DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Oh my gosh SO TRUE!!!! If one more person tells me "You should stop eating carbs" I may lose it. I've lost over 200 pounds while eating carbs so I *think* I know what I'm doing. It drives me positively insane! I've heard the "don't get too skinny!" comment a lot lately too. Hellllooo, I still have another 40-50 pounds to lose! I am no risk of looking like an anorexic, trust me people. Band specific ones: -People expecting me to drop 200 pounds in 6 months. Are you freak'n kidding me? - People who think this is the easy way. There is nothing easy about changing my entire lifestyle, counting every single calorie that goes into my mouth, and pushing my body to do exercises it hasn't done since I was a teenager. I've worked my butt off (literally!) for every ounce I've lost and it's not "easy".

Considering your doctor is so far away, be sure to take a couple big drinks of water before leaving his office after your fill. This way if you're too tight, he can immediately take a little back out rather than finding out later 6 hours away.

A couple things to keep in mind... The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds a week. So, don't expect a fast loss. It took time to put the weight on and it'll take time to take it back off. Also keep in mind "restriction" refers to the tightening of the band around the stomach, not restricting what you can and can't eat. The band's job isn't to physically stop you from eating anything- that will always be your job. Once you have adequate Fluid in your band it will allow you to go much longer periods of time without hunger after eating very small amounts of food. That may not sound like much, but if you listen to your band and only eat when hungry, it's awesome and makes it very easy. Here's a great link to better explain what the band does and doesn't do: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

I have to give myself shots regularly for MS and in comparison, the Lovanox is a piece of cake. It's given in your tummy and the needle is tiny. Honestly, I never even felt them at all. It's a piece of cake. Btw- it's good you'll be on it for 10 days. I went through blood clots recently and it's pure hell. It's awesome your doctor is pro-active in preventing them.

...turn the blood red to dirt black and that's how my nails look after working in the yard lol

It could be either. Give your doctor a call and let him decide.

I think it's an awesome idea and very funny!! Similar situation of my own- I no longer have a belly button. May 1st I had a tummy tuck and skin removal and my belly button was collateral damage in the operation. So, now I've decided to lift my shirt and tell little kids "See? I'm an alien. I have no belly button because I was hatched not born". LOL!

Congratulations on taking the first steps towards regaining your health. The very first thing I'd do would be to find a counselor that specializes in addiction. It's great you stopped drinking a couple days ago, but you are going to need help if you're going remain sober without trading it in for another addiction. Or, perhaps a 12 step group if that would make you more comfortable. It's just really important you don't try to do all this alone. Once you find a counselor/support group, I'd go see a nutritionist to let them help you establish food guidelines specific to you and your lifestyle. I have a lot of respect for you. You can do this.

That depends, when was your surgery?

My PCP, neurologist, ad OB/GYN were all thrilled for me. As time goes by and I continue to lose, they all get very excited for me on all my milestones.

Oh I agree too, they're totally different. But remember, there are some nasty miserable people in this world. You put them online and now they can be mean idiots with no repercussions because of the anonymity online provides. Just try not to let it get to you. I used to get upset by this, but then I realized: I'm dealing with a miserable, unhappy, moron. When I turn off my PC I'll go back to my happy and fulfilling life- and they'll still be a miserable idiot trying to drag others down to their level. ...don't let them drag you down to their level

It's not normal at all, call your surgeon ASAP.

Unfortunately, you're going to have that on any online venue but especially forums. You have hundreds of personalities on here and some clash. Couple that with the fact text doesn't necessarily read the true emotion of the poster. For instance, more than once I've posted facts that someone has taken negatively. The reason this happens is the poster can't see my facial expression or hear my voice inflections so they're left to their own interpretation. I may say "Stick to your post op diet, it's not worth a slip" out of concern but the person may misread it as said judgmentally Now, combine that with inevitable: Some people are miserable and want to drag others down in their misery with them. Some people are just plain mean. Some people are so immature it's scary. Some are painfully ignorant. If you put all these people into one big forum- you're bound to have some serious clashes and pissing matches. Just take the good, leave the bad, and ignore the ridiculousness. It's all you can do.

I agree with Hazelsbliss, what you describe is text book for a band too tight. It's a good thing you're going into your doctor because bands that are too tight can lead to slips. Here is a great article called "Tighter Isn't Always Better"- http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118

Unfortunately only your doctor can answer that. You'll have to ask him.

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week.

It's shocking, isn't it? I look up some meals I used to eat and I about faint. I used to eat Taco Bell a lot. It wasn't uncommon for me to eat a taco salad, two meximelts, and an empanada. That comes out to be over 1600 calories! That's more than I now eat in an entire day!

I try to get in the most nutrients and Protein when I do eat because my appetite is so poor most days. For instance, when I snack I eat things like string cheese or a piece of deli lunch meat. For meals, I always eat protein first and then veggies. If I know I'm not eating enough then I'll have a Protein shake to help make up for it. It's not easy but you learn as you go. Be patient, you'll get there

You have a very large, very major nerve that is effected by the band. It's called the Vagus nerve. Part of what the band does is stimulate that nerve into sending a signal to your brain to make you feel satisfied on very little food. It also dims the hunger signals. For some people, it's a bit over-stimulated and they feel the left shoulder pain you're speaking of. Thankfully, the majority do find it passes a couple months after their band surgery. For others, that shoulder pain you speak of becomes their signal they've eaten too much and need to stop eating immediately. My best advice is to measure your portions and be sure to stick to a cup or less of food. When you drink, drink small slow sips. Good luck!

I was speaking the truth, nothing more and nothing less. I don't coddle anyone- ever. I simply state the facts regardless if the facts are liked or not.

Mine was even stricter than yours It was 8 weeks before I was back on normal foods. I had 2 weeks of Clear Liquids, 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushy food, and 2 weeks of soft food.

So incredible!! Congratulations!!

Yes, food definitely can still get stuck with a stretched pouch. The pouch is above the band and while it can stretch, the band doesn't. So, food can still get stuck trying to pass from the stretched pouch through the band.