DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I saw that! It's so good to see positive press for a change!

I'm satisfied after 3-4 oz of protein. Most doctors say no more than 4oz per serving.

My only concern would be the pill size. If it's not any bigger than other pills you take and you're not worried about it getting stuck, then your primary care doctor giving the approval to take it should be enough. And yes, thyroid issues can most definitely hamper weight loss. A lot. As long as you can swallow the pill without it getting stuck, I say go for it.

Very wise words, I'm sure you'll have great success!

Oh how exciting, congratulations! I first felt I was in the Green Zone after my 3rd fill, but after about 6 weeks I realized I had slipped out of it again. I then went and got my 4th fill putting me back into the Green Zone. I had my fill at the end of May and I am still very much in the Green Zone. I haven't had a fill since then. However, I've lost about 45 pounds since that fill and I can tell my band is starting to loosen again. I suspect in the next month or two I'll need another tiny fill to keep me in the Green Zone.

Ok I found it online: http://certifiedraspberryketones.com/ It is a supplement not a diet pill, like Phentermine. I don't see any reason why you couldn't take it but you might want to double check with your surgeon just to be safe. It's a diet supplement, Dr. Oz said this about it: Research has shown that raspberry ketone can help in your weight-loss efforts, especially when paired with regular exercise and a well-balanced diet of healthy and whole foods. Raspberry ketone is the primary aroma compound of red raspberries. This compound regulates adiponectin, a Protein used by the body to regulate metabolism. Raspberry ketone causes the fat within your cells to get broken up more effectively, helping your body burn fat faster. The recommended dose is 100mg per day. To get the same benefit from the whole fruit, you'd have to consume 90 pounds of raspberries.

I'm not sure what is and honestly a little confused by it. Ketones are essentially broken down fat cells spilled into the urine. Since carbs are the body's preferred source of energy, when it can't find carbs to use to it uses fat instead. Normally this would be considered a warning sign of diabetes, however low carb diets are essentially forcing your body to spill ketones in order to lose weight. So diets like Atkins will result in ketones in the urine intentionally. That is what a ketone is...which is why 'raspberry ketones' to take confuses me quite a lot lol. I'm guessing it's some diet pill or something?

I'm sure they all have their own variations, but here is what happened at mine. She went over the basics of why eating healthy after any WLS is so important, and then brought out a model of a banded stomach cut in half to visually show how food passes through. This was to show why it's important to take tiny bites and chew thoroughly. She showed me how to use a food scale. She then took a normal measuring cup of food and demonstrated with plastic food an example how to stay in the cup or less per meal rule. She also used a dessert or salad plate to show food portions on it. Then she sat down with me and helped me establish healthy food guidelines to follow. For me, seeing the nutritionist turned out to be so crucial to weight loss. It's helped me so much to have clear guidelines to follow and understand how to eat with the band.

You are so incredibly brave for sharing your story and you're a true inspiration. So many of us (myself included) struggle with food addiction yet it seems so few are willing to deal with it let alone admit it. You should be very proud at how far you've come. I have no doubt you'll be successful this time around. Keep posting, I can't wait to watch you lose the weight and succeed

Congratulations! I would start trying protein drinks now so you can find one you like before you start the pre-op diet. Loading up on protein will really help ease hunger and keep you from getting weak. Also, I'd take a multivitamin too. Best wishes to you!!

Protein is important because it promotes healing. Carbs, however, I wouldn't worry about until you're at least on soft foods. The reason being, your choices are already severely limited by only being able to have liquids. If you try to restrict your carbs too you're going to have very little to sustain you. When I was on the liquid phase, I counted calories and protein but not carbs. Best wishes!

It is possible though very uncommon. You would have to cough very violently and hard for a long period of time. But yes, it is possible though rare.

It's very normal. As you lose weight, the fat padding around you stomach shrinks too, making the band fit loser. It's not uncommon at all.

Oh you totally have to hang onto one outfit! I have a pair of pants that are now ginormous too and I plan on keeping both articles of clothing forever. I figure it helps me put the body changes in perspective as much as gives me incentive to never be that big again.

Oh that sounds so good!!!

thanks for all the kind words and support everyone! :wub:

Here's a link to the 5 day pouch test, it can very helpful for people starting over: http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I would go to the ER if your doctor can't see you immediately. Not to scare you, but for everything you see on the outside, there could be far worse going on in the inside. It's not worth the risk.

I don't know what else it could be either, sadly. Is it warm to the touch? Oozing? Foul smelling?

Oh my gosh, you've been through so much! You definitely have a fighter spirit to overcome so much. I'm so glad that the cancer didn't come back and you have a beautiful new baby. I agree with the others, I would definitely get a second opinion. I am not a doctor and have no medical education, but I've known tons of people with hiatal hernias that either have them fixed while being banded or end having to have it fixed later. I've never heard of someone having their band removed because of it. For that reason and for your own peace of mind, I'd get a second opinion before you make any decisions. Best wishes you.

If you're in that much pain, I would go to the ER. It's always better safe than sorry and your health is nothing to mess with. I'll keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery and pain relief. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.

Keep in mind you started with a lot less weight to lose than most of us. The less you have to lose, the slower it comes off. That's why it takes people months to loose even 10 pounds when they get close to their goal weight. To lose 20 pounds already is actually very good, you should be thrilled with that! If you get hungry a lot but also stuck, I am guessing you need to take smaller bites, chew it until mush, and pause between bites. As for eating "way more than a cup of food", just because you can eat more doesn't mean you should. Stick to a cup or less per meal, you'll be glad when the weight starts coming off a little quicker. Have you met with a nutritionist? If not I highly recommend you do. They can tell you not only how many calories you should be consuming but teach the right foods to eat so that you're eating healthy. Best wishes.

I know you're struggling but your attitude is amazing. I very firmly believe your mindset plays a huge part in whether we succeed or fail in life, and I very firmly believe that you will succeed with your band. Btw, you didn't fail. You had a minor set-back. That's the beauty of the band, you can simply start over and get back on track. As long you learn from your mistakes it's not failing it's simply learning. You learned and now you're moving forward, that makes you a success Hang in there, you can totally do this!

If you want to try starting over without a fill, you might want to try this: http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html It's the 5 day pouch test. You start at liquids and over five days go through the food phases until you're back at solids again. Not only can this help shrink your stomach if you've over eaten, but for many it's a good jump start to losing and get their brains back into the bandster mentality. Btw, I was on Gabapentin for a number of years. I'm curious why you're on that for RLS? It's usually only used to treat seizures or neuropathy. Could you possibly switch to a drug with less side effects? Just a thought.

Actually, no amount of money spent, classes attended, and appointments kept will make you lose weight. What will make you lose weight is sticking to band sized portions, making healthy food choices, and learning to listen to your band. For people who aren't successful with the band, the majority have no one to blame but themselves. They go into surgery completely uneducated or think it's going to be some magic fix to fat. Many will eat band sized portions but still eat the same high fat, high calorie food they've always eaten- so smaller portions or not you're not going to lose weight. Really, it's all completely up to you. If you want this it's right there for the taking. Logically speaking, if you reduce portions (aka calories) and make healthy food choices, you will lose weight. Btw, that fear and doubt you're feeling is totally normal. I've been there and I suspect the majority here have been as well. Just remind yourself that you have an amazing opportunity for health and you can totally do this! Best wishes