Cleo's Mom

I was banded in Sept. 08 and was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis (due to my anti-estrogen breast cancer meds) and I had my IV reclast infusion today. I wanted to avoid the stomach & esophageal problems associated with the osteoporosis pills. So far, so good. I will let you know if I have any serious side effects.

Years ago I had stubbon yeast infections for over a year and nothing worked. I had numerous tests, etc, and all the OTC stuff as well as prescription. Finally my gyn gave me a prescription for boric acid vaginal suppositories. The pharmacist has to make them. They worked and the infection went away very quickly.

I think that those whose reflux was improved with the lapband are in the minority. Somewhere on here is a poll that showed that about 80% of those banded developed reflux after the banding at some point.

I will agree with the comment that was made about the lapband and hunger. It was promoted to me as reducing hunger and appetite. That has always been my biggest problem. I was always hungry and it took a lot of food to satisfy me. I wasn't specific food oriented - i.e. I didn't need to eat big Macs or chocolate or ice cream, etc. If I could just eat enough cereal or toast to feel satisfied - that was great. So for me it was the feeling of satiety that was important. The band has never worked like that for me. My former doctor overfilled my 4cc band with 3cc and caused a lot of pain, reflux and heartburn. Even being that tight, I never felt satisfied with the small amount of food I could eat. I had a 1cc unfill and changed doctors. I am hungry a lot now and rely on willpower only plus a lot of exercising, including weight machines. I am not losing any significant weight at this point and don't want another fill until the damage from my overfill heals. So, the band has not worked the way that I thought it would for me. That is why it is so important to choose the procedure that addresses your issue with food. I have lost about 75 pounds but that was with my own dieting, the 6 month pre-op diet, the 2 week pre & post surgical liquid only diet and about 15 pounds since the banding (Sept. 08). So, at this point I feel like I'm on my own with my dieting. And yes, it is a diet with calorie counting, weighing and measuring. Something I thought I was going to avoid with the band. So, again make sure you are prepared for the type of surgery you choose and good luck.

Are you taking Ambien or any other prescription sleep aid? They are known to cause night time eating that you don't remember. Definitely talk to your doctor about it and all the meds your are taking. Good luck.

Be careful with taking all that tylenol. They have just come out with warnings. Tylenol can damage your liver if you take too much. They are saying that 1000 mg at one time (2 extra strength) or more than 4000 mg/day is too much. They are going to issue new box warnings. Maybe there is something safer the doctor can give you. Are you a caffeine drinker who is now off of it? That can cause headaches. I hope you feel better.

I agree. Say something that will put them in their place - like "And you don't look like my doctor so how would you know?" BTW queen - you have done amazingly well and look great. You look Irish. Are you? Just curious. My late husband was Irish and we visited Ireland years ago and many looked like you.

Paige: Any chance your doctor can prescribe a portable oxygen unit - one that you can easily carry that might help you walk a little more? You might try to get some light hand weights - maybe a pound each and sit in a chair and lift them. Maybe get the velcro kind and put them on your wrists and then your ankles and lift your legs while sitting in a chair. Try some breathing exercises to expand your lung capacity. Take deep breaths in and out. For dietary changes: look at each item you usually eat and replace it with a lower calorie version. Bread: switch to lite whole wheat Butter/Margarine: switch to I can't believe it's not butter spray (0 calories) Deli meats: lite turkey breast Mayo: Use mustard instead Veggies: Get those steamer bags and make them in the microwave and use the I cant believe on them Fruits: Get the no sugar added in the 1/2 cup servings Milk: Skim only Cereal: Something low in calories, fat, sugar - maybe Kashi Go Lean. Meats: Try chicken breasts grilled. Try some interesting grillmates seasonings. Snack: sugar free puddings. Stay away from fried foods, fast foods, soda and sweets and see how all this goes. Good luck to you. You can do it and it will be a long journey but you are taking the first step.

I agree with Enchanted and Foxxy - get to the ER right away. You are jeopardizing your health with all the vomiting and possible dehydration. And find another doctor - this one obviously does not provide good follow up care. That's why I found a new doctor 3 months ago. Your doctor should believe you when you call with symptoms. Good luck.

Because of the problems the pills for osteoporosis can cause with the stomach and esophagus I will be getting IV reclast as soon as my blood work comes back. I didn't want to jeopardize my band with the pills. My oncologist felt the IV reclast was the best choice for me. I have a friend who has taken it with no problems and she has problems with everything.

I suspect your friend knows exactly how much weight she has lost and what she looks like. She is just looking for someone to give her a small amount of support. No one suggested that you tell her how great she looks or make a big deal about her weight loss. Just a "keep up the good work" would suffice. As far as "you literally have to make her do everything in life" - it is her job, not yours, to make herself do what she has to do in life, including how she is going to be successful (or fail) with her WLS.

I buy the no sugar added fruits in those little containers that are already measured as 1/2 cup. Peaches, mandarin oranges and applesauce. My fresh fruits are 1/2 banana or 1/2 cup of blueberries or raspberries. I haven't had cantaloupe yet because it's too expensive but I think I would tolerate it. I eat fruit at every meal. I also eat veggies at lunch and dinner. So that is 5 servings a day of fruits & veggies and 5-9 servings/day is recommended.

I used to be on it for bone and joint pain that was a side effect of the med I was on for breast cancer. But I quit taking it as it caused gastritis. It is hard on the stomach. It didn't really work that well for me anyway.

I just love that all of you are using the word pop. I didn't think many other parts of the country but mine used that word (Andy Griffith did on his show in Mayberry NC) but most people use soda, don't they? Just found it interesting.

I am so glad to see someone actually acknowledge that we can be hungry and not call it head hunger. I am so tired of hearing all the "experts" on here dismiss any post about hunger as being in the head. I am 58 and I know the difference between head hunger, real hunger and thirst. Your doctor sounds like one of the smarter ones. Thanks for your post.

It would depend on where the doctor placed the band, the size of your stomach, any swelling after the fill as well as just individual variations.

His comment definitely needs to be discussed with the surgeon who did your surgery. You need to ask why this isn't stated at their "positive" seminars when they are recruiting patients. The surgeon may only be the mechanic but his/her attitude is important in follow up care. I don't think a lot of them are very knowledgable in how the lapband works or general nutrition/weight loss information. You need to be your own advocate and speak out if you think you are not getting the right information. Good luck.

Cammy; Regardless of your weight you have the right to be treated with respect. And anyone who would make any type of insulting remark about your weight is NOT your friend. Please don't consider them as such. You need to lose them along with the weight (after banding). Do not socialize with anyone who refers to you as a DUFF. When shopping in stores do NOT under any circumstances accept being treated rudely about your weight or anything. If you are looking at jewelry and a comment is made about not carrying your size, ask to speak to the manager. While you cannot control what strangers yell at you as you walk down the street, you can speak up for yourself when you are a paying customer. When perfect strangers approach you and ask what you are doing about your weight ask them what they are doing about their rude behavior and tell them Miss Manners has just come out with a new book that they might want to purchase. If you are doing your job at work you shouldn't be treated any differently than anyone else. If you sense you are, talk to your boss in private. I guess the fact that I am 58 and have been through a lot in my life, I don't put up with any crap from anyone. I do not hesitate to confront. You're young yet, so I understand it is harder to be assertive. But try it. You'll get more confident each time. Good luck to you on your lapband journey. I think you will do well.

1. Were You Named After Anyone? A 50's soap opera star 2. When was the Last time You Cried? Yesterday 3. Do You like Your Handwriting? No 4. What Is Your Favorite Lunch meat? Low fat ham 5. Do You have Kids? 2, son 28, daughter 25. 6.If You were Another Person, Would You be Friends with You? Yes 7. Do you use Sarcasm a lot? Is there anything else? 8. Do You still have Your Tonsils? Yes 9. Would You Bungee Jump? No 10. What is Your Favorite Cereal? Cheerios Crunch 11. Do You untie Your Shoes when You take them off? Yes 12. Do You think You are Strong? Yes 13. What is Your Favorite Ice Cream? Not a big ice cream fan - but I guess Cherry Garcia 14. What is the First thing You notice about People? Eyes 15, Red or Pink? Pink 16. What is The least thing You like about Yourself? Weight/body shape 17. Who do You Miss the Most? My husband - he died 4 years ago. 18. What Color Pants and Shoes are Wearing now? Brown pajamas and white slippers 19. What was the Last thing You Ate? SF pudding 20, What are You listening to now? Rerun of Roseanne 21 If You were a Crayon what Color would You be? Blue 22. Favorite Smells? Lemon, baking bread 23. Favorite Sports to Watch? Don't watch sports. 24. Hair Color?Blonde with highlights 25. Do You Wear Contacts? No 26. Favorite Food? Potato chips 27. Scary Movies, or Happy Endings? Happy Endings 28. Last Movie You saw? Raising Helen 29, Color Shirt/Blouse You are Wearing?Brown 30. Summer or Winter? Summer!!! 31. Favorite Dessert? Chocolate cake with chocolate icing 32, Favorite Place ever Traveled? Ireland 33, Where would You like to Travel Next? Back to Ireland 34. What Book are Reading now?Killing Game 35, Where were You Born?Pennsylvania 36. Big Band or Rap? Big Band 37. Interesting Fact about Me? I've never had a mosquito bite. 38. What did You Watch on Televison Last Night?A Hallmark movie 39. Beatles or Rolling Stones? Beatles. I saw them in person on Sept. 14, 1964. I was in love with Paul. 40. Do You have a Special Talent? Not really.

You said you came on here to find out if anyone had gone through what you did and what they did to resolve it. Well, if you read the replies, mine especially, you will see that people gave you some very good concrete suggestions. This was done out of concern and a willingness to help. But you did not seem to want help, just pity. And that's okay. But don't come up with excuses as to why you can't/won't do what are reasonable things to improve your situation and then single me out. Anyone who knows me on these boards know that I am not one of the mean, in-your-face type posters. Quite the opposite. But you pushed the envelope. If what you want is pity then title your thread: Just your pity, no suggestions. That's not what you asked for at first. I think you are making the right move by staying off these boards and relying on your friends - I sure hope they can give you all of the sympathy and empathy that you crave.

As someone who has had more than her share of family problems, I can sympathize with you, Gloucester. I use a slightly different category for people than energizers and leeches. I call the leeches toxic people. I simply will not have them in my life. Even if they are related to me. Therefore, my brother, his wife, their children, my mother in law and her two sons (former brothers in law) are no longer part of my life. I expect people to treat me in an acceptable way. If not, they are out of my life. Unless, of course, they apologize and are willing to treat me in an acceptable way. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2002, my husband in 2003. He lost his battle in 2005 at the age of 56. When something like this hits you, you quickly find out who your friends are. And I am telling all of you a truth: YOU DO NOT HAVE AS MANY FRIENDS AS YOU THINK YOU HAVE. Life if too short to waste on those who don't have your best interest at heart. This includes relatives. Write your mother a letter. Tell her how you expect to be treated. Tell her what she does that is unacceptable. Tell her that you care about her but if she is going to continue to be part of your life then she will have to treat you in an acceptable way. Be specific. Then find a way to sever the financial ties. Whatever you have to do. Because you can't sever the emotional ties if you are financially tied. All I have now are my two kids, their spouses and a few cousins and a few good friends. But that is fine with me. I would rather have a smaller pool of people who do treat me right than engage in daily emotional battles with those who don't. My life is better for not having the toxic people in them. Yours will be too.

When you say ruptured do you mean the inner tubing that receives the fill? When you felt that something was different did you feel less restriction? I hope that you get this problem resolved. I am sure someone on here has had to have their band removed and replaced and can tell you if insurance covers it. But I am sure each insurance is different. You have done so well. Congratulations. And good luck to you with this problem.

Check how many calories a day you are getting. There are some good online sites like www.dailyplate.com that will help you to do that. Also, exercise daily for at least 30 minutes. Do something that you like. If you don't like it, you won't do it. I do the treadmill 5 days a week, on 2 of those days I also go to the gym and do weight bearing exercises and the other 2 days I got an exercise dance video with oldies songs that I like. I had to shake things up because the treadmill everyday just wasn't doing it anymore for me. That being said, I lost so much weight on my own and then with the 6 month pre-op diet and then all that liquid only before and after the surgery that I have only lost 15 lbs. from my surgery of Sept. 2008. But I have lost 75 pounds altogether. My weight loss might be 1lb a month at this point. If that. I have a 4cc band and was overfilled to 3cc's and had to have 1cc removed. But even when I was too tight and had pain, reflux and heartburn, I was hungry. I still am but I have to use willpower and what little restriction I have to help me. I do journal my food intake. That helps. But I know the band will not work for me like all these people who have found their sweet spot. I am also not willing to put up with the complications I had before to lose more weight. So I will continue to exercise and count calories and see where that takes me. Try that and see if it helps. Make sure your food is healthy, nutritious and provides variety. I believe you should have veggies and fruit each day, not just Protein. Some will tell you to drink a lot of Water between meals. You could try that, too. Good luck to you. I think if you make some changes you will start to see success.

If the burning continues you can try a little mylanta or other liquid for heartburn. That might help. Let us know how the upper GI goes. Good luck.