out to give her fluids and bumped me up a spot. Woo hoo! I talked to the surgeon a bit. He's a feisty one. But I like that. I remember meeting the anesthesiologist (CA-UTE!) but nothing much after that. Next thing I knew I was in recovery. The nurse said that I did so great during my preop diet that my liver looked fantastic and the normally 45 minutes surgery took only 20! That made it all worth it. I felt like I had been hit by a truck, but I was also feeling optimistic. I had to sit in post op for about an hour and I started to feel a bit better. As I was about ready to go the girl that got bumped came out of surgery and she was not having an easy time of it. I felt bad for her but it made me realize how well I was doing. That was it and I was ready to go home. Mom drove me and I realized it was only 9:15. Wow. I was home three hours from the time I left in the morning. Crazy! The day was long. I wasn't sleepy at all so a nap was out of the question. My mom kept me company and we watched mindless TV all day. I would move back and forth from the TV to the couch throughout the day. One thing I noticed is that I could lay on my side almost immediately. That surprised me, I took pain medication every four hours regardless of how I felt. I think that helped a lot. I also took a lot of GasX. It didn't seem to do much until late in the evening when I started to feel things moving in my tummy. I have been farting like a trucker ever since. My throat hurt worse than I expected it to, my incisions hurt less than I expected to and my gas hurt about like I expected. My friends at work sent me flowers which was super sweet. And I had a lot of friends and family members sending me good thoughts and messages. I went to bed around 10 PM. I was able to cuddle a body pillow and sleep on my side. I slept quite well until 4:30 when I got up and took more pain medication. I went back to sleep and woke up around 8:00 to a text from my friend. (Side note: she recently had a break in, but is trying to hook up with the police officer that came by and I have been giving her pointers. She had just taken some thank you cookies to the station and needed some support. :thumbup: ) I still have gas today, but it has subsided quite a bit. Insicions hurt but only a little bit. My throat is almost all better. There is just a small cut on the top of my mouth from the breathing tube that is driving me crazy. I have been drinking water like crazy. Yesterday I had grape juice, a popsicle and a tiny bit of chicken broth. No issues whatsoever. Today I have had more juice and I'm having hot tea now. I also took my birth control pill and had no issue. For lunch I will have some more chicken broth and for dinner I might get crazy and have some beef broth. All in all...not a bad experience. Yesterday I felt like I got hit by a Mack truck, but today just a VW bug. Ha! Hope you are all doing well out there!!

Hi everyone I am 10 days post op and started my mushies yesterday. Not sure if I am eating too fast or too much but every time i eat I gave crazy pain near my chest that lasts for a few hours. Is this normal. Also I feel like i have no idea what I am doing because I am eating mashed potatoes how many calories can I eat etc,.. I feel so in the dark here please help the pain really hurts.

I am 10 days out and it would be no problem for me. I work at home so I don't have to get ready and go out. Love that!!! I don't even feel like I have had surgery. Feeling great

I'm tired of all my excuses, ....too tire, my knee hurts, blah blah blah. Its time to JUST DO IT! Just get my butt to the gym and exercise. That is how I lost 70 lbs the first year, EXERCISE! So - last night, I had me a good dinner, turkey and 1/2 cup of stuffing (not so good - but only ate a little), and some green beans. I waiting for about an hour, and then got ready and headed to the gym. I only did about 35 min on the elliptical, As I was doing the elliptical I concentrated on how great I feel when I exercise, it really makes me feel and look good. So why do I blow it off? Anyhow, thats when I decided, no more, no more excuses, its time to just do it! Today, at 10, went down to our gym at work and did 15 min on the elliptical, just to get my matabolism going. I'm going to do it again at 3. Then tonight, going to an abs, abs, abs class at 6:15 to 6:30, doing ZUMBA class at 6:30 to 7:30. Its time to fake it until I make it. No more excuses. I want to reach my goal - by gawd, I am going to reach my goal. Its time to dig down deep and pull that determination out! Menu today Bfast 1 cup of fiber one ceral with 1 cup of skim milk 1/2 cup of diced peaches on my ceral 3/4 cup of protein shake - 10:30ish Lunch tossed salad with turkey chopped up, salsa for dressing Snack - later in afternoon - 1 apple Dinner 1 chicken taco filled with mixed greens - no cheese Exercise 1. 10 am - 15 min on elliptical 2. 3pm - 15 min on elliptical 3. 6:15 pm - abs class 4. 6:30 pm - Zumba class - latin dance aerobics. 5 - Maybe some lower body strength training, not sure if I can do with all the other cardio......we'll see.

i have the 10 cc band a i feel very little restriction at 4.5cc i go back September 7 for my third fill and hoping to feel a significant difference....keeping fingers crossed