Helmut

my only tip would be to have lots of variety. Don't play the easy game and eat the same stuff. It is going to be the most difficult part of this adventure. I know it was for me. All I was allowed was the optifast shakes so it got pretty boring real fast.

itchy inscions are normal after a surgery. The healing process can cause the wound to be very itchy. I have had several knee surgeries and they are always like that. My lapband wounds were as well. All you need to watch for is redness with painfull wounds and or weeping of the wound. If it does not ease up withing a few more days i would go to the doc at that point.

I know she is your mom buy you need to set the table straight with her. Honesty can hurt but in the end it is always best, She is likely unaware of her behaviour.

being well versed in karate I would say do not do it. Your concerns are very real.

wow very scary really. Love the humor you put to it though.

Yup i had the same issue. Lasted for many weeks after that. Remeber that it is alien to our bodied and whne you actually see one they are pretty big really and hard. So they are bound to cause some discomfort. It does go away though and whne you can feel it easily it is kinda cool really(a guy thing i think)

Well this is confusing. You state that they did NOT see the fluid going in then you say that they added another 0.5cc. Which is it? Or do you have an 11cc band that was topped off when they tried to add 1.5cc? Either way you have a lot of fill already and definitley should be feeling it. The band does not get looser after a while. You become used to the flow through it and general adjust your behaviour accordingly. When your doc does the fill does he remove the existing to verify that the known amount is still there? If not they should, there is no other way to detect a leak. If the band is not leaking and not knowing your current eating patterns I can only assume that the problem is how you are using the tool that has been given to you. Sorry for being blunt but not every issue we encounter is the fault of the band or the doctors. Maybe post a week long sample of your diet and excercise routine for a fair evaluation.

Well Hello. My emotions before surgery were exactly what you stated yours to be. I was banded in Canada so no insurance company rules to go by. We have to pay out of pocket for it. The surgery was no problem at all. Some post op pain from gas was the main issue. The surgical wounds did not hurt at all. The only scar you will notice is one about 1 3/4 inch long where the port is put in. In time that will become skin color again and you won't see it at all im sure. The others are very small and I don't notice them. My doc did not send my to a psych becaus ehe feels they are not required. Reason being is that they can only respond to what you tell them. Meaning people will twist the story to get a wanted outcome so why waste the funds. I am inclined to agree with him. Doctor did his own evaluation. Nutrionist was seen before and after surgery. They also sent me home with lots of paper to read and learn from. I was banded on Mar 29 2012 and have lost 40lbs so far. I eat pretty much anything i want just very small portions. I treat myself once per week with a treat like ice cream too. The bikini is definitely do able for you. Just take it slow and the skin should tighten up for you. Good Luck

Well i can speak from a guys point of view. I was hesitant at first too. The whole macho thing invaded my brain as well as feeling like I would be a failure for going that route. After the fact i am very glad i did it. For me there have no compication and only positive results. The surgery itself was a bit scary too. I have had many surgeries in the past on my knees, 11 in total. However, i have never had anyone in my gut poking around and that scared me for sure. But, i plowed on and am happy i did it. I hope this helps him with his decision. One thing to note though. This is no wonder cure for obesity. You have to put in the effort. By the way i can't see any reason why you could not both be done at the same time. The recovery is really not much to write home about. A little bit of discomfort most from the gas. SO you can help each other out.

look up a you tube video by BANDED WENDY. I remember watching her vidoe diary before my banding and she also mentioned the same think. If i had to guess i would say it is more related to positioning as she pointed out. The port is stictched to the muscle so will move with the muscle. Also there will be some scar tissue around it. SO maybe the scar tissue is tearing up a bit. Just thinking out loud here.

No soda will not erode the band. What you eat and drink does not even come in contact with it. What can happen is ulcer formation in that area or any other area of the gut. As far as your reflux at night I would suggest to stop eating about 3 to 4 hours before bed. Drink only water before bed.

The pain is caused by pressure from gas and swelling on a nerve that we feel in our shoulder. Get up walk around, use the gas x strips. Walking is the best. hate to say it but your going to have to tough your way through it. It is going to start to really die down after day 3. That is typically when the swelling starts to subside. If folks like myself have it without getting a hernia repaired. Took me about 1 week for it to be fully gone.

Try no to be nervous. It is such an easy procedure. The needle won't even qualify as a bee sting. Barely feel it.