Sojourner

Even joint replacement parts have a limited lifespan. I'm not concerned about having my band fail...if it does, and it is possible for it to be replaced, then I will have it done. I'm going to address that issue when and if it presents itself... The complications from having the band are real, and understand that for every individual who has to have one removed, there are many who do not. I've always believed that if I remain compliant with the diet rules and exercise, the odds will always be in my favor to have a successful weight loss journey with my band.

There is nothing the matter with you that you can continue to eat foods without negative consequences. Each of us are individuals, and as such some will have difficulties tolerating questionable foods, while others will not. No two bandsters will have identical experiences through their weight loss journey. Some people want their bands too tight believing that a tighter band will facilitate their waiting longer between meals to become hungry. I have only 3.5cc of Fluid in my band, and really need to remain aware of what I'm doing as I eat, otherwise it would be easy for food to get stuck. From what I've read, that's a relatively small amount of fluid in a band, but I don't realistically believe that I should have more fluid added. The important understanding to maintain is that just because you can eat those foods (i.e. bread) does not mean that you should. The bandster diet rules still apply.

With that attitude, there will be nothing that will keep you from being successful. I mean that...as it's frequently our thinking which gets us into trouble. I feel your disappointment...for different medical reasons, my surgery was delayed for over a year. The delay only made my resolve to be successful that much stronger. Best wishes...

Yes, it seems to me that your band is too tight. And you need to be careful to not become dehydrated. Have you tried to slowly drink a warm/hot as you can tolerate beverage, such as a cup of tea? Warm beverages can sometimes help to loosen a tight band. Also, I know that as my level of stress increases, so does the tightness of my band. Your surgeon's office should have someone on call for the practice to address potential emergency situations. I would get in contact with them ASAP for additional directions and advice. I hope you feel better fast...take care.

Expect to be asked alot of questions...and it would help you if you also had some of your own to ask the surgeon or their staff. This would help to clarify any lingering doubts you may have as to if this is the correct path for you to take. There are many factors which contribute to the choice for what type WLS you will ultimately have. Come to the appointment with a focused determination to listen to the discussion. There is alot to take in and learn!

Any surgery that you have in life will come with some risks...WLS is no different. The risk of complications is smaller for the band compared with other WLS options. I chose the band because I did not feel rearranging my GI tract was a good idea. I have followed the bandster rules, and I have experienced some medical complications related to the band but not caused by the band. They did result in 3 hospitalizations and having my gall bladder removed. Yes, you will read about the problems with band slippage and erosion, and as noted before these are risks associated with having a band. What you may not focus on is that for every individual who posts about the problems they are having with their band, there are many others who are finding long term success with their bands. Many times (no hard statistics on this) band problems are precipitated by the patient's non-compliance with the bandster diet or other rules we are supposed to be following. As with all things, there will be exceptions to this. Only you can weigh your options, and make the decision if the band is the best WLS for you, or even if you are sufficiently motivated to make the life style changes for life that you will need to successfully achieve if you want to be successful with weight loss. The band is no (pardon the play on words) "cake walk"...the band is only a tool that you need to learn how to use to be successful with weight loss. It requires daily focus on diet compliance and a life long commitment to exercise and healthy eating patterns. Your post reads to me that you are still essentially undecided about what if any WLS you should have, and as such I strongly believe that it's advisable to delay your surgery until and unless you are sufficiently motivated for your own success. It helps to continue to read and do additional research into the band...it is not designed to be temporary. Best wishes as you consider your options...

Learn how to selectively "screen out" the stimulus...or remove yourself from the area where you are able to see or smell foods. In order to survive raising 3 sons, rather close in age, I had to learn how to ignore(screen out) the noise and activities of what would often amount to 3 different groups of friends in the house at the same time engaged in different activities which all had some type of sound/noise associated with them... My long term sanity depended on being able to selectively screen out most of the sound. I can so relate to your writing about smelling food...I learned how to ignore cooking odors, and ignore my husband eating in the same room with me as I drank my Protein shake or ate a SF popsicle, but I could not ignore his empty plate which still smelled wonderful from his dinner. He left it next to me for me to clean...and it was the only time during the entire pre and post op diets that I "lost it" and got angry with him. Know that there is an end to this challenging time in your life...and keep your eyes focused on the prize of a healthier you! Best wishes...

I guess the cold, hard facts of even the band are debatable...just the as about every other medically related topic. There is new research which may change the "rules" as we have known them to be...quite confusing to say the least. I guess, that as in numerous other areas as well, there is no "one size fits all" answer. We should do our best to adhere to the "rules" as we know them, and do so with the reality and understanding that we will not be perfect in our compliance, and that the rules can change along the way of our journey. And I agree...never stop asking questions! Our health and well being may depend on it...

I've been told to begin a muscle toning regimen with small weights for my arms. At best, it's only a partial fix, as likely the skin has been stretched beyond what it is capable recovering from. As for the abdomen, your skin will likely have the ability to shrink only slightly post weight loss. This degree of recovery is related to the amount of weight you loose and even to the type of skin you have. I got large stretch marks from my first pregnancy, and I only gained a total of 14 pounds...and post weight loss I will likely need a TT to smooth the skin again. I've not yet decided if I want to have this done. Any type of traditional exercise which tones your abdominal muscles should be discussed with your surgeon...though I would guess that crunches would not be harmful, but I'm not an expert in the field!

Gas X did nothing to dissipate the gas pain I felt post op...and as others have shared walking is the best remedy. I did find that using a heating pad on low setting for short lengths of time did help my abdomen feel better...and did not interfere with the healing process at my incision sites. This will get better...keep moving!

It will change over time...your "head" has not yet caught up with your body. There is an entire psychology about size and the reasons why your head (and automatic thoughts) and scale number frequently don't match. I still struggle with purchasing smaller sizes...and for several months after reaching "onederland" when I thought about what my weight was, the number would automatically always begin with a "2"...as it had for the previous few years. You are still in the process of adjusting to the concept of the new you... Best wishes...

LOL...but it does look a bit painful and extreme. My husband would not appreciate the limitations with being able to share a kiss...

Yes, at least for me, feelings of stress do make my band feel tighter. When I know that my level of stress is elevated, such as while I am driving, I know that my band feels tighter...and I sometimes can't even sip Water comfortably when I feel that way.

Today I'm feeling frustrated...kind of dark and stormy like the weather. I've not been able to get some exercise for a week due to surgery last week...and will still have to delay exercise for another week after more surgery this week. Other than that, I greatly appreciate the ability to be more active with less pain. I'm focused on the future, and the possibilities to continue to improve my health. That's important to me...as by this time next year, my husband will be retiring and our plans of moving back to the mountains will be realized, God willing. I'm going to be ready and in shape to enjoy this journey.

I still purchase the Celebrate brand chewable Vitamins from my surgeon's office. They are actually less expensive there. You should be very aware of the nutritional values on the labels on every brand of Vitamin, Protein shake/powder, and foods that you eat. Bariatric patients do have specialized nutritional needs, especially when it comes to supplements...so read your labels and compare!

Even a small unfill can make a dramatic difference in how you feel...I'd discuss this with the medical staff who will do the procedure.

Sending you positive thoughts and prayers for uncomplicated surgery and recovery!

"Medical orders, etc." should never need to be "confirmed "Medical orders, etc." should never need to be "confirmed" by another physician...regardless of their origin. If you are licensed to practice medicine, then you pass your board exams with the ability to practice general medicine. There are basic, global principles of standard medical knowledge and care a patient has a right to expect from their physician. If the physician then chooses to specialize in a specific area of medicine, it requires additional education and residency time. Every physician becomes a fully qualified and educated medical doctor before they can become a specialist. A medical doctor who chooses to become a specialist should still have adequate diagnostic skills to render an accurate differential diagnosis to their patient. My bariatric surgeon, though well qualified in his specialty failed me as a physician when he did not follow up on obvious specific markers, which as standard treatment protocol should have been explored. Many physicians would be offended for you to insist on "checking their work" by requiring their orders to be confirmed by another of their peers.

Congratulations...well done!

I agree with Maddysgram...you need to be evaluated by a doctor. And I'm not talking about your bariatric surgeon, but an internal medicine specialist. My gall bladder also gave me issues...to the extent that I was hospitalized for pancreatitis. It was a "missed diagnosis" to my bariatric surgeon who told me I must have "pulled a muscle", and I told him pointedly no way. My PCP took one glance at my lab results taken while in the hospital and immediately began testing to identify why I had gotten pancreatitis. Elevated pancreas specific enzymes pointed specifically to the "missed diagnosis" of my surgeon. The PCP could not believe or understand why the red flags of elevated enzymes had never been followed up on. I later confronted the bariatric surgeon about this after I had a definitive diagnosis of biliary dyskensia, and all he could do was apologize to me for his oversight of what he agreed was an obvious diagnosis had he read the lab results. Bariatric surgeons have a very limited scope of practice...I believe you need to see a specialist to get some accurate answers.

Your profile is almost identical to mine...and to have doubts about one's ability to be successful with making the life altering decisions and then self enforce the lifetime diet changes is normal. There's no way to sugar coat the realities of the band...it is only a tool to help you loose weight...you still need to do the daily difficult work and comply with your diet and exercise to be successful with weight loss. The band has helped to diminish my hunger, but it does not eliminate it. It does nothing to help manage "head hunger"...you need to get an understanding of what that is, and enforce your diet compliance. With fills over time, you will get restriction, and then you will have negative consequences if you eat too fast or don't chew your food thoroughly. Some people report that they get to a level of restriction where they no longer get hungry, but my bariatric surgeon has advised me that in reality very few achieve that level of restriction and hunger control...it's still up to us to enforce our diet. I've got restriction...and I know that I could easily get food "stuck" if I'm not aware and careful during meals. And I still get hungry, though usually not for 4 hours after a meal. I was racing against the Type 2 diabetes clock, which pushed me into action to get the band. I have never thoroughly investigated other types of WLS, so I can't render an opinion about them. I only know that I did not feel comfortable with the thought of rearranging my GI tract. I believe that you need to research WLS, and be certain in your level of motivation and resolve to be successful with what you choose to do. Peace of mind is a priceless commodity... Best wishes as you consider your options...

I got cravings for salt a couple of times, and was very thankful to have chicken broth to satisfy that craving. This is the time that you have to be kind and gentle with your stomach to heal. You do need to get your required amount of Protein daily for proper nutrition...and I got very tired of the sweet shakes also. I just toughed it out, and looked forward to the mushy stage. You may want to contact your surgeon for their possible additional instructions to help get you through this stage. Best wishes...there is an end to this.

If you are going to get the type of cardio and weight exercising necessary to loose weight and improve your health and fitness level, you are going to need to get wet...whether by perspiring or in a pool. I am physically challenged to get the amount of exercise I need to maintain progress with weight loss, so I can relate to your concerns. The only safe place for me to exercise is in a pool...and I attend Water aerobics classes at least 3 days a week. I would consult with a dermatologist for ways to treat your eczema...there are many options...

I believe there's more than one way to interpret this...your interpretation of your husband's "look" may not be accurate. My husband is very supportive of my band surgery and efforts to loose weight, and sometimes he seems to take on the role of my "food police". I accept this as one of his ways of showing concern and support. Men and women actually use different parts of their brains as they approach problem solving and express their emotions. Check with him to be certain that your "interpretation of his look" is accurate. Best wishes...

You need to be listening to your body to help you identify how much exercise is safe for you to engage in. My surgeon recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio/weights daily for as many days of the week that you can do. That's fine for people who are fit, but starting out to become more fit and active, that schedule is not necessarily realistic. If you feel pain, EVER, you need to stop immediately your exercise. This is about increasing level of fitness, not about injuring yourself. Over time, you will no doubt be able to increase your time and level of difficulty for exercise...but begin with realistic goals.