bar2373

Can you seek another surgeon and hospital?

Biotin DOES work, and it certainly won't hurt you if you try it. I took it regularly for a period of time (before surgery), and it really helps my hair and nails.
Another product I like is BioSil. It was recommended by the nutritionist at my surgeon's office. Here is a link to it at GNC.
http://www.gnc.com/p...oductId=4022428

I think Biotin totally works. I was losing my hair pretty bad after my Lap Band surgery. Anesthetic is notorious for causing temporary Hair loss. Of course, the drastic drop in calories doesn't help either.
I am very careful about getting in all my Protein and I take 5000mg of Biotin daily and it's made a world of difference. My hair came back beautifully and my nails are nice and strong again. In fact, I've had two more surgeries just in the last 6 weeks and so far I'm still not experiencing any hair loss. That's a huge accomplishment for me and I think it's because of the Biotin.
I also use Fruitese Shampoo, a line called "Fall Fight". It actually has Biotin in it. I massage the shampoo into my scalp really good and I let the conditioner sit on my hair for 2 minutes. I believe it's helped too.
Just my experience. Good luck

I am 5 months post op with a 38 lbs. loss since surgery. In the past month I have noticed I have a very flaky scalp in the front. My hair is very dull looking and not very shiny any more and very lack luster. I have went through an entire bottle of head and shoulders with no change so I am thinking it is not normal dandruff. My nails are like wet paper when they do grow out. I have heard people talk about taking Biotin, and I am wondering if I should start taking it also? For the ones who do take it regularly, can you tell a difference since starting it and does it sound like I should start taking it? Help, I am turning into a mess.

Congratulations on your decision. IT is normal to be nervous so I am finding out. I get banded next week and I can't wait. I have become obssesed with LBT and I am here everyday now trying to obsorb as much info as I can. I don't want anything to take me by surprise.
Your pre-op may not be as bad as you think. Imagine it as a starting point for the rest of the new you. Make mind of matter. If you get hungry drink some Water or find something else to occupy your mind.
I look at as when I quit smoking. A craving would last maybe as long as 3 minutes and if I could get thru each 3 minute craving one at a time it was easy. I made it thru each one and it has been 4 years now. If I can do that I can do anything and so can you.
Good Luck

I do believe my doctor is very conservative with fills. A friend of mine has been going to him also, and told me she has been losing weight little by little after surgery, and he doesn't want to give her any fills until she stops losing. I was the one that kinda insisted on getting a fill on my last appointment. I am like catfish, if I could diet like this on my own I wouldn't have got the surgery.
Thanks for everyone's input.

It sounds like you have a very, very conservative fill doctor....unless he/she used fluoro and seen you have restriction with such a tiny fill. Maybe theyre putting you through a learning/challenging phase for some period of time to ensure you can stick to a diet. I personally, my opinion & I realize everyone has their own, think it's better to get to proper restriction quickly. The reason I think this is because right now you say you are eating proper portion sizes. It's a struggle to not revert back to our past volumes of food without restriction. At least it was for me. If I could eat a band portion of food without the band providing restriction, I wouldn't have needed surgery to install it....
It's up to your willpower until you get proper restriction. Hopefully, you'll get there soon. Congrats on the loss so far!

Thanks guys. I do use myfitpal, religiously. I am not getting even 1000 calories most days. Should I increase my calories you think? My weight loss is very slow, about 1 lb a week or two. I jump up and down between a couple lbs everyday.
I am just trying to follow all my rules of the band as directed and hate to deviate from them much.

I would consider myself a newbie since I was just banded on the 17th. I have been wondering, how many of you have met your goal and how long have you remained at your goal or close to it?
I have been reading A LOT of posts about people on here gaining weight back or having slippage and such. OF course these things scare me, but also as I read them I am seeing things that indicate or flat out say they have not followed the rules for a while.
I was just curious how many out there are years out and still happy with their band and still at goal. Would just love to hear some good of it.

I just had my 2 year anniversary on Feb 4th. I made my goal of 140 I think around May of last year. I wanted to go for an even 100 and hit that in July. I go up and down the same few pounds, but have been able to maintain. I weighed in at 136 this morning, so I am pretty pleased. I am so happy with the band. I am not a perfect bandster , but follow the rules prob 90% of the time! I do know one thing for sure, I will always have to log my food if I want to keep it off......and I DO and WILL this time around!

I am not replacing a meal with it, just supplementing to boost my Protein intake. I keep reading where more protein can sometimes help boost weight loss.
Thanks for everyone's input.

I am not replacing a meal with it, just supplementing to boost my Protein intake. I keep reading where more protein can sometimes help boost weight loss.
Thanks for everyone's input.

I personally still have a Protein Shake for Breakfast every morning. It helps me get in all my Protein, plus my band is always tight in the morning and I have no appetite. So, for me, the protein shake for breakfast works.

I use chocolate splendor Unjury and add a few drops of coconut flavoring and it tastes like and almond joy.
Try adding SF butterscotch pudding for a butterfingers flavor.
I have a rum flavoring I haven't used yet but plan on it. You can get all kinds of flavorings in the baking isle at the store. Might try a table spoon of SF coffemate for a little added sweetness. I also mix mine with almond milk instead of cow milk, less calorie, more Protein and more flavor if you get the vanilla.

I just had my first post-off appt. I have lost 21.5 lbs. since my pre op appt. I am down 1 pants size already too. I am so happy I made this decision. Yeah me!

I am 8 days (tomorrow) post-op and have been given permission to start back on some soft foods. tuna with a little light mayo in it was an approved meal. I mixed some up while I was making dinner for the fam. I have to say that was the best 1/2 cup of tuna salad I have ever had.
I know it may sound silly but it is so true to a newbie. It felt good to actually chew something instead of just letting it slide down, lol. I chewed so carefully and enjoyed ever moment of it.
I think I may try an over easy egg in the morning.
I like the feeling of being full on a half cup of food and not a thanksgiving feast. So far I have not had one ounce of regret that I made this decision to have the band. I was so nervous and worried this time last week that I was making a mistake. Regardless of what anyone else that I have told thinks of this choice I know in my heart and mind that this was the right thing to do.

me too! it's only been 5 days for me but I feel almost completely normal and am down 19 lbs. 66 more to go!

I am just a newbie but my guess is its the carbonation from the coke swelling your pouch. I thought that was a no no?

oh girl, my recipe is so simple you'll crack up. 2 lg cans of chicken and break it up so its shredded, 2 cans of shoepeg corn-drained, 1 can of black beans-drained, 1 can of kidney beans-drained, 1 packet of taco seasoning, 1 cup of salsa, 1 small can of Tomato sauce and 1 1/2 cups of Water. Now if you want to add onions or more chicken you can or more Beans you can. It's just me and mom so this was plenty. I will say I would have liked a little more chicken in it, especially for Protein factor but the beans are in there. I use canned chicken and fork it till it shreds cause I don't do well with cooked chunks of chicken meat. That's it.

I would think if my LBS could restart my hot flashes, that I thought was over after 5 yrs. That the surgery could also mess with your period. IMO

I saw this and about died laughing. I think any of us dealing with loose skin can relate!

Today, 1/31...marks 2 years with the band, and all I can say is I could not be more happy and pleased.....
61 years old, going on 40.......
A little background on MY JOURNEY....
first 6 months was HELL!! Very frustrating to say the least...all that anticipation only to be told I had to count my calories and measure my portions...I did not go through surgery to do that!! I've done all that before, many times.....But the Dr. explained to me until they get the band properly adjusted, dieting is the only thing I could do...be patient....
3rd and final fill 4 months after surgery, and it still took me 2 more months to figure this thing out....I wish I had a dollar for every time I got stuck, slimed and spit everything back up! But I was determined to make this thing work....and after 6 months things finally started to sync...in other words I FINALLY BEGAN TO LISTEN AND OBEY THE BAND....forcing me to break all my bad habits that made me "Morbidly Obese" in the first place.....once I got my act together, eating (and avoiding) the right foods, etc, etc....then and only then I found that "GROOVE" where everything became effortless and easy...that's why I do not call the band a "Tool", but rather the "MASTER"...if I do what the band tells me to do then all is good.....
I have not been stuck in over a year.....I have automatic Portion Control, and I am seldom hungry...and most times have no interest in food.....all because of the band and truly being in the Green....I do not need to count calories nor do I worry about portion sizes......just choose good foods and listen to the band when it says stop, I stop....
I have not eaten Breakfast in 18 months....
I reached my goal app. 13 months after surgery.....but my body continued to change and tone due to exercising....(I don't have much excess skin)
And now, 2 years later, I have to say there is a life after lapband surgery...there is a time when there is no more dieting nor is there any worry about gaining weight.....I do what every other normal weight person does every day...I enjoy certain food pleasures, have a beer or 2 (I know how to do it), but the bottom line is i NEVER (cannot) OVEREAT....and I REMAIN ACTIVE...running 5 miles a day, 5 days a week....
And always...get my daily Protein, Water and Vitamin requirements......
I know other people have a different approach....and that is good.....as long as people are successful and happy, then nothing else matters....
YOU CAN"T ARGUE WITH SUCCESS!!!!

And to all who are starting out...STAY AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVES>>>>THIS THING DOES WORK!!!!

I just had my first post-off appt. I have lost 21.5 lbs. since my pre op appt. I am down 1 pants size already too. I am so happy I made this decision. Yeah me!

I have had my band since June 2009. I hit my goal of 50kg and maintained there quite easily for a couple of years. I have regained approx 4kg over the last year. I believe 1 of the reasons for this is that over time the band becomes less effective. It becomes easier to eat things that were previously difficult and the band does not control your hunger as well. Whilst some people believe that this can easily be fixed with another fill that is not always the case.There seem to be a lot of people that encounter reflux a couple of years out and usually the solution is to remove some fill. Drs then become very cautious and like to ensure that they do not go past a certain level that they believe will trigger the problems again.So it can become a balancing act between too much and not enough which is when you have to really think hard about what you are eating.
However my weight is still within the normal range so technically I am still considered a success. I would just like to be a bit thinner but for 50 I don't think I look too bad, especially not when I compare myself with others the same age. I am forever being told that it is normal to gain weight during menopause, for a long time I denied that was true but maybe there is something in it.
I have never been a great 1 for exercise and was lucky enough to lose all my weight without having to do much but i now concede that exercise may be the only solution. I purchased a fitbit last week and that is extremely motivating, I am currently averaging about 15000 - 16000 steps a day. Hopefully I can keep it up.
I think the bottom line is that the band has helped me to achieve a weight that I would not have been able to maintain without it. I feel great, hopefully look great and am really happy that i had it done. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
I am also happy that if at some stage in the future they come up with a newer better weigh to keep the weight off i will have the option of revising.