Thats All Folks

It should be easy to drink shakes. In fact, drinking should never be difficult. Remember, the fills are to control hunger, not what and how much you eat.

How old are your kids? My youngest was 8 when I had my surgery so not too little. If you have really little ones, like a baby or toddler, the only issue you'll have is being able to carry/pick them up for a couple weeks. I bounced back from surgery pretty quick. Surgery was on a Friday and I was back at my normal routine by the next Wednesday.

Around Christmas this past year, I did. It was the only time since being banded I actually had a gain (about 7 pounds). For about a week I ate pretty much anything and everything I wanted. It wasn't good. Just get back on track before you sabotage all the hard work you've done so far.

My favorite NSV's so far have been: Not having to buy "plus size" clothing anymore Trying on clothes and thinking "hey I look cute" instead of "I look like a fat cow" Being able to sit wherever I want without worrying if I'll break the chair Being able to sit in booths at restaurants (I didn't fit in them before) Seeing my collar bone and feeling my ribs for the first time in my adult life Going on rides at the carnival for the first time in almost 20 years Being able to do things with my kids, like go to the zoo or even a long walk Being told I look a lot younger now

I didn't have a pre-op diet but I did have doubts right before the surgery. Like you, I asked myself how I ever allowed myself to get so huge. I was over 400 pounds and seriously miserable. Part of me was afraid the band wouldn't work for me and it'd be nothing more than another failure. The way I handled it was by separating facts from emotion. My emotions were all over the place but if I focused on facts, it seemed far less overwhelming. For instance, the fact was I had to do something or die young. The fact was also that I'd done my research not only on the band but the Sleeve and Gastric Bypass and I knew the band was the right choice for me. Despite my emotional doubts, it was a fact that I had all the information I needed to be successful with the band. For the record, getting the band was the best decision I've ever made for myself. I've lost 225 pounds over the 18 months. My life has gone from miserable to very happy. I'm so incredibly glad I didn't give into my doubts. Best wishes, and remember, do what is right for you

I used ecigs to quit over 2 years ago. I had tried Chantix, gum, and Patches before with no luck. But using the ecigs I was able to quit then slowly wean off the ecigs too. This is the brand I used. I got the starter kit. I did a lot of research before buying and this brand got really good reviews- and rightfully so. It was perfect for me. http://www.prosmokestore.com/ Best wishes!!

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. Being on liquids sucks but it's a very important to stick to your doctor's post op diet regardless of hunger. Your body needs time to heal.

I don't think they sound silly or little. I think those are HUGE milestones! Congratulations on your success!

Dilation (pouch is stretched) is usually caused by over eating. If I were you, I'd measure everything to make sure you don't accidentally eat too much. Slips actually be without any symptoms, btw. It's rare but possible.

Some but not all signs could be: pain, heart burn/reflux, night cough, inability to eat and/or drink, trouble eating so you have to resort to only slider foods. Don't ever try to self diagnose a slip. Go see your surgeon and let him help.

Hon, you simply can't do that. Period. It's eating your emotions that got you here needing the Lap Band to begin with. I recently went through a very hard spring. In a matter of 3 months time, I had my gallbladder out, I had a tummy tuck/skin removal/hernia repair surgery, my grandma died (whom I was extremely close to), my uncle died (suddenly only a month after my grandma), I had my first serious MS exacerbation in years, and I almost died from life threatening blood clots in both legs. Quite frankly, I think this may have likely been the worst spring of my entire life. I got to over 400 pounds being an emotional eater. I'm STILL an emotional eater by instinct. But, even with this hellish couple months, I didn't give in and I didn't gain weight. You have to make a conscious decision that you worth more than that. You may be upset now but just think how much more upset you'll be if you gain weight on top of everything else? Then, you'll want to eat more because you're upset over gaining weight, which of course will only make you more upset and want to eat even more. It's a viscous, nasty cycle you have to break. Hang in there and I'll keep your brother in my prayers.

Wow that's a horrible, terrifying experience. I'm so very sorry. One thing I do think is important to point out- your near death experience had nothing to with the Lap Band. It was caused by your surgeon's repeated errors, starting with cutting your liver during surgery and missing the warning signs after. Best wishes

You have to ask your doctor, we can't answer that for you. It all depends on how healed your incisions are and if he says it's safe.

It may sound silly, but I say if it works then do it. I think it's actually very clever! As you aptly stated- the biggest battle when trying to lose weight is the mental one. I say do whatever works!

Honestly? I think you're being impatient. It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. You have to trust your doctor is doing what is best for you. Some people can handle big fills whereas others can't at all. My doctor tried to put 3cc in for my first fill and had to immediately take 1cc back out. Even now, 18 months later, I only have 5.2cc in my 10cc band. Remember, it's much easier to ease into the Green Zone than blow past it into the Red Zone then try to back into it.

LOL I was shocked to actually see mine after the tummy tuck!! It was like...*looks down wide eyed*... "holy hell, I DO still have kitty!"

I am so very sorry. I'd be freaking out, too. Is revision surgery an option? Either a new band or maybe a different WLS, like the Sleeve?

That is such an awesome feeling!! Congratulations!!!

A couple things, first I'd see your bariatric surgeon about the reflux, not your reg doc. Reflux can be a sign of complications with the band and it's important to have it checked out. As far as Fluid in the band, it can actually lose a little over time. I'm not sure if evaporate is the correct word to use because evaporation isn't possible in the body- but it's the best word to describe how small amounts of fluid can seemingly disappear over time. There's a lot of possible reasons why you can eat foods you couldn't before. You could have a little less fluid in your band. You could have learned to chew better and not even realize it. You also could have stretched your pouch above the band. When is the last time you saw your bariatric surgeon? We're supposed to go yearly for follow up even after we meet our goal weight. Best wishes and congratulations on your success.

I personally wouldn't trust an unsolicited email from someone wanting to make money off my band any further than I could throw the person who wrote it.

I slept on my stomach from the night of my surgery. I've had many abdominal surgeries and always find sleeping on my stomach feels great- it's like a compression garment holding everything in. The trick is not to try to roll onto your stomach because that will cause painful pulling. Crawl up your bed on hands and knees until you're over your pillow then gently lower yourself down onto your tummy. When you want to get back up, do the opposite, push up onto all fours and crawl off the bed. Don't roll and it won't pull. Best wishes

Everyone is going to give you different answers on the Fluid in their band during pregnancy. You just need to do whatever your own doctor advises- regardless of what anyone else does. Best wishes and congratulations!

The best advice I can give you is a scare- not to be mean but to try to make you understand how crucial your pre op diet is. The bottom line is, if you don't follow your pre op diet and shrink your liver, there is a very real chance you could wake up from surgery with all the scars and pain but no band. If your surgeon gets inside and your liver isn't small enough to safely complete the surgery- he'll simply close you right back up without placing the band. It does happen, and if you search these forums you can even read about it first hand. Next time you're tempted to cheat, ask yourself: Is cheating on a brief 2 week pre op diet worth throwing away your chance at a healthy future with the band? Best wishes.