DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I would talk to both your doctor and your nutritionist. Let the doctor make sure there isn't a health issue at play and let the nutritionist go through your food logs to see if changes need to be made. Best wishes.

Welcome! hair loss can be an issue after any surgery. It's a nasty side effect of anesthetic. As far as weight loss related hair loss, it's far less with the Band because there's no malabsorbtion issues like Gastric Bypass has. Your best bet is to eat healthy and get lots of Protein. I get a minimum of 60g protein daily and take 5000mcg of Biotin daily and have no hair loss issues. As for my decision to get the Band, I was actually originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass. I weighed over 400 pounds with a BMI of 72. I was told I'd never lose enough with the Band and that Gastric Bypass was my only option. At the last minute, I canceled the surgery. I just couldn't go through with it. I simply couldn't logically justify re-routing my healthy digestive system without trying something far less drastic and reversible first. I also didn't want to deal with dumping or malabsorbtion issues. I then found a new surgeon and got the Lap Band. In the 19 months since I've had my Band, I've lost 227 pounds and I'm still losing. I couldn't be more thrilled with the band. I have zero regrets. The only thing I'd do differently is getting it a lot sooner. Best wishes with whichever you decide is best for you.

I'm very blunt and sarcastic by nature, so I warned those close to me right away: What I eat or don't eat is my business. Unless you want to be stabbed with a fork, keep your criticisms and suggestions to yourself. I got this.

Most doctors recommend liquids for at least 24 hours after a fill then gradually working back onto real food. I suspect your stomach was irritated and swollen from the fill and when you tried to eat, it made it a lot worse. If you're having trouble with liquids, you need to call your bariatric surgeon ASAP. As you found out, dehydration happens fast and can be serious. It's not something to mess with. Best wishes.

Are you counting calories?

It's frustrating, but I realized early on that I could only be responsible for my own actions and behavior. I couldn't allow myself to get wrapped up in what others were or weren't doing. Like the breakfast incident with the bagels and danishes- we have to remember that the rest of the world doesn't follow the same food guidelines we do. Your friends can't be expected to give up favorite foods at social functions just because you don't eat them anymore. Our entire life we will be surrounded by foods we know we should stay away from. They'll be served at parties and holiday functions for decades to come. We have to make smart choices based on what we know is best for us regardless of what others around us might be eating. Expecting others to change their menus or meals based solely on our needs is unrealistic. As far as people not mentioning your weight loss, it's likely because they're afraid to mention it. I found that until I lost a really huge amount of weight, people just avoided the topic. Weight is a very touchy subject and a lot of people won't bring it up for fear of offending you accidentally. I mean, if you say "wow you've lost weight!" to someone who hasn't, that person might just snap off "are you saying I'm fat?" Weight is a scary, delicate subject. I'm sure the people around you are just playing it safe, not trying to diminish your success. Best wishes

LOL I've been there!! I was in the store and had my cell phone in my pocket. I already knew my pants were at least two sizes too big but didn't want to buy new ones just yet. Well, the weight of the cell phone was enough to pull them right off my hips. My daughter giggled and said "nice butt mom, wanna cover it up now?" I wanted to die of embarrassment at the time but in retrospect it was pretty funny.

I am so sorry you're dealing with this. Ugh, how awful! I've not dealt with your particular band issue, but I know what it's like to be a food addict. I can't tell you how many times I'd buy and stash mounds of junk food so I could eat it late at night when everyone was in bed. Or, I'd go through the Taco Bell drive thru and immediately go through the Burger King drive thru across the street- then sit in my car and eat it all. The thing is, the Lap Band can't and won't stop us from being food addicts. There is a popular saying around here: "The band goes our stomachs, not our brains". Very often we need help in dealing with our brains and sometimes even more so than our weight. I went to Over-eaters Anonymous for a couple months but I found one on one counseling worked far better for me. I went for about 2 1/2 years to deal with a wide range of life issues, including food addiction and binge eating. I would strongly suggest seeking professional help. I know it's hard but it would help you so much. You owe it to yourself, you know? Hang in there.

Are you counting calories and keeping your meals to band sized portions?

I completely agree with you. This is exactly why I'm very open about the fact I've had WLS. I figure I'm doing others with WLS a grave disservice if I don't use myself as a means of educating others. How are we going to dispel the myths like "it's the easy way out" if none of us are willing to speak up and speak the truth? Or worse, if an overweight friend wants to know how I did it and I don't share the truth, potentially helping them? Everyone has to make their own choice based on their own life, but I don't think hiding the fact I have the Lap Band helps anyone- including myself.

It sounds like you're too tight, especially since you're having heartburn too, I'd give your surgeon a call and let him decide what the best course of action is.

I was going to respond...but your response is pretty much exactly what I was going to say!

PBing means Productive Burping. It's not dangerous and is gently burping up stuck food. Vomiting is forceful and involves the stomach spasming. It's very dangerous with the band.

There are some great surgeons in Mexico, however you must be very careful when choosing one. For instance, stay away from the ones that still use the outdated 4cc bands. The 4cc bands are no longer used in the US due to their very high rate of complications, but many Mexican surgeons still use them because they can get them at a cheaper cost. Also, you need a bariatric surgeon locally to do your fills and manage your health. It's very important you find one before having surgery in Mexico because many American doctors won't touch a patient banded in Mexico so it's crucial you have one established ahead of time. Otherwise, you run the risk of coming home with a band no one to fill it or help you. Just my personal opinion, but I wouldn't go to Mexico for any form of Medical Tourism, including weight loss surgery. I just don't feel like your health is something to "shop around" for the best deal on. Best wishes.

Why do you throw up mucus? Is it from being stuck? Also, is it actual vomiting or PBing? They're very different.

I am very sorry you're dealing with this. Before I had the band, I had pretty bad anxiety. I refused to go to social events, wouldn't go in stores that were too crowded, and would try to do everything I could via drive thru windows so I'd not have to get out of my car and deal with people. In fact, I was put on different anti-anxiety meds on and off for years. Is it possible you need an anti-anxiety med rather than an anti-depressant? Or possibly both? Anti-depressants don't calm or relieve anxiety. Anxiety is a completely different beast to deal with. I'm no doctor, but it sounds like anxiety is causing big problems for you.

Let me preface my response by saying this is strictly my opinion. I'm no expert nor am I a doctor. If I were in your shoes, with your BMI and medical history, I wouldn't get WLS. For one thing, the maker of the Lap Band only recommends it for those who have BMI's over 40 or over 35 with co-morbidities. With your BMI being only around 30, you don't fit their FDA approved criteria. The other part is, judging only by what I read here, it seems to me your issues are much more mental than they are physical. We have a saying around here- the band goes around your stomach not your brain. It can't and won't fix our mental issues with food. If I were in your shoes, I'd seek out a good therapist to help me work through the food issues. I'm guessing if you did that, you wouldn't need the band anyway. Just my personal opinion. You need to do what is best for you, though. Best wishes on whatever you decide.

I try to remind myself that being an emotional eater is a big reason why I got so fat that I needed Lap Band surgery to begin with. I also try to remember that if I do eat based on emotion, all it will do is make me feel horrible afterwards. Then, I distract myself. I take a walk or a long bath, something that I enjoy that also relaxes me, to get my mind off my urge to eat.

You are doing AWESOME!! I'm so proud of you!!!

Honestly, I've found it to be a lot easier than I expected. I knew going into this the band was a tool not a magic fix for fat. I knew the work I had to do to be successful and was committed to doing it. I went into this thinking if I could lose 150 pounds in 2 years, I'd have been thrilled. I have shocked even myself by losing 227 pounds in 19 months- and I'm still losing. I have no regrets. Getting the Lap Band is the best decision I've ever made for myself.

Definitely not a slider food for me. I've actually gotten stuck on string cheese before. I love cheese and eat it often, but I have to chew it thoroughly.

I'm not surprised they were against the TPA. It is a very risky, almost extreme measure to take against blood clots. Unfortunately, they didn't have a choice with me because of the severity of the bilateral clots. I actually had some clot get passed the IVC filter and they were very worried about me throwing a massive PE. Plus, if they didn't do the TPA, I was at very real risk of losing my legs. I was retaining almost 40 pounds of fluid- all in my legs. It was insane and excruciatingly painful. The birth control issue is a biggy. I was on the pill when I got my clot. Needless to say, all hormonal forms of birth control are now out of the question. Ugh! The good news is, IVC filters are a piece of cake. They don't even have to put you under to do it, they just use sedation and local numbing.

Oh my gosh!!! I have no wise words of advice as I've never dealt with these issues. All I can say is that I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers. You're a strong lady and I know you'll come through this with flying colors. ((hugs!))

My heart breaks for you. Just two months ago, I spent 8 days in the ICU with life threatening blood clots so I understand what you're going through. I actually blogged about it and the enzyme they used to dissolve the clots, called TPA. It was brutal but I am thankful. It saved my life and my legs. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/6349/entry-26062-a-warning-about-blood-clots-grahic-pic-beware/ The problem with conventional blood clot treatment is the clots aren't dissolved, they're only stabilized, usually with IV Heparin. So, when you get home, you still have the clots and have to wait for your body to naturally dissolve them. Some people live with them for months and some actually never dissolve. Most people have some level of pain and discomfort ongoing because of it. Before this latest round of clots, what was your INR at usually? Were you on Coumadin and/or Lovenox? Was your INR target between 2-3? I am on Coumadin for at least 4 more months and have to have my INR tested weekly. My target is 2-3 but I find it really bounces around. Last week, it was too high. The week before too low. It's frustrating. Here's a good website about blood clots and forums for them too: http://www.clotconnect.org/ I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers.