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Thank you Mine went VERY fast. I was fine one day and the next day I was doubled over in pain and started vomiting. I know vomiting with the band is very dangerous so I went to the ER. There, they did a CT scan which showed my gallbladder was full of stones and I even had some going into my bile duct. I don't follow a low a carb diet, I follow a low fat diet. My surgeon said it probably took so long for me to have symptoms because the foods I ate were "gallbladder friendly" and not likely to upset it. If I'd been on a low carb/high fat diet, he said I probably would've had symptoms come on a lot more gradually and sooner. Essentially it had been going for months just didn't cause me problems until it finally got really bad. A lot of people talk about pain after fatty or greasy food. Sometimes even vegetables. Right side abdominal pain is very common but mine wasn't, in fact the pain was almost dead center and radiating. Very often, gallbladder pain will come and go until it gets really bad (like mine) then it's always there.

I'm very sorry for your struggles. Let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor. This is strictly based on my own research and experience. Being as you were banded in 2005, that would mean you have the older 4cc band. It's extremely unfortunate but problems such as you're experiencing aren't uncommon with the older 4cc bands. In fact, they're no longer used in the US because of it. We see a lot of people with the 4cc bands getting them removed, replaced with a newer model, or switching to another WLS entirely. It is very unlikely your reflux will improve In fact, I fear it will only worsen as time goes on. I can't tell you what you should do only what I would do in your shoes. If it were me, I'd talk to my surgeon about getting the 4cc band replaced with a newer (bigger one). I would also ask if it's even an option with the ulcers and other damage. If it wasn't an option, I'd probably revise to the Sleeve. Again, just my opinion and what I've learned. Best wishes to you. I truly hope you can work it out for your best interest.

Oh how exciting!! Congratulations Mama!!!

Wow, thank you for sharing your story! What an inspiration!! Welcome!!

Yup I sure did! I wasn't shocked, in fact, I expected it. It's pretty common after major weight loss. I had mine removed this past April. Honestly, it was a really simple surgery with a quick recovery time. The pain was very minimal and I was back taking care of my grandma a week after the surgery (she was in hospice at the time). I was tired and I had restrictions on what I could lift for the first 6 weeks but otherwise it wasn't a big deal at all. Oh and I felt TONS better after it was out. I actually had far less pain from the surgery than I did from the malfunctioning gallbladder. It was instant relief. Best wishes!

I think it was a week before the gas pain was fully gone for me. It seemed like I went to bed one day achy then woke up the next morning suddenly fine. Hopefully it eases up for you very soon.

Not to be a downer, but the weight didn't come on fast and it won't come off fast either. It's simply not the way the band is meant to work. The average weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. Setting realistic goals keeps you from needlessly disappointing yourself. Best wishes.

If you were really big, say over 300 pounds, I'd say it was realistic because weight comes off faster the more you have to lose. But because you're not, I really don't think aiming to lose more than 2 pounds per week is realistic. If I were you, I'd aim for maybe 25 at most. Just my opinion.

These are things I found useful after surgery: -heating pad, it helps with pain -liquid Tylenol -bottled Water, because it made it easier to sip it constantly -Protein shakes -various broths and liquid Soups -anything else allowed on your first week post op diet The only thing I'd bring to the hospital are your toiletries, a loose comfy outfit to come home in (like sweats or a house dress), and a robe. The robe is because they will make you get up and walk very soon after surgery and those hospital gowns are notorious for exposing your bottom. Having a robe assures you can walk without giving everyone a free show. Best wishes!

That was probably the hardest thing for me to learn. I do what Guy suggested- I always put my fork down between bites and I don't touch it again until I've fully swallowed the bite in my mouth. Being honest, I didn't really master eating slow until I had enough Fluid in my band so that it mattered. Let me tell ya, shoveling food in mindlessly just to find yourself painfully stuck and sliming is enough to change your habits in a hurry. Btw, there are also apps people use to time their bites. I've even heard of people using timers.

First, congratulations on your weight loss. You're doing great. Next, if you were banded on Aug. 5 and lost consistently the first 6 weeks, that would mean it's only been 7-10 days since you lost weight. That isn't a stall. That is perfectly normal and to be expected. Your body isn't a machine and it's perfectly normal for it to need time to adjust. Keep counting your calories, start watching your portion sizes, and exercise and the weight will assuredly start coming off again. Best wishes.

Good luck!

It's true, protein intake helps prevent hairloss. Unfortunately, some people (like me) lose hair after being under general anesthesia. It's a very common side effect due to the body's non-essential functions being put into hibernation during surgery as well as all the drugs pumped into you. If you do have surgery related hair loss in the coming months, just remember it's temporary and your hair will come back to normal eventually.

Unfortunately, constipation is rather common after surgery. I've heard of people going 7-10 before they finally have a BM. It can get very uncomfortable but it's rare to be worrisome or dangerous. I find taking a stool softner daily until I "go" to be very helpful. Plus, you don't want to have to strain so soon after abdominal surgery. If you do decided to do this, just be sure it's a stool softner not a laxative. Laxatives can cause really bad cramping which you don't need right now. As far as the pressure, the reason antacids aren't working is because it's not in your digestive system. They pump air into your abdominal cavity during surgery. The best way to get rid of is walking to help your body reabsorb it faster. Some people also find heating pads help soothe the discomfort. Hang in there, you should be turning a corner and feeling much better very soon

Those are very good. I also really like Veggie Straws. They are another great alternative to chips and you get like 35 per serving (which is a lot). They taste so good my kids actually like them and ask for them at the store.

Statistically speaking, you have a much greater chance of dying from obesity than you from Lap Band surgery. The risk of dying from being obese far outweighs the chance of dying while trying to get healthy. For me, there was no choice, I had to do something drastic because I didn't want to die before my time. I wanted to be around to see my future grandkids and I knew I had to lose weight and get healthy or I wouldn't. Educate yourself on all the facts so you can make the best decision specifically for you. Best wishes.

You need to get into your doctor and checked out. Don't assume everything that comes up or goes wrong is band related.

Sorry the band didn't work over bypass for you. Some people do beautifully with their bands and some do not. I suspect the odds would be greater when getting it over bypass.

This is strictly my personal opinion, based on my own experience. I swell considerably after a fill, too. I always go on liquids for 48 hours after to give my stomach time to calm and the swelling to subside. However, if by the 3rd or 4th day after a fill I still can only tolerate liquids and slider foods (pudding, soup, etc) then I go back for a slight unfill. Some people choose to wait it out longer, which is completely their prerogative, however I'm very aware of how dangerous being too tight can be and refuse to risk it. Being in pain and uncomfortable is never good and never a sign of the Green Zone, it's only a sign of danger to your health and band. Last Monday I had a .3cc fill. That same Wednesday, I had .2cc taken back out because I knew I was too tight. Believe it or not, with only .1cc more than I started with on Monday, the Fluid in my band is now perfect. The smallest amount of fluid can make the biggest difference. Best wishes.

You can't. Only your doctor can tell you after doing tests to check it.

There's a lot of possible signs, but interestingly enough you can also have a slip with no symptoms whatsoever. Some of the possible signs are night cough, acid reflux, inability to eat, the sudden ability to eat tons, pain, tightness in the chest, pain in the chest, referred left shoulder pain, vomiting, and/or the inability to swallow. Those are just possible signs. You need to make an appointment with your surgeon to know for sure what's going on. This is especially true *if* you do have a slip- the sooner they catch it the better your chances of being able to correct it without surgery. Best wishes.

Good luck tonight. sleep studies aren't necessarily pleasant but at least they're painless. Hopefully you're able to sleep so the night goes by fast and they can get the testing results that they need. Sweet dreams

A dilated pouch is when the part of the stomach above the band is stretched. It's most often caused from over-eating.