Ivy Verde

You're still in the healing stage, not the weight loss stage. Your weight will fluctuate for the first couple of months, most likely. Concentrate more on just letting your body heal up for the first 6 weeks. Have you even had the band filled yet? Try not to let this get you down. You're literally JUST starting. Hang in there.

You're still in the healing stage, not the weight loss stage. Your weight will fluctuate for the first couple of months, most likely. Concentrate more on just letting your body heal up for the first 6 weeks. Have you even had the band filled yet? Try not to let this get you down. You're literally JUST starting. Hang in there.

Wasn't really a big deal. Sore for a while but was back at work the following week. Within 2 weeks my energy level was the best it'd been in years (because I was eating real food and sleeping through the night again without choking to death).
Good luck!!!

You're not a wimp. No weird stranger should be touching you or insulting you. I'm sorry that happened.

Thanks so much, I feel better now.

For the same reasons people can have puffy eyes, feet, and fingers in the morning-- your body is swollen.

Please see a medical professional as soon as possible. Any time you have sudden, unexplained pain, you want to make sure it's not a slip or erosion. You could possibly just have developed gastritis or ulcers. But it's best to be checked to be on the safe side.
I hope you feel better and it's nothing serious.

Please see a medical professional as soon as possible. Any time you have sudden, unexplained pain, you want to make sure it's not a slip or erosion. You could possibly just have developed gastritis or ulcers. But it's best to be checked to be on the safe side.
I hope you feel better and it's nothing serious.

Please see a medical professional as soon as possible. Any time you have sudden, unexplained pain, you want to make sure it's not a slip or erosion. You could possibly just have developed gastritis or ulcers. But it's best to be checked to be on the safe side.
I hope you feel better and it's nothing serious.

Please see a medical professional as soon as possible. Any time you have sudden, unexplained pain, you want to make sure it's not a slip or erosion. You could possibly just have developed gastritis or ulcers. But it's best to be checked to be on the safe side.
I hope you feel better and it's nothing serious.

I am SO very sorry you have gone through such trauma.
I'm glad you are okay and made it through in one piece. I, too, came out of surgery damaged due to surgical error. It's a hard recovery process. I'm glad you shared your story. I wish you the very best.

It's a very common side effect of banding. Google---- Lap Band + Vagus Nerve. Look at pictures of anatomy to see how the Vagus nerve runs through the diaphragm and how the band is situated so close to the diaphragm.
It can become permanent if the nerve gets damaged. It is never a good thing to have the referred left shoulder pain.

It will push the food down into the lower stomach faster. And you'll find that drinking while trying to eat some foods is disastrous. Things will get gummed up and plug the stoma. And when the food can't move through, the esophagus keeps working and working, but the Gummy glob won't go through. Then there's no turning back. Either it comes back up or you sit with the "deer in the headlights look" until it passes through.

I had lap band done in 2002. I had the band removed after a couple of years and still have the shoulder pain once in awhile from the damage the band did to the nerves. It happens to a lot of people. In fact, I'd say it happens so often that it should be considered a side effect of gastric banding. A lot of doctors don't care to mention it, but anyone with a working knowledge of anatomy should be able to diagnose the referred left shoulder pain that accompanies banding.

It will push the food down into the lower stomach faster. And you'll find that drinking while trying to eat some foods is disastrous. Things will get gummed up and plug the stoma. And when the food can't move through, the esophagus keeps working and working, but the Gummy glob won't go through. Then there's no turning back. Either it comes back up or you sit with the "deer in the headlights look" until it passes through.

I hadn't realized you still had your band!
I take a number of medications to counteract the damage the band did. I believe that the ulcers I had are fairly healed. But I almost always have some level of gastric discomfort. It's not as acute as it was while banded, thankfully. But it's most certainly a reminder of the damage.
I hope you'll be able to have the band removed without too much trouble.

What a bunch of passive aggressive people. You're not "sorry for me." And I highly doubt you "wish me a long, healthy life." What a crock. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Anytime a person posts something it is THEIR opinion. It kind of "goes without saying." Or at least, you'd think so. I am not used to hanging out where I have to explain every single thing to people. I guess I will have to dumb things down.
Don't blame me that the band isn't long term. Blame Allergan. They're the ones who make it. And they're the ones who state that it's NOT a lifetime device.
And Insecure Mis is attributing quotes to me that I never said. For someone who's so concerned with The Truth, she's not very good at it.

What a bunch of passive aggressive people. You're not "sorry for me." And I highly doubt you "wish me a long, healthy life." What a crock. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Anytime a person posts something it is THEIR opinion. It kind of "goes without saying." Or at least, you'd think so. I am not used to hanging out where I have to explain every single thing to people. I guess I will have to dumb things down.
Don't blame me that the band isn't long term. Blame Allergan. They're the ones who make it. And they're the ones who state that it's NOT a lifetime device.
And Insecure Mis is attributing quotes to me that I never said. For someone who's so concerned with The Truth, she's not very good at it.

Reasonable people would think, "Hey, maybe there would be something to learn from people who have been banded for a DECADE." Insecure ones think, "I'm not listening because they might tell me something I don't want to hear." Doesn't make the truth less truthful, though. So, the insecure people strike out, call people "trolls," (which is ridiculous. It's the internet) and then realize down the road that the people trying to post to HELP were actually trying to post TO HELP. The funny thing is, I WAS one of the insecure people back when I was first banded, too. I remember striking out, too. I was so afraid that I hadn't made the correct decision. And that clouded my perspective on everything. There is no reason to attack people who have had complications and choose to post about them. There is simply NO reason to take it personally. Just like I don't take any offense to people posting about their success and happiness. I'm genuinely happy for the people who are happy. I can't understand why the unhappiness of those of us who had bad band experiences should affect some people on such a deep level, unless it's due to their own insecurity.
I don't see people posting "Scare tactics." If their truth scares you, it's because you know there is something to be scared about. Maybe you didn't research enough and are just now finding out about common complications. But if you're NOT having problems, just stay positive and enjoy your success. IF you develop complications, isn't it better to KNOW that others have had them, as well, and what they did to help themselves? I'd think so. No need to be SCARED. Just be aware, that's all.
I truly had a horrible time while banded. My family suffered alongside me, and it's not something that's easily forgotten. It can change a person for life. I've always thought it would be really nice if people could empathize a little, sincerely. I'm not perfect. I can be a total tool when I get angry. I know this. But for the most part, I really want to help others avoid what I went through.

Reasonable people would think, "Hey, maybe there would be something to learn from people who have been banded for a DECADE." Insecure ones think, "I'm not listening because they might tell me something I don't want to hear." Doesn't make the truth less truthful, though. So, the insecure people strike out, call people "trolls," (which is ridiculous. It's the internet) and then realize down the road that the people trying to post to HELP were actually trying to post TO HELP. The funny thing is, I WAS one of the insecure people back when I was first banded, too. I remember striking out, too. I was so afraid that I hadn't made the correct decision. And that clouded my perspective on everything. There is no reason to attack people who have had complications and choose to post about them. There is simply NO reason to take it personally. Just like I don't take any offense to people posting about their success and happiness. I'm genuinely happy for the people who are happy. I can't understand why the unhappiness of those of us who had bad band experiences should affect some people on such a deep level, unless it's due to their own insecurity.
I don't see people posting "Scare tactics." If their truth scares you, it's because you know there is something to be scared about. Maybe you didn't research enough and are just now finding out about common complications. But if you're NOT having problems, just stay positive and enjoy your success. IF you develop complications, isn't it better to KNOW that others have had them, as well, and what they did to help themselves? I'd think so. No need to be SCARED. Just be aware, that's all.
I truly had a horrible time while banded. My family suffered alongside me, and it's not something that's easily forgotten. It can change a person for life. I've always thought it would be really nice if people could empathize a little, sincerely. I'm not perfect. I can be a total tool when I get angry. I know this. But for the most part, I really want to help others avoid what I went through.

If I continue to try to help people who are downright nasty in response, it makes me as stupid as those who can't see I'm trying to help. And I refuse to be that stupid.
So, good luck to you. Thanks for the advice. And I mean that in sincerity. I don't "do" passive aggressive. I am who I say I am. I speak truthfully and that just doesn't seem to be welcome here on this site.

Good idea. Take it one day at a time. I am sure you look terrific. And you'll hit stalls here and there, but remember how well you're doing every day.

Bless you!
I have been talking to surgeons and looking at the pros and cons of the band removal. I gained most of the weight back already. But while I have the band, I have additional complications in addition to just being "FLUFFY". I am always dealing with some kind of gastric or digestive complication from the band. At this point I feel I will just be sick, uncomfortable, or unhappy till I have the surgery reversed.
Thanks for your insight and open honest comments.