boogeyface

I had my lapband surgery on Aug 3, my surgery weight was 210. I lost 10 pounds on the 21 day diet post surgery, but have gained all that weight back since I have been on solid food. I have I believe 8cc in my band and have no restriction. The only thing I cant eat is bread I get a sharp pain in my chest. Other wise I seem to be gaining weight. I called the Dr and he said to get another 3cc, and wouldnt that fill the band completley? And what if that doent work? I am usinf flouro, and the barium swallow. I'm really dissapointed because I've spent atleast another thousand on just fills/barium and still have no sign that it's going to work or will work. How long did it take everybody before they started to notice results, is it normal to have the band completly full for it to work?. I do eat right and work out.

Nicole

09-14-2010 5cc

11-12-2010 3cc

Next Fill

12-14-2010

I had my surgery in july, have had 3 fills, am at 8cc in 11cc band. NO restriction, have gained the 17 lbs back that I had not lost. I hear that in an 11 cc band it is usually about 8.5 cc full when you start to feel restriction. But then who knows, some people dont need that many etc. So I get my next fill 1 3 11, crossing my fingers. I am not making exercising. I wanted to be down 40 lbs by now an not embarrassed to get my fat butt into work out gear and working out. I am doing a disservice to myself. I need to get it into gear and am the only one to blame for my lack of weight loss. I will get it together soon

Hi All,

I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 18th and am wonderung about hair loss? Maybe I am watching too many youtube videos --- lol Has anyone had the hair loss issues?

Thanks so much

Jill

I have thick hair and for about 2 months I noticed a little more hair in the drain but my hair did not feel different. Now it is fine.

I had my first fill, felt NO restriction, was able to eat anything I wanted. Then had a 2nd fill, felt a little restriction for a few days, I cannot eat potatoes anymore. I am getting my 3rd fill soon. I also have an 11cc band, my doctor told me it takes usually about 3rd or 4th fill, or at least 8.5 cc in the 11cc band. I now have 7.25 cc in my band. She said that is the norm she sees. I have not lost any weight since my 21 day post op diet. I have not gained weight but it is hard. So I am sooooo hoping I feel restriction next fill. I am frustrated and have stepped back away from the exercise but need to get my butt into gear. So until about 2 weeks ago, I was so upset that I thought I stretched out my pouch and this would not work but now I am anxious for my next fill. I had my 1st fill in Mexico, the rest will be in here in the states. Omaha, NE. We have a bariatric center of excellence here, I am so lucky. So keep your chin up. It will take awhile.

I had my 2nd fill last week and I have NONE of those issues and I have 7.2 in my 11cc band. Call the Dr.immediately. It sounds to me like it is too full or swollen. But I am not a good person to ask. Good luck.

Good to know, thanks to all for the info. I had my 2nd fill last week and feel no restriction. Am at 7.2cc in 11cc band. Am not going to get discouraged. Looking forward to next few fills. Even kicked it in gear and lost 5lbs this week. Yeah.

I felt no restriction after surgery and NONE after my 1st fill. I am getting my 2nd fill Friday. I am sooo frustrated. But good to see the comments here. I had just about lost hope then I saw the one entry where she did not feel the restriction til her 5th fill. There is hope that I will feel it sometime. Maybe that will be me sooner than later. I will not give up. I can eat anything, bread etc.

go into your account and on the right click the edit profile button then the next screen on the left there is a mark for change signature, click that and then fill in the info and save it. Good luck

Thanks, I had the pizza quiche recipe, yummy! Thnks.

I am in the same boat, my fill was last Friday the 27th and I too had 4cc put in. Today is my first day for food and I have only eaten 1200 calories, I feel like I could easily eat more. I am trying to stick to 3 meals a day and no snacking. I do not know what restriction feels like, I did not have ANY after my surgery, I could eat whatever I wanted. I am stuck at 17lbs lost.

I get my first fill on 8 27 10. Right now I can eat ANYTHING. Is that normal? I am eating less and losing a little bit of weight. Will all the eating restrictons they talk about (no bread etc) affect me after my fill? Did they affect anyone before a fill? I am 229lbs now, down 16lbs (9 since surgery).

I will be there for my 1st fill on the 27th too. Hope to see you there. I think you are doing amazing! Don't harp on the vacation weight gain. Just get back on YOUR plan or exercising 3x a week or 5 if YOU choose to. Who else knows more about what your body needs. My goal is to work up to 5 days a week. I have only been walking post surgery. I need to start working out!

Awesome. Congrats. What a motivating note.

I am about 17 days post op and still burping but not as much. I think it is normal. It is less and less.

Hey all lap-banders!

I'm Dana and I'm getting my lapband surgery done at OCC on September 9th 2010. I've read almost all of the different question/answer topics that are on this site and are all very helpful, you guys rock! I am just wondering what happens on the surgery day and the day after? I admit I am a little nervous but excited all at the same time and if I knew what to expect I think it will take some of the pressure off of me! I would appreciate any information anyone is willing to give me on here and hope to meet new people that are/have gone through this journey!

~Dana

Hey, welcome to the forum. I was banded on 7 15 10. Will you have your exam the day before surgery? If not, you will have an exam, they will weigh you, talk about post op diet etc, you will do that with Dr. Miranda. Then another Dr will check your lungs and heart. You then get taken back to your room, change and take some pills, get an iv. Then surgery. Piece of cake. Recover and I opted to go to hotel with my mom at about 4pm. Two ladies choose to stay the night. I am sure they slept better than me. They got some sleeping pills. I was up and walking and shopping the next day and then the 2nd day post op, I flew home. You will be on a strict liquid diet for 21 days post surgery. The 1st 4 days were a bit painful BUT so much better that I expected, like a nagging growling stomach. Good luck.

I have 8 ccs in a 11 cc band. 2 fills both done at the OCC and I have restriction. I ate real food afte rmy fill and the Dr.then waited 10 min after the fill and looked under floro again to make sure everything went down. OCC is awesome!! They really know what they are doing!

I am going to travel to OCC for my fills even though I am close to the Univ of Nebraska Med Center and they do fills under flouro. I think I may need less fills (hoping 2 or 3) if I go back to the experts. Most posts tell you to go to OCC>

I am 4 days post-op...the first 3 days seemed to go really easy and I didn't really feel hunger...now onto day 4 and it's like my body is starting to revolt. I have not cheated. Did you all go thru this too or was it relatively easy. Thank goodness the fear of slipping my band has kept me in check but I thought the post op information said we wouldn't feel hunger during this stage. I've been doing the protein water, gatorade, broths, etc but I feel like my head is just weak and almost dizzy. I thought 21 days wouldn't be that bad but feeling like this at day 4 makes me really nervous. HELP!

The first 6 days my stomach was growling almost all the time. To the point it kind of hurt. I am not sure what it was. So I took that to mean I was hungry. It went away on about the 6th day and is making the remaining days of the liquid diet bearable. I have 6 days left. Once you get to day 4 to 6, start on the cream soups and protein shakes and you will be good! I am losing about a pound every other day. Up to 17lbs.

Well, the time has come. We fly out to San Diego tomorrow morning for surgery on Monday. So excited but I think the reality of my life changing forever is starting to hit me. I've heard such positive feedback from so many people regarding the surgery, the hospital, and even life after banding...I just hope I have all the same experiences. I will post again after surgery...wish me luck!!

Good luck. You will do great. I am only 10 days post surgery and feeling well. Down 14 lbs. The doctors are GREAT and the facility is as shown on the internet. Don't be nervous.

Kim - I am planning on asking to have the office vist of the portion comped. That cost is $75.00 so x3 that alone will save me $225.00 which is a good amount. I am willing to pay the $150.00 for floro. I won't be going back in until August which sucks. My husband asked me last night, "honey do you have ANY restriction?" We had roast, veggies and a potatoe. I have a ton of veggies, a small portion of meat and a few bites of potatoe. I think I nearly consumed 60% of the veggies and had no full feeling. In measurements I'd say I had 3/4 cup cooked veg. Even with that amount of veggies, meat and pot, no full feeling. I howver was satisfied. I miss the full sensation.

This morning I was able to eat a danish.....at like 5:00 am, no full feeling. Oh boy that is scarry!!!! I will have to be very aware of my choices. As a recovering fat girl at heart, I can see how easy it would be to dive head first into a plate of __________ whatever, fill in the blank!

I stocked up on veggies at the store and have bought more fruit as I can use those as my fillers if I get the urge to stuff my face. I have plenty of fish, chicken, veggie patties, tofu, ect so I will stay on protein like before, but man.....the reality of KNOWING I have nada to back me up. I have made two choices for crap carbs. One a donut at work, and the other the danish. Both delicious, I might add.

Anyway, lets hope they are willing to work with me on fees. It was sad to actually have a measurement of what was left in my band......I would have been better off being in the dark about the new doc taking over 1/2 of my fill with him......

Send me good JuJu I will need it!

Angie, did this happen at the Med Center? Who was the doctor? I have to go for my 1st fill in 6 weeks. I am trying to decide if I want to go get fills at OCC or Med Center. You may have just made my mind up for me. These issues you are having are concerning for me. Yikes.

4 day post op. Surgery and recovery were great. I am so looking forward to the new me. Got to get throught this 21 day post op diet. I can do it. Down 12 lbs so far, would like to be 25 lbs down by my 21 day post op diet on 8 5 10. Does anyone know how I get my tracker to post on the bottom of my entries, I have no idea. I created it but do not know how to get it here.

Can someone please tell me what slimming and PBing are? Also, can you point me to the Post OP diet, I saw somewhere someone thought it was posted but did not know exactly where. I am going for surgery 8/3/10 and need to read all I can find.

Thanks

R

I am having surgery this thursday and I was told by Dr Miranda that the post op diet is 21 days, consists of all liquids, protein shakes, soups, broths etc. I will get more info when I am there I am sure. I will let you know more once I know more. But you should email dr miranda for any questions.

I know we were told unlimited greens, and that we could have sugar free popsicles and jello however the lowest calorie jello I could find was 5 calories, and popsicles 15 calories so my question is are we still allowed to eat this? I guess I assumed they needed to be 0 calorie and their were none with 0 calories. I even read the label on the benefiber (single drink mix packets) and it has 15 calories!!I also can barely stomach the salad it tastes sooo plain and disgusting and I don't want to put very much dressing because it's a calorie each spray and I feel like I'd need 15 to get some flavor any tips or suggestions anyone can share?

I am being banded the day before you. I have not started my pre op diet yet. I thought I would start july 1st, but am getting getting prepared.

Hello Everyone

I am new to the forum and scheduled for 16 JUL for a band at the OCC. I am wondering if the band is the right thing for me. I mean I am 5'11 and 240#s so my BMI is 33.5. I have known others who have gotten banded and they all seemed bigger to me than I am now.

But I am tired of hitting the ground when I jump with my daughter on the trampoline and causing the treadmill to catch when I step on the belt while it is running. And I am tired of the way I look and feel. My family genes are terrible with diabetes and High BP and High Lipids and really overweight people. So I know doing this surgery will help me control all of these conditions (none of which I have now but I know their coming if I dont control my weight). Anyway, what finally made you commit to the costs, lifestyle changes, etc needed to have the band placed? Thanks.

I am set for surgery day before you. I am so looking forward to it. I have not yet started my diet. I am 5'5 and 235 lbs, I think my BMI is 39.5. Good luck!

I would absolutely love to pick your brain. How do I get my # to you?

When I looked into Dr. Ortiz and his staff, I began my searching the internet for information on him. I watched his You Tube videos, especially the one where he does the surgery on video. He made it look so easy breezy. I read his book and became a member on this forum. I asked question after question. I checked out his credentials with Alergan. I read and read on the internet the good, the bad the ugly. I wanted to know not only what the risk factors where, but how they affected the person and the body. They are out there, you can find the horror stories with personal faces. I did this so I could get the full scoop of my decision. Was the % of risk worth the possible results for me. I wanted to way the pros and cons fully and not just do it and feel like a victum later....ya know.

This is an excellent place to read read read. You can get an idea of what bandster life is like. I loved the OCC and staff. The moderators on this board do a good job and you can ask them qustions too. They have tons of knowledge and are willing to help anyone.

Another thing I did was secure after care BEFORE MY SURGERY! I read about how many banditos had difficulty findign after care. Us surgeons did not want to touch them. I called each bariatric surgeon in the surrounding area, well just to Lincoln. Found out how they did fills, and the cost. My desire and want was to find someone who did fills by floro. I am paying out of pocket so I wanted to ensure I was not going to damage my tool. Those were some of the important things I saught.

I would be happy to talk to you over the phone if you would like. Let me know and I will message you my phone number as we can not post it on the forum.... : )

I really spent time on my decision and I would encourage you to do the same. Educate yourself.

Good luck!

Angie

Good info. I am from Omaha and considering this surgery in Mexico, it is $17500 in Omaha but $6500 in Mexico. I am sooo nervous about having the surgery in Mexico. Can I ask what other kind of research you did to decide to have this surgery by Dr. Ortiz? I really need to do this and want to make sure I do ALL my research. Thanks

I bought into a "package deal" which was that I paid $1000 up front, which covered the first 4 fills. I had/have to pay a $50 radiology charge each time as well that is not included in the initial $1000 up front.

I choose a local bariatric team for serveral reasons.

1. I have a family that I would be leaving for each trip.

2. Cost of airfair and hotel or a long all day there and back trip.

3. Time away from work.

4. Local after care in case of emergency or need for an unfill.

So each fill for the 1st 4 fills cost me $300 a pop. Then the price drops and each fill is $125 + the $50 dollar radiology charge. So bottom line is now my fills or unfills cost $175 from here on out.

Before I had my surgery I called the local hospitals and found the pricing for each surgeon. I also found out if they took mexican banded patients. This helped me out so much. For me the initial cost of the package was more than the trips back and forth to the OCC. BUT after understanding that I could need an unfill and how your fill can be fine for months then turn on you. (say after a stuck episode or a high stress time in life, it seemed very comforting to know i would not have to get a last minute flight to go to the OCC.)

Now the cost is cheaper than any trip to the OCC and I am VERY BLESSED with the standard of care at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Most of the staff are WLS patients. Very cool.