DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

If something went wrong with your stomach or esophagus then yes the band could cause more problems. But the beauty of the band is the fact it can be removed. If you say developed stomach cancer after the Sleeve you'd be screwed because you can't get that missing portion of your stomach back.

Sometimes strengthening exercise can help. Keeping your skin hydrating can help, too. I have a ton of excess skin, btw. It sucks, I know

Unfortunately once the skin is saggy there isn't much you can do beyond surgery. Skin sag has to be addressed as you lose. Once it's already too loose that's pretty much how it's going to stay. It's all genetics really. Some people don't have saggy skin and others have tons.

I'm sorry, I'm going to be really harsh... ....I'd like to smack the stupid out of this woman. She says “i qualified for the band, and just because it didn’t work for me, it isn’t my fault" Ummm, yes it IS 100% her fault!! She apparently did everything wrong. But for her to blame the band for her ignorance is downright infuriating. Oh and her saying she's "happy and healthy" now is complete crap. If she's happy being fat then great for her but it is far from "healthy" when your BMI is over 50. She is a ticking time bomb because of her obesity. And...knowing first hand how miserable life is at that size? I'm sorry, but I'm not buying the "happy" thing for a moment either. Just say'n. I know the band doesn't work for everyone but this woman is the poster child for people who should never have any WLS to begin with.

I didn't use that brand but I used an E-cigarette to quit. I had tried EVERYTHING else- Patches, gum, cold turkey, even Chantix- nothing worked. I got the E-cigarettes and never had a real cigarette again. Within about a month I wasn't using the E-cigs anymore either. I used Pro-Smoke but I've heard good stuff about Blu, too.

I quit smoking 2 years ago so I know how hard it is. And yes, it can effect you huge if you smoke. In fact, many surgeons will test you for nicotine and won't perform the surgery if you've been smoking. They don't want the increased liabilities and risks of operating on a smoker. Smokers are much more prone to problems going under anesthesia, more likely to develop post op pneumonia more likely to develop infections, and overall heal a lot slower than non-smokers. Simply put, smoking puts you at much higher risks for complications. It's not easy to quit but it's worth it. Best wishes

Of course, you should always do what your doctor recommends above all else. However, when I was in bandster hell I simply couldn't make it on just 3 meals a day. What I did was spread my calories so I could eat every 2 hours throughout the day. It was the only way I could make it without starving. It also allowed me to continuously lose weight even while in bandster hell because I was able to stay within my daily calorie allowance. Best wishes!

I think going on liquids would be a bad idea. All it will do is make you more hungry and more likely to over eat because of it. It's very possible you don't have adequate Fluid in your band yet, but just be sure you are not expecting the band to do things it's not supposed to do. The band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. So, when you say you're "eating like a fatty", you have to realize the band won't change that behavior. It will always be your job to make good food choices and stick to band sized portions. What the band will do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for longer periods of time. I'd talk to your doctor at next appointment and let him help you decide if you need another fill. Best wishes.

2 weeks of clear liquids, 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushies, 2 weeks of soft food, then finally back to solid food.

Eating wouldn't cause port pain. It sounds more like you bruised the port site by bumping it or something.

I love cereal and eat it often, however for me it's definitely a slider food. I have to be careful to always measure it because I could probably eat a lot if I wanted to, You also have to remember cereal typically isn't real filling, anyway. I try to stick to high Fiber and whole grain. I stay away from the sugary varieties. Most cereal lists one serving as 3/4 cup so that's usually what I measure out.

Nothing wrong with bananas, just count them towards your daily calories.

How many calories a day does this work out to be? Especially with all the juice it seems like the daily calories would be too high.

Unfortunately yes, your symptoms can be caused from a slip. It's a good thing you're going into your doctor on Wednesday. Often if slips are caught early enough they can unfill the band and let it settle back into place, The sooner you catch the problem the more likely you are to be able to correct it without surgery- so you're wise for going in. Best wishes.

It's your decision. Just know that both require lifetime changes to the way you eat to be successful and both require work on your part. Weight loss surgery is a tool not a magic fix for fat. The work will always be yours to do.

Don't guess, it could one of many things and you have no way of knowing the cause by symptom checking online. It may be minor but it could be serious and require medical attention. Call your doctor and find out the real reason.

It's safe once you're fully healed, but I wouldn't go until you see your doctor again and get the all clear.

Again, this is more likely from having your gallbladder removed than from your Lap Band. You have to remember that while done laproscopically gallbladder surgery is still a major surgery. They are removing an organ. It changes it your digestive system and the way your body processes food. It takes most people months for their bodies to adjust after having their gallbladder removed. In the meantime excessive gas, diarrhea, and bile in the mouth is normal.

This is SO true! I had to have my band emptied in August so they could insert an NG tube. Thankfully, the surgeon treating me was my bariatric surgeon's partner so he was more than aware of what I needed. But I actually had to have it inserted while awake (not pleasant) so I could swallow as they inserted it, making it less of a risk of them accidentally puncturing my stomach because of the band. I shudder to think what may have happened if I'd had a surgeon who wasn't also a bariatric surgeon and didn't know all this. Ever since, I have a Lap Band card I carry behind my driver's license. I figure if I'm unconscious and someone is going for my ID they'll see the Lap Band card, too (but I still think the medical alert bracelet is a great idea)

Emailing your nutritionist was a wise move That would be perfect because then you could have a protein shake as each "meal". You'd definitely get in your protein and you won't be as hungry. To give you an example, I have a Body Fortress protein shake for breakfast. (you can buy it Walmart, btw). Just one scoop of the powder has 26g of protein. Adding it to a cup of skim milk adds another 8g of protein. So, it's 34g of protein and 223 calories total. If you just had a protein shake for 2 meals a day you'd exceed your protein requirement (which is good!) Good luck, it sounds like you're off to a great start!

Can you have Protein shakes? If you can have carnation instant Breakfast I don't see why you couldn't substitute it for a much healthier Protein shake. Being on such a limited diet, that would be the easiest way to get your protein in. The good shakes have 20-30 grams of protein per shake.

What does your pre op diet consist of? What are your guidelines to follow?

I don't drink except maybe one or two a year. I don't want the empty calories. If anything, I would think it would fill you up so you wouldn't be as hungry.

It's empty calories so it's not good for you, however as long as it's not carbonated and you count it in your daily calories it's fine once in awhile. Many banded people enjoy a drink now and then.