lorig

Thanks Hiddn for the advice. I will definitely try the smaller plate. I've been using my fitness pal and tracking my calories also. When my brusing and stiches have healed a little more, I'm going to start back into my excercise routine, slowly. I still have to have some accountability as I don't want to gain what weight I've lost back. It's good to know there are people here that can relate. Once again, I thank you! Lori

Hi there: I also had my band out 4 days ago. I feel quite alot of relief that it is gone. I am also going through the emotions of being scared about it also. How will I know when to stop eating? I had my first solid meal yesterday, which was some Pasta and garlic bread. It felt fine going down at the time, but I must have really pushed my limit because I was pb'ing all night. I was in alot of discomfort right until the next morning. I am wondering if the stoma takes some time to go back to its original size and shape. Has anyone had experience with this? I guess I will not be eating a large meal like that again.

Hi! I had my band out 5 days ago. I'm feeling pretty good so far (except a little sore). I have experienced all of what you are talking about, plus more. I'm having pain in my left shoulder right now, so I'm glad to hear that will go away. I'm curious- how soon did you all start with protein shakes after band removal? So far, I've only been drinking water, juice & broth. I have to tell you, I am so relieved to have the band removed. I had so many complications, and didn't realize they were complications. I'm glad to have some people to talk to here.

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad you are feeling better. It sounds like you are doing all the right things, so keep it going. I cant' switch to bypass surgery because my bmi is too low. I wish that was an option for me. I just want to be able to eat like a normal person again and not have to worry if it is going to go down. I only lost 15 pounds with my lapband because I had it in Mexico and I couldn't find aftercare here in Ontario. Canada. I've had port problems. You name it, I've had it. It's been a constant struggle since day 1. I was also frustrated that I could no longer eat alot of vegetables that I liked or hardly any Proteins would go down. This past month, I've hardly been able to tolerate solid foods. I've been on a soft pureed diet mostly. Thanks again for filling me in. Good luck to you with your next surgery and may all your dreams come true.

Hi there: I've had similiar complications with the band and am due to have it out on October 15th. You said exactly how I was feeling. The not being able to eat certain foods, the being nervous to eat in restaurants etc. Can you let me know what life has been like since the band has been taken out?

I just wanted to add what happened to me yesterday with regards to alcohol. I am 2 years post op. I must say I feel the effects of alcohol so much stronger than before. Yesterday I had a friend over and although I only drink occasionally thought it would be fun to get a bit tipsy. I had 3 carbonated ciders mixed with vanilla vodka. The cider was 4.5% alcohol as well so I really didn't have any mixer with it. I got so drunk so fast and before I knew it I was staggering around and falling down drunk! I passed out and in the middle of the night was doing the dry heaving. It was also coming out as diarrhea. I wanted to die! My stomach wanted to get rid of the alcohol but my band was preventing it from coming up. My husband asked me how much I'd had to drink and was surprised to hear I'd only had 3 drinks! Please use caution my friends. I will never EVER do that again! So not worth it.

Hi there: I had my surgery in Mexico by Dr. Kuri in June of 2011. I found that he was great and the facility was awesome. I had no issues whatsoever while I was there. I am from Ontario Canada so I had to fly 6 hours to get there. I had a heck of a time finding a fill doctor. I couldn't find anyone in my province that would even see me, so I had to go to a place in Michigan. They scheduled no follow up visits. I was flying by the seat of my pants and wondering why I wasn't losing any weight, even after 3 fills. I had no counselling, and no advice. I have really felt all alone in this journey. After a year and a half, I have no restriction and can eat almost as much as I could before. I am only down 11 pounds since the surgery. I searched the internet high and low and finally found a place in Toronto that would see me. When I went to see him today, he told me that he couldn't extract any Fluid from my band at all. He is wondering about a faulty port. I have to go down in another months time and have fluoroscopy to see where the fluid is going. If I have a bad port, then I am going to have to travel back to Mexico to get it fixed. No doctor here in Canada will deal with problems from a band done from another doctor. I'm sorry I've made this a large post, but if you are from Canada and are thinking about travelling to Mexico or any other foreign country to have surgery like this, THINK LONG AND HARD about it. The surgery was great, but the aftercare really is just not there. I am not bashing Dr. Kuri or his staff. They were great, but there is little they can do for patients that live so far away. I am hoping one day I will have the weight loss I've always dreamed of.

Hi there: I have a 4 cc band too. My doctor put .6 of a cc in the band when I had the surgery, and now I am up to 2 cc's. I feel I may need another fill because I am not losing. I have lost a total of 15 pounds so far. I hope that helps and keep in touch, because a person with a 4 cc band is a rare thing.

I was banded on June 1st of this year and so far am only down 15 pounds. I have a small band 4 cc's because I have a total of 60 pounds to lose. I am wondering if I am where I should be. I have had one fill of 1 cc. I am heading for my next fill in a couple of weeks. I am still finding I can eat a fair bit. Can anyone relate or if you have advice. I thought I would have been alot further along by now.

Thank you so much for this advice. I have never quite known what to do when this happens. I am going to try this because It happens every now and again.

I had my band put in on June 1st this year. After about 3 weeks, I started having throat pain and canker sores all inside my mouth. My surgeon suggested that I take an acid reducer which I have been on ever since. I have a prescription for nexium that I took before for acid reflux. All seemed ok for awhile and now the throat pain is back and it hurts to swallow. I have not had a fill yet. I have a 9 cc band. I am worried something is terribly wrong. I have had some esophagus issues in the past and I am worrried that this is just making things worse. My surgeon is in Mexico, so I can't go back to him. I am going to go see my family doc on Monday and see what she thinks. I am wondering if I've made a horrible mistake. Freaking out.

I love all of your advice. I am just starting my journey and am glad to hear from someone who is doing well. Are you petite by chance? I am just wondering at 123 pounds what height you are. I am 4' 11, so wondering what 123 pounds would look like on me.