DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

If you already have esophageal problems, then I'd listen to your doctor and not get the band, Too many people with these type of problems get the band then end up having it removed with complications.

She probably saw your new pics and wanted your hotness!

Talk to your doctor because that isn't normal.

It's really hard to say. Most people need multiple fills before they have adequate fluid in their band, so don't get discouraged if you don't notice a difference after the first fill. It takes time but it will happen.

Congratulations on your success! I'm in Michigan too, btw

Fills don't make you lose weight. Think of it like a bracelet around your stomach- it doesn't speed your metabolism. They are to add Fluid to the band to make it tighter, resulting in your hunger being dimmed. When you're less hungry it's easier to eat less food. How much you lose depends on your eating and exercise habits. They average weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. Best wishes

True, but for post op reasons the extra calories will just be temporary. Once you're back on real food it won't be an issue because you won't be on a special diet anymore.

I don't see why it would be a problem. The only issue I can think of is with the Protein shakes. You may have to really search to find one with sugar rather than artificial sweeteners. Otherwise, once you're back on real food, it shouldn't be an issue.

I had a very strict, long post op diet too. I was on liquids for the first 4 weeks, then 2 weeks puree'd food, 2 weeks soft food, then finally back to normal food. Like you, it was 8 weeks before I had regular food again after being banded. The way I survived it was finding liquids I liked. For instance, V8 makes soups with no chunks whatsoever, so you can count them as liquids. They have great flavors like Potato Leek, Garden Tomato, and Butternut Squash. These soups helped me a lot because even though they were liquid they tasted like actual food. Plus, they have a full serving of veggies, so it helped with energy too. Just keep reminding yourself this is a very short bump in the road that's necessary for you to heal properly. Best wishes

I have found the V8 soups at both Kroeger and Walmart. They come in green boxes, not cans, so they're really easy to spot. I would measure out a cup of the soup and put the rest in the fridge. After the first week, I was able to eat a whole cup. (or rather drink, being as it's all liquid with no chunks)

For full liquids, I also really liked the V8 juice blends light. It's lower in calories, comes in many flavors, and you can some veggie servings in with them. I also liked the V8 Soups. No chunks whatsoever so they count as full liquids but they have a lot of flavor. I liked the Potato Leek, Garden Tomato, and Butternut Squash.

When the doctor is doing the surgery, he has to work very close to your liver, in fact sometimes it even has to be moved a bit. Because obese patients usually have fatty livers, they do the pre op diet to shrink the liver to make it safer and easier to do the surgery. Interestingly, there have even been times a person didn't shrink their liver enough to do the surgery safely and the surgeon will sew them back up without placing the band.

There is no dumping with the Lap Band. (one of the many reasons I chose it!) There are a lot of people on here who are on Atkins like diets with their bands.

It's definitely real, however the number of fills it takes to get there is really dependent on both you and your doctor. Some are there with no fills and others need many fills. How long you remain in it depends on you, too. The first time I was in it for about 4 months, but as expected my stomach shrank when I lost weight and eventually needed another fill. Since I got into the Green Zone the second time, it's been 8 months (and counting). As far as the food obsession, I'd like to be able to tell you being in the Green Zone will "cure" that but I'd be lying. You have to remember, the band is around your stomach not your brain. If the food obsession is do to food addiction then that is something you'll have to come to terms with. If the food obsession is because of physical hunger (not head hunger) then being in the Green Zone will help. Best wishes.

I completely understand and would probably feel the same way in your shoes. Best wishes and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

You're doing so incredibly well- you should be VERY proud of yourself!

Awww thank you! :wub: Honestly, I'm just a regular woman. I just needed this too bad to screw it up, if that makes sense. I knew I had to lose the weight so I wouldn't die prematurely. I was a ticking time bomb. There are a lot of others like me out there, in fact I know a few on these boards. My memory sucks but I know Cazzy, Floridays, and Jim1967 have all lost over 200 pounds, too. (there's others too!)

Before I had the band, I don't think I knew what hunger was. I just grazed constantly so I never allowed myself to feel hungry. Now, hunger is when my body physically needs nourishment. If I ignore the feeling of hunger, I'll end up light headed, dizzy, and a headache. Hunger is a physical need.

I am so sorry you're going through this. It's sad but your story isn't at all uncommon for those with the old 4cc bands. I breaks my heart when I read stuff like this. I'm not surprised you have the reflux and hernia, either. Do you think it's possible to replace your band with a new one and fix the hiatal hernia at the same time? Very often, they fix the hernias at the time of band surgery. I'm curious if they could do the same for you.

This is strictly my interpretation, but I take to mean you can have both non-cream AND puree'd. If the soup is puree'd or liquid already, then you don't have to puree it. But if it has chunks, then you have to puree it first. Just curious, are you not allowed cream Soups at all?

Sounds good! I'll definitely be trying it in the weeks to come!

Same here most days. There are days I am satiated for 5-6 hours and forget meals entirely, usually it's about 4 hours.

It can be symptoms of a slip, yes. I would ask your surgeon to check your band to see what's going on.

I agree with the others, I would get a second opinion if I were you. Did they ever do a culture to find out what type of infection it is? Or a scan to see whether it's superficial rather than inside too? I would insist both be done asap.