Thats All Folks

Yes it's totally normal because you're just on liquids. It's rough during the post op diet but it's important you stick to it so you give your stomach time to heal. Best wishes.

If you're in the Green Zone, you should be satisfied with a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours. But, not full, in fact if you're eating until you're full you're likely eating too much. Also, you mentioned eating big portions. You have to realize the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. This is why it's so important to stick to band sized portions. I personally have very little willpower. However, I want to be successful with my band more than anything. Thankfully, because I am in the Green Zone and my hunger is more than adequately controlled, I am able to stick to the band rules relatively easily. For me, because I'm satisfied on very little food and rarely hungry it's very easy to stay within my daily calories and a cup of food per meal. Have a look at this link, I really think it will help you better understand it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best Wishes.

Ohhhh sounds good! I'll definitely be giving this a try! Thanks!

I agree with CG. After two babies and a lot of weight fluctuations, I've seen stretch marks fade considerably but they never fully disappear. There are lotions to help fade them, though. Coco Butter helps. So does breaking open Vitamin E capsules and spreading it on them.

Ok really? We're not quite that stupid. There is no way you just join this forum and immediately run to only this thread. I personally don't care if you're a friend, a sock puppet, or someone she knows online from somewhere else but please don't insult our intelligence. All it does it kill any smidgen credibility you may have had.

So you have zero proof. Got it. And btw, it's awfully nice for you to come out of nowhere to defend your friend, being as you just joined this forum today and your only posts are here on this thread.

Really? I can post actual studies proving everything his said is complete crap and untrue. Can you prove it is true? If so, please by all means, post the studies proving it. Here's the studies proving everything he said is false and no more than his skewed opinion: Weight Stays Off Long After Lap Band Surgery Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding In 2000 Consecutive Obese Patients: 12-Year Results

I am so incredibly sorry you went through that but I'm glad you figured out the problem. As far as your band- if you want it left empty then leave it empty. Don't give the surgeon even an option to refill it. Take control and tell him you're not getting a fill. Period. Best wishes and I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts.

I'm sorry, but apologize for what? Pointing out the fact the original post was just an opinion and not at all based on facts? This is a forum not a blog. People are going to respond whether you like it or not. This is especially true when you post things that are arguably bad or incorrect information. I am not going to apologize for posting the truth and I don't care who gets their panties in a twist because of it. Just because you don't like the truth doesn't make it less true.

It's one of the better WLS commercials I've seen. I really dislike the commercials with people dancing around like idiots or posing like wannabe models. The fact he's had the surgery and is also a bariatric surgeon makes it more "real" feeling. No gimmicks just facts. I like it.

It's not a huge deal but good they know it ahead of time. You just may have to give yourself an injection for awhile before and after the surgery to prevent blood clots. The needles are tiny, the injection is given in your stomach, and it doesn't hurt at all (at least I never felt it).

It is never normal to throw up blood, band or no band. With the band it's particularly worrisome. Call your doctor,

But if you're staying between 1200-1400 calories a day, how much fluid that is in your band is irrelevant. The band doesn't make you lose weight, burning more calories than you consume is what makes you lose weight. The band is there to help control your appetite. Being as you're already monitoring calories and not losing, I really think it's important you see your primary care doctor and get a full physical and blood work up to make sure there isn't something medical stopping you from losing weight.

Have you been to your doctor? Perhaps you need to make sure there isn't a medical reason stalling your weight loss, like thyroid or hormones.

There is a big difference in your pictures!! I looked up Ashley Stewart and they're very reasonably priced, too. I'm definitely going to order one to try it out.

I make sure my overall diet is healthy and I stay active. I also take various vitamins, including a multi vitamin.

I am definitely going to check out those bras. I started at a 46G and am now a saggy 38DD. (I actually might even be a 36DD now, my bra is getting big again) I'm constantly looking for something with good support to hoist the girls back up where they belong lol.

TMF makes a good point. If you are in blood pressure meds or even if your blood pressure is making jumps and dips on it's own, it will cause that. However it could also be your blood sugar falling and/or not eating enough. Or possibly the right type of calories. I would speak to your nutritionist. Tell them what is happening and see if they can recommend anything to help. I'd also have your doc check your blood pressure, too. Best wishes.

I've read this entire thread, and the bottom line is, you're likely too tight and you need to get back into your surgeon. Until you start eating healthy veggies and Protein you're not going to lose weight. There was actually a great article on this even called "Tighter Isn't Always Better" http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118 Get an appointment with both your surgeon and nutritionist. If you continue as you are you're not going to lose weight and are going to make yourself ill.

You need to realize two things: 1. What forum you post a topic in is irrelevant. It comes up on the right side of the page and people respond. No one bothers to look at what category it's under. 2. This is a forum. People are going to respond and there is no guarantee you're going to like their responses. When you post something that you know is going stir the pot then either be prepared to deal with the backlash or get a blog where you can post without dealing with responses. I wish nothing but the best for you and my heart goes out to you with your issues, but your personal issues have nothing to do with making posts that many of us feel the need to defend because they're either not painting a full picture or just plain incorrect. If you want to make a post about what you're dealing with personally you'll get nothing but support and compassion I'm sure. But don't make the mistake of trying to mix those personal issues in with topics that are sure to trigger defensive responses. Keep them separate for your own sake.

I think making an appointment with your nutritionist is the best place to start. When you go, bring your food journals with you and let them help you make changes. Best wishes.

I think you have really examine how you're feeling to decide if you need a fill. First, the band isn't meant to physically stop you from eating anything. It's not meant to control your portions either. In fact, it's not even meant to make you feel "full" and if you're eating until full you're likely eating too much. What the band IS supposed to do is allow you to satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. So really, the question would be: Can you go for at least 4 hours without being hungry after a cup or less of food? If yes, then you don't need a fill. If no, then perhaps you do. Of course your doctor is always the best one to help you decide. The foods you listed are common trouble foods for banded people. However, if you can't get enough Protein in, then that would definitely be a problem. Sometimes people think they're taking small bites but they're not small enough. A lot of nutritionists recommend bites the size of your fingernail, chew it until mush, and pause between bites. Here's a link that I think might help you too: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

Ok it doesn't matter if you "got it down". What matters is sticking to your doctor's post op instructions. Weren't you given a clear set of instructions? Listing different phases and what foods are for each?

I agree with TMF, it does sound like you're off to a good start. Because you're not vomiting, PBing, or constantly stuck I would guess you simply haven't adjusted to eating. Every time you get a fill it's a major learning experience. When I first got into the Green Zone, I originally thought I might be too tight too. In fact, I even had the same symptoms you are. After a couple days I tried a bite about the size of my fingernail (which is what I was told to do anyway) and sure enough I was fine. I simply had to learn to take small enough bites and chew it until mush. Ultimately how tight (or loose) your band is up to you. If you feel you can't be happy at this level of Fluid then discuss a tiny unfill with your doc. But, if I were you, I'd really concentrate on how you're eating and see if that doesn't help so you can be happy where you are now. Best wishes!

That's it? Odd. Well if you're not at least in the mushy phase then no, you can't have it. Once you are on mushies you can put it through the blender then have it.