Thats All Folks

Whenever your doctor gave you the OK to have sex again, you can have sex. If in doubt call your doctor's office and ask.

Some people can feel their port but it's not possible to feel your band. It's rather deep in your abdominal cavity around your stomach and there's considerable fat and muscle between it and your skin. Whereas the port is sitting on top of your muscle so it's very possible to feel and even see it through the skin. It is possible to feel tubing under certain circumstances. It's also possible you're feeling scar tissue. Talk to your doctor if you're worried and he can make sure everything is as it should be.

Granted I had my babies before my band, but being pregnant can be really unpredictable. One day you're feeling great and the next like you've been hit by a truck. I think this is the biggest reason they like to do at least partial unfills because by the time you do vomit, it's too late and you could hurt your band. They're trying to be cautious "just in case".

I honestly don't think there is one single factor, I think it's a package deal. Of course you want an experienced and talented bariatric surgeon, but if he has an awful beside manner then you're going to struggle. You need a good relationship with your surgeon as much as you need a medically superior one. I absolutely adore my surgeon, Dr. Bhesania. Not only is he an extremely gifted surgeon but he is a wonderful man. He talks with me and makes me feel like an important person not just another patient. His compassion and support have been just as crucial to my success as his skill as a surgeon. You need both in a bariatric surgeon- a brain and a heart.

Quite honestly, and I don't mean this snottily I mean it sincerely, right now what you want is a bit irrelevant. If your doctor says you need an unfill for the sake of yourself and the baby then why would you "fight" it? It's not worth the risk of something going wrong. Do what your doctors say is best not what you want. Concentrate your baby right now and make your weight secondary. Best wishes.

Why would you be worried?

I agree with the others, I would seek a counselor. By chronically over eating, you're putting yourself at risk for not only a stretched pouch but a slip. A counselor can help you figure out not only why it's so hard for you but how to regain control. You can do this but you might need a little help to get there. Get the help- you deserve it and the success that comes with it. Best wishes.

I'm so glad it all went well and is now fixed. Your attitude is amazing, by the way. You're going to do wonderfully

Congratulations on a VERY successful year!!

I'd dump his selfish sorry @ss so he could do whoever and whatever he wanted. Who'd want someone so shallow and selfish they would even consider going outside the relationship just because things got tough?

Talk to your nutritionist for sure. It's not horribly common but some people have problems with high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure when on low carb diets. Your nutritionist can help you make the necessary changes to help bring the cholesterol back down.

Stool softners help though stay away from laxatives because they cause cramping. This is TMI, but if it's "right there" but you can't get it out, I would try a suppository or enema. Going forward, drink LOTS of Water and consider a daily Fiber supplement.

Are you on a low carb diet? That can contribute to high cholesterol in some people. If you are, see your nutritionist and tell them about your cholesterol issue so they can help you tweak your diet to better fit your needs.

Actually yes, I find I get tighter the longer I go between meals too. In fact if I let myself go from hungry to "omg I'm starving", I find the band tightens up a lot. I keep a Protein bar in my purse just in case I am getting to that point and need something quick to eat.

Your stomach is likely a bit swollen from the fill, which is normal, and would cause that tightness you're feeling. I always stay on liquids for 24 hours after a fill then very cautiously work real food back in. You'll find every fill is truly a learning experience, especially as you increase the amount in your band. Best wishes.

I don't even attempt leftover meat anymore. It's just too dry after being stored in the fridge and reheated. Dry meat (or fish) is about the only thing I'm guaranteed to get stuck on and leftover meat is always way too dry for me.

My kids and I call it "hiccurps". It's like a cross between a burp and a hiccup. If I am eating and my band decides I'm done before my cup of food is gone, I get the hiccurps. That's my sign to stop eating or I'm going to regret it.

I haven't had my band for 4-5 years, but I can tell you what my surgeon told me. Once you reach your goal weight and are maintaining, you should go see your surgeon to have your band checked yearly. Think of it as just one more step in the recommended yearly physical we're all supposed to get anyway. As long as you take care of your band and have no complications, there is no reason it ever has to be removed.

You could just have a stitch not dissolved just below the skin. Or it could just be the way that one is healing. If it's not red, warm to the touch, foul smelling, or getting more sore I wouldn't worry about it.

Are you sure you didn't possibly misunderstand? I ask because you got a ton of bad info. The whole purpose of the Lap Band is to control hunger so I have no idea why that doctor would say that. In fact, the beauty of the band is the fact when you have adequate fluid in your band not only are you satisfied on much less food but you can go much longer periods of time without hunger. It is not at all unreasonable to expect to be satisfied for at least 3 hours. In fact, you should be satisfied longer than 3 hours. Most experts agree you should be able to go at least 4 hours without hunger. A lot of us (myself included) can go even longer than that. As far as the regurgitating, is it possible you need to take smaller bites and chew more thoroughly? Many find once they have enough fluid in their band they need to take bites the size of a fingernail. I'm so sorry the doctor you spoke to was so awful. Best wishes.

That is very odd! I'm stumped! I'd discuss it with your nutritionist, they'd have a lot more insight I'm sure.

Is it possible you're lactose intolerant? Or perhaps allergic to something in the shake? Do you have this problem with any other foods or drink?

Gurgling is normal but discomfort is not. I would give your doctor a call and talk to him. You may be a little tiny bit too tight but it's always best to let the surgeon make that decision.

Agreed, if you aren't measuring your portions there is no way you can accurately count calories (unless you're living on pre-packaged single serving meals which wouldn't be very healthy). I'd be willing to bet they're "guessing" calories and their guess is too low, hence no weight loss.

It really depends on your doctor's instructions. They all seem to have different ones. I'd give his office a call if you're unsure.