DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Only if you're prone to ulcers. If you're not and your surgeon didn't tell you no caffeine, you're fine.

It's a big misconception that food can cause band erosion. Food never touches the band. However, if your prone to ulcers from things like NSAIDS, then it could contribute to band erosion via an ulcer. There is also band erosion which is actually secondary. First a slip occurs and then the band erodes into the stomach because the slip goes undetected. This type of erosion is much more common because it's usually caused by human error, like a band too tight, vomiting, and/or over eating. Statistically speaking, band erosion as a primary complication (not secondary to a slip) only occurs in 1% of cases. The chances of it happening are very rare. http://arturorodriguezmd.com/lap-band-slippage-causes-and-prevention/comment-page-8

This is what I posted on a thread about this today. No one cares if someone can't spell well or makes a lot of errors. However, when I read a post that honestly looks like it was written in secret code by a drunk 3rd grader and makes zero sense because it's written *that* badly, I totally ignore it. If I need a secret decoder ring just to make sense of it, I won't deal with it.

Here you go, this cites a clinical study of over 4000 patients and it does take into consideration slips by the fault of the patient: http://arturorodrigu.../comment-page-8 "A clinical study was done in Germany to review complications following lap band surgery. Thirty-five hospitals were involved in the study, with 4138 patients that underwent gastric banding over a five-year period. Lap Band long-term complications were described in 8.6% of all patients. The most common complications included: pouch dilation or enlargement (5.0%), lap band slippage (2.6%), and Lapband migration or erosion (1.0%). (Stroh,C Manger, T “Complications after adjustable gastric banding”, Chirurg, 2006, Vol 77,pag 244-250)" "Risk factors or causes of lap band slippage include surgical technique, model of the lapband used, early consumption of solid foods, early inflation or filling of the band, consumption of carbonated or sparkling beverages, and frequent vomiting."

Well, that's difficult to answer. When you say you feel no restriction, exactly what sensation are you looking for? Here's an excellent article that does a great job describing what "restriction" really is and what we should (and shouldn't) expect: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

I've had mine for almost 10 months. It'll be 10 months on Nov 6th to be exact. I've taken pills, including some rather large ones, from the very beginning with no problems. I'm just really careful after a fill to make sure they still go down ok.

I try to eat between 1000-1200 a day. If I eat less, I find my weight loss drops significantly.

A lot of us can and do take pills, myself included. It's not weird at all. I don't wait 30 minutes to drink after a protein shake because a protein shake is liquid. However, to be honest I never asked my doctor or nutritionist about it either. I just assumed.

I will probably regret commenting on this...but as far as the posting/spelling issue? No one cares if someone can't spell well or makes a lot of errors. However, when I read a post that honestly looks like it was written in secret code by a drunk 3rd grader and makes zero sense because it's written *that* badly, I totally ignore it. If I need a secret decoder ring just to make sense of it, I won't deal with it.

This may sound weird, but it's a trick a nurse taught me after a c-section. Most of the time the pain after abdominal surgery doesn't result from being directly on your tummy as much as it is from the process of being on your side to roll onto your tummy. It tugs and pulls those wounded muscles. So, what she told me to do was, crawl up the foot of the bed on my hands and knees and slowly lower myself onto my tummy. I was scared to death because I'd tried to roll onto my tummy and it hurt horribly, but sure enough, I did exactly as she advised and it worked. And, the pressure from laying on my tummy actually felt good. I have now used that trick through four more various abdominal surgeries over the last decade and it always works for me. Just a little trick I learned as a tummy sleeper after abdominal surgery!

That study is very small, and it doesn't take into consideration complications and slips by patient error. I have no doubt the number of people having complications is that high, but you must take into consideration the percentage of those complications that are patient caused. That study makes no difference between band caused complications and patient caused ones.

Just my personal opinion, but I think it's better to go slower with fills. It's a lot easier to ease into the Green Zone than it is to blow past it into over-filled, then trying to back Fluid out and into the Green Zone. I know it can be frustrating because it can take longer, but I really think it's smarter and safer in the long run.

First, in answer to your question, no the Lap Band can't cause an eating disorder. However, that's not to say someone with the band can't develop an eating disorder. They can and do, and this is actually a big part of why most doctors require a psych evaluation before surgery, so they can try to spot people with a tendency towards eating disorders in advance. With that said, you should not be vomiting with the band. Vomiting is one of the leading causes of slips. You need to get back into your surgeon immediately and likely get a small unfill. Right now, honestly, you're playing Russian roulette with your band and body. If you are afraid you have an eating disorder, seek out a counselor. You're worth it to help yourself get healthy both mentally and physically. Best wishes.

Keep your appointment and talk to your surgeon. Tell him you don't want a fill and why. He should be the one helping you make that decision, not us.

As other stated, there are decent fast food choices, but you have to really do your homework to know them in advance. I understand someone who travels a lot or is away from home looking for something quick and easy, but in those cases, it's still their responsibility to make the healthiest choice they can. I am a firm believer nothing is off limits with the band except carbonation. If someone wants a Whopper, go for it, it's their decision. However, if someone is eating Whoppers and Big Macs regularly, they have zero room to whine about "Oh no I'm gaining weight! My band failed!"

Granted this is strictly my opinion, but I don't think it has anything to do with the band but rather a change in their mindset because of being banded. I've noticed with many people, they go into being banded with a "can't fail, won't fail" attitude, determined to beat this. Very often those people have a very big change of mindset that comes with it. Their determination to lose weight and be healthy subconsciously effects their views on food, too. That's not at all to say just because you think about food you're not determined or committed. Believe me, I'm extremely determined and committed and I have my days my brain is obsessed with food. But those days are the exception not the rule since being banded and everyone's minds works differently. Some are simply going to have a harder time than others. Food addiction is real.

I'm not sure if you're in the Green Zone, but a couple things to point to help you decide. Stuck episodes, coughing up food, etc is not a sign of being in the Green Zone. That's a sign of eating too fast or not chewing enough. You say there days you can eat anything you want. The band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. It's your job to control your portions and stop eating after 1 cup of food per meal. Likewise, just because you can eat anything (bread, Pasta, etc) doesn't mean you're not in the Green Zone. Many of us in the Green Zone still can and do whatever we like, just in moderation. As far as looking for Snacks and thinking about stuff like Butterfingers, the band isn't going to change your brain. That is head hunger not physical hunger. The band can't stop you from wanting food you shouldn't be eating. Unfortunately, that's a demon in our minds we all have to deal with on our own. Being in the Green Zone simply means you can be satisfied (not hungry) on less food for longer periods of time. Can you eat a cup or less of food per meal and go at least 4 hours without being physically hungry? If yes,you're in the Green Zone. If not, you may need a small fill.

Congratulations! You're doing great!

Beer is carbonated and carbonation is the only thing we're not supposed to have, so I'd advise against it. ...unless you drink it flat.

Protein shakes aren't necessary to lose weight, burning more calories than you consume is. Also, the band isn't supposed to stop you from eating anything. It's your job to control your portions, not the band's job. Are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal? Do you count calories? Do you get in all your protein? Do you get any exercise? These are the things that will help you lose weight.

If you're taking small enough bites and chewing your food thoroughly enough, you won't and shouldn't feel it.

That depends, are you taking small bites and chewing it until mush? If yes and you still can't eat solids, then your band is too tight. Call your doctor.

You're going to have to be a a lot more specific.

Unless your doctor told you otherwise, it's fine.

Happy Health Anniversary!! Congratulations!!!