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Welcome! Talk to your insurance company because they all have different requirements. I was lucky, I didn't have to do any pre op diet at all. I had my original seminar then had my surgery just 3 weeks later. It went really fast.

I eat bread in all forms regularly with no problems.

Your post op diet sounds like the one I had. It's rough but totally worth it. Welcome! I'm sure you'll do great!

Well the fact it's not coming back up is good. Maybe try a warm liquid, like tea, to see if it helps. If you're able to drink liquids, I'd give a couple days and see what happens. I know I stay on liquids the first 24 hours after a fill anyway.

Can you drink liquids without a problem?

Wow what a dramatic difference! Congratulations on your success!

It is, actually. It's unfortunate but the removal/complication rate for the old 4cc bands is a lot higher. What makes it worse is the fact shady Mexican docs still use it to cut their costs. It definitely effects the overall success rates as a whole.

Congratulations! You look amazing!!

Oh this is awesome!! I'm totally going to use this!!! Thank you for sharing!!

You popped blood vessels from the force of vomiting. You need to contact your surgeon ASAP. That is extremely dangerous with your band and you need to be sure you didn't cause a slip or damage your stomach.

That's a huge difference!! You look great!! Congratulations!

wow I'm so sorry If you're tracking your calories and still not losing, I would go see your primary care doctor and request a full blood panel. There could be a medical reason you're not losing, like thyroid issues. One thing I've found over my years dealing with doctors is that you have to be firm and you have leave each to their specialty or things get over looked. I'm afraid you may have a medical issue that may be overlooked. Hang in there!

It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their bands so it's not surprising you can't tell a difference. When you do have adequate fluid in your band, you should be able to go at least 4 hours between meals without hunger. Just curious, why did you wait 6 months for a first fill?

I started losing right away and always did, even during the post op diet. But, I also started tracking my calories and measuring my portions from the day I got home from the hospital. I really think this is why I've always lost. Keep in mind that the band itself doesn't make you lose weight. It's there to control your hunger (which it does well) but weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you consume. It just gets a lot easier once you have adequate Fluid in your band.

I go on liquids for 24 hours, then soft food for 24 hours, then back to regular food as tolerated.

Congratulations!!!

Dawn is giving you GREAT advice. You're only a failure if you give up and it's obvious you haven't given up. I agree you need to find a new doctor. It's very unfortunate but just like with all specialized doctors, not all bariatric surgeons are necessarily good or even properly educated. It sounds to me like yours is one. Here is a really great link that I think will help you a lot. It explains what to expect of the band and what is expected of you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Please don't give up. I really believe if you have the right information and good doctor you can be successful. Best wishes.

The majority of complications requiring band removal are the patient's fault, not the band's fault. Here are actual facts- a long term study showing not only is the band effective for weight loss but only 5% of bands are removed by no fault of the patient (not 25%) "There were no deaths associated with the surgery or with any later operations that were needed in about half of the patients. About one in 20 patients had the band removed during the study period." http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

I think you're doing great! I would just try to increase your protein a bit (I know, it's hard!)

I'm sorry you're struggling. I'm not going to try to talk you out of the Sleeve- you have to do what is best for you. But you have to realize even with the Sleeve you have to make good food choices and limit your portions. Really, with any WLS, they require lifestyle changes for life to be successful with them. With the Sleeve you definitely can still over eat, only then it stretches your stomach and you're left with no options to "fix" it. Also keep the mind the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. The band is meant to keep our hunger under control but it's not supposed to force you to stop eating. Too often people end up too tight by expecting this. Have a look at this link, I think it will help a lot: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Do your homework so you know the benefits and risks. I'd also talk to your surgeon. Just remember, regardless of which WLS you choose the work will always be yours. WLS is just a tool not a magic fix for fat. Best wishes on your decision.

I'll be honest, I struggle with low carb days. I never seem to get enough calories. High carb days are easy, I just eat "normal". Today is a low carb day, here is what I'm eating: breakfast- Slimfast low carb shake (20g protein) lunch- salad with diced ham, shredded cheese, ranch dressing. 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese dinner- 1 cup low fat chili mixed with 1tbsp cream cheese and sprinkled with shredded cheddar This sends up about 900 calories and 34 net carbs. I may have another protein shake at some point today, too. Or a maybe a spoonful of peanut butter.

Unfortunately loose skin can't be shrank. Either it shrinks as you lose or you're stuck with it. It all depends on genetics, age, weight lost, skin elasticity, whether you smoke or not, and how long you carried the extra weight. Muscles beneath the skin can tighten, which will help appearance Btw, all those wraps are gimmicks. They are all temporary by either diuretics or thermogenics and if you ever stop using them you expand again.

Ask your surgeon. I've taken pills without a problem since surgery but some surgeons require liquid form.

What do you mean it isn't "helping" you?