DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Find a bariatric surgeon near you and go to their free seminar. They can then tell you exactly what to do from that point if you still feel you need weight loss surgery.

Are you tracking your calories?

Honestly, there's nothing you can do. We all have to suffer through it. Hunger sucks but it's crucial that you stick to your post op diet so you don't cause a band slip or rip your stitches. Just remember this is a temporary but necessary phase.

This is strictly my personal opinion and experience, but I believe secluding yourself for a year or avoiding social situations is counter productive. The whole purpose of the band is to be a tool to aid in a new lifestyle, not a temporary diet. For the rest of our lives, we'll be eating with other people. Family meals, holidays, parties, sporting events, etc. The sooner we learn to adjust to these situations, the easier and less stressful it becomes. I personally believe in moderation not deprivation. If I am at a BBQ and they're serving ribs, I'll have one or two. If I'm at a birthday party I'll have a small piece of cake. In the beginning, it can be hard because you're still learning portion sizes and calorie counts. But because I measure everything I eat at home, I'm used to seeing the correct portion size on my plate, which makes it a lot easier to "eyeball" proper portions when I'm out. I have also used an app called Lose It since the day I got home from the hospital. This makes it even easier not only to track my calories but to make good food decisions. A good example: I was at a graduation party trying to figure out what to eat. My Lose It app made it simple for me to quickly look up the calories in a hot dog versus a chicken leg. I know it seems like a lot right now but in time it all becomes second nature. Best wishes.

Wow...sobering but excellent post. I had my own realization about the cost of obesity this spring. My grandma was in a nursing home/hospice and it struck me one day as I looked around the dining room- there were no morbidly obese old people in there. There were a couple of heavy people but not one was truly morbidly obese. Then...it hit me. The reason you don't see many morbidly obese old people is because the morbidly obese usually don't live long enough to grow old.

Wow what a scary story. You've been through a lot. Thank you for sharing it, though. By you sharing your struggles, you could really help people from making the same mistakes. Truth is, I read about people with bands too tight all the time and fear complications like yours will arise. Hopefully some of those posters will read your story and realize how badly they're putting themselves at risk. I have a lot of respect for you for not only telling your story but starting over. I have no doubt you'll be successful this time around. Best wishes on your journey.

It has nothing to do with how much weight you have to lose but what your BMI is. With a BMI of almost 40 and co-morbidities, you should have no problem getting approved.

Talk to your doctor. He needs to figure out if you're too tight, not chewing enough or small enough bites, or slipped.

You need to tell your doctor ASAP if you suspect you're pregnant. Going through surgery, and all the drugs they use during it, could cause you to miscarriage. Plus, the severe calorie and nutrient restrictions of the post op diet could cause major issues for the baby. There's also a risk of birth defects, too

You'll have to ask your doctor's office. Only they can tell you what happens if you move before your first year is over.

Unfortunately, hair loss after any surgery is very common. It's because of the chemicals used in the anesthesia. It usually regrows within 6 months but it does take time. You can also experience hair loss by not getting enough Protein and nutrients. I find getting enough protein and taking 5000mcg of Biotin daily helps tremendously.

Hunger is the body's natural response to needing nutrients. You will always feel hunger at some point. The point of the band is to dim the hunger so it's a lot less frequent, not remove hunger signals entirely. Being as you're on liquids, I'm guessing you're newly post op. Being on liquids with no fills usually results in a lot of hunger. Here's a link you should read to get a better understanding of the band: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You definitely need to see your doctor, not a PA. Good luck.

It really depends. Normally, the closer to your goal weight, the better the results. However, sometimes the issue isn't cosmetic as much as physical. I had a TT 3 months ago still weighing 213 pounds because the skin hung half way down my thighs so it was very necessary for my mobility and quality of life. Talk to your doctor or plastic surgeon. They're the best person to ask about your specific circumstances.

If the Fluid won't go in, then either your band is already so tight no more can fit or there is something wrong with the port/tubing. What does your doctor say?

I eat salads all the time. I love them. Never had a problem with them, either.

I wouldn't risk going to Mexico for it. If I were you, I'd go to the ER as an emergency. If it's an emergency to remove it- then they must do so regardless of insurance. It seems to me if you go to the ER in the middle night, choking on stomach acid, and the problem is deemed to be the band then they'd have to remove. It's worth a try. Good luck.

Every doctor is different, but I was on liquids for 4 weeks post op.

I would start tracking your calories religiously, even if you have a bad day and cheat. It's a lot harder to "mess up" if you have to face the calorie count for your mistakes.

I went into this with all the facts and I knew exactly what I needed to do to succeed. Even then, I still had these nagging doubts: What if I'm the one person that never feels satisfied? How in the world can a cup of food satisfy anyone? What if I fail miserably, just like I always have on every diet I ever tried? I'm happy to report, my fears were completely unfounded. I didn't think it was possible but I'm more than satisfied on very little food. I never deprive myself, either. I believe in moderation not deprivation and because of it I'm still very happy. At the end of the day- it will work for you if you're willing to do the work for it Best wishes

Ugh, you have to make the shakes with water? No wonder you can't stomach them! YUCK! If I were you, I'd call your doctor's office and tell them flat out you're not drinking the Protein shakes because you can't stomach them. Ask if you can make them with skim milk, or almond milk, or blend a little fruit into them. Or, ask if you can find another brand with comparable protein and calories that you can actually stomach. They may tell you no and to suffer through it- it happens. But, it's worth a try.

My personal opinion? If it were me, I wouldn't get another fill. It sounds like you're well within the Green Zone. I'd be afraid of any more fills pushing you past your sweet spot and into too tight territory.

I am no doctor, this is strictly my opinion. 4lbs is really nothing. Honestly, I know it seems like it, but if you haven't changed your eating habits and still see a small scale jump then it's temporary. So many things can effect your weight, including salt intake, Water retention, and hormones. A good example: Right now I'm actually up 3 pounds because of my "time of the month". It'll probably go up another pound or two over the next 48 hours, too. But, within a couple days of it ending, the extra weight will be totally gone again. Likewise, I've had high sodium days where I see my weight jump a little too. I stay away from the salt and drink a lot of water after and the weight goes away again. Small weight fluctuations are totally normal. I don't think anything is wrong with your band. Hopefully seeing the doctor will ease your mind. Best wishes.