DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Once again, you're citing incomplete studies that don't take patient compliance into consideration. You can't fault the band for patient error and carelessness. The fact is, as stated in the study I posted, when the patient does what they're supposed to do there is only a 5% failure rate.

Actually, that study is incomplete because it doesn't take patient failure/non-compliance into consideration. When a patient is compliant with their surgeon and the band rules, the band is just as effective as other WLS and failure rate is only 5%. http://www.futurity.org/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

You might have a lot of sagging skin. Whether or not you have sagging excess skin depends on how much weight you have to lose and how long you've carried it, your age, whether or not you smoke, and genetics. I will tell you this- I have a lot of excess skin. But, I look SO MUCH better now than when I weighed over 400 pounds. I can hide the excess skin easily with clothes but there is no hiding over 230 pounds of excess fat. I'll take the excess skin over the excess fat any day.

You need to call your doctor. You're likely too tight and need to be evaluated by your bariatric surgeon.

With the hernias, I won't lie, it's been a long road. It's been a reoccurring issue ever since I had my son in 2002. I'm told losing weight will help lessen the chance of them reoccurring so I'll keep my fingers crossed. As for weight loss, I absolutely love my Lap Band. I lost over 230 pounds in about 20 months. I feel and look like a new person. Do you have specific questions I could help with?

It won't effect your ability to get the Lap Band, especially if it's on your lower abdomen. Just be sure your surgeon is aware of it and the mesh ahead of time. I too have mesh on my lower stomach due to a big hernia, in fact it goes all the way from the navel to the pubic line. I got the mesh in 2008 and the Lap Band in 2011. No problems whatsoever.

The problem is, that study doesn't take patient compliance into consideration. In the biggest, most comprehensive study done on the band, they show that only 5% of complications are by no fault of the patient. The rest are due to patient or doctor error, not because of the band. Bottom line: If you follow the rules and are compliant with your doctor, you only have a 5% chance of ever having a serious problem. http://www.futurity.org/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

That does sound steep, I agree. I wonder if you could negotiate with him should the need arise.

80% of mine is covered by insurance. I have a $20 copay each time I go in for a fill, so that would put my fill cost at $100. And, that fill is done by my surgeon, not a PA or nurse. I think that's very reasonable.

You said this is ever since a fill? Did the doctor remove some Fluid? If not, not only do you need an unfill but you need a new doctor desperately. You should never, ever be allowed to go years with a band too tight.

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. You've lost about 5 pounds per week. You didn't gain the weight overnight and it won't come off overnight, either. It takes time and patience.

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you. Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision. I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal) My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU. Best wishes

Donna12 Is your pain related all to muscles? I have fibro in my back and my rheumetoligist dr gives me flexeril to help with the pain of knotting muscles. Would this be any help to you? I'm sorry you're going thru so much it must be discouraging....but try to keeo a smile in your heart. You have many friends here concerned for you and coming here to vent does help. Bless you and prayers coming your way. Flexeril is a good drug, but you can't function on it. When I'm (rarely) having a very bad bout of something muscular, I can only take ½ at bedtime. That stuff is seriously sedating! My daughter takes Flexeril and only takes it before bedtime, too. It does make her drowsy. However, I've taken it and only had a mild drowsy effect. I suspect if I took it regularly, I'd get used to it. I take Baclofen for muscle spasticity, cramping and pain. It too is a muscle relaxer but it doesn't have nearly the drowsy effect.

Missy - when you're eating soup, how much can you typically eat? Lets say…..something like chicken & rice soup. I was sick all last week, and wanted nothing but soup and hot tea. I ate about a cup of soup, but it didn't keep me satisfied for long (all that liquid). I got more bloated initially. I don't think soup is a good band choice, but sometimes….??? Soup is mostly liquid which goes right through (slider). Realistically, you're measuring the solid pieces not the broth. That's not exactly easy or something I want to bother, so I just pour about cup to cup and a half and call it a day. Even if you had a whole can, which is about 2 cups, you're not likely to over a cup of solid food.

Typically speaking, most surgeons say a cup or less of food per meal. Some say as little as a half cup. The reason for the cup limit is to avoid stretching your pouch above the band.

The reason I ask is, it's the stomach retching and stomach contracting in vomiting that is dangerous. If the food is just being burped back up gently, or PB'd, it's not worrisome. If you are retching and having stomach contractions such as with vomiting, it's dangerous. If I were in your shoes, I'd stay on liquids today then call your surgeon first thing in the morning if you're still having problems. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Best wishes.

When you say "bring the food back up", do you mean PBing or vomiting?

There is no way to know when, or if, you'll need a fill until after your band is placed and you see how you feel. Just make sure to have a good local surgeon for your follow up care and trust his judgement for when he thinks you'll need a fill. You'll need to see him monthly post surgery, anyway.

I hear you! I've been plateaued about 8 weeks now, watching the same two pounds bounce back and forth on the scale. But, I've noticed my clothes still getting bigger despite the stalled scale. Honestly, I'm to a point that as long as I'm not gaining, I'm totally ok with a scale stall. I know it'll come off eventually and whether that takes a month or a year- fine by me.

I would speak to your nutritionist and let them help you establish not only a daily calorie allowance but food guidelines, too. Calorie intakes here vary greatly depending on weight, height, activity level, gender, and even age. Some eat as little as 600 a day whereas others eat 1800 a day. You have to figure out what's best for you and your specific needs. Best wishes.

I read about the possible eye problems, too. However statistically speaking, it's a very rare side effect. She's doing very well on it so far and I've made an appointment with my ophthalmologist for her to get a base line exam. I have to get my eyes checked every 6 months because of the MS so I figure I'll just hers checked at the same time.

Honestly, I just stayed in my normal daily calorie range, 1000-1200 calories a day. I still lost weight while healing, too. Staying away from meat is actually a bad idea because when healing from major surgery, you need that Protein more than ever. Most doctors actually want you to increase protein for healing. Just track your calories and get lots of protein and you'll be fine

Believe me, I feel your pain. I can wear size Medium shirts but still need size 14 pants. My bottom half is WAY bigger than my top half. It makes dress shopping almost impossible!

It looks like you missed the suit size and now it's too big!!! You're doing AMAZING!!

I have discovered that some makers actually make "curvy" sizes. They're just a little roomier in the hips and butt. I've seen them at Sears, JCPenneys, and Kohls. I even saw some at Walmart once. They're not plus sized, either. My very shapely, normal weight daughter even wears them because she's got my hips and butt gene too. I even found curvy petite pants at Kohls and did a happy dance. (I wish I could remember the exact brand, but I bought them two sizes ago and no longer have them, ugh!) As for jeans, I can't find ones I like better than Riders by Lee, relaxed fit, straight legged. Again, with the relaxed fit, it gives a little room in the hips and butt. From one pear shaped girl to another, good luck!