Thats All Folks

If I were in your shoes, I would definitely be concerned. There is no way 1cc should disappear in a month's time. I would also be more than a little upset your doctor didn't have the amount that was put into your band in your patient records. Hopefully it's all just a big misunderstanding, but I'd definitely insist your band Fluid is checked next visit. If it's less than 4cc, I'd insist your doctor investigates the possibility of a leak. Best wishes.

Well, a couple things stand out... Your band slipped from being too tight for too long. I don't mean this offensively at all, but I hope others read your story here because this is a text book example of why walking around with a band too tight is dangerous. I'm curious why your doctor didn't do a complete unfill for a couple weeks to see if the band wouldn't go back into position? Is it because he doesn't think it'll fix the slip? If the slip isn't corrected, be it through emptying the band or surgery, it will only continue to get worse. The fact you've been dealing with reflux for so long is worrisome in itself because it can lead to a lot of other problems in your esophagus, stoma, and throat that are far worse than a slip. If I were in your shoes, I'd be doing whatever necessary to have my band fixed even if that meant surgery. It's simply not safe to walk around with a slipped band and reflux. As far as weight loss, you're on your own until you get your band fixed because a slipped band will only get increasingly useless. You really only have two choices- continue as you are with a slipped band, pray it doesn't get even worse or jeopardize your health, and diet as though you don't have a band at all. Or, learn from this slip, get fixed, and start over fresh. Best wishes and I hope this all works out for you.

Oh believe me, you'll know if you're stuck lol. You can feel it. Sometimes it's minor, like some slight pressure in your chest or a lump in your throat. Other times it's even painful and you feel like you want to whack your chest to help the food through (though that doesn't work). You could slime or PB, too. Or both. Sometimes a little sip of a hot liquid can help, but that can backfire, being as often when you're stuck drinking makes it worse. Some people take Papaya Enzyme. I find walking around helps. It's a big learning experience. Best wishes.

The breakfast will be the hard part. Maybe oatmeal if they offer it? Or even pour a Protein Shake into a coffee cup and just sip on that while the others eat? The dinner should be easier. Go online and chances are good you'll be able to find a restaurant menu ahead of time. A steak house is sure to at least have Soup, probably mashed potatoes too. You could just explain your tummy has been acting up so you're going easy (which isn't a total lie, you're healing!). Best wishes!

Yes but small portions and not very often. It has almost zero nutritional value.

It's not an unhealthy diet, but it's way too big of meals for a banded person. You'd have to adjust the portion sizes for sure.

It's funny how we do that- I catch myself doing that too! In fact, just a couple weeks ago I was at a restaurant with my family. I ordered a cup of Soup and chef salad. But then, I saw they had coleslaw so I ordered that too. My daughter literally started laughing at me "Ummmm mom? You won't even eat 1/3 of all that". I watched the waitress bring our food, took one look at the soup, and realized I'd be lucky to even finish all of that let alone a huge chef salad AND coleslaw too. ...there was so much leftovers, I ate chef salad for lunch the next 2 days in a row! Old habits die hard for sure!

Congratulations!

It really depends on how badly you stretched it and if there's a slip involved too. Your doctor would be the one to tell you what's necessary based on your specific circumstances.

Why would you be nervous to tell him? You actually need to make him aware right away so if you find yourself having any issues or needing an unfill during your pregnancy, he can help you. Best wishes and congratulations.

Hello! Definitely pureed or mushy before you swallow, no chunks left. It will help assure you don't get stuck, too. Best wishes.

Excellent post. Thank you.

I am so very sorry but I'm relieved you found a good surgeon to take you and your pain seriously. Best wishes to you and I hope all goes well with your revision to the Sleeve.

I agree totally, in fact in some ways, I think the mental preparation is even more important than all the physical preparation. I'll be honest, if I'd have had Lap Band surgery 2 years before I did, I'd have failed miserably. I was in a horrible place mentally and truly at the mercy of my food addiction. There is no way I could've changed my behavior and eating habits back then. The only reason I've done well now is because I spent over 6 months before surgery getting my head together and dealing with my emotional/psychological issues that led me to food addiction to begin with. If I could have one major piece of advice for people considering any WLS, it would be to deal with their mental demons before trying to deal with their obesity demons.

I think it depends on what type of eater you are. If you're a grazer or a binge eater, then being in the Green Zone definitely helps because you're simply not hungry. If you're an emotional eater, a stress eater, or a boredom eater than it'll likely be a little harder to overcome. You have to remember- the band goes around your stomach not your brain. Physical hunger is greatly diminished with the band and as a result ending the pre-occupation with food. But head hunger is still our battle to fight because it has nothing to do with whether or not we're physically hungry. Best wishes.

Wow I can't believe I just found this thread! Nice! My name is Missy, I was banded about 13 months ago and have lost 187 pounds so far. I still have a ways to go (I was over 400 pounds when I started) but I'm thrilled with what I've lost so far.

The average is 1-2 pounds a week. You've lost 3 pounds a week.

Oh my gosh I'm so sorry Thank you for that very important reminder to all!

I'm not sure which chemical the anesthesiologist use that cause it, but for a lot of people it can cause some really serious depression and emotional instability. Couple that with a complete lack of nutrients and calories, it's no wonder you had such a hard time. By the way, if you watch these forums, you'll see others that have the same effect. Crying, depression, and downright freaking out. It's very traumatic! I know I was really depressed. I swear I cried at everything for about a week after my surgery. It took little more than someone looking at me sideways for me to completely snap, rage, then sob. It wasn't fun at all. Best wishes... you're definitely not alone.

Hi Mandy, Well your stomach is a muscle, so it's not at all impossible for it to spasm and flutter like any other muscle. I suspect you just didn't feel it in the past because there wasn't a band for it to flutter against. I honestly wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes a regular thing. Maybe just mention it to your doctor and see what they say. Best wishes.

Perhaps you need a smaller fill than the .25cc that historically gave you problems? I've had a fill as small as .1cc and it made all the difference in the world. Best wishes to you!

Whatever level it is that keeps resulting in nighttime acid reflux, it's too tight. Aim for a lower number/amount.

Well that's not what my surgeon and nutritionist said, they specifically said a cup of food. I guess it's another example of different surgeons saying/doing/recommending different things.

I love the Atkins bars but they make me super gassy. It's probably the sugar alcohol that's upsetting your stomach.