DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Just my opinion, but if my bariatric surgeon actually prescribed me Phentermine after having Lap Band surgery, I'd be finding a new doctor. I just think that's ridiculous. Phentermine is essentially speed. Not only is it hard on your body and heart, but the minute you go off it you gain any weight lost back. I got the Lap Band so I will never need gimmicks or diet drugs again. The last thing I'd want is a doctor pushing them.

Were you eating regular foods after the fill but before the problems today?

It's unfortunate, but you will find practices like this a lot in Medical Tourism. Not just in Mexico, either. Anywhere there are doctors with a medical tourism based business, you'll see propaganda just like this. Granted this is personal opinion, but this is one of the many reasons I'd never consider going to Mexico for anything medical related- especially surgery. I simply don't trust medical tourism.

I know it's rough, but it doesn't matter when anyone else started soft foods after surgery, regardless of hunger. All that matters is when your doctor said you could have them. It's imperative you stick to your surgeons post op diet regardless of hunger. Your stomach has been sutured and injured and needs time to heal.

If it were me, yes I'd say I was too tight and insist on a small unfill. I'd be too afraid of a slip if I were so tight I couldn't even drink coffee in the morning. But again, I'm no doctor and it's strictly my opinion.

I completely agree. I have a pair of sneakers (Sketchers with memory foam soles, I love them!) just for walking/exercise and another pair for regular activity.

Back pain can be caused by a lot of things, but I too had a temporary back pain increase while losing weight. I went into my PCP when my back started to become an issue (I suggest you do the same, btw) and what I found out was surprising. He said it's not uncommon for people that have lost a lot of weight to have back issues. He said when you're overweight and carry a great deal of the weight in your stomach, your spine gets used to being in a forward swayed position to compensate for the extra mass. When you lose weight, your back begins to straighten to a more natural position, but the problem is that natural position isn't "normal" to your body anymore. Because of it, there is a sharp increase in back pain while you spine adjusts itself. He said it's not uncommon for the back pain to last 6 months or more but if it is due to weight loss, it will resolve over time. Dr. Scholls makes shoe inserts that can help. They're a bit costly, $40-$50, but they are pretty good because they're specific to your needs rather than a one size fits all. I would see your doctor, get checked out, and figure out the cause of your specific pain.

Steroids are wicked. Not only can they make you into an eating machine but they can seriously effect your moods, too. I know it's very hard right now, but once you're off the steroids and give them a little time to work out of your system, you'll start to feel normal again. Hang in there!

I've lost 2 bloodhounds, an average 2 year old, and a rack of ribs! LOL!

No idea, to be honest. If it's truly excruciating then go to the ER.

If you gained considerable weight or have a slip, it could feel tighter even when empty. It could also be the case if the band is simply too small for stomach, which often happens with the outdated 4cc ones. Best wishes.

It sounds like your band needs to be checked for a leak. There is no way to lose a full cc of fluid in two months.

Your doctor may not even give you medical clearance to return in less than a week. Even for desk jobs a week off is (usually) the minimum.

Talk to your surgeon and ask him it's ok to travel so soon after surgery. If he says no, I'd have him write a letter to your boss telling him you can't for medical reasons. If your surgeon says yes, keep in mind he'll likely want you stopping and walking every hour or so you don't risk a blood clot by traveling so soon after surgery. As for the time off for the surgery, it sucks but he's requiring is pretty common. But, unless your surgeon is hours away, you shouldn't need a day off just for post op visits and fills. The visits are usually very quick- including fills. A couple hours should be more than enough. Best wishes.

Your stomach has been sutured, moved, manipulated, and generally wounded. Those sutures need time to heal or you run the very real risk of ripping them or worse. Stick to your post op diet regardless of hunger. We all went through it and all survived it.

I would call and make an appointment for a slight unfill. You're clearly too tight. Here's a great article that I think will help: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118

Dumping doesn't apply to Lap Band, only Gastric Bypass and Sleeve. sleeping is a non-issue with the band. Once you're healed, you can sleep however is comfortable. I've actually slept on my stomach since the night of surgery without issue.

I was on it many years ago but had problems with reoccuring precancerous cells on my cervix. I went off the Depo and never had a problem since. When I went to my OB last year about birth control, she specifically said she wouldn't put me on Depo because of the massive weight gain it can cause. Just my experience.

An unfill can't cause those symptoms, especially when it was a month ago. You need to go back to your doctor ASAP.

I haven't had a fill since going on blood thinners, but I was told it was no different or risky than having my weekly blood draws. If I need a fill, I can get one, regardless of the blood thinners. I was on Lovanox for about week after getting out of the ICU for blood clots but once my INR was high enough I switched to just Coumadin.

Call your doctor and ask because they all seem to have different instructions. Plus, only he knows of any limitations or necessities specific to your health needs.

If you don't feel you enough Fluid in your band, then why haven't you gone back in for another fill? Also, keep in mind fills won't make you lose weight. They are meant to dim your hunger and keep you satisfied on much less food. Losing weight happens when you consume you less calories than you burn and that is up to you, not the band. The band just makes it easier because you're not nearly as hungry. Follow up with your surgeon and let him help you.

It depends. Some people are going to have excess skin regardless of what they do. The speed you lose has nothing to do with it. Either your skin is elastic enough to shrink with your body or it's not. It depends on how overweight you are, your age, genetics, whether or not you smoke, how long you've been over weight, and even hydration. Exercise can help but it's no guarantee you won't have excess skin. I have excess skin but I don't mind. I can hide excess skin under clothes but I couldn't hide the excess fat. I'd much rather have extra skin than extra fat.

You need to have your band checked. Those could be signs of a slip.