Thats All Folks

You'll have to ask your surgeon. They all have their own schedule.

I haven't ever had a slip, but I know someone who did. When I was in the hospital getting my Lap Band surgery, my roommate was a woman in there getting her band replaced. Apparently she regularly drank soda and as a result, not only did her band slip but her stomach actually prolapsed up through it. She also gained 40 pounds in a very short period time. I will never forget her telling me her story and telling me "learn from my mistake, don't ever drink carbonation". It was a year ago I was banded and I never forgot her or her story. As a result, I've never touched a carbonated drink since being banded either.

It is entirely possible to get stuck without any fills. Depending on where you band sits, your stomach size, and your band sized you could have a lot of tightness despite having an empty band. Tuna isn't bad, in fact it's very good for you. In fact, unless your doctor or nutritionist tell you not to eat a certain food, nothing is off limits except carbonation. Food isn't "bad", it's the amounts of it and frequency we eat it that can be bad. You may think you were taking small enough bites, chewing enough, and eating slow enough but it's possible as a newly banded person you're not quite there yet. My nutritionist suggested bites be the size of my fingernail. Yes, that small. She also suggested actually putting the fork down and waiting a moment between bites. Perhaps you could try this and see if it helps you too? Hang in there, it's a learning experience but you'll get used to it

Jim, I've never been in your shoes but my heart positively breaks for you. To the inconsiderate people that would ask personal information such as "when are you going to have kids?" I'd say "I don't know, when are you going to learn not be an inappropriate, nosy idiot?" ((HUGS))

It's unlikely he missed the port because when they put the needle in, they can feel it "pop" through the port itself. I am guessing that's why he was fishing around for 15 minutes because he wasn't feeling the needle puncture the port. However, if he did miss it? The only way you'll know is by having him measure the Fluid in your band at your next visit. This is done very easily, they just act like they're going to do a fill, draw all the fluid out to see how much is in the band, and immediately put it right back in. Give it a day or two and see how you're feeling. It may just be because the fill was so tiny you don't notice it. Best wishes to you.

Left side

Congratulations!!

To be honest, I don't miss any foods. I still eat all my old favorites- Chinese, pizza, even desserts- but I do it on occasion and in moderation. And when I do, I simply make sure to add them into my daily calories. The only thing I miss isn't a food, it's a drink. I miss Vernor's ginger ale. It's carbonated so I can't have it anymore, but it's the only thing I miss.

It is possible but it's really uncommon. You would have to have a very violent, prolonged coughing spell. Not just your usual nagging cough from a cold but the kind where you cough so hard you're retching. I'm guessing you're ok but I'd ask your doctor, just to ease your mind if nothing else.

Being as I started this thread I suppose I should add mine *laughs* I've lost 175 pounds in a year with the help of my Lap-Band. I still have more to lose but I know I'll get there. The Lap Band is the best decision I've ever made for myself. My life has gone from sofa bound misery to active and happier than I've ever been in my adult life. It's been work, I count calories and try my best to make healthy food decisions. I never eat more than a cup of food per meal and I exercise as much as I can. The band is a tool, not a magic fix for fat. If you use it the way it's meant to be used amazing things can happen- and I'm living proof. I've gone from being disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, sofa bound in pain and miserable, to walking 2 miles a day with ease and absolutely loving my life (despite still having MS!). If I can do this then anyone can!

Talk to your OBGYN and ask them.

YAY!!!! That's awesome!!!! I'm praying mine breaks this week too. *fingers crossed*

There is a sister site to this one specifically for Sleeve patients. You'll see the link at the very bottom of this page. This is a great site for info on the band but I'm guessing you'll get better info on the Sleeve on the other site. Though definitely check back here for Jean's response tomorrow. Amazing lady, she's been through a lot and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Best wishes to you.

Amazing story and very wise words. Thank you so much for posting

Too often we see newcomers overwhelmed by all the negative publicity and horror stories about the band. If that isn't bad enough, we all know there's a ton of downright false information flying around about it too. We've all heard it and we've all spent our fair share of time trying counter all this negativity with truth. It's unfortunate that it seems those having major problems are the always the loudest while the happy successful people sit mostly silent on the sidelines. This is a big part of the reason people assume the worst! People, are you happy with your band? Have you lost any weight? I know you're out there, so tell us about!! Really, it's ok to brag!! Share your hopes, your dreams, your success stories! Not only is it good for your own spirit but it really can encourage others and give them hope when they need it most. Post your success stories here please!!

You're doing great! Congrats!

Having your thyroid checked again is a great idea. In fact, having an entire blood panel run would probably be helpful. This way they can see if anything could be the culprit that is being missed. And btw, it's not shallow at all. My hair is a lot thinner because I've had 2 surgeries over this last year. I'm not dealing with anything even nearly as severe as you are and even I get upset at times when I feel the difference. We're women, our hair is VERY important to us. I totally "get it" and why you're upset. Hang in there.

What you're talking about sounds a lot more extreme than anything surgery or band related. If I were in your shoes, I'd go to your family doctor and maybe even a dermatologist See what they say or can recommend.

There's a HUGE difference between the original pics and the 80 pounds lost pic! Congratulations! You're doing outstanding!!

Not every surgeon requires that. Some actually require a longer diet, some don't require any pre-op diet at all. It all depends on your surgeon. The 2 week pre-op diets are rough but necessary when a surgeon requires it. They're not to lose weight but rather to shrink the liver. In obese people, the liver is extremely enlarged and fatty, making it very difficult to handle without injury during surgery. With Lap Band surgery, the surgeon has to be able to move the liver out of his way to band the stomach. So, a lot of times they put you on a pre-op diet to shrink the liver. It's definitely a diet that you must stick to if given one, too. I've read many cases of people going in for Lap Band surgery and coming out with all the scars but no band because when the surgeon got in there, the liver was too big to proceed safely so they closed the patient right back up. Just remember, if you are asked to do a 2 week liquid diet, it's only 2 weeks out of the rest of your life. You can handle it. Best wishes.

Welcome to the forums! You're very smart to read up on the band and educate yourself before making a final decision. This is a great place to ask questions and get opinions so jump right in Best wishes!

I average 1000-1200 calories a day.

I'm no doctor and this is my personal opinion, but I'd try the 5 day pouch test. I've heard of others having good luck with it.

Yes, we know, that's why we worry about it and some of us are getting are "girls" re-inflated and lifted after weight loss!

Do you mean that little fat bump, it kinda has a hunch back look to it but on a much smaller and less noticeable scale? If so, yes I had it too. I started with HUGE boobs, too. I was in a 54H bra before I had surgery. That bump on my back is gone entirely now. I'm not even sure when I lost it, I just looked when I read this thread and went "Oh hey, it's gone!" LOL! My boobs have shrank a lot. I'm now in a 38DD. However, I won't lie, they aren't pretty. I definitely will be getting a reduction and lift in my very near future.