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here's the 5 day pouch test: http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I do. I have Multiple Sclerosis and was banded a year ago.

If you're relying on mostly liquids because you can't keep regular foods down, you're likely too tight. A band too tight actually can (and often does) lead to weight gain because you're stuck drinking calories or relying on slider foods. In fact, most people who gain with a band too tight will start losing again once they get a slight unfill and can actually eat a variety of healthy foods again.

It goes to show you how different surgeons and nutritionists have different ideas what works and what doesn't. Mine, ironically, actually recommends healthy whole grain breads and pastas as well as brown rice.

Wow that's a confusing and hard one! I'm just throw out some guesses in case one gives you an "ah ha!" moment: I know your doctor checked the band (btw, very wise move!), could you possibly have a hiatal hernia? What about gall bladder? Are you having any constipation issues? Or do you have any abdominal hernias? If I were in your shoes, I might even request an upper GI. The barium swallow will show your band placement and how things pass through it, but it won't show other problems with your stomach that aren't necessarily band related but can be aggravated by the band. Good luck to you, I really hope someone helps you figure it out.

Donna, I'm not just saying this to stroke your ego or be nice, I mean it. You really are a beautiful lady. You should try to look in the mirror objectively, like you were looking at a photo someone else, and see just how pretty you really are. You ex husband was a fool...don't let one man who doesn't deserve you cloud your self perception and damper your self esteem.

Water aerobics. Most YMCA's offer them and many even offer water aerobics specifically for special needs like arthritis or other joint/pain issues.

I think a lot of us (myself included!) have to learn that just because your stomach is growling doesn't mean you're hungry. After being banded, we hear our stomachs growling and talking and immediately our brains go "Oh, I'm hungry!" But, a lot of the time if we take the time to really think about how we're feeling, we realize we're actually not hungry at all. It's difficult to retrain your mind and the way it reacts to the growling but it's necessary after being banded. A growling stomach simply doesn't always mean hunger anymore once you have the Lap Band. I'm a year post surgery so I've had considerable time to learn this, it wasn't easy in the beginning though. Now, I'd say I'm actually hungry only 20% of the time my stomach is growling and talking.

It's very uncommon for me to get stuck, but if I do, it's going to be on dry meat. Trying cooking it with a lot of moisture. For instance, a crock pot type recipe. I very often even marinate chicken for hours before cooking it so it stays moist.

It's likely because your stomach is irritated and swollen from the fill. However, I have to admit, my stomach is pretty dang noisy all the time since being banded.

Yes, there's a huge risk. Your stomach has been sutured and needs time to heal. If you start going against your doctor's post op instructions, you risk ripping those stitches, stomach bleeding, and your band jeopardized entirely. I'm not saying this to be mean, I'm saying this to be honest. You will have diet rules for the rest of your life to lose weight and keep it off. You will have rules to lose weight at all and live with your band. If you can't even follow some very simple post op rules long enough to give yourself time to heal you're just setting yourself up for long term failure.

I take the Women's One a Day Petites. It's 2 smaller tablets rather than one huge one.

Is there an HR department where you work? If so, it's them you need to clear it through rather than your boss. By going through them you don't have to worry about your boss messing around with you either. If there is no HR department, then I'd go ahead to the consultation but schedule the surgery for after your 90 probation period. Fair or not, if they want to fire you before your 90 days is up it would be extremely easy for them to do. I personally don't think it's worth risking your job, and income, over a surgery that you can still have in 3 short months. Just my opinion.

I look up everything on my Lose It app and decide what I'm going to order based on it's calories and fat content. I tend to order a lot of Soups and salads because I know both always go down well for me. I also order whatever low fat dressing they have with the salad. If the chicken you ordered was dry, that could have been a big part of your problem. It's rare I get stuck, but if I'm going to, it'll usually be on a piece of dry meat. If you stick to meat served moist it seems to go down a lot easier.

Actually it has a lot of possible side effects. I was on Topamax for migraines and had to go off it because the side effects were so nasty. Here's a link listing them: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/topamax-side-effects.html

I'm very sorry you're struggling. I'd be sad, too. You said you're eating well. How many calories a day are you eating? Are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal? Really the bottom line of weight loss is if you burn more calories than you consume, you'll lose weight. Looking at your eating habits is always the easiest place to start. Best wishes to you.

I can and do. I've never had a problem with any sort of pills, capsules, or tablets.

You should definitely be concerned. Anytime you're vomiting up blood something isn't right. Call your surgeon, tell him exactly what happened, and let him decide what the best course of action is. Always better safe than sorry.

Donna you look fantastic! You're a beautiful lady!!

It's very normal to feel hungry. In fact, it takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band to control hunger. It's not easy but stick to the post op diet and portions that your doctor gave you- despite the hunger. Best wishes

I've never had a problem taking pills, even bigger ones. In fact, I've never bothered cutting or crushing pills. I've always just swallowed them. If you do need to cut or crush a pill, check with your pharmacist first. Some pills are time release and unsafe to cut or crush, It's always better safe than sorry.

There's a lot of good, high Protein drinks on the market. But keep in mind drinking your calories is a slippery slope. It won't keep you full for long at all. As a result you're hungry sooner and eating more. I really wouldn't recommend it if you can at all avoid it, especially since you're already struggling. There's also a lot of quick easy meal ideas. Starkist makes a tuna and crackers packet and the tuna is pre-mixed. Lunchables even makes a healthy variety with things like whole wheat flat bread turkey and apple slices. Of course, you could always make something at home the night before and bring it with you. There's a lot of options out there, you just need to look around and figure out what will work for you.

Actually, if you're expecting the band to physically stop you from eating, you're expecting it to do things it's not meant to do. Some people do have certain foods they can't eat, and some simply can't eat large amounts without discomfort, but that's not the case for everyone. In fact, most people can over-eat if they really want to. We call it "eating around the band". This is why it's so important to keep your portions to a cup or less per meal so you don't accidentally over-eat. What the band is supposed do is keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Have a look at this link: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html As far as calories, it all really boils down to simple math. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. Being as you're struggling, I would strongly recommend counting calories for at least a little while. This way you can see exactly what you're eating and where you need to make changes. I'd also strongly suggest a visit to your nutritionist to help you establish food guidelines specific to you and your lifestyle. Best wishes.

I'm sorry you're struggling. It's a very good thing you got the unfill, though. Being too tight can lead to slips and you don't want to deal that. It's great your exercising, but are you sticking to band sized portions? How many calories are you eating a day? These things can definitely effect your weight loss greatly.