TKW

Can be very painful. Have you ever swallowed too big of a bite and it hurts like hell all the way down? That's what stuck feels like but it lasts a lot longer! It will either eventually go down or you will throw it up. It can actually get lodged so tight that you have to have fluid removed to get the object to go through. Some people say papya enzymes will disolve it others say pineapple juice will break it up. I have learned that I can pretty much eat anything, bread, pasta, steak etc. as long as my bites are small and i eat really slow. I've been stuck a lot, it is very uncomfortable. I usually end up throwing up.

Wow... only one right answer in my book (unless you have lots of extra money laying around) INSURANCE.

I get leg cramps if I don't drink enough water.

nope, doesn't give me the full feeling either. But.... if I feel the need to munch on something It will help curb that some.

I agree, too tight is almost worse than too loose. When I had my 4th fill I was super tight, I found myself at the Dairy Queen a lot because it went down good and I would justifiy it because "i had hardly ate anything" that day. I realized what I was doing and after 3 weeks got an unfill. I am a year post op and now "get" the "eat your protien first". I get my protien (3oz) in and a few veg and I'm full. No desire to eat more. All the "rules" they give you, I find really do hold true. They are what make the band work. I sort of scoffed at them at first, but the longer I do this the more sense they make. Eat your protien FIRST, DO NOT drink with a meal. These little rules all help the band work. Get back to the basics to get back on track! You can do it!!!!!

It will stop eventually, I thought there was something alive inside me wanting to get out! But it wasn't the least bit painful???

I have gotten to the point where I can go to things that revolve around food and do fine. I eat, get full, it feels the same as before (almost). Anyway, I don't miss eating more because I'm full/satisfied. We have a place at the lake so there is always food an drink every weekend. you just learn to adapt, it's not so bad. Very tough when you are just starting out I know, Good Luck to you!

Here's what I know. The lap-band has worked perfectly for me. I have consistently lost an average of 10 pounds a month. I am almost 1 year post op and have lost 117 pounds. The band does 30% of the work for me (restriction) 30% is healthy food choices and the other 30% is exercise. My personal opinion, you need to do all 3 of these to be successful. Why the negative northerners, I have no idea.

Inspirational... best of luck to you!

my port was very tender for quite a while. I don't remember how long but I remember being concerned about it.

Jimmy John's Unwich (no bread, it's a lettuce wrap) or Wendy's Chili. Taco Bell has a Fresco Taco that is only 150 cal.

Well, ultimately you are going to have to take the chance. I weighed 432 pounds and had a bmi of 68 when I started this journey. I went through all the struggles of wondering how I was ever going to change my bad habits, wondered if I would be one of the people the band didn't work for. I am thrilled with my decision. My journey, so far, has been relativly easy. I am a pretty steady 10 pounds a month loser. I have only had 2 months where my weight loss was only 2 or 3 pounds. It takes more than the band, it takes making healthy food choices and exercise. For me one does not work without the other, but together they work exactly how I was told the band would work (1 - 2 pounds a week). I eat pretty normal, just smaller quantities. I have the occassional treat, a cookie, icecream etc. but only once in a while. I kind of treat myself every 10 pounds, ( i know we are not supposed to use food as a reward) might be a dairy queen, or a yummy starbucks coffee, what ever. I try to believe I can eat anything I want, the "choice" is up to me and it is up to me to make the right choices. It is hard at times yet easier than I thought it would be. I wish you luck in your decision, what ever that may be.

I had the same issue, I made an apointment and had some removed. You may need a little more taken out. You should do the liquid/mushie thing for a couple of days and see if the swelling goes down. I think throwing up tightens up your band. If it doesn't, go in for another unfill. Don't wait for your next apointment, you don't want to increase your chances of a slip. I am at a really good spot right now, very good restriction, can only eat not quite a cup of food but if I don't take 30 minutes to eat my meal... I will have problems. I have come to learn that the size of my bite and the speed I eat matter way more than what I'm eating. I seem to be able to eat anything as long as I eat slow enough.

I started with a BMI of 68. I chose the lap-band and could not be happier. I am almost 1 year post op and am down 117 pounds. The band, healthy choices and exercise have worked very well together for me. I think it takes all three to be sucessful. Good Luck in your decision.

Oh you skinny little people.... I started at 68. My Dr. didn't even blink when I said I wanted the band instead of by-pass. So happy with my choice. Good luck to you!

OMG... I get a jabbing pain in my left shoulder. I actually went to the chiropractor for it cuz I thought it was a pinched nerve. It got better but now (4 weeks later) it's the same as it was. Well... that's interesting.

Be strong, if he is abusing you now, he always will. Follow through with the restraining order. God Bless you Sara, I'm thinking of you and hope all goes well with your band and in your life.

I have been over weight since I was in the 3rd grade. No diet or exercise ever changed that. We ate healthy, but plentyfull and were an active family. I spent a lot of effort over the years on dieting and failed everytime. The band has changed my life, cant imagine the difference it will be in another 100 pounds. It's a life change, that is for sure but with the right attitude going into it, good support and knowledge of how the band works I think your daughter will be very successful. Sometimes I think things about the band are so hard but just the other day I was thinking about my 1 year bandaverary and I thought, O my gosh, i have lost 117 pounds in less than a year and it didn't even seem that hard. I honestly did not imagine I would be at 100 pounds at this point. It is just amazing to me. I mean, it has had it's moments, and it certainly has not all been easy, but it has gone really really well for me. The band curbs my appitite, I make healthy food choices and I exercise regularly. That is the winning combination in my book. One doesn't work without the other. Your daughter is young, but I understand why you have made this choice. Good luck with everything, I hope your daughter has a beautiful journey, you obviously care greatly about her health and I think you have made an informed and educated decision. Keep us posted!!!

Haven't drank a protien shake since a week after surgery. I like my protien in chewable form. I don't seem to have a problem getting my protien in and I am a avid calorie counter so 200 calories in a drink.... it better have ice cream in it!!! I do notice a lot of people use them. Good luck to ya!

Yep, just be honest. Those questions are to determine if you have sleep apnea. They need to know these things for your own well being so be truthful. Don't read to much into it, just be honest.

Damn scale. I work out and jump on that scale and it seems like it hardly moves then go to the dr and realize I lost 9 pounds in a month. Felt like I had lost nothing because I was watching it go down ounce by ounce. I weigh once a week now, at the gym, don't even have a scale at home. The scale will drive you crazy! LOL I feel great, that's what is most important! So many non scale victories to enjoy along with the weight loss, don't forget how rewarding they can be too! Good Luck!

TKW - 317

I'll see your 10 and raise you 1!!! LOL good luck everyone!

I'm 11 months post op and have lost 117 pounds. I have only had 2 months where my weight loss was not 10 pounds. I am still going strong and hope to lose at least another 100 or more pounds. It absolutely is possible, lots of proof on this forum! Good luck with your decision!

You took me back a year. You sound EXACTLY like me. I did the same thing. Had to have all my ducks in a row and make sure everyone knew exactly how much I loved them and how much they meant to me. Where to bury my body and how to spend the money I left behind. LOL LOL LOL. It was emotional!!! I didn't think it would be but when I got started... I sobbed like a baby. We all have our "quirks", but we gotta do what gives us peace of mind. You'll do great, good luck to ya!