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Prayers coming your way, Dana. Best wishes to you!

Oye, isn't that the worst? I remember my first stuck episode. I sat at the table, pounding my chest, making horrible faces as I cursed myself for eating too fast. Of course my kids thought my little show was rather amusing. *laughs* I would take it easy with liquids for the rest of today. Considering it wasn't a big episode, I would imagine by tomorrow you should be fine. Just start solids back up very cautiously when you do, just to be safe. Best wishes to you.

Your weight can easily fluctuate a couple pounds from day to day, especially depending on your female cycle and Water retention. Plus, whenever you first start dieting, the initial 7-10 pounds lost is usually excess fluids. I would just keep following your doc's diet as you have been, the weight will come off. ..and maybe try to restrict your weigh ins to once a week? This way those little fluctuations won't stress you out. Best wishes to you.

It's very much a personal choice. The big misconception is that the Sleeve or Bypass make it somehow easier to lose weight than the band. That isn't true. All three surgeries have their pros and cons, but the one thing they all have in common is that you must change your eating habits to healthy ones for a lifetime in order to successfully lose weight with any of them. If you keep eating the same unhealthy way you always have, you won't succeed losing weight regardless of which surgery you choose. WLS is a tool, not a magic cure for fat. The work is always ours to do, not the WLS. I would strongly suggest researching both procedures and see which you feel is best for you. Education is going to be your biggest asset when making this very big decision. Best wishes with whichever you decide on.

Congratulations and I hope you heal quickly!

I'm so glad you went for an unfill. I'd stick to liquids for a day or so if I were you, just to give your stomach time to calm and the inflammation to go down. Keep in touch and let us know how you are feeling!

Congratulations!!

Oh I agree with you 100%. But the reality is, it would worth it to me to stop drinking the Aspartame drinks for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference with my bladder. I mean, on the off chance it is the cause rather than the MS, it would be awesome to get off another daily drug. I'll be healthier for switching to Water anyway, so I see it as a win-win. What do you think about the butter substitutes? Does that concern you?

How do you see yourself as failing? In what way did you fail?

Holy crap butter substitute causing Alzheimers?? You have got to be kidding me. I use a lot of that too!

I drink A LOT of diet iced tea. I just checked it has Aspartame. Interestingly, I am on Detrol for bladder urgency issues. I've been on it for a couple years, my neurologist attributed it to the MS (I have Multiple Sclerosis) but now I'm wondering if it's all the Aspartame I ingest. I am glad to see Stevia is a safe alternative. I use it a lot, too

I'm watching it...this is really interesting, too. It's making me seriously rethink all the "sugar free" stuff like pudding in my fridge.

That is what helps me so much. I keep the light Laughing Cow cheeses, light string cheese, pistachios, and even 99% fat free lunch meat on hand for a good high protein snack.

Noooo not a test!! I always freeze up, panic, and fail tests!!

I've never had a slip, but I still struggle at night. For me, I fully realize it's nothing to do with physical hunger and everything to do with head hunger. I have no idea why, but without fail, around 7-8pm comes and I just want to graze on everything. Bite of this, taste of that, a little bit whatever is in the pantry. Some nights are worse than others, for instance last night I thought I'd lose my mind if I didn't find something to distract me from my obsession with wanting to snack on unhealthy stuff. I finally just went and took a long hot bath and by the time I was done the urge had finally passed. It was not easy though. I try to have a small snack of mostly Protein in the early evenings, usually light string cheese or low fat cottage cheese. I find it helps me battle those night time munchies a bit easier. Good luck.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it can last way beyond your first fill. It takes most people multiple fills before they have enough Fluid in their band to satiate their hunger. It's hard, very hard. But hang in there, it does get better and easier. Best wishes to you.

It's very hard when you're battling hunger and trying to lose weight, even harder when you've gone through the Lap Band surgery and are struggling to utilize the tool inside of you without adequate Fluid in the band yet. My heart goes out to you. When I was where you are, the only way I was able to lose weight despite not having enough fluid in my band was by focusing on calories and portion size, not actual meal times. I knew there was no way in hell I was going to make it 4 or more hours between meals without starving. I also knew that if I allowed myself to get to that starving point, I would start grazing and binging, resorting back to the old behaviors that got me fat to begin with. So, I timed it so I could eat something every 2 hours, and I did it while staying within my daily calorie allowance and making sure to never eat more than a cup of food per meal. For me, it worked. I was able to survive "bandster hell" and lose weight despite not being in the Green Zone yet. Hang in there and best wishes to you.

Welcome! We have a really a great group here, it's nice to see you become a part of it

It's important to realize fills don't make you lose weight. Eating healthy, eating smaller portions, and exercising is what makes you lose weight. All fills do is increase the Fluid in your band, and all the band is supposed to do is satiate your hunger with less food for longer periods of time. The band won't physically stop you from eating or make good food choices for you- that is your job to do for yourself. Good luck with your port. I'll pray it's not flipped but if it is, that you recover quickly and get back to your journey. Best wishes to you.

You're not being ridiculous at all. I did a BMI calculation based on your weight and height, your current BMI is 38.7. That is on the high end of the obese range, less than 2% from the morbidly obese range. It doesn't matter that your weight is under 200, for your height, it makes sense why you'd feel so miserable at your current weight. Getting the Lap Band is a very personal decision. Do your homework on it before making the decision. These forums are great for anecdotal evidence and person experiences, but be sure to learn the medical facts as well. Learn exactly what the band does, doesn't do, what to expect after surgery, and what not to expect. I would even find a seminar with a reputable surgeon in your area so you can learn more there. Education will be your best friend in making this decision. On a personal note- I think you're smart for trying to find a solution to your weight issues now before they get even more out of control. I only wish I'd gotten the Lap Band years before I finally did. Honestly, it's the best decision I've ever made for myself. I'm so incredibly glad I did it. Best wishes to you on whatever you decide.

It's actually fairly common for people have gallbladder problems after significant weight loss. The fact many are following a high protein/low carb diet contributes to it.

When I started I could hardly make it to the end of my street. It was a slow progression over time, in fact months. You'll get there,too ((hugs!))

If you're on solids, then yes. I would only advise making it one that's decent for you, not loaded in sugar like Coco Puffs or something similar.

I only walk. Exercise is a challenge for me because aside from trying to lose a ton of weight I also have Multiple Sclerosis. But, I can and do walk. In fact I find it makes me feel a lot better. I actually look forward to my daily 2 mile walks.