Thats All Folks

I agree with others, it sounds like you are a bit too tight. If all you can eat is junk and sliders, you will end up gaining weight. Call your doc and tell them the problems you're having.

You wouldn't need dentures, just a partial to replace the missing back teeth. I would look into it because chewing is so crucial to eating properly with the band.

I have an Unjury Chocolate Splendor shake for breakfast every morning. I've always mixed it with a cup of skim milk.

Your post is so 100% spot on. I totally agree. For what it's worth, I've dealt with the same thing. I've been bashed both in private messages and in the forums for simply stating facts. Though I have been told similar, "just because you lost all this weight you think you know it all". It makes me wonder if the same insecure whiners are targeting us both. Regardless, I love your posts. You have been a huge inspiration to me since I got here back in January. Please, don't change a thing because of a few childish people. You are a huge asset to this forum and we need more people like you.

Unless you were told otherwise by your doctor, yes it's fine. I take all my pills (one is rather big even) with no problem and have since surgery. Just be very cautious after a fill when your band is tighter.

There is no way we can tell you that. Call your doctor and ask them.

That's awesome!! Congratulations!!

Have you seen a nutritionist? If not, I strongly suggest it. They can help you set up food guidelines that work within your lifestyle and needs. They can also teach you how to enjoy things like chips in moderation.

I'm truly sorry you're struggling so much. The thing is, the band is a great tool. It's wonderful for helping to appease our hunger and lessen our appetite. But unfortunately it can't fix our brains. food addiction is very real and many of us need help to conquer it. It sounds to me like a counselor would benefit you greatly to help you learn coping mechanisms to deal with your food issues. Along with a counselor, I'd also strongly suggest seeing a nutritionist. Dieting sucks and it's hard. It's also the reason so many of us fail. You don't need another diet, you need someone to show you how to eat and live healthy for a lifetime. A nutritionist, especially one dealing with bariatric patients, will help you to do that. They will help you establish food guidelines that work with your lifestyle and needs, not just another diet. Best wishes

If you can't eat healthy because you can't physically eat, then the last thing you need is another fill. You have to be able to eat to lose. You have to eat healthy. Fills don't make you lose weight, good food choices and small portions make you lose weight. It is necessary to eat healthy if you want to lose weight- no exceptions. Exercise is also very helpful and recommended. Remember the band is just a tool. The real work will always be yours to do. Good luck.

Donna that kind of pain doesn't go away overnight. It leaves lasting scars that haunt you for a lifetime. The best you can do is give those scars time to heal so over time, they slowly become less and less noticeable. I know right now it doesn't feel like it but in time it will get easier and hurt less. And of course you ARE worthy of someone else! The question isn't are you worthy, the question is...what man is worthy of a beautiful, loving, tender woman? Be patient and kind to yourself.

Just to try to regain the peace... I think bigtruk has been misunderstood. He said your husband didn't leave for a skinny girl meaning there was obviously much more at stake in the marriage than anyone's weight. It's not uncaring thing or even harsh thing- it's the truth. No one leaves a spouse just because of weight. Weight is usually just the icing on an already very messed up cake. He's saying you need to have the surgery for you, because you deserve to be happy, not to show your ex what he's missing. Now if bigtruk had been considerably more detailed in his post perhaps this wouldn't have happened, however, I do think a lot more was incorrectly read into it than was actually there. Btw- my ex called me every name in the book because of my weight. And, he cheated on me. AND he was an addict. I won't lie, seeing his jaw literally hit the floor when he saw me recently was SO incredibly satisfying. This was especially true because his long time girlfriend has gained a ton of weight and is now much bigger than I am. Petty and childish on my part? YUP!! But damn... I can't help it... it was so very satisfying

I hate going to buffets. I feel like I may as well be flushing cash down the toilet because I definitely don't get my money's worth. With that said, I do still go when it's part of a group meal. I just stick to the salad bar mostly. If I spot some baked chicken or fish, I'll have a small piece of that too.

First, you don't sound like a rambling idiot at all. You sound like a woman who's torn between taking care of others or taking care of yourself. I can only speak for myself, but if I were in your shoes, I'd get the surgery. It's a lot of work but it's an amazing tool. Plus, by losing weight and getting healthy you will be taking better care of your family too. They need you to stick around, not die too soon due to obesity related diseases. Not to mention your knees alone is a huge reason to go forward with the surgery. At the end of the day, only you can decide what's best for you. But you owe it to yourself and your family to be the healthiest you that you can be. Best wishes on whatever you decide.

Most surgeons don't charge the same for insurance versus cash patients. They try to give a rather hefty discount to cash patients. I'd definitely ask your surgeon specifically what his cash price is.

Ugh unfortunately, yes, it's very common. I don't even go every day anymore. I'm lucky if I go every 2-3 days. A fiber supplement can help but you have to really take it daily religiously. A stool softner can also help. I prefer them over a laxative because they're more gentle and don't cause all the cramping. Drink LOTS of water and try to get in more veggies. Hang in there!

You're not doing anything wrong. The average weight loss post surgery is 1-2 pounds a week. As you lose more, expect plateaus that last for weeks, not days. You simply can't expect weight loss daily long term. It's very unrealistic.

It was definitely that hard for me. I'm not only battling obesity, but I also have Multiple Sclerosis. When I got my Lap Band surgery in January, I needed a handicapped parking sticker just to make it to the front of the grocery store and then a motorized cart to do my shopping. When I did walk, I used a cane. In fact when I first started going to the end of the street and back I had to use a cane to do it. So yes, it was probably even harder than I'm adequately describing here. As for my weight loss, yes I did lose a lot fast, but I'm human. Heck, I've been pretty much stuck for a month now and I'm currently experimenting with carb cycling in hopes of kicking my metabolism into working again. It's incredibly frustrating to be at a plateau like this but I know two things- 1. No weight loss is better than a weight gain and 2. It's normal and it'll pass eventually. Hang in there and don't give up, you can totally do this!

Just remember, you're not even on solid foods again yet. You're on liquids. The reason you're on liquids is to give your stomach time to heal. Eating food too soon can cause major complications. It's simply not worth the risk. Stick to your post op diet.

When it happens depends on your specific surgeon, though usually 4-8 weeks after surgery. Yes, it involves a needle. It's the only way to add Fluid to the band. My fills are always no big deal. A matter of seconds then done. I never even feel the needle go in.

I started walking at over 400 pounds. It sucked and I felt like a complete moron as I huffed, puffed, and waddled down the street- but I did it. Honestly, I started going to the end of the street and back. That was seriously all I could walk and I'd be major pain and exhausted when I got back. But, I kept doing it a couple times a week. Over time, my endurance got stronger as my body got lighter. The end of the street went to around the block. Around the block turned to two blocks. Two blocks turned into a half mile. A half mile turned into mile. Now, I walk about 2 miles with ease. In fact, I truly enjoy it. I find myself even braving the cold and wind because I truly like and need my walks. It took months to get here but I'm so glad I stuck with it! Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. All that matters is that you are doing something wonderful for yourself. Here's one of my favorite motivationals because it's SO true!

It all depends on your anatomy, the band placement, and the size of the band. Some people feel restriction in the band immediately after surgery some need multiple fills to feel any difference at all. Unfortunately, you simply can't know until you live through it and no two people will have the exact same experience.

If I were you, I'd start counting calories. Most people who don't are shocked to find out how much they're actually eating. It would be a good place to start so you can get an idea where possible changes can be made to help you.

How many calories a day are you eating? Are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal?

What you're going through is normal. It's very likely you won't feel any difference until after multiple fills. In the meantime, all you can do is try to make good food choices and limit your portions. Please keep in mind when you do have adequate Fluid in your band, it still isn't supposed to stop you from eating anything. Portion control will always be your job. Here's a link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.