DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Too many possibilities to even guess, especially on a forum. It could be gallbladder, appendicitis, intestinal issues, hernia, even migrating pain from an ovarian cyst. I'm sure there's even more possibilities than I listed here, too. Just wait and see what the doc says after running more tests. Trying to self diagnose, especially when even your doctor isn't sure, is just going to stress you out needlessly. Best wishes.

Ohhhh..I never considered an allergy/food sensitivity to it. It's possible! Or it could even be something specific to the way they cook it at that particular restaurant. I'd almost be want to try a different place and see if it has the same effect.

MSG is just an additive, it won't effect food going down versus getting stuck. When I was early in my journey, I thought I was taking small enough bites yet constantly getting stuck. Finally, I did as my nutritionist recommended and started to take bites no bigger than my fingernail. It's only then I was able to eat whatever I wanted again. It's a learning process.

This is strictly my personal opinion, but I wouldn't that close to going on vacation. It would be awful to be away from home, realize you're too tight, and there's nothing you can do. Plus, it sounds like you're awfully close to the Green Zone already. It would be really easy to accidentally get the band too tight. Good luck.

Yes. It's not like "oh that's so good!" but it's better than like chicken broth. I keep some on hand for after I have fills when I'm liquids again.

I love unjury. I am over a year post op and I still have an Unjury chocolate Splendor shake every single morning for breakfast. If you mix it with 1 cup of skim milk (which I do), it's 183 calories total. The Unjury powder alone is: 100 calories .5g of fat 4g of carbs 20g of Protein

I didn't have a pre-op diet, but I had a VERY strict post diet. I was on just liquids for 4 weeks after surgery. Let me tell you, it was brutal and I was starving, but I didn't cheat. Not once. You do what you have to do, even if it's hard and not pleasant, it's that simple. You follow your doctors guidelines no matter how hungry you get. Cheating only hurts yourself and quite frankly, it's foolish to sabotage yourself by cheating.

It took me 4 fills to reach a place where I could eat a cup of food per meal and not be hungry again for 4-5 hours. I still lost weight before that because I have always measured my food and counted calories. It just got a lot easier when I was no longer hungry all the time.

No offense, but this is WAY more than anyone with a Lap Band could or should be eating per meal. You do realize this is a forum for people who are considering or have been banded? This menu is great for a non-banded person but it has nothing to do with us here on the Lap Band boards.

I personally don't do low carb. For me, it's simply not realistic long term and I lose great when eating healthy carbs. I am careful to get in at least 60g of Protein daily, though. I also make sure I never eat more than a cup of food per meal and stay between 1000-1200 calories per day. My starting BMI was scary high, it was 72. EDIT: Bah, I missed the "pre-op" diet part of your post. Sorry!! This is my daily post op diet. My bad!

I'm sorry you feel mislead, but what the nurse told you is true. The band's job isn't to limit your portions or physically stop you from eating anything. It's job is to keep you satiated on much less food for much longer periods of time. Have a look at this link, it explains it very well: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Your band flipped? I'm not sure that's physically possible unless your stomach flips with it. Do you mean you had a slip maybe? Or possibly your port flipped?

I used a baby spoon and fork at the beginning of my journey. I felt it really helped to teach me to take small bites. Now a year a later, I just use normal utensils because small bites are second nature to me, but I would definitely recommend it to someone just starting out.

Too often we see newcomers overwhelmed by all the negative publicity and horror stories about the band. If that isn't bad enough, we all know there's a ton of downright false information flying around about it too. We've all heard it and we've all spent our fair share of time trying counter all this negativity with truth. It's unfortunate that it seems those having major problems are the always the loudest while the happy successful people sit mostly silent on the sidelines. This is a big part of the reason people assume the worst! People, are you happy with your band? Have you lost any weight? I know you're out there, so tell us about!! Really, it's ok to brag!! Share your hopes, your dreams, your success stories! Not only is it good for your own spirit but it really can encourage others and give them hope when they need it most. Post your success stories here please!!

I've not tried them, but it sounds like you read the label so you know what's in it. I wouldn't eat them all the time but I imagine they'd be good for a quick lunch.

Welcome back! I think you'll do beautifully with the band. You obviously have the commitment and determination or you would've given up long ago, but you didn't, and now here you are. It's that commitment and determination that will help you so much! Best wishes to you on your journey.

I do it the same way as rkimom but I use Lose It! It has a section for recipes so I either scan in each ingredient or just manually type it in. Then, it's saved for the future, so any time I make the same thing again I just pull it from the database. It's really easy!

Ok I'm sorry you had to learn that lesson the hard way... but oh my gosh...I just laughed so hard I snorted at your post!!!! "Mistress Band, the Dominatrix"!! ROFLMAO!!!!

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss Just do the best you can. Try to remember that food will only make you feel better for a few fleeting seconds on the tongue, but if you over do it, the remorse and guilt will stick with you for days and weeks. Plus, as Maddysgram said, your grandma would want you healthy. ((hugs))

I agree with Jcrisp0407, I'd ask to have the site numbed ahead of time too. I've never had problems with my fills, however I noticed the smaller I get the easier my fills get. It used to be I had to lay down and lift my legs (no easy task for a big girl, btw) and he'd push around to find the port. Now, all I do is lay down, he barely touches my stomach because he can almost immediately feel it, and the fill is over in seconds. No lifting my legs, no pushing, and no discomfort. Hang in there, hopefully it gets easier for you too.

I'm so tempted to go over there and post a big long "hello!" thread, sharing my great success with the band (yes, I'm feeling feisty and bit snarky today lol)

I actually know rather a lot about Lupus, which is why I laughed when I read someone was told the band caused Lupus. What I am guessing is, she likely already had undiagnosed Lupus before getting the band and the band sent the disease into over-drive. As far as autoimmune diseases, the only one that is listed as a direct contradiction to the band is Lupus. But, even with Lupus, there are people who have it and still do just fine with the band. The reason I know so much on this topic is because I have Multiple Sclerosis (another autoimmune disease). But, I also tested positive for Lupus in my spinal Fluid and 1 of the possible blood markers. However, I have not been officially diagnosed with Lupus because I didn't have all the blood markers nor do I have the symptoms. I'm told it's "almost inevitable" I will be at some point in my future because of the presence in my spinal fluid, but I am hopeful to dodge that bullet. MS is enough But... I did research it and talk to my surgeon at length about it. The band was worth the risk in my case. Even if I did develop full blown Lupus I'd still be glad for my band (and it sure as heck wouldn't be caused by my band!).

...I almost spewed my diet iced tea all over my screen laughing!!!

You have got to be kidding me, the band causes Lupus? LMAO!!! I'm sorry, but that's about the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet. If that's what is going on over there, I'd stay away if I were you. It sounds like they're drowning in their own ignorance. I promise, we have some crazy ones here at LapBandTalk but nothing nearly that extreme

You're doing awesome!! Honestly, it sounds like your band is darn near perfect now!