DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

That is amazing, congratulations!!!!

Alcohol is big no-no so close to surgery. Not only is it a blood thinner, it adversely effects your liver. The whole reason surgeon put people on pre-op diets is to shrink the liver to make it easier to work around and less risk of accidentally injuring it. Alcohol this close to surgery would be a big mistake.

Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for hernias to come back. They are caused by a weakness in the muscle to begin with and fixing them is often a catch 22. You pray it works and that's the end of it, but there's always the risk of another hernia where the surgeon fixed the first one. If your band is empty, you have a hiatal hernia, and thyroid issues- it's no wonder you're not getting the full signal and having so many issues. Do you have any insurance? As Denise stated about, a lot of insurance will cover band removal even if they don't cover WLS because at that point it's considered a medical necessity not an elective surgery. Is your thyroid disease being treated? Did you ever have good restriction in the band before the hernia came back?

I would insist on either your surgeon or your primary doc checking into this further. You could have a hiatal hernia, reflux, or any number of things going on. You shouldn't be having this much almost a month post op

Sounds like you need a different support group. My BMI was 72 when I was banded and it's still higher than yours even now. You are not "too fat" for the band. At all.

You can't, and should not, gauge your weight loss on others. Everyone's body is different and everyone's metabolism works differently. If you gauge off others' weight loss you're setting yourself up for pointless disappointment . It'll come off, just be patient

Yes exactly. It's a wearing down of the esophagus, most often by acid reflux or GERD. That's why it's so important see goes to see an ENT to find the cause as well as make sure the band isn't making it worse.

Esophageal erosion, what the OP was speaking about, is not the same as band erosion. Two totally different conditions, but she needs to be sure the band didn't cause it or aggravates it worse. I see confusion starting on this thread lol

I think this thread is another example how every surgeon, and every nutritionist, have different ideas what food plan should be followed. Some say 1/4 cup, others 1/2 cup, mine 1 cup, and yet others say "don't measure" and just want their patients to eat until they're satisfied. Always do what your specific surgeon advises during the healing process and I'd at least start your normal food routine with their plans as well. But ultimately, we all have to find our own way and what works best for our body. The only way to do that is through trial and error.

I have to laugh at how many have had the car thing happen to them too! LOL! @TracyC- your health has improved so dramatically because of your weight loss. That is simply AMAZING. I bet your doctor is thrilled, too! @kll724- I can't wait until I don't recognize myself anymore! @Ladybug28- You're doing wonderful! Don't forget to move your car seat up next time you drive

That is awesome, congratulations!! I think the fact you're off all those meds and your blood sugar is under control is a HUGE NSV!!!

yes, I had that, in fact it's very common. Here's the thing about that type of gas pain. It's not in your digestive system, it's in your abdominal cavity. If you're having digestive gas things such as Gas X will help, but it won't help this particular pain because products like this only help gas in the stomach and bowels. Your body has to reabsorb the gas, it can't be "passed" out. (again, because it's not in the digestive system). Unfortunately movement and walking is the only thing we can do to help that process along. Many do find that heating pads help ease the pain. I'd give it a try.

I agree, one step at a time. Anything fitting looser after only 2 months is great!!

That is so awesome, Holly. You have done AMAZING!!!

My nutrionist told me no more than 1 cup of food total. But also keep in mind, you're still in the healing phase and right now you need to concentrate on healing more than weight loss. Also keep in mind you haven't had a fill yet, and once you start getting them and have some restriction, you'll be able to eat even less. I think you're doing great

I agree with Amanda1982, contact your surgeon. That is a sign of being too tight and that is a lot for being so newly banded. It's possible that he just filled you too fast.

If I were in your shoes, I would see an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. He will be able to tell you if your esophageal erosion has anything to do with the band or not. It's entirely possibly the two are completely separate from each other and the band didn't cause it, however there's a good chance that despite not causing the issue the band is now irritating it.

I can still easily eat ground beef, but I choose not to because it's typically so high in fat. When I am cooking a recipe that calls for ground beef I use 93% fat free ground turkey instead.

I did many years.

Amanda Mae, I have to tell you, I have so much respect for you. Your attitude and self introspection is wonderful. Your honesty is so refreshing- you know where you made mistakes and you admit them and know what not to repeat. I have no doubt you'll do great with the new band. As for your first doctor, I'm sorry, but he was a moron. He definitely did you far more harm than good and had a big factor in band slipping. I am so glad you have a good doc now. Best wishes to you, you're an inspiration

I struggled with the same thing, in fact I felt more comfortable in my huge clothes than I did clothes that actually fit. But then I realized by hanging onto them, I was unintentionally jinxing myself into failure. So, I despite how anxiety ridden it made me, I bought new clothes and threw out all but one pair of pants that were too big. I kept the one pair to remind me how far I've come and how I don't want to ever fit into them again. Btw... by the time I finally got clothes, I was down 75 pounds and had lost 4 sizes. LOL needless to say, I was WAY past due!! Throw away the old too big clothes, believe in yourself that you'll never need them again.

If surgery covers anything, it usually will cover the skin removal but not an actual tummy tuck. The only time I've heard of a full TT being covered was when it was medically necessary to reconstruct the abdominal muscles. Every insurance carrier is different, so the only way you'll know is by contacting yours and asking them. Good luck.

You were just banded less than 2 weeks ago. The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing not loosing. The best advice I can give you for now is to make smart food choices and put away the scale for a couple weeks. Once you're past the healing stage, then you can start worrying about weight loss. Best wishes.

You were just banded a couple weeks ago and I'm guessing have little to no restriction. The first month after surgery is for healing, not losing. Be patient with yourself and your body and give your body time to recover from surgery. My advice would be to make smart food choices but put the scale away for a couple weeks. Once you've had a couple fills and have good restriction, and if you're still making good food choices, you will lose.

No, in fact my surgeon specifically warns against it. He says if the band is in the proper placement it will suppress the appetite and there is no reason for it. He said if you need drugs to suppress appetite then either you need more saline in your band or it's not in the right place.