LadyMaggie

Have been banded for 3 1/2 years; never drink alcohol or carbonated beverages.
Did you trying drink pineapple juice? Sometimes the enzymes will help you.

I agree that you should go see your lap band doctor. It is NOT failure until you quit trying. We all have life situations and bumps in the road. Find your green zone and stay positive.

I agree that you should go see your lap band doctor. It is NOT failure until you quit trying. We all have life situations and bumps in the road. Find your green zone and stay positive.

My NUT says hot items (tea, Soup, etc.) and also pineapple juice

I also think the lap band is a lifetime committment.

Can reverse the lap band; my family (primary) physician would not recommend "altering my anatomy"; so, she would NOT recommend the other options.
On a personal level, the only thing I would change is I wish I had the surgery SOONER.

do they offer fluro-fills (sp?) --- big difference in getting you to the green zone
my surgeon did NOT offer this

say "female issues" usually shuts people down fairly quickly
my lap band scar is similar to my gall bladder (surgery) scar (if that helps>?)

no; my plastic surgery said my pant size would go down at least two sizes; people will think you have "lost" a lot of weight; he said it would not be over a total of 5 pound loss; but well worth in my opinion

When I started on this journey a little over 2 years ago, I never, ever considered plastic surgery. My lap band has been challenging, but I wouldn't change a thing (maybe get it sooner instead of waiting for so long); I am five pounds from goal. I can't believe how much the breast lift and Tummy Tuck helped getting rid of excessive skin. Stay on the journey for you. It is not the easy way out; I have faithfully seen my lap doctor ever 8 weeks. Good Luck

When I started on this journey a little over 2 years ago, I never, ever considered plastic surgery. My lap band has been challenging, but I wouldn't change a thing (maybe get it sooner instead of waiting for so long); I am five pounds from goal. I can't believe how much the breast lift and Tummy Tuck helped getting rid of excessive skin. Stay on the journey for you. It is not the easy way out; I have faithfully seen my lap doctor ever 8 weeks. Good Luck

When I started on this journey a little over 2 years ago, I never, ever considered plastic surgery. My lap band has been challenging, but I wouldn't change a thing (maybe get it sooner instead of waiting for so long); I am five pounds from goal. I can't believe how much the breast lift and Tummy Tuck helped getting rid of excessive skin. Stay on the journey for you. It is not the easy way out; I have faithfully seen my lap doctor ever 8 weeks. Good Luck

When I started on this journey a little over 2 years ago, I never, ever considered plastic surgery. My lap band has been challenging, but I wouldn't change a thing (maybe get it sooner instead of waiting for so long); I am five pounds from goal. I can't believe how much the breast lift and Tummy Tuck helped getting rid of excessive skin. Stay on the journey for you. It is not the easy way out; I have faithfully seen my lap doctor ever 8 weeks. Good Luck

LaddyMaggie and I have the same opinion as my doctor sent me when I was within 15 pounds of goal. You have to make sure you will not have a significant weight loss after plastic surgery and leave more skin to be removed in another surgery. Not sure if I will be having surgery but could sure use it. My insurance will over do a "skin amputation" which is only on the stomach. If I have anything else I have to pay out of pocket.

Every lap band patient and doctor will have a different answer to your question for sure.
Here is my two cents: I asked my Primary Care Physician, Lab Band Surgery and Plastic Surgeon ---> ALL said once I was within 15 pounds of my goal weight they would recommend surgery.
The impression they gave me, it was okay if you lost under 20 pounds AFTER you have the surgery (no issue); the problem is when GAIN weight after the surgery (if that makes sense)...
Good Luck on your Journey

I am two years out from lap band. . . . really wouldn't change a thing.
My BMI is down over 12 and I am within 10 pounds of my goal weight.
I am having a mastopexy (breast lift) and Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
done this June to finish my journey.
This forum was helpful from the begining of my journey.

I am two years out from lap band. . . . really wouldn't change a thing.
My BMI is down over 12 and I am within 10 pounds of my goal weight.
I am having a mastopexy (breast lift) and Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
done this June to finish my journey.
This forum was helpful from the begining of my journey.

Congratulations. You are where I hope to be at my 2 year mark.

Thanks for all of the input and replies. I have decided to wait until summer. There isn't a rush to have the surgery, and I can wait until June

Thanks for all of the input and replies. I have decided to wait until summer. There isn't a rush to have the surgery, and I can wait until June

26 lbs is more than average and much more than I lost the first 4 months. 6 lbs a month is the number most doctors tell us we can lose and you're doing it. Be proud and happy you're doing better than most.
tmf

AND YOU'RE COMPLAINING??? "gonna take forever"....
Forever is really the goal here....at least for me.
PS....not everyone is losing at a much faster rate....my average has been around .65 pounds per week....but it's been 4+ years, so it sorta adds up.
Best wishes on your CONTINUED success.

Lately I have been hearing the phrase that WLS is personalized to each individual, and I could not agree more....
It's "Personalized" because the band is adjustable....my band is not like your band as is the other person's band...
If I never had a fill, or when I was just starting out, I could eat and drink anything as though I did not even have the surgery...it was all about will power and classic dieting...
As my band got adjusted, things began to change, and become unique TO ME, and NO ONE ELSE....what other people experience is unique to themselves and no one one else....sure there are some common things....
People need to realize that there is no concrete answer to questions such as drinking with meals, eating rice, breads, etc...experiencing hunger/cravings, and portion control....because everyone's band is different from everyone else s...
That's why when someone asks a question, you are going to get 100 different answers....
I read posts, and see the person was banded within a month or so, even within a year sometimes, and I will avoid giving my response because it is night and day.....where I am at, and what my band does is no where near what the new person is experiencing, and things I may say, well I might as well be talking about visiting Mars or something....will not make much sense....and only confuse many people....
Only things I can say sometimes is "Yes, I've been there and yes, it does pass, it does get better...things do progress"
And the only thing we have in common is that we all have to follow our Dr.'s treatment plan, and not what someone we never met on the internet tells us to do....and even our Dr.'s advice will differ from one another's...is one Dr right and the other wrong?
My only pet peeve, after saying all the above...is when people come on here and say "THIS is the ONLY way"..."It's my way or no way" Do it THIS WAY or you will be sorry!!!
How can people say that? It may be true FOR THEM.....and that is good! Share your experiences....that's what it's all about,,,,,But sometimes people will make a definitive statement about something that can never happen or will not happen, and I'm sitting here scratching me head thinking I have personally experienced the exact opposite....???
Someone may post here stating that the way they became successful was by standing on their heads for 30 minutes after every meal....may even provide a You-Tube from some Yoga instructor, etc....refer to a book or 2....
I have no problem with this person sharing their experiences, I find it informative, and perhaps entertaining., and enjoy reading everyone's different ways they have found happiness and success.......I may even try it myself and see for myself the results..or I may not....
BUT
As soon as this person comes on here and starts telling everyone THIS is what you MUST do if you want to be successful, or else you are asking for certain doom...medical problems.....
Saying To loose weight and be successful...YOU MUST stand on your head for 30 minutes after every meal, OR ELSE!!! It Is the ONLY WAY!
Now I have a problem....I lost my weight and never stood on my head....yet this person is telling everyone this is what you HAVE to to, this is the ONLY way it works....
There are are a lot of new people here looking for guidance...and they're being told they must stand on their heads for 30 minutes after every meal?
I cannot let this go by unchallenged....
Ok, my so much for my coffee induced morning rant...off to the gym....Hey IT'S FRIDAY!!!!

Glad you waited! I am on week two back (week 5 post op) I have started wearing my id, lanyard and keys to my back because it simply hitting my stomach every step I took caused spams! Yikes! Very glad I had a compression garment in the the car!

Thanks for all of the input and replies. I have decided to wait until summer. There isn't a rush to have the surgery, and I can wait until June