DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I love your analogy comparing the band to tools you use as a mechanic. Very well said! I think you're going to do great on your journey to health, I really do. Hang in there for your last couple days of pre-op diet hell

You're getting derailed from the topic. You made a thread that stated all autoimmune diseases were a contradiction for getting the Lap Band. That is 100% false information. Only connective tissue autoimmune diseases and a few specifically listed gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases are contradictions to the Lap Band. For all the other thousands of autoimmune diseases out there the band is perfectly safe with no contradictions. And while I mean no offense, I take zero merit in anecdotal evidence gathered off the internet, especially when it comes to WLS. The people who howl the loudest are always those that have problems- and the majority of those are self induced. People have been trying to blame autoimmune diseases on everything from dental work, to medical implants, to sweeteners for years. The bottom line is, none of this is true no matter how much ill informed people desperate for answers to why they are sick want to believe otherwise.

I think it has to be judged on individual effort because there's so many variables based strictly on patient compliance and behavior. You can meet one person who lost 100% of their excess weight because they did everything they were supposed do and another who lost only 20% of their excess weight because they simply didn't make the necessary changes. I think this is why I get upset when I hear "statistically speaking, band patients will lose 50% of their excess weight". That statistic is trying to take an average between the successes and failures, which quite honestly I don't think is fair and gives people falsely low expectations of the band. You can lose 100% of your excess weight just like you can also 100% fail- and both outcomes are largely in your hands to control and decide. The majority of your success, or failure, with any WLS is in the patient's control.

Nowhere does it say all inflammatory autoimmune diseases. It lists Crohns's disease and other digestive diseases, not all inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In fact, it doesn't list any that aren't directly gastrointestinal. The bottom line is, saying that the band isn't recommended for all autoimmune diseases simply is not true. There are thousands of autoimmune diseases out there and only a very small handful of them fall under Allergan's contradiction.

Ok I am copy/pasting exactly what I put on your other thread. It is NOT all autoimmune diseases so please stop incorrectly telling people that; --------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, that's not true. It doesn't say ALL autoimmune diseases, it says connective tissue diseases. Directly from your link: "You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma" Not all autoimmune diseases are connective tissue diseases, in fact the majority of them are not. Their warning does not cover all autoimmune diseases.

Again, that's not true. It doesn't say ALL autoimmune diseases, it says connective tissue diseases. Directly from your link: "You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma" Not all autoimmune diseases are connective tissue diseases, in fact the majority of them are not. Their warning does not cover all autoimmune diseases.

There are many people with autoimmune diseases and the band with zero problems- including myself. The contradictions that Allergan list are no different than any other drug or device on the market. They have to list all the possible issues to save themselves from lawsuits. It's no different than the birth control not be recommended for women over age 35. Hundreds of thousands of women over 35 take the pill without a problem but they have to list it in the warning for their own protection.

I figure 2 weeks. ...but everyone is different and has their own ideas.

I'm not sure, being honest. Mine lets me drink right up until the time I start eating then again 30 minutes after I finish.

Yes, it's normal, and it takes most people multiple fills before their hunger is under control. Just remember with the band you aren't striving for the same full feeling you knew before the band. In fact if you're eating until you're full you're likely eating too much. With the band it's about being satisfied, or no longer physically hungry. It takes some time and it's a big learning experience, but hang in there, it gets a lot easier.

You definitely don't want to eat until you're full, in fact if you've eating until you're full you're likely eating too much. You should be eating until you're satisfied or no longer hungry. Have a look at the link in my signature, I think it will help. Unfortunately you can't measure a cup in bites, it's just not accurate or consistent. The only way you can be sure you're eating a cup of food is to measure it. Best wishes

That could be true, but most of the time there are alternatives to big pills too. I personally never have had a problem taking pills of any size.

The only difficulty we present is if they have to tube is into our stomach or pump our stomach. When I had emergency surgery I had to have my band completely unfilled but it really wasn't any big deal. I think as long as you're at a hospital with a bariatric surgeon on staff you don't have anything to worry about.

As you lose weight, your stomach actually shrinks too because the fatty layer around it lessens. That's why you're suddenly finding yourself hungrier because your band is looser. I'm guessing even a small fill would help get back to a good point where hunger is controlled again.

The band isn't supposed to force you to eat slower nor is it supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. If you're expecting it do this, you are at risk for accidentally getting your band too tight. What the band is supposed to do is keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. It will always be up to you to control your portions, eating speed, and make good food choices. Here's a link I think will help you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html You also have to remember that fills don't result in weight loss, eating less calories than you burn is what results in weight loss. When you have adequate Fluid in your band it's a lot easier to do that because you're not always hungry or preoccupied with food, but the fills itself have nothing to do with physically losing weight. Are you tracking calories? If not, I would, it would help assure you don't go over your daily calorie allowance. Best wishes.

Ohhhh, all the more reason your friends needs to find a band doctor and get in ASAP. She could be serious trouble I'm afraid. Btw, the specialist she must see immediately is a bariatric surgeon not another internist. Every day she goes without seeing one the greater the risk of major damage and complications with her band.

I wouldn't be messing with it, I'd be calling your surgeon and getting in for a check up immediately. An internist can't help you if it's band related, only a bariatric surgeon can. And do you mean Prilosec? If so, Prilosec won't help spasms. It's for ulcers, GERDS, reflux, etc. It's essentially to control stomach acid and related issues. Have a look: http://www.rxlist.com/prilosec-drug.htm I'd be getting into your surgeon ASAP.

For me, the choice was easy. The Band is reversible, far less drastic, and less complications. I just couldn't justify hacking out 3/4 of my stomach. If something goes wrong with the band, you can always get it removed. If something goes wrong with the Sleeve, you're out of luck because you can never get your stomach back. Plus I didn't want to deal with dumping, malabsorbtion, and nutrient deficiencies. Getting the band is by far the best decision I've ever made. I can still eat anything I want without vomiting (in moderation, of course), I'm very healthy, and I've lost almost 200 pounds in 14 months. I couldn't be happier. Best wishes!

There's a lot of causes. Sometimes chronic over eating, or NSAIDS, or carbonation, or a totally unrelated medical condition. Of course a slipped band can cause it too. Symptoms range from none at all to pain, reflux, and vomiting. If your band has eroded into your stomach, the only "cure" is removal of the band.

What an awesome accomplishment!! Congratulations!!

No, painful cramping is never normal in your stomach. I'd call your surgeon. It most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band to satisfy their hunger. It takes time and patience. Best wishes