Thats All Folks

I'm guessing it wasn't the food consistency or texture but rather the sugar and fat. Your body gets used to being fed healthy food. When we suddenly throw junk at it again, it goes "Oh hell no, what the heck is this?" and promptly rejects it. Hence the sick feeling. I wouldn't advise making yourself throw up, btw. It's very bad for the band. I look at moments like that as a reminder of why I need to continue to make good decisions. I totally over-indulged over Halloween and boy did I pay the price. Not in weight gain but I just felt horrible for a day after. Best wishes.

I have only had it happen to that extreme once since being banded. Ironically, it was also the first time I'd ever PB'd (and I've only ever PB'd twice). It was horrible. I got stuck on a breadstick at Olive Garden and ended up in the bathroom in agony. Ever since that, I am VERY careful what I order when eating away from home. I also keep Protein meal bars in my purse at all times, so if there's no good choice I can just have one of those instead. I'm very sorry you went through that. I know it's awful

I personally wouldn't do it. The thing with diet pills is, you will lose, however the minute you stop taking them you'll gain all the weight back and then some. It creates quite a havoc with your metabolism. Plus, if you take them long enough, your body becomes immune to the speed effect (yes, Phentermine is essentially legal speed) and either you need more (which is very dangerous) or have to simply stop taking it. As far as Topomax, that drug is for seizures and/or headaches. It has some potentially VERY serious side effects, too. I would question the integrity of any doctor using it off label for weight loss. To each their own and we all have to do what's best for us, however I've taken both drugs before and I personally wouldn't ever again. Just my opinion/experience.

Just remember, nothing is necessarily "bad" or off limits. You just need to enjoy it in moderation.

You said he was able to extract 4.3cc this time. Have him extract it again next time, and see if the Fluid level has remained the same or decreased. Mystery solved. Here's a link to help you better understand the band and what "restriction" really is: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

I have to count calories. If I don't, I know I will over-eat. It holds me accountable. I usually eat about 1200 a day.

A blockage? If you have a blockage, that would constitute an emergency and require immediate attention. I would go to the ER immediately.

I love it!!! I currently have 3 cats, all rescues. Two literally from outside, one from the shelter. My kids' father had an iguana. Seriously, I loved her. She was the BEST pet!! She had free roam of our home so she just went wherever she liked. When my daughter was a toddler, I'd put her down for a nap and hear her giggling like crazy. I'd go into her room, there would be the iguana, curled by her head napping by her. She was even trained to potty on her cage. Sometimes she'd get fiesty and try to climb a curtain and I'd run up "what are you doing? NO!" and she'd puff up at me like a defiant child. I'd say "don't you puff at me, get!" and she'd scurry off. I'd usually end up bribing her by my sharing my banana with her so she'd stop being angry after LOL. That iguana was the best pet ever!!

I would, 1/2 in a 10cc band isn't much. Just be sure to drink Water before leaving to make sure it's not too much. ((btw, I love your picture! You're a pretty lady! ))

Well... I definitely indulged. The damn Peanut Butter cups won. After eating multiple of them, I dumped the rest into a kid's bag. He thought he hit the trick or treat jackpot, I just needed them out of my house! LOL ...now if I can just get the Almond Joys out without eating a bunch I'll be good! Tomorrow shall be a rather strict food day. Time for Halloween damage control. *sighs*

I would give it a couple days, see if it relaxes a bit. Also, try really small bites and be sure to pause between bites. It sometimes takes a little time to adjust to a fill. Best wishes.

Wow, I'd be very upset too. I have to tell you, I've never used any of the True Results chain but I know from reading about them on these forums I never would either. It does appear just as you said- a cattle call- just pushing people through one after another to make money. It seems their patient care is nominal at best and they seem to pump out a scary high number of totally under informed band patients. I think if I were in your shoes, I'd start from the easiest point. You say you're starving, so I'm assuming physically hungry. Yet you're sliming/stuck every time you eat and are stuck on slider foods. Has anyone bothered to check your actual band placement? If you band has been slipped this whole time, it would also explain the port flip too. I would not ask, but demand, a barium swallow to check your band placement. I know $300 is a ridiculously expensive amount of money, but I think it would be money well spent to get your care into the hands of a doctor who actually gives a rip. You deserve good care with a good surgeon. I do have an idea how you could check out the doctor before paying the fee- go to his free informational seminar. This way, you can get a feel for his mannerism and personality before forking over the money. If you like him, then pay the fee and switch your care to him. Just a thought. As for the Sleeve comment, I personally wouldn't even entertain the thought until you've given the band ample chance to work for you. Check the band position, check out the new doctor, and then go forward with the band from there. IF you reach a point the band just isn't going to cut it, consider the Sleeve, but I personally think it's way too soon to go through that. Best wishes to you.

Oh yes, a HUGE difference! I only had a .2cc fill last time and it was the perfect amount to put me into the Green Zone. Even a .1cc can be the difference between perfect and too tight.

I've already had a Peanut Butter cup. Is it wrong I'm praying my son gets awful candy tonight? It will make it so much easier for me to resist!! This is the first day I find myself truly white knuckling through the day, trying to resist all the temptations. Ugh.

It sounds like you don't have adequate Fluid in your band yet so you're really physically hungry sooner than you should be. I know it's hard now, but it does get so much easier once you do have adequate fills. Before I was in the Green Zone, I found focusing just on calories and portions to be the trick. For instance, I knew there was no way in the world I was going to make it on 3 meals a day without being crazy hungry. So, I spread my calories through the day allowing me to eat every two hours. I made sure my meals were always a cup or less of food, but I had about 6 a day rather than 3. For me, it worked. I was able to continue losing despite not having good restriction yet without being crabby starving. I also made sure to really load up on Protein because it keeps you full longer. For my Snacks, I'd have stuff like cottage cheese, string cheese, pistachios, or even a piece of lunch meat. I don't restrict carbs but I do know protein is key towards fighting hunger. Best wishes.

Oh my goodness that's awful. I'd be upset, too. Could your surgeon appeal on your behalf stating medical necessity? It's worth a try. Best wishes to you.

I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that it depends. If you're admitted on an emergency basis, requiring immediate removal of the band, then they have no choice but to remove it and bill you later. All hospitals have to do what's necessary to stabilize someone. A good example: I had a hernia surgery. If I didn't have insurance and just went into the hospital wanting it fixed, they wouldn't have to fix it because my health wasn't in jeopardy. But, because the hernia became strangulated threatening my life if left unfixed, they would've had to fix it immediately and bill me later regardless of insurance. I would hate to see you go through an emergency, that's for sure. Maybe even talk to your surgeon now as a "just in case" measure, so you know your options well in advance. Be well and good luck.

If I were in your shoes, I'd find a seminar near you (they're free) to learn about the band. It will help you make a better, more informed decision. Losing weight can drastically help both Diabetes and Arthritis. The thing with the band is, you have to be prepared to do the work. It's an amazing tool, it really is, but only when utilized properly. I find way too many get Lap Band surgery thinking it's a magic cure for fat. They think it'll physically stop them from eating the wrong foods, or stop them from over-eating, or even just make the fat melt off effortlessly. None of that is the case at all. The band helps to appease hunger on less food for longer periods of time, and it does it well, but it's still up to the patient to make good food choices and restrict their portions. I encourage you to do your homework. Read all the medical data on Lap Band and do the research. Learn what it's supposed to do, not supposed to do, and what to expect. Education will be your best asset when trying to make this very big decision. On a personal note, I positively love my band. I've lost about 160 pounds in 10 months. I've never felt better or been happier in my adult life. Best wishes to you.

Who told you what not to post? You posted, I answered your question honestly. Nothing more. Just because you don't like the response doesn't make it untrue.

You will have to check with your insurance to find out if they cover it. You'll have to ask your surgeon how much he charges for fills. Every insurance company and surgeon is different so hearing what ours does/doesn't do won't help you. You need to find out about your own specifically.

The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing. I would suggest putting your scale away until you're at least back on solid food and past the healing phase. It's very likely you won't feel restriction until you've had numerous fills. But also keep in mind the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating. It's up to you to make sure your portions are band sized. Here's a link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Finally, I'd highly recommend paying for a nutritionist yourself then. They are not expensive at all and it's crucial that you learn how to not only eat healthy but that you have good food guidelines to live by. Changing your eating habits to healthy ones for a lifetime is necessary to be successful with the band and you need someone qualified to teach you how to do that. Best wishes.

I can tell you from my own experience.... I know my face looks thin. Truth is, I look very thin from about the shoulders up. You can even see my collar bones. But that is because like most people, I lost weight first and fastest in my face. As a result, my face looks like a thin person, despite the fact I still have 100 pounds left to lose. Look at my profile, the before pic that was taken when I weighed almost 160 pounds more than I do now. That was NOT a "thin, happy face". LOL!

Holy cow that's amazing, congratulations!!

Yes, I'm a huge unjury fan, too. I absolutely love them. They are under 200 calories and about 25g of Protein per shake. Here's a link if you'd like to check them out: http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/

No, it's not a better choice than frosting. Nutella is much worse. You need to start comparing nutritional labels, it's an enlightening experience