Lunita

wow...it goes to show how everyone is different. I can't drink while I eat. The moment I do I get stuck and then everything comes up. I also can't drink that close to meal time (before or after) for the same reason. Any one else? My dr. said about 30 min before or after is fine. But I can't even do that.

Just curious. My band seems to be at a great spot right now, but every once in a while I get stuck and then start regurgitating what I've eaten. It's usually because I was in a hurry, or very hungry, or even just not really focusing on chewing and taking small bites. Happened yesterday, I was working and before I knew it my stomach was grumbly and I had to leave. So I grabbed a small piece of meat (leftovers) I ate it quickly. I spent the next 10 minutes or so just having it all come up a little bit at a time. So would this be considered sliming? or throwing up? I wasn't heaving, but there was a lot of saliva involved. Also when this happens, what is the best thing to do physically? (sometimes I stretch upwards or bend over touch my toes) thank you

I know the feeling...I have to go every 4 weeks and it feels like forever. I was banded in January and I still don't feel the restriction I felt that first month, while I was all swollen and what not. That's the feeling I want. I feel like I am just wasting time until the next fill. I haven't been losing weight either just teeter tottering back and forth between the same 4 pounds. It feels like forever!

It happens after losing a lot of weight too fast. I had mine taken out about 10 years ago, it happened after a major weight loss. Eat carefully, like honk said, fatty foods will cause an attack. My grandmother had told me at the time that the pain was worse than labor. The surgery is no biggy. Laproscopically, in and out and done. It took me about a week to recover. feel better

Mattie, I am with you. I had my first fill a few weeks ago and suddenly I feel no restriction. I posted my concerns and basically the response I got was as someone mentioned above, all the swelling inside has gone down. Your body has healed, thus where the band was tight before, it's not now. I am supposed to go for my next fill on the 10th, but I am calling the drs office tomorrow to see if they could do it ASAP. Maybe if you call your dr and speak to someone, they can guide you.

I had sort of the same problem right after surgery when I started full liquids. It felt like even those were getting "stuck" I eventually called my dr. and went in, turned out there was some fill in my band, and along with surgery swelling it made everything super tight. They wound up unfilling (this was 6 days after surgery!) removed like 2cc. I felt relief immediately. Call your dr and tell them what you feel. I waited almost 3 days before calling them and was miserable the whole time. good luck

Hi! I just asked the same question this morning. I was banded 1/14 and had my first fill about two weeks ago. I feel like I am starving all the time. I actually just gained some weight. (I am also dying to get my second fill to get things moving along) The best response I got today was the following, and it seems to make sense. It could be that your body is fully recovering from surgery and 1) your regular appetite has returned 2) your body had been existing on liquids for WEEKS and is roaring back to life. Think of how when you're sick and don't eat for a couple days. When you start to feel better your body goes nuts and wants to eat everything. <br /><br />Do you have a food scale? Even now after many fills I still weigh all my Protein. It is really easy to over estimate and yes I use a small lunch size plate. During this time it IS a diet. You will need to not only actively have smaller portions but also make good food choices. I don't even use the Benecol margarine anymore if I need something I use "butter spray". I've stopped buying nuts (yes I know they be healthy but not when you eat them by the hand full); crackers/cookies (even low fat ones), cheeses (except for low fat laughing cow). Take a good look at your pantry and decide whether a thin person would eat what's in there. If not give it away. FYI I did not get any restriction until 9.4 CC's. So you COULD be many fills away from feeling anything.

I am so glad I am not the only one. I told my hubby a little while ago that I had gained some weight, he got sad. He's been so supportive, but I feel like I've disappointed him (and me). I basically told him what it says here and he seems to have understood. March 10th hurry up!

I got my first fill a couple of weeks ago. And I swear I am hungrier now (and can eat more)than before having the fill. Is this weird? normal? I am dying to go get my second fill (not till march 10th) because I have actually started to gain weight. I am almost scared that the band isn't working- not restricting. (I even had a dream about filling the port myself last night!!!)

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for taking the time. I will be much more vigilant over what I have in the house/put in my mouth.

I had the same problem turned out that I was really swollen inside and there was fill in my band (too much) the dr had me come in and took it out. The pain had gotten so bad I barely ate for a couple of days. I couldn't even get water down without practically crying. Once the swelling goes down I am sure he will refill..but I do feel your pain, it is NOT fun.

I just wondered if anyone is in the same boat as me? Here is the situation, I have been overweight FOR EVER since I was about in 2nd grade, But in the bast 5 years or so, my health has really gotten bad. High Cholesterol (since 18) High blood pressure in the last year and diabetes in the last year as well. Joint issues especially with my knees. My bmi was in the obese range. (and had in the past jumped up beyond that) But recently not necessarily what is "required" for lap-band. So I was wondering if there was anyone else like me, with not a huge amount of weight to lose, but focusing more on the health issues? I know my weight won't drop as fast as those that have a lot more to lose. But I wonder how long before some of these health issues start resolving themselves with the band? I am 1 week and 2 days post op (jan 14th) and I keep second guessing myself, was this the right thing to do? My mind keeps flip flopping, but what keeps me believing that I did, is that I will be around to watch my girls grow up. I am only 38 and feel that I was falling apart way faster than I should, I was robbing myself and my children. I love reading the boards, and learning about all of everyone's successes and struggles. But I wondered if there was anyone out there like me?

I agree with you Shelly, and sadly I initially had the same mind set as it's only 60 lbs why put myself through it. I really had to think long and hard, it was only getting worse the longer I waited, did I want to wait until I was 100lbs over? was that acceptable? NO and doing it now with "only" 60 lbs...it still is the right decision.

I am self pay and my bmi was 31/32 My surgery came to $12000 usd My main reasons were health related, begin overweight..forever it's just been hard, as we all know, nothing has ever really worked long term. too many health issues now, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, knee/joint pain, diabetes..and I am too darned young for this (38) sooo I got banded a week ago friday! It certainly is different, but I am down about 10 lbs I don't have a lot to lose per say, but just trying to improve my overall well being.

I am pretty new at this and all the terminology. What exactly do sliders do? Do they slide through the small pouch and not make you full?

I have been using Isopure, its "unflavored" I don't like it in broths but in creamy stuff it's good, i put it in yogurt, coffee etc correction it's not isopure, but PURE. It comes in a sliver zip bag. OOPS

http://www.creativemedicalid.com

I read that somewhere, that they were lowering the limit to 35 but to 30 with health conditions. I think, I will keep it positive in my head. I don't know how much worse things could have gotten if I hadn't done this. I want to be around for my girls. (ps that baby is sooo cute)

I was about 32 bmi, but my insurance would not cover it even with my health conditions. To get to a healthy bmi I have about 60lbs or so (maybe that's more "ideal") i guess 50-60 would be better phrased. I just feel sort of guilty going through all this. and the insecurity of did I just try to get the easy way out? And I know the answer is No because this has been a battle my whole life.

I just posted about this a couple of days ago, I had to go to the dr and they removed fill. You should call the dr in any case.

Ok...went to the dr. thank goodness. By the time I was in the waiting room I was on the verge of tears from the pain. I also was hungry since I have barely been able to eat anything but a sip or two of water etc. Well turns out I was over-filled. Apparently I am still very swollen inside from the surgery and when the dr put in the band he left it with about 4cc's inside. Well this in combo with the swelling was not letting even the water go down easily. I was introduced to the lovely syringe/needle-good lord that thing was big. and because of the swelling the m.a. had a tough time finding the port, when she did and poked me with the needle she had to do a whole bunch of moving it around this and that way. (thought hubby was going to pass out) She called the dr in after a min or two and he did it in a second. The relief was immediate. They gave me some water and for the first time in days it went down without a problem. I am sore right now I guess from all the poking and prodding on my belly but a little medication goes a long way. Thank you all for your input.

Hi everyone, I would appreciate any help. I will be 1 week post op tomorrow. Here is the issue, the first couple of days on clears I was good. On the third day, each time I would sip, or try to eat anything (full liquids or clears) I would get this feeling in the middle of my chest, hard to explain but maybe like a huge bubble growing. I would feel almost as if I would have to burp but couldn't. It would make it hard to swallow. So much so that on days 4 and 5 I barely ate anything at all and I was starving. Sometimes this feel is accompanied by hiccups that hurt. Maybe like 4 or 5. I walk and stretch and do my breathing in case it's gas from the surgery, sometimes it works sometimes not. Sometimes like right now it hurts, and all I had was some water. I feel pretty miserable. I am afraid that this is not going away and if this is the way the band is going to be on me? I haven't even had a fill yet. What could it be? What remedies should I try? Have any of you gone through this?

I've tried the tea no help. I called my dr. a little while ago apparently this must not be typical because I have to go there in a little while. Hopefully it's nothing big deal. I will let you guys know. thanks for responding

I was just banded on the 14th (4 days ago) and I get painful hiccups and a feeling like I have to burp but it doesn't happen. I am on liquids and today I have basically had nothing. Each time I take a sip, I get the pressure in the middle of my chest and it hurts. It takes forever for it to go away. I am not having a happy day today..ps I am hungry

Hi This is my first post. I also got banded on the 14th. I was so happy to find this forum last night. I can't believe how many people feel the same as I do. As far as the surgery everything was fine, the surgeon found a hernia and removed it at the time of surgery. I am still sore, especially in the morning when I get up. My lungs still hurt, although I am doing my breathing exercises. I feel just like someone mentioned above where I feel like i need to burp, but it won't come out. Then I will hiccup and it sort of hurts. I have been on clears for the first 2 days and now I am on full liquids, but I don't have much of an appetite. I must be in ketosis, because I have that nasty metallic taste in my mouth constantly. Today I took my bp med (I have been out of it and forgot to take it in the last few days) and ohhh boy, next thing you know I was lightheaded, felt faint and had cold sweats. The Med. assistant said my bp must have gotten low. But other than that, I have gone thru the doubts, of did i do the right thing? etc. I am still worried/scared, but it's nice to see others are going through the same thing as I am. Hopefully this will give me some strength.