NaNa

Thanks Alex for the tip! I've been looking for great alternatives to bread when making a sandwich since bread tends to plug me up. Great sandwich ideas especially for me almost 9 years post op.

Yea, but every time I think of someone getting a lap band in a "surgery center' it brings back haunting memories of many lap banders having horrible infections over the years, because the "surgery centers" had either low accreditation or was a set up shop and go out of business type operation. Typically surgeons who performs in hospitals are more stable and less likely to "disappear" and have less complications under their belt because surgeons who have a High rate of complications CANNOT perform surgeries in accredited hospitals. And it also reminds of that great 1800-get-thin scams that ONLY did their lap band surgeries in their "surgery center" and a few patients died, had horrible complications, etc. Thank god those centers are now closed, gave the lap band a bad rap, and even sparked a congressional hearing and probably part of the demise of the lap band, and one of the many reasons Allergan wants to sell the band because of BAD surgeons and ILL INFORMED DESPERATE patients who are willing to risk their life in a sub par "surgery centers". I am not saying all "surgery centers' are bad, but MOST of them have been, and anyone who cares about their health would steer clear from them. Most reputable lap band surgeons do not perform lap bands or any bariatric surgery in "surgery centers". Also I would personally feel comfortable in the event of a complication, a highly accredited hospital would have all the resources, ICU, etc there if I need it. But again to each his own.

I stayed overnight, with both my first and second band, and I really needed it, everyone is different, I prefer a hospital in the event complications occur. I honestly would not feel comfortable having surgery at a surgery center, especially where the lap band has to be in a very sterile environment to prevent any infections.

Wow! You look like a different person. You must feel on top of the world.

I have to agree with others, it seems like you may need an unfill instead of a fill since you are not able to get in enough water or liquids to induce weight loss, also you may want to increase exercise.

Thanks everyone! Donna, yes I will need to get a tummy tuck and arms and thighs done, unfortuntely after yo-yo dieting for years my skin did not snap back, so I have loose and extra skin also, but it does not look that bad, but I want to get plastics done anyway to feel better about myself. Take Care and thank again everyone!!

:)Hello, I don't post on here very often, but I lurk sometimes, I thought I would share my lap band two year aniversary pics here as well! I have lost over 130 pounds with my band so far, I am not at goal yet, I had a brief unfill back in May from my band tightening up and that has caused a set back in getting to my goal weight, but overall I am very happy with my lap band and results so far:). Here are my before and after pics so far!! Thanks so much for your support! March 2005 about 326 About 200 pounds July 2007 - Now about 190ish

Hello, I am a little over a year out and I am happy to say I have not experienced this PB but once and it was mild and it happened right after my tightest fill in my band, I was eating at a restaurant some lamb and some of the food came back up. I have slimed before in the mornings when I am tighter and this is usually when drinking something too cold. But no I have NEVER had a problem with vomiting, thank god I have lost over 100 pounds without having to vomit....also I am over a year out and I have NEVER gotten aggressive fills either all my fills have been conservative about .5cc per fill in my 4cc band. I have to admit I am really tight now and I have 2.7ccs in my band and I have to be very careful to chew good and not drink really cold liquids otherwise I could easily experienced PB/vomiting...the bottom line is the MORE SALINE YOU HAVE IN YOUR BAND AND THE LESS CAREFUL WITH CHEWING ONE IS...THE MORE LIKELY YOU WILL HAVE A PB... Also the more YOU put into weight loss the better off you are without having to depend solely on your lap band...Caution some newbies have already gotten agressive fills too early and have either experienced band slips or total UNFILLS...it is wise to go slow with fills...NOW after I have lost over 100 pounds...I feel like I can cruise into onederland easily since I exercised like crazy to get the bulk of my weight off and now I can enjoy a tight band to help get the remainder of my weight off with little effort and hopefully without any PBs...:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hello Sheryl Lynn, I am over a year out and I cannot understand when people say they can no longer eat or tolerate certain things either...:noidea: ...biggest mystery of banding I guess. However, I am pretty tight at this moment I have 2.7ccs in my 4cc band and have CAN eat ANYTHING I WANT...no food I cannot eat that I ate before I got my band. There are foods that I CHOOSE not to eat often because they are fattening like bread, Pasta and potatoes. But my band does not send to the ladies room each and every time I eat meat, I just follow the simple rules of taking pea size bites and chewing well, I don't have to chew many times either just like a normal person would fully chew their food when eating...no magic just real simple and I DO NOT EAT AND DRINK with my meals otherwise I would probably have some embarrasing moments. I have slimed many times, but not on food on crystal lite in the mornings when I am tightest and I have to have my liquids at room temperature at this time since anything cold will further restrict the band around the esaphagus. When my band was overfilled, I could not barely eat ANYTHING...not only meat, but I just could not eat without pain, my band does not discriminate on certain foods, if I can eat solids I can eat all foods... By the way I looooooooove my band..:biggrin1: Take Care.

Sunta, Congrats on your awesome weight loss despite a band leak!! You rock!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hi Shawn, I have not had any complications so far (knock on wood) I only PB once in a whole year and slimed many times, which was minor, and I was too tight once and had a smal amount of saline removed, but other than that no problems what so ever. Do I exercise...YES..I have to if I want to see a steady and quick weight loss. I am not one of the those people who cannot exercise, but I only do brisk walk and lite joggiing and the bikes at the gym sometimes and it has really helped reshape my body since losing over 100 pounds and I may not need plastics because I have exercised through out my weight loss. Take Care N.

Thanks for the compliment, I have not done too much actually, I just follow the rules of eating lean Proteins and veggies most of the time and walk at least 3-4 days per week, sometimes I go to the gym and workout, but nothing special, in fact I don't feel I am dieting, I have eating all forbidden foods, like chocolate and chips, but when I do I make sure I get back on track the next day. Take Care. :clap2:

Thanks everyone for your support!!!! Hopefully I can have many more un-eventful band aniversaries!