La_madam

Depends on how bad it has slipped, I have heard it can be unfilled for a few months and possibly fix itself but most have had to have it removed

Pre Op tests in Mexico are very basic, they are nothing like here in the states. Here in the states they do an EKG to make sure your heart is in good shape, they run much more extensive tests. In Mexico it is a blodd test, you speak with a cardiologist, you speak with a pulmonologist, have a chest X-ray and you are on your way I'm very very sorry to hear of your firends passing. Will there be an autopsy preformed, how does he know it was a heart attack? Was your friend a memeber here at LBT, I remember speaking with someone who was goping to Mexico and then having a vacation afterwards...I'm wondering if it was her and if so what was her screen name here My Condolences

Possible slip? I was told to look not being able to keep down solids and instant vomit is a sign of a slip. I hope in your case it is you are just too tight and may just need a small unfill. Good luck with the GI

Robyn, I can feel your pain, my husband has been battling the same demon for years, he has chronic back pain 2 herniated discs from an automobile accident he was in 10 yrs ago and has had 3 neck surgeries as well, he is addicted to pain meds, he takes 10-15 norco a day, he also wears a pain patch, these pills are very easy to become addicted to and it does not help you had a doctor who gave them out like candy..I will be praying for you and your family. It takes alot of courage to come here and post what you have posted. I admire you for that I'm happy you are getting the help you need to finally get this monkey off your back . Best of luck to you.

if it were me I would not take any alka seltzer,I was told no more carbonation and it is not worth the risk.. there are many other cold remedies out there I personally prefer Tylenol liquid sore throat and cold medicine, it works great. Hope you get to feeling better soon

Trish, so happy to hear you are OK. We were all worried about you

Gl safely ad you are home, sounds like you had a great time in NYC, is Christina visiting you for a few days in Cali? What do the two of you have planned while she is here in Cali? Were you able to meet up with Alexandra or any other bandsters from LBT while in NYC?

I had my band unfilled for 2 months and took prilosec and it got better, but it can come back..I am having another endoscopy on Oct 31 to make sure everything is OK. Maybe you can ask your Dr to do an endoscopy since it is the only way it is detected. I remember all too well how throwing up used to make me feel so much better. Here is more info on it Symptoms of gastritis do not always correspond to the extent of physical changes in the lining of the stomach. * The stomach lining can be examined with an endoscope, a thin probe with a tiny camera on the end that can be inserted into the stomach. * Severe gastritis may be present when the stomach is viewed without symptoms being present. * Severe gastritis symptoms may be present despite only minor changes in the stomach lining. * Elderly people in particular have a much higher likelihood of developing painless stomach damage. They may have no symptoms at all (no nausea, vomiting, pain) until they are suddenly taken ill with internal bleeding. In people who have gastritis symptoms, pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen is the most common. * The pain is usually in the upper central portion of the abdomen (the "pit" of the stomach). * Gastritis pain occurs in the left upper portion of the abdomen and in the back. The pain seems to "go right straight through" a person as it travels from the belly to the back. * People often use the terms burning, aching, gnawing, or sore to describe the pain. Usually, a vague sense of discomfort is present, but the pain may be sharp, stabbing, or cutting. Other symptoms of gastritis include the following: * Belching: Belching usually either does not relieve the pain or relieves it only briefly. * Nausea and vomiting: The vomit may be clear, green or yellow, blood-streaked, or completely bloody, depending on the severity of the stomach inflammation. * Bloating * Feeling of fullness or burning in the upper part of the belly In more severe gastritis, bleeding may occur inside the stomach. Any of the following symptoms can be seen as well as those already mentioned. * Pallor, sweating, and rapid (or "racing") heart beat. * Feeling faint or short of breath * Chest pain or severe stomach pain * Vomiting large amounts of blood * Bloody bowel movements or dark, sticky, very foul-smelling bowel movements Any or all of these symptoms can occur suddenly.

Yes I did , it was gastritis and was detected through an endoscopy, however my symptoms did not star until Iwas unfilled after I found out I had gastritis, a couple of symptoms of gastritis is always having to burp and a full feeling in the upper abdomen and back, vomiting, Gatritis , I was told was common amongst us bandsters but many never know they even have it. I was one of them. Definately let your Dr. know of all of this. Symptoms of Gastritis The most common symptoms are abdominal upset or pain. Other symptoms are belching, abdominal bloating, nausea, and vomiting or a feeling of fullness or of burning in the upper abdomen. There are many sites with info on gastritis.

*Sigh* No movement on the scale for me this week...

Congratulations! I remember that feeling when I hit One-Derland. Oh happy Day for you

I have felt the same thing on the other sites, I wont mention their names but we all know which sites they are. I NO longer go to those sites for that reason myself. Thanks for the compliment, LBT feel like one big happy family, lots of love and support here, glad you found us here

We make pumpkin shakes at home alot, we use a vanilla frozen yogurt with the pumpkin pie fillling and a little skim milk w/ 1 packet of equal and then put it all in a blender. I als make sweet potatoes in the microwave then mash them like mashed pototoes add some butter and brown sugar, my kids love this! A little fattening for me so I just take 1-3 bites just ot get the taste

1 cc is huge in a 4 cc band. having as little as 1/2 of a cc can make a huge difference in your restriction just as having as little as 1/2 of a cc removed if you are too tight will make it som food will go down but you will still have enough restriction to lose weight. Many doctors will tell you it may take 1-3 fills to get it to a level wehre you feel restriction. Alot of people do not notice a difference afer their first fill. Do not get discouraged. Remember though just becasue you can eat that much does not mean you should...this is where your head has to come into play with the band. I know it is easier said then done. Ask your Dr. to give you a small fill, you may be suprised at the difference .5 cc's will make. My Dr. took me to 2 ccs at my last fill and it was tough to get Water down, he backed off to 1.5 and that was a good ammount. Hang in there and dont give up! You can do this

My Dr. does not numb before he fills either and I can only speak from my experience, it is not bad at all, just a tiny little sting that only lasts for a second, once he access your port there is no pain at all..you may be worrying for nothing There is a cream you can buy at the pharmacy, my son used it for his chemo on his port , we would put it on everytime before he went for his chemo. it is called Emla Cream. Here is a site below where you may be able to order some for when you go for your fills. It works great. My son never felt a needle once for 3 yrs of chemo. You just put it on your port site an hour or so before you are going to be accessed This site tells you about the product http://www.emla-us.com/ This site is where you can order some online http://www.westcoastskin.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.search&product_namefilter=Emla&ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=wcs_otc_google&ovcrn=emla_cream&ovtac=PPC

Shellyj Good to see you..glad to hear you are doing well So when is the wedding?

Good For you, I hope to follow you, it is my next goal

Yes I got a catalog with my purchase... I'm going to place another order this week for some more Snickerdoodle Cookie mix and this time I am going to order more then one batch worth

Trish, You poor thing, I have PBed but never to that extent, I can not even imagine what you are going thorugh. I'm glad you spoke to someone and are going to see the Dr. in the am...keep us posted we wil lall be thinking of you

That is totally up to the individual, I had 3 fills and lost 90 lbs, then I was unfilled for 2 months back in April and had two fills since June 20th. I have 1.5 cc's in a 4 cc band. I could use more fill most likely since my weight loss is very slow, but for me personally, I'm trying to do alot of this on my own and not rely on my band since I have lost the majority of my weight all ready. It's also nice to know I still have over half capacity left in my band for future fills in the event I do ever choose to get another one. I was going to get one on OCt 31 when I go down to TJ for my endoscopy but I have changed my mind and I'm not going to get one, I still have times with this 1.5 when eating is tough for me. I know most of my problem is what I eat, not whether or not I have restriction. I just need ot make better choices. This past week I posted my meals on the food journal thread and for me that really makes a difference in my choices and how much I eat. SO Iam going to continue doing that for a while and see if I can get that darn scale to move again downwards

I use a 20 oz aguafina water bottle with a sports top..I use the Crystal Light singles which are designed for a 20 oz bottle, I drink 20oz of plain water in the AM before I eat anything, another 20 oz of plain water 1 hr after breakfast...another 20 oz of crystal light before lunch...another 20 oz of crystal light 1 hour after lunch...another 20 oz of crystal light in the late afternoon before dinner...andm y last 20 oz of plain water in the evening after dinner. I use the rasberry ice I usually drink 120 oz a day.

Linda I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, I have been watching the news all night and thinking of each and every one of the LBT Texas Bandsters.

WOw, Im so sorry to hear what happend to you, I havenever heard of this,. I get all of my fills done under flouro, I go to MX for them, I have never had a fill without Flouro but all I can say is I never want a fill without fluoro, it gives me such peace of mind. 650 for a fill under flouro, geez, I'm lucky I go to MX then for mine and only pay 100. Where do you live? Who is your Dr. ? have you ever considered going to MX for your fillls if it is close to you, all of the MX docs will take on any patients no matter where they were banded. Again , so sorry to hear what you have gone through I hope you feel better soon. Best Wishes to you

I replied to your other thread here is the link ot it http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10062

I here great things about Dr. Pleatman, do a search on him here in the upper right corner and you wil lget lots of info here are a few threads on him below Here is a thread with some info http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9965&highlight=Dr+Pleatman http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=104&highlight=Dr+Pleatman Dr Pleatmman is also a member here and posts from time to time on the above thread he gives his web adress, there are several bandsters here who speak very highly of him. Good Luck You can also email Don Mills at Inamed and ask him for a list of Inamed Dr.s in your area Don.Mills@inamed.com