Hello

I've actually been a member of the forum for almost 2 years but I haven't really been on the forum since I had my band put in almost 2 years ago.

I have not used my band to its full potential at all, and have not lost but 30 or so lbs and have about 150 left to lose I'm determined to get this right and finally lose some weight. I go to see my doctor tomorrow and most likely get a fill.

I need a support group and I think that my family members need to see me putting in some effort before they are jump gonna on board again. Therefore I'm here to get some support...if y'all are up to it!

I'm looking forward to participating and finally using the tool I'm lucky enough to have!

I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Ursula

Even if it were as big as we thought (not the video size) one cup is pretty big...I'm imagining my pouch the size of the measuring cup in my kitchen and that's pretty large!

U

My Dr has never had a problem with carbonation, I am allowed it so long as it doesn't cause me discomfort. But a low cal soft drink is not necessarily carbonated - it could be cordial, or ice tea or crystal light or something similar.

I'll be happy when they do actually figure things out and all the Dr's start singing from the same song sheet. There is way too much variance and confusion out there.In the meantime we should all stick to listening to our own Dr, if we are not happy we something they tell us then query it with them. And we should all strive to find what works for us as an individual.

e.g I know I'm not going to time the wait between bites. But I do wait until the bite I have just eaten feels comfortable. Sometimes that might take a minute, sometimes it takes longer and I'm sure sometimes it takes less.

I never thought soft drinks were anything besides carbonated beverages. I thought everything else can be classified as tea, juice, water, etc. (thanks for the clarification)

Of course I will keep listening to my doc exclusively, but these aren't just variances- they are completely different schools of thought (sometimes opposing and contradictory) on how the band works. The very same band we all have. To me that's sort of unsettling

I completely agree - it drives me insane.

I completely agree - it drives me insane.

I'm suddenly feeling so queasy. Sort of like i'm suddenly out of the loop

Interesting. So that idea of a pouch filled with a cup of food above the band is really a bad thing because we are stretching our our esophagus? (sorry to ask such an idiotic question' date=' but I'm confused now! I thought we were SUPPOSED to have some food sitting on top of the band)[/quote']

Yes....you'll eventually stretch out your esophagus. At least that is what this doc is saying. I have also been told that the food sits above the band and it takes longer to digest it all and that is what makes you last longer between meals without being hungry. If that made since at all..lol. It all is very confusing with all the mixed messages. Guess we just have to talk to our own doc about it and go with what he says.

yes yes, I certainly will listen to my doc and follow his instructions to the best of my abilities, BUT, it still doesn't sit well with me that there is SO much opposing information. This isn't just a variance with, for instance, how long you should be on the pre-op diet for, or if you should be drinking carbonation or not, or if you should be on full liquids or not after a fill. This is a discrepancy with the most basic fundamentals/mechanisms of the Lap Band system!

The placement he shows and talks about is very high and seems to differ with what has been on the Allergan site for the past couple of years. So is this the way bands are being placed or just some bands or is it new. If it is only a recent thing then is this information still correct for those that may have a different/lower placement.

This video was uploaded to youtube in 2010, so this does not appear to be a new way of placing the band.

In his videos it seems like the band is practically touching the diaphragm

Hi my name is Cheryl and I was Banded 12/9/08 and successfully lost 60 lbs. About 1 year ago I plateaued and thought I need a fill. I ate very little but developed a reflux 3 or 4 times and then it went away.. I stopped loosing weight and actually started gaining weight. The doctor had scheduled an endoscopy as routine and took all the Fluid out this past February. I had to wait about 6 weeks to have an upper GI before he would attempt to refill the band after the slip. On June 6th, he put in 2cc. I haven't lost a pound. Over the course of the last 6 months I joined the gym, walk 21 miles per week, swim and try to be very physical. I eat plain greek yogurt for Breakfast, salad with baked chicken for lunch and a shake or mere Protein for dinner. No budge on the scale.

The doctor scheduled revision surgery for 8/27/12 and when I saw him yesterday he offered a plication. I never researched this and there is very little information out there.

I obviously have to decide now so has anyone out there had this procedure???