DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

The fill changes your hunger. You can go from really hungry every hour to no appetite for 4-6 hours once you have adequate Fluid in your band. As far as actual weight loss? That's based on your calories and exercise level. Think of it like this- would a bracelet around your wrist make you lose weight? How about a headband? No, neither would and the Lap Band is just a band around your stomach and doesn't directly cause weight loss. It indirectly causes weight loss by controlling your hunger. Weight loss boils down to simple math: When you consume less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. You can have your band as tight as humanly possible and not lose weight (or even gain) if you're still consuming too many calories. Hope that helps

You have to remember, fills don't make you lose weight. They are to put adequate Fluid in your band to control your hunger. When your hunger is controlled then it's much easier to eat less and thus lose weight. I actually have lost consistently since I was banded 17 months ago, including right after surgery. I think the reason I've always lost is because I also started tracking my calories and measuring my portions since the day I got home from the hospital. For me, both are crucial to be sure I'm not accidentally eating too much. Best wishes.

I suspect it's coincidence. Or, is it possible low blood sugar from not eating? A lot of doctors say nothing before the fill and only liquids for 24-48 hours after. If that's the case with you, it could be because you're hungry.

Unbelievable and downright pathetic.

Actually, it's likely not all because you need a fill. You're only 25 days post op and still healing. Plus, plateaus are very normal during the weight loss process, some lasting weeks even months. The fact you've lost 11 pounds in 25 days is awesome- that's an average of 2.3 pounds a week. The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week so you're right where you should be (even a little ahead). You will be fine until your fill next month and once you do get a couple fills under belt, it will become a lot easier. The best thing you can do for yourself is stick to band sized portions and stay within your daily calorie allowance- which also becomes tons easier once you have adequate Fluid in your band. You're off to a great start!

I think it's great you're excited, but it's also important to have realistic expectations. The weight doesn't just "fall off" with the band. In fact, the average weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. For most people, it is a slow process but if you stick to the rules it will come off with time. It's also important to realize weight loss happens when you're consuming less calories than you burn. The band itself doesn't make you lose weight any more than a bracelet around your wrist would. What the band does do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time- which in turns makes it easy to stick to band sized portions, eat less food, and lose weight. Best wishes.

It's a gray area. Because you can eat some food and have no problems with liquids, some would say learn to adjust without the things you can eat. Others would say you're too tight. Personally, I'd get some Fluid removed. Just a tiny little bit might make a huge difference. I got my band to live healthy and enjoy food in moderation. If I couldn't eat a whole a list of foods, especially healthy ones, for me it would be totally counter productive. I'd talk to your doctor and let him help you decide.

It sounds like either you're too tight or something has seriously irritated the band. The Mountain Dew was a really bad idea because carbonation is a big no-no anyway. I would give your doctor a call. A good friend of mine had the foaming problem and she had to have some Fluid removed from her band to make it stop. Best wishes

I couldn't agree more!

Congratulations!!

2 pounds is nothing. Most of us fluctuate that much in a single day. Everything from sodium intake, to hormones, to not drinking enough Water can cause little fluctuations like that. Whether or not you need a fill has nothing to do with how much you can eat. The band isn't meant to stop you from physically eating anything- that's your job. People constantly end up too tight accidentally expecting the band to act like their own personal food police. What the band is supposed to do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time. Have a look at this link, I think it'll really help you a lot: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html To decide whether or not you need a fill, talk to your doctor. If you can be satisfied on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours, you may not need one. If you can't and are hungry, then you might need a fill. Best wishes.

I don't think how it's paid for has any relevance. It is about how committed the person is to being successful. I've seen people on both sides of the payment fence fail miserably because they simply didn't do what was necessary to be successful. For the record, my insurance covered the surgery and I've lost 215 pounds in 17 months (and still losing).

Congratulations on your success! And I couldn't agree with you more, the band is awesome!

I'm very sorry you're having to go through this. I can't tell you if you should have bypass. Only you know what is best for you. However, before jumping to something so drastic, I would really examine your options first. For instance, you talk about restriction and being so tight it could damage your esophagus. When you say restriction, what exactly are you looking for the band to do? The reason I ask is, too often we see people wind up too tight because they're expecting the band to do something it's not meant to do. For instance, many incorrectly expect the band to physically stop them from eating and that is not what the band is meant to do. What the band is meant to do is allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time. Dr. Simpson wrote a great article on this topic called "The Lap Band is NOT About Restriction". Have a look because I think it may help you considerably: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html Another great article is by Jean McMillan called "Tighter Isn't Always Better": http://www.lapbandta...ays-better-r118 Another question- how many calories a day have you been eating? Keep in mind weight loss boils down to simple math. If you consume less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. The simplest way to assure this happens is to track calories and measure portions. Best wishes to you. PS: After note- it's also important to remember that no matter which surgery you choose, you must remember that WLS is just a tool not a magic fix for fat. It doesn't matter if you use the band, bypass, or the sleeve you will still have to change your eating habits for a lifetime to be successful.

It is likely just swelling or possible you need to take much smaller sips of soup. Or possibly both. Also, I know you haven't had a fill yet but some doctors put fluid in the band during surgery. You might want to ask yours if he did, just to be sure.

It means learning how to over eat despite the band. For instance, grazing over hours slowly so you never feel a soft stop signal. Or eating slider foods that go right through so you can eat tons, like ice cream. It's any bad eating habit meant to defeat the band so you can eat way too much.

Congratulations on both your success and your baby!

Try a very mild white fish, like Orange Roughy or Tilapia.

You're too tight. Call your doctor and get back in to see if he wants to do a slight unfill. Side note: You talk about not losing weight and portion sizes. Keep in mind the band isn't supposed physically stop you from eating anything. In fact, way too many people end up too tight expecting it. What the band is supposed to do is keep you satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time- not stop you from over eating. This is why it's important to stick to band sized portions. Have a look at this link, I think it will help: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

This is strictly my personal opinion based on my own experience as well as what I've read here, but I wouldn't get another a fill after only a week and I definitely wouldn't right before vacation. Sometimes it takes a little while to feel the full results of the fill and by getting another fill so soon you're risking accidentally getting too tight. What's worse, you could find yourself on vacation and too tight, forced to either suffer through it or to go to an ER. Just my opinion but I think it's a bad idea.

It breaks my heart to see obese children, too. I have a 12 year old nephew that now weighs more than me. He's teased all the time because of his weight. It seriously makes me want to cry because I remember being a fat child and the torment I went through. It breaks my heart to know my nephew is suffering the same thing. School lunches are abysmal at best. It blows my mind how they can complain about what kids eat yet the schools feed them complete crap. Have you ever seen their pizza? They actually have to press napkins on it to soak up the grease before eating it. What really infuriated me was the fact they'd serve this unhealthy trash to kids as part of the lunch price, but if they want a side salad or a fruit cup? It's extra!!!!! The other reason childhood obesity is so high is because they're simply not active like we were growing up. I remember during the summer, I'd be out the door after Breakfast and not home again until the street lights came on. Now? They spend all day on their butts playing Xbox or Playstation, on their computers, and playing on their smart phones. Our society as a whole has become extremely sedentary.

What symptoms are you experiencing? And if your band is fine, why are you having it removed?

Honestly? Not me. I had to be on liquids for 4 weeks post surgery and I never once cheated. I knew the risks and knew if I cheated I risked not only causing a slip but hurting myself badly. It sucked to be on liquids for a month, but I figured I had to suck it up and be a smart adult about it. Cheating on the post op diet, in my eyes, seemed totally counter productive and foolish.

This is a rather large controversy right now, but I'm glad they classified obesity as a disease. I don't know anyone who chooses to be obese or wakes up one morning and says "Oh hey, I think I'd like to start working towards being fat!" Making it worse, discrimination against the obese is the last socially acceptable form of abuse. How many times have heard or seen fat people brutally made fun of? I used to be huge, I know first hand how cruel people can be. Classifying obesity as a disease will open up doors in the medical community to actually get help for obese people. Pointing a judgmental finger at them saying "just eat less and get off the couch, fatty" isn't help. It's about time we stop laying blame and labeling the obese "lazy" and actually offering help and support to treat the disease itself.