1shauna1

You don't need to tell people if you don't want to. They will see you eating healthy, small portions and think you are doing great! Don't think of it as a failure. Some of us have more issues with food than others. And it not "the easy way" to get surgery and have something implanted in you. I have never had a harder journey! But I know I would just be larger than ever without it....think of yourself as smart because you recognize you need the help!

I wasn't told anything about coffee and I have usually 2 cups a day with CREAM (and splenda! :-P )....that's the only way for me!

Yep....I throw up a lot (usually from eating too fast/too large bites). The first couple of times were very scary....now I welcome that relief when I'm stuck. Lean over the sink, cough and *up it comes*.

As mentioned, try to stick to protein snacks first - string cheese, a few nuts. You are losing weight well (why does everyone want to lose 30 pounds a month?!). My doctor advocates snacking, so it all depends who you went to, I guess. You have to find what works for you.

That is what scared me about these other surgeries...how can you repair that? At least the lapband can be removed if need be and your organs are all still intact. So, is there a troll on these boards and the VS boards? I don't know why people bother with that!!

I don't think the calories are too high, especially if you're working out that much. Sounds like you need a fill; it would help with your hunger and you would eat less each time. And you've lost 25 lbs since November so don't sell yourself short!

Only 6 weeks out and you've had 3 fills? That's a lot to me....I'm 1.5 years out and still haven't found the right levels. My surgeon starts with some fluid in the band during surgery (I think 2.5 cc) which is supposed to lessen how many fills you need, but that didn't for me. After my first fill, I needed to go back for a defill. I think I had another fill and defill ( and I was only putting in .5 cc....the first time I went back down to .1 cc). Now my clinic has a rule (which I think is pretty dumb) that they will only give you a 1cc fill, and if you need to after you try to drink, they can take out .5. As mentioned, you do need patience at the beginning. And also as mentioned, for whatever reason sometimes it can take a few days/couple of weeks to feel the result of a fill. You're still just learning, you'll get there! When you have restriction you will definitely know it!

I drink often! Haha. No problems with non-carbonation (wine, spirits). Beer can make me gassy (but then so can soda, which I really don't drink anymore, sometimes the bubbles hurt). To be honest, there have been days where I have been tight all day, and having a couple of glasses of wine before dinner helps me to not get stuck.

I'm flying this spring for the first time also and am wondering about becoming tighter. I'm not so concerned about on the plane (although I have a five hour flight so I will get hungry I guess!) but afterwards....When you land, does the tightness loosen up? I would hate to be on vacation in San Francisco and not be able to eat or drink anything!!

I'm not sure hair thinning necessarily has to do with the band (it could have to do with having surgery) but that is one of the main reasons they tell you to eat your protein! And protein drinks aren't necessary; you should be able to eat solid protein when you're healed after surgery, and you eat it first and every time you eat. I didn't notice too much hair loss, but am still struggling to find my "green zone". In the mornings I am pretty tight and can't eat, some days I feel like I PB at every meal. Other days I can eat everything, it seems. I've had 4 fills and 2 defills in 1.5 years....I have found this to be a struggle most of the time but I know if I didn't have it my weight would be higher than ever, so for that I am grateful. I guess it is still a learning process after all this time and I am still learning!

Don't have a drink near you at your meals. I find if I don't have a glass of whatever at the table, I don't drink. Wait at least 30 minutes after your meal to start drinking again.

I'm in Canada so probably not relevant to you but you might be interested anyways...I went to the Slimband clinic in Toronto. It was 16K (lap band isn't covered by insurance here at all, I don't think), but that includes everything and unlimited fills.

Since you had it done in Mexico I'm assuming you don't want to go there for a fill....I know in the U.S. you could check out the Fill Centers....remember your eating basics! Stay away from the sliders/junk and get your protein on!

That sucks, especially since you're still paying for it. However, you're still losing weight which is great! But I totally get how it is all on you know, and you have to rely solely on your willpower to lose the weight. Unfortunately I think sometimes there is just an unforseen complication and the band isn't for some people. Good luck!

You could have just pulled a muscle, try not to freak out. I have port pain/uncomfortableness often; it depends if something is pressing against it or maybe I'm laying on it. If the pain persists, see a doctor though; try not to jump to the worst conclusions! If you can still eat & drink, and haven't had episodes of vomiting, then your band is probably find.

Wow, you have had a hard time. But, things are getting better, you are engaged and moving on to the next step in your life! I hear you about eating anything one day and then nothing the next. My band is like that. Perhaps you need to take it easy and do some liquids (if you've been throwing up a lot your band is probably very irritated), and as others have said, you should probably see your doctor. Maybe you are a bit too tight. I do find my band to be very fickle, and I totally understand your frustration! Take care!

I have 3 tiny scars and one slightly larger (port). After 1.5 years they are hardly noticeable. I used ScarZone after surgery and I think it helped.

I don't dream about food, but I still pretty much constantly think about it when awake! I just know now I can't eat certain things....so they are like a dream!

I paid that much also. As to doing it again....not sure. Probably. I've had some issues, but I know if I hadn't had this surgery I would be even bigger!