DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

In short, yes, it's TOTALLY worth it. I know it' hard in the beginning, especially when you're still healing, but soon you feel normal again. Then, before you know it, you'll have a couple fills and be well on your way to better health. It's a slow, often frustrating process but it is so very worth it.

I would try places like Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul, or some other thrift store.

You're doing awesome so far, I'm sure you'll be wildly successful with the band! Best wishes to you!

That's awesome! Congratulations!!!

hahaha that would be a very dramatic fill! Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it. The reason being is, most docs fill slowly so they don't accidentally over-shoot the Green Zone. Then you're stuck too tight, getting unfilled and refilled, constantly messing with it trying to find that perfect restriction. If you go gradually it's easier to find good restriction and in the end takes a lot less time and stress. I know you're anxious, I was too, but trust me it's always better to go slow and sure when it comes to your band

You're welcome! Actually I'm definitely under filled right now. I had everything removed from my band on Sunday for emergency surgery and he put 3cc back in before I was discharged. I'm still 2cc under where I was (which was perfect) but I will be getting the rest back over the next two weeks. So yes, I definitely need another fill, but I did have perfect restriction from May until this past Sunday when I had to have surgery.

I agree with the others, sounds like a tummy virus. But it's good you're going in to see your doc, just to be safe.

You are in what we often call "bandster hell". You've had the surgery and are expected to eat like a banded person but your band is empty and you can still easily eat like an unbanded person. It absolutely sucks, I know. Unfortunately it's something almost all of us go through. I got through bandster hell by focusing on daily calories. I knew there was no way in hell I was going to make it 4 hours between meals without starving, so I spread my calories through the day to allow myself to eat about every 2 hours. For me, it was the only way I could survive until I had restriction without going nuts and gaining. Not to be a downer, but most people it take multiple fills before they have decent restriction, so don't be too disappointed if you walk away from your first fill not really feeling any different yet. I know it's horribly frustrating but be patient and try your best to make good food choices. Restriction will eventually come. Hang in there, you can do this

No one is doubting your experience, however it doesn't change the fact the founders of that chain and those associated with them are being both sued civilly and having criminal charges pressed against them. Not to mention the FDA issued a warning to the entire chain for false/misleading advertising. It's like the old saying: You're as good as the company you keep. I don't doubt there are people out there who had good experiences but due to the company these doctors keep, you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to let them lay a single finger on me let alone cut me open.

Yes, actually especially before fills, to make sure we're not over-eating despite a lack of restriction. It's like I always say, just because you can eat more food doesn't mean you should.

I don't blame you in the least. You have more than enough to deal with without her judgmental ignorance. Do what's best for you, you don't owe her or anyone else any explanations. Best wishes.

No one can really say for sure. I'm sure many will say it's no big deal. However, you couldn't pay me to touch carbonation since being banded. My roommate after band surgery was in there for a revision. Her band had not only slipped but her stomach actually prolapsed up through her band- because she drank soda. She also gained 40 lbs because of it. For me, it's simply not worth the risk.

I want to be alive to spoil my future great grandbabies someday.

As always, TMF offers wise advice. I understand what you're saying. You don't want to give up that social aspect of eating and you don't want to have to answer questions. But here's the thing, in situations like you're describing food actually has little to do with it. It's about the company you're with and the companionship that happens over the meal, not the meal itself. You will have to make some adjustments to your lifestyle, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your social life or even all the foods you love. I eat out a couple times a month but I am simply mindful to order smart food and stick to band sized portions. Very often I'll actually look up a menu online ahead of time so I know what I'm going to do before even getting to the restaurant. When eating at people's homes it's not as easy but still doable. A good example would be the week I spent at my dad's house in July. There were numerous fatty, yummy meals served, including lasagna. I didn't want to pass on the meal entirely and seem rude so my answer was to have a very small serving of lasagna and a big serving of salad. I still got to enjoy the meal, I didn't offend anyone by not eating, but I managed to eat smart and fill up on the veggies instead of the lasagna. It's definitely a learning experience. Hang in there, you can do this

It's true you can't have carbonation after being banded because you risk a slip. However, I've lost 128 pounds in 7 months, so obviously the 40lb thing he said isn't correct. I know the general rule is people losing 40%-60% of necessary weight with the Lap Band, but I firmly believe how much you lose is entirely up to you and how hard you're willing to work for it. Btw, there are numerous people on here who've lost 100% of their excess weight. As far as steak, that's not true. I can still eat anything I want so long as I take small bites and chew thoroughly. Some people do have trouble with certain foods after they have restriction but not everyone. Some of us can and do still eat everything. This is just my opinion, but I'd check out another surgeon. It seems to be the surgeon you saw either wasn't well informed or had some sort of ulterior motive.

If you're struggling with even liquids, you're likely too tight. I'd get into your surgeon.

My nutritionist and surgeon both say 1 cup total per meal So I'll have 4oz of chicken, 1/4 cup green Beans and 1/4 cup mashed potatoes

Well I've have an interesting couple days. Saturday morning I woke up with abdominal pain, around 3am Sunday morning I wound up in the ER, and by 11am that morning I was in emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia. I come home from the hospital today and pretty much feel like I've been hit by a fleet of trucks. ((note- this medical emergency had nothing to do with the band)) Something interesting happened during all this. I was in serious pain and extremely nauseous, and right before I went to the ER I knew I was going to vomit. I tried so hard not to because I knew it was bad for the band, but I was still bent over the toilet retching despite my best efforts. But...no vomit actually came up. I went through all the painful motions but absolutely nothing came up. When I got the ER and saw the surgeon, I mentioned this and he said sometimes with the band you can no longer vomit. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Apparently I can't vomit anymore! I can still retch, get all clamy, and feel like I'm going to but nothing actually comes up. Just curious!

1-2 pounds per week is perfect. I'm sure your doc will be thrilled.

Well I can tell you this, if you bust a hernia you would know. It's possible you could've made it worse but if it bust you'd be in the ER in agony. I'm sure you're fine, my doc said I'd have to do that numerous times before causing damage. I think the chances of a slip from one episode are slim.

This man and "get thin" are being sued and in the process of having their license revoked. They have been found responsible for a number of negligent deaths. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-get-thin-shin-20120814,0,486277.story http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/800-getthin-fire-lap-band-surgery-deaths/story?id=16324523#.UCpW7z1lS24 http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-quality-infection-control/new-whistleblower-lawsuit-hits-1-800-get-thin-surgery-centers.html ...you can find hundreds of more articles about this. I wouldn't trust these idiots to operate on a mannequin let alone a human.

See this is very interesting. It sounds like others have had issues being unable to get vomit up past the band, too. (I know, totally gross topic). What sucks is, I still did all the motions that would result in a slip if done too much. My stomach still did that violent spasming, retching, etc. What the doc told me was just because nothing was physically able to come up I still went through the motions enough to possibly slip the band. So I suppose this was a learning experience. Thank you all for replying! (btw, I am healing slowly, still very sore, but I'm definitely ok. I have about a 8-10 inch incision and drain coming out my side, but I'm home and healing well )

Yes, the bending at the waist works for me every time!