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Congrats on your weight loss. Fills are supposed to be dependent on how well your hunger is controlled- not how much you can eat. The band isn't meant to physically stop you from eating anything. What it is supposed to do is allow you to go much longer without hunger. http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html If you are past the post op diet and back on normal food, then you really should be eating healthy meals not relying on Protein drinks and bars for the majority of your calories. Good nutrition is so crucial. What type of food guidelines does your nutritionist recommend?

People treat me VERY differently since losing over 220 pounds. When I was over 400 pounds, store clerks ignored me. Restaurant staff looked at me with disdain. Random strangers would giggle at me. I've even been openly mocked in public. Now, store clerks seem to trip over themselves to try to help me. Restaurants treat me like a welcome guest. Men, who I'm sure would've made fun of me before, now hit on me. Instead of being mocked by strangers, now I get friendly smiles and small talk. ...and it makes me angry. I'm the exact same person with the exact same personality, just a slightly different package. I'm not somehow more worthy of kindness just because I lost weight. It's really sad that there is such a huge difference. As far as dating, I was single when I got my band 18 months ago. Ironically, today is my boyfriend's and my 1 year anniversary. I was still about 300 pounds when met him. I'm now around 199 pounds. We've lived together since December. He's seen pictures of me when I weighed 421 pounds and was honest- he probably wouldn't have been attracted to me when I was that big. It doesn't bother me knowing that because he was just being truthful (and I asked the question to begin with). He knows I have a Lap Band and is very supportive. I actually told him right away when we started dating. He's taken the time to learn about the band and what it means for me so he actually understands it better than a lot of people I know. I can run up to him excited about milestones and he'll be excited for me. If I'm struggling, he tries very hard to be encouraging and supportive. I'm very lucky to have him in my life.

This is strictly my personal opinion, but it's a matter of works for you. I know people who do both. Personally, I go by gross calories. If I subtract exercise calories then my loss stalls. But, I know I plenty of people who go by net and do great. I'd try it both ways if I were you. Do a week using net then a week using gross and see which works out better for you.

As previously stated, it all depends on your insurance requirements. I've heard some people taking close to a year to get their surgery. For me, it was only 3 weeks from my seminar until my surgery date.

This is such an excellent point. I had to be airlifted about 6 weeks ago. The weight limit on the helicopter was 300 pounds. If I'd had the same medical emergency a year ago I'd have been too big to be airlifted. Scary but true!

I do the exact same thing.

I have always struggled with this, too. Big time. I have a bit of a different way of coping but it works for me. I have essentially trained my brain that bath and jammies means no more eating for the night. So, every night after my kids are in bed and I'm settling in for the night, I take a long bath. This is the time of night I always want to graze and did for many years. I also brush my teeth really well, too. I know it's probably odd but the combination works for me. I think it's going to be a matter of finding what works for you. There's a lot of really great ideas on this thread. I'd go down the list and just try one after another until you find one that works. Best wishes.

Your opinion is valid as is your experience. But saying blanket statements like "the band isn't a long term device" isn't helping anyone. If you can't back up your statement with facts then they're nothing more than a futile attempt at a scare tactic. Stick to your opinion and your experience and stop with your ridiculous fear mongering. Problem solved.

The band has only been around in the US since 2001, making it impossible for longer term studies in the US. Furthermore, we already know there were major problems with the old 4cc bands. This is exactly why it's no longer used in the US. It's unfortunate but not surprising people continue to have problems with them. To say "it's not a long term device" or "it's not designed for more than 10 years" is a flat out lie. It's one thing to share your personal experience and another to spew 100% false information. Share your experience and share medically proven facts but stop spewing lies.

You'll have to ask your doctor. It depends on how well your incisions are healed.

It sounds like your band is still too tight for some reason so you still have reflux. Have any of these doctors bothered to check your gallbladder and appendics? High CRP levels mean something is wrong aside from band issues. I'm no doctor, but it makes me wonder if your band problems aren't secondary to some medical issue causing the high CRP levels. This definitely needs to be followed up on.

I've only PB'd once since I was banded 18 months ago. I think I've slimed maybe a half dozen times. I believe I haven't had those problems because I take small bites, I chew thoroughly, and I don't walk around with my band too tight.

See your doctor. That isn't band related.

I'm sorry you had problems, but saying "it's not even a long term device" simply isn't true. Just because you had problems doesn't mean all of us will. Statistically speaking, it IS a long term and successful device with a very low rate of non-patient caused complications: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

I met a lady that has had her Lap Band since 2001, so 12 years. She was one of the first to get her band after the FDA approved it for use in the US. She's kept off all her weight for a decade and zero problems. I look at like this: There is a 5% chance of serious complications by no fault of the patient. The chances I'd die from obesity related diseases and/or complications was almost guaranteed. For me, the choice was a no brainer. Best wishes.

I was on Depo about 17 years ago, when it first came out. I went on it after having my daughter and gained a ton of weight, too.

Talk to your Gyno to figure out what's best for you. There's a lot more than weight gain when making birth control decisions. For instance, if you're a smoker over 35 then any hormonal birth control is a risk. I can tell you from my own experience: My Gyno said absolutely no Depo-Provera. She said it is notorious for rapid and severe weight gain.

You look amazing! Congratulations!

You will lose weight in the area around it, yes. Some women even get a "mons lift" because it can actually get a bit saggy/loose skin.

LOL ok I had to do this

I am so so sorry It's not common but sometimes people do have serious complications by no fault of their own. You seem to be one of the unlucky 5% that do. If I were in your shoes, I'd get a second opinion from another bariatric surgeon. The reason being is, if the problem is something like the original surgeon didn't place it correctly, you'll want a non-biased second opinion to tell you. I'd also want a second opinion on the scar tissue and possibility for a revision surgery. Just my opinion. Again, I'm truly sorry this happened to you.

Unfortunately if your insurance requires it you must have one. They'll deny you otherwise. I know others who've changed PCP because theirs wouldn't write the letter of necessity.

Guy has given really good advice. It's wonderful you were finally able to have the surgery- but I think counseling is absolutely necessary if you're going to be successful with your band. We have a saying around here "the band goes around your stomach, not your brain". While the band is great for controlling hunger, it can't and won't change food addiction. Because the band isn't meant to stop you from eating- it can't control food addiction either. It's sad but we see it happen here all the time. As you are painfully aware- food addiction is very real. Sometimes, we need real professional help to deal with it. Best wishes to you. I hope you have great success!

Before I was on blood thinners- I did the same. In fact, my doctor has the same logic as yours that the liquid doesn't sit in the pouch so much less risk. I never had a problem swallowing the pills so I did take them. I can tell when a pill gets hung up above the band and the little Ibuprofen tablets never have for me. Ugh I can't wait until I can take Ibuprofen again. 4 1/2 more months.