DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

And what size band do you have? When is the last time you saw your doctor?

PBing won't cause a slip. Vomiting any time after surgery- be it 6 days or 6 years- can lead to a slip. That's why it should be avoided at all costs.

Sometimes you have very few symptoms. Once in awhile none at all (but that's rare) Some symptoms of a slipped pain can be pain, reflux, night cough, sudden inability to eat foods you could before, sudden band tightness, and vomiting.

PBing is just gently burping the food back up- literally. No stomach spasms or retching. Vomiting happens below the band, isn't gentle, and results in stomach spasms and retching.

I'm curious, you just joined this site 32 minutes ago and immediately come to this thread? And, you claim to have your band for 24 years? You claim to have gotten it in 1989 (according to your profile) yet the first gastric band wasn't placed until 1992 in Australia. It wasn't approved for use in the US until 2001. Sorry but I'm not buying it. I smell a fear mongering troll.

One important thing to remember- the band's job isn't to physically stop you from eating. Many people accidentally end up too tight trying to achieve this. The band is there to control your hunger and allow you to be satisfied on much less food- not force you to stop eating. In fact, if you eat until the point of pain, not only have you over ate but you risk complications. Here's how Dr. Simpson explains it: "The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction When talking about the band, some patients talk about restriction. Let's first be clear about one thing: the purpose of the band is not restriction; the purpose of the band is to lose weight by suppressing the appetite. When band professionals talk about restriction we are talking about something totally different than "restricting what a person eats." In fact, many band surgeons avoid talking about restriction so as to not confuse patients. The band works by dimming the appetite, and this provides a conscious control and decision made by the patient, it does not work by "making" a person do something, or keep them from eating too much. The Lap-band works by suppressing your appetite As a result, you are less interested in food between meals, making it easier to resist temptation. The analogy is when you are near a vending machine when you are hungry-- what do you do? Probably find yourself with some junk food that is not a part of your plan. But, when you pass a vending machine when you are full, it may not even catch your eye. Having the appetite dimmed makes you less tempted by the many food choices modern living throws at you - -this is what the band does, by suppressing appetite you become less interested in food." To read more, you can find it here: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

I've not hit my goal yet but I'm hoping to be there by Christmas. So far, I've lost 222 pounds over the last 18 months. Just remember, everyone loses at their own pace. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you get there, all that matters is that you're losing.

The band can't stretch, however the pouch above it can. With that said, I've been banded for 18 months and I eat both Pasta and rice regularly. In fact, I had rice for dinner tonight.

Carrots are not easy to eat with the band. In fact, most raw veggies are difficult. Just because you get stuck on one food doesn't mean you need your band removed- it means either you're not taking small enough bites, chewing well enough, or simply can't handle that specific food. If you eat after getting stuck then yes, you'll exacerbate the problem and make it worse. If you get stuck eating anything you should immediately stop eating and go to liquids the rest of the day. Otherwise you're only making your stomach more swollen and irritated. It needs time to calm after a big stuck episode. I would recommend a visit to your bariatric surgeon. Let him help you address the issue.

Go see a nutritionist and find out what you should be eating. You may also need your band unfilled.

We have some great guys on this forum. Jim, TMF, Catfish, and Guy all immediately come to mind. All great guys with much to offer! Welcome!

With all due respect, we do understand carb cravings. Many of us have them. If it's something specific to PCOS then no, we don't understand. But if you're posting about it on a Lap Band forum then you can't expect us to "have a clue" about PCOS. Any advice you get here is going to be based on what we know about the band, not PCOS.

Unfortunately, sugar free products are no better than fat free products. Both have a lot of additives to take the place of the sugar or the fat. With sugar free, there a lot of aspertime and other artificial sweeteners. Truth is, studies have found that sugar free is actually worse for a lot of people than actual sugar or fat free foods. http://www.bellevision.com/belle/index.php?action=health_all&type=234 I'm not saying not to eat sugar free, mind you. I'm only pointing out that fat free (or low fat) isn't necessarily bad nor is it worse than sugar free. Everyone has to figure out what works best for their own metabolism and go with it. If fat free isn't right for you but sugar free is, then definitely stick with it.

I agree with TMF. First, a gastro doctor knows absolutely nothing about a Lap band. A lot of well meaning gastros and radiologists often try to diagnose band problems but fail miserably. The only person qualified to deal with band issues is a bariatric surgeon. Also, as TMF said, the fact you have severe GERD is a sign of a band too tight not a band too loose. Talk to your bariatric doctor and let him check your band Fluid and tightness. Best wishes.

Having adequate Fluid in your band will help hunger, but sticking to the right portion is your job to control not the band's job. Here is how Dr. Simpson explains it: "The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction When talking about the band, some patients talk about restriction. Let's first be clear about one thing: the purpose of the band is not restriction; the purpose of the band is to lose weight by suppressing the appetite. When band professionals talk about restriction we are talking about something totally different than "restricting what a person eats." In fact, many band surgeons avoid talking about restriction so as to not confuse patients. The band works by dimming the appetite, and this provides a conscious control and decision made by the patient, it does not work by "making" a person do something, or keep them from eating too much. The Lap-band works by suppressing your appetite As a result, you are less interested in food between meals, making it easier to resist temptation. The analogy is when you are near a vending machine when you are hungry-- what do you do? Probably find yourself with some junk food that is not a part of your plan. But, when you pass a vending machine when you are full, it may not even catch your eye. Having the appetite dimmed makes you less tempted by the many food choices modern living throws at you - -this is what the band does, by suppressing appetite you become less interested in food."

I would even request a culture of the abscess to be done with your blood work tomorrow. As Beanie stated, they need to know what type of infection it is to prescribe the right antibiotic. Obviously the first antibiotic didn't work so they need to re-evaluate it. Also, be sure to take it EXACTLY as directly including all doses. If they get you on the right antibiotic and you follow the directions, you have a good chance of getting it cleared up in time for surgery.

Oh my gosh Jim, you look SO GOOD!! The change is astounding!! You actually look younger even!!! Very very handsome!

The antibiotics won't cause the white cell elevation, in fact they're supposed to lower it by killing the infection. If you still have a high white blood cell count then that means you still have an infection. I know it's frustrating, but it's a good thing they're postponing your surgery until it clears up. The last thing you need a post surgical infection. Best wishes.

Where is the swelling?

I hate to tell you this, but the only way to handle loose arm skin is toning exercising as your losing. Once it's already there nothing is going to take care of it except plastic surgery. Extra skin anywhere on the body is determined by a lot of factors. Genetics, age, whether or not you smoke, how long you've been big, how much weight you lost, and even hydration. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you just end up with loose skin. (including me)

It is ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry when it comes to blood clots. I found this out the hard way about 6 weeks ago and almost lost my life because of it. Please, if you even think there's a remote chance, go to the ER. They have to treat you. You need a doppler of your legs to make sure there's no clots. Btw- contrary to popular belief, you can have clots in both legs at the same time. I wrote a blog entry about my clot experience, you can find it here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/6349/entry-26062-a-warning-about-blood-clots-grahic-pic-beware/ Please, don't wait. Get checked out ASAP.

Are you vomiting or PBing? There is a big difference. When is the last time you saw your doctor? If true hunger is a problem (not head hunger) then perhaps you need a fill.

Wow...what a d*ck!!! I think we should all Tweet him :ph34r:

It lasts as long as it takes for you to have adequate Fluid in your band. Some people get lucky and never go through it, for others it can last for 6+ plus months. The best thing you can do is measure your portions and track your calories in the meantime. Best wishes.