Dancing Fool

I'm not sure what you mean by can't hold down liquids. If you literally can't get liquids down past your band, I'd go back to the doc because you will soon become dehydrated or worse. If instead you mean liquids go down slow and taking a huge gulp would not be comfortable, I personally would not be alarmed if this was occurring the day after a fill. Either way, I would call the dr's office and describe what's going on and get their advice on whether to come back in or wait and see.

I've had a lap band for 3 and a half years. One of my New Years resolutions is to recommit to the rules of banded living and get back to the conscientiousness that I (and a lot of us, I'm guessing) had back when our bands were new. Its not like I'm totally running wild with my eating and drinking; its just that I had gotten a little sloppy with the basics, like eating slowly, taking small bites, chewing thoroughly and drinking at least 64 oz. of water a day. A new year is a great time to resolve to do better. Wishing you all a successful 20191

You should go to a bariatric doctor to see if all is well with your band and your stomach. Also, do some pondering on whether you are now ready to commit to living within the rules of post-bariatric surgery life.

Thanks to you all for the suggestions.

Remind yourself why you got this surgery in the first place. You had major surgery and had a major portion of your stomach amputated for a reason. Keep that reason in mind! Also remember that you have a powerful tool that you can use to get to your goal - your sleeve. You can do this! It sounds you are not sure exactly what to do, food-wise. This would be a good time to check in with your nutritionist. I find that I do best in keeping to an effective eating plan when I consistently remind myself that I am a bariatric patient and that obesity is a chronic disease and I am under treatment. I was self-pay so I can also fall back on my mantra "I didn't pay $$$ just to sit here and eat like a fool!" This may sound like a bummer but it works for me.

I'm celebrating my 2 year surgery anniversary in a few days and want to Celebrate by buying myself an excellent body weight scale. I've been using an old WW digital scale for years and the thing that bugs me is that I can weigh myself three times in a row and get three different readings on it. So - what's your suggestion for the Best Scale Ever - or the best type of scale (digital? balance beam? analog?)

Another method for getting enough Water which might work for someone who is nervous about drinking a lot at one sitting is to sip constantly through the day. Use a water bottle with measurement indicators to check your progress throughout the day. Just little sips, but take them often throughout the day. Once you've had a bit more time with your band and what it can handle, I think you will come to feel okay about drinking a cup at a time. Water should trickle right on through past your band, so it shouldn't be a problem. I can understand, though, being nervous about such things those first few days after being banded.

If you are in the green zone, you are where you need to be so don't be concerned with "restriction". I think "restriction" is a term that we toss around a lot in the forums but is not a helpful concept when it comes to using the band to lose weight. When I go for a fill, the PA at the surgery center asks about what I've been eating, how much, and how soon do I get hungry after a meal, and checks how much I'm losing. I've never been asked by a medical professional how much restriction I feel.

Here's wishing you the best for your surgery and recovery. If you're like me, you will come to love the fact that you don't eat the way you used to, or some of the things you used to. My Lap Band gives me the mental space I need to make the right food decisions. While some of the stuff I no longer eat sure was -and still is- yummy, it feels so much better to be in control and able to say "No!".

Have you tried eating meat with sauces to keep it moist and taking itty bitty bites? if this doesn't work, I would guess you truly are in the red zone.

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work the next Monday. (I have a desk job).

Love it!

My band gives me the freedom to choose to say "no" to food that hinders my weight loss.

Of course the people who are posting in a "Gastric band to bypass revision" are people who had problems with the gastric band. That doesn't tell us anything about percentage of the total GB population who are/are not having problems. People who have no problems with their band are not going to see Dr. Rutledge complaining about their band, and probably are not posting in forums on revisions. The plural of "anecdote' is not "data".

Can you direct me to a source for the 80% figure? And to a source that shows "most banders" feel it is a con?