DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I constantly battle head hunger. For me, two things make me stay to the 1 cup portion: Fear of slips and fear of staying fat. I do not want to deal with a slip and possibly another surgery (which overeating can cause) and I definitely do not want to stay fat. So, when I have the urge to eat too much or eat when I'm not physically hungry, I think of those two things.

Noooo, they definitely wouldn't do that! If you had an emergency, they would be bound by law to treat you. I would contact the office who did you surgery and see if they can recommend anyone near you.

Hi Alyssa! Welcome to the forum! I am 39 years old and was banded 6 months ago, but like you, I spent my entire life overweight. I was the chubby little kid that got teased and grew up into the miserable fat woman with horrible self esteem. For me, getting banded was the best decision I've ever made for myself. Good luck with whatever your decision may be!

I'm very sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately it's very common. Most American doctors refuse to touch a patient banded in Mexico for fills or follow-up care. Is there any way you can go back to the Mexican doctor for fills? If not, where do you live? Perhaps someone near you who's also banded in Mexico will see this and be able to help you.

Yes! I'm not done losing, but my feet have already shrank an entire size. My shoes from before surgery are huge on me. I've had to replace them all.

Next time he decides to comment on what you eat, you should respond "Do you really think you should you should be acting like my mother in the work place?"

Mine is up higher on my left side

You've only been banded 10 days. It's likely you're hungry because the swelling in your stomach is going down so you're regaining your appetite. Do not expect to feel restriction until at least a couple fills. It takes time. Prior to that point, you will have to rely on will power to stay within the guidelines of small portions and healthy food choices. Many call the time period between surgery and restriction "bandster hell".

They're actually made by the same people.and yes I just looked, the package does indeed say Laughing Cow. Sorry!!

Not sure what you're referring too, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a mean spirited comment on this forum. I do see people be bluntly honest and refuse to coddle people, but always for their own good never mean spirited. Just my two cents based on what I've seen.

The most Protein your body and efficiently use at one time is 20-25g, so anything beyond that per shake is overkill. The trick is to find one that isn't loaded with sugar or super carb heavy (they all have some carbs). I would start experimenting with different ones and see which you like, I personally love the unjury chocolate Splendor and still have one every morning for Breakfast (and I had surgery 6 months ago). Best wishes to you!

Ohhhh ok, geez you scared me. I thought he was pumping air into your band! LOL As far as the fill, next time don't be shy about asking for numbing before the fill. Definitely speak up and tell him you want it numbed first- that's your right as a patient. As far as hunger, unfortunately there's no magic number where people suddenly have perfect restriction. This is because everyone's anatomy is different so everyone needs different amounts. It's not at all uncommon for people to need 4-6 fills before they have adequate restriction, so hang in there and know it'll come.

Many of us can still eat bread, including me. I eat bread, Pasta, rice, and potatoes regularly. I just make sure the bread is whole grain so it's better for you. Some are on super low carb diets and omit it because of that, and some simply can't eat it without getting stuck, but there is no "rule" stating you can't have bread after you have the band. As long as I take very little bites, chew it until mush, and pause between bites I can eat bread just fine. I eat sandwiches with a knife and fork to make sure I don't accidentally take too big of a bite.

Honestly, your surgeon is right. If you're not hungry don't eat. Just make sure what you do eat is healthy for you, like lots of lean protein and veggies. Be sure to take your multivitamin daily, too. As long as you're making healthy food choices and getting in your protein, don't worry if you're under on calories.

You're not going to find good data because of the length of time it's been approved in the USA. The Lap-Band brand bands were just FDA approved in 2001 and the Realize brand bands were approved in 2007. As with any new medical device, changes are made as problems are found, and that has been the case with the Lap-Band as well. A good example is how they used to use 4cc bands but they now have found bands ranging from 9cc to 14cc to be safer and more effective long term. So, the only place you will now find the older model bands used is in places like Mexico (which is one of the reasons most US surgeons won't touch patients banded in Mexico). However, with that said, I have met more than a few on this board who've had their bands over 6 years, and that's with the smaller 4cc bands too. The Lap-Band is no different than any other implanted medical device. Pace makers, insulin pumps, and artificial joints won't last forever either. Just like them, the Lap-Band does require ongoing medical supervision and if you live long enough, will inevitably need replacing/updating too,

Air??? You don't fill the band with air, you fill it with saline!! Did he put air into your band???

Yes, as brokenwings stated, because your stomach is irritated and likely swollen after a fill.

I have been banded for 6 months and still struggle with what I call head hunger daily. I am constantly asking myself "Are you physically hungry or head hungry?" The band dramatically helps the physical hunger, the head hunger I know I'm on my own with. I think a lot of us struggle with this. You're already one step ahead for realizing it, though. So many don't. The fact you are able to listen to your body and recognize the difference between physical hunger and head hunger is huge, too. I know it feels like you're struggling right now, but truth is, you're doing excellent and definitely in tune with not only your body but your mind as well. Just keep asking yourself if it's head hunger or physical hunger, and if it's head hunger, don't eat. Drink Water, or your calorie free drink of choice (besides soda, no carbonation!). If it's really bad and you HAVE to have something, try something super low calorie. I go for sliced cucumbers with a little salt or a 1/4 cup of 1% low fat cottage cheese. Hang in there, you're doing great

They have little round wheels of cheese that are 50 calories and soft wedges that are 35 calories. I know they have different flavors though hard to find them all in the light. I really like the creamy swiss and garden cream cheese ones. They are a little pricey though, it's about $5 for 8 wedges.

Getting stuck doesn't mean you're in the Green Zone, it simply means either you ate too fast, didn't take small enough bites, didn't chew well enough, or it's simply a touchy food for your band. If you are in the Green Zone, you should have the following: -Able to eat 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food per meal and feel satisfied. (not stuffed full, satisfied, no longer hungry) -Able to 4-5 hours between meals without hunger -Losing weight (even if slowly) I found after my last fill, I had to really re-learn how to eat with the band again. I really thought I was taking small enough bites but I kept getting stuck. I finally took even tinier bites and was once again able to eat anything I wanted. It's a constant learning experience.

Never heard of one but it's a cool idea!!!

If you got dehydrated it would definitely effect it, however I suspect it's like Toddy said- fickle band. Mine varies greatly, too. Some days I have no problems whatsoever, other days it seems like I'm feeling stuck every time I eat. I also get that "first bite syndrome" sometimes, too. I'll eat 3 or 4 bites and immediately feel semi-stuck, wait 5-10 minutes, then I feel fine and am able to continue my meal.

I love pistachios, they are the perfect bandster snack. I like sugar free pudding when I have a sweet tooth, only 60 calories. If I get hungry at night, I'll have 1/4 cup of 1% low fat cottage cheese for 45 calories. I'm also a fan of low fat Wheat Thins (8 are 65 calories) with a wedge of Babybel Light Swiss for 35 calories.

As georgia247 stated, it's a risk for any surgery not Lap-Band specific. Your risks increase substantially when you are obese, hence why Lap-Band patients tend to be greater risk. I was given shots of blood thinner after surgery, they put my legs in these compression things that rhythmically filled with air and deflated to keep the blood flowing, and they encouraged me to walk early and often.