2muchfun

Your profile states you started at 250 but you're 220 now? Have you lost weight or not? Confused?

Here is a forum about success. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/227-lap-band-success-stories/

I think he's truly concerned that you're not getting enough Protein and other nutrients. Giving you another fill could make you eat even less and that may not be good for you? You must be one of the lucky ones who feel satisfied with less food right from the git-go. I'm envious. Wouldn't hurt much if you threw in a cheese stick here or there to up your caloric intake. You may run into a plateau if your body decides you're trying to starve it. But, no need to worry just yet. tmf

Many of us had no pre op diet and yours sounds a little odd? I've read here where some people went in for surgery and when the doc found that the liver was too large, they closed the patient up and cancelled the surgery for that day. I'd advise you to stick to the diet and stay away from carbs for the remaining 6 days to shrink that liver? tmf

I had to demand a fill one time. They wanted to put me off for another 4 weeks but I was adamant that I wanted and needed a fill. Call your doctor and don't waiver.

eggs, bacon, cheese, cottage cheese, deli meats, tuna, seafood, hamburger, all red, white meats, chicken wings, wing sauce(look for the carb ct), some salsa, taco salad, jerkey, smoked salmon, most all vegetables except roots or potatoes. Unfortunately fruit is way too high in carbs. Tuna salad, chicken salad, shrimp salad, omelettes, steaks, McDonalds burgers(less the bun), cream in your coffee. I tried to keep my carb ct down to 45 which is quite easy. I was on a low carb diet for 20 years and was very successful. Good luck. tmf

"so unpopular that the major manufacturer of lap bands, Allergan, no longer wants to make them?" This is a huge leap made on an obvious predisposed opionion by the author. I don't believe Allergan has said they don't want to make them? There's also the leap that they are unpopular? Based on what? Lagging profits? Lagging profits may or may not reflect sales or popularity. Lagging profits could be a result of more competition from Realize driving patient costs lower or even from exposure to liability. The fact is, the product is still profitable although profits are declining? "Are you addicted to eating? If so, a Lap-Band is probably not going to help you lose weight. Do you love ice cream or fattening drinks? If so, a Lap-Band is probably not going to be effective in helping you lose weight." I think there are so many on this forum alone that make these two comments totally bogus. So, what is the author's remedy for gastric banding failures to help patients lose weight? Make one more attempt to diet and exercise. OK, been there, done that. tmf

I've had some mild stuck episodes with hard boiled eggs. I love the hard boiled eggs from costco that are peeled and ready to eat. Easy to make up a batch of deviled eggs but it's chew chew chew and pay close attention. tmf

Then it does sound like you may have some serious issues that need medical attention? Letting a slipped or eroded band go unchecked is very dangerous. Having it removed is secondary at this point? I would suggest the most pressing issue would be to have a doctor diagnose the problem. This shouldn't be left to a self-diagnosis. It's far too risky imo. The end result could be removal but there could be other health issues too. I'm sure you've looked at all options and maybe you fall under the medicaid umbrella? Or, some states have programs to help people who are uninsured? Check with your legislator to see if you fall under any state programs? tmf

It really bites to go 4 months(in my case) and watch so many other dropping 40-50 lbs(and still complain). LOL You haven't filled out your profile so I don't know your situation? But mine was I was a low BMI patient. So I only had about 12 lbs of excess Fluid to lose. Many folks who are 200 lbs obese, can drop 50 lbs of excess Water their fat has stored. This kind of weight falls off first and may give someone the illusion they'll continue to lose 5-10 lbs every week. Not going to happen. Once you drop the excess fluids you start working on the stored fat. Exercising is very very important if you want to be successful. Walking is good but biking, hiking, tennis, aerobic activities work best.

I was banded a little over a year ago(11/28/11). I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. Then I got my 3rd fill and met with my nutritionist. I changed some of my eating habits and started tracking my calories closer. The weight began to fall off after that. Relax, what you are experiencing is very normal and has happened to many of us. Seems like I was hungrier after the surgery than ever before. But, I was a good boy and ate healthy foods, but maybe not the 1/2 cup I was told to eat. tmf

How long have you been plateaued?

You should bite the bullet and just have all the Fluid removed by a doc. That should eliminate the severe problems you are having unless your band has slipped or eroded. No insurance will cover you unless you work for a company that has insurance and you are brought in under their umbrella. In those cases, existing conditions are usually waived. You're asking an insurance company to fork out $6,000-$8,000 and you only contribute a few hunded in premiums? That's just not going to happen. Till you find employment that has a bariatric inclusion, get the fluid removed. tmf

And you don't see a lot of fill posts like this? Attagirl.

Neither. Protein and lots of it. eggs, turkey sausage, low fat beef crumbled into a breakfast taco, smoked salmon on a skinny bagel, egg and ham w LF/cheese on a skinny bread(low cal eggmcmuffin), egg beater/turkey sausage omelette, 3 slices of bacon w/scrambled egg. Not all at once of course

Restaurant food is high in sodium so you're just retaining water.

And talk to your nutritionist.

Did your doctor give you clearance to eat normal/solid food? You can damage your band placement if you don't follow your doctors orders. Yes, it could slip if you aren't following your doctors orders. And yes, of course most of us could eat solid food but we didn't because our doctor ordered us not to because the stomach is still healing from surgery. The band opening is open wide in the beginning before fills so you don't eat something solid causing it to get stuck which in turn can cause the band to tear away from the stomach or slip. tmf

I just farted. I think I need an oreo to calm my stomach

No, Water isn't going to stretch anything. If you're still taking pain meds, they can cause your lower stomach sphincter(Pyloric) to close. I know it did for me. Then fluids and food stay in your stomach causing a bloated feeling. If you aren't taking meds any longer, you could have a lot of swelling that is delaying water to flow through. I might add that pain meds seem to shut down the digestive system for some patients not necessarily just the sphincter. tmf

Most of us took 3-6 fills to feel anything. There's nothing broken and no need to worry. Just keep following your docs orders and go back for more fills till you get the one fill that gives you restriction or satiety. tmf

No offense Tezzie, but I see so many posts like yours and I just don't get it? You've lost 49 lbs and you've only had the band 7 weeks? Do you have any idea how many people would love to have half your success. I wouldn't consider 49 lbs as a disappointment? Sorry, don't mean to be mean, rude or judgemental, but you got it good gal. Your mind is playing with you. Telling you to be disappointed for no reason just so you can eat bad food. Bad mind, bad bad. tmf

I'm not a fan either but I saw this teaser during the news and had to check it out. Ended up, he had Tom Hanks on and Hanks was hilarious.

Motility disorders are quite rare. I've seen a couple of posts here about it but no reason to fear something that is so remote. You are so new to this. Recognizing hunger vs. cravings can take some time to discern. If you are eating small portions and feel satisfied, you're doing much better than most. Just pay attention to this question, "Am I Hungry"?

I was fortunate. I never had the pain that so many complain about. I work from home and worked that afternoon and every day after. tmf