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Well it was severe....I had gall stone pancreatitis with my lipase almost 6000. Fortunately it dropped very fast (passed the stone). Had my GB out yesterday and I'm now home recovering. Never planned on 2 surgergies in less then 8 weeks. My surgeon doesn't typically give Actigall to her lap band pts, but always to bypass and sleeve pts.

Getting stuck is not a gauge on proper restriction, it is a gauge on proper eating. You get stuck if you are doing one or more of the following: taking too big a bite, not chewing well enough, eating too fast, eating too much or eating non-band-friendly foods. You may have been able to eat more freely before your fill but after a fill you always have to re-evaluate how, how much and what you can eat. If you are eating too much or not staying satisfied then you are not at proper restriction yet.

Hello Everyone! I'm on my way to getting banded and being on the losing side. I completed my survey/paperwork, was approved for the Bariatric Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. 12/6 I had my fasting blood labs and met with my nurse Melissa who explained the program, took my BP, and did an EKG, went over my bariatric packet and gave me a check list of all the things I needed to get done before I could meet a surgeon. I then met with the Medical Director, Dr. Hatchigian (Dr. H) who explained the different procedures, good, bad, risks, healing time etc and gave me a physical and went over my medical history. He also answered all my questions and encouraged me to call if I had any more after I left. He told me I needed to have an ultrasound to check for gallstones. On my way out from my appointment I stopped and spoke with the receptionist again and booked my appointments. Wahooo I was able to get most done this same week. They had a 2pm appointment with the Nutritionist that day so instead of driving the hour home we stayed. The nutrionist explained all the different ways to get protein, showed us examples and provided a nice packet to read. She also encouraged me to call with any questions. I was also able to make an appointment for my ultrasound and to meet with the psychologist. 12/7 I had my ultrasound done. It took a while to do....happens when you have extra weight UGH..they checked my gallbladder, kidneys and liver. 12/8 I met with Ronna Casper M.Ed., LCSW...she was nice. Quite the questionnaire you have to complete for that visit. Next I have to attend two different group information nights..one at BIDMC and one at a local hospital near me would be good per Ronna. I'll be attending one at BIDMC this week. So far so good....BIDMC seems to be a great place and they are very professional and friendly. Dr. H says I may be able to have my lap-band surgery in January...now wouldn't that be a great thing! I'll finally be able to keep a New Year's resolution hahaha. Not sure what else I'm suppose to put here...hmm...I'm 41, Married July 2, 2005 to John and I have one son Greg who is 15.6. Thankfully they are behind me 100% Good luck and Best wishes to all of you!

You guys type really fast. When I started typing, there were no other comments...wow

This is my first time on the site , I have been reading it for a year or so . Went for my psych interview today, did the 400+ question test , Went great ! I have my nutritsal counceling sessions already set up sept, oct and nov . I have already been pre qualified by insurance, however has a case assessment interview on Wed morning with the case manager at my insurance . Will be attending the sininar for Del Sol on 9/17 . I went through all of this several years ago with another insurance company , surgeon , and employer . during the process my employer changed insurance , and all bets were off . Finally this year I decided the only thing standing in between me and lap band was me . My case worker has put me on the fast track , what ever that is . Things seem to be going well. My question is has anyone had experience with Presbyterian New Mexico Health ins . They seem nice and are keeping all their promises . They contract baritic surgery from Del Sol in El Paso Tx , so I have to go there three times , but followups can be done here in Albuquerque . I was wondering if anyone from Albuquerque with Presbyterian insurance has gone down this path and can tell me about Del Sol , your experience , and how the insurance works. thanks for the support

Thank you. I will make an appointment with the nutritionist. I haven't experience dumping, luckily. I have really tried to find those signals. I used to get the hiccup. Sometimes pain in my shoulder, but with RNY I haven't had anything. I may just be eating too fast, so I'm not giving my brain time to catch up and say that I've had enough. Sent from my LG-H631 using the BariatricPal App

Congrats, and have a safe and fast recovery

Hi Kim, I see that your from AZ I am looking for a lapband buddy new to the state. I had my lapband done in Pittsburgh April of 2008 ... Makes a big difference in your life ... feel better once you start moving around... I always got the hicups from drinking 2 fast or to much ... so slow it down and walk move around.. What part of AZ are you from? Dee/ Glendale:thumbup:

No, I didn't have any other testing but bloodwork and an EKG. I was told during my consultation (luckily in not so many words) that basically I am pretty healthy for being overweight, just high cholesterol. Also my primary said my glucose this time was a little high for fasting so she would normally recheck it, but since I am having the surgery she isn't going to worry about it.

Hang TIGHT!!! It all will come together if you do what you seem to be doing. Like was said DON'T stuff yourself. I'm 3 and 1/2 years out and I just now get around 800 to 900 Calories on most days but not all days. I will say that I got below my goal weight in 6 months. I did gain 8#'s but I have maintained my 124#'s for 3 years. I can say I really didn't have any stalls, but I had Strictures starting at my 6 week appointment and continued until Jan 2015. I think that is the reason I lost so fast as I couldn't eat much food. I did have a 3# gain early on but I lost that the next day. I'm not telling you this to brag just trying to help. Keep doing you and you will be successful!!

Ok.. I have been trying really hard to get banded, and now I have surgury scheduled for Wed 9/10/08.. i am nervous about the surgury and i know that i will be able to finally get all of my weight off... that I have struggled all my life! What I am scared about besides the surgury (thats always scary) Is when I eat normal foods, all of this food getting stuck, throwing up, pain, not being able to eat and what the heck is PBing?? Sounds scary!! I dont know if I want to eat solids! Not that I ever ate fast and inhaled my food, I try my best to eat slow and eat to mushy! But with yall talking this way about solids getting stuck.. it makes me wanna live off of protien shakes and soft foods FOREVER!! I know, chew your foods well 20-30times take 20-30mins to eat etc.. but its still scarey!! :crying: I dont know.. i think i will end up becoming a picky eater... I do have a question.. for bansters who have been banded for a long time, was able to keep the weight off, and is active.. Once you have reached your goal weight, do they loosen (take saline out) the band, to fit your activity level? I am surprisely active.. and for years maintained my weight, just couldnt seem to lose it and wasnt going to go to bed hungry every night, that is no life.. I dont know I just want to know once reaching goal weight how normal (not over eating) are you able to eat? I am curious.. it seems they always tell you what to expect the 1st.. what about yr 2,3,4,5? Curious...

I got thrush a few days after my surgery too. Just call your doctor/surgeon and they can call you in a prescription of Nystatin. You just swish it in your mouth and swallow. Mine cleared up super fast.

Hi everyone I had my surgery 2/23 and I am not understand my stomach, I have noise if I like 3 spoons in a row I get horrible pain is that my stomach enough? I will also get what feels like gas pains Sent from my SM-G781U using BariatricPal mobile app

If you feel it is too fast, then it may be too quick. One thing that I am doing is putting down my silverware for 20 seconds before moving on to my next bite. This helps to slow down my eating and I know when I get full. I also measure out how much I eat so that I don't eat more than I should.

Been thinking about this for a long time and I'm just so unhappy with myself. I am hugely active. I have a physically demanding job and I eat ok not great but not awful either. Just used the BMI calculator and OMG still crying its 47. How is that possible I am 5' 4 and weigh about 270 but I am active. I can run around all day not one of those women bitching about their weight and they sit on the couch all day. in my job I walk between 5-7 miles a day. I need to do something. I have done weight watchers and medi fast. It always takes 30-40 off bit then I get stuck and it all seems to come back and then some. My friends and my boy friend love me just the way I am god bless em for it but I'm unhappy I am never gonna be the skinny girl I have seen the family genetics and it's not in the cards for me lol!! I just wanna like myself more that's all. My weight has never hindered me from doing anything but I just want to like myself when I look in the mirror I am looking for a Dr and any type of support in Putnam or westchester county New York. Thanks for the help I have enjoyed reading everyone's advice and support - Christine

I wasn't even cleared to be in the gym until 6 weeks. I couldn't drink enough fluids fast enough to stay hydrated in the gym until about 12 weeks. I couldn't eat enough to support a workout until about 8 weeks.Why not just walk?

While I didn't have problems after surgery ... just the gas that caused awful pain in my shoulder, only I didn't know it was gas, I thought they had laid me on my side during surgery and that was the reason. Alas, after a week (or two) the gas pain got better. Didn't have nausea and had very little pain when I went home the next day. BUT, and here's the rub ... I am a slow loser. I read this wonderful forum and there are people losing weight in leaps and bounds over me and, initially, I got a little down on myself. Eventually, with the help of my therapist, who is an obesity specialist, I realized that if I was going to have continued success with this band I could not compare myself to others. I tell you this because at this point you don't know how fast/slow you are going to lose weight, and you should get the REAL right up front. You are unique and like no one else on this earth. You will make up in your own mind how you will use your "tool" and how much you are willing to do to get to your goal. Don't beat yourself up when you falter, just remember that you can do this! This forum has a wealth of information and some very wonderful, supportive people. Take what you can use, and leave the rest behind. I hope that you feel better really soon and that the (anesthesia) blues go away quickly. I am soooo happy I got the lapband and I hope you will be too!

When I woke up from anesthesia, I was hungry, I didn't feel sick I wasnt sure if that was normal... You are soooo lucky. When I woke up from surgery all I could think about was the stabbing gas pain in my left shoulder. You got off easy! LOL I am having a hard time differentiating between head hunger and real stomach hunger. I am trying to sit with the feeling but when a person has eaten to "complete fullness" it is hard. All of us bandsters know how hard it is to make the changes necessary to reach our goal. Some are better at overcoming our old habits than others. I would suggest that you keep trying and pay attention to what works for you. Don't compare yourself to others and don't sabotage yourself by beating yourself up when you don't "measure up." Remember that each of us is on our own personal journey. You will lose as fast - or as slow - as you are willing or able to. It does require sacrifice and perseverance. "Bandster Hell" is just down the road for you. Read up on it on this forum so you know what it is when it happens and understand that it is a "temporary state". You will get better with the "head hunger" and "stomach hunger" the closer you get to your sweet spot. Please know that getting there can take several months and many fills. (But that is not written in stone - it depends on the person and how liberal their doc is with fills. You just might be one of the lucky ones.) I am bombarded with sights when I go to the store, tv ads about food everything seems amplified!!! How about you fight fire with fire and start doing some reading about changing your diet, achieving better health, exercise and overcoming emotional eating. If you can be effected by the sights you see at the store and tv ads, why can't you be effected by things that will make your lapband journey successful? YOU have the power to change what you see most often. Bet there are no ads for Cookies and cakes in an exercise video. Did you know that if you travel around the outer rim of a grocery store you will find that, that's where the vegetables and grains and dairy and Proteins are? Take a look. The cookies and sweet cereals and stuff like that are almost always together. You don't HAVE to go down that aisle at all. YOU ARE IN CONTROL - accept it. This band is a "tool" that can change your life IF you are willing to do your part. I have never realized how much my life revolves around food! I cant keep my mind off it. I bought a small note book to log what I eat. I am still recovering but I feel like I am "when can I eat again?" Look at you! You are learning already. YAY! That feeling of "when can I eat again" will subside when you are thinking about food differently. That will take time but you can get there. While you are logging what you eat try writing what you are feeling as well. After some time has passed go back and read how you were feeling when you ate a particular food and see if you still feel that way. Make note of the changes you are seeing in yourself. Take a risk every now and again and don't give in to the urge to eat something that you KNOW won't get you to your goal. Write about how you are feeling. And, most important, when you don't give in to the urge for something unhealthy, give yourself credit for changing and recognize that YOU have the power to change yourself. You can do this! And the band can be a great tool to get you there. And finally, three things: 1. Remember, the lapband is a "tool" not a miracle worker. You get out of it what you are willing to put in. 2. Don't beat yourself up. When you falter, start again. As you get restriction you will have fewer slips. 3. Read this forum, it is full of useful information and great people. Use this forum to your advantage. Take what you can use and leave the rest behind. (That includes my post too! LOL) All the best to you on your journey. Keep the faith!

So this is going to sound gross but I dont know what else to do. Ever since friday night, i've had really gross and discusting burps. I had pizza for the first time, and sauce, so i figured that was the problem. But it's been going on for 4 almost 5 days. it smells like rotten eggs, and my mom keeps joking that my catelitic converter is broken. (thats what it smells like haha) so my question is does anyone know what this could be? and also have you ever had it? i called the dr. and she thinks i eat/drink too fast so ive been working on my mechanics but any advice? sorry in advance for the grossness!

If you are getting stuck then you do have some form of restriction. It may not be to the level you want but it's starting. The reason you are getting stuck is either one of two things -- 1) You are eating too fast or 2) you are not taking small enough bites. It's a learning a process. I am at a very tight restriction right now but I haven't slimed, vomited or got stuck in a long time. You don't want to keep drinking water to bring the food back up since drinking and eating is against the band rules. Take it slow and easy and you'll notice a world of difference. Chances are that if you are getting stuck your doc won't fill you.

:help: Ok, this might sound weird but I have to ask. When I eat, I spontaneously make these weird sounds...almost a gurgling sound, sort of like burping. I guess it's coming from my stomach. Am I eating too fast? Too much/big bites? No one dining with me has said anything but I swear it's loud enough for other people to hear. It's embarassing. I've done a search and can't find anything. Thanks! Renee :help:

Not to be the wet blanket, but you need to evaluate what you ment by unmotivated. I have seen alot of people that waiting on the surgery to lose was a blinking yellow light - not a "stop" but just a sign to be preparing for what is ahead. Your sleeve will not do it all. You have to be head-ready. Hunger can be a horrible thing, a true foe - but the sleeve will only reduce real hunger. The reasons why you eat - the bad food choices, the cravings, the triggers - you will hav eto overcome these things or you will not have the sucess you want. Take this time to "diet" but not necessarily to lose weight - get accustomed to some light exercize if you arent already, eat better choices, even if you still eat in bulk. Get away from fast food and trans fats. Read, read, read - and not just here. Not just online! Get the books, do it just like old-school - read, re-read, read again and take notes.... Get practice in food-logs, read up on your meds and what to expect.. There is a series of books called "Eat This, Not That" and they go into better food choices, even if you have no plan to stop eating as much as you are - whatever that is....but it is, generally, nutritionally sound choices, and you would be suprised!!! For instance: You can eat a CAN of sliced pineapples in Water for 1-2 chocolate Cookies, depending on size and brand...no fake sweeteners or transfats needed. It can be a gentle guide for what is ahead. No excuses either - if you are diebetic, for example - what were you doing eating 2 cookies anyway? Good luck!!!!

I hope it goes away fast! I'm unable to eat, i'm 3 months post and I haven't had a fill yet, i had band with plication, down 60 lbs , i thought it maybe my gallbladder since i lost really fast but its hurting in my center/left shoulder.....

Yeh i had that same problem but i noticed it only when i ate to fast, or if i tryed to eat solid food the same day of a fill, learned my lesson i dont do either anymore!

Will do, thank you Mel34, I hope you have a fast response as well!!