DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Everyone is different. Some take a year to lose 50 pounds. I happened to lose that in the first 3 months. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you're losing, regardless of the rate.

You get to claim them forever, you earned it Congratulations!

It's the fad of the moment, and that's my honest opinion. I don't do low carb either. I've lost almost 160 pounds in 9 months eating Pasta, rice, potatoes, and Cereal daily. Low carb simply isn't realistic for me long term so I choose to count calories, make sure I get all my Protein, restrict my fat intake, but still enjoy my carbs. Obviously, everyone is different and has different needs, but I'm living proof low carb isn't always necessary to successfully lose weight.

I am so very sorry you have to go through this I have to deal with similar from my mom. She'll compliment me on my weight loss, but it's always followed by how horrible my clothes look before they're too big, or how my hair should be shorter "to make my face look thinner", or even little comments like "must be nice to have the band to take the weight off so fast, some of us are stuck just dieting". You have to look he source: the source is their ignorance. You are doing AMAZING, please don't let your mom rain your parade. You are making your body healthier every day and you're even prolonging your life. What you're doing is nothing less than incredible. Hold your head high and proudly- regardless what others say.

I would definitely have your surgeon take a look at you then, possibly even get a slight unfill. Vomiting and a band that is too tight can cause some serious complications, so it's definitely better safe than sorry. Best wishes to you.

First, congratulations on quitting smoking. I'm an ex smoker too so I know how hard it is to quit. Do you think possibility anxiety from quitting smoking is making your band feel tighter? Or have you gained any weight because of the quitting smoking? I ask about the weight only because weight gain can increase the size of your stomach, making your band tighter.

Everyone is different, but I don't follow a low carb diet at all. I love carbs and I eat Pasta, rice, and potatoes daily. For me, low carb simply isn't realistic long term. However, I do make sure I get in all my Protein, limit my fat intake, and restrict my calories to 1000-1200 a day. But I do not restrict carbs and I've been quite successful despite it.

Don't sweat it, really. My weight can fluctuate as much as 3 pounds from day to day just based on my sodium intake. Fluctuations in weight are totally normal.

Just my opinion, but if I were you I'd be searching out a good nutritionist not another clinic. The band won't make good food choices for you or limit your portion sizes. A nutritionist can help you figure out where you need to make changes to lose weight, as well as help you establish good food guidelines to live by that fit your lifestyle and needs. And the surgeon is right about one thing- you won't lose without a healthy diet and exercise. I'm just sorry he's not giving you much more guidance to point you in that direction. Best wishes to you.

Unless your doctor said otherwise, whenever you want, as it's a liquid. However, just a small Pumpkin Spice Latte is 380 calories. Unfortunately, that is the case with all those flavored coffee drinks. So if you do get one, be sure to be mindful of the calories and how they may effect you. (btw, I love those types of coffee drinks too. I still have one as a treat once in awhile)

If you have Water coming back up, you're still too tight. I would go back in for a little unfill sooner than later. Dehydration is dangerous a band too tight can lead to serious complications. Best wishes to you.

I actually have to fly soon too and am seriously nervous about it. So, I researched it. Airplane seat belts are typically 47 inches long. So, if you sit on a chair and measure across your lap, you'll know. If it's less than 47 inches from one side of the chair, up over and across your lap, then down to the other side, then you won't need one. I'll keep my fingers crossed neither of us need one P.S.- I'm also nervous about the airplane seat width and fitting there too. Ugh

I have read considerably on both and honestly haven't been able to find major, notable differences. I honestly think at the end of the day, it's going to come down the surgeon's relationship with each company and their own personal preference.

I have had similar after surgery, and not just band surgery either. Like you, I've sworn I must've had a fever but never actually did. I never did figure out what caused it, but I just assumed it was my body's adverse reaction to either anesthetic or some other drug they gave me while in the hospital. Best wishes.

Excellent post and wise words of advice. I hope others read it.

Unfortunately, if you can't swallow anything, the only thing that is going to help is an unfill. It's important you do this immediately, too. Dehydration is very dangerous and bands that are too tight can lead to very serious complications. Good luck.

Yeah I was told chili after being blended to mush was fine. The same can actually be done with any meat. Say chicken breast, puree'd in chicken broth, until smooth and mushy. Chicken and tuna salad in a blender are good too.

So funny how different docs have different ideas. I wish they had one set of rules they all followed, it would make our lives so much simpler! See my doctor said stuff like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, applesauce, or pretty much anything puree'ed to mush was a "mushy" food. Things like soft Pasta, chicken salad, tuna salad, or even scrambled eggs were a soft food. I was told mushy food should be the consistency of baby food and soft food was chewed but...well...soft. As for pasta, it's definitely not a slider food for me at all. If I eat too fast or too big a bite, it'll definitely get stuck. Also, I'm more than satisfied on a cup or less of it for 4 or more hours. (and I eat pasta often because I don't do the whole low carb thing, either) Just another example of how different we can all be.

As already stated, new studies have come out saying the food doesn't stay above the band for more than a minute, contrary to what they originally believed. However, if say you're eating too fast or really big bites, that could definitely cause a bit of a food "back log" resulting in it taking longer to go through. So, first and foremost, be sure to take small bites and go slow. With that said, most people I've talked to don't have a problem with food "washing through" too fast (as referenced above) but rather the Water coming back up at them if they drink while eating. A couple times I've had a very small sip of water during a meal if something is way too spicy, and while it didn't come back up at me, it was extremely uncomfortable. I felt a lot of gurgling and pressure and it pretty much killed whatever appetite I had because of the discomfort. My opinion (and I'm not a doctor, so definitely listen to your doc above everyone else) is that a tiny sip when absolutely necessarily is fine, just be prepared until you know how your specific band is going to react. Having food and water gurgle back up at you at a restaurant isn't pleasant. Best wishes to you!

The fact you had a fill under fluroscopy and they didn't see a leak is a good thing. The fact the radiologist couldn't pull any back out either means it's not just your doctor doing something wrong because that's now two medical professionals with the same result. I would be very concerned if I were in your shoes, too. Perhaps telling your doctor you want solid answers is in order. Or, possibly a second opinion with another surgeon if you doctor isn't willing to get to the bottom of the matter. Best wishes to you. I hope it all works well.

I'd go for it. And I didn't do a pre op diet, either. I only had to stop eating completely 24 hours before surgery, that's it. You've come so far, jumped through all their hoops to get approved, and waited all these months. I'd totally do it while you can.

My surgeon let me have Pasta in the soft food phase, not the mushie phase. However every surgeon is different and has different ideas, too. For instance, I was allowed cottage cheese in the liquid phase because I don't like yogurt. (weird huh?) I'd ask your doc just to be sure, but on my post op diet, it would've been the soft food phase.

Oh wow I am so very sorry. That's simply awful. Please do keep us posted how you are. I'll be sending thoughts and prayers your way for a full recovery without having to lose your port.

*laughs* Rude? I'm sorry you confuse honesty and facts with rudeness. Perhaps a dictionary might be good item to add your Christmas wish list.

I've had mine for 9 months and lost 158 pounds so far. I've had no complications, I have only PB'd twice, and I can still eat anything I want. I love my band.