Cocoabean

You might not be waiting long enough between bites. We need to give the bites a chance to go down. Chew them well then wait a minute for it to works its way down. If you start feeling that pain, that is a sign to STOP. For me, it is the first sign of getting stuck. If I put more food on top of it without waiting for it to subside, I am likely to need to vomit, urp, PB, whatever you want to call it.

I've had two unfills. After the first one I was refilled the amount taken out plus some. The last one was a few months ago. I got a fill in November. In Feb it got very tight. I loosened up a bit, but not enough. In June I had some taken out and haven't need more put in, but my surgeon is willing if I decide I do need more.

Are you saying you had a slip? Is that why your pouch is too large? If so, you NEED to get that fixed. The recovery would be similar to your original banding surgery from what I understand.

Check with your surgeon as to his/her rules on alcohol. As to a contraindication for it, no there is not. It is not carbonated, so there would be no discomfort. It is a clear liquid, you should be able to drink it at a normal rate. As in, I could "shoot" Water, I have done shots of tequila. I can freely drink water, milk, beer (even with carbonation). I can chug water and non carbonated liquids. Beer I don't chug. I don't sip it, either. Just remember, if you are told to wait 6 months to a year before imbibing, your tolerance will be lower. However, we still metabolize liquor the same as we always have, so you won't be a true "cheap date."

Sorry for delayed response. When they did my fill by taking out all the Fluid and putting it back in, I was on Clear liquids for 3 days, then full liquids for 2, mushies for 1. But every doctor has different post-fill instructions. I am very happy you are feeling better! Chances are in a few weeks you'll be able to go back in and get refilled. Many of us have to go slower with fills than our doc's normal protocol. Let things calm down, and then you can probably get 0.25cc put in. Or maybe even that 0.5cc back. On one of my fills I had 1.0cc put in. It was too much, so I had 0.5cc taken out. A month later I went in and had 1.0cc put in, it was fine. As you lose weight you also lose fat around your stomach, and your band gets looser. Never be afraid of an unfill. Being too tight can lead to esophageal dilation which is very dangerous and can lead to losing your band. My band was recently too tight for months. Due to an insurance problem and an unrelated illness I was unable to get in to see my surgeon. I was told I was VERY lucky to not have any dilation going on. Being too tight does not lead to greater weight loss. Generally it just leaves you miserable, in pain, and eating slider foods. You cannot eat nutritious foods, because you just cannot get them down. Too tight does not equal a good thing.

Many people have converted successfully. You might post on bypass and sleeve boards as well. See what the folk over there have to say.

My surgeon doesn't have the no carbonation rule. He says our digestive tract is not a closed system, the gas will escape. So, I enjoy beer from time to time. I am maintaining, so I am not trying to create a calorie deficit like I was when losing. Early on in my banded career, it might cause hiccups sometimes. Not so much now. I am breaking his no liquids with calories rule, though...oh well. I love my beer! As others have said, just be mindful of the calories.

Can you get liquids down? Did he give you a post-fill liquid diet to follow? I have found that I feel tighter after a fill where they draw all the liquid out rather than just putting a bit in. So when they do that I am on liquids for a few days rather than just one. But sometimes, a quarter of a cc can make a huge difference.

Keep up the good work! The pre-op isn't easy, but keep your eye on the prize. Your surgeon wants you to have the safest surgery possible. You can do it!

That's got to be frightening! I don't have any answers, but wish you all the best.

Thank you for all of the info!! I appreciate it.

Thanks for that! I was under the impression that you can get a stricture along the length of the sleeve. Is that incorrect? A leak is a big concern, but only in the healing phase, right? So that worry goes away after the immediate post-op period? What about worrying about incorrect boughie choice? I see with my luck that my sleeve would be either too big or too small, can they fix that? Or is there more science to it than the surgeon saying "eenie meenie, it's a teenie"?? Truly, thanks for the info! I like to be better informed for when folks come here in the pre-op stake seeking info about all different procedures.

That is so AWESOME! Congrats! The idea of staying involved in bariatrics is great. That will help you maintain your focus. Did the idea of strictures not scare you? Nor the removal of so much of your stomach? Those are the parts that freak me about the sleeve. Please don't take it as a bash, but as seeking information about your procedure, as you did about ours. Stricture is my biggest fear. Can it happen at any time? Or is it an early on complication? How is it managed medically? Thanks for any info you can share! I know certain parts per million are allowed in chocolate. But I figure we eat lost of stuff went don't intend to every day. My brother used to tear down and super-clean the rotisserie chicken cookers in grocery stores, also the dairy and meat racks. He owned a pressure washing business. He said the meat and dairy was gross, but to NEVER EVER eat the cooked chicken! Thanks Bro, that chicken was one of my favorites!! He had a contract with a few of the major chain stores. He'd wash them every-other-year. They'd not be cleaned in between the full tear down when the shut down for a few days. UGH!

Let me live in my uneducated bliss! :-) How is the sleeve working for you?

Yes, that would do it! Don't blame you a bit! I did something similar with doughnuts. Had to leave a high level meeting 2 times. Doughnuts just don't have the same allure.

Everyone is different. When I was actively losing, I lost an average of 0.75 lbs per week. it was slow, but I did not put great effort into it. I let the band work and, listened to it, did not journal or measure my food, and was happy with that rate. I knew I could live with my new habits for life.

20 lbs in 10 weeks is 2 lbs per week, that is AWESOME!!! You are NOT a flunkey! Keep up the good work. In a year that is about 100 lbs average. WOW! I could not do that on my own.

Back with you! OK, left shoulder pain is quite common, even years after banding. Bands can rub on the vagus nerve and it runs to the left shoulder. Or you might still be getting rid of some of the gas they put in during the surgery (unlikely 3 weeks post-op, but not unheard-of). I often get pain under my left lower ribs. My surgeon says it is nothing to be concerned about. Just air moving around. I recommend you check with your surgeon on it, but my guess is it is the vagus nerve thing. Many of us get it as a sign that we are getting full/satisfied. My port is very "feelable" under my skin. It is a couple inches to the left of my belly button. I've always had an hourglass figure, and now with the weight gone, the port is RIGHT THERE! So, if you've been avoiding feeling the area, that would explain why you are just feeling it. Also, some pants are uncomfortable with where the waistband hits...so beware! Oh, and the period thing, yes..not uncommon for it to be irregular after weight loss surgery. Hormones are stored in fat. As you lose, they are released, messing up your cycle. Nevermind just the trauma of the surgery. Hope this helps!

Breast meat is off my menu forever. Thigh meat I am OK with. It is much more moist and less dense than breast meat. Same with turkey.

I don't think you use the breathing exercise thing for that long. Last time I was sent home with one, I was told to use it for a few days, I think. I didn't get one with my band. I was just told to cough a lot. At two weeks or so out, I'd think that part is OK. If in doubt, ALWAYS call your surgeon, even after hours. That is what we pay them the big dollars for. You said you bumped your port in the title, but you are talking about shoulder/arm pain? I am confused. And yes, you can feel your port under your skin. A hard lump.

If you have a 10cc band and the doctor primed your band at surgery (left some saline in during surgery) then 1cc could be totally appropriate. 6 weeks seems quite a long time in between the first few fills, but he may have a reason for it. My surgeon was very conservative with fills, and I still ended up having to go back for an unfill after my 3rd fill.

Thanks Christie! You are a horrible person! Actually no, more chocolate for me! yay! My perspective comes from 4 1/2 years of banded life. Some of the lessons came from hard knocks. I have also learned to work with my band and I love it. It has worked out very well for me. I am sad for your experience and slip. It totally sucks. I can't wait to hear of your success with bypass! Everyone on every forum should keep in mind that we all have the same goals. To be healthier and lose weight. Whichever procedure is chosen, successes and complications will occur, through no fault of the patient. Although sometimes we can help a complication along, it isn't always the case.

I had a burrito bowl the other day. Just did the calculation. 555 calories. I ate half and saved half for the next day. Pretty reasonable meal if you ask me.

Things that drew me to the band: No drastic eating habit changes (my problem was portion control). I didn't WANT the dumping syndrome of bypass. I have since learned that bands can be somewhat fickle and not let you eat every food that you once did, even if it is healthy. Reversible if something goes wrong. I have since learned that while this is true, scar tissue can form and create problems with removal. Bypasses are also reversible, but less seldom done. Sleeves are NOT reversible at all. Unfillable if more nutrition is needed due to illness. True If my weight loss stops, I just get another fill. Not exactly true. There is a limit as to how tight the band can go before you have total occlusion. If a band is so tight that you cannot eat solid foods, you might resort to soft foods such as ice cream, or milk shakes that can have very high caloric values. You can be tempted to tighten the band further, but that will not help. There is a very fine line between too tight, too loose, and making poor food choices for whatever reason. No malabsorption True. Sleeve was not available when I was banded. It was bypass or band. I thought bypass was too drastic for my health condition. Sleeve does not have malabsorption, so that is attractive to me. If I lost my band and it could not be replaced or repaired, I think I would go with bypass. As your anatomy is all still there, and it is still the gold standard procedure. BUT, I'd do much, much more research and talking with my surgeon before committing to that. That is from my limited sleeve info.

Hi There! I am 4 years out. When I am physically hungry it feels the same as before, and I'd swear I could eat the same amount. But I get full much sooner, and the smaller amount keeps me satisfied much longer. A meal will hold me about 4 hours now, with a meal being 2-3 oz of solid Protein, a cup or so of salad, and a small bit of starch. I eat about 1500 calories a day to maintain. The band has taken away my obsession with food. As my physical hunger is satisfied, I find I don't think constantly about my next meal or snack. Not everyone's experience is the same as mine. This has been the easiest weight loss plan ever in my life. The weight came off with ease and I am maintaining that loss with ease.