Thats All Folks

First, we need some info. You should fill out your profile, btw. -When was your surgery? -If you had surgery, when was your last fill?

Actually, if the excess skin is severe enough, it is considered medically necessary to have it removed and insurance will cover it. I'm going to be having abdominal skin removed in the next few months and because I've lost more than 100 pounds, how low the skin hangs, and rashes insurance sees it as medically necessary and will pay for it's removal. As far other skin that I likely will have to pay out of pocket for removal- the truth is I don't care if someone does think I'm vain. The way I see it is this: I have worked my big butt off to lose almost 200 pounds over the last 14 months. Because of the weight loss, I now look like a Shar Pei naked. If someone thinks I'm vain for wanting it removed then I'm totally ok with that, but vain or not, I earned this new body with my sweat and dedication. I deserve to be able to enjoy it without looking like I'm wearing a skin suit that's 3 sizes too big. In my heart, I know it's medically necessary to be removed. I honestly don't care if anyone else agrees with that assessment. I lost this weight for me and I'll get the skin removed for me. Best wishes

I'm not a man so I don't have one of my own to reference, but I can tell you this: (GRAPHIC DETAIL COMING, AVERT YOUR EYES IF THIS OFFENDS SOMEONE!) When you have less abdominal fat , you can actually go deeper during sex because the fat is no longer in the way. Your lower belly around your penis has undoubtedly gotten smaller, thus resulting in your penis looking and feeling larger to her. So... I'm picturing this is you right now, doing a celebratory dance

Dear man, you once again almost made me nurf laughing. Ok onto serious stuff- you're fine. I promise. liquids go right through the band so unless you were chugging cream of broccoli soup via a beer bong, your pouch is fine and not stretched. Your band is fine, too. Btw, kudo for dragging out your reading material for a reference!

I started cutting it out ahead of time. First, I switched to diet (I drank regular). Then, I switched to diet caffeine free (because I knew I'd have withdrawals). Then, I slowly phased it out entirely. For me, it worked. I knew I couldn't just go cold turkey on all that sugar, caffeine, and carbonation all at one time. It's weird, but I honestly don't even miss it now. I drink a lot of Water and when I feel like I want something sweet to drink, I drink Lipton Diet Green Tea, in either mixed berry or citrus flavor. It's really good, zero calories, and no carbonation.

I haven't touched any carbonation since being banded 14 months ago. It's just not worth the risk of a slip so I gave it up when I had the surgery. When I was in the hospital having my Lap Band surgery, my roommate was in having her band replaced. Her band not only slipped but her stomach prolapsed up through her band- and it was caused by her drinking soda. She also regained 40 pounds. You couldn't pay me to drink carbonation since being banded, I don't ever want to go through what that woman did. As far as coffee, they make some really good sugar free and low calorie coffee creamers. I still have a high calorie coffee drink once in awhile as a treat but when I do I am sure to count it in my daily calories.

I didn't have pre op restrictions, either. And it is hard with kids. When I had my surgery I had a 17 year old and a 9 year old- and I was single mom. So, all their meals and care were up to me. Just keep reminding yourself your health depends on your compliance and your sons depends on you to be healthy to care for him.

It could very well be stress, but even if that is the cause, you'll need some removed from your band until you're passed this stressful part of your life. Unfortunately it could also be a sign of a slip, too. Either way, you need to contact your surgeon immediately. If you can't keep fluids down, you need to go to the ER immediately. Good luck.

You're right, when you're really hungry it's easy to justify your actions. Ok then... here's one: I was on liquids for 4 weeks after surgery. Yup, my liquid phase lasted 4 stink'n weeks. It sucked so bad lol. So next time you are tempted to justify eating something you shouldn't, just remember I had to be on liquids a lot longer than you have to

I too have read it's better to exercise earlier in the day. It gets your body heated up and metabolism working better through the day. Plus, exercising too close to bed time can actually cause you to have problems falling asleep at night because your adrenaline is too high to rest. With that said, it's always better to exercise rather than not at all, regardless of time of day. I personally think if you can early in the day- great. But if not you're still going to greatly benefit from any exercise any time of day.

I won't yell (because I hate people who yell lol) but I will tell you the truth. What you did, only a couple bites or not, was very dangerous. The reason you're on a strict post op diet has nothing to do with weight loss. Your stomach has been manipulated, banded, and sutured. Those sutures need time to heal. By not listening to your doctor and eating foods not on your post op diet you are putting yourself at very real risk of ripping those stitches and seriously damaging your already wounded stomach. Go back to your liquid diet and don't stray from your post op diet again. No exceptions. Best wishes.

Everything you listed is great. You can also blend broth and meat together, I've done this with chicken and it wasn't bad. Kinda similar to your baby food meat idea but a little more flavor. Blending cottage cheese into cream Soups adds Protein and flavor, too.

I love your analogy comparing the band to tools you use as a mechanic. Very well said! I think you're going to do great on your journey to health, I really do. Hang in there for your last couple days of pre-op diet hell

You're getting derailed from the topic. You made a thread that stated all autoimmune diseases were a contradiction for getting the Lap Band. That is 100% false information. Only connective tissue autoimmune diseases and a few specifically listed gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases are contradictions to the Lap Band. For all the other thousands of autoimmune diseases out there the band is perfectly safe with no contradictions. And while I mean no offense, I take zero merit in anecdotal evidence gathered off the internet, especially when it comes to WLS. The people who howl the loudest are always those that have problems- and the majority of those are self induced. People have been trying to blame autoimmune diseases on everything from dental work, to medical implants, to sweeteners for years. The bottom line is, none of this is true no matter how much ill informed people desperate for answers to why they are sick want to believe otherwise.

I think it has to be judged on individual effort because there's so many variables based strictly on patient compliance and behavior. You can meet one person who lost 100% of their excess weight because they did everything they were supposed do and another who lost only 20% of their excess weight because they simply didn't make the necessary changes. I think this is why I get upset when I hear "statistically speaking, band patients will lose 50% of their excess weight". That statistic is trying to take an average between the successes and failures, which quite honestly I don't think is fair and gives people falsely low expectations of the band. You can lose 100% of your excess weight just like you can also 100% fail- and both outcomes are largely in your hands to control and decide. The majority of your success, or failure, with any WLS is in the patient's control.

Nowhere does it say all inflammatory autoimmune diseases. It lists Crohns's disease and other digestive diseases, not all inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In fact, it doesn't list any that aren't directly gastrointestinal. The bottom line is, saying that the band isn't recommended for all autoimmune diseases simply is not true. There are thousands of autoimmune diseases out there and only a very small handful of them fall under Allergan's contradiction.

Ok I am copy/pasting exactly what I put on your other thread. It is NOT all autoimmune diseases so please stop incorrectly telling people that; --------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, that's not true. It doesn't say ALL autoimmune diseases, it says connective tissue diseases. Directly from your link: "You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma" Not all autoimmune diseases are connective tissue diseases, in fact the majority of them are not. Their warning does not cover all autoimmune diseases.

Again, that's not true. It doesn't say ALL autoimmune diseases, it says connective tissue diseases. Directly from your link: "You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma" Not all autoimmune diseases are connective tissue diseases, in fact the majority of them are not. Their warning does not cover all autoimmune diseases.

There are many people with autoimmune diseases and the band with zero problems- including myself. The contradictions that Allergan list are no different than any other drug or device on the market. They have to list all the possible issues to save themselves from lawsuits. It's no different than the birth control not be recommended for women over age 35. Hundreds of thousands of women over 35 take the pill without a problem but they have to list it in the warning for their own protection.

I figure 2 weeks. ...but everyone is different and has their own ideas.

I'm not sure, being honest. Mine lets me drink right up until the time I start eating then again 30 minutes after I finish.

Yes, it's normal, and it takes most people multiple fills before their hunger is under control. Just remember with the band you aren't striving for the same full feeling you knew before the band. In fact if you're eating until you're full you're likely eating too much. With the band it's about being satisfied, or no longer physically hungry. It takes some time and it's a big learning experience, but hang in there, it gets a lot easier.

You definitely don't want to eat until you're full, in fact if you've eating until you're full you're likely eating too much. You should be eating until you're satisfied or no longer hungry. Have a look at the link in my signature, I think it will help. Unfortunately you can't measure a cup in bites, it's just not accurate or consistent. The only way you can be sure you're eating a cup of food is to measure it. Best wishes