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Happy Valentine's Day!! Good luck tomorrow, and if you're question isn't answered? Then don't hesitate to ask them. A good surgeon (and staff) will gladly take the time to answer your questions. If they don't or seem like they can't be bothered with your questions, then that would be a sign to keep checking out other surgeons. Think of tomorrow as an interview. You're there to learn but also you're interviewing them to make sure they're a good fit for the job Best wishes!

It sounds like you're off to a really great start!! I'm sure you'll do wonderfully! Welcome!

Whenever I want, to be honest. I don't do the whole low carb thing. Calories are calories. I just try to eat healthy carbs. Whole wheat bread, whole grain Pasta, and brown rice. I won't buy products that are white (except potatoes) or say "enriched" or "bleached" on the labels. The reason is because all the nutrients and Fiber are pretty gone and they make your gylcemic index spike like a sugar. But otherwise, I eat breads and pasta daily.

You need to see your doctor. You shouldn't be on liquid diets for a month and you shouldn't be so tight you can't eat or even drink cold liquids. Talk to your doctor ASAP.

I'm very sorry you're going through all this. Since you were banded in 2006, do you have a 4cc band? If so, that could be a big part of your problem. Unfortunately a lot of people with 4cc bands have ended up with issues. If that is the case, you may notice a huge (positive) difference by going to one of the newer, bigger bands that are now used. At the end of the day you have to do what's best for you. What is your doctor's opinion?

Wise words. I'd add to that warning about going to Mexico: - Check to see what size band they use ahead of time. A lot of Mexican surgeons use outdated 4cc bands because they are cheaper. 4cc bands are no longer used in the US because of the high rate of slips and other complications. -Get a doctor at home to agree to treat and fill you before you get the surgery. A great majority of US surgeons won't treat patients banded in Mexico because of the liabilities they take on by doing so. So, it's very important to establish who will care for you at home post surgery before ever going to Mexico. This is just my opinion, but I firmly believe when it comes to matters of your health (and very life) it's not the time to try to be bargain hunting. As the old saying goes- you get what you paid for.

If you had a hernia, it would've showed up on a CT scan. So, it's highly unlikely that's what's wrong. My other thought is to request an abdominal MRI. CT scans don't show nearly as much as an MRI will. In fact, in most diagnostic processes an MRI would be the next the step if the CT scan showed nothing. An internist would also be called internal medicine. I feel just awful you're going through this. It's heartbreaking. Just please, whatever you do, don't give up and don't stop bugging these doctors for answers until someone finally figures out what's going wrong.

I don't think you're understanding. The ER won't do anything, including referring you. All you'd do is waste more money on a useless ER visit. Lap Band fills are not an emergency. Even if they did give you the name of a Bariatric surgeon, it doesn't mean that surgeon has to see you or treat you. Terry was correct when he said it would be different if you moved or your doctor died. In those cases doctors are willing to step in. But when you are flying across the country just to save some money, a lot of doctors aren't willing you take you on. They see it as you're not willing to use them for the surgery so they're not willing to treat you after because they make very little money on aftercare and fills. You can go get your surgery without someone to treat you at home. It's your choice entirely. We're just trying to warn you that you're asking for major problems and possible failure if you get this surgery without someone treat you at home afterwards. Getting the Lap Band without a doctor to treat and fill you is like spending $30,000 for a brand new car, but it has no tires and the closest place to get tires is 2000 miles away. Totally useless.

Maybe reduction, but not an increase. The only way insurance will pay for that is in the case of reconstruction being necessary, like after breast cancer.

That's entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong answer, it depends what you feel is right for you. Did he say why he's no longer doing plication?

It's fine and perfectly safe. The majority is Water weight anyway so it's nothing at all to be worried about. You're doing fine.

If you've only lost 20 pounds in 18 months and had a band too tight trying achieve restriction, perhaps you need a better understand of the band itself. Please have a look at this link, I think it will help you considerably: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Definitely double check with your doctor ahead of time. Most don't want you eating at all right before a fill.

You need to see your doctor for sure. Night cough can be a sign of being too tight but it can also be a sign of a slip. Best wishes.

I totally agree with you about the cheating. If we live our lives feeling deprived we're setting ourselves up for failure. I personally refuse to live like that. So, about once a month I'll order a pizza for the family and I'll "cheat" and have a slice. It's not healthy, it's not good for me, but I do log the calories and only have it moderation. Over Christmas, I actually gained a little, but I immediately got back on track and re-lost the weight (and then some!) Tomorrow I'll be having a slice of chocolate cake, but again, I'll also be logging those calories. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence or "cheating". The trick is to not let it become a way of life and to always do it in moderation.

Well, I'm not sure if I'm a success yet because I'm not done losing, but I have lost 187 pounds in 13 months. For me, the main things have been learning how the band is meant to work and learning how to eat healthy. I also count every single calorie I put in my mouth, no exceptions. Even when I cheat, I log it. It keeps me accountable and also helps me stay on track. Really, I think anyone can lose with the band. All it takes is a little education, a little common sense, and a big desire for change. Best wishes.

I personally dislike gummies so I take Centrum chewables. They're for adults and taste like an orange Flinstone's vitamin.

Well the ER won't do your fills, that I know for sure. I really wouldn't go through with the surgery until you have a doctor at home to treat you after. Otherwise you risk coming back with no post care or way to get fills. Good follow up care after surgery is crucial to success with the band so it's really important you have a surgeon lined up to treat you. Good luck. I hope you find someone soon.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately this isn't uncommon, though. I would continue to search your area, I'm sure there are a lot of bariatric surgeons around you. You just may have to do some searching to find one that will take you as a patient. Best wishes.

I don't have any great suggestions but I do hope you heal fast and feel better soon!

V8 actually makes some really good cream soups with no chunks. Tomato garden, Butternut Squash, and Potato Basil are just a few of the flavors. When I was on liquids they were a staple. Best wishes!

Congratulations!! Time to happy dance!!!

This is directly from the Lap Band site and their BMI recommendations: Do I Qualify for Lap-Band Surgery? Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful indicator of whether or not you are a good candidate for LAP-BAND Surgery. In general, weight loss surgery and the LAP-BAND procedure may be a suitable approach if your BMI is over 40. If your BMI is less than 40 but at least 30 and you have one or more obesity related health conditions, LAP-BAND Surgery may still be an appropriate option. Best wishes to you!

You know, I should've thought of that! My son loves that place too but I just hate it. I always feel like it's a huge waste of money because I eat such a tiny portion. Next time we go, I'm trying my card there!

Try Water aerobics. It will take the stress off your knees while giving you a great work out. Stationary bikes are great too because they give you movement and exercise without putting weight and stress on your knees.