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Lap band back to basics



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Hello everyone, I had my lap band in 2011. I was doing ok for awhile lost some weight but for a long time I was very tight and could not eat meat Protein. I got emptied and started back with fills. Almost at where I was before in fills and no restriction. I have never had the sweet spot they talk about. I'm thinking of switching to the by pass but want to at least try to to work the band. wondering if people could tell me the back to basics. I am not drinking before and after my meals, gave up soda over 2 months ago. I wish I saved the binder I had they gave me but I moved and don't know where it is. Thank you very much if you could help me get back to basics and try to start using the name the right way so I don't have to get bypass cause I'm very scared rearranging my insides. Thank you janine

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If you've moved so far that making an appointment at your surgery practice isn't feasible, you'll do well to connect with one where you live now. If it's been more than a year since you last had an appt, it's time. You should have an [annual] esophagram and discuss what your band is doing presently and whether adjustments are the way to go. You'll also get the full rundown on how to eat and the rest of the routine.

I don't understand why your band was emptied instead of loosened. Are you leaving something -- e.g., dilation -- out?

P.S. I was doing wonderfully well in the 15 months following surgery and then I blew it. A couple of times along the way, I reapplied myself (saw my NP, surgeon and RD) and lost about 20 lbs. Then I regained those bits. In July I went in again with the idea that my band would be a lost cause. (Much earlier I had dilation twice, which meant significant loosening.) I was wrong and am so relieved that I can forget about revision surgery. Get the proper professional assistance now and see where you get. I get the feeling from your account that one or more parties weren't particularly thorough from the start. Don't give up.

I'm exhausted. Good night.

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