Thats All Folks

Studies have shown that food is supposed to pass through the pouch in about a minute. This is why they say to take small bites and wait a minute between them, to allow food to pass through between bites. Food piling up on top the band and not passing in the first minute or so is dangerous. It can not only stretch your pouch but lead to band erosion. You do not want the stomach acid necessary for food digestion sitting on your band. This is also why many surgeons are changing their rules about drinking while eating. I can't find it at the moment because I'm not on my lap top, but you can even find one of the studies proving this here on these forums. I believe Alex (board owner/founder) posted it about a year or so ago.

Milk is not a clear liquid, so unless your surgeon specifically says you can have milk, no you can't have it.

The first 4-6 weeks should be concentrated on healing not losing. Plus, you should never ever compare yourself to anyone else. This is your journey and comparing your loss to others is only setting yourself up for unnecessary disappointment. Stick to band size portions, track your calories, and exercise and the weight will come off.

Actually, that's not true at all. In fact Lap Bands are made to be "forever". Of course there's always a risk of complications but the chances are small. Statistically speaking, you only have a 5% chance of serious complications if you are compliant with your doctor and the band rules. That means you have a 95% chance of success. You may hear of more complications but you aren't hearing is the most of those are caused because of the patients' mistakes and behavior, not the band. Here's a study that shows very good long term results: http://www.futurity.org/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

Whenever your doctor says you can. It's entirely up to him and his post op diet.

I couldn't rationally justify hacking out 75-80% of stomach or permanently re-routing my healthy intestines without trying something far less drastic first. God forbid I ever got stomach cancer or some other disease that effected my digestive system- I'd have been screwed. I figured I could always get the Lap Band removed if something went wrong but you can't get back that huge chunk of your stomach. Plus, I didn't want to deal with malabsorbtion and dumping, either. For me, Lap Band was the best choice.

I get what I call a "hiccurp". It's like a combination hiccup burp. I get about a half dozen of them.

It kinda depends, which numbers are out of whack?

The amount of fluid in your band is irrelevant. All that matters is how you feel. It's very possible you simply need another small fill because your stomach has shrank with your weight loss. It's very common.

It all depends on your insurance requirements and how fast your surgeon's office works. I had my surgery in 3 weeks but I've know many others for whom it's taken 6-12 months.

I have to be honest, that makes zero sense. What is the logic in waiting until November? If I were you, I'd be insisting in s much sooner fill and answers. Good luck.

I don't think either pose a risk, especially not the pooping. Without too much great detail, I've had some pretty bad constipation episodes after surgery and never even felt the strain on my stomach let alone hurt my band or port. I suppose the weight lifting could possibly effect your port if you moved weird while lifting a great deal of weight, but I doubt the risk would be any greater than that of a hernia. If you plan on doing a lot of weight lifting, I'd ask your surgeon just to be safe. Great questions, btw

Everyone is different, but I can have sandwiches, burgers, rolls, etc. Now, if the bread is TOO big, like a restaurant burger, I won't eat the top bun just the bottom. It's not that it'll get stuck it's just that I'll get full too fast and not enough Protein. It's trial and error, really. You'll have to figure out what works for you after you're on regular food again.

Why are you mourning the loss of bread? Does it get stuck? I eat bread all the time. I find toasted is easiest to eat but I can eat "normal" bread too if I go slow and carefully.

Your fear is warranted. You are definitely too tight and need to have a small unfill ASAP. Dehydration can happen surprisingly quickly and can be serious so this definitely isn't something you can wait to deal with. Call your surgeon ASAP.

Seromas are more common than most realize, especially in obese patients. This is true with all abdominal surgeries not just Lap Band. I have had one before from a different surgery so I know how awful they are to deal with. My brother is currently dealing with one from a hernia surgery, too. I know having it drained is awful but if the Fluid isn't finding it's way out on it's own, draining is necessary. If that fluid stays inside you it can lead to infection. For me, it took a couple months for it to finally clear up. My brother is going on a month with his and it's draining considerably. Be patient and follow up with your doctor as directed. This will pass. Best wishes.

It might continue until you're past the liquid only phase of the post op diet. Thankfully, it's temporary.

It depends on who you ask. Carbonation does expand in the stomach- that's a fact. The band issue is that because carbonated drinks pass through the band immediately they expand the stomach below the band, potentially pushing upward on the band. This can cause slips. On a personal level, I think risking it with carbonation is foolish. When I had my surgery the woman sharing a room with me was there to have a band replacement. Her band slipped and her stomach prolapsed up through her band. She also regain 40 pounds. All this was a direct result of her drinking soda (carbonation). I've gone through way too much to get where I am and refuse to risk it by making the same mistake that woman sharing my room made. It's just not worth it.

There really isn't an average. The range of first fills is way too broad to even guess at the average.

Loose comfy clothes to wear home. A house dress would be perfect or sweat pants. A robe, because they'll get you up walking very soon after surgery. Hospitals gown are notorious for exposing your bottom so a robe will come in handy so no one gets a free show

Most doctors say no more than 1/2 to 1cup of food per meal.

Yes, that can definitely be a sign of a slip. At the very least, something is wrong and you need to find out what. Call your doctor.

How long ago was it verified you had 6.25cc in until you only had 5cc in it? Btw, you can have a leak without it being discolored. If you have a small slow leak, it wouldn't be fast either.

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear but it's honest. If I were in your situation, I wouldn't go through with the surgery at all unless I had a definite way to get the aftercare necessary. Doctor visits and multiple fills aren't optional- they're mandatory. Being compliant with post op follow ups and doctor's instruction is crucial to be successful with the band. This is especially true in the first couple months after surgery. It's pointless to put yourself through surgery if you don't have a definite way to pay for the necessary care after. Good luck. I truly hope you find a way to make it work.

No reason to unfill your band just to fly. People with the band fly all the time.