DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Yes this is just another example how every doctor seems to have their own ideas of what works. My doc has no problem with straw use and I use them regularly.

Ignorance, pure and simple. They think WLS is the easy way out due to ignorance. I had a friend (and I use the term loosely) post very similar on Facebook. She lost around 120 pounds and posted how she did it "without surgery", too. Mind you, she is also a single woman, no children, and has the free time to spend 4 hours a day in the gym and spend thousands on a personal trainer. Ironically, as much as she was quick to point out the weight loss without surgery, she neglected to mention the tummy tuck she had a couple months ago. I just ignore them. The ignorant aren't worth my time or effort to fret over.

Have your doctor document it, including prescribed treatments for it, for 6 months. Most will cover it after that time period has shown no relief with creams and pills.

I was originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass and backed out at the last minute. I just couldn't logically rationalize rerouting my intestines without trying something less drastic first. I also considered the Sleeve, but again, I just couldn't rationalize cutting 3/4 of my healthy stomach. I also didn't want to deal with the malabsorbtion/malnutrition issues of either. So, I got the band because it's reversible, the safest, and least drastic. I figured it was the most logical starting place, and if the band didn't work, I could always go to the Sleeve later.

I stay right around 1200 calories a day now. I find that along with walking 2 miles, 5 nights a week, it works.

You're going to think I'm crazy, but I'd try upping your calories and see if that works. I experienced similar and that is what broke my plateau. Here is a blog entry I wrote on this topic, I'm copying it here because I think it may help: I wanted to share my recent experience with calories with everyone in hopes maybe the information can help someone else. My weight loss had seriously slowed down. To be honest, I spent about a month getting very frustrated because I'd slowed a lot (for me, anyway). I was eating around 900-1000 calories a day. I knew I couldn't lower my calories any further so I figured "ok, let's increase a little and see what happens". I raised my calories to about 1200 a day and sure enough, the weight started falling off again. July weight loss, on 900-1000 calories: 7.8 pounds/1.95 pounds per week August weight loss, on 1200 calories: 17.8 pounds/4.45 pounds per week Needless to say, that's a pretty big difference! So for anyone who's struggling to lose and eating under a 1000 calories a week, don't be afraid to play with your caloric intake. Raise it a little and see what happens after a week or two. It's worth a try, especially if it works!

Those tuna kits are great. I take them when I chaperone my son's field trips with his class. They come with pre-mixed tuna salad and crackers. They're perfect. I also keep Protein Meal Replacement bars in my purse just in case I find myself in a situation I can't find any band friendly meals. P.S.- the tuna kits don't have to be kept cool, either.

Congratulations!!

Holy cow that is TERRIBLE!! I'd have been extremely upset. If I were you, I'd definitely confront him and it wouldn't be done very nicely. That is just totally inexcusable. I am so sorry you have to go through this.

You can still have a slip even with plication, just FYI. You still have to follow the same rules as someone without it (cup or less of food per meal, no vomiting, etc.)

If you're PBing liquids, or just PBing without eating or drinking anything, you sound too tight

Until you reach your goal weight and stop losing, yes, it's likely you'll continue to need fills as your stomach shrinks. I've gone a couple months between fills, I'd have gone longer if I hadn't had surgery (not band related) requiring my band be emptied and re-filled.

Well a couple things, the band isn't supposed to keep you from eating anything, that's 100% your job to control what and how much you eat. It also isn't supposed to make you feel full, either. The only thing the band is supposed to do is keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of times. Satisfied meaning not physically hungry. It also takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band to satiate their hunger. So, be patient, it will come it just takes time.

First, stop looking for a full feeling. Don't expect the band to stop you from eating either. That isn't what the band is supposed to do. The only thing the band is supposed to do is keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Satisfied meaning not physically hungry- it has nothing do with being unable to overeat or feeling full. However, it is normal for the band to feel looser as we lose weight. The reason being the fat around the stomach shrinks making the band looser and requiring additional fills. It's very normal and all part of the process. Best wishes

Well, maybe you can give us some more info to help: -Do you stick to a cup or less of food per meal? -How many calories do you eat in a day? -Do you get in all your Protein daily? -Do you have adequate Fluid in your band to relieve hunger?

Many doctors only give the very small fills like you're describing. Some complain it takes too long and they're just doing it for extra money, but the truth is it's a lot easier to ease into the Green Zone with small fills than it is to blow past it into the Red Zone and then try to back out of it. You don't have to go every week. Why not just go once a month?

As my doctor explained and I've read, it's because there is still a pause above the band, the passing isn't immediate. The idea food will pass in a minute or so is true, however if someone isn't taking 1 minute pauses between every single bite, you can have food pile up. If you have say 2 or 3 bites now waiting to pass through, those 2 or 3 bites are now considerably bigger combined will take even longer to pass through. If someone is eating more than a cup of food, especially if they're not pausing between bites, it can stretch the pouch.

There's nothing wrong with eating sushi once you're healed and on solid food. However, sushi definitely isn't considered a "mushie" food. Mushie food is stuff like Jello, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pureed meats, applesauce, etc.

Actually the only way to know with 100% certainty if your pouch is stretched is with a barium swallow. You can have a stretched pouch with no symptoms, especially if the band hasn't slipped (yet, because it can lead to it eventually). If you're regularly eating more than 1 cup of food per meal, I would ask your surgeon to have it checked, especially if you don't have any symptoms. A stretched pouch is a lot easier to deal with than a full blown slip.

I'm positively thrilled with my results so far. I love my band!

About how many calories do you eat a day? Do you stick to a cup or less of food per meal?

I've had shrimp a couple times, cooked different ways, with no problem.

We are only supposed to eat a cup of food per meal, but you can get in 1000-1200 calories while still eating the proper portions. You just have to make sure the food choices you make are the best ones and be sure to get in all your protein.

If you've lost weight, that can make your stomach shrink and band loosen as a result. It's not uncommon for people to have adequate fluid in their band then suddenly finding themselves hungry again, needing another fill.

I saw mine both right after surgery and the next day. He also spent considerable time reassuring my mom I was ok after surgery. However, I am fully aware of the fact my surgeon is a rare one with a good bedside manner who actually cares about his patients as people rather than just another surgery.