DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Granted this is strictly my opinion but I don't think you need a fill either. And if you don't want one, simply tell your surgeon your decision. Good luck!

The band is meant to be forever so unless you have serious complications removal shouldn't be an issue. As for skin, it depends entirely on your age, skin elasticity, how much you have to lose, and how long you've been that size. Some people do great with minimal skin and others have a lot. I won't lie, I look like a freak'n Shar Pei naked. I have lost 185 pounds and have a ton of excess skin. Thank God I'll be getting the tummy skin removed before this summer.

I like the Atkins light snack/breakfast bars. I keep a chocolate peanut butter one in my person in case I'm out and can't find a healthy meal.

Go to each identity and hit the "report" button. Then, for reason, type exactly why. Do this for each and every one. Do the same for the private message you were sent, with the "report" button. We all have differences of opinion but that behavior is completely uncalled for. I've had it happen too in the past so I know how it sucks. Also, if you don't hear a response within 24 hours, I'd message Alex again. He's very good at watching these boards and doesn't put up with harassing behavior.

It could stay in your body indefinitely, yes.

I had to have a complete unfill in August due to emergency surgery (not band related). It was different when I was trying to get back into the Green Zone. In fact, with the exact same amount of Fluid I'd had before the surgery, I was too tight and had to have a slight unfill again. I'm not sure why, but many people who have total unfills find it's somehow "different" when getting refilled again.

Chances are good you'd have some definite symptoms, but it is possible to have a slip without knowing it. You're so soon after surgery. I highly doubt it's a slip. If I had to guess, I'd say your stomach is still healing and the oatmeal was just too much for it. It's a good thing you called your doctor. Let us know what he says.

I honestly don't worry, and here's why: The reality is, something could go happen or go wrong with my band. Many medical devices have to be replaced over time. A good example- my mom had 2 artificial knees when she was only 40 years old. She knew she'd end up looking at another surgery someday because the knees wouldn't last her lifetime. My mom is now about to turn 60 years old and her knees are getting sore. She knew this day would come. But, if you ask her, she'd still do it again because she had 20 years of pain free living and mobility with her new knees. I see the band the same way. Because I was only 38 when I got my band, I'm realistic and fully expect at some point I'll be outliving the life of my band. But I am totally fine with that. I've lost 185 pounds so far and I know I'll lose the rest of my weight, too. So if I have to have it removed in a decade or two, it'll still have been totally worth it because I could've never lost this weight alone.

Call your doctor, tell him exactly what's going on, and let him decide what's best. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

You're human. You had a human moment. That's nothing to beat yourself up over. Truth is, you really didn't do anything that bad. You over ate a little but it's not like you binged on an entire cake or gorged a box of donuts. Just get back on track tomorrow and move on.

I also count calories and am encouraged to do so by both my surgeon and my nutritionist. I know I wouldn't have lost even half the weight I have if I didn't count calories. It would just be way too easy to over-eat. Even if my nutritionist said not to count calories, I still would. The reason being- we all have to do what's best for us. Some people don't need to count calories (though they are definitely the minority). I know I must count calories if I'm going to lose successfully. You have to do what's best for you.

I have 4 tattoos. A very tiny heart with a vine going through it on my right breast, a lavender rose going through a heart and a butterfly landing on the rose on the left side of my back, and a moon and shooting star on my left ankle. I got all them when I was very young. My only recent one I got 2 years ago. It's a butterfly on the inside of my left forearm but the body is an orange awareness ribbon. Under the butterfly is the word "Believe". Funny enough, the butterfly on my left forearm is half the size it was when I got it. It's shrank right along with the rest of me LOL!

Popcorn is a slider food so it's very easy to over-eat it. The only way you can be sure you're not eating to much is to measure your portions and log your calories.

You don't. There is no way to tell until the surgeon goes in and sees it. That's why on occasion people will get put out expecting to be banded and wake up with incisions but no band, because the surgeon got inside and saw the liver was too big to safely work around so he immediately closed them back up. It's a good example why it's so important to follow the pre-op diet if you're put on one.

It can make a huge difference. I've had .1cc taken out and it was the difference between too tight and the Green Zone. I've had as little as .1cc added, too. When you're close to that perfect level of Fluid in your band, even an amount as small as .1cc can make all the difference in the world.

Do you mean band removal? If you're having yours removed I would expect your surgeon to give you those instructions.

It's not too much. At the beginning a lot of what you lose is actually water weight. This is especially true after a hospital stay when they're pumping you full of IV fluids. You're doing great, don't over analyze it, just enjoy your success

I think the problem is you're expecting the band to do things it's not meant to do. It's not supposed to stop you from eating, it's your job to stop eating when you feel satisfied. In fact, this is why it's important to keep your meals to a cup or less of food so you don't accidentally over-eat. Have a look at this link, I think it'll help you considerably: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html

Then I would agree with your doctor, it doesn't sound like you need a fill. The band is already doing exactly what it's supposed to do. You're doing great!

I lost really fast at the beginning. I was banded on January 6, 2012 and by my first fill a month later on February 10, 2012 I had lost 44 pounds. Now that I've lost a good amount of weight, I average 6-10 pounds a month loss.

It's very common, especially after surgery. Banded tummies tend to be loud anyway so it takes some adjustment to stop associated "growling" with hunger. Now that you're banded, that's not necessarily the case. When you're physically hungry, you'll know it. It just takes awhile to get used to all the changes. Best wishes.

I think it depends, how big is your band? You are losing great, but are you hungry between meals? Are you satisfied on a cup or less of food?

I really think you need to see a nutritionist. You're not supposed to be living on shakes after being banded and you can't do both high Protein and low fat. Just doing high protein alone will increase your fat intake because of the absence of carbs. Make an appointment with your nutritionist. It's crucial to be successful with the band. Best wishes.

I personally couldn't justify hacking off 3/4 of my healthy stomach without trying something less drastic first. I also didn't want to deal with malabsorbtion or dumping. So, for me, the band was the logical choice. A lot of doctors try to sway their patients towards the Sleeve or Bypass because it's less maintenance and makes them a lot more money. So, be very specific with your doctor and ask why he prefers the Sleeve. I heard all the horror stories about the band, had people tell me I wouldn't lose enough with the band, and all kinds of other nonsense. The fact is, only 8%-12% of bands are removed due to complications that are no fault of the patient. The rest are because of something the patient did to cause the problem. Chronic over-eating, eating around the band, drinking carbonation, having a band too tight, or even vomiting regularly can (and will) cause complications. So when you hear people talk about how their "band failed" take it with a grain of salt. More often than not it's the patient who failed not the band that failed. I would encourage you to read up on the facts of both procedures. Read actual medical facts, not anecdotal evidence. In the end you have to do what's best for you regardless of what anyone else thinks. Best wishes on whichever you choose.