JACKIEO85

I'm JEALOUS!!! That is one Cruise I'd love to take and you thought I meant the weight gain...lol No actually I think you'll do fine What would you do if you were having the sleeve done next month? Try to lose weight or say to heck with it? I know what I'm going to hear "If you're not ready to change your diet then you're not ready for the sleeve". I AM ready. My band failed after 3 1/2 yrs (totally my fault, NOPE sorry I don't believe ANYONE is at fault, no matter what happens with the Band. frequent vomiting) and I NEED something to help me take off the rest and maintain forever. It's why I got the band in the first place. I hate dieting We ALL go into WLS because we need that extra TOOL When you have the sleeve I'm assuming you'll be on a pre-op diet? I think this will be a perfect time to get back in gear, personally I don't know that I could go on a cruise and not enjoy the Food and from what I've read concerning the sleeve your not going to be going 'full steam ahead" with eating even if your head wants to your body isn't going to let you, it seems most have a slowwwwwwww and steady restart. So stop fretting, what's done is done your GOING TO DO AWESOME with your Sleeve!!!!!!! ~~~Good Luck on your Journey ~~~

I just had my second fill after being banded 4 years. In the past year I've put back on about 30 pounds I'd be curious as to how many CC's were put in the band 4 years ago?Most don't get that profound of restriction after 1 fill. I went and had the same fill amount put in that I did 4 years and It worked great the first time around, Over filling the Band too quickly can cause Pouch enlargement, esophageal problems as well. ​ yet now I'm 5 days out & am struggling to get water down. I've heard you can get tighter after a few days personally after fills I felt restriction the day after and then with each passing day it gradually dissipated to the point of going for another fill a month later.but this is ridiculous. Should I have some taken out or am I just not used to this 'tight' feeling NOPE, being tight is never a good thing like previously posted Dehydration isn't good, nor does it help if your not eating for days due to being too tight.~ please keep us posted~~ Call your M.D.

Pouch enlargement Pouch enlargement (type-III prolapse) is diagnosed when dilation of the proximal gastric pouch is present with or without change in the angle of the band and in the absence of signs of obstruction. The lower esophagus may or may not be dilated. Pouch enlargement is a pressure-related phenomenon that may be surgically induced by band overinflation or overeating with resulting high pressure in the pouch. Symptoms of pouch enlargement include lack of satiety, heartburn, regurgitation and occasional chest pain. Nonoperative treatment includes complete band deflation, low-calorie diet, re-enforcement of portion size and follow-up contrast study in 4–6 weeks. If the band position and the pouch size return to normal, then the band can be incrementally reinflated. A study by Moser and colleagues9demonstrated that this conservative approach to pouch enlargement was successful in up to 77% of patients. Conservative treatment is considered unsuccessful when the pouch fails to recover its original size after 8–10 weeks. In this circumstance, surgical treatment with either band removal or replacement is indicated. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/#__abstractid852845title

ALL OF THE ABOVE Great information, But Scar tissue can also affect the band tightness, ( and it doesn't have to be immed. post op) and it's a personal belief of mine that they don't know enough about WHAT exactly affects the Band because when studies are done they take everything into consideration BUT only report the MOST prevalent issues. I know stress IS a reality in all aspects of our lives, but I also think the medical community uses it as "catch all" to explain to many problems, just like I was reading earlier how they blame allot of health issues on "your overweight" "If you'd just lose weight". To me that is just an easy way out so they don't need to get to the root of a problem. ( LOL...sorry off topic rant) I did find that while living in Arizona for a year I was able to go longer without a fill, but then returning to Michigan I had more frequent fills. SO YES, anything is possible with the band.

The Easy Way to Start Exercise After Lap Band Surgery A Guide in 10 Simple Steps If you’ve never exercised or it’s been a long time since you got up and moving, it can be really intimidating. And if you’re starting out significantly overweight, it can be even more challenging. You may get out of breath easily and find it hard to move around. Intimidated? Scared? It’s okay. Don’t be discouraged. You too can become a regular exerciser. And, although you might find this hard to believe, you’ll come to enjoy it more quickly than you might think. Will the Lap Band limit activity? If you’ve come to this post because you’re about to have or have just had Lap Band surgery, you may be concerned about how the procedure may impact what you can and can’t do. Here’s the good news: it won’t. For the first six to eight weeks, you’ll want to skip any abdominal exercises or heavy lifting until your incision and port heal. After that, there are no Lap Band-specific restrictions you’ll have to worry about. If your doctor says you are cleared for exercise, then you can do everything another person in the same state of health as you can. 10 tips to get you going after the Lap Band To help get you started on the path to being more active, follow these 10 tips. Even if you’ve never exercised, you can do it! #1 - Start small and slow. As you get started, one of the best ways to ensure your success is to be moderate in your approach. Don’t try to do too much too quickly or set your goals too high, because this will only set you up for discouragement and possibly injury. Instead, do what is realistic and comfortable for you. Set a small goal and Celebrate when you achieve it. Then set the bar a little higher. In this way, you’ll make steady, maintainable progress. #2 - Focus on cardiovascular exercise. When you’re starting out, go for exercises that get most of your body moving and raise your heart rate. For now, don’t worry about doing a lot of weights. The time will come when you’ll want to do more strength building to gain power and shape your body. Right now, focus on getting your body moving and your heart beating faster. #3 - Do something you enjoy. Think of your exercise time as time for yourself. Pick an activity that you like rather than something that you dread. This might be walking and enjoying the outdoors, taking a bike ride or even dancing in your living room. Even better, do all the above. If you change up your routine, you’ll be more likely to stay interested and motivated. # 4 - Divide it up. Your goal should be to work 30 minutes of physical activity every day into your life. That doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once, particularly in the beginning as you work up your stamina. Doing two 15 minute walks or three 10 minute dance and stretch sessions willadd up. #5 – Expect ups and downs. You’re going to have good weeks and bad weeks. Don’t get down on yourself. And most importantly, don’t give up! Everybody goes through it, and you just have to refocus and begin again. #6 – Plan it. In today’s busy world, one of the most common reasons you hear for not exercising is “I don’t have time.” But, without your health and well-being, you won’t be able to do all those other things that keep you so busy. Make exercise a top priority that deserves a slot on your calendar just as much as your job, taking care of your kids or spending time with your spouse or loved ones. Carve out a time, put it on the calendar and let others know you’ll be busy at that time. #7 – Commit to someone. If someone else is expecting to meet you to exercise, you’ll be more likely to stick to your goals. This might be a friend – maybe someone who’s starting out just likely you who can understand the challenges you’re up against and celebrate the small victories together. Or, maybe you have a friend who’s an experienced exerciser that you trust who can show you what to do and help keep you motivated. If you can, work with a personal trainer. Either way, accountability will keep you on track. #8 – Drink Water. Don’t underestimate the importance of drinking water when you’re exerting yourself, particularly if it’s hot. Be sure to hydrate before and after you exercise. #9 – Stretch. No matter what exercise you do, no matter how little it seems at first, stretch. Stretch before you exercise to get warmed up, and really stretch afterwards. It’s the best way to prevent injury, and it will improve your flexibility. #10 – Look for little signs of progress. Are you sweating, even a little? Then you’ve increased your heart rate. Are you breathing more quickly? You’re reaping the benefits of cardiovascular exercise. The key here, especially as you’re getting started, is moderate exercise. You don’t have to sweat buckets, have your heart pounding out of your chest or be short of breath – in fact, you shouldn’t push yourself that hard to start. Exercise shouldn’t be painful. You can get results, without discomfort. Also, you’re likely to see more progress initially in how your clothes fit than in the number of pounds you lose. Most people lose inches before they see the pounds coming off. So don’t worry about the pounds. Celebrate fitting into the pair of pants or shirt you haven’t been able to wear in a long time.

LAP-BAND Surgery Pre-Op Diet About two weeks before your Lap-Band surgery, you will be expected to start making changes in your diet. Your surgeon will have you begin a special pre-op diet that is designed to get your body ready for surgery and make recovery easier. Although you may be tempted to splurge on all your favorite foods, this is not the time to let your health worsen. The purpose of a pre-surgery diet is to: Reduce body fat around the stomach and liver, as well as shrink the liver itself. If the liver is too large, the surgery may have to be postponed. Improve surgical outcomes and recovery. By reducing fatty triglycerides from around the liver and spleen, it can reduce potential surgical bleeding. Increase Protein intake, which will help preserve and protect muscle tissue. The pre-surgery diet will also prepare Lap-Band patients for the post-op diet and increase the rate of weight loss following surgery. Pre-Op Dietary Guidelines As a generality, most Lap-Band pre-op diet plans are high in protein while low in calories, fats, and carbohydrates. The average calorie allowance for the Lap-Band pre-op diet ranges from 800 to 1200 calories per day. Foods that will need to be decreased in your diet include high-sugar foods, high carbohydrate foods (including bread and pasta), fats (such as butter), fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk products, high-calories beverages (including regular soda and alcoholic beverages). Your diet will be limited, but foods that may be included are yogurt, fruit, Cereal, eggs, oatmeal for Breakfast and lean meat or fish with green vegetables for dinner. Your diet may also include protein supplements. As individualized pre-op diets will vary between surgeons and patients, it is important that you follow the specific recommendations of your doctor. Protein Supplements High levels of protein will help the body heal after surgery as well as protect muscles so that the body burns excess fat instead of muscle tissue when on a low fat diet. The typical pre-op diet will include 70 to 120 grams of protein each day. To ensure adequate protein intake, the Lap-Band diet will rely on protein supplementation. Protein powders, such as Myocel, are designed to lower the fat content of the liver, maximize recovery, and promote weight loss. Myocel can be mixed in with skim milk, Water, fruit juice, or fat-free yogurt. http://www.lapband.us/pre-surgery-diet.html

NOPE, heavy lifting is to be avoided, but IF anything, stair climbing will get you in better shape It's not going to be a "walk in the park" after surgery, but with a week to recoop I think you'll do fine.. GREAT SUCCESS on your journey ~ http://www.trueresults.com/blog/easy-way-start-exercise-after-lap-band-surgery

http://weightloss.clevelandclinic.org/gastricplication.aspx

I have to COMMEND your Surgeon for reviewing Different WLS ,too often they don't NOW your next step is to consider what your personally comfortable with in terms of WLS, It's ALL invasive surgery, they ALL have complications. Too often you'll hear oh the LB is less invasive, it's reversible..WHAT? If you have complications minor (PB's Sliming, food geting stuck) or Major (Slip, erosion,Pouch enlargement) all the major ones needing further surgery. But I'm not here to convince you of any of the WLS' that decision is yours. I will include a few links so that you can progress in your research. GOOD LUCK not matter what you decide. LB Complications http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3038361/ Gastric sleeve http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3431119/ http://www.bariatric...ve-surgery.html Gastric Bypass OR RNY http://www.bariatric...ss-surgery.html

I am looking for some suggestions from those who had slip A "SLIP" in LB terms is a SCARY word...lol With that being said , Been there done that!! and gained weight back. I was banded in 2008 and lost 60 pounds fairly quickly. I have gained 50 of that back. Today I decided to go on liquids for 2 days (if i can make myself do it), and then mushies the next day after that to try to get myself restarted. I'm also going to make a solid effort to put that drink away while eating. That is my biggest downfall , I was banded 4-09, lost 70 lbs, gained it all back and then some, (life stress, divorce,moved out of state etc..) I chose slider foods, junk you name it, wasn't able to go to the doctor but still had 5cc in a 14cc band. Finally decided in 4/12 that I didn't go through all of this to remain overweight. I saw my Doctor, started over and lost 70 AGAIN, I won't say I'll never do that again because FOREVER is a long time. But i learned as many of us do the band is only going to give you the restriction you need IF your willing to WORK WITH IT, instead of against it. THINK long and hard about WHY you slipped (oops there's that word again). There is allot of good advise on what to eat what not to eat etc..on this site But you need to know and recognize your Triggers we all have them I am hoping to generate some feedback and suggestions for those of you that have had the slip-ups like I had. How did you get back in the game Most people feel ashamed that they have failed, you only FAIL if you give up, DON'T GIVE UP YOUR WORTH MORE!!!!!!!!! YOU can do it !! I'm including a link of the LB diet because so often our M.D.'S don't give us this information http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/170207-fyi-lap-band-diet/ Good luck on your journey~

Unfortunately, it HAPPENS ALLOT, Dr's don't give Patient's the information necessary, they think if they give you a pamphlet on "The Band" their job is done (been there done that) All I can say is Thank-goodness for the internet :wub:

I believe it has slipped because I have restriction but no sense of fullness but my doctor says it isn't impossible because of the way it was anchored IF it's impossible THEN NO bander would ever have or HAD a SLIP and I know people that HAVE HAD SLIPS, what he's probably saying here is that with the "older" versions slipped MORE, then they discovered that by doing a pars flaccida technique it has reduced the % of slips. My doctor is recommending that I have plication surgery to reduce my stomach volume and that works well with existing bands. I am leaning towards getting it done because I am heading towards gaining all of the weight back. I am leaning towards plication because it seems to be the least invasive and no resectioning of internal organs. Has anyone else here had the plication surgery after the band? What are your thoughts. I'm playing Devil's advocate here... What happen's if you agree to Plication but since your Doctor didn't do any other tests on the band, Endo, Fluro and then does the Plication and finds a problem with the band and removes it, how would you feel? you might want to research more on Plication, sleeve etc..(not promoting either, when I'm done with the band that's it for me JMHO) Plication can fail too, (you can stretch the stomach,) any WLS surgery can, I guess I'm saying Any time they do surgery it's invasive, you just need to know what your willing to deal with on a personal level. And maybe find out First WHY the band isn't working for you any longer, your NOT ALONE, it happens. Good Luck on your journey~ LB Complications link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/ Plication Link http://weightloss.clevelandclinic.org/gastricplication.aspx http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3397205/

It's official I'm addicted to yogurt and granola ( a certain brand ). I'm not banded yet but I've been on a high protein low carb diet. I've been measuring it out so I could allot for it in my caloric intake, but tonight before I could stop myself I so binged on it.At least it's a ​GOOD protein your binging on. Is it really high in calories that concerns you?I don't think I will be able to incorporate it into by diet with the band. I've tried changing brands but I just won't it at all. Do you think I have to give it up all together?NO need to give it up but you will need to vary your protein choices. Has anyone had or have a food that they are addicted to um....I think the vast majority of people here are or have had a FOOD addiction, or else we wouldn't have gone Through WLS (at least I know I wouldn't have) to and what have you done about it. Try Limiting the amount you purchase, usually for me If I don't have it in the house I can't eat it.Thanks for any advice.

Fluid: • Adequate fluid intake is crucial to prevent dehydration. • Drink at least 64 ounces (8 cups) of sugar-free, non-carbonated fluid daily. • Absolutely no carbonated beverages. • Do not use a straw when drinking your fluids. General Guidelines The first band adjustment usually occurs approximately 6 weeks after your surgery. Follow the guidelines below for best results. 1. DO NOT EAT AND DRINK AT THE SAME TIME ! ! Wait 30 minutes after meals to begin drinking fluids. Stop drinking 30 minutes before your planned meal. 2. For the first six weeks, use a protein supplement (shakes, drinks, etc.) along with your diet. 3. Eat only three meals daily once solids have been added to your diet. 4. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest: nuts, tough meat, celery, etc. 5. Avoid doughy or sticky foods: soft white bread, peanut butter, dried fruits. 6. Chew all food to a pureed texture. 7. Eat slowly taking 20 to 30 minutes to eat your meal. 8. Sip only low calorie beverage between meals. 9. Take your multivitamin every day. 10.Do not snack! Weeks 1 – 2: Full Liquids • Consume liquids that are thin enough to drink through a straw, but don’t use a straw! Drink the liquids in small sips. • Include protein supplements (shakes, drinks, etc.) daily to make sure you meet your protein requirements. • Look for sugar-free alternatives to liquids since it is easy to consume too many calories through liquids alone. • Full liquids keep your stomach from working too hard by decreasing pressure on the band. This will prevent any vomiting in the immediate post-surgical period. http://www.siumed.ed...apband_diet.pdf Allot of people are also very HUNGRY just prior to getting their first fill, it's something to remember as your post op weeks progress. Because in MOST cases your still healing and Band restriction doesn't start for most until AFTER FILLS

Ok, I have just got my band filled yet again.... I have gained so much weight and I am obviously doing the wrong things. I have been eating dinner. That's about it When Skipping eating all day is like putting a gallon of gas in your car and expecting to drive ALL WEEK, it's not going to happen. I work during the day and don't eat til I get off so... Start your day with protein, egg, cheese, yogurt, steel cut oatmeal I have been told to eat 5-6 small meals during the day, Good idea, but often impossible for banders anyone care to share what they do. I.e what they eat. How much of it ? I lost 70lbs just from band itself, AWESOME!! you can do it again!! I did the same thing then had issued Nd had to empty it Are you saying they emptied the band? for what reason? if you were tight they normally reduce the amount, not do an entire emptying of the band. Now that its filled I want to start losing! Fast Slow and steady is proper and properly. I was told to do only shakes for 2 weeks, Yeah they don't want you to use Liquids as a crutch, it's too easy and we all have to go back to REAL foods any ideas. I need cheap, not a lot of money at the moment., THINK real food, not cheap, BUT I know What your saying. IF your work schedule doesn't allow allot of "down time" then you need easy snacks to at least keep your engine working through the day. Breakfast= think outside the box, it doesn't need to be a typical breakfast cereal etc... I've seen others post about lean protein (leftover steak, etc..) hard boiled eggs, apple slices Lunch= low sugar protein bar, fruit or vegs, cheese slices, yogurt ..It's tough I know, I lost 70, (life gets in the way sometimes) gained it back and lost 70 AGAIN .. YOU CAN TOO!!!! but you have to FUEL THE MACHINE~ GOOD LUCK

I am a bit confused about what the band does just following the operation. I spoke to my nurse practitioner, who will do my fills, and she told me that I will leave the hospital without a fill True, most of the time the band is not filled when placed From what I have been reading, it seems like everyone is losing weight immediately after surgery, Like previously mentioned, from the pre-op and liquid diet your now on. but, how is this possible without the fills? Does the band restrict on its own?​ It has initial restriction just becsue it's around your stomach,but fills are needed to be fully functional. I am having my surgery on 5/24 in NYC and have a million questions. It would be great to get some clarification on this. Thanks! I was scared to eat after being banded , because of the inflammation and for fear of messing something up..lol Remember too it's not about the loss as much as it is learning to eat right, and learn new habits to last a lifetime, Because the BAND is not forever. Good Luck feel free to email me any questions I'll try to answer any and all or HELP you find an answer.

This is One of those times that SIZE DOESN'T MATTER!!!...lol What matters is you, and like everyone said The Fills, Some do well post-op due to swelling of the stomach, others NEED that first fill to feel a little restriction and to experience what it's like as fills continue. Some If they have had the band and plication (Gastric Plication, involves sewing one or more large folds in your stomach. During the Laparoscopic Gastric Plication the stomach volume is reduced about 70% which makes the stomach able to hold less and may help you eat less.)have the benefit of a smaller stomach immediately and might never need a fill. But like previous posts the band is about restriction, we still need to manage our head hunger as well as any other issues we might have. Bandster hell is when nothing you eat seems to give you that feeling of satiety. So from what you've mentioned your doing fine. Perhaps if you increase your protein intake that might help prolong your satiety. Good Luck ~

Believe it or not ALLOT of people don't have a clue about the Lap Band, Medical professionals INCLUDED!! I had an Echo Tech say to me WOW you don't look like a person that was 70 lbs heavier? Umm... Thanks I think? But she did say but you look great now...lol I try not to get to infuriated with these people (family included) but instead try to explain to them Again if need be that what you've done is for YOUR Health. I often use sarcasm and then laugh, most people think I'm joking but I know I'm NOT and I feel better... You Did great! and we all need to RANT on occasion ( rant away~) I do hope, you had a great Mother's day (in spite of the MIL)

LAP-BAND AND ALCOHOL: CAN YOU DRINK AFTER LAP-BAND SURGERY? Thursday, 15 December 2011 11:54 You may have heard conflicting information about your ability to drink alcohol after Lap-Band surgery, or even horror stories about WLS surgery patients who have had a dangerously high blood alcohol content after just one drink. Some doctors may warn you that you can never drink alcohol again - ever - after being banded, because of the risk of damaging your liver. Others say that it's fine to begin drinking moderately six months after surgery, but to exercise caution. So why the difference in opinion? WLS AND ALCOHOL The warnings about WLS and blood alcohol content apply mainly to patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RNY). Because of the changes to the digestive system that occur with RNY, alcohol passes directly into the intestines, where it is rapidly absorbed. This can cause patients to become dangerously intoxicated from small amounts of alcohol. Gastric bypass patients should use extreme caution when drinking, and should never drink and drive. Lap-Band patients do not undergo the same changes in anatomy and therefore do not experience the same rapid absorption of alcohol as RNY patients. However, that doesn't mean that Lap-Band patients don't experience some risks related to alcohol consumption. There are some important considerations to take into account when deciding whether or not to pick up a beer or pour yourself a glass of wine. ALCOHOL MAY STILL AFFECT YOU DIFFERENTLY You're losing weight and eating less, which means that you may feel the effects of alcohol more strongly, especially if you drink on an empty stomach. If you do decide to drink, do so in a safe environment, and never drink and drive. Sip slowly and keep your alcohol consumption low until you know how it will affect you. ALCOHOL CONTAINS A LOT OF CALORIES Many doctors prefer that their Lap-Band patients don't drink because of the empty calories in alcohol. Mixed drinks such as margaritas, mai tais, pina coladas, and long island iced teas contain a lot of sugar and as much as 600 calories. Always factors in calories when drinking, and opt for low-cal drinks such as dry wine, vodka mixed with Crystal Light, or light beer - if you can tolerate the carbonation. Some Lap-Band patients find beer easier to drink than soda, but it may take some experimentation to find out what works for you. If champagne is your drink of choice, you may need to open it well in advance and let it go a little flat. SOME WLS PATIENTS STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTIONS Your doctor may prefer that you err on the side of caution as many WLS patients experience a phenomenon known as addiction transference. Because they are no longer able to overeat, they may turn to other unhealthy behaviors for dealing with stress and emotions. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, it's best to avoid it completely. If you want to continue enjoying an occasional drink after Lap-Band surgery, consult your medical team and follow their recommendations as closely. They may advise you to wait six months following surgery to give yourself time to heal and adjust to your new diet. http://www.malleysurgical.com/news/lap-band-and-alcohol-can-you-drink-after-lap-band-surgery.html

Sounds more like a Pouch enlargement: Symptoms of pouch enlargement include lack of satiety, heartburn, regurgitation and occasional chest pain. The diagnosis is made with an upper gastrointestinal series. Some have said that having an Un-fill has helped them resolve this problem, That is what helped me when I started to experience heartburn. SLIPS: In both types of slip,( Anterior and Posterior) the patient usually presents with dysphagia, vomiting, regurgitation and food intolerance. The diagnosis is made by upper gastrointestinal series. Complications related to band slip http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/ Good Luck and please keep us posted

I think this is an AWESOME IDEA, an even better one would be a permanent forum for said problems where these types of things would be posted, without a REPLY option. But that is probably asking too much since as you said the typical response is to Call your Doctor, since this Board doesn't want to take responsibility for people's medical problems or be liable in any way.

Stomach spasms are uncontrollable muscular movements in the abdominal area. They may be sudden and painful. Although the occasional stomach spasm is normal, prolonged bouts are likely the consequence of an underlying condition. Disorders impacting the gastrointestinal tract, like gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome, are particularly prevalent with stomach spasms. Other causes can include infections or pregnancy. Inflammatory issues with the lining of the stomach are one major cause of stomach muscle spasms. Invasive substances such as viruses and bacteria can infect these areas, causing irritation and resulting spasms. Individuals with levels of food sensitivity or food intolerance may also be vulnerable. Allergies to fools like dairy products can cause inflammation and stomach spasms in these cases. Similar digestive disorders can create stomach issues as well. For example, gastroesopageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause imbalances in the amount of acid the stomach produces. The muscle that keeps acid out of the esophagus is also faulty in this condition. These combined abnormalities may facilitate both stomach spasms and esophageal spasms. A disease known as gastroparesis also holds stomach spasms among its chief symptoms. The vagus nerve, which controls the muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system, malfunctions in this condition. As a result, muscular function in the stomach is hindered and food passes slowly in the tract. A number of stomach ailments can follow, including nausea, burning sensations, and spasms. GERD is one common cause of this condition, as are diabetes and other chronic disorders. http://www.wisegeek....mach-spasms.htm A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. Your diaphragm normally has a small opening (hiatus) through which your food tube (esophagus) passes on its way to connect to your stomach. The stomach can push up through this opening and cause a hiatal hernia. In most cases, a small hiatal hernia doesn't cause problems, and you may never know you have a hiatal hernia unless your doctor discovers it when checking for another condition. But a large hiatal hernia can allow food and acid to back up into your esophagus, leading to heartburn. Self-care measures or medications can usually relieve these symptoms, although a very large hiatal hernia sometimes requires surgery. http://www.mayoclini...-hernia/DS00099 If an Un-fill is necessary it doesn't mean you will automatically gain your weight back, yes it might be tougher to lose weight BUT you really Need to KNOW WHY your having spasms. That is far more important at this point. your issue of being able to eat unhindered at times is normal, But having trouble drinking simple Water IS a problem (sounds like your too tight?) Being too tight can also cause esophageal problems, dehydration etc.. If the spasms are due to a Vagus Nerve issue that isn't anything to take lightly Good Luck Keep us posted please!!

Donna, I can relate Literally I was banded in 09, lost 70 lbs and also got divorced, gained it all + back. 4/2012 was MY YEAR I restarted, Lost 70 lbs AGAIN and am 20 lbs from goal. YOUR never a FAILURE!! the above posts have allot of great advise especially talking to a therapist to get to the root of the issues with eating. Sometimes all we need is a little HELP. Stay Strong

http://www.amazon.com/Isopure-Protein-Drink-Grape-ounces/dp/B001M0NJNC/ref=sr_1_10?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1368475024&sr=1-10&keywords=isopure+zero+carb Isopure Plus 0 Carb Protein Drink Grape Frost, Fruit Punch was one drink I used and you can get it delivered from Amazon

Fluid: • Adequate fluid intake is crucial to prevent dehydration. • Drink at least 64 ounces (8 cups) of sugar-free, non-carbonated fluid daily. • Absolutely no carbonated beverages. • Do not use a straw when drinking your fluids. General Guidelines The first band adjustment usually occurs approximately 6 weeks after your surgery. Follow the guidelines below for best results. 1. DO NOT EAT AND DRINK AT THE SAME TIME ! ! Wait 30 minutes after meals to begin drinking fluids. Stop drinking 30 minutes before your planned meal. 2. For the first six weeks, use a protein supplement (shakes, drinks, etc.) along with your diet. 3. Eat only three meals daily once solids have been added to your diet. 4. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest: nuts, tough meat, celery, etc. 5. Avoid doughy or sticky foods: soft white bread, peanut butter, dried fruits. 6. Chew all food to a pureed texture. 7. Eat slowly taking 20 to 30 minutes to eat your meal. 8. Sip only low calorie beverage between meals. 9. Take your multivitamin every day. 10.Do not snack! Weeks 1 – 2: Full Liquids • Consume liquids that are thin enough to drink through a straw, but don’t use a straw! Drink the liquids in small sips. • Include protein supplements (shakes, drinks, etc.) daily to make sure you meet your protein requirements. • Look for sugar-free alternatives to liquids since it is easy to consume too many calories through liquids alone. • Full liquids keep your stomach from working too hard by decreasing pressure on the band. This will prevent any vomiting in the immediate post-surgical period. http://www.siumed.edu/surgery/bariatric/files/lapband_diet.pdf Allot of people are also very HUNGRY just prior to getting their first fill, it's something to remember as your post op weeks progress. Because in MOST cases your still healing and Band restriction doesn't start until AFTER FILLS