DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

...I should change the name of this thread to "Have You Lost an Elephant Penis?" ROFL!!

Here's the thing to remember, the pre-op diet is specifically to shrink your liver. Obese people also have very enlarged, fatty livers. In order to do the Lap-Band, the surgeon must be able to not only maneuver around it but physically move it out of his way. If it's enlarged, then you run a very real risk of serious injury to your liver. For this reason, many surgeons won't do the surgery if they don't think you've lost enough weight to shrink it. I've even heard of cases where the surgeon goes in, sees the liver is too big, and immediately closes the person without putting in the band because the risk of injury is too great. So, it's in your best interest to get strict and stick to the pre-op diet. May as well get used to it because your post op diet will be even stricter- and also crucial that you stick to and not cheat so you heal properly.

I actually really like the teryaki beef jerky. It's high in sodium so I go easy on it, but I have had it before with no problems,

It is absolutely ridiculous. What's really sad is, before I got the band, I would've eaten the entire plate and still had desert after. Americans are encouraged to "super size" everything with a side of fat and sugar. Our portions are so huge they should be meant for an entire family, not just one person. What REALLY kills me is when I eat out and don't finish 3/4 of my meal, and the waitress is like "Oh is there something wrong with your meal?".... I reply "no it was great, I'm just done". *confused look from waitress* They are simply baffled when I eat such a small portion of it. I actually said to a waiter recently "No the food was great, thank you. I just prefer to eat a reasonable human portion rather than a sumo wrestler portion".

I think once you're past the withdrawals and have been eating healthy for awhile, your tastes do change. I know mine have. I mean, if someone told me 6 months ago I'd be craving salads this summer I'd have laughed at them. But, it's true, I am on a total salad kick and could eat it every single day easily. Same with cucumbers. I don't want potato chips, I want sliced cucumber with a little sprinkle of salt. It's very odd but I'm definitely not complaining

Don't be scared, it happens. Just be sure to contact your surgeon right away so he can call in antibiotics for you.

Definitely can't have it in the mushy stage. In fact you can't have it until you're back on normal food. And yes, you will be able to have it again, but in moderation due to calories and fat. You could also make your own with whole grain crust, low calorie sauce, and low fat cheese at home. (once you're back on normal food)

I chose Lap-Band because I couldn't rationalizing cutting out 3/4 of my stomach or rerouting my intestines without trying something far less drastic and reversible first. No matter what surgery you choose, the work will be yours to do. You will have to make healthy eating habit changes for a lifetime and their are rules to follow for each surgery. I've lost 117 pounds in 6 months. There's people here who've lost over 200 pounds with Lap-Band. You can lose a lot of weight with the band if you're willing to do the work to be successful.

No, a yellow discharge that smells bad isn't normal. You need to contact your surgeon ASAP to get on antibiotics.

Yup it's likely I will. Once I'm done losing and have my band where I want it as far as fills, it'll be fine to stay that way for possibly years. But the Fluid can evaporate and slowly lessen with time, requiring a fill. If I have any other surgery, I will likely have to be unfilled for it then slowly refilled all over again. Regardless, I'll still need to check in with my surgeon yearly just to make sure it's all in working order, too. It's not a big a deal, and far less hassle and serious than the other implanted medical devices.

I would be livid. How did the office manager find out to begin with? If it was through medical records, she's in direct HIPPA violation and in a ton of trouble. I would stay on HR's butt and DEMAND they deal with this and immediately. This is totally unacceptable!

I'm glad it worked out for you- and that you checked into this before being banded Best wishes for success with your Sleeve!

I see it no different than any other medical device people have implanted. Pace makers, insulin pumps, artificial joints, etc. All these things require lifelong care by a doctor and all these things are unlikely to last 20-30 years without needing to be replaced. It's just a fact of life. The band is no different.

Just be sure to find a surgeon to do your fills where you live before having the surgery. Most surgeons won't touch a person who's been banded in Mexico, so be sure to do your homework and try to find one ahead of time. Otherwise you could come home with no one to do your fills or help with your aftercare.

I have one but have never used it. Though I never thought of the buffet thing, I may it try it there next time!!

Something I've noticed is, the people who coast along happily with their bands seems to rarely speak up about their good experiences. Likewise, those that have issues are usually the ones to yell the loudest and most often. So, the internet definitely paints a very lopsided picture of things. Furthermore, while I know there are people that have revisions or their band removed because of complications that are no fault of their own, the majority are directly responsible for their complications even if they refuse to admit it or take responsibility for it. It blows my mind the number of people who go into this surgery totally ignorant to the facts, and a result, do things that directly jeopardize their band. They "test" their bands by chronically over-eating, or they go months with their bands too tight, or they're so tight they're vomiting regularly, or they even continue to drink lots of carbonation regularly. All these things can and will lead to slips. It's little wonder we hear so many band horror stories- they're the ones making the biggest mistakes and screaming the loudest. Just remember for every person you hear howling how bad theirs is or they haven't lost any weight with it (despite the fact they're still living on McDonalds and chugging Pepsi), remember there's many more of us out here silently loving our bands and the healthier, happier lives we've found by utilizing it correctly.

I can completely understand your fear. My heart goes out to you. I too have a partial lower denture. My front teeth are my own but my back ones are all denture. Like you, I lost teeth and had a lot of problems due to medications, in my case it was a combination of IV steroids and interferon. I was really nervous about the chewing thing too, and mine are able to be worn pretty securely. You definitely will need them to chew properly with the band. I know if I attempted to eat something like meat or breads without them in, I'd end up stuck for sure. Talk to your doctor and see what he says, but as much I don't want to talk you out of the band, I agree chewing could be a real problem without a properly fitting lower denture. I'd rather you know the truth and make a good decision than have you rush into it just to find out you can't eat. I am so sorry, truly. I wish you could get the posts for the new lower sooner so this would be a non-issue for you, because I guarantee with a properly fitting lower you'd be just fine chewing with the band (as I am). Best wishes in whatever you choose.

ROFLMAO!! OMG I didn't see the elephant penis one until you said that! HAHAHAHA!!!!! Congratulations on your loss!

When the scale tipped over 400 pounds, I was miserable, and was actually scheduled for Gastric Bypass surgery but couldn't go through with it. I just couldn't rationalize cutting out a part of my stomach and rerouting my intestines without trying something far less drastic first. So, I looked into Lap-Band. That was 6 months ago and the best decision I've ever made for myself.

Going to the seminar is a good start. You may even want to consider counseling. food addiction is very real and a lot of us need help to battle it. It's not like alcohol where you can just never drink again, we have to eat many times a day to live, so our addiction is always in our face. Btw, I too was/am a food addict big time. The band doesn't and can't cure that, but so far I have been able to keep it under control since being banded.

They sell drugs to combat nausea OTC in most drug stores, I'd have someone go get some for you. Perhaps even have your doctor call in something prescription to combat the nausea. Not trying to scare you, but vomiting is one of the causes of slips, so you definitely want to avoid it at all costs. That's why many doctors will give band patients prescription anti-nausea medications even for common stomach bugs. I hope you feel better soon!

Motivated1, it's totally normal to have second thoughts. I'd worry about anyone who wasn't. This is a BIG decision and requires you to make changes to your eating habit for a lifetime. I can say this with 100% honesty: I was banded at 38 years old and I wish so badly the band had been around and I could have got it at 19 years old like you. Then, I wouldn't have had to spend to spend my entire adult life fat and miserable. I commend you for taking control of your health now while you're young, you're assuring a much healthier and happier adulthood for yourself.

sometimes the internal stitches don't dissolve and instead work their way up through the skin. I had that happen (at two different surgeries) and both times just gently tugged it out with tweezers. If that makes you nervous, just point it out to your doc and they'll take care of it for you

Your band is just a little over half full. I know people with 8cc or 9cc in a 10cc band. You might very well need a small fill because your stomach does shrink as you lose weight and the fatty layer around it slowly disappears.