Swan56

I'm about 8 months out and I've lost just over 61 pounds (83 from my heaviest but still not at my goal of about 10 lbs a month). I averaged around 2 lbs a week for the first 6 months - then hit a plateau (and some stressful events - including death of a close relative). I fought the same 3-5 lbs for almost 2 months - totally frustrating! However, I finally broke that plateau and made it into the 230s yesterday. Hang in there and TRY not to compare yourself to others. We all have different journeys - even if we are using the same tool.

PB stands for Productive Burp and sliming is not short for anything, it's just sliming. When something gets stuck while you're eating, you start sliming. It's a mucousy "slime" that's the result of an influx of the enzyme used to break down your food because it's trying to get rid of it. Sometimes the slime helps get it down, but sometimes it comes back up, which brings us to the PB. If the sliming doesn't get the food down, then it will come back up, which is what people are referring to as a productive burp. It's not quite like vomiting, but it is a regurgitation of the food, and the slime will come up with the food. <when sliming happens, I wouldn't really say that you can feel it happening, but you do feel a thick mucous in the back of your throat> Hopefully whatever was stuck will become dislodged and then you will fee MUCH better. When you are stuck it is a very uncomfortable feeling and it's like someone is sitting on you/you're having a heart attack. I didn't experience being stuck stuck until my third fill (6 cc's in a 10 cc band). I just have to make sure I chew my meat up before swallowing. The old habit of inhaling food or starting off eating fast because of being super hungry CAN NOT happen anymore. I have had to consciously think about slowing down my eating and chewing more.

I, too, LOVE ZUMBA!!! I've always been a fan of dancing and it just looked fun so I tried. I thought I would get lost and feel out of place. Not true at all. I started in the Zumba for beginners class at the Y. The instructor actually told me after class that she thought I would do great in the regular class. While I may have natural rhythm, I'm not a small girl by any means. I was probaby about 285 lbs in my first zumba class and noone stared or looked at me like I was out of place. In fact, some of the women in class actually encouraged me and invited me to other classes with them.
Don't be embarassed to go try it out. I'm telling you, it is so fun! I sweat so much more in a 50 minute Zumba class than the same amount of time on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical. And, it works your muscles a LOT so that will help you continue to burn calories even after you're done. Zumba is a great thing!

No you probably have something stuck. You said you were rushing and didn't chew properley , so there is probably a large piece of food lodged in your stoma. Eating or drinking at this point may aggravate it but you don't want to become dehydrated. Try taking small sips to see if you can drink, if you can't sucking on crushed ice may help - it usually helps me. Are you sure it is acid you are coughing up or is it excess saliva - the body's normal reaction when something is stuck is to produce excess saliva to try to slide it through.
I doubt vey much that your band has slipped.
See how you are feeling in the morning and let us know. If you can't get liquids down then you need to call your Dr.
Don't panic i am sure you will be fine.

Fills
My fills were over and done in less than 30 seconds and it didn't hurt any more than accidentally stabbing myself with a pin when quilting. It's nothing like getting an injection of an antibiotic.

Band Slippage
Band slippage is rare. Most surgeons now tuck a fold of stomach over the band (sort of like an elastic waistband) to hold the band in place. The people most at risk for band slippage are those who get their bands so tight that they are getting stuck and throwing up the offending item on a frequent (several times daily) basis.

Not being able to have carbonated beverages
It is a myth that drinking carbonated beverages will expand your pouch and recommendations vary by surgeon. Some say 'never'. Others, like mine, had no restrictions after the first month. Whether or not you can tolerate them...well, that's something you'll have to find out. I like the Faygo carbonated pink grapefruit Water and I drank it several times a week. Only once did I have a problem and that was because I took a big gulp. I 'oversploded' as my son used to say. So your chugging days are most likely over.

Not being able to eat certain foods
I had this problem when I was overfilled. When my surgeon heard I couldn't eat certain foods and had at least one stuck episode a day despite following the rules (small bites, chew well, no drinking with meals), he said I was too tight. That was when I learned I was not looking for physical restriction but cessation of hunger. He took almost 3cc's out. Bingo. Now I could eat anything I wanted as long as I followed the rules.

food getting stuck
Well there's no guarantee this won't happen even if you do follow the rules and your band isn't overfilled since the band can tighten and loosen on its own. However, if you start your meal with a hot drink, that seems to help loosen the band. I would always take a small bite, chew well and then wait to see what happened. Sometimes it would go down hard...meaning it didn't get stuck but I knew if I continued, I likely would. You learn to listen to your band.

Excess Skin
Can't help you there. It is what it is but you can cover excess skin up with clothing. Nothing covers up the fat.

*#1 THING* FAILING
Failing is never even trying. So you get the band and you find it's not the right method for you. At least you tried...and you'll never know unless you try.

You listed some good reason to at least try. Focus on them instead of the fears.

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October 6th, 2010, I have lost 55 lbs so far...40 lbs to go. I didn't have any issues besides sleep apnea...that's all gone.

I have been banded a lil over a year now and down a lil over 100lbs and I have noticed that my sex drive is way up there. What happend? I have always had a good drive but this is crazy. To be blunt, Im ready to go anytime and anywhere. WHY and is this hapening to you? it can be anoying while at work. Is this normal?

Maybe I should use this as a 'selling point' to my hubby, because right now he isn't very supportive of any WLS.

So today is the day I start my preop diet. It seems pretty typical - from what I've read. I'm mentally prepared for it but since I work this jacked up shift - I had my last normal meal just before midnight. I didn't go wild - it consisted or a turkey with provolone on wheat, strawberry greek yogurt, and a banana. I will have a protien shake in a few hours and then it'll be my bedtime a few hours following that. I'm actually pretty excited. I can't believe I'm only two weeks away. Luckily I have an amazingly supportive husband who is doing most the preop diet with me. <Yes ladies, I realize how blessed I am with this!>
Just hoping I don't hit too many road blocks (and cravings). Having my big 30th birthday party this Saturday - so I'm a little nervous about that. But i have told my closest friends so they will ward off the evil doers LOL
Any advice?

I had a post JUST like this a couple weeks ago. I've been heavy as long as I can remember. I guess there is a picture of me at like 4 when I wasn't but after that, as long as I can remember I was chunky. I was about 260 in college and my husband married me at about 270/275. Picuring myself smaller is a stretch but what I was told is - don't think so much about how you will look (although that is so exciting). Think about how you will feel. How much easier it'll be to bend over and pick up something off the ground or try your shoes or cross your legs - something I dont' think I've ever done. How exciting it'll be to shop at normal stores, buy the cute clothes... I'll be 30 in a week and these are some of my motivators. Not to mention the HEALTH BENEFITS!
And as far as your friend goes, I have learned that there are times in life when you have to be okay with being selfish. You are doing what is right for you. Embrace that! Hopefully she will come around the to the idea of you being healthier. Encourage her on the way. Maybe she too will decide to change her life for the better.

Well I got the call today from the insurance specialist at my surgeon's office as well as from the case manager from BCBS stating that I have been approved! It feels like I've been waiting forever - just over two weeks (with Thanksgiving in there too). I'm SO glad to have finally got it set in stone. I go in next Wednesday (12/15) for all my pre op tests. I start my preop diet next Monday. And my OFFICIAL surgery date is 12/27 - WOOHOO! That means my surgery is covered 100% - my out of pocket for the year is met (why I was pushing so hard for an approval). YAY YIPPEE! So excited!

Thanks!!! Everyone on this site has inspired me. They're always around when I need them...everyone's stories are so amazing. LapBandTalk is awesome!!!

You know - I think one thing that I am most excited about (you know beyond the being healthy parts) - at least a physical part I'm happy about. I'm ready for a full compliment not a half-one. Anyone who has gotten half compliments knows exactly what I'm saying. The "oh you have a beautiful face" or the "dude your sister would be perfect if she'd lose some weight" ... Anyone else sick of them? I am a phenomenal, beautiful person despite their sideways view of me. I'm just happy that my outer body will soon match the spunk from my inner soul.

Let's see.... my fat (obese) friends and family all have bad things to say about surgery while they down their third burger. My skinny friends and family all say try harder... they just don't get it. Luckily, my dr has been very supportive; in fact, he got me started on this path with this comment..."I was looking at your record. You've been seeing me now for 10 years, threatening to lose weight and you've gained back whatever you lost plus 30 pounds. Stop kidding yourself." A load came off my shoulders and we talked.. now I'm two months out from surgery and can't wait.
This is definitely something done for myself. I can't stand myself anymore. If other people just don't get it, that's their problem. I know what it's like to live in fear of chairs and mirrors, and what's it like to shop strictly by catalog because jumbo isn't a popular size in the stores. and the list goes on...
This is one crazy adventure, for sure.... all I can say is I now know a number of people personally who have been banded, and in each and every case their lives have improved so much for the better. Let's get on with it!!