Questions For People Who Had Lap Band Surgery Done

What foods/diet are you restricted from having? How many times have you had to have it adjusted? Did your insurance pay for that? How long was you recoveryery time? Thanks CJ

CJ, I was told not to drink carbonated beverages, so I don't and haven't tried. I know other lap banded patients do. However, they may allow it to go a little flat and/or drink it VERY slowly. I personally have no food restrictions. I can tolerate any food I put in my mouth including bread, pasta and meats which are high risk foods for some bandsters. The key is to eat slowly and chew very well. I make sure I have eaten my protein first, then my veggies then my carbs (if there's room). I DO NOT drink with my meals-imagine the top part of the stomach as a funnel-it only washes what I've eaten down therefore causing me to feel hungry sooner than I normally would. I have been adjusted 3 times. Once up, once down because I was too tight and then once back up a little bit. I'm in the process of getting insurance to pay for it-the doctor's office billed it under the wrong diagnosis code. I took two weeks off work, but could have easily gone back earlier. It all depends on what kind of job you do and you yourself. It's a laparoscopic procedure, very small incisions (I have 5 with the largest being 2 inches where the port is). I'm told it's much easier than a c-section although I wouldn't know. It was about the same as when I had my tubes tied, maybe more gas though. Dawn

When you were talking about the incisions, what is the port? Do you still have it??? I am thinking of having lap band done. Are you happy you had the lap band? Any regrets?

Lena, The port is a small device implanted under the skin and attached to your stomach muscle. It is where the doctor adjusts the band. It is connected to the band that's around the top part of your stomach by a small tube. Keep doing your research and you should find that this is part of adjustable gastric banding. I can feel the port when I really push at the site, but otherwise I don't even know it's there. I kind of forget about it. I'm happy I had the band, but don't ask me that same question when I'm in the middle of an esophageal spasm. For some reason I am at risk for them. I guess I'm sensitive. I don't find that a lot of bandsters have them, my doctor says I'm not alone. But, when I don't find that it's very common I sure do feel alone. I guess that would be my only regret, those spasms which I cannot figure out what causes them. Dawn starting weight 283 current weight 211 goal 150's

Everyone is reacts differently to the band and you will eat differently by the stage of healing that you are in. The rules after being on the full menu are: Women usually eat between 1200-1500 calories per day and exercise at least 30 per day. Eat protein first (about 3 oz) Then about 1/2 cup veggies If there is room then you can eat a little carbs. Eat three meals a day plus 2 planned snacks and don't eat between these planned meals. Drink 64 oz of water per day. NO carbonated drinks (I drink a lot of Propel) chew well and slowly I personally don't eat bread, pasta or reheated meat. Other than that I eat about anything. I jus****ch my calories. Cathy P 235/170/140