Matt Z

First and Foremost, don't beat yourself up or worry about what ifs. Focus on sticking to the diet they gave you to follow. As hard as it is, it's for a reason. Now, post-op diets are not "1 size fits all", for my Band to RNY revision I will only be on liquids for 1 day post op, purees start day 2 post op and go for a month, VSG's are on liquids much longer. Just do your best to identify why you strayed away from your diet plan and see what you can do to resolve that. Odds are you didn't do any damage, but that risk is there, so focus on finding the things you can eat and try your hardest to stick to your post-op diet.

I'm having my revision on Wednesday, and I can 100% relate to the issues faced after having fluid removed from the band, I had a harder time eating the proper sized portions and for lack of a better description, I ate like an *rhymes with Bass Hole*, you know all the things you really aren't supposed to do, I did and I gained 8 lbs before starting my pre-op diet. But, good news is, I've lost 14lbs in 2 weeks thus far as of this mornings weight check. Just do your best, keep yourself in check and keep thinking about the reasons why you wanted WLS in the first place. Keep those protein and water intakes good and high, you'll be fine!

Where did you get this pillow, what was it called, etc? Links etc, anything to help members locate this pillow would be greatly appreciated.

Sadly, as skin stretches, it actually grows. So at a certain point there is just no returning.

The band was over-hyped. One of the reasons why some of the largest manufacturers, are no longer making replacement parts. You can do what you want, but as a banded person myself since 2011 (a few days out from revision to the bypass), I would advise avoiding it.

Lets not forget the gasses they pump into your stomach cavity isn't all inside your stomach or intestines itself. So, you have gasses inside you that don't have a natural way out. So you have to force the gas out. I found that taking a nice deep breath in, holding it while pressing into it slightly, holding that for as long as you can (not too hard, you are just trying to force the gasses to permeate not rip open still healing wounds) then exhale. Worked quite well at reducing the gas pains and bloating.

Take as deep a breath in as you can, hold it and push into it a bit, hold that for as long as you can (don't go too hard, you are not trying to cause any tearing, just adding more pressure to force the gasses out). Then release. Doing this forces the built up gasses to make their way into your system faster and really speeds up the recovery from being pumped up like a Macy's Day Balloon.

Have you read all the side effects of all the drugs they give us on the way out the door? MJ has far less side effects that are a HELL of a lot less dangerous than pretty much everything on the list. And you seem to be missing a MAJOR factor with the fact that MJ is the name that covers 2 very different strains and countless combinations of those 2. There are strains specifically bred for certain aspects. Munchies *does not* happen with every single version of MJ. I get what you are saying, or trying to, but it seems that you only have a basic overview of the drug itself. There are plenty of strains that have zero hunger effects at all. I see a lot of half information getting kicked around, one sided views from sources that have agendas as well as "facts" that aren't 100% complete or accurate. So, unless you are a compassion center, or a grower, and your only information is from a selectively small medical group... then you are not getting the whole picture or any of the actual answers. And I have to state, I'm not going to advocate either way. Just, having all of the actual facts and figures, is better than only having part of the story and trying to advocate one way or the other based on incomplete information.

Halo Top is less "Ice Cream" and more "Frozen Protein Shakes" (But it's still "ice cream") So if you WERE going to cave, it would be a good option. Something I've figured out that REALLY has been helping me along with my Pre-Op diet is this frozen jello ice that I make using watermelon. 2 boxes of sugar free jello 2 cups liquefied watermelon Boil 2 cups of water, add in 2 boxes of jello, mix as instructed, then instead of adding more water, add the 2 cups of watermelon, divvy up and freeze. They make amazingly tasty Italian ice style ices with no added sugars.

Are you revising to the bypass? Or just a band removal?

I've had minor issues with the LB for years, things like lettuce and chicken were very tough to eat at the level of restriction that worked, I'd get stuck a few times a month... no major issues like erosion or slippage, just never got much lower than 300. Thanks!

I'm going to be a March Bypasser as well. Surgery set for the 21st. I'm a Band to Bypass revision, so hopefully everything goes well and I can revise in 1 surgery rather than 2, but I won't know that until I wake up from surgery. Fingers crossed.

Found this, haven't used it since it's only for iPhone, but looks like an app like you are looking for. http://www.seeyourprogress.com/

You only fail when you give up. You clearly haven't given up. So, this isn't failure, it's a set back. I felt like a failure as well, I lost a decent amount of weight, then that was it, gained and lost, over and over. For 5 years. I stopped going in for check ups, etc, because I didn't' want to be "that patient" that failed with the band. Guess what. My surgeon not only laughed off my "failure" but advised me that the band was over hyped and that my results were typical. I still have a long way to go, that's why I'm having Band to Bypass revision in a few days. Just remember not to beat yourself up over falling down. Just get back up, dust yourself off, dry your eyes and get back on the path.

It's not always just about the liver, but that's one of the main reasons for some folks to get put on the diet. For my situation, my liver is the proper size, I don't *need* to be on liquids for any specific medical reason other than "getting ready" for the surgery and recovery periods. In fact putting me on the diet literally came down to one of the nurses checking my BMI, looking at a chart and telling me that because the chart said so, I was to be put on the diet.

It depends on several factors. Your current medical condition, liver size, stomach size, your doctors preferences, etc. I'm in the process of Band to Bypass revision, I'm on 2 weeks liquids but I don't need to do the typical day before surgery "flush". As always, if you have a question, make sure to contact your surgeon's office. Never hurts to ask, and it's their job to provide you with the proper information. If you wish, you *could* start the diet on your own. There are plenty of write ups and instructions to be found online, but even still, I'd suggest making sure your doctor is aware. Good Luck!

So, I'm 8 days until my revision surgery. I'm on the pre-op liquid diet and it sucks. I've started using the PatchMD vitamins, still not 100% sure how they get more weight in vitamins and minerals than 1 patch actually weighs, but I bought them and I'm using them. I've almost gotten all of my leave situation sorted out, just need to wait for the final thumbs up. I'm still nervous, but I know I need to do this. I'm worried about the surgery, the changes that are going to be required and some changes that no one can plan for... but, this is my big year. 20th wedding anniversary and 40th birthday this November. I wanted to be the same weight at 40 that I was at when I was 20, because that would be awesome. But, I'll take what I can get at this point.

So yesterday I got a tentative surgery date for the 21st of March. This one is hard. It seems that with my new job, I don't have TDI. So I need to file a ton of paperwork to see about getting donated leave to cover the 2 month recovery window for this revision. So needless to say, I'm very stressed out about all of this. I'm at a point where, if I can't get the leave, I can't get the surgery, because I can't go 2 months without pay. Very upsetting situation to be in, finding out that I don't have TDI really changed this entire process. I've been jumping through hoops for almost a year now trying to get both the insurance's and my surgeon's check boxes ticked off. And I've got my own goals. This year is my 40th Birthday and my 20th Wedding anniversary. So it's a huge year, I was hoping to be back to what I weighed when I was 20, for my 40th birthday. Not sure if that's going to happen now. Frustrated, upset and a touch angry.

Hate to like something like this... but there isn't any other options LOL Sucks that it was something so drastic, but glad you went and had it checked out... too many people would have just dealt with it. Have you discussed revision to another WL option with your surgeon?? Wait... Tuesday, that's today! Hope all is well man!

Good luck man! I haven't had the exact same issue, but I know the feeling of being forced to deal with things. I've got a list of foods that I should be eating that I have issues with, either getting stuck or it just being super uncomfortable to eat. It's one of the reasons I'm trying to get my band updated to a bypass. It shouldn't hurt to eat lettuce. Hope all is well!

The lap band was over hyped and even some of the larger manufacturers are no longer making parts for them. My doctor won't even suggest it any more. As far as the balloon, it's currently under FDA review for a bunch of deaths, google "gastric balloon death". Personally, I'd stay away from either. The Gastric Sleeve might be the best bet for you at this point. I've been banded for 6 years, lost 70 lbs, but then just stopped, and I have a very hard time losing any more. I'm currently in the process of getting my band revised to the bypass. Good luck!

I found that taking as deep a breath as you can, and then holding it for a moment before exhaling helped with pain and helped clear the bloating / gas build up from the surgery quickly. Might help you out as well!

I'd suggest you consult your surgeon. You could have developed a hiatal hernia or the band could have slipped or worse it could be a sign of band erosion. You really need to talk to your doctor about what's going on to avoid any potentially life threatening situations. Good luck!

Hopefully you got this sorted out, but you should NEVER feel bad calling your doc with questions or concerns. That is what they are there for! It's always better to ask and it not be an issue, then not ask and have something horrible happen. Always err on the side of caution.

100% all depends on your insurance. I've got GEHA now and they are requiring 6 months of nutrition appointments... not super pleased with it, but, if I want this band to bypass revision, I need to check off their boxes. Certainly try to fight it, but be ready for them to be sticklers.