DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

My apologies, Steve. I honestly thought you were a fake account here to spam us (we get that a lot, sadly!) I'm very sorry!

This is strictly my personal opinion, but since you know you have a hiatal hernia and need the band adjusted because of it, it seems like having those issues fixed and then seeing how you feel with the band after would be the most logical step. You already have the band, fixing those issues should make a world of difference, so why not give it a try? The hiatal hernia will have to be repaired no matter what decision you make, so you may as well work with what you already have before doing anything more drastic. Just my opinion, I'm no doctor

You'll find every doc is different, so be sure to specifically ask yours, but most just advise people to go on 24 hours of liquids then back to normal food as tolerated.

Congratulations!!

I would definitely ask your doctor how much is in your band, even possibly request him to verify it be sure. When at proper restriction, you should be able to go 4-5 hours between meals without hunger. I would be frustrated too if I were in your shoes. I'm not sure if this will help, but some people find great success doing the 5 day pouch test to get back on track. You start with liquids and work your back up to regular food, just like after surgery but in this case it's only over a 5 day time period. Perhaps it could help? http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html Best wishes to you.

Excellent info, Mary!! Thanks so much for sharing that!

As stated above, everyone is different. I've lost a large amount of weight in a relatively short amount of time, and till have much more to go, so I will definitely need skin removed. It's already bad and I'm not quite halfway done losing yet. I have heard people say when you lose weight slower the skin issue isn't nearly as bad, though.

Wow... you spoke the exact thoughts that have run through my head many times. Well said and I totally agree.

Welcome! I think we've all gone through similar in our journeys. You're in good company here

Mine will put you on liquids for 12-24 hours anytime he has to mess with the band, be it fill or unfill. However, all docs are different so yours may not. Good luck tomorrow, btw!

Wow this is an incredibly informative thread, I honestly had no idea about any of this. I knew having your gallbladder go south was fairly common after a rapid weight loss but I had no idea how the pancreas could be so adversely effected, too. Thank you all so much for sharing, and ccsbulldog, I hope you're on the mend soon. Let us know what happens, ok?

Excellent post and point!! I hope more people read this and realize how great they really are doing. I'm at 26% of weight loss, btw.

Interesting study just out today showing a significant risk of cardiovascular problems for women who are on a high protein/low carb diet long term. Protein diet are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease and stroke) than those who do not, a study just published on the British Medical Journal website suggests."

I am like you and your wife. I am always mindful to get a minimum of 60g of protein in a day, and I keep fat to less than 20%, but I do eat carbs daily and have no intentions of giving them up. (plus history has proven it's not at all good for my kidneys if I do!)

hi Kel, What you're going through is totally normal. I remember in the days after my surgery sitting and staring at my broth that was dinner thinking "oh hell, what have I done?" I was miserable on the liquid diet, I was afraid of gaining on the mushie and soft diet, and then I was worried I'd be hungry forever and my willpower wouldn't hold up. It's scary in the beginning! But rest assured, it gets so much easier. It takes some time to get a couple fills and restriction, but eventually it does come and then you won't be so reliant on willpower alone. In the meantime, right now is your time to heal, so try to concentrate on that. The rest will come once you're past the post op diet and back on regular food. Hang in there, it gets a lot easier and less scary

Hi Matt, Some people do have some restriction even with no fills, I know I did. Also keep in mind you still may have some residual swelling from the surgery too. As elcee aptly stated, too big of bites, not chewing enough, and not pausing between bites could cause the sensation you're describing, and even more so if you still have swelling from surgery. There is also what people call "first bite syndrome", where the first couple bites seem to feel almost stuck. I've had this happen a couple times. If I wait a couple minutes, the sensation passes, and I'm able to eat normally so long as I'm careful to take tiny bites and chew like crazy. Hang in there, everything with the band seems to be a learning experience but it does get easier

Wow that's scary, ccsbulldog. Did they mention what would lead to the pancreatic disease? You mentioned low fat may be necessary, could the high protein (usually higher in fat) diet be a contributing factor?

Yes it could be gas. They pump it into your abdominal cavity during surgery and it takes some time for your body to reabsorb it. Walking helps, I found a heating pad to bring some relief, too.

I asked a simple, polite question. If you don't have the band and aren't considering it, what brings you to this forum? You are the one that went defensive emo terrorist and hijacked the thread and continues to do so. Grow up.

Good attitude, and yes you can do this! We're cheering for you!

Do mean possibly ECG/EKG? If so, it's a piece of cake and totally painless. They just attach some sticky electrodes to check your heart. Nothing at all to fear I drove myself to mine, I'm sure you'll be fine to return to work after too.

Then please be so kind as to not my waste my time by harassing me continuously. It might also be in your best interest to find the forum specific to the procedure you're getting, the Sleeve.

Hi Shannon and Welcome! It's a big decision and not one to be taken lightly. You're smart for asking questions and doing research. What you need to do get there will vary by your insurance company. Some people do have to have a 6 month doctor supervised diet before they can have the surgery, others (like me) are able to get it almost immediately. I went to my first consultation and was banded a month later. Btw, have you been checking out surgeons in your area? A great place to start would be attending one of their informational seminars. There, you can learn more about not only mechanics of the surgery itself but what to expect after too. As for loose skin, it is a problem a lot of us have. Myself included. I knew it would be considering the huge amount I had to lose, but I decided I'd rather have saggy skin than remain fat and unhealthy the rest of my life. Plus, I found out my insurance will cover to have the tummy skin removed if you loose 100 or more pounds. I am dreading that particular surgery because I know it's very painful, but at the same time, I'm excited to get a point where I've lost enough to have it and finally be rid of the extra skin I've got on my belly now. (I often joke I look like a dang Shar Pei lol) Best wishes to you whatever you decide

Were you recently banded? If so, when was your surgery date?

And I hope you realize this forum is specifically for people who are considering or have the Lap-Band. There are other forums specifically for other bariatric procedures such as Sleeve and Gastric bypass. I do not go trolling on their boards, I would hope they wouldn't troll here either. Btw, do not private message me again. I am not your friend and have no use for trolls.