DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I hope things get better but I'm so glad you're able to be there for him now! (hugs!)

I actually slept on my stomach from the day of surgery. There is a trick a nurse taught me after my c-section over a decade ago. Usually sleeping on your stomach after abdominal surgery actually feels good. The pressure acts like a binder and helps relieve the pulling and pain. But, it will often hurt to lay on your side because it pulls, making rolling onto your stomach painful. So, what you do is very carefully crawl up the bed on all fours then gently lower yourself onto your stomach. This way, it doesn't pull, When you get up, do the same in reverse, push up onto all fours and crawl so your feet can go off the bed. I've done this after multiple abdominal surgeries over the years and it works like a charm every time.

I hate to tell you this, but if the skin is sagging then it's going to stay sagging for the most part. Even when you do exercise while losing there's often sagging skin. It really all boils down to age, genetics, and how much weight you lose. This is why a lot of us look into surgery to have it removed. Myself included.

Wow what a scary experience! I'm curious though, why were you in a hotel after surgery rather than a hospital? Where did you have your surgery done?

Dill pickles are actually zero calories so they're a great snack! I eat them whenever I need something crunchy. Lemons are great too- you'd have to eat a ton for it actually count for calories. Of course the candy will add up, but otherwise I think if you're going to have a craving, this is a much healthier than one than for sweet or salty.

I hit the Green Zone about 4 months into my first year. The weight definitely came off a lot faster the first year than it is during this second year but that's also because I had more to lose. I lost about 175 pounds the first year and about 25 pounds 3 months into the second year.

Measure your portions. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and stop eating as soon as you're no longer hungery. Don't eat until you're full just until you're satisfied. This will all assure you don't over-eat.

I don't mean this offensively in the least, but now I'm seriously questioning your doctor. It is biologically impossible for the band to effect your metabolism. The band doesn't change your digestive system nor your metabolic system. All it does is sit outside your stomach. The only way the band could sort of effect your metabolism is by making it so you eat too little thus drastically slowing your metabolism down- but even then it would be a simple fix by increasing your calories. Many things can effect your metabolism, everything from age to illness to hormones, but the band definitely isn't one of them. That would be like saying a collar around your neck is slowing your thyroid. It's not logical. If you are tracking calories and still not losing, then I would get into your primary care doctor so you can get a full work up to make sure there isn't something going on medically.

The band doesn't simply stop working unless it's slipped or somehow come undone. It can't change your metabolism either. In fact, the band isn't even what makes you lose weight. Consuming less calories than you burn is what results in weight loss. The band is there to keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. You have to remember all WLS are just tools. The work will forever be yours regardless. My best advice is to start tracking calories and measuring your food. This way you can be certain you're staying within your daily calorie allowance and sticking to band sized portions. I would also follow up with both your surgeon and nutritionist. Remember, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose, the work will always be yours to do. Best wishes.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you need to get back into your bariatric surgeon ASAP. As you know vomiting can cause slips and with all the vomiting you've been doing it's very possible you have another slip. Unfortunately all your symptoms point to having a band too tight for too long resulting in a slip. Plus, the band can greatly effect the Vagus nerve- especially if it's slipped. You need to be sure that isn't what is causing your other symptoms. Go back to your doctor. You're putting your health at serious risk by putting it off. Best wishes

How fast or slow you lose weight has very little to do with age actually. Some people just naturally lose more rapidly than others. But regardless of what you speed you lose at- all that matters is that you are losing. Are your parents helping and supporting you through this? It's really crucial you have the necessary information and emotional support to be successful with the band.

The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing not losing. Your concern should be following your post op diet and giving your stomach time to heal. If you are truly concerned about weight during this time, you could always start counting calories. I actually starting tracking my calories and monitoring portion sizes from the day I got home from the hospital. I'm pretty sure this is why I lost weight consistently even while in the post op diet phase.

Whether or not you need a fill has nothing to do with how much you can eat. That band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. This is why it's so important to stick to band sized portions. Are you satisfied (not full, but satisfied) on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours? If yes, then you probably don't need a fill. If no, you might need one. It's always best to discuss it with your doctor and let him help you decide.

Some people are carb addicts. I personally don't think there is anything wrong when carbs in moderation but everyone is different. When I'm not carb cycling I don't restrict my carbs beyond making sure they are healthy ones and fit within my daily calorie allowance. If you feel you are addicted to carbs then perhaps going low carb ongoing would help.

If your profile is correct and you just had surgery yesterday, either go into your surgeon immediately or go to the ER. Vomiting/heaving so soon after surgery is very dangerous.

I will post pics as soon as I get rid of the rest of the Water weight. 3 1/2 days of IV fluids and malfunctioning kidneys resulted in 16 pounds of water weight! I was so swollen my hands were twice their normal size and the skin was so tight it hurt. I couldn't even put on socks because my ankles were so swollen. I've lost 9 pounds of the water since Wednesday so 7 more to go. Ugh! LOL!

4 fills for the first time I hit the Green Zone, but as I lost weight and my stomach shrank I ended up needing another small fill months later.

Every doctor seems to have their own ideas and rules. Generally speaking, most surgeons will ask you about what you're eating and how often you're hungry to decide if you need a fill. They'll also ask if you're satisfied on band sized portions. For me, I have the option for a fill monthly if I need it. If I'm satisfied on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours, I don't need a fill. If I'm hungry after only an hour or two then I likely need a fill.

Thanks! Honestly, I didn't do anything special. I just track all my calories to be sure I stay within my daily allowance and never eat more than a cup of food per meal. I've done both since the day I got home from the hospital after my band surgery and it's definitely paid off.

You can lose weight even while unable to exercise, but you have to be rather strict with yourself to do it. As you said yourself- juice is loaded with calories (and sugar). If you want to get back on track you're really going to need to track your calories to be sure you're accidentally eating too much or too little. That includes everything you drink, too. Weight loss comes down to simple math: If you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight. Best wishes.

Every doctor has their own rules about drinking with meals. As far as restriction, it takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their bands. Be patient, it will come but it does take time.

Have you seen a nutritionist? If I were in your shoes, I'd bring your food logs to a good nutritionist and let them help you decided where healthy changes can be made. I also notice you're only 30 pounds from goal. The closer you get to goal the slower the weight loss becomes because your body is trying harder and harder to hang onto that fat. Just to be safe, I'd also see your PCP and get a blood work up, just to be sure there isn't a medical reason at play causing your long plateau. Best wishes and congratulations on your success so far.

Definitely not normal at all. You sound like you are too tight which is not good. Here's an excellent article that I think may help you: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118

For now, ignore what the Lap Band Solution says. Every doctor has their own post op diet rules and all that matters is what your doctor says. So, if your doctor says 2-3 weeks on liquids, then do exactly as he instructed regardless of what anyone or any book says.