Anyone had Lap Band?

I'm just looking for someone who's had the Lap Band surgery in Dec 04. Need people for support and questions! Thanks! Melody

Hi Melody! I had lap band surgery on 12/2/04! Feeling good and am down 20.8 pounds since surgery and 38.9 pounds down overall (including my pre-op loss). I had one fill of 1.5cc's on 1/14/05 and then had .5 cc taken out on 2/8/05. I just called today to have .2 put back in. Fine tuning my fill level How are you doing? Pam

How do you know when you need a fill? (as you call it fine tuning) Do you feel more hungry then normal. Donna

Yep! You can start eating more than before or more often than before. You also look at if you've had any weight loss or not. If you go a couple of weeks with no loss, that is another indication that you need a fill. I'm lucky in that my Dr. is very open about fills - he gives his opinion and allows me to let him know how my body feels. Some Dr's will only give .5 cc every 6 weeks no matter how hungry their patient is or how much weight a person is not loosing. My fill was super easy and he can just do it as a regular office visit. I am actually going in next Tues to have just a little bit put back in. I knew that I needed it because I have been able to eat quite a bit more now - example...last Saturday I was able to eat 2 italian sausages, a couple tablespoons of salsa/veggies AND a small salad! I should only be eating about half of that. I know that 1.5 cc's was too much and 1 is too little, so I'm going to ask for .2 cc and see what that does. People on the lap band board call it getting to your "sweet spot" - good restriction but still able to eat normally. It's a learning experience, but I would do it again in a heartbeat! Pam 218.3/179.4/130

Thanks for explaining that to me. It's interesting to learn about all the different WLS. You said you where able to eat two 2 italian sausages. Do you get sick also if you over eat? I don't regret having WLS but but right now I'm going through a phase of "FOOD IS NOT MY FRIEND" and I know I MUST eat but I hate eating Donna

I know what you mean about being curious what it is like on the other sides of wls. I have a friend here at work who had bypass in Sept. We get together all the time and talk about our similarities and differences. It's really interesting! We share our favorite protein snacks too! Normally you do get sick if you over eat - when you have proper restriction. When I had my first fill, I got sick on almost anything I ate. Now that I am not restricted enough, I can eat too much. Hoping Tuesday's little fill will put me right. When you say "food is not my friend" what do you mean? Just that you don't want to eat because of loosing weight or that you really don't want to eat? Pam

This is how we learn and educate each other on what we must deal with on a daily bases with what ever WLS we choice to have. I looked at the lap band and all other surgeries and I wanted fast results due to my health and then I read stories that you can gain your weight back with the lap band but you can do the same with any kind of WLS if you don't fallow the rules. Right now my pouch is not liking a lot of foods so I avoid them and I'm also not hungry a lot of times but we must eat in order to lose. Everyone assures me this will pass in due time. Donna

Do you use a protein powder to help you through when you aren't hungry? I know that I couldn't have done without Unjury unflavored and chocolate when I had all of those problems being too tight. I added the unflavored to my SF carnation instant breakfast in the morning and put some in yogurt, soup, etc. and I really like the chocolate heated up with skim milk as a hot chocolate. Best of luck to you! I know we will get through the challenges and will succeed! Pam

I drink Atkins low carb. Donna

Hi Melody, I was ready to ask the same question. I read this board and haven't seen anyone with a lap band. I had my lap band on 12/07/04. I lost 10 lbs. before surgery and since I have lost 37 lbs. I am not planning on getting a fill at this time. If I eat chicken or hamburger, I get full after just a few bites. I have had no trouble or complications from my surgery. My only problem is constipation. At first it was from the Bariatric Advantage vitamins. I had the same problem with prenatal vitamins. Now I'm not sure why I still have problems. So 2 or 3 times a day I eat a small bowl of Kashi Go Lean or Fiber One cereal with skim milk. I do have problems drinking enough water. I keep trying though, because I know how important it is. I am very happy with the surgery so far. I hope to continue losing weight for as long as possible. I take aerobics twice a week, just signed up for yoga, and I walk a lot. I want to take advantage of this "window of opportunity." Aloha, Paula