CheckYes

I'm planning to have mine removed before I have skin removal surgery. I've lost this weight with never having a fill and a completely empty band. I have about six more months of hard core work to do on myself before I have the skin surgery and need to drop the remaining 35 pounds (which is probably less now because at my consult, the plastic surgeon said she thought she could get 5-8 pounds of skin off me right now). Because I've never had an adjustment, I feel like I am more prepared to accept the idea that I don't need the band anymore. Hard core exercise and eating well, organic and healthy is in my blood now. The band did neither of those things for me. Now, I can't say it did nothing for me but I feel that I can do this without it. Why not just leave it in? Well, the band gets blamed for every tiny pain I have and it worries me a lot. I think it best for me to get rid of it. I think that deciding to remove it or keep it is a very personal decision. I definitely wouldn't remove it unless I was sure I had the tools, knowledge and motivation to go it without it. I've lost weight before and gained it back but I never truly made exercise a part of my daily life. I also always felt deprived when I watched what I ate during "diets". Now, I eat what makes my body feel good and exercise goes right along with that. All the best,

Don't have soda even though the post above shows it on the Mayo Clinic list!!!!!!

Your doctor won't force you to get a fill. I've never had a fill and my band is completely empty. Don't fix it if it's not broken. If you aren't hungry then don't get a fill!

I suspect your food intake should be far less than half what you were eating before the band. When I was two months out, I was eating about a half a cup of food three times a day. Nothing more.

Drink a glass of low sugar apple juice. I had major headaches and found that if I drank about four ounces of juice it helped so much. No Protein shakes for six days?!?! Wow. I was allowed shakes the next day

Hi vlp, You've done so well. Don't sabotage yourself. Have you thought about signing up for some sort of race like a 5K, 10K or triathlon? That will help keep you on track with your exercise and eating. You are a success story already! Keep up the good work!

Hasn't your doctor given you guidelines on what you should be eating at this stage? If so - FOLLOW THEM. I was eating 1/4 cup of food three times a day plus two Protein shakes when I was three weeks out. You really need to try to get this under control now or you may not find much success with the band. I'm not trying to be rude or be a Debbie Downer but did you really put your body through all of this just to go back to your old habits. Turn over a new leaf starting right this second and do what you are supposed to do. YOU CAN DO THIS! You owe it to yourself to give yourself and the band the very best chance at success.

This was one of my rewards too! I ended up with some fab True Religion jeans and the Jimmy Choo Crown Glitter pumps! Yahooooooooo!

Tomorrow is my three year anniversary of going vegetarian. Best. Choice. Ever. My Protein sources are mainly organic dairy, Morningstar veggie burgers, lentils, Beans, tofu and nuts. I find lots of great information at nomeatathlete.com . I haven't had a Protein shake since the first month I was banded (Dec 2010) and I've done great. Did a triathlon last month and a training for a half marathon. I also really like Brendan Brazier's books but have a hard time doing vegan AND raw. At some point, I hope to switch over to vegan but for now I'm healthy, losing fat and feeling good.

I was probably getting 250 calories a day. I wouldn't resort to milkshakes (only because i think thats a slippery slope) but I did drink a small glass of lower sugar apple juice when I got a headache that wouldn't quit.

I started working out in May and did my first triathlon in September. At some point during that time and even still, working out became my number one priority. I will tell you that when I first tried running, I was at my highest weight. After losing 60 pounds then trying to run again it was like a whole new world. It was a bazillion times better - it wasn't easy but it was way better than when I was heavier. If I am forced to take a couple of days off in a row I really miss it and feel beyond lazy. I think setting my triathlon goal really helped me get into doing it. Maybe consider registering for a 5k and get to the gym with that goal in mind?

Phil, I had the same problem when I was training for my triathlon. (I came in fifth in my division). I didn't lose weight for several weeks and still havent really sorted that out. The balance between input and output seems so fragile. Now, instead of counting calories I eat six or seven small meals a day consisting of only lean protein (which is tough since I don't eat meat other than fish) and a veggie. Yes, tuna and snap peas are a common breakfast or a boiled egg and tomato. I figure I just need to keep my metabolism going all day long. I'm weight training four days a week now trying to build muscle and I figure I will use my body fat percentage as a guide instead of the scale.

I agree with dawnh. I had a similar sensation. I was allowed to rub a small amount of baby oil on the area once a day. It helped! It sucked that any slight touching - even from clothes - felt like sandpaper!

I didn't get all the information from my surgeon until about a month before surgery. You've got plenty of time. Try to stay calm. Only follow your doctors orders!

I just walked around my house. I didn't let anyone wait on me. I got up to get my own water and protein shakes and got up to use the restroom as much as possible. I think Day 2 I walked around the block. I didn't have gas pains though.

Please don't think I'm being rude but you just have to STOP. Do not give in to these cravings with unhealthy food. Have an apple and move on. You can try all kinds of tips and tricks but the bottom line is that you must say NO to yourself. After a few days of doing that, you might find the cravings for snacking will diminish. You can do this!!

Have you tried a chiropractor?

I competed in my first triathlon last weekend and placed fifth in my division! Next, I'm training for a half marathon but I pretty much do things every day that I've always wanted to do. I also got scuba certified in June which was a huge thing on my life list. I also want to row crew and am kayaking for the first time this coming weekend. Today, I bought a sequined dress for a party in a size 10 so, yeah, I'm excited!

I have IBS and a band. My IBS is amazingly better after having had a band placed. I no longer have to take Benefiber. I also eat way healthier which I think has helped a lot. I haven't had those wild swings from diarrhea to constipation and back again in many months.

Slippers or flip flops. You might be bloated after the surgery so just make sure you wear something comfy. I wore sweats and that was fine. Consider bringing a pillow for the car ride home.. Those speed bumps and stuff can be a bit painful if you don't have a pillow to hold against your tummy

This is not normal. I don't understand why your doc would send you to a gastroenterologist instead of doing a slight unfill. Does he not want to admit he is wrong and that you are too tight?

Very good point!

My band is empty too and I got scuba certified a few months ago. We only dove to 40 feet but I had no problems whatsoever. We took four open Water dives in the ocean. It was great! I've always wanted to be certified and it was everything I thought it would be. Have fun!

Yum! I love tomatoes. I find myself addicted to apples lately. If I don't have at least one every day I really miss them!

I love frozen yogurt. Instead of adding any sugary toppings, I add chopped nuts or fruit. Yum!