SageTracey

As difficult as it is, try not to compare your weight loss to others, even those with the band. We are all different and we all have different starting points which means that our weight loss will be different. the important thing is to follow your doctor's guidelines.

White meat is good for protein, turkey, fish, chicken and then lots of fresh fruit and vegetables will keep you feeling full and regular. Plus they are a cheaper option than junk food. Experiment with how you prepare and combine them and I am sure you will find plenty that you like.

The issues with alcohol and the lapband are that alcohol is empty calories, drinking alcohol can lower your resistance to making poor food choices, and you may be affected more quickly by a smaller amount of alcohol. I had a drink on Friday evening (16 months post-op) and felt the effects quite quickly.

As always, Jean, your article strikes a chord with me! I have just recovered from a (fortunately) temporary hearing loss where I learned just how socially isolating hearing loss can be. I also learned how important it was to use all of the other cues that support understanding in communication to help me through that time. And looking back on my responses to some posts on this forum and others, I need to think about why people are saying what they are saying AND why I am responding as I am. Thanks!

Congratulations! What an awesome set of achievements. Keep up the great work.

Congratulations, you are doing so well!

Funky, fashionable stuff rather than boring, conservative fat girl clothes. Plus a 1950s sleeveless frock with petticoat for dancing!

You have had your band for a year and you have had a slip, yet you choose to eat against your dr's dietary guidelines?

Eight weeks is two months. Every surgeon is different. I think my first fill was at six weeks

Please call now, for your own peace of mind. It's better to phone and find out that there is nothing to worry about than to have a sleepless, anxious night and possible complications.

I seriously doubt that you could damage your port from sleeping on that side otherwise there would be plenty of posts/threads about just that on this forum. It may be uncomfortable but that would be all.

Depends where you are. In Australia you will need a referral from your GP.

Please don't the Australian healthcare system by the "experience" of model. elcee and Jachut's descriptions are far more accurate. I know, based on personal experience, that if I phone my bariatric surgeon's office with an emergency, I can and will be seen the same day. I find it incredulous that any Australian doctor would leave the tube end sticking out of a patient's abdomen without any sort of care and follow up. This would be through an open wound in the skin and have all sorts of infection risks associated with it that would need to be managed carefully. I find it incredulous that any person would wait two weeks to seek medical help from the moment the first part of the port broke through their skin. Again, this would be through an open wound - how did it not become horrendously infected in this time? I even find the original poster's explanation of the latest treatment by her bariatric surgeon to be incredulous - but that could be because this is an incredibly unusual situation which required incredibly unusual treatment. Just because I don't believe what model has posted doesn't make it untrue. But this whole thread does reflect badly on the Australian health care system - which is actually one of the best in the world for access to medically necessary treatment. And it has the potential to misinform and alarm a whole lot of potential bandsters - which would be extremely unfortunate considering the many other positive band experiences which have been shared on this forum. Let the attack begin!

That's really quick filling in such a short time! I've been banded since April last year and still don't have that much. Agree with the suggestions about having your fill levels checked.

It's a difficult concept to get your head around but if you are exercising hard, then you do need to eat more. If you don't increase your intake, your body with think it is not going to be fueled for the work outs and it will hold on to as much of your existing weight as it can. This is less obvious in your early days when you have more weight to lose, but will become very obvious the further you go. Try increasing your calories a little by making good food choices and your body will thank you.

I've not heard of a headache being a sign of being overfilled. Can you drink Water easily? What would you have attributed the headache to before you got the band? It's an easy trap to fall into, thinking that every ache or pain is related to the band, but in most cases, it will be something completely separate. Hope your headache improves quickly.

I love having smaller breasts!

Melissa, please don't take to heart the way that people have posted in reply to your question. They are bandsters with more experience and they are simply trying to guide you away from a surgeon who seems to be misinformed and therefore misinforming you in the process. You will have more success with a knowledgeable and experienced band surgeon. You will also get plenty of support on here so keep asking your questions. Best wishes.

Definitely support! Get with people who support you on this journey, regardless of their understanding of WLS or need to lose weight. My husband has been beside me every step of the way.

If you don't eat, then your weight loss will stop.

It's important to start getting active as soon as possible, but it's equally, if not more important that you do not overdo it too soon or you risk injury. Build up with any exercise slowly, especially after surgery. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Getting the band has given me my life back.

You know it's not the easy way. We can only educate the world one person at a time and you have a done a great job informing your neighbour. Whether she chooses to learn the message or not is not your responsibility. Keep up the great work!

Your comment that it feels like a pointed end sounds unusual. I can feel my port and it is, as elcee says, a solid, hard area. Could be worth getting checked out at your next appointment.

Guess I am one of the lucky bandsters who has never had a morning eating issue. However, I often exercise first thing in the morning so it's typically water for the first 40 to 90 minutes anyway. And I do eat breakfast at my desk on the days that I cycle to work. A bowl of porridge is delicious after a cold (it's still winter here!) bike ride for 90 minutes followed by a lovely hot shower!