2muchfun

What's a slimband?

Very interesting. Here's a youtube video explaining how it works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNAVBDMPl14

Sounds good!

Ever find that full doc?

The left shoulder pain is most likely caused by the gas injected into your body cavity and will dissipate over time. Port pain is very individual depending on where the site is. Guys seem to have their port attached to the abdomen just below the left breast and most women have it attached lower. My port has always protruded above the skin and most members will say the same. I've read several posts over the years where the port site becomes infected but your doctor should have noticed this when you went in for your checkup. Hope all is well by now.

I have no experience with what you're going through and don't recall ever reading about anyone who has. But, I would believe that stretching the tissue around the sutures could cause some discomfort. I would think it would be very difficult to cause them to tear away unless you ate an entire family sized pizza? Simply stretching the tissue could cause some bruising and swelling and this could be what you're experiencing. I think you've ventured into fairly unknown territory and the only one who might know would be the surgeon who removed the band and/or the radiologist who could read a CT scan.

I can recall two members who had band w/plication. CarolinaGirl lost a couple hundred pounds. She went a good year or more before she though she might need a fill. I think she's still doing well, but she doesn't post here much anymore. I've read other posts by members with plication and don't recall any of them having problems. Don't be surprised if you go several months with very little hunger and of course, very little room for food to displace. Welcome and have fun on your journey.

I don't see why you can't convert to sleeve? Your stomach should still be intact. They might want to reverse the plication by removing stitches or staples. I'd ask a real bariatric doctor before taking the advice of a PA. PA's are good at what they know but even family MDs are ignorant of how this all works.

Egg drop soup is just boiling chicken broth with an egg added and stirred. Very satisfying and lots of Protein.

Yeah, every doctor has their own cans and cannots. All I can do is tell you from my personal experience or what I've read here on this site. Your doctor knows your history and knows your body so it's always good to obey his/her rules till you get the hang of the band later on.

I understand the gaining weight part. For me, it's just getting back to the basics. Exercise, eating slower and smaller. Making sure I'm eating food that satisfies me for hours at a time. I imagine you already know why you're throwing up? Deal with that issue as it can cause band slippage. I've never had acid reflux so I'm not much help there. Rejoice in the fact that you're 67 lbs below your SW. Focus on getting back to onederland. It's not that far away. I'm afraid you're not alone with gaining weight. I see it here often. Doesn't help to know but it does happen so no need to be depressed. Map out a way to move the scale just a few lbs at a time. tmf

Tell us what's going on?

Hiccups are normal now and in the future. I've never heard of hiccups causing a slip. Vomiting can cause a slip though.

Good luck. Looks like there are few bandster's posting here any more. At least lately it seems that way.

I just slept normal but I've heard of many people sleeping in a recliner for a few days. The gas they fill you with is in your body cavity and not your stomach. Gives them room to move around. It may take a few weeks to get rid of it.

Did your GI doc say why you have ulcers?

Something you'll read often here is to not compare yourself to anyone else on the forum or anywhere for that matter. Everyone is so different. Some obese people carry a lot of body fat that holds a lot of Water. Much of the early weight we lose is just Fluid from our cells holding onto liquid. Here's an article that explains the science. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/people-lose-much-weight-first-week-diet-11681.html.

Sorry, didn't realize it was only for bandster's. Try this one: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1232-august-2016/ If you go to forums and select your type of surgery and then scroll down, you'll find 2016 surgeries forums but there aren't any posts for August and September. You would be the first. BTW-I'm on a PC, not sure an IPAD or cell phone app will get your there?

There's a surgeon search engine at the top of this page if you're on a PC. Here's some reviews on your doc. http://www.bariatricpal.com/surgeons/1728-dirk-rodriguez/?tab=feedback

What are you eating that is getting stuck? For me, it's not the type of food, it's the speed I eat that usually causes problems. Even if I chew my food to mush I can still get stuck if I'm eating too fast. Soups don't cause problems unless they have chunks of chicken or beef that I don't chew well. Vomiting can cause your band to slip. Try very hard not to vomit, even if you're trying to vomit a chunk of food. Let your stomach acids dissolve the food. It can take an hour or two.

Well, it's the weight of your liver they're looking for. You seem to have lost enough so I wouldn't worry about it? Of course, if your weight is 500 lbs, a stone and a half may not be enough. The whole idea is to shrink the liver so that it's easier to lift and won't tear. Usually a surgical assistant lifts the liver via one of the incision sites using some kind of laparoscopic tool. You've lost as much weight as most so sounds like you're on the right track.

Here's a link to the August surgeries, you'll be the first? http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1245-august-2016-bandsters/

Every doctor will have a different path they take to allow your band to be effective. Most docs offer fills starting in the 2nd month and every 30 days till you're in the green zone. After that you could go months or years without an adjustment. It's all up to you and your doctor. You'll probably have 4-5 incisions on your abdomen so carrying around a 30 lb child isn't adviseable. I've read where some moms get by fine but at 3 your child should accept that mommie is "sick" for a few weeks. Bands last indefinitely or till they break or you break. If all goes well, they last forever.

My pre op diet was one day. Depends on your BMI and type of surgery. Lower BMI patients may have livers that weigh less.

I went to care connect and looked up obesity docs and found a couple. Don't know if they do lap band consults but they would know of someone. Or, just call Care Connect and ask for bariatric help? I went to: Select a provider category and then selected internal medicine and then obesity care.