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Congratulations!! I'm so proud of you and inspired by you!!! HAPPY DANCE!!!

I don't mean this to sound disrespectful, but I truly hope you just misunderstood your surgeon because if he actually did say "once it stops hurting then you know it failed" then you need to find a new surgeon ASAP. Pain is NOT part of having the band. The reason you're having pain right now is likely because you're eating things your stomach just isn't ready for. All surgeons have a different post op diet, but at only 2 weeks after surgery most of us are only on liquids or mushies. Hard foods like vegetables wouldn't even be an option for another 2-4 weeks. Your stomach has been injured and sutured and needs time to heal- and considering your pain while eating it sounds like yours needs more time. Please have a look at this link. It explains in detail the sensations we should feel and pain is clearly not one of them: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-made-simple/Lap-band-surgery-restriction-slips/Lap-band-surgery-restriction-slips.html If I were you, I'd talk to your surgeon about the information on the link I just posted here and if he truly insists that pain is part of the band, I'd be finding a new surgeon ASAP. Best wishes.

Perhaps a nutritionist could help? Again, just my experience, but I know the whole low carb thing is totally unrealistic for me. I talked to my nutritionist about this so she helped me set up foods guidelines that weren't low carb. Maybe a nutritionist can help you establish a plan more tailored to your specific needs? Just a thought.

Personally, I'd avoid food/dinner dates entirely until you're past the post op diet. As far as dating in general, I started seeing my current boyfriend 7 months after getting my Lap Band. I didn't tell him right away, but as soon as I realized I actually liked him I told him everything. I figured I'd rather have him reject me sooner than later if it wasn't something he could deal with- plus I didn't want anyone who couldn't accept me for me. Luckily, he was extremely supportive right from the start. In fact, he has become my biggest cheerleader and it always so encouraging. (btw, we're obviously still together and now live together too!)

I'm no doctor so I don't pretend to know more than your PA, but that really doesn't make any sense to me. How much Fluid you need in the band is based on your anatomy. Many people need much more than 5cc in their 11cc band- likewise some need less too. I don't understand why 5cc is your "limit" if you're not too tight and still hungry. Eating more doesn't make sense and seems to defeat the whole purpose of the band. Again, just my opinion.

From what I have read, the Realize Band goes up to 9cc while the Realize Band-C goes up to 11cc.

What about this, yummy without extra calories and soft: Directions 1 Cut apple into 8 or 12 slices (like quarters). 2 Place apple slices in a sandwich bag. 3 Sprinkle 1 packet of Stevia (or Truvia, based on preference) into bag over apple slices. 4 Coat slices with ground cinnamon (not cinnamon sugar). 5 shake bag contents until slices are coated. 6 Remove and place slices on microwave safe dish and put in the microwave for 2-3 mins.

Granted this is strictly my opinion based on my own experience and my surgeon's advice, but if I couldn't drink liquids without pain I'd be getting a small unfill. It's too easy to become dehydrated and bands that are too tight simply aren't safe. If I told my doctor it caused any discomfort to drink liquids, he'd insist on removing some Fluid immediately (and he has in the past). Best wishes.

Actually, some surgeons do still do plication alone. My brother was considering bariatric surgery after seeing my success and the doctor he saw actually recommended plication to him. I was shocked. I told him I'd suggest the band with plication rather than plication alone, but ultimately it's his choice.

Is it possible you're too tight? If you're taking small bites and chewing enough, you shouldn't be having all these problems.

Honestly, we can't tell you that. How he fixes it will depend on your specific circumstances and the cause of the slip. He could unfill the band and hope it falls back into place, surgically re-position it, or surgically remove it entirely. Good luck

Congratulations! You're doing awesome!!

The Green Zone is the perfect amount of Fluid in your band to control your hunger. It comes from this diagram on a lot of our doctors' walls: As for rules, they vary greatly from doctor to doctor. There are some common denominators though- like no over-eating and following a healthy diet (though even the diets vary greatly).

My thoughts exactly. If you have a bad reaction to it, then don't use it. If you don't have any adverse reactions then enjoy.

Before you crush anything, it's crucial you discuss it with your pharmacist first. Some pills are time release and if you crush them you risk an accidental over dose. So, be sure to check with your pharmacist first. As far as swallowing pills with the band, when in doubt always do as your doctor recommends. I actually never crushed pills or switched to liquid form. I've been able to swallow mine just fine right from the very beginning. However, everyone is different so your experience may be very different. Best wishes.

Have you tried peeling them first? For me, it's not the actual apple but rather the skin that can be tricky. If I peel the apple first I have no problems whatsoever. Just a thought

I have the same problem. Same with medical tape, I can only use cloth or paper tape otherwise I get actual sores where the tape touches. Of course ask your doctor to make sure it's safe for your specific circumstances, but if the skin isn't broken I found Bendadryl cream helped soothe it a lot. If the skin is broken, I found Neosporan helped heal it faster and soothed it.

It really depends on the spirit of the post. If someone comes on here saying "I had this problem, this is what happened, and this is why it happened" then it's useful information. They're telling us about their experience and something to keep in mind for possible problems. They also serve as fair warning to possible problems, be it band caused or patient caused. If someone comes on here saying "The band is evil, it'll make you dead, don't do it!" then they are nothing more than a fear mongering troll with absolutely nothing to offer. It's these post I'd like to b*tch slap right off the internet. Just my two cents.

Not silly at all! It's awesome!!! Congratulations!!!

Sure, just be sure to add the extra calories to your daily total allowance.

Oh yeah, I went down TONS. I started in a 52H bra. I'm now in a 36DD. They went down a lot!!

I'm really glad everything is good! Hopefully the doctor's suggestions will take care of the reflux so you can rest well again. Hang in there

You can sleep however is comfortable. I actually slept on my stomach from the first night after surgery. Some people find sleeping in a recliner most comfortable. You'll have to do some trial and error to see what's best for you. Do you have a heating pad? If so, you may find it helps the discomfort. Walk as much as you can, it will help work that air out of your abdomen sooner. Hang in there, it does get easier and soon!