DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

That's so awesome, congratulations! I am 4 pounds from saying goodbye to them too and can't wait!

You shouldn't be in constant pain a month after surgery. Has your doctor done a barium swallow to make sure your band is in the right place? Or nothing else has gone wrong? If not, I would insist on one. What you're going through isn't normal at all. Good luck to you, I hope it resolves soon.

If you can't eat and can hardly even sip to drink, you definitely need a slight unfill. Walking around with a band too tight is a big cause of slips, so definitely don't wait on it any longer. Plus, weight loss isn't worth the misery you're going through. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Go see your doctor ASAP.

Are you eating 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food total per meal and stopping when it's gone even if you're still hungry? Are you making good food choices and getting in all of your protein? Do you count calories? Have you had fills? Do you have restriction? All these things will greatly effect weight loss. I suspect there is nothing wrong with your band but rather you may have to make some changes to your eating habits.

I add a wedge of light babybel swiss, it's only 35 calories a wedge and so good with both tuna and chicken

I feel the same way. Not just with strangers, but with my own family. I see how they struggle, and now how much better I feel so far, and just want to run up and say "hey! you don't have to be like this!" I've never shared my secret with a stranger, but I have with my mom and brother. But, I only suggested they look into Lap-Band after they asked me what I thought of it and told me they were now thinking about it. The minute they said that, I was tossing all the info I have at them, encouraging them to follow through. @tmf- it's not offensive at all. I still have a lot of weight to lose, but even with what I have lost so far, I look at older pics of me 100 pounds heavier and just cringe. My entire face has changed dramatically since losing weight, people tell me all the time "holy cow you look so young!" I didn't want to stay fat and ugly either so I totally get what you mean.

Do you have excess skin on your thighs? That can cause more skin irritation. Plus, even if you don't, it's hot pretty much everywhere right now and sweating definitely leads to more hair follicle pimples and bumps.

Was your band Allergan by chance? If so, you need to contact Allergan for a replacement (newer model) or reimbursement for your expenses. Allergan had a voluntary recall of their 4cc band via the FDA. Have a look: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/detail.cfm?mdrfoi__id=1132883

I would definitely see a nutrionist before surgery because everyone who responds here is going to have different answers because we're all given different directions. I would also be sure to tell your doctor you need definite direction what to eat/not eat during the healing phase post op. I eat around 1000 calories a day, at least 60g of Protein, no more than 125g of carbs, no more than 20% fat. (unlike many I don't do the extreme low carb thing)

I do. I count calories/protein/carb/fat grams religiously.

Greek Yogurt is pretty much just like normal yogurt only more Protein. Babybel comes in firmer wedges and soft wedges, I use the soft light swiss wedges to mix with tuna. It's excellent.

Aaahhh ok, this actually makes more sense. A seroma is a build up of fluids in the tissue following surgery. When muscle in particular is injured, it results a in Fluid release. Most of the time the body just reabsorbs it and we're none the wiser it's even happening. But sometimes, a seroma forms because it's too much for the body absorb and it finds it's way to the surface (through the skin) to release. You've had a lot of surgeries in a very short time period, it's no wonder this seroma formed. You've been through a lot. I'll pray it heals up quickly for you without infection. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this.

The thing is, food addiction is just as real as any other addiction. In some ways it's the worst addiction there is, because an alcoholic can never drink again but we have to eat to live, so every day we're faced with our demon over and over again. It does get much easier once you have good restriction, however even perfect restriction doesn't cure head hunger. Have you possibly considered a counselor to help you over-come the head hunger and food addiction? I really think it would help considerably. Best wishes to you and hang in there.

I am so sorry you're going through this. Does the doctor have any idea why you keep getting these abnormal infections? Have they done a blood panel to make sure there isn't some secondary infection causing the problems? I hate to ask, but are you a smoker? I think anyone in your shoes would feel mentally and emotionally exhausted. I know I would. If it continues, I'd personally seek a second opinion as to the cause of the infections. That isn't normal by a long shot.

I would wait until the 26th for your fill, only because bands are so finicky. Some people vary greatly on their restriction from day to day or even week to week. It's always better safe than sorry. Congratulations on the weight loss and having such a good diet and exercise plan in place. You're doing great

I wouldn't eat when you're not hungry. I know it's hard to get the Protein in some days, but it would be better to be a little under on protein than to eat and have calories unnecessarily Maybe get some of the unflavored Protein powder to mix in with other meals throughout the day? So you get your protein in without over-eating?

That would be an older model band. Are you going to Mexico by chance to have it done? If so, I would seriously reconsider that band. There has been a voluntary recall of 4cc bands by Allergan: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/detail.cfm?mdrfoi__id=1132883

WOW!!! Do you ever accidentally hit it on anything? I worry mine will end up similar. As I lose, it's becoming more and more noticeable. It used to be I had to lay down and lift my legs to make it pop to the surface, now, I can easily feel it all the time. I can even feel it through my shirt if I just rub the area where it is.

It really depends on my mood, but I can't keep Peanut Butter Cups or cakes in the house because I will lose all will power and go to town on them. Even for my birthday in June, I threw out 3/4 of a birthday cake the day after because I'd had some on my birthday but knew if I kept it in the house I'd keep grazing on it. So, out it went!

I did the same. I went bizurk and ate everything in sight because like many, I thought it was the end of eating the things I enjoyed. But here's the truth that I didn't realize 6 months ago... it's not the end. I can still eat absolutely everything, including bread, meat, Pasta, and rice. I just have to take really small bites, chew it until mush, and pause between bites. I have had some of the high fat "bad" foods I love since being banded too. The trick is to have them sparingly and to still stick to bandster size portions when you do indulge. About once a month, I have a splurge meal of choice regardless of calories or fat. This way I don't feel deprived of what I like but do it infrequently enough that it hasn't hurt my weight loss.

I eat that all the time. I usually cut up some chives into the cream cheese before making the roll-ups. @collenjoy- the Babybell is an excellent idea! I already mix that with tuna, I'm going to try it as a roll up too!

I struggle with that too. But, I rationalize it in my brain by thinking it's my money to "waste" and it's not wasted if I did enjoy the portion I actually ate. Plus, I'd rather throw out some food than gain weight any day. You did good, be proud you put the fork down

I'm a big fan of low fat cottage cheese. Greek Yogurt is also an excellent choice. Tuna is also a good one. I mix it with a wedge of Babybel light cheese instead of mayo. chicken breasts, pork chops (just don't cook them in a super fatty sauce or breading)

I have never once felt so much as a prick during a fill. No pain whatsoever. Some good advice I was given before my first fill that proved invaluable- be sure to take a big gulp of water before leaving the surgeon's office. Not just a little sip, but a big gulp. This way if you're too tight, you'll know it before leaving and they can take a little back out. At both my first and second fills, I had to have 1cc immediately taken back out because while I could swallow a little sip of water but the minute I took a big gulp it started gurgling back up my throat. Best wishes, and don't worry, you'll do fine

Good luck!!