Thats All Folks

I agree, you need to deal with your dislike of doctors and get into one right away. Especially since you already have some erosion, a family history of bleeds, take NSAIDS, and have the band. Drinking just added gasoline to the fire. Black granular vomit is often a sign of old blood and nothing to mess with. I don't mean this negatively nor am I trying to scare you- but you're seriously a ticking time bomb. If you don't take care of this immediately the consequences could be severe down the road.

Yes. Or, if there band is too tight it could lead to pouch dilation too. If the band is too tight then food can get hung up and sit above the band longer it's supposed to. Because of this, it can stretch the pouch as more food piles in. It can also lead to band erosion.

Bottom line- always listen to your doctor regardless of what anyone else says. Especially online. I'm guessing the biggest reason people freak out on you is because most surgeons would never allow their patients to eat all that only 10 days after surgery. The majority are only on liquids or mushies at that point.

Here's how Dr. Simpson explains "restriction": "The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction. When talking about the band, some patients talk about restriction. Let's first be clear about one thing: the purpose of the band is not restriction; the purpose of the band is to lose weight by suppressing the appetite. When band professionals talk about restriction we are talking about something totally different than "restricting what a person eats." In fact, many band surgeons avoid talking about restriction so as to not confuse patients. The band works by dimming the appetite, and this provides a conscious control and decision made by the patient, it does not work by "making" a person do something, or keep them from eating too much. The Lap-band works by suppressing your appetite. As a result, you are less interested in food between meals, making it easier to resist temptation. The analogy is when you are near a vending machine when you are hungry-- what do you do? Probably find yourself with some junk food that is not a part of your plan. But, when you pass a vending machine when you are full, it may not even catch your eye. Having the appetite dimmed makes you less tempted by the many food choices modern living throws at you - -this is what the band does, by suppressing appetite you become less interested in food."

It's got a lot of stimulants in it, including caffeine and cocoa. It also has about 400% of the recommended B6- which can lead to nerve damage in the arms and legs. Here's a great breakdown of it. My personal opinion? I wouldn't touch it. http://www.livestrong.com/article/483267-saba-health-supplement-side-effects/

No one is shaming anyone. Guilty conscious much? I knew full well going into this there was a risk of complications- as there is with all WLS. I went into this educated and made an informed decision based on my research of Lap Band, The Sleeve, and Gastric Bypass. If I do have a complication in the future it'll have been worth it. I'm over 220 pounds lighter with a wonderful life because of my band.

Here's a very good article that explains how the food passes through the band and why it should take about a minute. "When food is eaten our oesophagus, or food pipe, squeezes bites of food down towards the band. Once food reaches the band, contractions of the oesophagus, called peristalsis, will squeeze well-chewed food past the band. In a person with a well-adjusted band, it can take between two to six squeezes of the oesophagus to get a bite of food across the band. One study suggests this process takes at least a minute." http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/171713-how-does-a-gastric-band-really-work/page__hl__pass+through+band

I actually slept on my stomach right from the first night after surgery.

That is a great way to distinguish head hunger from physical hunger. In the future, do you mind if I steal your advice for others?

You are doing (and look!) GREAT!!!

Actually, current studies show that food passes through the band in less than a minute. It doesn't hang around above it in the pouch at all. This is also why many surgeons are changing their rules about drinking with meals.

You talk like 60 pounds isn't a lot of weight! Let me put this in perspective for you: My 10 year old son weighs 67 pounds. You lost almost the equivalent of a 10 year old boy. That is no small feat!! That's A LOT of weight!! Don't ever compare yourself to others. No one is doing "better" than you are. Your journey is uniquely yours and you're doing beautifully at it. Don't be so hard on yourself

Granted this is strictly my opinion based on the advice of my own nutritionist, but some people's metabolism do need carbs. Carbs are energy. I just try to eat "good" carbs- like whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and potatoes. I try to stay away from carbs that are white (except potatoes) or anything with the words "bleached" or "enriched" on the label. For me, it works.

I always really liked the Unjury Chocolate Splendor.

Wow...look amazing! Congratulations!

If you can't handle fluids, you're too tight. Talk to your doctor and let him decide what is best for you.

I am so sorry. I would not let anyone touch your band until your bariatric surgeon has a look for himself. A lot of well meaning radiologists and other doctors often try to diagnose band issues and fail miserably because they're not trained in bariatrics. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your surgeon has good news.

I'm not an expert, but one thing I've noticed from others is if you have loose skin then you're stuck with it. The trick is keeping it tight as you lose weight so it doesn't get saggy. Once the hanging skin is already there, you're pretty much stuck with it unless you get plastic surgery. Again, I could be wrong, it's just my observation.

I have long thought the pre-disposition towards obesity was genetic. When I look at my own family it's pretty obvious. But, I think it's much like other disease. For instance, some people have higher chance for certain cancers or diabetes but it doesn't mean they'll get it. Plus, people can sometimes avoid those diseases by lifestyle. I think obesity is no different.

It's not "my" truth. It is the truth that has been proven. I didn't just pull the 5% number out of thin air, it's from an actual study. I never once accused you lying or BS. I simply stated that the majority of complications are patient caused and the doctors know when it's patient caused if the patient is honest about their behaviors. Sorry you're so defensive without cause.

No one is discounting anyone's experience, but it's actually rather easy to determine if the complications are patient caused IF the patient is honest about their actions and behaviors. I never said that complications don't occur by no fault of the patient- they definitely do. This is especially true with the old 4cc band. But the majority of complications are because of the patient's behaviors not the band.

I've always been tight in the mornings. I have a protein shake for breakfast then eat normal food from lunch on.

Real easily- by not being smart and following the rules. Bands left too tight for weeks or months (sometimes years), vomiting repeatedly and not doing anything about it, over eating chronically, and even not following up with proper care from their doctors. Heck, even cheating on the post op diet can cause some of the complications.

The band size may effect how many fills you need before you have adequate Fluid in your band, but it has zero effect on actual weight loss. Think of it like this: Would a loose bracelet on your arm make you lose weight? No? Ok, how about a tighter bracelet? Still no? It's no different with the band around your stomach. It's just a silicone band there to control your hunger but the band itself doesn't make you lose weight. You lose weight as a result of eating less because you're not nearly as hungry.

You're never a failure unless you give up. You haven't given up so you're not a failure. It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band, until then, it's just another diet. But, also keep in mind the band isn't meant to physically stop you from eating. It's meant to control your hunger: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Why did you have two band surgeries 72 hours apart???