Thats All Folks

I'm allergic to the tape they use, too. If you ever have to have tape again? Be sure to tell them to use paper tape. It's not as strong but worth it to not have the allergic reaction. Mine gets bad enough the skin will actually crack open. If your skin isn't broken, some Benadryl cream helps a lot. Just be careful to only put it where the tape was not on the incision itself.

As far as the burping, I tend to burp a lot since being banded, especially when I've just finished eating. Don't assume just because you've only had one fill you're not in the Green Zone. For thing, 4cc is a big fill. Some people are in the Green Zone with no fills whatsoever, so it is very possible you're there. Here's the thing about the band- it's finicky and it's a learning experience. You say you had 1.5 cups of food and still felt hungry. Did you try waiting 10-20 minutes to see if that hunger passed? Very often people are surprised they're really not hungry when they give the body time to process the food and send the "done" signal to the brain. Typically speaking, we think of being in the Green Zone when we can go 4 or more hours on a cup of food without being hungry. But, remember your doctor is the expert, and if he thinks you're too filled then trust his judgement. You can always get more Fluid added later without consequence but being too tight is dangerous. It's always better to error on the side of caution. Best wishes

Congratulations!

You can get the band over bypass, but first you need to figure out why you're gaining. It doesn't matter which WLS you choose you will have to change your lifestyle and eating habits dramatically. Plus, just because you're eating small amounts doesn't mean you're not having a lot of calories. I would do a couple things before deciding on another WLS- get back into your doctor and let him make sure your stomach is ok and go see a nutritionist so they can help you figure out where you need to make nutritional changes. Once those things are done, then see if you still want or need the band over bypass. Best wishes.

I also take 5000mg of Biotin daily

That's awesome, congratulations!

Congratulations on your loss but I'm so sorry your wife lost her job. How long until her insurance runs out? Is cobra an option?

You're drinking, over eating, and vomiting 6 days post op? I'm sorry, but that was incredibly foolish and I can't believe someone would go through surgery just to risk their health so carelessly like that. You need to get into your surgeon immediately. You could've done some major damage with this behavior so soon after surgery.

If you're diabetic spilling Ketones is dangerous if you're diabetic because it's a sign your sugar is too high. If you're not diabetic and just severely cutting carbs, it's normal.

The only way to know if you slipped is by getting checked out by your surgeon. Give your doctor a call.

I have lost almost 200 pounds and look like a Shar Pei naked, no lie and not exaggerating. It's not pretty at all. BUT... I can hide excess saggy skin easily with clothes. I can't hide 200 pounds of fat no matter what I do. So, I'll take the saggy skin over the fat any day. Just a thought

Just FYI, super obese can be as successful as you want to be with the band and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I was SUPER obese. My BMI was 72 and I weighed over 400 pounds. Since being banded about 14 months ago I have lost almost 200 pounds and my BMI is now in the 30's. I'm still losing, too.

The mortality rate is higher for the Sleeve and the surgical complications are much higher. Post op, the Sleeve has issues with dumping and malabsorbtion, too. The one thing in the Sleeve's favor (from my personal opinion) is if you're self pay, your costs are relatively done after surgery. With the band, your post op care costs would be a lot higher because of all the fills.

Do you always track your calories? Every single thing you eat and drink?

I haven't had one of those weeks recently but I did around Christmas. It wasn't pretty, believe me. However, as disheartening and depressing as it can be, I personally believe when we fall off the wagon isn't the time to avoid the scale. I believe seeing that number increase holds us accountable so we're less likely to make those mistakes again. Hang in there

Statistically speaking, only 5% of Lap Band patients have to have their bands removed by no fault of their own. So, if you follow the rules, the chances are definitely in your favor. Here's the studies that support that statistic: http://www.obesityla...m/statmain.html http://www.futurity....p-band-surgery/ As far as complications, they're actually much higher and more severe with the Sleeve. Of course there's also the fact you can get the band removed but you can't get the huge hunk of stomach back that they cut out for the Sleeve. At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you. Just be sure to base your choice on actual facts rather than ancedotal evidence on forums or Youtube. Best wishes

PBing is Productive Burping. Sometimes when food is stuck, you will burp it back up. It's very different than vomiting because it doesn't involve retching or your stomach spasming. It's literally just gently burping the food back up.

That's very normal at the beginning. Your stomach is wounded, swollen, and healing. Don't worry about calories or starvation mode right now, just concentrate on staying hydrated. In a couple more days you'll feel better and can start drinking more.

Excellent thread and congrats on your success! I personally gauge my own success by how healthy I am. When I was over 400 pounds I had obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressue, borderline diabetic, and I needed a cane just get around my house. I had to use a motorized scooter just to do my grocery shopping and even that was exhausting. Now, not only is the sleep apnea gone but I don't even snore anymore. My blood pressure is normal, I am no longer borderline diabetic, and not only do I not need a cane anymore but I walk 2 miles a day with ease (and I seriously love my walks!) I've had some incredible NSV's too I flew on an airplane for the first time in 15 years and didn't need a seat belt extender I can cross my legs for the first time in 20 years I've gone from a size 46 (not kidding, I needed a 7x) to a size 18 (almost 16 now) I can do the splits again (lol I was in gymnastics when I was young) I can sit in booths at restaurants without worrying if I'll fit People who've known me for years don't recognize me when they see me. Literally. I'm very active in my kids lives now. I'm no longer a bystander watching it pass me by from the sofa. To me, these things are my success much more than what the scale says. These things reflect how I feel and that is what matters to me.

Which I understand, but being on liquids is only going to make you hungrier and more prone to over eating because of it. If I were in your shoes, I'd increase your Protein. Protein really does fill you up a lot better than anything else.

I'm just curious, why are you doing a liquid diet? You need protein and the nutrients real food provides, a liquid diet is usually counter productive unless you have a slip or have stretched your pouch.

It really varies from one insurance company to another. Some won't cover anything for any reason, some will cover it if the surgeon can prove it's medically necessary (rashes, skin breakdown, etc).

Honestly, the lower the scale goes the more reluctant it is go down. You're doing everything your doctor recommends and you're burning more calories than you consume. The weight WILL come off it's just going to take some patience. A good example- when I weighed 400 pounds the weight literally just melted off. Like, crazy fast. Now that I'm inching towards onderland? Dear Lord I fight tooth and nail for every stink'n pound! Right now I'm about ready to toss my scale into the lake because instead of going down the pound I'm trying to lose, the dumb thing went up 1/2 a pound. Like you, I know I'm doing everything right and it's just natural body fluctuations, but jeez it's so frustrating. Hang in there and keep doing what you're doing and you WILL get there

Congratulations!!

NICE!! Did you hug her? I'd have totally hugged her lol!