DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Thanks for the advice and opinions, all I've pretty much done what others suggested- eating when hungry and not worrying about the calories being too low. I'm still losing and I'm not hungry at all, so my body must be fine with it. I seem to hover around 900 calories a day and I'm ok with that. Btw, I know many doctors only say 3 meals a day and no snacking, but I also believe just like every other aspect of nutrition you have to find what works best for your body. I'm a night owl so I am almost always hungry by 9-10pm. So, I just have 1/4 cup of low fat cottage cheese or some pistachios for a snack. For me, it works.

Congratulations!!

It's a piece of cake. I never even feel it when I get fills- not even a pinch. 30 seconds and it's done, it's that quick. Just be sure to take a big gulp of Water before you leave the office, this way you can be sure you're not too tight.

Some do, but I'd seriously advise against it. The entire purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Obese people have very enlarged fatty livers, and the surgeon has to be able to move your liver to put the band on your stomach. If your liver is too big, it considerably increases the risk of injury to it during the surgery. Many doctors will even close you right back up, without putting in the band, if the liver is too big. They don't want the risk. So... I wouldn't cheat if I were you. It's not worth it.

I make spaghetti using whole grain Pasta and 93% lean ground turkey instead of beef. It's very good! I still eat the same meals with my kids all the time, I just substitute ground turkey for ground beef, use whole grain pastas, brown rice, and skim milk. It's really helped make a lot of recipes they're already used to healthier and they can't even tell a difference.

Everyone is going to tell you something different, unfortunately. The reason for that is, every surgeon and nutritionist have different ideas. There is no right or wrong answer, in the end, it all comes down to doing whatever works for your body. A lot on here seriously restrict carbs. My nutrionist told me a minimum of 60g of Protein and no more than 125g of carbs daily so that is what I do. Obviously, my carbs are not seriously restricted, yet I still have lost considerable weight. Others simply can't lose while eating carbs. Everyone is different. Calories are similar. Some do very little calories, some don't measure calories at all. My advice would be to experiment and see what works for your specific body.

Congratulations, you look awesome!!

I was over 400 when I started and down just over 100 pounds. I still have a long ways to go, but I really believe I'll get there. Hang in there, we can do this

I'm always really tight in the morning, too. Interestingly, if I take a nap during the day, I wake up tight all over again. I had a nap too close to dinner last week and couldn't eat because of it. It makes me wonder if it's something to do with sleeping rather than time of the day? I don't mind it, I just have a Protein shake for Breakfast every morning. But I am curious why it's so tight when waking up.

About how many calories a day are you eating? And about how much Protein are you getting daily? Sometimes something as simple as changing your calories a little, either up or down, is enough to give your metabolism the kick it needs to start loosing again.

I listen to the nutrionist when it comes to advice about what to eat (or not to eat). I listen to my surgeon when it comes physical issues with the band.

First, trying solids when you're supposed to be on mushies isn't wise. You really need to stick to the post op diet for proper healing. Second, it's normal to have little or no restriction until you have a couple fills. That's why many called the time between surgery and good restriction "bandster hell" because you're reliant on will power alone.

Ugh yes, I have this problem too. Big time! I would go and get measured then take the info to buy a cheaper bra at Kmart or Walmart. That's what I did.

The only way you can know for sure is if your surgeon checks for one. If you're concerned you might have one, I'd make an appointment.

You can disagree all you like, but again, it's not a matter of opinion. This isn't some blog or random thoughts on the band. It's the results of clinical study and a very large one at that, and the results show that carbonation was a risk factor in 8.6% patients who had complications.

Yes, it does. It's a cited research study, all the data to back it up is right there. It states very cearly 8.6% of patients showed complications and cited carbonation as a risk factor in the slippage. This isn't some opinion, it's results for a study of over 4000 Lap-Band patients.

Actually, it's not a myth. It's clinically proven. It was found during a study of 4138 Lap-Band patients.: A Clinical Study A clinical study was done in Germany to review complications following lap band surgery. Thirty-five hospitals were involved in the study, with 4138 patients that underwent gastric banding over a five-year period. Lap Band long-term complications were described in 8.6% of all patients. The most common complications included: pouch dilation or enlargement (5.0%), lap band slippage (2.6%), and Lapband migration or erosion (1.0%). (Stroh,C Manger, T “Complications after adjustable gastric banding”, Chirurg, 2006, Vol 77,pag 244-250) What is Lap Band Slippage? One of the long-term complications of lap band surgery is called“Lapband slippage” and can be defined as “when the Lapband and the stomach pouch are both prolapsed.” This means that the lap band has shifted position and the enlarged stomach pouch has also shifted or twisted so that food does not go through thelapband into the rest of the stomach. This may result in pain, discomfort, decreased appetite and inability to eat or drink, and vomiting. Lapband Slippage does not happen immediately but may take several months to develop. Lap Band Slippage generally develops in a progressive manner. As food intake is increased, the stomach begins to stretch and grow and the patient may stop losing weight or start to regain weight. At this point, patients may only exhibit an enlarged stomach Lap band pouch. This can be medically treated by deflating the lap band to release pressure and slow the growth of the pouch (successful in 70% of cases, or surgical treatment can be considered). However, if the enlarged lapband pouch continues to grow, the lapband progressively rotates until both the lap band and the enlarged pouch become prolapsed, resulting in Lap bandslippage. This is followed by functional stenosis (narrowing) of the stomach. Lapband Slippage Symptoms typically include progressively worsening reflux, vomiting and epigastric complaints, which may increase to sudden near-total dysphagia (inability to swallow or eat anything, including saliva). Risk factors or causes of lap band slippage include surgical technique, model of the lapband used, early consumption of solid foods, early inflation or filling of the band, consumption of carbonated or sparkling beverages, and frequent vomiting. Treatment for lap band slippage requires surgical intervention. Thelapband must be repositioned or removed, based on the operative findings and condition of the stomach pouch. If appropriate, the surgeon and patient may elect to choose another type of bariatric procedure such as a Gastric Sleeve. How Do I Prevent Lap Band Slippage? In order to decrease the risk of developing lap band slippage, it is important to follow the recommended diet following surgery and to avoid introducing solid foods too early. In addition, the fills should not be started before 6 weeks post-operatively and these Lap band fills should be very gradual. We also recommend that fills should be done under fluoroscopy, even if you are asymptomatic (no symptoms of lap band slippage), to be able to monitor the position of the lapband, and the size of the stomach pouch and condition of the esophagus. This will allow for early diagnosis of an enlarged stomach pouch or possible lap band slippage. Susana González, MD

Awesome!!! Congratulations!!!!

I don't measure food when at a restaurant, I just "eyeball it". I can visually guess how much I should be eating pretty easily. I'm also careful to stop eating the minute I get that full feeling. As for drinks, I don't order one, this way the temptation isn't there. I use an app called Lose It to track my calories and nutrients, but it also has restaurant foods in it's database. So, when eating out, I look up items from the menu so I know what is smart to order and what isn't. It's pretty shocking really. I'd always assumed things like tuna or chicken were always a better choice- but I've found that's not true at all. In fact, tuna is usually really high in calories and fat at restaurants because they mix it with mayonnaise. If I didn't have my app to look up food before ordering, I'd have definitely ordered high fat and calorie foods without even realizing it.

Perfect? None. It doesn't exist. We're all human thus fallible and flawed by nature. I do eat healthy at least 90% of the time. I log everything I eat on an app called Lose It no matter what I eat. I track calories, Protein, carbs, and fat. I am very happy. I don't consider it a diet, I consider it a healthy lifestyle change. Because I do allow myself the occasional splurge or cheat it's very livable and realistic for me to continue for a lifetime. Plus, I just feel so good when I am eating healthy.

If you vomit once in a great while, like when you're sick, you'll be ok. You run into problems and risk a slip if you're vomiting repeatedly and regularly.

I have never vomited and only PB'd once since being banded 5 months ago. The one and only time I did PB it was totally my own fault- I ate a breadstick way too fast and took way too big of bites. As adorkbl said, vomiting and PBing are both avoidable.

No, it can't erode the band because it never actually touches the band. However, it CAN cause slips. Here is portion of a study done on band slips: Risk factors or causes of lap band slippage include surgical technique, model of the lapband used, early consumption of solid foods, early inflation or filling of the band, consumption of carbonated or sparkling beverages, and frequent vomiting, When I had my surgery, my roommate in the hospital was there to have her band replaced. Why? Because she drank soda and it resulted in a slip- her stomach actually prolapsed her stomach through her band. She also gained 40 pounds. It's definitely not worth the risk.

I would give your doc a call. It's probably nothing, but if it is an infection, you need to get on antibiotics for it ASAP.

I'm sorry, but this is about as immature and irresponsible as it gets. If you want support, ask for it. But to say if no one responds in a certain amount of time you're doing it? Like some threat almost? Seriously, this is downright stupid. Either take this surgery seriously and do what you know is necessary or just walk away now but posts like this are ridiculous.