DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Actually, that isn't how the band is supposed to work. The band isn't supposed to make you throw up. Ever. Throwing up is one of the leading causes of slips and should be avoided at all costs. I would talk to your surgeon about this. I'd hate to see you end up with serious complications.

I'm sorry you're struggling. If I were in your shoes, I'd call your surgeon. Explain your situation and see if maybe they can work out a deal to give you a break on the cost of fills. I've known others to do this and only end up paying $50-$100 per fill. It's definitely worth a try. Feeling you're starving hungry all the time is awful. It's a shame you don't have enough Fluid in your band because it's that exact feeling the band was meant to help control. Until you get adequate fluid in your band, the only advice I can offer is to load up on Protein. Protein keeps you full a lot longer than carbs. Good luck to you and definitely give your surgeon a call.

I don't have Alopecea, however I do know both surgery and not getting enough Protein in your diet can cause hair loss. I personally take 5000mcg of Biotin daily and am careful to get in all my protein daily. I don't think Biotin was the cause of your weight gain, btw. There is no medical evidence linking Biotin to weight gain, in fact, Biotin helps you metabolize fats and carbohydrates more efficiently, helping to actually increase weight loss. Here's a great article on it: http://www.livestrong.com/article/324249-effects-of-biotin-on-the-weight-loss/ Best wishes!

It sounds to me like you need a new surgeon. No offense, but yours sounds totally useless if not incompetent.

LOL funny timing, I was just telling J*** about your spinach and chicken casserole and showing him your pics of it a couple minutes ago. It's going to be a dinner here one night this week

If you mean the Omega-3, I've never noticed a fishy smell with the gel caps. I have taken the Nature's Bounty brand. Stay away from tablets, they smell awful and give you horrible breath.

Your stomach has been sutured and manipulated. It needs time to heal before dumping food down into it again. It sucks but we've all been there and we all survived. You will too. Best wishes.

Here, I found a pic. I put a red arrow pointing to the sugar alcohol. So this sugar free cookie would only actually count as 10 carbs, because you subtract 3 for fiber and 3 for sugar alcohol.

Yes correct. Stevia wouldn't have it because Stevia is an organic sugar substitute. Look on the back of something sugar free, like sugar free pudding, and you'll see sugar alcohol.

Dumping isn't a symptom of the Lap Band because our digestive system hasn't been re-routed or changed. Here's the 5 day pouch test: http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I saw it in my sugar free pudding last night. Was kinda funny because I had enough calories in my budget for it, but it was a low carb day, and I didn't want to go over in carbs. But I looked and sure enough when I subtracted the sugar alcohol, it fit into my carb budget. YAY!!

Granted I'm no doctor, but if you have good restriction in your band, then I'd say no fill. Here's why: Too often we forget that fills actually have nothing to do with losing weight. Fills allow the band to greatly diminish hunger and be satisfied on small amounts of food for long time. If you already have this, you don't need a fill. You are still losing about a 1 pound a week. The average is 1-2 pounds a week so you're doing just fine. I know it's frustrating because we all want it gone faster, but the truth is you're doing beautifully just as you are, so why mess with it? It's going to take time, it's just the nature of the beast. If I were in your shoes, I'd change up my calories or exercise routine to try to boost your metabolism. You'd be amazed how much a little change can effect your weight loss greatly. Best wishes to you and congratulations on your loss!

My first piece of advice would be to brush up on what your band isn't and isn't supposed to do for you. You say "I'm not suppose to have bread, but I can eat some." Most of us can. But you need to realize the band's job isn't to stop you from eating bread or anything else. Some people do have issue with bread, but that's a side effect not the intention. Have a look at this link, I think it might help: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Patient non-compliance is the #1 reason Lap Band patients don't lose weight. Not following up with your surgeon, not seeing your nutritionist, and not following the guidelines they set up for you all sets you up for failure. The good news is, this is all 100% in your control. Make an appointment to get back into your doctor for a check up and possible fill. Then, make an appointment with your nutritionist to establish eating guidelines specific to your lifestyle. The beauty of the band is- you can always start over. So... use this opportunity to start fresh. Best wishes.

You might want to read Jean's story. She had to have her band removed due to 20+ years of acid reflux and the effect on her esophagus. It sounds kinda similar to what you have. Have a look at her post here on this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/163708-band-it-or-sleeve-it/#entry1923280 Not that I'm trying to talk you out of the band, believe me I'm not. But I'd really hate to see you go through what Jean went through. Best wishes.

What you're going through is pretty normal. We call it bandster hell, because you have no fills and don't feel any different yet are expected to eat like a bandster. It's very difficult. Keep in mind the first 4-6 weeks are for healing, so don't be overly concerned about the scale. Just try to be patient because as long as you're eating band sized portions and watching your calories, the loss will come, it just may take a couple fills before the band starts to diminish your hunger for you. Best wishes.

Don't forget what 2012 said, too. That sugar alcohol doesn't effect your blood sugar and shouldn't be included in net carbs either.

Welcome! Yes, that's because they pump gas into your abdominal cavity during the surgery. It's a pretty common discomfort afterward. The best thing you can do is to walk as much as you can. Because it's not in your digest system, your body has to reabsorb it. Walking helps your body do this. I also found a heating pad helped ease the discomfort, too. Best wishes.

Honestly, even if you're not on low carb, if you look at the nutritional info they seem to be a great way to get in some extra protein in the form of a healthy snack. I can't wait to try them. The strawberry cheesecake looks yummy!

I love pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes. The only bread that gets stuck for me is the unhealthy kind- the fluffy processed white stuff. If I stick to whole wheat, I'm fine so long as I take small bites and chew it until mush.

I eat Lean Cuisines a couple times a week for lunch. They are high in sodium and most are do have rice or pasta, but I don't do the whole low carb thing (except when trying to break a plateau, then I carb cycle) so the carbs aren't an issue for me. I also like the Smart Ones frozen dinners. As far as which ones won't get stuck, unfortunately you'll have to do some trial and error to see which work specifically for you.

There's actually a really long thread about it here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/159669-carb-cycling-an-experiment-gone-right/page__st__420#entry1923525

I'm really relieved you're going to see your doc. Don't be embarrassed you've stayed away, rather be proud you're regaining control of the situation. As far as food when traveling, I find using the Lose It app for Android a godsend. It's a really easy way to track food, including fast food and restaurant food. I don't travel nearly as much as you do but when I'd be lost without it when I do.

I've hit a plateau that lasted almost 7 weeks once. It was frustrating as heck but it did eventually pass. Sometimes changing up your calories can trick your metabolism into working again, like dropping down to 900 calories one day then up to 1300 calories the next day. Changing up your exercise routine to new stuff can help, too. Lately when I hit a plateau, I carb cycle. It seems to work. Best wishes, just know that it will pass on it's own eventually.

Actually my surgeon says 1 cup or less per meal, and I do it by alternating high and low carb days. Today is a low carb day for me. I'll only be carb cycling until Tuesday when I get a fill. I've been carb cycling again for the last week to break a plateau (which it did).

If you are having port pain, gallbladder pain, and a band too tight your first priority needs to be seeing your surgeon immediately. I'm not trying to scare you, but walking around with a band too tight for 4 years is just begging for a major slip. I guarantee the cost of having your band removed entirely because of neglect would be far more expensive than the cost of an office visit and a slight unfill. Bands too tight can also cause weight gain, btw. Yet another reason to get into your surgeon. Best wishes.