Thats All Folks

You need to find a new surgeon ASAP. You're a human being, not a walking piggy bank for him to try to make the biggest profit out of.

That's not a problem. The band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything, so don't expect it to. It's up to you to control what and how much you eat, not the band. Here's a link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html You need a fill if you're not satisfied on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours without hunger.

That is so awesome! You should be so proud!!

I'm allowed to drink any zero calorie drinks I want so long as they're not carbonated. I just try to watch my sodium so I don't puff up.

I can eat everything you listed without a problem. And do often. In fact, there's nothing I can't eat.

Unfortunately, you'll find every doctor seems to have their own idea what works. Some do low carb, some don't restrict carbs, some do low calorie and other are more generous. I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day and aim for a minimum of 60g of Protein per day. I find if I eat less than 1000 calories a day, my weight loss actually slows down. Ultimately you have to do what's best for you and works best with your body. My major issue with surgeons giving identical food plans to all their patients is the fact we're all different and have different needs. What works for one person may not work for another at all and vice versa. Definitely talk to the nutritionist and see what she says. Best wishes to you.

When was your surgery? You should fill out your profile so we can better answer your questions.

A big fill isn't necessarily a good thing. Trust your surgeon's judgement and what size fill he thinks is best. In the meantime, try to eat more Protein because it will help satisfy your hunger longer.

Perhaps try a different brand of shakes? I went through 3 or 4 before I found one I actually like. Some of the first ones I tried were just awful. I really like the Unjury and still have one for breakfast every morning.

Keep in mind you shouldn't be looked for that "stuffed full" feeling you ate 'til before you had the band. If you're eating to that point, you're likely eating too much. This is a big reason most surgeons say to limit meals to a cup or less of food, so you don't accidentally over-eat. Look for your feeling of physical hunger to be satisfied, then you'll know you had enough. As others stated, sometimes there's little physical signs that come with it. I also get the hiccups. My kids and I call them "hiccurps" because they're an odd little combination of hiccups and burps lol. Here's a great link that better explains it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes to you.

60 pounds in 6 months is right where you should be. Why doesn't he just take the fluid out of the band and see if it's the same amount he put in? That's a quick and easy way to see if you're losing fluid. I don't know what a port a gram is but it sounds like he's making it considerably harder than necessary if he doesn't start with the easiest steps first. Just my opinion.

That lady is severely exaggerating. I'm rarely hungry, in fact, I miss meals entirely because I forget to eat due to lack of hunger some days. As far as dumping to keep us off sweets- I'm thrilled I don't have dumping. In fact, that's one of the reasons I opted for the band. I don't want to be puking, eewww! I love the fact I can eat whatever I want in moderation. The thing that you need to remember is, and apparently the people at the group need a clue about, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose the work is yours to do. If you don't change your eating habits to healthy ones, you won't be successful. Band, bypass, or sleeve- they're all just tools. The work is yours to do. I mean, why do you think band over bypass is so popular right now? That is because so many gastric bypass got the surgery thinking it was a magical cure, didn't change their food habits, and either didn't lose the weight or gained it all back again. Just a little personal experience to share with you: I was banded in January 2012, almost 11 months ago. I have two friends who had gastric bypass within a month or so of me. Both told me how nuts I was for choosing the band and pretty much told me I was a fool for not getting bypass like them. They told me how I wouldn't lose nearly enough with the band and how I'd lose tons more with bypass. Still, I got the band. Fast forward to now: One friend has lost about 60 pounds, all of that in the first couple months. She hasn't lost anything in about 5 months and even has gained a little back. The other friend has lost maybe 30 pounds. Neither did anything to change their eating habits and one is constantly puking. I have lost almost 170 pounds. Needless to say, they don't think I'm so "foolish" anymore for choosing the band instead of gastric bypass. My point is, how successful you are is 100% dependent on you, not the type of surgery you choose. Best wishes to you

I have decided either one of two things is happening- either doctors are just pumping out patients without actually giving them the necessary knowledge and direction for success, or people are foolishly ignoring the information given to them. I have an amazing surgeon. Honestly, I'm so blessed because he's truly my biggest cheerleader on this journey. He takes such good care of me and truly wants to see me succeed. I also have a great nutritionist who taught me so much and helped me establish realistic food guidelines for my life. In fact, the entire staff at the bariatric center are great. I know the nurses so well we talk about our children and personal lives like old friends and they are so supportive for me and excited for every pound I lose. I see a definite pattern here: Look at the comments here. Those who've had good ongoing support from their surgeons and staff seem to do well overall. Those that don't have the support struggle. I see this a lot especially in the case of patients banded in Mexico because they're pretty much banded and sent on their way with little to no direction, even the aftercare is left to another surgeon entirely. Regardless of whether you have good support and direction from your surgeon, the responsibility to educate yourself is still 100% in the hands of the patient. Just my opinion.

Because protein is so crucial to maintain muscle during weight loss as well as to help ease hunger, I wouldn't consider it unless you know for sure you can still meet your minimum protein requirements while doing it.

Because gas-x isn't helping, I am guessing it's the gas they pump into your abdominal cavity during surgery. Because it's not in your digestive track, there really isn't anything you can take to help it except pain killers if it does go from uncomfortable to painful. The best thing you can you do is walk a lot to help your body re-absorb it. Some find a heating pad helps ease it, too. Best wishes to you.

I agree, not weighing myself for years allowed me to live in denial and balloon to over 400 pounds. The scale is necessary for accountability. Just my opinion.

The OBGYN who passed away should still have office staff that has your records. By law, records must be kept for 10 years before being destroyed. So, I would contact either his former office or even possibly any hospital he was affiliated with to see how to get your records. Best wishes to you.

Welcome! There's far too many inspirational, successful people on these forums to possibly name them all. Just browse around a bit and you'll see many here.

hahahah I LOVE IT!!! Next time just tell them "jealousy is an ugly disease ladies, I do hope you recover soon!"

The band won't make it so you're never hungry again. Hunger is your body's natural response to needing food. Right now you're not on solid food so I'm not surprised you're hungry. The band is supposed to allow you to be satisfied on less food for longer periods of time, not get rid of your hunger forever.

Umm...I don't mean this to sound snarky, and I know he's a doctor, but is he really that clueless? That's a bit scary. It's basic math- if you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight regardless if what you're consuming is animal Protein or not.

I never eat more than a cup of food per meal and I also count calories. This helps me to monitor my intake considerably as well as assures me I don't eat too big a portion. Keep in mind with the band, you're not supposed to be eating until you're stuffed full just until you're no longer hungry. Here's a good link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You look absolutely gorgeous!! Congratulations!

On a scale from 1 to 10, I'd put it at maybe a 4 or 5. I've had numerous hernia surgeries, my appendix removed, and a c-section. The Lap Band surgery was by the far the easiest of all of them. I had my surgery on Friday and was back to my normal routine by Wednesday.

Just my opinion, I'm no doctor, but that sounds totally unrealistic. It's highly unlikely anyone could stick to eating just animal Protein and a little veggies long term. Not to mention, you'd seriously lack vital nutrients and Vitamins.