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Stop being so hard on yourself.
You have lost 85lbs in a year. That is HUGE. Appreciate what you have done and realise that if you don't get to 100 in a year it doesn't matter. It's not a race, there is no cut off date. If it takes 13 months or 14 months then so be it.

Remember any weight loss is a really good thing, even a pound!!! Lets not forget that 1lb a week over the course of a year is 52lbs
So don't be too negative or quick to jump on board the next solution if what you're doing at the moment is still working. I always say that you should squeeze what you can out of every solution, before you go trying anything else, especially if it's been working for you up to now.
A little hunger at times is still a natural part of weight loss I'm afraid

I don't think you have done any damage, I would relax and not worry. It is probably just coincidence that you felt like that after a milkshake. It maybe a bad choice but it is still liquid - it is not going to cause any damage. Even drinking through a straw isn't going to hurt. Yes it might make you swallow a bit more air than usual but that is it.

I have often used the wedding analogy in posts and I believe it is very true.

Lots of people here will be more than happy to do that.
So go ahead ask your questions.

A pain in the centre of the chest usually indicates that something is stuck or that you have eaten too much.
What are you eating? At 2 weeks out I was on mushies but every Dr seems to have different postop requirements so you may be on something different.
You need to make sure that you take small mouthfuls, chew well, wait between bites and do not overeat. Maybe you are eating foods that you should not be eating yet and these may be causing the pain.
If you can give us examples then we can probably give you a better response.

I don't think you have done any damage, I would relax and not worry. It is probably just coincidence that you felt like that after a milkshake. It maybe a bad choice but it is still liquid - it is not going to cause any damage. Even drinking through a straw isn't going to hurt. Yes it might make you swallow a bit more air than usual but that is it.

I was going to reply to this topic yesterday when it was first posted but at that point I was unable to reply to any threads.
My thoughts on what I was going to post at the time were:-
That it is wonderful that the OP had a made a decision about WLS that suited her.
That she must be visiting and reading a different sleeve forum to the one I read.
When I read stuff on that forum yes there are a lot of happy people BUT there are also a heck of a lot of people that have had complications, especially leaks. This is in a very small group of people. There are a number of people that have had serious life threatening complications which seems to be very rare on this band forum. There are also a number of people that are struggling with issues such as hunger, food intolerances etc. And I think that the majority of sleevers have to take an acid reducer as a matter of routine because the incidence of reflux especially initially is very high.
I think what this proves is that a person gets out of something what they want. The OP is looking for confirmation that her choice to have a slleve is the correct one so she reads the sleeve board and sees a positive message. I don't want a sleeve unless I have no choice, to me having so much of your stomach removed is scary so when I read the forum I focus more on the negative. I am sure neither is right nor wrong.
However this issue has of course become very contentious and understandably so. You have to question the motives of someone that comes onto the band board just to post about how much better the sleeve is. And for some reason people that have decided to get the sleeve do this all the time. One wonders what sort of reaction we would get over on the sleeve board if we did the same thing. I am sure it would not go down well.

I was going to reply to this topic yesterday when it was first posted but at that point I was unable to reply to any threads.
My thoughts on what I was going to post at the time were:-
That it is wonderful that the OP had a made a decision about WLS that suited her.
That she must be visiting and reading a different sleeve forum to the one I read.
When I read stuff on that forum yes there are a lot of happy people BUT there are also a heck of a lot of people that have had complications, especially leaks. This is in a very small group of people. There are a number of people that have had serious life threatening complications which seems to be very rare on this band forum. There are also a number of people that are struggling with issues such as hunger, food intolerances etc. And I think that the majority of sleevers have to take an acid reducer as a matter of routine because the incidence of reflux especially initially is very high.
I think what this proves is that a person gets out of something what they want. The OP is looking for confirmation that her choice to have a slleve is the correct one so she reads the sleeve board and sees a positive message. I don't want a sleeve unless I have no choice, to me having so much of your stomach removed is scary so when I read the forum I focus more on the negative. I am sure neither is right nor wrong.
However this issue has of course become very contentious and understandably so. You have to question the motives of someone that comes onto the band board just to post about how much better the sleeve is. And for some reason people that have decided to get the sleeve do this all the time. One wonders what sort of reaction we would get over on the sleeve board if we did the same thing. I am sure it would not go down well.

I was going to reply to this topic yesterday when it was first posted but at that point I was unable to reply to any threads.
My thoughts on what I was going to post at the time were:-
That it is wonderful that the OP had a made a decision about WLS that suited her.
That she must be visiting and reading a different sleeve forum to the one I read.
When I read stuff on that forum yes there are a lot of happy people BUT there are also a heck of a lot of people that have had complications, especially leaks. This is in a very small group of people. There are a number of people that have had serious life threatening complications which seems to be very rare on this band forum. There are also a number of people that are struggling with issues such as hunger, food intolerances etc. And I think that the majority of sleevers have to take an acid reducer as a matter of routine because the incidence of reflux especially initially is very high.
I think what this proves is that a person gets out of something what they want. The OP is looking for confirmation that her choice to have a slleve is the correct one so she reads the sleeve board and sees a positive message. I don't want a sleeve unless I have no choice, to me having so much of your stomach removed is scary so when I read the forum I focus more on the negative. I am sure neither is right nor wrong.
However this issue has of course become very contentious and understandably so. You have to question the motives of someone that comes onto the band board just to post about how much better the sleeve is. And for some reason people that have decided to get the sleeve do this all the time. One wonders what sort of reaction we would get over on the sleeve board if we did the same thing. I am sure it would not go down well.

I was going to reply to this topic yesterday when it was first posted but at that point I was unable to reply to any threads.
My thoughts on what I was going to post at the time were:-
That it is wonderful that the OP had a made a decision about WLS that suited her.
That she must be visiting and reading a different sleeve forum to the one I read.
When I read stuff on that forum yes there are a lot of happy people BUT there are also a heck of a lot of people that have had complications, especially leaks. This is in a very small group of people. There are a number of people that have had serious life threatening complications which seems to be very rare on this band forum. There are also a number of people that are struggling with issues such as hunger, food intolerances etc. And I think that the majority of sleevers have to take an acid reducer as a matter of routine because the incidence of reflux especially initially is very high.
I think what this proves is that a person gets out of something what they want. The OP is looking for confirmation that her choice to have a slleve is the correct one so she reads the sleeve board and sees a positive message. I don't want a sleeve unless I have no choice, to me having so much of your stomach removed is scary so when I read the forum I focus more on the negative. I am sure neither is right nor wrong.
However this issue has of course become very contentious and understandably so. You have to question the motives of someone that comes onto the band board just to post about how much better the sleeve is. And for some reason people that have decided to get the sleeve do this all the time. One wonders what sort of reaction we would get over on the sleeve board if we did the same thing. I am sure it would not go down well.

No offense....and I'm happy that you have found a WLS that is right for you, but then why are you "lurking" around a lap band support site.....don't you have one of your own? Those than come to this site seeking information about the LAPBAND not other surgeries.....and honestly, since you don't have one, I don't see where you can offer any advise. Those that have the lap band and have had issues, do a good job explaining the draw backs and are very honest as to why it didn't work for them, but it just seems strange to me that some feel the need to come to this site and express an opinion about something you don't have.....if they want information about another surgery I'm sure they can get that on another site where the members would be more educated in the sleeve or bypass than the ones on this site. It really makes me question your motives. It is everyones responsiblity to educated themselves. I'm sure I can find some that feel they rushed into having half their stomachs removed and have numerous issues.....BUT I know they are probably just the unfortunates that are listed in the satistics just like the satistics for the band. I LOVE my band...but I would never feel the need to bash the sleeve or bypass...(even though my 42 year old cousin died shortly after getting the sleeve....just saying) We each must make our own decisions.

Actually it's pretty common for people with both Gastric Bypass and the Sleeve to stretch their pouches and gain weight. In fact, that's the reason Carnie Wilson is currently getting the Lap Band after already having Gastric Bypass. She stretched out her pouch and gained weight and is now getting the band in an effort to correct it. I know seven people that have had either Gastric Bypass or the Sleeve, and every one of them is gaining weight back within a couple years of surgery. Every one of them slowly began eating more and more and eventually stretched their pouches and now there's nothing they can do to correct it.
Again, to each their own, but I'd check your facts.

What I think people fail to realise with any weight loss surgery is that the effect lessens with time. Your body adapts. You can eat more. Your evangelistic enthusiasm wanes, you gain a little weight. It happens with every surgery.
The major advantage of the band is that you can adjust it. And the physical tightening up really us a mental tightening up too. Suddenly you focus again and get on with things. Ask any bandster seven years out. Ive really had cause to appreciate that.
And mo doubt about it, if I had not been able to unfill my band during cancer treatment, i would have had to have had a PEG tube inserted, I got so skinny. Being able to unfill is a major advanage if you are unlucky enough to be struck by injury or disease.
Nonetheless, the constant upkeep is problematic for some, especially with the US health system. Insurance hassles, doctors being unwilling to treat other doctors' patuents, people getting andedin Mexico etc. The OPs points are considerations.
But few of us are so stupid as to not have considered these things. I would respectfullu suggest if the OP feels that way, go hang around the sleeve forum and keave us poor ignorant souls to wallow away in misery with our ineffective bands.
Spoken by omeone who lost 120lb, had kept it off for over five years and a has a bmi of 20, so what would I know really?

Much of this information by the OP is misinformation. I have been banded since July 2009 and have not spent my time in Dr.'s offices and never made a trip to the ER. I could go on point by point, but it sounds like the OP has made a choice and I support that.

I have the Lap Band and my husband has the sleeve..I went back and forth myself deciding which one is right for me..I knew i 100% did not want the bypass, and i was too chicken to get the sleeve. I have had no problems with the band since getting it 7 months ago. And i knew that if i did experience any major problems i can go in for a 20 min procedure and have it taken out. There are risks with all these surgeries. The sleeve can also leave you with permanent problems in the stomach itself. My husband become lastose intolerant within 2 months of having surgery, because they take out the part that digests dairy properly, so it sits in the lining of the stomach until you throw it up. If he even has a sip of whole milk, he will throw up 2-3x. And he will forever have to take Vitamins and/or shots to keep the levels normal.. He goes for bloodwork frequently, to check the levels.And for the first 3 months or so when the staples are still in your stomach you risk them splitting apart, and bleeding internally. These are obviously the negative aspects of it. On a positive note. It does work (just like band or bypass)...you are unable to eat large portions. But you still get that "stuck in your throat feeling" just like with the band. My husband is happy with his decison and i am happy with mine. Everyone is different, and will have diferent journeys. I wish you well with the sleeve. If my band ever stops working completely..i am going in for the sleeve!

Actually, you're wrong. It IS 100% reversible. If the band is removed your stomach simply goes back to the way it was pre-surgery. If you have damage due to a slip or prolapse, you may have some scarring, but it doesn't remove any portion of your stomach or re-route your digestive system in any way. Not so with the Sleeve, you can't replace a huge portion of your stomach that's been cut out.
As for the Sleeve, people don't go in for reversions because they can't. More than half of their stomach is removed, there's nothing to revise. If you look at the long term statistics, people gain back weight with the Sleeve and Gastric Bypass just as often as with the Band, the difference being, a Band patient can always go back in and get a fill to start over. A Sleeve patient will have likely stretched out what's left of their stomach and pretty much be screwed.
...not to mention there's FAR less chance of major complications and/or death with the band. And the recovery time is half of that of the Sleeve.
I respect your decision to go with the Sleeve and wish you much success, but your information isn't exactly accurate.

When I was told, oh you don't need that.... my response really? Well, thanks for thinking so, but my doctors disagree.
Easy way out? So...If I needed cardiac bypass surgery or be miserable and at risk of a heart attack, I should not take the medically proven treatment to get better? I need a kidney transplant, once becomes available, but I should not accept it because dialysis is fine and a transplant is the easy way out?????
Many in our society see obesity as a sign of laziness, not a of medical condition. So, I don't "deserve" to get well? I don't deserve to get my blood pressure under control? Or my blood sugar. I don't deserve to avoid losing limbs to diabetes?
Easy way out? I have to eat carefully for the rest of my life. For the rest of my life, I will have an implanted medical device inside me that I need to be concerned about. Having yearly tests to be sure all is well. So, by having abdominal surgery, wrapping a ring around my upper stomach that will forever change my relationship with food. It has also changed my relationship with my husband, and will some friends.
I have taken the easy way out. Easy way out from what? Endless diet attempts that all end up in the same place? With me heavier that I was before it began? My joints hurting worse as I put more pressure on them. Taking meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and a couple years from diabetes.
I say, it might not have been the right choice for you, but after all my research, it was for me. Thank you for your concern.
(crawling off my soap box now)

Shocked that you have had your band for nearly 3 years and that you haven't received the help and guidance that you should have.
The throwing up was probably from not adjusting your eating style. You do need to take small bites, chew well, wait between bites etc to make sure that throwing up doesn't happen. The suggestions above are great. If your Dr is not willing to work with you then I would be transferring to a new one.
Joining LBT should help too, lots of people here with lots of experience to answer all your questions.
Hope you soon start achieving the losses that you desire.

No Toddy, you are 100% correct.

What do you mean by you are not feeling any restriction?
Are you eating smaller portions than previously? Do they keep you satisfied?Are you losing weight.
if you can answer yes to these then you do have "restriction"
If you are not losing or you are struggling with hunger(not head hunger) then you may need another fill, that is something you should discuss with your Dr

What is the connection between the airbubbles and the lapband?

Gall bladder problems are common with weight loss. It doesn't matter how you lose the weight. Sorry that you had to go through the pain and the removal but you are certainly not alone.
As to the prolapsed bladder I have never heard of that being related to weight loss and I would seriously question if that is indeed the true cause. Do you have children? Being pregnant and giving birth is the usual cause of a prolapse.
There is no way you can sue your lapband Dr. If a lawyer advised you that you could I would be very wary - the lawyer is probably just after your money. Not being American I do not understand the culture of sueing for every thing that goes wrong. Sometimes we need to accept that things happen and that it isn't anyone elses fault.
I hope that your insurance co pay and that you are able to solve this problem ASAP. Have you being advised to do Kegels? This is something most women are advised to do to stop this problem occuring although I confess that I have never done them.
Good luck

There are a number of people that continue to have shoulder pain ( usually left) . It is thought to be caused by some part of the band or tubing putting pressure or rubbing on the vagus nerve. If you do a search on this site you should find quite a lot of threads about this issue.
Some people seem to manage to live with it whilst for others it can become unbearable and they may need further intervention to help correct it.

I don't think you can say with any certainty that you would never have had to have your gallbladder removed or your bladder tacked if you hadn't had lap-band surgery. Lots of people have both of these conditions without having ever had lap-band surgery. A five minute search on the Internet into the possible causes of prolapsed bladder show that it can be caused by heavy lifting, straining to go to the bathroom, AND obesity. One of the things I saw recommended for prolapsed bladder was weight loss. I think you've just had some bad luck with your health lately. You may very well have had these same health problems (or worse) if you had not had lap-band surgery and lost a great deal of weight.