Thats All Folks

You need to go see your bariatric surgeon. Neither an x-ray tech nor the internet can tell you if you have a slip. Guessing based on the internet does you no good whatsoever. Go see your Lap Band surgeon.

You've received some wise, sound advice here. I know you're upset and frustrated- and rightfully so. I would be too. I know you can't see this right now but that doctor did you a huge favor. So many people fail miserably with the Lap Band because their mind isn't in the right place to do what is necessary for success. If you follow up with weekly therapy as recommended, you will be so much better prepared to deal with the changes required. Don't look at this like a denial, look at this as a chance to get better prepared. You're still on your path to a new healthier you and this extra step will do nothing but increase your chances for long term success. By the way, I've said numerous times on these forums that if I'd had the Lap Band surgery two years before I did, I'd have failed miserably. My head was definitely not in the right place and there is no way I could've made the changes I needed for success. Going through counseling before I had Lap Band surgery was without a doubt the best thing for me. You can totally do this- don't give up!

I agree too. I've been on both ends of the spectrum, both good and bad. I can remember being a very young single mother digging through couch cushions for change to buy diapers. I remember living on Ramen Noodles and generic macaroni & cheese (made with Water instead of milk) because I couldn't afford to feed both my daughter and myself healthy. I had to limit her fresh fruit to one piece a day because I couldn't afford more. Ironically, it was during these years I gained the majority of my weight. Sometimes, people just don't have a choice to spend more on food and healthy food is much more expensive. There are many people in this country that if they spent even $10 more a month on food it would be the difference between keeping their electricity on or not. I know, I used to be one of those people.

That's amazing! Congratulations!

Call your doctor. Let him decide. He's the expert and that's what you pay him for.

You can see them on my profile.

Your body will always function better, including weight loss, when you're feeding it healthy food. I firmly believe in moderation not deprivation. Like you, sometimes I have a little bit of pizza or some other fried "bad" food. I don't believe there's anything wrong with it, either. I always count it in my daily calories too. I would say 90% of the time I eat healthy and 10% of the time I eat what I want- be it pizza or ice cream- but I still count the calories even when I'm in the 10%. I've lost 215 pounds in 17 months eating like this, so for me, it works.

The fill changes your hunger. You can go from really hungry every hour to no appetite for 4-6 hours once you have adequate Fluid in your band. As far as actual weight loss? That's based on your calories and exercise level. Think of it like this- would a bracelet around your wrist make you lose weight? How about a headband? No, neither would and the Lap Band is just a band around your stomach and doesn't directly cause weight loss. It indirectly causes weight loss by controlling your hunger. Weight loss boils down to simple math: When you consume less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. You can have your band as tight as humanly possible and not lose weight (or even gain) if you're still consuming too many calories. Hope that helps

You have to remember, fills don't make you lose weight. They are to put adequate Fluid in your band to control your hunger. When your hunger is controlled then it's much easier to eat less and thus lose weight. I actually have lost consistently since I was banded 17 months ago, including right after surgery. I think the reason I've always lost is because I also started tracking my calories and measuring my portions since the day I got home from the hospital. For me, both are crucial to be sure I'm not accidentally eating too much. Best wishes.

I suspect it's coincidence. Or, is it possible low blood sugar from not eating? A lot of doctors say nothing before the fill and only liquids for 24-48 hours after. If that's the case with you, it could be because you're hungry.

Unbelievable and downright pathetic.

Actually, it's likely not all because you need a fill. You're only 25 days post op and still healing. Plus, plateaus are very normal during the weight loss process, some lasting weeks even months. The fact you've lost 11 pounds in 25 days is awesome- that's an average of 2.3 pounds a week. The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week so you're right where you should be (even a little ahead). You will be fine until your fill next month and once you do get a couple fills under belt, it will become a lot easier. The best thing you can do for yourself is stick to band sized portions and stay within your daily calorie allowance- which also becomes tons easier once you have adequate Fluid in your band. You're off to a great start!

I think it's great you're excited, but it's also important to have realistic expectations. The weight doesn't just "fall off" with the band. In fact, the average weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. For most people, it is a slow process but if you stick to the rules it will come off with time. It's also important to realize weight loss happens when you're consuming less calories than you burn. The band itself doesn't make you lose weight any more than a bracelet around your wrist would. What the band does do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time- which in turns makes it easy to stick to band sized portions, eat less food, and lose weight. Best wishes.

It's a gray area. Because you can eat some food and have no problems with liquids, some would say learn to adjust without the things you can eat. Others would say you're too tight. Personally, I'd get some Fluid removed. Just a tiny little bit might make a huge difference. I got my band to live healthy and enjoy food in moderation. If I couldn't eat a whole a list of foods, especially healthy ones, for me it would be totally counter productive. I'd talk to your doctor and let him help you decide.

It sounds like either you're too tight or something has seriously irritated the band. The Mountain Dew was a really bad idea because carbonation is a big no-no anyway. I would give your doctor a call. A good friend of mine had the foaming problem and she had to have some Fluid removed from her band to make it stop. Best wishes

I couldn't agree more!

Congratulations!!

2 pounds is nothing. Most of us fluctuate that much in a single day. Everything from sodium intake, to hormones, to not drinking enough Water can cause little fluctuations like that. Whether or not you need a fill has nothing to do with how much you can eat. The band isn't meant to stop you from physically eating anything- that's your job. People constantly end up too tight accidentally expecting the band to act like their own personal food police. What the band is supposed to do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time. Have a look at this link, I think it'll really help you a lot: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html To decide whether or not you need a fill, talk to your doctor. If you can be satisfied on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours, you may not need one. If you can't and are hungry, then you might need a fill. Best wishes.

I don't think how it's paid for has any relevance. It is about how committed the person is to being successful. I've seen people on both sides of the payment fence fail miserably because they simply didn't do what was necessary to be successful. For the record, my insurance covered the surgery and I've lost 215 pounds in 17 months (and still losing).

Congratulations on your success! And I couldn't agree with you more, the band is awesome!

I'm very sorry you're having to go through this. I can't tell you if you should have bypass. Only you know what is best for you. However, before jumping to something so drastic, I would really examine your options first. For instance, you talk about restriction and being so tight it could damage your esophagus. When you say restriction, what exactly are you looking for the band to do? The reason I ask is, too often we see people wind up too tight because they're expecting the band to do something it's not meant to do. For instance, many incorrectly expect the band to physically stop them from eating and that is not what the band is meant to do. What the band is meant to do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time. Dr. Simpson wrote a great article on this topic called "The Lap Band is NOT About Restriction". Have a look because I think it may help you considerably: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html Another great article is by Jean McMillan called "Tighter Isn't Always Better": http://www.lapbandta...ays-better-r118 Another question- how many calories a day have you been eating? Keep in mind weight loss boils down to simple math. If you consume less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. The simplest way to assure this happens is to track calories and measure portions. Best wishes to you. PS: After note- it's also important to remember that no matter which surgery you choose, you must remember that WLS is just a tool not a magic fix for fat. It doesn't matter if you use the band, bypass, or the sleeve you will still have to change your eating habits for a lifetime to be successful.

It is likely just swelling or possible you need to take much smaller sips of soup. Or possibly both. Also, I know you haven't had a fill yet but some doctors put fluid in the band during surgery. You might want to ask yours if he did, just to be sure.

It means learning how to over eat despite the band. For instance, grazing over hours slowly so you never feel a soft stop signal. Or eating slider foods that go right through so you can eat tons, like ice cream. It's any bad eating habit meant to defeat the band so you can eat way too much.

Congratulations on both your success and your baby!

Try a very mild white fish, like Orange Roughy or Tilapia.