DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

He's not accusing you of lying, however you keep throwing out these statistics without facts to back them. Saying you know people on websites saying they're having complications doesn't mean there's a high failure rate of the band, it means there's a lot of people who are abusing their band or simply not doing what they should be to work with their band. If someone's band is having issues because they're chronically over-eating, eating around the band, drinking carbonation, or walking around with it too tight then the band didn't fail the patient failed. Oh and links to half wit so-called "studies" don't count either. An actual study is going to take patient caused versus band caused failure into account, not just a flat percentage based on bands removed. If you have an actual study that differentiates between patient caused failures and band caused failures, please by all means, post it here.

Just because your pouch is only made to hold a couple ounces doesn't mean you can't eat more than that. In fact, most of us can if we really want to. food passes through the band in less than a minute and some food passes through immediately. You can also stretch the pouch by over-eating. There's a saying around here you'll hear a lot "just because you can eat something doesn't mean you should". This is exactly why we're not supposed to eat more than a cup of food per meal, regardless of whether or not you physically can. 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 Best wishes.

You're not still stuck, that pill is long gone by now. You've probably just irritated your stomach from the stuck episode and throwing up. I would go onto liquids for 24 hours to give it time to calm. If you're still having problems after that, I'd call your surgeon.

Congratulations on your baby boys! Lapbandster and Carolinagirl offer great advice. I was originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass and at the last minute canceled. I just couldn't justify re-routing my intestines or hacking off 3/4 of healthy stomach without trying something far less drastic first. I also didn't want to deal with malabsorbtion issues or dumping. So, I chose the band instead. Lapbandster was totally correct about surgeon pushing the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass because those are the money makers, by the way. Don't let people scare you with horror stories and false claims about band failure. The fact is, only 8-12% Lap Band patients suffer complications by no fault of their own. The exception to this would be people with older model 4cc band- it has had a lot of issues and hence why surgeons stopped using it in the United States. As far as the new, currently used larger bands, the actual band failure rate is very low. The majority of people fail their bands, not the other way around. They expect the band to do all the work and don't change their eating habits. They continue to over-eat and eat around the band, or drink carbonation, or walk around with their bands way too tight for months and even years. All these things can and will lead to slips. As for myself, when I got Lap Band surgery a little over a year ago I weighed over 400 pounds. Like many, I was told I was "too fat" for the band and how I wouldn't lose enough with the band. I was also told told how much faster I'd lose if I'd chose the Sleeve or Bypass. They were all totally wrong. I've lost 185 pounds since last January 2012. I am healthier and happier than I've ever been in my adult life. Getting the band was by far the best decision I've ever made for myself. I am living proof you can be successful with the band if you use it how it was meant to be used and follow the rules, regardless of how big you are when you start the journey. At the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you, whatever WLS surgery that may be. But please don't let people scare you with bad info into choosing one over another. Best wishes on whichever you decide.

Congratulations! You're doing great!

Welcome! I was lucky, my insurance didn't require a doctor's supervised diet so it was only about a month between the initial seminar and my surgery date.

Is your abdomen rounder, firm, and/or distended looking? Or is it squishy? The reason I ask is if it's rounder, firm, and/or distended looking you may want to have your doctor make sure you don't have a hernia. Abdominal hernias don't always hurt so it's possible to have one and not even realize it. (I'm speaking from a lot of experience on this one) Otherwise, if it's not a hernia, it's very possible that's just how you lose. I wish we lost evenly but we don't. As women, we tend to lose from the top down and tummies tend to be one of the last to go. Plus, if you have lost on your tummy but have excess skin, that will (unfortunately) mask the weight loss too.

With a lot of willpower lol. It's not easy. Clear liquids are anything you can see through: broth, apple or white grape juice. The only non-clear liquid I was allowed was Protein Shakes.

First, you're being way too hard on yourself. If you lost 4 pounds last month that's a pound a week! The average is 1-2 pounds a week so you're doing very well. Plus you have to remember, the less you have to lose the slower it's going to come off. It's frustrating but true. When I was over 400 pounds, I was dropping 20-30 pounds a month. Now that I've lost 185 pounds, I'm lucky to lose 6 or 7 pounds in a month. Remember, any loss is a success! As for diet, mine is very simple. I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day, a minimum of 60g of Protein daily, and no more than 20-25% fat daily. I don't do the whole low carb thing like so many do. I just don't think it's at all realistic long term. However, I do try to eat healthy carbs. For instance, I won't buy carbs that are white or have the words "enriched" or "bleached" on the label. That's all just a fancy way of saying "processed junk". I buy brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole grain Pasta. Best wishes to you and stop being so hard on yourself

Well, my post op diet was a bit rough. My surgeon is a bit more cautious than most. I had 2 weeks of Clear Liquids, 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushy food, 2 weeks of soft food, then FINALLY I was allowed to eat real food again. It was a long, hungry couple of months but I did it without cheating. As for my diet in the year since then, it's pretty simple really. I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day, a minimum of 60g of Protein daily, and no more than 20-25% fat daily. I don't do the whole low carb thing like so many do. I just don't think it's at all realistic long term. However, I do try to eat healthy carbs. For instance, I won't buy carbs that are white or have the words "enriched" or "bleached" on the label. That's all just a fancy way of saying "processed junk". I buy brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole grain Pasta. For me, it's worked very well. I'm very content with my lifestyle and eating habits.

Unfortunately you'll hear a lot of various answers on this. As for myself, I don't necessarily time it. I take a small bite, I put my fork down, and I don't touch my fork again until I've swallowed the food completely and successfully. It's the "rule" my nutritionist taught me before being banded and it's always worked very well for me.

How much weight gain are you talking? A small 1-3 pound fluctuation or an actual gain? Also, how many calories a day are you eating?

Talk to your own Lap Band surgeon to be safe. Not all are against NSAIDS on a case by case basis. Some advise against NSAIDS because they can cause ulcers, and if a Lap Band patient gets an ulcer, it can cause serious band erosion. I take Ibuprofen regularly (also a NSAID) but my surgeon is fine with it. I've taken it for years and he says if I haven't had problems before there's no reason to think I'd suddenly start having them now. So again, talk to your own surgeon. He'll know what's best for you based on your specific history and needs.

I actually changed both surgeons and procedures. I originally was supposed to get Gastric Bypass, went through the entire process, but ended up canceling at the last minute. I then found a different surgeon for Lap Band. My first piece of advice is to follow your instincts. If you're not comfortable with the staff, I would very seriously consider looking for a new surgeon. The truth is, the staff is just as involved in your aftercare as the surgeon. Sometimes even more. If you're not confident in them, I'd look into other options. The dietician is, in my opinion, absolutely crucial. A good dietician should take the time to help you establish food guidelines specific to your lifestyle and needs. They should show you exactly how to eat, what portions you should be eating, and explain why it's all important. If you aren't comfortable and confident with the dietician I'd consider a different one because they're so important for your journey. If you do decide to change surgeons, I would do it sooner than later. There is a time limit on all those tests you've already done to be considered valid so you would want your records transferred as soon as possible. Changing doctors may delay your surgery a little, but it's better to have a delayed surgery with a surgeon and staff you're comfortable with than a sooner surgery without the confidence in your physician support. Best wishes to you.

This isn't exactly what you asked, but you need to make your surgeon aware you're having vasovagal syncope. Vasovagal syncope is typically caused when the vagus nerve is over stimulated. The Lap Band effects the vagus nerve directly and may be causing your vasovagal syncope.

The band can't literally tighten on it's own, but a lot can effect it. Some people have very temperamental bands. Stress, hormones, sickness, even temperature can even effect it. It could also potentially feel tighter if you gained weight because that would potentially increase the fat around the stomach. If it's bothersome or has concerned, you should call your doctor. He could definitely advise you best. Best wishes.

I don't think you have an unfair advantage at all. Especially since this is happening right after surgery. The reality is, you'll more than likely be in bandster hell while it's happening, which means any weight you lose will be 100% on your own with no help from the band anyway. Look at it like this: Who's to say someone else in the challenge isn't taking Phentermine? Or some diet supplement to speed their metabolism? Or heck, didn't have some other WLS at some time? I say go for it!

No, I wouldn't worry about it. A lot of us get the hiccups pretty regularly, actually. I know I get them all the time.

Yeah Medicare isn't free. I pay almost $200 a month in premiums on top of my 20% copays. Some people who are lower income get it supplemented with Medicaid so their costs are considerably less. But... I understand fully why retirees are so broke, especially when it comes to prescription drug costs.

Once you're done with the post op diet, sure, you can have it once in awhile. Just be sure to log it and count it in your total daily calories. There are some healthier options, like making homemade pizza with whole wheat flat bread for crust and using the lower calories tomato sauce with low fat cheese. Add a bunch of veggies, maybe some turkey sausage, and you're good to go.

I'm very sorry you're struggling. It sounds like you already know what you need to do to be successful. Healthy eating really doesn't have to be a chore. There are so many yummy yet healthy recipes out there. Here are two of my favorite sites for food, have a look: http://www.emilybites.com/ http://www.skinnytaste.com/ The thing you have to remember is, losing weight boils down to basic math. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. The best advice I can give you is to start logging your food and counting calories. Not only will this help you stay in your daily calorie range, but by logging your food you keep yourself accountable too. It's a lot easier to rationalize "Oh today sucks, I'm having cake!" when you don't have to see it right there in front of you in your food logs and see how it effects your overall daily calories. Perhaps a visit with your nutritionist may help, too. Tell them what you're struggling with and let them help you establish food guidelines that work with your lifestyle. Remember, the band is just a tool. The work will always be yours to do. Best wishes to you.

You can be on Medicare if you're on disability- as I am because of having Multiple Sclerosis. At that point it's the identical Medicare as retired people. 80% covered, 20% copays, and we have to pay a monthly premium, too. ...did I mention it kinda sucks, too? *laughs*

You need to call your doctor. It could be an adverse reaction to a medication given to you at the hospital or one you're on now, your blood pressure could be too high, or a number of other possibilities. It's always better safe than sorry, give your doc a call.