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Probably because your band is too tight and the food couldn't go down. You need to go back and discuss this with your Dr and possibly get a little fill removed. Being too tight is not good.You don't lose weight and it leads to all sorts of serious complications.

That is what I always though and it is listed as a contra indication on the lapband site. I have noticed lately however that a few members on this group do have Lupus and have been banded. As to whether or not they are successful and whether or not the band has caused any of their lupus symptoms to worsen I don't know. I would do lots of research, speak to the band Dr and then speak to your immunologist as well. You don't want to do anything that would make your Lupus worse. You may find that in your situation it would be better to have a gastric sleeve or bypass. See what the experts say.

I am surprised that you were able to be banded with Lupus as it is listed as a contraindication on the lap band site. I hope that everything goes well and that you soon start losing.

You need to watch this. As you are already aware the reflux may be because you are too tight and it can have serious consequences. Sounds like you have worked out how to deal with it for now but I think you should plan on getting to see your Dr as soon as you can to check that everything is Ok and maybe have a little fluid taken out.

And why would you want to settle on a BMI of 32? That is still obese.

Fat cells never stabilise. They always have the potential to expand and multiply. Yes something may go wrong but most of the complications of the band are minor and easy to fix. If your band slips you either get it unfilled so it can settle back into place or they can operate to remove or replace it, no big deal. Port problems are probably more common early on but if at some stage it needs to be replaced again no big deal. The plan is to keep the band forever. If something goes wrong then it can be fixed or the band can be removed and some form of revision done. And who knows what they will come up with in 10 or 20 years time - they may have even invented the perfect weight loss pill by then or chocolate that doesn't make you gain weight or maybe we will be like astronauts and live on food pills and special liquids. The thing is at least there are options. If you had had a hip replacement would you still be worrying because it does not last forever and chances are you will need another op in 10 or 20 years time. Or what if they replaced a faulty heart valve - would you think you shouldn't have done that because it may need to be replaced again in the future. Very few things last forever, especially body parts. I would say you should stop stressing, relax and if at some stage you need another op deal with it then. No point in wasting time and energy on worrying.

I agree with Jachut, that everyone with a BMI of 40 had to at one point have a BMI of 27 so I don't see a problem with a person with a low BMI getting banded. What does concern me though are your expectations. A band is designed to help a person lose their excess weight not to ensure that a person reaches the lowest end of the healthy BMI scale. Even with a band that is probably going to be hard to achieve. As you work within the fashion industry I am sure that the pressure to get to that ultralow weight must be huge. What are you doing currently to try to lose the weight? Are you on a diet, are you able to stick to it? What are your particular diet demons? Do you have issues with portion control,are you a grazer, an emotional eater etc? If you are struggling with portion control and hunger then yes the band could assist you. But if you are already managing to stick to a "diet" then a band may not be the answer. It may be a case of extra exercise would benefit you more. The thing you also need to remember is that even with a band weight loss is not guaranteed as the band is not a magic wand, but if you are committed and follow the rules, eat the correct amounts of healthy food and exercise then it is an invaluable tool. If you think the band is for you then do lots of research first so that you know what to expect and ask lots of questions. When researching check what you find e.g your photo of a fill is nothing like any fill that I have had!

It is common for them to be quite deep and hard to find, especially at first. As you lose weight it should become easier.The thing is they not only have to find the port but they have to hit the membrane on it in the right spot.

No I feel fine. Not sure what is making you feel so yucky.

I have never had a problem. My Dr doesn't use fluoro or numbing shots. Sometimes I have been poked twice and sometimes it bleeds a little as it is possible to hit a blood vessel.

That is pretty normal. The food is not going straight through to your stomach so you are not going to feel the fullness there. Full is now a feeling of pressure in the chest and that is a feeling you should try to avoid. Feeling like there is something in your throat is apparently because of pressure on the vagus nerve, it is not actually sitting in your throat but it sure as hell feels like it.

I don't understand the rationale in your Dr taking everything out and refilling so slowly. If they have done tests and there is no slip or other issue then they should be able to refill far quicker than this. Have you asked why they are doing it this way? I would be demanding answers.

I would opt for something easy like a Pasta dish or risotto. They are my go to dishes if I am not sure what else on the menu will work. Even with restriction they have never given me any problems whereas things like fish and lamb(slow cooked and very moist) have. You are likely to be able to eat a bigger variety of foods at this point than you will be able to later on. I would choose something that is low in calories but easy to eat.So for example if you do decide to go with pasta choose a dish with a tomato based sauce not a cream based sauce.

OMG That is one hell of a lot that you have been through. Congrats on surviving and coming out the other side. I hope that things start improving soon and that you are finally able to focus on you and your health. Lots of support here whenever you need it. All the best.

If your Mum is living with you she might wonder why a hernia op would require you to be on such a strange post op diet. That will probably be the hardest part to explain.

I'd be worried if you weren't worried. It is normal to worry. But don't worry you will be fine. Banding is the safest of all the WLS and it is very low risk. If you stick to the rules and make an effort you will lose weight. All the best for Wed.

Good news, we need more positive stories as sometimes those doing well don't say anything and then newbies get the impression that it is all bad.

A lot of people get what is known as first bite syndrome. The best way to handle it is to have a warm drink before you eat to help relax the oesophagus and then take extra care with that initial bite. Wait a few minutes before you try to eat the rest of the meal and hopefully it will then go down OK. It is something that tends to happen more in the early stages of being banded and it improves the longer you have had your band.

Surely if you are self pay then you shouldn't have a problem?

Speak to your Dr, he may be able to prescribe something that helps. It is probably a reaction to the anaesthetic - they normally make me nauseous too.

Cute!

I don't have any issues either, if anything I find capsules easier to take than normal pills.

Yep they were all pureed. I actually made and froze them preop so that they would be ready for me when I needed them

Sorry to hear that. It would be extra frustrating that he didn't listen when you pointed out the problem a month ago.

I made lots of different veggie soups. Pumpkin, mixed veg, lentil and used different herbs/spices for flavouring. They were really thick and yummy and they tasted like real food.