jmunks2000

It sounds as though you need a fill. I have been banded since February 2010 and learned that I had a dilated band "stretched pouch" back in December of 2011. The signals for this included daily acid reflux, night coughs, and no restriciton among others things. As someone suggested, when in doubt always communicate with your doctor's office. Also, as far as restriction, it is different for everyone. I worked on will power during my first 9 months of being banded. On the day of my surgery, I had 5cc's in...didn't help. I was a hungry monster. I did not get restriction until months later at 7.4 cc's. Even then, I felt like I wasn't in my "green zone". I had a lot of mind conditioning to suffer through.

Weight gain is possible in all facets of life banded or not, WE will watch our calorie intake and how quickly we eat, Our band and fills will help with our portions, WE will get thin and healthy and remain there, Amen,

I use Jillian Michaels from Wal-mart and add Peanut Butter to the chocolate one. Its really good and I actually look forward to it. I also use ice to make them thicker. Easier for me to eat them with a spoon than drink. You can also add the sugar free syrups (like chocolate or strawberry) to make them more like milkshakes.

Just wanted to update everyone, I did have surgery to fix the band, I feel really really good now. Come to think of it , may band must have been slipped for quite some time. I feel completly different than I did before, I was never able to eat solid food and now I can eat solid food just small portions. I am so happy that I decided not to remove the band, I know that in a month or so, I would have gained back all the weight. I never want to go back to being so overweight. If anyone is debating to remove the band or leave it in, I would advise them to seriously think about the consequences of removing the band, just remember how you felt being overweight, cause I am sure that with the removal of the band comes back all the weight issues. By the way the surgery to fix the slip was very easy and I recovery was very quick. If anyone has any questions I would be glad to answer them. Good Luck to everyone dealing with a slip, it is not easy.

That's why I love this site. So many knowledgeable people. I tried the pineapple juice and now I feel just fine. Thx everyone. I will find these papaya pills next. Hopefully I won't need them, though..........

For sure ! you just don't feel it until you eat.
Get a tall glass of warm water or tea, and drink slowly. It will either go threw or come up, but you have to keep drinking to make sure you are clear.
You'll know when your open all the way.

"Be smart about looking good"
The training and experience of your doctor are critical, and are the most important factors in getting a good result.
Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have undergone plastic surgery training at accredited programs and have been formally trained in liposuction.
Board-certified plastic surgeons can be found at
American Society of Plastic Surgeons: The resource for plastic and reconstructive surgery
I might add that liposuction of any kind in weight loss patients often has limited results (I personally have never performed it) as the problem here is mainly excess skin not excess fat.
Of course, be sure you look at numerous before and afters of patients who look like you so you can see what your results will look like.

I've lost the complete oxford english dictionary but need to lose the average man! I'd like to find one too if possible. :blushing:

I just popped on to have a look at the plastic surgery section, saw one of my old posts and realised I hadn't been here for ages. I have surpassed my target and now weigh 112 pounds and wear a uk size 6.... Cant even believe it myself! I will try to upload pics from Xmas day here. I look like a different woman but now need a TT and a boob lift as it's all gone South! It's 2 and a half years since banding and 84 pounds lost....wow what a journey. Keep at it everyone it's so worth it xxx

Why not hit the ground running? There is something about a liquid diet that makes you feel very "thin" even when your not. I'd go for it.
Good luck on your journey!

The pre-op diet also give you time to adjust mentally to the changes that are coming. Resisting the pre-op diet can be a sign that you are not mentally ready to change your eating habits. I think its needed to reset your thinking about food, I have a total different mindset about how much food is normal than I did pre-band, my concept of what a body requires to sustain itself was very distorted.

When someone on here is complaining that they're two weeks out and not losing, its most likely because they are drinking high calorie liquids, eating high calorie mushy foods, retaining fluids, not moving around or exercising, or any combination of any of those. If calories in exceed calories out, you will gain weight. If calories in equal calories out, you will maintain your weight. If calories in are less than calories out, you will lose weight. As I said, I had a 3 week preop diet (during which I lost 20 pounds), and then proceeded to lose 20 pounds a month for the following three months. The preop diet wasn't fun, but I loved losing the weight preop, and I'm glad that my liver was in great condition for surgery.

The reason doctors require a pre op diet is in order to shrink the liver.
During the surgery when they place the band, the surgeon needs to lift up your liver and go in under it to get to your stomach.
Many people that are severly overweight also have enlarged livers. With an enlarged fatty liver you there is a much higher chance of the liver bursting during the surgery.
Surgeons have found that a two week low calorie liquid diet reduces the size of the liver by about a third. This makes the procedure much safer to perform.
Like all things with the band, the pre op diet is really there for your own good. Sure it may be hard, but do you really want to wake up in the recovery room and be told the doctor couldn't place the band because you didn't follow your pre op diet??

Yep, that is what I did, 5 drinks a day, (it sucked royally but I did it) and now I am at goal, if you want success, listen to him, he knows what he is doing. (You can also look up btrieger here on this site, he used Dr Kim too and as of this morning was 199 pounds and having a tummy tuck today. Do guys call it a tummy tuck? )

The crying means only one thing...you understand how big this change is.
So many people go into this surgery (and others) without understanding how their life will change. They just know they want to be thin. Assuming you are successful with your band, your life will change in many ways. If you are happy with your life, this is a big chance to take. I had a good life prior to banding. I was not one of those miserable fat people, I just hated the way that my life was ruled by my weight. The surgery will be the start of many changes, but they will be good changes. I often think of how my life would have been different if I had been this size when I was 25 instead of 50. I don't know that my life would have been better, but I suspect it would have been very different.
So go ahead...think about the impact of all this and cry if you need to. You are self-aware and this is a good thing. There are people who understand and will be happy to listen when you want to talk.
Cindy

it's good to cry. you'll probably be doing a lot of crying during your journey. some will be tears of frustration and some will be tears of happiness. this journey you're choosing is NOT easy. i'm 2.5 years post-op and i still struggle but lately i've had many more happy tears than sad ones!!

Is when my band is put in and a whole new beginning. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.
See you on the flipside...will post here tomorrow when I'm back home.

My doc gave me a card that says I have had stomach surgery and to please allow me to order off the kids or senior menu.

I think the issue is the "empty calories". Also a few drinks can lower your inhibitions and you may eat something you normally wouldn't. Personally, I stay away from it.