DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I agree with Floridays. You're still in the healing phase so any weight loss is great. Just hang in there.

Has your band ever checked? Like via barium swallow? It might be a good idea to rule out a possible slip. Unfortunately just eating small meals isn't enough for a lot of us. Small portions doesn't necessarily mean low in calories, in fact you'd be shocked how much calories and fat can be in what seems like a tiny portion. I would strongly suggest counting calories to see how much you're actually consuming then go from there. Weight loss boils down to simple math, if you burn more calories than you consume, you lose. Counting calories is often the easiest way to do that. While fruit is great for you it needs to be in moderation, too. If you're eating mostly fruit and crystal light, your body isn't getting the Protein you need. Protein is really important not only for muscle but for controlling hunger. I'd make an appointment with your nutritionist, too. Let them help you get on a food plan that fits into your life and needs. Best wishes.

I only had 1cc in my band at surgery, I was told it was to prime it (whatever that means lol)

I personally follow the no drinking rule always. Food is food whether it's a slider or not.

At the beginning I didn't tell anyone but now I'm very open about it. I see it as an opportunity to educate others. Let's face it, ignorance runs rampant in our society, especially when it comes to WLS. I've only had one person accuse me of taking "the easy way out". I said if walking 2 miles a day and counting every single calorie I consume is the easy way out I'd really hate to see the hard way. You have to do what's best for you. If you don't want to tell anyone then don't. Do what feels right for you. Best wishes

What problems did you have with your band? Do you still have your band? The thing is, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose, you will have to change your diet and exercise to be successful losing weight. Gastric Bypass and the Sleeve aren't anymore a guaranteed weight loss than the Lap Band is. They're all just tools not magic fixes for obesity. I have two friends who had Gastric Bypass around the time I had the band. One has only lost about 30 pounds and the other about 60 but is regaining. Why? Because neither changed their diet. They expected the surgery to do it all for them and because of it they're failing miserably. Take the time to learn about the other surgeries before making such a huge decision. Best wishes to you on whatever you decide is best for you.

I've heard of women that have some port discomfort if their husband lays or pushes directly on it. I think where your port is located, what position you're having sex in, and how aggressive the sex is can all make a difference. I'm not in maintenance yet but I have lost 185 pounds and my port does stick out a little bit, but I've never had any pain or discomfort around my port during sex.

I have to eat ground turkey and beef very slow and take very small bites. It tends to get stuck extremely easy, much easier than chicken or fish.

I agree, it sounds like you ate too much and too fast. What your feeling is a sort of stuck sensation. In fact, most of the time when we're stuck it's felt in the upper chest rather than the throat.

What you're going through is normal. It takes most people multiple fills to have adequate fluid in their bands. Just keep counting calories and be patient, it will come.

Liquids are sliders. Ice cream and shakes are sliders. For most of us, processed junk food is a slider, like chips and cookies. Chocolate is a slider food because it melts. Slider foods are food that immediately pass right through the band. When you eat 3oz of protein, you have to be careful not to get suck and if you over-eat chances are you're going to feel it. With slider foods, they just go through the band like a liquid so you can pretty much eat it unlimited with no physical repercussions. I personally don't believe any food is off limits, including sliders, as long as you eat it them in moderation and within your daily calorie allowance. You just have to be very aware when eating slider foods so you don't accidentally eat too much.

Granted I'm no nutritionist, but 1000-1200 sounds about right to me. In fact that's the calorie range I try to stay in too. The one thing I've found on this journey is there isn't a one-size-fits-all method to weight loss. Some find they lose great on 800 calories a day whereas others need 1400 a day. We're all unique and our metabolisms all have unique quirks and needs. The trick is finding what's best specifically for you.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Well currently, they're very visible and stick out of my abdomen. Initially though you couldn't see them but I had a burning, almost pulled muscle feeling where the tear in the muscle (hernia) occurred. But now they've grown (as they almost always do) so it's VERY noticeable. Some days I have no symptoms, others I can tell food is getting hung up in the intestines around the hernia. I will get a lot of cramping and localized pain until the food passes. I find laying on my stomach actually helps push the abdominal contents back in and ease the pain. This past August I had one become strangulated and had to have emergency surgery. When that happened I knew it because it was a blinding, searing and unrelenting pain. My surgeon is watching me closely. He's getting very anxious to fix them but because I'm having it done the same time as a tummy tuck, he agreed to wait a little bit longer as long as there's no signs of another strangulation.

Oh goodness, I'd be stressed out too! I'm so sorry you're going through this! I'm definitely sending prayers your way! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Plateaus are normal we all go through them. If you're still burning calories than you consume then will lose the weight, it just may take a little time for your metabolism to catch up. Also, you said "eating right", does that mean you track your calories too? If not, I would suggest doing so just to make sure you're not accidentally eating more than you should be. Best wishes.

I personally think avoiding your doctor is a bit foolish. If you're having problems then your doctor should be your first call not your last resort. By putting off calling him then you are potentially making the problem worse. Your doctor's job is to treat and help you- let him do his job. Call him.

Hello. Im thinking about the surgery but cant seem to find any info about a few things. Firstly can you drink liquads as normal? Or do you have to sip slowly? Dont know if i could handle not being about to drink Water fast on a hot day etc. -It really depends on how tight your band is. I have no problem chugging down water, however I prefer not to have a super tight band because I don't want to risk a slip. I understand you have to eat a little slower etc but how slow? Is it really really slow and does this have any impact on life going out to din with people etc. -As others stated, it should take about 20 minutes to eat a cup of food. I still go out to eat all the time and it doesn't bother anyone that I eat slow. I focus on the conversation and the company not eating. Also on the emotional side do people ever get depressed to not be able to eat nice things ever again or can you do this in moderatiin once you get to maintance phase. -I never get depressed about eating because I still eat whatever I want, just in moderation. I'm not in the maintenance phase either, I'm still losing. The band isn't meant to deprive you it's meant to help you be satiated on less food for longer periods of time. I (personally) refuse to deprive myself. I see a lot of posts on this forum saying its been a good decision to have the surgery but i just want to understand a bit more about the changes you have to make and if they are changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. I really want to lose the weight but im still not sure if i can do this myself or surgery is the way to go. Its a big decision and i dont want to do this and then potentially feel depressed if theres anything i cant live with. -For me, it was the best decision I've ever made for myself. But you're wise to question it before going through with the surgery. I would strongly suggest talking to a counselor before making this decision so they can help you make the choice that's best for you. Best wishes.

I think you're being way too tough on yourself. You stayed within your calories and you stopped when Mistress Band spoke. That is a huge success. Life isn't neat and tidy all the time and you can't always plan your meals. And so what if you were compelled? You had to eat dinner one way or another, so does it really matter why you decided to forgo your planned dinner for taquitos? You're doing great! Now stop second guessing yourself

Having a family member or friend do your fills is dangerous and very unwise. Unless they're trained by a bariatric surgeon specifically how to do fills, they have absolutely no business touching your band. You are asking for serious trouble and complications. Talk to local surgeons and see if any will work with you on prices.

That does look yummy! Thanks for sharing!

Be safe! We're expecting about 9-10 inches here.

More good news about the effectiveness of the band. Take note that this study specifically targeted people who followed the band rules, followed up with their doctors, and changed their lifestyles to healthy ones. Also note only 5% had to have their bands removed and weight loss was comparable to Gastric Bypass. Further proof we are responsible for our own success or failure with the band. ________________________________________________________________________________ MONASH U. (AUS) — Gastric banding is safe and effective for managing obesity long-term, according to a study of patients 10 to 15 years after their surgeries. The study, the longest and most comprehensive yet reported, appears in the Annals of Surgery, and finds a significant number of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (lap banding) patients maintained an average weight loss of 26 kilograms for more than a decade after their procedure. Researchers analyzed the results in 3,227 patients who had gastric banding surgery in Australia between 1994, when the procedure was first introduced, and 2011. The patients in the study were averaged at 47 years-of-age and 78 percent were women. Of those patients, 714 had surgery at least 10 years ago and, on average, had maintained a weight loss of 26 kilograms, or almost half of their excess weight. The weight loss results were similar for the 54 patients in the study who had undergone treatment at least 15 years ago. “These results show that when you have a significant problem with obesity, a long-term solution is available,” says Professor Paul O’Brien of the Centre for Obesity Research and Education at Monash University in Melbourne. “This surgery is safe and effective, and it has lasting benefits. Substantial weight loss can change the lives of people who are obese—they can be healthier and live longer.” O’Brien says there are also important ramifications for the control of type 2 diabetes, which was strongly associated with being overweight. “In obese patients with type 2 diabetes, weight loss after gastric banding can lead to effective control of blood sugar levels without the need for medication in about three-quarters of cases,” O’Brien says. The patients included in the study had followed the rules of their treating team regarding eating, exercise, and activity and committed to returning permanently to the aftercare program. All the surgery was performed by O’Brien, an international pioneer of the technique, and Associate Professor Wendy Brown, President of the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand. There were no deaths associated with the surgery or with any later operations that were needed in about half of the patients. About one in 20 patients had the band removed during the study period. “In treating a chronic disease such as obesity over a lifetime, it is likely that something will need to be corrected at some time in some patients,” says O’Brien. “The study shows a marked reduction of revisional procedures with the introduction of the new version of the Lap-Band 6 years ago. Importantly, those who had revisional surgery lost as much weight in the long term as those who did not need it.” The report also included a comparison of gastric banding—which can be done as a day-surgery procedure—and more invasive types of weight-loss surgery such as gastric bypass that are high risk and require longer hospital stay. The weight loss with gastric banding, and the need for future revisional surgery, was similar to that with gastric bypass. “Access to weight-loss surgery in Australia remains severely limited for many obese patients as relatively few cases are treated within the public health system. We are working hard to improve access,” says O’Brien. “We have ample evidence that weight-loss surgery is effective, and it is unfair that half of eligible patients cannot be treated, particularly as it has been shown that gastric banding is a highly cost-effective health care measure. The stigma of obesity, and the assumption that it is the person’s fault, entrenches discrimination against people who could benefit.” find the original article here: http://www.futurity....p-band-surgery/

Wow very interesting article, thanks for sharing it.