DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I had no pre op diet at all and I had a BMI of 72, which is EXTREMELY high. However, with that said, what my doctor or any other doctor says is irrelevant. It is imperative you follow your doctor's instructions verbatim both pre op and during the post op diet. It's not a pick and choose what we like situation. You have to do as you're instructed for your own safety and health regardless if you like it. My doctor had me liquids for 4 weeks after surgery. I was starving and saw many on here eating real food after a couple weeks- but that didn't matter. My doctor said 4 weeks of liquids so that is what I had to do, just like you now have to deal with a pre op diet you don't like. Just my opinion.

It IS true. Look at the links in the post above. Unfortunately the Mexican government did nothing to follow up on them and the US government has no jurisdiction over medical malpractice in foreign countries.

My apologies, I was obviously wrong about his pre op testing practices. However it is not true that US doctors are going back to the 4cc band- that's a myth being spread by the Mexican doctors to try to validate their practices. In fact, many US doctors are replacing the 4cc bands with 10cc or 14cc bands because of the high rate of slips and erosion with the 4cc band.

This is true when it comes to surgeries that aren't optional, however the majority of doctors on these boards have never had a patient die while on the table having Lap Band surgery. Why? Because before performing non-emergency elective they make their patients go through a battery of tests before being approved for the surgery. When you go to Mexico or any other Medical Tourism company all you have to do is go with cash in hand. My doctor was the first doctor in my state to perform Lap Band surgery and has performed the surgery on patients from all the US and Canada over the decade and NEVER had a singe death. And yes, I did research this before choosing him. His partner has never had a death either. No one is disputing people have had great personal experiences with Dr. Kuri. I'm sure you and many others had great experiences, but it doesn't change the fact he's using a 4cc band to save money despite the fact it's proven to have a VERY high slip/erosion rate and he's killed two patients.

Ok, consider this a "tough love" moment. You have to suck it up and deal with it. The post op diet is temporary and you need to focus on that. Soon you will be back on normal food and this tiny hurdle will be nothing more than a distant memory. In fact, I bet you'll even look back in retrospect and go "geez why was being so dramatic?" I know I do when I look back at what a whiny baby I was. For the record, I was on liquids for 4 weeks after surgery. Yup... four long stink'n weeks. I thought I'd die of starvation. When I finally got to mushy food I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. In all, it was 8 weeks post surgery before I got real food again and during that time I had to watch my kids eat everything from pizza to McDonalds while I was so hungry I contemplated eating my own foot. We all survived our post op diets and you will too.

Welcome!! 1. I am on mushy right now and can go to solid food, but am a little fearful about doing so. Protein shakes and mushy foods seem so easy to control, and I don't want to revert to bad binge-y habits (though I have absolutely no desire to do so right now) Is this fear/anxiety normal? It's pretty mild but real. Your fears are normal but try not to let them get the best of you. Once you progress back to normal foods you'll be getting much better nutrients which will actually help you both lose more weight and be healthier. Plus, a big part of the band journey is learning to eat healthy foods in healthy portions. Before you have adequate Fluid in your bad sticking to band sized portions is a bit rough but once you're in the Green Zone is shockingly easy. 2. To get enough liquids between my meals seems like I'm always timing them and then trying to fit enough in. That's normal. I still pretty much constantly have Water or iced green tea and am constantly sipping. 3. Hardest part of this whole process has been managing my pills from other stuff, downsizing all of them to pretty small, and taking more of them. Yet many say you can't have ANY. My nurse says if they are small enough and taken with food I should be fine. What are your experiences? Personally, I've never had a problem with a pill. I take multiple pills daily without the slightest problem and a couple aren't exactly small, either. I am just careful to either eat or drink warm liquids first to make them easier to swallow. Best wishes on your journey!

Sorry duplicate post

Definitely too tight. Call your surgeon ASAP

You need to look at the post op diet your doctor laid out for you. Every doctor is different so you need to follow the directions of your doctor, not what anyone in these forums did. If you don't have the post op diet info, call his office first thing tomorrow

The petite purpose of the pre op diet is to shrink your liver However, I didn't have one either. I had a really high weight and BMI too.

Holy cow, what a HUGE difference! You look AMAZING!!! I'm so proud of you!!! Very, very inspirational...keep on going!!!

Unfortunately, there's not much more you can do. I was on liquids for 4 weeks after surgery so I completely understand your hunger. I was so dang hungry I thought I'd eat my own foot by the time I finally got real food. I was STARVING pretty much all the time...BUT... I stuck to my post op diet without cheating because I knew it was so important to let my body heal. I know it's very rough but you can do this. Hang in there.

Your surgery was only 2 weeks ago according to your ticker, are you even allowed normal food yet???

I think it's obvious the first thing you need to do is get back into get your band checked. You're supposed to have it checked yearly and the fact you've gone over 3 years isn't good. Finding a new bariatric surgeon should definitely be a priority. You talk about how you "can eat anything". It's very important to realize the band isn't meant to physically stop you from eating anything. It is supposed to allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time, not stop you from eating anything. Have a look at this link it'll help considerably: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html You lost 100 pounds so you know what is necessary to be successful with your band. The fact you're here, seeking advice and support, is a great step towards getting back on track. You CAN totally do this, you just need to get your head back into the game. Have you considered counseling? Or a support group? I really think either would be a huge help. The thing about the band is, it goes around our stomachs not our heads. It's great for controlling hunger but it can't help mentally/emotionally unhealthy food issues. Food addiction is very real and sometimes we need real professional help to overcome it. You can do this. Start believing in yourself and doing whatever necessary to get back on track. Best wishes!

This doesn't change the fact the 4cc band is discontinued in the US and UK because of it's high rate of slips, erosion, and other complications. It's only still used in Mexico because they can get it dirt cheap. Btw, there are many GOOD surgeons in Mexico that don't use the 4cc band anymore because they actually put patient safety a priority over money. It's also important to note Dr. Kuri has been blamed for one death: http://www.utsandieg...lap-band-death/ http://www.examiner....-surgery-mexico

The danger is actually of slips, not stretching the pouch. Because it's a liquid it goes right through, however carbonation expands the stomach below the band pushing upward on it. This could cause a slip. When I was in the hospital having my Lap Band surgery, my roommate was in having her band replaced. Her band not only slipped but her stomach prolapsed up through her band- and it was caused by her drinking soda. She also regained 40 pounds. You couldn't pay me to drink carbonation since being banded, I don't ever want to go through what that woman did. It's just not worth the risk.

I agree, you should be just fine normally but being so soon after surgery I'd ask your doctor to be sure.

I know some people do have issues with certain foods but there's no guarantee you will. Plus, how tight or how loose your band ends up is completely up to you. Personally, there is nothing I can't eat if I chew thoroughly and take small bites. Don't let the horror stories scare you- you're in control of this. As far as the portion sizes, I know right now it seems impossible but a cup sized portion will seem giant to you once you have adequate Fluid in your band. I never thought it was possible either, but it's true. Very often I don't even finish a cup of food because I'm just not hungry enough. Believe in yourself, you got this

It's good you got an unfill. Being too tight is very dangerous so this is definitely in your best interest. I would make an appointment with your nutritionist to get back on track. Let them help you establish food and calorie guidelines that work with your lifestyle. I know for me, the info I learned from my nutritionist and tracking my calories has been crucial to my weight loss success. Best wishes.

Congratulations!!! You're going to do beautifully!!

That is likely why you're not losing, then. Sticking to a cup of food is great but there's not guarantee that cup food isn't way too many calories. Losing weight really boils down to simple math, when you consume less calories than you burn you will lose weight. The band won't make you lose weight. It will control your hunger, but controlling your caloric intake is your job and that's what is necessary for successful weight loss. If I were you, I'd start tracking your calories. I've lost over 200 pounds in 16 months and I know for a fact I could've never done it without tracking my calories. Best wishes.

Hi Mark. First, depression is very natural after surgery. The chemicals in the anesthetic really effect some people. I know they do me big time. The physical issues you're dealing with will subside, too. You're only a week post op and your body has been through an awful lot but I promise you in a very short time you'll be feeling great again. You talk about never having what you love again. Why would you think that? The only thing you "can't" have is carbonation. Otherwise, there is nothing you can't have in moderation once you're back on normal food and past your post op diet. In fact, I just had chicken fried rice for dinner tonight. I eat out at restaurants fairly often, too. I believe living with the band is all about moderation not deprivation. If someone told me I could never have Chinese food, or pizza, or even Pasta again I'd never make it. If I feel deprived, it's like a trigger for me to binge and go nuts. I allow myself to eat what I want, I just don't eat unhealthy food daily and when I do am careful to track my calories so I still stay in my daily allowance. But I still eat everything I love, I just eat much less of it. If I were you, I'd seriously consider counseling. Food addiction is very real and very difficult to deal with. A good counselor (or even a good support group) can help so much. There's a saying around here "the band goes around your stomach, not your head". The band will help you control hunger beautifully but it can't change your mental/emotional issues with food. You can do this, Mark. You just have to look at it realistic (moderation not deprivation), focus on your future (how healthy you'll be), and get your head into the game (counseling). Don't give up. You got this. Best wishes.

But are you actually counting your calories daily?