DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

When is the last time you saw your doctor? You're supposed to get your band checked yearly. Unfortunately, all we can do is guess. You need to get into your doctor and let him check your band to make sure all is well. Best wishes.

You have to realize the band doesn't cause weight loss. Taking Fluid out of your band has no more effect on weight gain than taking a bracelet off your wrist does. It can, however, create a drastic increase in you appetite. When we're hungrier we eat more and then we gain weight. With that said, in order for you to gain 10 pounds in 3 days you had to have increased your calorie intake by over 11,000 calories a day for all 3 days in a row. That is extremely unlikely if not impossible. You only need fluid back in your band if you can't go at least 4 hours between meals without hunger. Best wishes.

I agree with the poster above me, go back to your surgeon and nutritionist and ask for help. I would also start religiously tracking calories and measuring your food. This way you can monitor your calorie intake and also be certain you're not over-eating. Plus, seeing it there written down helps to hold you accountable, too. It's not easy but you can totally do this. You already lost 65 pounds (which is awesome!) you just have to get your heart and head back into it. Best wishes.

Be sure to have a doctor at home who agrees to care for you and do your fills before you have the actual surgery. Best wishes.

You definitely sound too tight. Go back to your doctor, tell him everything you wrote here, and see if he doesn't want to do a small unfill. Here's a good article about why tighter isn't better: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118

Have your surgeon call you in some prescription anti-nausea meds. Vomiting, or even dry heaving, can be very dangerous with the band especially so soon after surgery. I hope you feel better soon.

I'm very sorry you're dealing with this. You need to have your doctor explain two things to you: How can it be fixed and what can you do to help fix it. I am shocked he didn't completely unfill your band. Right now, you need to be concerned with the esophageal dilation not whether or not you have "restriction". This is especially true because of one of the causes of esophageal dilation is having a band too tight. Another cause is chronic over-eating. Being as you already said you weren't compliant with your band it's really important that you are given clear instructions what to do now and follow them exactly. Here's portion of an article that covers esophageal dilation: Esophageal and gastric pouch dilatation have been reported in many series [6,18–23]. The most likely cause of dilatation is over inflation of the LAP-BAND combined with patients who do not comply with instructions regarding oral intake. Inappropriate intake can stretch the gastric pouch; eventually, the pouch, and even the esophagus, may dilate as occurs in other restrictive procedures. Although these changes are usually reversible if the problem is detected sufficiently early, failure to address the issue will result in an atonic pouch and, potentially, a large, atonic esophagus.Gastric pouch dilatation should be viewed as a preprolapse condition that can be alleviated with prompt diagnosis and treatment. Its management typically involves complete deflation of the band and, after 2 to 3 months, slow re-inflation,with the surgeon being careful not to reach the previous point of over inflation. Get back into your doctor. It's really important you get proactive with this before a fixable problem is left untreated and becomes something that costs you your band. Best wishes.

Who are we to guess why Governor Christie chose the Lap Band? Until he personally speaks out as to why he chose it, articles like this are completely irrelevant. And as far as these so-called experts saying it was a poor choice because of his size and weight loss being too slow- sorry but I'm calling BS. I started with a BMI of 72. I have lost over 200 pounds in 17 months time, despite three (unrelated) surgeries and a trip to the ICU for blood clots sidetracking me. I've lost more weight and quicker than a lot of people I know who've had Gastric Bypass. Mr. Christie needs our support, not pessimism and negative opinions.

Is there an article/report that goes with this picture?

Yes, you have to be naked except for your hospital gown. Being on your period isn't convenient but it's no big deal. They deal with it all the time. You definitely can have your surgery while on it.

Personally, I just couldn't justify cutting out 75-80% of my healthy stomach. God forbid you ever get some horrible disease or illness that effects your digestive system you're totally screwed. Plus, the complications with the Sleeve are much more serious than the band- like leaking after surgery. The Band is adjustable. If you stretch your stomach by over-eating after the Sleeve, again you're totally screwed. You can't "adjust" the Sleeve (and this happens often with both Bypass and the Sleeve) It is true the Band requires a lot more aftercare and follow-up so it does needed to be taken into consideration. If you're self pay or insurance won't cover fills, you need to be sure you can afford it. You also have to be willing to be compliant with your doctor. You have to do what it is best for you, be it the Band or the Sleeve. As for myself, I have lost over 200 pounds over the last 17 months (despite 3 surgeries and blood clots in my legs) and couldn't be happier with my band.

I base my opinions on facts, and current long term studies prove the band not only has a low 5% complication rate but that's it's an effective tool for weight loss. http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

I think you need to find a bariatric doctor. It's physically impossible for the band to be IN your bowel. Here is a picture of your anatomy, including where the band should be in relation to your bowel.

Sometimes, it depends. I've changed old family favorite recipes to be healthier and still eat them and other foods I still eat just as a I did only less. However, the truly bad food like fast food and junk, I don't eat anymore.

I would find another one that works with cash patients. $272 is ridiculous!!

I'm not a nutritionist, so I can only speak for myself. But I don't do the whole low carb thing. In fact, I don't restrict carbs at all, I just make sure the ones I have are healthy.

Are you on a high protein/low carb diet? If so, that's likely your culprit rather than the vitamins.

It sounds like you really need to see both a nutritionist and a counselor. No WLS it's going to magically make you eat healthy. Our issues with food are very real and sometimes we need very real help to deal with them.

I agree, the Sleeve won't fix the issue. In fact, none of the WLS surgeries will. They can't stop you from eating the wrong food nor can they stop you from eating too much if you really want to. There's a saying around here "the band goes around your stomach, not your brain". Unfortunately, you're dealing with brain issues not stomach issues. You're only 2 months post op. I'm guessing you're not in the Green Zone yet. Once you are, it does get a lot easier. When you're not hungry all the time you lose your preoccupation with food. When you're not preoccupied with food, you're far less likely to impulse eat (fast food) or eat too much. Understanding is another really important part of this journey. Have a look at this link, I think it will really help you understand what the band does to help you as well as what is expected of you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Is there a support group near you? That might help you considerably, too. Best wishes.

I think the keys to success is understanding what the band is supposed to do, not supposed to do, and what will be expected of you to be successful with it. Too often I read about people struggling, or worse even dealing with complications, because they are over-filling their band expecting it do all the work for them. That is not the case. Education is crucial. I also think it's important to have a good nutritionist. We didn't get fat by eating healthy and definitely not by eating healthy portions. Band or no band, we have to learn to eat healthy and a nutritionist is the best way to do that. On a personal level, I think tracking calories and measuring portions is crucial. I've lost over 200 pounds in 17 months and I'd have never been able to do it without the accountability tracking calories provides. Measuring my portions assures I don't accidentally over-eat. For me, both are so important.

Call your doctor.