Have you tried the lap band forum for idea's. Have you talked to your Doctor about tighting it again? I assume your following all the rules? Do you logg your food journal to see what your protein, cab and calorie consumption is per day and how much exercise you are getting to offset it. Lastly Have you thought about a revision. I could be very wrong but I thought they didn't like to do lap band but on "light weights" due to studies saying the weight loss ratio wasn't as high as compare to gastric by pass or the sleeve. I really don't know what to tell you but I would go to the Lap Band forum or the graduates board to see what they have to say. Good Luck and call your Doctor too!

Your doctor or nutritionis should of gave you a 4 stage plan. Something on the line of the first two weeks out should be nothing but protein drinks like insure 2 oz at least 3 times a day. Soup broths are good to. Try to sip water no more than 1/2 hour before protein meal and 45 minutes after meal. You can try sipping Isoprue or protein water or something like crystal light for fluids. The biggest thing the first month is fluids. Because your diet won't consist of enough carbs you will go into ketosis which is why alot of us lost weight so fast not to mention eating less than more or less 600 calories a day. Don't stress your vitamins. Right now but shortly you need to get on them. ALot of us do 2 chewable flinston vitamins and liquid or disolvable b complex vitamins and chewable calcium or tum(at least 3 a day) for calcium. Snacking can be sugarfree jello or sugar free popsycles or sugar free ices from walmart. After two weeks you should add in soft foods like, refried beans...Taco bells with cheese is good, soft scramble(watch egg doesn't always agree with the new pouch) soft cheeses, cottage cheese, yogart (greek yogart is best and high in protein low in sugar), also pureed baby food meats only or tofu bu****ch for empty carbs. Once again its 2 to 3 oz per meal which will give you around 45 -60 grams of protein per day. It will be difficult cause your hunger will be reduced by now. Poor protein intake increases your risk of dumping poor wound healing and hair loss and poor weight loss. A high protein drink can help supplement if your appetitate is low but make sure it is a minum of 15 grams of protein and less than 5 grams of carbs. You can use soy protein powder and add it to puddings or coffee. GNC also sells soy protein bullets but cut them into 3 servings cause your new pouch cant absorb so much protein at a time so the rest goes right on out! Rember to take very small bites and chew your food well. Use a toddler fork and spoon and small plate...it helps. EAT 4 to 6 SMALL meals a daily the first several months to meet your protein and calorie needs This will ensure good nutrition intake without eating too much at one time. Stage 3-After two weeks of this you can add in soft fish, crab and soft meats like chicken beef and pork. meat which should be baked soft, very soft or tender made with some gravy if need be. Start with fish the first week and if no negative signs than add chicken the next week than the next week beef/pork if all goes well. Remember Chew it well or it will get stuck or if it is two dry it will stick and you'll swear your having a heart attack. You will be shooting for at least 21 grams of protein per meal about 2 months out but they really want you up around 90 grams a day. Protein is always first and the measurements is not by weight but size. Use a liquid measureing cup if need be. Doesn't look like much but it will fill you up Around 3 months out you can start adding in veggies and fruits bu****ch for high carb startchy things, they may make you dump and will also increase your appitite(DANGER WILL RODGER). Remember protein first than carbs You can also add in protein rich snacks as you transition away from small frequent meals to 3 meals daily like: 1-2TBS peanut butter or other nut butter 1-2 TBS low salt or unsalted nuts(any variety) Almonds have highest protein count a Meat/cheese roll up from deli meat 1-2 oz of low fat cheese 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese 1 boiled egg Snacking should on be after 3 months out!! And always choose protein rich foods SNACKING ON EMPTY CARBS will nock you out of ketosis and only stimulates your hunger and YES it will come back after your pouch starts healing Make sure you always seperate your liquids from your meal they can push food out of your pouch and make you hungrey. You need your protein give it time to digest before drinking after you eat! You will be amazing of the amount of food you will eat later on out but you have to follow the plan. Fluids right now are very important and watch for hidden carbs in your protein drinks!! Good Luck and go to the main board and look for post by EggFace or go to her blog she post the most amazing reciepes all legal for us!

Hi Natalie..I had my surgery on the 16th. So it has only been 5 days for me but I did mange at least one bm. My doctor's said should I not have one naturally then I could use Milk of Magnesia. The bottle says to take 2-4 tablespoons with 8 oz of water which is of course too much for us. I called the doctor and was advised to take 2 1/2-3 tablespoons of the milk as well as sip water with it to chase the taste away. I did just that in the late afternoon and by that evening was passing serious gas. The next morning I had bm..course haven't had one since but can take more milk if needed. I would try that since I also noticed when I did have the bm that my stomach hurt more..And good luck with your loss.

Could you tell me which one is the safest and the best.....and are there only 2 doctors in the United States that do MGB?

Lovena, I can't see my port but can feel it. I had my surgery 7 days ago. What helped me with my gas was laying with my head on the floor and butt/hips in the air ( sorry for the visual) and also the other way around lying flat on my back with pillows under my hips. I would lay in these positions for about 15-20 mins. I also read someone took an Anti-inflammatory pill so I took one also. I would make sure it is okay with your doctor first. Anti-inflammatory can cause ulcers or erosion if left sitting in the stomach. Make sure you flu**** out good with water. I did the above 3 things one after the other and I felt instant relief for the first time. Even the shoulder and side of neck pain went away. Walking helped some and I walked 1-2 miles a day. I also took all kinds of stuff, gas-x, maalox, lactaid, and none really helped. Also a heating pad does help a little. I did take Titralac and it seemed to help more than the others. Found it at Walmart ( small white bottle with yellow top and green and blue labeling.) You have to look really, really hard for it or you will miss it. Sorry for the long drawn out reply but the gas for me was the worst, I couldn't function and so I want to share what helped me. Hope it helps you too. Good luck!