Thats All Folks

Have your doctor check you out to be safe. It's probably nothing but it could also be something like appendicitis or your gallbladder.

Hi Ladies! Happy New Year! I thought I'd poke my head in and say hello Well like others, I gained over Christmas. 6 pounds!! UGH!! But, the good news is I buckled down and have already lost it again. Still... I hate the fact I still cave into old habits once in awhile. There was talk of January goals. I think mine would be to lose 7 more pounds and be into the 230's. This is kind of a "biggie" for me because the last time I was at this weight range was about 19 years ago- when I got pregnant with my first child. So, for me to get back to that weight again is a major "mental achievement". Tomorrow is my 1 year band anniversary. I'll be weighing in in the morning for an official 1 year total!

You'd be shocked how many people walk around with bands too tight for fear of gaining weight- yet are already gaining weight- then actually start losing weight again once they get a little fluid removed and can actually eat healthy foods again. The band being too tight is likely a big part of your weight gain. Best wishes to you.

I personally the Lose It! app on my phone. It's awesome because not only does it make tracking calories easy, but it also has a massive database. So say I go to a restaurant to eat, like Applebees. I can then look up what I'm having and track those calories. Or if I'm eating something at home not in the database, there is a barcode scanner so you can just scan the nutritional data in. It's really useful!

The thing is, food addiction is very real. People don't realize it but it is. When an alcoholic decides to go clean they never have to touch a drink again in their lives. But when a food addict tries to "go clean", we still have to eat many times a day for the rest of our lives to live. It's like telling a crack addict "Oh here, you just get two hits" and expecting them to be happy with that. My point is- what your dealing with is very real and very difficult. Beating yourself up isn't going to help. It's going to hurt your self esteem even more and make you feel worse. You're human and you're struggling, you need legitimate help not to be beat down further. Have you considered counseling? I know you said you're out of work, but there are a lot of places that offer counseling on a sliding scale based on income. Years ago when I was unemployed and needed counseling, I found a place that only charged me $5 a session. I really think it could help you considerably. I'm VERY glad you're seeing your surgeon. Be sure he's aware of the vomiting because I really do fear you're too tight. Hang in there, you can do this.

I am so sorry you're going through this. You say you throw up constantly and have 8cc in your band. I fear you're too tight, which ironically can cause weight gain because when the band is too tight you resort to slider foods to eat- which are usually very high fat and calories. I also worry because vomiting can also lead to a slip. I would make an appointment with your surgeon ASAP. Tell him everything going on, about the vomiting and weight gain, and ask that your band be checked. Best wishes to you.

You mentioned low carbs but do you count calories? If so, about how many a day are you eating? Also, do you keep your meals to a cup or less of food?

I have heard other surgeons doing this. The reason being is the risk of serious complications and even death rise with a higher BMI. With that said, my BMI was a whopping 72 the day of my surgery. I'm so glad my surgeon was confident enough in himself and in me to go ahead despite my super sized state.

Your band isn't broken, you just don't have adequate Fluid in it yet. It takes some people many fills, so be patient, it'll come.

I'm not a medical expert, but that sounds like way too much. Many people don't even need that much to be in the Green Zone and being too tight immediately after surgery would be awful. Unfortunately, you likely won't know if it's too much until you're back on solid foods again. I only have 4.9cc in my 10cc band, btw.

Stick to the portion sizes your doctor instructed, even if that means you're still hungry. Right now your body needs time to heal and it's imperative you follow your surgeon's guidelines so it can heal properly. Also keep in mind that with the band, if you're eating until you're full, you're eating too much. With the band we should be eating until we're satiated, or no longer physically hungry, not full. Here's a great link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

I feel your pain. Getting back on track after the holidays was brutal. For me, the only way to do it is to not have it all. This way I get the cravings out of my system entirely and regain control.

You look amazing! Congratulations!

Honestly, I wish the band had been around when I was your age. It could've saved me an adulthood of obesity and misery. I was 38 years old when I had mine done (I'm 39 years old now) You do what is best for you, regardless of what anyone else says. My guess is the majority are speaking out of ignorance despite their good intentions. Plus, you realize your father didn't lose much weight because he didn't change his eating habits. The fact you realize this already puts you way ahead of many others considering this surgery- you know what takes to be successful with the band. Best wishes to you and your new life ahead

I think it's far more likely your stomach has shrunk from the weight loss so now your band is looser, hence you need another small fill. It's pretty common to happen as you lose weight.

It's definitely possible. The fills don't make you lose weight, eating less calories than you burn makes you lose weight. The fills are to suppress the appetite.

Plateaus suck but they are a natural part of the weight loss process. If you're counting calories, measuring portions, and exercising the weight will eventually come off. It's really simple math- consuming less calories than you burn=weight loss. I know it's hard but try to be patient. The plateau can't last forever and you will definitely lose more weight. Best wishes.

I'm sorry you're struggling. Do you count calories? Do you keep your meals to a cup of food or less? Do you exercise at all?

Me too! I even mix them into tuna!

Prolapse of the stomach through the band usually means the stomach has literally gone through the middle of a band. Because the band is meant to be placed high on the stomach, usually it means the band has slipped downward and the stomach has come up through the middle of the band. To househuntress: This definitely isn't anything you want to mess around with. In fact the longer you wait, the more damage that is being down to your stomach and esophagus. I knew a woman who had this happen and she was able to simply have her band replaced rather than removed. Perhaps discuss this option with your surgeon?

The only time I'm aware of my band is when I eat too fast or take too big of a bite. Otherwise I'm completely oblivious to it.

Mine says liquids the first 24-48 hours after a fill, then progress as I feel comfortable. The reason they do this is because a fill can often make your stomach swell, giving it time to calm and the swelling to go down before putting real food into it again.

Unfortunately no one can tell you how many fills it'll take to reach the Green Zone. Everyone's anatomy is different. Some take little, some take a lot, and some don't need any. Here's a great website for recipes: http://www.emilybites.com/

It depends on the type of bloodwork you're getting and what you ate. If it's for something like blood sugar levels, and you ate fruit, carbs, or sugars, then yes it could matter and effect the outcome.

The bands don't come pre-filled. The surgeon must fill it. Sounds to me like he may have confused his information and is trying to save face.