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Actually, 4.9 is actually on the lesser side. Though I am requesting a very small fill tomorrow, I was one of the lucky ones with a little restriction even before I had adequate Fluid in my band. I haven't had a fill since September but just this last week I'm noticing I'm a lot hungrier too often. It took me 4 fills to get to the Green Zone, but I had my band emptied in August for an emergency surgery (totally unrelated to the band) and had to go through it all again. I actually lost really fast at the beginning, but you have to realize, I also started with over 200 pounds to lose. That makes a huge difference in weight loss speed. I also started logging my calories religiously from the day I got home from the hospital, so that really helped my weight loss early on. Just remember, you're your own unique person. You'll lose at the perfect rate for you

Linking to another forum isn't proof. Nor is one doctor's supposed story. (if that's even who that person is, it's the internet, anyone can pretend to be anything) Yes, the plication is a newer procedure, however all WLS procedures were new at some point. In fact it wasn't too long ago people were howling how unsafe Gastric Bypass is and now it's widely accepted. Plication has far less risks and complications than the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass, too. Saying that plication is "ill conceived and dangerous" is just more ignorant paranoia.

Your thing about hunger is SO dead on. Too many people expect to never be hungry again and that's just not the case. It's your body's natural response to needing energy. A big part of the band is learning to actually listen to your body.

Hi Amy and Welcome! I'll try to answer your questions in order Diet: You'll find every doctor and nutritionist seem to have their own idea what works best. So, you'll get a wide variety of answers on that one. As for myself, I don't do the whole low carb thing. It's simply not realistic for me long me term. However, I do have some rules I follow. It's simply what works for me, everyone is different: -I never go over 1 cup of food per meal -I stay between 1000-1200 calories daily -I make sure to get at least 60g of Protein in daily Fills: How your feeling is totally normal. It takes most people multiple fills to have adequate Fluid in their bands. You'll here this time referred to as "bandster hell" because you don't feel any different yet you're expected to eat like a banded person. It's rough but a very common experience for a lot of us. Port: I won't lie, if you notice it now you will likely notice it more as you lose weight. I've lost 179 pounds so far and mine sticks out a lot more than it did originally. The good news is, if you find it's an issue once you real goal, you can always get it replaced with a low profile one. Best wishes!

Well the average is 1-2 pounds a week so I think that's a reasonable expectation. Otherwise, there's so many factors. Someone (like me) who starts off with over 200 pounds to lose is going to lose a lot faster in the beginning than someone who only has 80 pounds to lose. Also you have to take lifestyle, food choices, exercise, sex (men lose faster), and medical history into consideration. With that said, I lost really fast at the beginning. My surgery was Jan. 6 2012 and my first fill was the end of February 2012. I had already lost 44 pounds by my first fill. Now...it's slowed a lot but I've also lost a lot. I go for my monthly doctor's appointment tomorrow and have only lost 6 pounds since my appointment 4 weeks ago. (which, btw, I'm totally ok with that amount.) As long as the scale is going down not up, I honestly don't think much else matters.

It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. It's hard at the beginning, I know, but going back onto the pre-op diet isn't the answer. You need to learn to eat healthy in band sized portions. Have you been to a nutritionist? Also, chances are good you will always have to stop yourself from eating. While some people get discomfort if they over-eat, it's not the band's job to physically stop you from eating anything. Have a look at this link, I think it may help you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Hang in there, it does get easier but it does take time.

It's not unkind or arrogant, it's the truth. I see post after post on here of people literally jeopardizing their health and their band with their behavior. When someone has a slip because of their fault, it is completely irrelevant to band complications by no fault of the patient. Why am I on here? Why not? It's a public forum, if you don't want responses get a blog. Plus, I'm really tired of the under-educated and paranoid needlessly scaring newcomers with their self-induced horror stories or just plain spouting false information. Someone needs to step up and say "hey, this isn't true, don't be afraid". Maybe you're happy sitting back letting people spread plain crap about the band- I'm not. We have a hard enough time dealing with the ignorance of people in our real lives who know nothing about the band yet run their mouth about it. The last thing we need is to breed ignorance in our own community.

I did and I won't lie, it was awful. I slowly cut back on caffeine over a couple weeks but I still had nasty headaches for about a week after I stopped it completely. However, I was weaning off soda, which is necessary because it's carbonated. coffee isn't carbonated so you can still have it after being banded. Energy drinks are ok if they're not carbonated but just be really careful of excess calories.

Sorry but both links are irrelevant. Neither study differentiate between complications caused by patient non-compliance and complications of no fault of the patient. Just because half the Lap Band patients are messing up their own bands with their own ignorant behavior isn't a reflection on those who actually follow the rules and do the right thing. The second study was based on the 4cc band, which hasn't been used in the United States in a couple years because they've (unfortunately) had a lot of problems with the smaller band. So again, anyone banded in the last couple years has a bigger band so that study is completely irrelevant.

I completely agree with Floridays. Aside from medical reasons and band malfunctions unrelated to patient compliance, it is a choice. Too often people expect the band to do things it's simply not made to do or they expect it to fix their brains. It's a choice. Either you follow the rules and do what's necessary to lose or you don't. That's not to say that people don't seriously struggle within themselves- a lot do. But the bottom line is, the band does do it's job when properly used and maintained. It's up to us to us to be compliant and not let our mind (oh I want something to eat) over-rule our bodies (I'm not physically hungry, so I won't eat even though I want to).

I wore their hospital gown, but I brought my own robe and slippers. Kept me from flashing my butt when walking around and my feet warm. I personally wouldn't wear my own pajamas unless they were old and I didn't care if they got ruined. This way if blood should seep onto them it's no big deal.

I agree, you need to get it looked at it. It's always better safe than sorry.

There's a lot of slider foods that most wouldn't think of, cookies being one. Chips are another one. Both pretty much dissolve in your mouth as you chew so by the time they hit your stomach, they slide right through as if they were liquids.

First, what phase of the post op diet are you supposed to be on? You need to realize that you really can mess things up by not following your doctor's orders and giving your stomach time to heal. Your stomach has been sutured and by not following your post op diet you run a real risk of ripping those newly healing stitches. You also need to realize not having a fill has nothing to do with it. Most people need multiple fills before they have adequate fluid in their bands and the band won't stop you from eating the wrong things. It is always your job to make good food choices. Stick to your doctor's guidelines. No exceptions.

It could be. Plus, if the chicken is dry, it's going to be a lot harder to swallow. You have to remember that Cookies are slider food. They are processed junk that pretty much melts in your mouth when you chew it. Because of this, most cookies will slide right through the band. My nutritionist advised that bites be the size of your fingernail, so very small.

Even if it's not your surgeon, if he's doing the fill he has to have your band history. This, coupled with the information you tell him, should allow him to decide how much of a fill you need.

This isn't for everyone, that's for sure. Some do low carb, some don't restrict carbs at all, and some vary between the two. Everyone needs different things to be successful.

Yes, it's totally normal. The band's job isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. Have a look at this link: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

If I were to eat flat bread, this would be a great choice. Especially since it's 100% whole wheat. In fact my kids have been wanting to make homemade pizza...I think I'll have to look for this locally! EDIT: And as long as your surgeon has ok'd you to be on solid foods, I say go cautiously and slowly but enjoy.

Actually, there isn't anything universal on any diet, pre or post op. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Every surgeon has their own idea what works and too often I'd see surgeons that forbid or allow things that most others don't.

I use whole wheat pasta. It's much better for you than processed, white pasta.

I don't think anyone would call your post band bashing. You simply shared your experience, that is very different than the people who get on here and howl "oh the band is horrible and should be taken off the market!". I think your story is very informative and good information to know. It makes sense, too. At least to me anyway. I have very large hernias. I've had problems with them reoccurring since a botched child birth destroying my abdominal walls in 2002. I've had 3 surgeries and just had an emergency surgery for one that became strangulated in August. I notice a very direct connection between my band tightness and my bowels. When I'm clogged up or the hernias are sore and I can feel stuff slowing down through the weak spots, I find eating difficult. Like you, once everything moves through, I can eat normally and problem free again. I think it's just another reminder that sometimes things way beyond our control do happen. I suppose it's simply a risk we all take when deciding not only to have Lap Band but any WLS. Best wishes to you and I hope the rest of your journey finds you healthy

It's all for healing. It has nothing whatsoever to do with weightloss. I had 2 weeks of Clear Liquids, 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushies, 2 weeks of soft foods then finally back to normal solid food.

I'm definitely a pear shape and still a pear shape as I lose. Just a gradually smaller pear with wrinkly skin lol.

I have a 10cc band. The band size your surgeon uses depends greatly on your anatomy. I had to stay overnight in the hospital. It appears most do. How much weight you lose is entirely up to you. If you're willing to work for it, you can lose 100% for your excess weight. It all depends on much you're willing to follow the band rules and do the work.