lucypets

I'm going through this right now. I posted on another forum and have copied and edited it a bit below and hope I can help anyone in preventing this. As far as your question, yes you can get the pouch back to normal but you and you only can make that happen. It's difficult, but, it can be done. If the pouch is really stretched badly they will un-fill you and place you on liquids for a period of time. My doctor told me 6 weeks of liquids. Holy smokes!!!
Here is my post from another thread:
Under floroscopy my doctor told me that my pouch was bigger than it should be. She told me that I would get a warning this time, but if next checkup showed the same, she will un-fill me and I will go on liquids for 6 weeks. For now I have been instructed to measure my portions. I did get a slight fill, so, I'm thinking that I'm not that bad yet.
I keep a loose band because my allergies and drainage cause the dreaded lapband cement on the pouch that is only dissolved by drinking lots of hot liquids and is very unpleasant, thus I have to be a bit more careful with my portions. I have decent restriction and my portions have been at least 1 cup of food and sometimes 1.5 cups, however, I got into the habit of not chewing well and eating too fast. I rarely got stuck because of my loose band. In my opinion, not chewing well and eating too fast is what caused the dialation. I was also doing way too much exercise and was feeling more hunger and I would eat way to fast and not chew well with the hunger I felt at times.
Someone asked about symptoms. First of all my weight loss stopped for months. My weight would go up and down by 6 lbs. and went on like this for at least 8 months. I tried increasing calories, longer work outs etc. etc. and nothing! My biggest symptom was more hunger in between meals and was getting hungry every 2-3 hours. The most obvious symptom that I should have never ignored was feeling satisfied (full) and would get that uncomfortable feeling of "no more" at meal time then all of sudden I would feel a thump in my pouch, due to food going thru quickly, then I could eat another meal if I chose to and honestly sometimes I would. I thought this was because I needed a fill, however, this was not the case and Doc said that a enlarged pouch of course holds more food and will push everything down quickly.
Since being warned I have gone on liquids 2 times consisting of 4 days of Protein drinks and 1 can of Soup a day. In addition, I have modified my drinking and wait 1/2 hour before a meal and 1/2 hour after a meal. I now feel a huge amount of restriction and can only handle the 1/2 cup of food at mealtime. So, yes you can reverse the stretched pouch. I will continue to do the liquid thing at least every other week for a while just to be on the safe side. Since doing this I have lost 10 lbs.
Lesson learned? If something doesn't feel right get it checked. I knew something was wrong, but, I was embarrassed to see the doctor because I had not reached goal. I think the biggest disappointment is first myself and second, being banded is high maintenance, but, we are the culprit to our own complications in most cases. I still love my band though! Hope this helps anyone who may be experiencing some of my symptoms and have ignored them. jake

You are so welcome Deborah!
If you are even a little bit insecure about how your incisions and resulting scars may look in the future, I would highly recommend using Mederma. Women tend to be a little more sensitive about these things, especially since certain outfits and bathing suits will not cover your surgical incisions. You've invested so much into becoming healthier and looking great, you should use the Mederma to maximize your progress!
Dennis

my scars are nearly (impossible to see) excluding my port incision. just faint pink little lines.
its not that big of a deal to me.
the more you heal, the marks will be less visible.

My doctor highly recommended Mederma, so I used it often in the first couple of months. I probably should be using it now, but I simply have not replaced the empty tube at this point. It seemed to soften the scar tissue and fade my scars quite a bit. I'm kind of a hairy guy, so between the Mederma and my ape-like appearance, my scars are not that noticable. LOL Like CG said, if your incisions are a little on the large side, I would highly recommend using Mederma, but if they are already not too noticable, you could probably do without it. The stuff is a little on the expensive side, so you may want to look at some of the generic products that do the exact same thing, at a greatly reduced price too! Yep, I'm a penny pincher!! LOL

Okay, stand still and we will all beat you with a wet noodle. Feel better? Now, since you fell off, climb back on the wagon and start over. As others have said, now is healing time, so don't make your stomach work hard. Best wishes and go with the knowledge that others before you have fallen off the wagon and have climbed back and lost weight. Take care and take it easy. Karen

Hi guys! My name is Robert and I had the iband procedure last week and wow those first 5 days were brutal! I'm feeling much better today and looking forward to a healthier me and lifestyle.
I've spent most of my life overweight so I know these changes are a not going to come easy, but it looks like there is so much support out there and here that at least I know I am not alone! In the first week I am already down 12 pounds! I'm so excited. Can't wait to hear and read about everyone's success stories! Look forward to meeting and talking with you all.
Robert (X)

I was I banded on 6/28/2012 I've lost 18 lbs including the pre-op diet!!

I was starving on liquids too. I started reading through all of my booklets that I was given from day 1 until surgery day, and saw where I could have certain foods upon being discharged from the hospital. I was ecstatic! So since then (I was banded on 6/12) I have had eggs, baked chicken, soft cheese, and stuff like that. It doesn't take much to fill me up thank God. But I feel sooooo much better with a little fuel. And I have definitely remembered to chew, chew, chew and eat VERY slowly.

I didn't have any issues but your FOS made me laugh & I'm glad you still have a sense of humor. I'm wishing you a speedy recovery & hope you feel better soon,

So glad your recovery is going well - remember to take care of yourself even if you feel great. Good luck in the upcoming weeks!!

Dont forget about sugar free popsicles and juice. I couldnt do the broth it made me gag. I ate a lot of the gogurt packs and popsicles. Glad to hear you are doing so well after 10 hours. I was still in and out of napping.

Good to hear u are doing well. Wishing you a speedy recovery

Hi, I was banded this morning, I feel really good besides the obvious soreness. Already sick of beef broth though. LOL. Ready to get back into my size 6 jeans. I am now in a 14-16.

Hi, I was banded this morning, I feel really good besides the obvious soreness. Already sick of beef broth though. LOL. Ready to get back into my size 6 jeans. I am now in a 14-16.

Hi, I was banded this morning, I feel really good besides the obvious soreness. Already sick of beef broth though. LOL. Ready to get back into my size 6 jeans. I am now in a 14-16.

Hi, I was banded this morning, I feel really good besides the obvious soreness. Already sick of beef broth though. LOL. Ready to get back into my size 6 jeans. I am now in a 14-16.

Hi, I was banded this morning, I feel really good besides the obvious soreness. Already sick of beef broth though. LOL. Ready to get back into my size 6 jeans. I am now in a 14-16.

I'm being banded in the morning. I'm from Stephenville Texas and I'm going to Dr. Bradley hart in grandbury. I'm so nervous and anxious! I'm ready for my new life! I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful husband and family and friends!

Nervous about what?
I think I was mostly nervous(afraid in my case) about how much I was going to miss taco bell, Coldstone, pizza, or even my own mexican food which is very good. My deep love of food made me fearful of how much I was going to miss it. I was never really afraid of the surgery or the process. I knew that would be a distant memory a few months after the surgery. The thought that I couldn't indulge myself with the foods I really loved scared me.
But, now I'm 6 months out and TaDa! I can eat those things if I want but I don't have to eat too much. And I'm good with that. Sorry to vent all over your thread but my advice is to think about all the wonderful things you'll be doing as a thin person. Don't worry, be happy!
tmf

Welcome! I'm pretty new and I the DFW area, my surgery is June 20th. Stay in touch, these boards are amazing!

Deborah,
I just joined tonight, as well. Just had my surgery on May 29th. I live in Granbury -- surgeon was Dr. Brad Hart.
I think this is a very scary venture, but just think of the great rewards!!
Can't wait to hear back from you!
Lisa

Hi deborah! I am Lupe and I'm going to get my lap band on june 19th. I have 2 kids 12 and 8, so I have to get fit & healthy for them.... This Weight is holding down. I always find myself wanting to do things but don't , cuz I think I look ridiculous.... I don't know if you do that too. But I'm make sure a big change my life! it feels like the longest 2 weeks of my life.... keep us posted.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using LapBandTalk

I am also going to be banded this month on the 20th by Dr. Smith. I'm on the liquid diet day 1!!!!

Hi, my name is Deborah. My surgery is scheduled for 6/28 and I am nervous. I live in the North Texas area and my surgery will be done by Dr. Adam Smith.