DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

As far as clothes- if you can, try finding clothes a season in advance. For instance, last month I bought a bunch of winter clothes because in July they are dirt cheap. I just bought them a size smaller than I'm currently in. This winter I'll be buying summer clothes as I find them on clearance. As far as "skin too big", it really depends on a lot of factors. How much weight you lose, how long you'd been carrying it, age, smoker or non smoker, and genetics. I have a ton of excess skin on my upper arms and thighs but almost none on my face/neck. I'm actually told I look a lot younger since losing weight. However... I never had a huge double chin or anything when I was really big either.

It takes a lot of courage to admit you need help. The fact you've only gained back 20 pounds before realizing you need to get back on track also makes you wise- many wait until they gain a lot more before realizing there's a problem. TMF is right- clear your house everything that's not healthy or a trigger food. It's not going to be easy at first. In the beginning, you'll likely have a lot of head hunger and craving. But if you clear the bad stuff from your house it'll make it a lot harder to mess up. The fact you're going in for a fill is great. If I were in your shoes, I'd also make appointment with your nutritionist. Let them help you get back on track. Best wishes- you can do this!

I'm in the Green Zone. I still have a Protein shake for breakfast every morning but that's my choice. If I really wanted food, I could eat if I was very careful, but I've never been a breakfast person and just prefer my protein shake. I eat when hungry not by what the clock says. Most of the time, that's about every 4 hours. I eat about 1200 calories a day and make sure what I do eat is healthy. Just like there is no one way of eating (i.e. low carb, low fat, Paleo, etc) that is correct there is also no one way of eating that's correct. As TMF aptly stated, not all doctors and nutritionist subscribe to the theory of keeping the metabolism burning by eating every couple hours, either. In fact, most bariatric surgeons discourage it because WLS is meant to keep you from eating all the time. If you're happy as you are and your surgeon supports it- I say keep doing what you're doing. What works for one doesn't work for all. But, you can very much be healthy and keep your metabolism burning efficiently while in the Green Zone and eating a lot less frequently.

I completely agree!!

Most of the time, a port flip is fixed pretty easily and the person does fine after. You can read many stories of port flips here on the forums with good outcomes.

You need to follow your doctor's post op diet exactly, regardless of what anyone else did on their post op diet. Cheating can result in serious injury and complications. It's not worth cheating.

It's to give your stomach time to heal. Cheating on it can cause serious injury and complications.

This is just way too cool and too fun!! I love it!! Btw, I haven't been to Great America in decades. Next time I'm back in Chicago visiting family and friends I'm definitely going. You look wonderful too!

The closer you are to your goal, the better your results will be. With that said, if the excess skin is a major problem, you may elect to have it removed sooner. I was 215 pounds when I had a tummy tuck/skin removal/hernia surgery 3 months ago. My doctor actually wanted to do it sooner but I wanted to wait until I'd lost 200 pounds. He removed over 12 pounds of excess skin from my abdomen. For me, it was a great decision and very necessary. For others, it's always best to follow your doctor's advice.

If you read actual studies that take patient compliance into consideration, only 5% of Lap Band patients have complications by no fault of their own. Plus, when the patient is compliant with their surgeon and their rules, the long term weight loss is actually comparable to the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass. Here's an actual study to support this information: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/ Weight loss and success with the band really comes down to patient compliance. You will hear a lot of horror stories about the band, but what the majority of those people won't tell you is that they caused their own complications and didn't do what was necessary to be successful with their band. As for myself, I've lost 227 pounds in the 19 months I've been banded. That is about 87% of my excess body weight- and I'm still losing. I'm living proof that you can lose as much with the band as you're determined to work at losing. Best wishes.

Congratulations You have every right to brag!! Sharing success stories is SO important. It seems too often those who are successful and happy don't bother sharing their stories because they don't want to brag. But that bragging, and sharing your stories with others, is not only tremendous motivation for others but it goes a long way to balance all the stories of gloom and doom. Keep bragging, we need more "braggers"!!

What your doctor told you is 100% correct. food passes through the band in less than a minute. If it's sitting above the band, then your band is too tight and it will stretch the pouch. This can lead to a lot of problems, including erosion,reflux, and slips. Always trust your doctor over anything you read on these forums. We're not doctors and we're no experts.

I'm not telling myself anything but the facts. Comparing your 10 year old outdated and no longer used band to those used today is ridiculous. What bothers me is the fact you seem way too smart not to realize it yet you continue your scare tactics anyway. Very, very sad.

I'm sorry, but once again you are comparing your experience with a 10 year old band that is known for it's complications and no longer used because of it to the bands used today. There is no comparison. Furthermore, the language you use sounds like more scare tactics, not genuine concern. None of us here are in denial. We just don't want newcomers unnecessarily scared by completely irrelevant and bogus comparisons.

I am so sorry you're dealing this pain. Unfortunately, you can't diagnose yourself based on what you read on the internet. There could be a whole lot of reasons for your back pain. There is absolutely no way you can no for sure until you see a doctor. If you honestly feel like you're having a heart attack you need to go to the ER- regardless of insurance. By law, they have to treat you. Not going is putting your life at risk needlessly. Best wishes.

I'm not a nutritionist so I can't suggest calories. You'll find a very wide range of calorie allowances for different people here. Make an appointment with your nutritionist so they can help you establish the calorie range that is best for you. Yes, I measure everything so my food never exceeds one cup per meal.

My best advice is to start tracking your calories. Most people who don't track them are shocked how much they're actually eating. Smaller portions doesn't necessarily mean less calories. Weight loss really boils down to simple math- when you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight. Tracking your calories is the easiest way to assure that happens.

Do you count calories?

I have no idea what Tripe is, but is it allowed on your post op diet? It's definitely not a liquid or mushy food. According to your profile, it's only been a little over 2 weeks since your surgery.

Sorry you feel that way, but I back my information on facts not hearsay or anecdotal evidence. It's also extremely important to point out your experience with a 10 year old band has very little to do with the experience someone banded today can expect. As TMF aptly pointed out on a previous thread, it's like trying to compare an old brick mobile phone to the smart phones used today.

Your story is a great example of why the old 4cc band (and other old models) are no longer used in the United States. It makes me incredibly sad that so many people run off to Mexico to save a few bucks, end up with the 4cc band, and have the exact same issues you're having. Thankfully, problems such as yours are rare with the new generation of bigger bands when the patient is compliant with the rules and their surgeon. Good luck with your Sleeve revision.

You really need to talk to your doctor. Tell him exactly what problems you're having and let him determine the best way to correct it. It sounds like you really need his guidance right now. I'd make an appointment.

hahaha you have hiccurps too now! It sounds like you're at that perfect spot. I hate telling people "you'll know the Green Zone when you get there" but as you can clearly see, it's true. You just know somehow know when you're at the right spot.

Biotin comes in very small gel caps. Very easy for a bandster to swallow. They're about the size of a pea.

It's like the quote in my signature says "comparison is the thief of joy". Don't compare yourself to anyone. You are a unique person and you will lose weight exactly perfectly for you. How fast or slow anyone else does is irrelevant. All that matters is that you are losing.