Thats All Folks

I won't lie, since losing over 200 pounds my port is definitely more noticeable. When I have on clothes you can't see it, but without a shirt you can see a little bump under the skin where the port is. It's not super obvious, though. If I didn't say "hey look! it's my port!" and poke at it you'd never know it's there. Truth is, I kinda see it as a badge of success. The fact it's no longer masked by fat is exciting.

ROFLMAO!!

As Terry stated, the doctors don't have the final say which WLS you get. It's 100% your choice and you get the final say. At the end of the day, you have to decide which surgery is best for you. But, I urge you not to base that decision on anecdotal evidence on the internet. Research the facts on both surgeries. I can only speak for myself, but I chose the Band over the Sleeve because I couldn't justify cutting out 3/4 of my healthy stomach without trying something far less drastic first. If you ever have major stomach problems, like cancer, you're totally screwed. I figured I could get the band removed if something goes wrong but I could never get that big part of my stomach back. For me, the Band was the logical place to start. I positively love my band. I have lost 227 pounds in the last 19 months. I've gone from a size 46W to a size 14. I've lost 87% of my excess weight and I'm still actively losing. For me, deciding to get the band is the best decision I've ever made. Best wishes on whatever you decide is best for you.

Follow up with an internist, then. Or even start with your PCP and let them recommend the best specialist to see. Either way, it's really important you figure out both the cause and solution so it doesn't lead to bigger problems.

I would have your surgeon check your band position asap. Reflux can be a warning that you've got a slip. If your band is ok, I'd see an internist to try to find the source of the problem and control it. Not only can reflux lead to band erosion but it can also result in health issues unrelated to the band. Best wishes.

Definitely check with your surgeon. Almost all hospitals require you to bring your CPAP machine with you if you have even minor sleep apnea- let alone severe. With all due respect, I don't think you realize difficulty sleeping should be irrelevant when it comes to a severe sleep apnea. The amount of stress a severe sleep apnea puts on your body, especially your heart, is nothing to take lightly. This is especially true after being put under general anesthesia, which is why we have to have a sleep study before getting the Lap Band. Obese people very often have some degree of sleep apnea because of the excess fat putting pressure on the airway. For your safety and the hospital's liability, they almost always require you to bring the CPAP machine with you. If I were in your shoes, I would just get the CPAP machine and get used to it. Not only for the sake of your health but because you don't want to get down to the wire and realize you need one for surgery. Btw, often obstructive sleep apnea goes away with weight loss. I used to have obstructive sleep apnea too. Since losing weight, not only do I no longer have a sleep apnea but I don't even snore. Hopefully the day will come with weight loss you won't need the CPAP machine anymore either.

Are you tracking your calories?

I agree with AJ and Guy. It's just one cupcake so please don't be so hard on yourself. The truth is, I personally believe the band is about moderation not deprivation. If I just had one cupcake, I wouldn't feel even a tinge of guilt. I'd just be sure to track the calories so I still stay within my daily allowance. Hang in there

At the end of the day, you have to decide which surgery is best for you. But, I urge you not to base that decision on anecdotal evidence on the internet. Research the facts on both surgeries. It's unfortunate, but you will see a lot of band horror stories because patients go into the surgery totally ignorant to the facts or are simply not compliant with their doctor and the band rules. The fact is, the risk of serious complications with the band is only 5% if you're both band rule and doctor compliant. The rest of the people band bashing didn't have a band failure- they failed the band with their own behavior and mistakes. Here's a study you might find helpful. It states the 5% complication statistic but also that long term weight loss with the band is comparable to other WLS: http://www.futurity....p-band-surgery/ As far as no buns or breads forever- that's not true. I eat both regularly with no problems. On a personal note, I positively love my band. I have lost 227 pounds in the last 19 months. I've gone from a size 46W to a size 14. I've lost 87% of my excess weight and I'm still actively losing. For me, deciding to get the band is the best decision I've ever made. Best wishes on whatever you decide is best for you.

I am so sorry you're going through this. I'm guessing it's the vomiting that caused the slip. It's actually one of the most common causes of slips because it puts so much strain on the sutures holding the band. I've thrown up a couple times since being banded, once due to a strangulated hernia and once due to a gallbladder gone bad, and both times I was immediately terrified I'd hurt my band. I know it's hard but try to be optimistic. The fact you have no symptoms whatsoever makes me think either you caught the slip early or it's not severe. I'm no doctor, but if that's the case I'd think your doctor would be able to simply re-position it. Best wishes and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Wow... no offense, but your PCP is a total ignorant douchebag. For real, I can't believe he's that rude and downright mean!!! This is strictly my opinion, but if I were in your shoes I'd be changing PCP's to the one closer to you immediately. This guy you're seeing now doesn't deserve a 3rd chance. Remember, you are the employer and he is your employee. You pay him to do his job, and if he can't do his job to your standards, fire him. You deserve SO much better than that! You are doing beautifully on your weight loss journey. Any PCP with a brain and heart would be thrilled to have patient lose even a fraction of what you've lost. You deserve a doctor that will support and encourage you- not blast you and crush your spirits.

It's extremely unlikely a stuck episode is going to cause a slip. It's likely they'll remove some saline from your band to allow the stuck food to pass. But, removing the saline is a good thing if it lets the food pass through as it should. Normally, stuck episodes don't last but a couple minutes not hours. It's a good thing you called your doc. It'll be ok, just hang in there until your doc calls back.

A lot of things can cause the band to feel tighter. Hormones, stress, illness, even elevation. Unfortunately, a band at the early stages of a slip can cause this as well. So can weight gain. Being as it's been a month and it's seriously effecting your ability to eat healthy, I would make an appointment with your doctor right away. Let him check your band, make sure all is well, and decide if you need a little unfill. Continuing as you are just isn't good for your health or your band. Best wishes.

liquid is liquid, regardless of the form. When you're on a liquid diet, having Water while eating is just adding more liquids. Once you're on mushies and progressing, then you'll want to avoid it if that's your surgeon's instructions. Also keep in mind that food passes through the band in about a minute so there shouldn't be anything to "wash through", anyway. If food is hanging out above the band too long then the band is likely too tight. This is dangerous because it can lead to a stretched pouch and even erosion. But, because they now know that food doesn't sit in the pouch, many surgeons are changing their stance on drinking while eating altogether.

You totally got this!!! You're off to a great start and I have no doubt you'll do wonderfully!

They look really good. I actually plan on trying one. I'll be grocery shopping tomorrow so I'll let you know later in the week

The surgeon I originally went to insisted I had to have Gastric Bypass because I started at over 400 pounds. He said I'd never lose enough with the Lap Band. I found a new surgeon and I got the Lap Band. That was 19 months ago. Since then, I have lost 227 pounds and I'm still losing. That is 87% of my excess weight gone- so far. You can lose as much with the band as you're willing to work for. You can be successful with the band if you're committed to the process and compliant with the rules and your surgeon. If you really want the band, I'd find a new surgeon that supports your decision. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

You look wonderful!! Congratulations!!

I was also told no carbonated drinks. Talk to your doctor and see what his rule is. It's the safe way to go.

hahaha thanks but my body will only get worse as I lose more weight! Honestly, I really don't mind. The way I look at it is this: I can easily hide excess skin with clothes and still look good. I couldn't hide over 200 pounds of fat no matter what I did. I'll take the excess skin over the excess fat any day

As far as clothes- if you can, try finding clothes a season in advance. For instance, last month I bought a bunch of winter clothes because in July they are dirt cheap. I just bought them a size smaller than I'm currently in. This winter I'll be buying summer clothes as I find them on clearance. As far as "skin too big", it really depends on a lot of factors. How much weight you lose, how long you'd been carrying it, age, smoker or non smoker, and genetics. I have a ton of excess skin on my upper arms and thighs but almost none on my face/neck. I'm actually told I look a lot younger since losing weight. However... I never had a huge double chin or anything when I was really big either.

It takes a lot of courage to admit you need help. The fact you've only gained back 20 pounds before realizing you need to get back on track also makes you wise- many wait until they gain a lot more before realizing there's a problem. TMF is right- clear your house everything that's not healthy or a trigger food. It's not going to be easy at first. In the beginning, you'll likely have a lot of head hunger and craving. But if you clear the bad stuff from your house it'll make it a lot harder to mess up. The fact you're going in for a fill is great. If I were in your shoes, I'd also make appointment with your nutritionist. Let them help you get back on track. Best wishes- you can do this!

I'm in the Green Zone. I still have a Protein shake for breakfast every morning but that's my choice. If I really wanted food, I could eat if I was very careful, but I've never been a breakfast person and just prefer my protein shake. I eat when hungry not by what the clock says. Most of the time, that's about every 4 hours. I eat about 1200 calories a day and make sure what I do eat is healthy. Just like there is no one way of eating (i.e. low carb, low fat, Paleo, etc) that is correct there is also no one way of eating that's correct. As TMF aptly stated, not all doctors and nutritionist subscribe to the theory of keeping the metabolism burning by eating every couple hours, either. In fact, most bariatric surgeons discourage it because WLS is meant to keep you from eating all the time. If you're happy as you are and your surgeon supports it- I say keep doing what you're doing. What works for one doesn't work for all. But, you can very much be healthy and keep your metabolism burning efficiently while in the Green Zone and eating a lot less frequently.

I completely agree!!

Most of the time, a port flip is fixed pretty easily and the person does fine after. You can read many stories of port flips here on the forums with good outcomes.