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Hmm, there's no lapband lounge anymore, so here seemed as good a place as any. This isnt lapband related, but so many have offered me messages of support in the past few months, I thought I'd let you all know that treatment is finished! I've been in hosptial this week with another suspected bowel obstruction, which cleared without any problems, just a very sore tummy for a day or two. I've had about five of these episodes, and we've never been able to find any physical obstruction such as an adhesion or stricure, nor any food obstruction blocking my stoma so we're fairly sure now that these painful episodes are a side effect of chemo for me. As we all know, chemo does affect your digestive system quite badly and I've had all the nausea etc. If you ever want to SEE what it does to your body, its fascinating to have a stoma, which afterall is simply the inside of your intestines sticking out of your abdominal wall. Mine went purple, grotesquely lumpy and swollen and had ulcers all over it on Sunday and sure enough, by Sunday night, i'm doubled over and heading into emergency to be admitted for bowel rest. As my oncologist pointed out, this was no doubt what the entire inside of my digestive tract looked like at this point in time, so this time, given I have only four chemo sessions to go he decided we'd just finish up early - afterall they got ALL the cancer at surgery, there was no lymph node involvement and this last six months of chemo has been precuationary only. I am beyond thrilled that I can finally end this awful cycle of nausea, depression and heading back every week, just as I'm starting to feel better, to poison myself all over again. Wine and coffee will finally taste good again! I will not have to head out for my run feeling like I'm moving through thigh deep water! I can train for another 10K event. I dont have to baby myself, take it easy, apologise to my DH for not feeling up to helping in the garden, with the painting or even heading out to a movie on a Friday night. So I now have about 10 glorious weeks to myself, my body is mine again for the time being. I intend to pick up the exercise beyond maintenance levels, I've gotten a wonderful casual job (since I wasnt able to teach this year) working with a company that does incursions into primary schools teaching gynastics to the junior grades, and I'll be able to do some casual relief teaching, get of the house and no longer have a trip to the shops for a coffee as the most exciting point of my day! Thankfully I've gotten through this with a headful of healthy hair, I look well and although the doctors have been very concerned at my low weight a few times, its held fairly steady and i'm a little bit too thin but not gaunt or emaciated or sick looking. Its actually been great to have an unfilled band and to learn that I have changed, that I'm not the overeater I was and that my motivation to look after myself is not all coming from that little bit of silicone but that I can actually proudly claim a lot of credit for it. I'll have my ileostomy closed in about 10 weeks time and it will be a bit of a challenge, it can be difficult to get a predictable and manageable bowel function going again and I'm very apprehensive about possible incontinence for a while, dietary issues, whether I'l be able to go out for a run without wearing a damn diaper, all sorts of scary stuff, but its also entirely possible that I'll be right as rain within a month or two and I have resolved to stay OFF the internet searching out horror stories. I'm blessed that financially I can work when I want to and dont have to return until I'm confident that my bowels wont be a worry to me every day. So all in all, I've nearly got my life back, thanks for listening, it felt really good to write that down. Telling others kind of makes it real!

Jachut: Glad to hear that things are going well with you and that you're done with the damn Chemo. Hope your ten weeks fly by and that the next step goes well too. Sue

I had my first fill today after my Dec 18 surgery. I am sore at the stent area and some in my back, but not really bad. It was a painful but not unbearable experience. Good thing, as I will be doing this many more times in my life! Now back to liquids only for 48 hours. Doctor said I can eat any foods I want to now with of course the limitations that go along with the Band.I am about 3 weeks post surgery and have done fine with very small amounts of shrimp cocktail and grilled chicken chewed many many times.So far, so good. The doctor said I am doing well and I am about 20 pounds down from the first day of pre-op shakes.This is my first time responding to anything but I have been reading and benefitting from these forums for several weeks.

I am just over two weeks out from surgery, and I get so hungry at times it makes me feel almost ill. Yep, physical hunger, not head hunger. I still have head hunger, but I am trying to ignore that demon. Anyway, I caved. I just had what I think to be a cup of tortilla Soup, soggy tortilla strips, rice and chicken included. Unbelievably, I still feel some growling in my big tummy. And I wish I could say that was the only solids I have had but it isn’t. Though in very small, chewed-to-goo, quantities, I have screwed up a couple of other times in the last couple of days too. I know my food went down though. I feel everything just go “kerplunk” into my big tummy. Especially liquids, of course. I don’t feel anything in my mini-tummy and no problems eating anything. I guess all the swelling has gone down. I have no restriction that I can tell. I expected this, of course, but not so soon. What have I done? Did I just totally screw something up? Could I have done damage? It seems like everyone else does so well on their post-op diets. I feel like a heel. Help? In other fantastic news, however, it feels great to burp big again. Yea!<O:p</O:p OK, I am off to drink some Water or something. Thanks.

as everyone knows my band was removed due to erosion on 11/28. I know that my band is not there but it sure feels like it is.... This is weird! I have PBed everyday for a week and I can only eat a small amount. I have also lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks.. I have not lost any weight in months... My band is gone,now I am losing weight... what is up with that? Am I just loosing my mind?

Yes, it does heal. The scar tissue will form over the staples and there will be no risk of leakage from the surgery. How long that takes is going to be different for everyone, of course, but don't push yourself and do everything right, you will be out of the woods in a few weeks.

Hello:) I'm new and have a question regarding my lapband which was put in May 2010. I went through surgery just fine, came home on liquids about a week, soft about a week and solids with the exception of the obvious foods that down go down easily (steak,pork,tougher meats) for 3 years I had no problems at all. I was up to 10cc and needed a fill , but being on Medicaid right now (soon to get insurance tho) they will not pay for my fill. I had insurance when I got it. My question tho is...a week ago yesterday I was eating a handful of blueberries and had eaten about 5 when I felt pressure and realized I needed to stop eating them. I threw up finally ...but after that I was unable to eat any solids at all...I felt very tight and threw up any sold I swallowed. Went to ER at the hospital where I was banded and they removed 10cc. I am down to 3 which is my original amount. I have not had a lot of luck with the band although I don't regret having it. Just wondering if anyone has had this happen. Going for follow up appointment the 11th and hopefully they will be able to determine the cause. I had an xray at hospital and it showed that the band was in the right place and nothing unusual about it. I'm being careful of what I eat and am getting full quickly but it is just so strange .....

Hi everyone. My name is Lori, I live in Maryland and I was banded on 6/27/03 by Dr. Eric Pinnar in Reston VA. To date I have lost 13 lbs and hope to continue losing 1-3 lbs per week until I reach my goal weight. :(

Hi Lori, I also got banded recently. And I also hope to keep loosing 1 or 2 lbs a week.

I've been drinking Dr. Atkins Protein shakes and my nurse recommended Boost High Protein for the two weeks after surgery. I've been drinking two or three since Wednesday. I didn't eat a big chicken finger it was just a sample at Sam's while shopping. I chewed and chewed too. The oatmeal on the other hand isn't allowed until 2 weeks in.. I don't think I can wait that long for more oatmeal. I'd really like something less sweet... the Protein Shakes, the yoguart, the pudding are all really sweet. I can't stomach anymore chicken brooth since it taste so salty now. Any ideas of something "non-sweet" during the liquid phase? I'm going to call my nurse on Monday to see if Oatmeal is ok right now. If she said yes to it... I think i'd survive.

Well, I have always had clear beautiful skin all my life until a few months ago. I haven't lost a significant amount of weight (only 16lbs since banded May 24th), but for some reason back in October I started getting really bad bad acne breakouts - but these are not regular whiteheads - these are large red painful cysts that take weeks for them even to ooze let alone a few months to completely go away. Just when I get one cleared up - another will pop up literally overnight and its been ongoing for several several months now. It makes me feel very very ugly never having skin problems before. I use mineral makeup and have for years - never had problems with it before - I tried every over the counter product - no luck - I even switched to everything all natural products and don't use them in combinations with others and still not luck. I don't have the money to see a dermatologist and I've tried everythins possible - I hate it! My boyfriend says it has to be from all the changes my body has gone through - but what changed? I haven't lost that much weight, i'm taking a mult-vitamin - I'm getting plenty nutrtion and I'm excercising. I also became lactose intolerant a few months ago but only with milk - these are 2 things that have never been problems before being banded but if they are band related then why did it take 6 months to show up?

I am so disappointed I went Thursday for a fill. My doctor setup a special appointment for this. Once I got there and he weighed me he decided not to give me one. I had lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks. Only problem is I am starving and I truly thought a fill would help me out. The only thing he did was to up my calories and schedule me back in 2 weeks. I know I shouldn't want to rush things but I really wanted not to feel hungry all of the time.

Hello fellow LapBanders... It's been a month since I've been banded and I have been doing really well on my post op diet. Everything has stayed down, with the exception of the day after surgery. I'm real nervous about starting on solid foods and also getting my first fill on the 31st of this month. I'm so nervous I'm going to over eat and then get sick. I'm really glad I found this site and look forward to advise. The problem I seem to be facing right now is finding a way to drink enough fluids since we can't drink during meals. I know I'm not drinking the amount of Water I need to be.

I know where you are coming from! I did well pre-op and even for five weeks afterwards but have come to a virtual standstill! I was taking Aleve, went to an NSAID, and finally had to have a steroid injection in one knee in August before surgery. Now I don't take any meds and both knees and my hands are stiff and sore. I DID go back to Curves last week and this week went back to the YMCA twice--that's always been good for me--exercise. Good luck to you--it'll come off--it'll just take us a little longer...:girl_hug:

OK so here is my dilema. I have been thinking over the past few weeks that I need a fill. I started the process at my doc's office and got approved to get one last week and I am scheduled for next week 4/1. NOW after I am scheduled I am suddenly having several incidents of PBing/stuck kind of situaton and I hadn't had the problem in over a month. My period is due next week and I have had a ton of stress in my life over the past couple of days. Also, I am sometimes able to eat a ton and sometimes not able to eat anything. Possibly I am not being as careful as I should because I know I am looser. 2 Questions: 1) am I jumping the gun on a fill and 2) am I insane to be getting a fill just before my period? In the past I have not noticed any change in restriction around my period. Thanks for the input!

All situations are different. I'm three months out of surgery and haven't had fill at my doctor's request because of the rate at which I'm losing. I also don't go back to see him for 9 months and will be at my target weight much sooner. I can get a fill if I want one but he doesn't think I'll ever need more than .5cc in my band. Patience is important for both parties in these situations. Trust your doctor within reason and you'll be fine.

A few things for you newbies.....they tell you 60-90 minutes because they don't know what else to tell you. It's mostly B.S.! The way it works is this...first you need to have some amount of restriction, which you will not have for a quite a few more weeks, and fills. Burt when you get restriction, food will accumulate in your pouch, passing throgh your band slowly. The pouch can hold just so much food. Overfilling your pouch can be disasterous! So when and right after you eat, adding Water to that volume with immediatley increase it, immediatley having negative results. As you become an experienced bandster, you will learn to "Listen" to your band, and become a good judge as to what is happening. Water, without food, will pass right through the band into the stomach. So I drink whatever and how much right up to the point where I begin to eat. After eating, it all depends on how my band/pouch feels. Most of the time I can begin drinking 20-30 minutes after eating. I may have to take a small sip to see/feel if it is safe first. For all you newbies, you are being taught all sorts of "Rules" to follow, learn. The majority of them do not apply to you just yet, but you need to get them in your hread just the same. The first time you have a negative reaction to swallowing, etc, it is then you are going to remember what and why they told you about this and that little rule, and it is then it will all make sense.

Hi Everyone, On Friday, I made a last minute decision to go to New York for my sisters 40th birthday. My family consists of thin folks who eat carbs, Teddy Grahams, cheesecake , biscotti and lots of Pasta. So naturally from the time I arrived until the time I left, I ate what others ate. First there was the party which consisted of penne ala vodka, a five foot italian sub sandwich, eggplant parmagiana, lemon chicken, potato and macaroni salad and for the rest you get the picture! Dessert consisted of three different choices like cheesecake, cannolis and birthday cake. THere was also champagne, MUDSLIDES to follow and homemade wine. Well needless to say, I had to try everything. I guess I was surprised at how much I could eat with the grazing over a 5 hour period. I knew it was bad since once I get on the carb trail, I have trouble getting off of it. Saturday and Sunday were pretty much the same. I tried to get some exercise and walked a little and did the elliptical machine forabout 15 minutes. I am afraid to get on the scale and find myself back over 200 pounds. Here I am 15 months post op still obsessing about food some of the time. I know I could use a fill, but my doc wants me to wait 2 more months. (I recently had an unfill of .20 after a fill of .10 which made me looser and more receptive for food.) I dont believe in the elusive sweet spot that everyone talks about despite my success losing 136 pounds so far. I do have restriction and when I attempted to find the sweet spot, I just got overfilled and had to take more out than they put in . So I do know my maximum which is somewhere between 2.5 CC. and 2.6, but not a drop more because I was miserable for about 2 days before having the .10 they put in . I now have 2.4, which is not enough but still offers me some restriction. So I am upset with myself for making such bad food choices. I could have just said no. I was hoping to drop another 5 pounds before coming to Vegas next week. Now I will be lucky to just be the same weight I am today. I think I am going to do Protein shakes this week and see where I get.... Do you sense my frustration? Babs in TX 334/198/170 -136

Just wondering what your experiences were? I got my letter yesterday (7-17-09) that I was approved for surgery!!! :thumbup:Just wondering how long it was then before your surgery. When I met with the surgeon on (7-9-09) he said it would be at least 3 weeks from approval. Did you find that in your case? Just curious. Thanks Lori

I'm two weeks pre-surgery. When you talk about making an omelette, a few weeks into normal food, do you just use one egg? Or do you make a "normal" size one and eat it for three days? Or ????

What would you say we're your top three reasons in choosing the band over other weight loss surgeries?

Hi guys! I am also in Keller, and am almost 2 weeks post-op. My Dr. was the same as Lindy's (Dr. Smith) and I had a pretty uneventful surgery and recovery. I would love to chat with some people that understand, and help any way that I can. I am definately up for dinner any time!! Nice to meet you all! Janet

It took a few weeks to look normal yes it was very deformed. Now I'm amazed when I look down at my incredible shrinking stomach (and shrinking butt). Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

My reccomendation is to increase your cardio from 2 days a week to 4 or 5 days. That will really speed up weight loss. Also, are you working the same muscles on the total gym every night? If you are, I would stop that for sure. My trainer says muscles need at least 24 hours to recoop before you work them out again. Congrats on what you've done so far and good luck!

I feel like I've been stuck around 190 since my fill almost 2 weeks ago!!! This is out of the norm for me. I usually lose 1-2 pounds/wk, but am at a stand still! Any suggestions?