DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

You avoid it however you have to, be it OTC nausea meds or calling your surgeon for help. People get sick and there's not much we can do about that, but you should never ever be vomiting because of your band. Ever.

Sliming is when your mouth fills up with slimey saliva as a result of being stuck. PB is Productive Burp. It's when you're stuck and burp food back up. It's not like vomiting at all, because vomiting is violent and results in your stomach muscles bunching and cramping. When you PB, it's gentle and literally just burping up food. You should never, ever vomit. It's very dangerous with the band. You don't always PB when you're stuck. I've been banded over a year and only PB'd twice- and both times it was totally my own fault.

Well, only you know if you can do it without the band. It's true you will still be responsible for making healthy food choices and following the rules to be successful with the band. The band is just a tool, not a magic cure for fat. I can only speak for myself, but I tried to lose weight for decades without the band and always failed miserably. The reason is because I was always hungry and always felt deprived. Food pre-occupied my every thought because the more I went without it, the more I thought about it. Now, that's not the case. The band does exactly what it's meant to do, it keeps me satisfied on far less food for long periods of time. I do count calories and measure portions because I want to be sure I do this right and lose this weight. But, I don't feel deprived either. I eat what I want just in moderation. Before the band, I'd eat a whole bag of Reese's miniatures. Now, I'm happy and satisfied with just 2 or 3. Or when I went out to Olive Garden for dinner before the band, I'd eat Soup, a half dozen breadsticks, a huge dinner portion of Pasta, and a big piece of cake for dessert. Now, I have a little salad and eat maybe 1/3 of a lunch portion of pasta and I'm completely satisfied. I think you're wise to question the band before the surgery. It's always better to go into it confident and certain. Just keep in mind, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose, the lifestyle changes and the work will always be yours to do. The surgery is just a tool. Best wishes on whatever you decide is best for you.

It's never too late to educate yourself on the band. I understand you're frustrated, but you already have the band. Why not learn to use it? You feel lousy now but you won't for much longer. It seems the logical thing to do is to make it at least worth the cost and pain of the surgery by giving the band, and yourself, a fighting chance. Feel better soon.

That is so awesome! Congratulations!

I'm not saying this harshly or to offend you, but you have to go about all this right way. Your follow up care here in the states should've been in place before you even left for Mexico. Coming home with to no doctor isn't wise and is a recipe for disaster. Your success or failure with the band is greatly dependent on your compliance and doctor follow up. Right now, you don't have either. Having the band without a follow up surgeon is like having a brand new car with four flat tires. Totally useless and going nowhere fast. You absolutely have to find a way to start seeing a local doctor. The longer you wait and struggle, the greater the risk you're putting yourself in. You also need to get into a nutritionist and learn how to eat healthy with the band. We're not doctors or nutritionists, we can't tell you what to eat or what to do. Again, I say this with compassion and concern, not to offend. You just really have to get this situation rectified because you're putting your health at serious risk. Best wishes.

Leslie I find the same since being banded. I used to gain up to 5 pounds of water weight before I was banded, but now I don't do that anymore. I think it's because I drink so much more water now on a regular basis that I don't bloat up like I used to.

I aim for 20g of protein per meal minimum. My nutritionist told me I should be getting at least 60g of protein per day so that's how I do it.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I would call your doctor. The fact it got tighter from coughing and now you're feeling an acid like sensation is worrisome. I'm sure everything is fine, but with those symptoms you really need to go back and see your doctor. Maybe even ask for a barium swallow just to make sure band hasn't slipped from all the coughing. Best wishes.

Wow, that is just awful. I've not gone through that but I've heard of others who have. Hopefully someone will see your post and chime in. Hang in there and don't give up!

Terry you seriously kill me. I love your posts about "Mistress Band". I think you should start your own blog (aside from these forums) called "Adventures with Mistress Band" and chronicle your tale there. You have such a great way with words. You'd get a lot of readers for sure!

You know, I went through very similar with my brother. He was dead set against any kind of bariatric surgery but now he's seriously looking into his options since seeing how my life has changed. He doesn't want the band because he doesn't want to deal with fills, but that's fine with me. I just want him to do *something* so he'll be around to raise my nephews. Perhaps after your sister sees your success, she'll change her mind too.

Ugh I dread my periods. TMI here, but I'm dealing with it right now. I always find I'm a lot tighter the first day or two of my period but by day 3 I'm fine again. Hang in there, you're not alone at all on this one.

I've experienced a pulling sort of pain around my port when active, but being as it's sutured to the abdominal wall, it makes sense. If it's bothersome or doesn't subside, you probably should have your doctor check it out. It's always better safe than sorry.

You need to call your doctor. Let him know exactly what's going on, and if he says come in for an unfill, then make the 3 hour drive to see him.

Actually, I think possibly there may be some confusion about Medicare vs Medicaid. Medicaid is state run, thus will differ from state to state on their coverage. Medicare is federally run, thus it's going to be the same base coverage regardless of state. The 80% of covered costs is the same for everyone on Medicare. Now if someone has supplemental insurance, of course their costs would differ, but that would be unrelated to Medicare. It would also vary if they have a state run Medicaid program covering their 20% co-pays. You actually do have to get pre-approved for some things on Medicare. Like the Lap Band and skin removal, for instance. They have very strict guidelines for tummy skin removal, too. The pannus (skin apron) must fall below the pubis line, there must be documented skin break down for 6 months, and they will not consider back pain as a reason for it. If the skin removal is due to weight loss, you must have lost at least 100 pounds and be at least year post bariatric surgery. I've actually spoken to them directly about this because I am going through the process right now, too. I am on Medicare for disability. Overall, it's usually at least a 6 month approval process for skin removal when going through Medicare because of all the required documentation. Just FYI for anyone else on Medicare needing tummy skin removal.

I suspect you'll have a harder time getting their support because they're overweight. Let's face it, misery loves company, and when an entire family is fat they get really jealous of whoever dares step out of that cycle and becomes fit. In time when they see your success, you may inspire them to change too, but at the beginning I fear you're going to have a hard time convincing them. I've dealt with similar, by the way. My parents, brother, aunts, cousins, etc are almost all some degree of overweight. I've heard it all- how it's the easy way out, how I'll be sick, I'll look awful with saggy skin, I'll look older, etc. You name it and I've heard it. Oh and now that I'm down over 180 pounds? I hear from my own mom "oh great, now I guess I'm the fattest one". As if it's my fault she doesn't lose weight! LOL! You have to remember you're doing this for you. Like me in the beginning, you may simply have to find your support elsewhere, be it online or at a support group. My family mostly has come around and is supportive these days, but even if they never did I know I made the best decision for me getting the Lap Band. Hang in there!

I've had my band for a little over a year. I know one person who's had their band for over 9 years with no complications.

If I were in your shoes, I'd be insisting on a small unfill and considering a new surgeon. Your diet should not be that limited. You're really lucky you haven't gained from having to resort to slider foods- because that happens a lot when someone's band is too tight. A lot of us have to be super careful when eating certain foods, like meat, but you shouldn't be so restricted that you're existing on white fish and avocado. Remember, you're in charge. The doctor works for you. Insist on what you know is best and if he won't listen, fire him and find a better one. Best wishes.

Bigger isn't necessarily better at all. It's all depends on your anatomy. Some people have bigger stomachs than others, some have smaller stomachs. If you have a small stomach and a big band, it's going to be a lot harder to get adequate restriction in your band. Your surgeon knows what's best. Trust him. Best wishes.

You're doing great! Congratulations!!

Totally untrue. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance all require pre-authorization for skin removal surgery. They will want medical records proving it's a medical necessity and possibly photos as well. That surgeon is full of crap. Find a new one that you can actually trust. It sounds like he just wants the money and doesn't care if it's from you or Medicaid.

The band is supposed to allow you to feel satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. So, because I can easily go 4-5 hours on a cup of food without hunger, I know my band is exactly at the right level. Here's a link that might help: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

I eat 1000-1200 calories a day and feel great. I personally don't do well under 1000, dizzy and cranky, but what works for one doesn't necessarily for another. To each their own.