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I know this is an old post; but I'm wondering if what I am experiencing is due to being too tight. I have almost constant bubbles coming up my throat; I can't control it, if I try to force it out it's just a baby burp. It sounds like a creaking door. Is this my sweet spot? I feel okay, foodwise. Not eating much, but losing so I'm happy now. Is this normal, this creeky sound?

Since it just started with my last fill; I'm wondering if it's an indicator that I'm too tight.....

Not sure what to do....especially since last fill (7 cc in 10 - 5 mos post) I have this uncontrollable bubbling up, obviously of gas but it's definite sounds coming from the throat (yes, I know starting in the stomach). I've tried GasX; no help. It's mainly when I wake up; and that's if it's intentional (the waking) or not.....almost like revelee (sp?) in the morning. Everyone nearby can hear it. At first I thought okay, shouldn't have had that glass of wine....but that wasn't it. I'm barely eating after this last fill. So I can't attribute it to being full; and it's not stomach growling. If I open my mouth and try to force it; it's a little bitty burp - so I know it's gas. Has anyone else experienced this? What can be done? It's embarrassing -- "mommy what's that noise?" is my 2 year old's latest saying.:tongue:

Well crap! That didn't work right! Okay here it is; I'm soooo proud!

Just wanted to post my update. Love seeing it in print! Glad everyone is doing well.

Flood yourself and the weight will go! That's my motto. I had 2 weeks of the scale stuck. Finally started monitoring my water and found I was way low.........as soon as I increased I started washing the pounds away again.

Teridoodle, you hit the nail on the head! Keep ejecting.....I just had my first 2 pbs (2 days apart). I got careless and ate way too fast, the bites were too big, and the food too dense (pork the first time, then cheese). Luckily it was a short episode each time. I did feal REAL bad, at first I tried to ignore the feeling-probably swallowing a lot of air trying to recover (your chest hurts and catching a breath is tough). When that didn't work I kept spitting and hocking up the slime, then eventually a huge belch (nothing other than slime ever came up) and I was good to go. (Sorry for the graphic nature of this thread, but we all want details don't we? ) I wouldn't say it was the worst experience of my life, but definitely unpleasant. After the first episode I vowed to never let that happen again -- so much for that! The lesson learned for me was: 1) when they say slime they mean thick mucus that doesn't seem to want to end when you try to spit it out and 2) just keep chewing, chewing, chewing. I know in both cases I was eating like the old days. noahsmom - pb - productive burp; I was a bit disillusioned by this name until actually experiencing it! I've been banded nearly 2 mos and only just had this happen as I (admittedly) got more and more lax in my new eating habits. Some people seem to get them more; I don't intend to let it happen again......... Don't let it dissuade you -- how many times have you eaten till you thought you wanted to puke before? Now you'll get to test that notion; haha. Good luck;

I've been able to eat fine (unfortunately) since fill. The only wierd thing that seems to be happening is my digestion is REALLY loud. My gurgling stomach woke me up the other night; thought there was a creature in the room with me. Maybe because I have had a little bit of green salad the last couple days at lunch (literally 4 leaves or so) too much roughage? I used to eat salads every day before band. Not feeling real restricted yet either; I guess the sweet spot is a couple fills away still.:guess

oops typo, be sure to swallow normally with OUT the feeling of the throat is still full.

Sue Magoo, I just had my first fill on Friday, under fluoroscopy. It was the coolest thing. I drank the contrast, and watched the Fluid go down and stop, then trickle through the band. Then the doc inserted the needle into my port (I didn't feel it, maybe they swabbed a numbing agent, I thought it was alcohol); he moved the needle a bit to get to the middle of the port, then pushed 4cc of saline. I swallowed some more contrast then felt like it was going to come up (nothing too scary). Doc said I was too tight, the band wasn't allowing anything to pass, so he withdrew 2ccs. Then the fluid passed through like normal. I was on 2 days of liquid diet, then yesterday soft food, today normal. I have read posts where without fluorscopy they simply have you drink Water. Be sure to be able to swallow normally with the feeling of throat still being full. I've seen that some people leave and are apparently too tight, they can't keep anything down, not a sickness just that it doesn't go anywhere and you feel like "tip me over and poor me out!". I feel great, no problems. Good luck to you!

Mel, my doc said one thing I needed to improve was my water intake; and to definitely wait an hour after eating so that I felt full longer. It's tough to both wait an hour after AND drink more. I'm really forcing myself away from the table (feels like the old pre-band days) but I'm still making MUCH better choices in food than before. Vacation can be hard, anytime. I guess just try to eat s-l-o-w and order sensibly. And if you're drinking, remember to choose something NOT fizzy and not too strong (no beer). I've had a glass of white wine or two without trouble. But it's important to note that you can't hang with the big dogs anymore; a couple glasses and your toast since so little food. Good luck; you'll be fine, remember this is a tool meant for the long haul; a little backslide can be fixed.

Thanks Edie; we shall see... meanwhile back to minding my p's and q's!

I've been so good. My meal sizes have been toddler portions; and always protein first then veggie or fruit. These past couple days though I find myself testing the band. Eating more each time. My first fill is next Friday. From my reading it looks like I'll get back on track with limited portions for sure after my fill. I'll get 4cc in 10cc band to start. I need some convincing that I haven't already gotten through the honeymoon period; I can't be failing already can I? Will a fill cure me? Will I be forced back to discipline (I hope)? I haven't been hungry between; it's the mealtimes that are testing my will.:help:

JP, 6 of the 29 was pre-op diet; the rest since my band (7/11) so my results have been pretty good. I'm already down a size and they are loose. Feeling great! Hope it went well today.

Good luck tomorrow; be sure to have sf popsicles, gas-x, crystal light at the ready! I was up every hour to pee the night after surgery; took a few extra laps back and forth, waving my arms about -- I'm convinced this was instrumental in getting rid of the gas pain in my shoulder. The first few days are a bit rough. If your doctor didn't prescribe call immediately and ask for an anti-nausea suppository prescription. Take it as directed even if you don't think you need it. Once you start to feel nauseas it may be too late to take one and have it effective. The pain meds were too harsh for me; have some adult strength liquid tylenol ready too. You will be fine -- and it will be worth it!

The shoulder pain is likely gas from the surgery; the CO2 they pump in that circulates through your system until it's able to be absorbed in your body. I found the best way to rid the pain was to walk or pace and wave my arms like doing jumping jacks. Looks silly but my gas pain only lasted a day and a half. Good luck!

If your pre-op diet is like mine, it was liquid. Protein shakes; ff milk; be sure to have the sf popsicles and sf Jello on hand. Also I found that mixing a vanilla Protein shake with pre mixed crystal light (most any flavor) instead of milk or plain Water provided a nice flavor change. Good Luck; I've been VERY happy with my band thus far. No issues to speak of. I too am far from my doc and support group; this site is invaluable for answering most questions, and feeling connected.

if you can have the protein powders but don't like (or can't) mix with ff milk; then try this...use your vanilla protein powder and mix in 8 oz of (mixed with h20) Crystal lite (any flavor really) but I used Raspberry Ice or Lemonade. Made a refreshing fruity drink; this way I got 20g protein each time....sometimes it took a couple sittings to get the whole thing down. But I made sure to get 2 in a day at least. Additionally I bought ISOPURE which is 40g for 20 oz there are flavors, I got Mango Peach. It's not cheap (about $3.50 a bottle) but I knew I could get my extra protein that way! hang in there; soon you'll be eating

Thanks, I agree this cardiac thing should be a no-brainer for them to cover; heck she could end up not being able to have the band if there's a real problem. I think sometimes it's the young'uns in the office that talk out of turn..... Will see.... Candle, I too have Anthem BCBS, with a WLS exclusion, but I was able to get my doctor to write a letter of necessity and was approved (woohoo). Moot point if you've changed. Thanks for the advice!

I'm writing on behalf of my friend, who was denied by her HMO for anything weightloss related despite the fact she has high blood pressure, etc. She decided on the self-pay route and finally has the $ to pay. Now she is trying to get her pre-op clearances and had an abnormal EKG; the cardiologist is putting the charges through on insurance but stating that the stress test, echo, etc., are in order to obtain weight loss clearance. Her HMO won't pay. Does anyone have an idea on how to handle this? She obtained the necessary referral from PCP to Cardiolog; I think it should be covered since it's due to an abnormal EKG. She's trying to get the Cardio office to understand that she isn't even going to be able to have the surgery if she uses all her money on the pre-op tests due to insur decline. Any thoughts I can pass on would be appreciated. I feel so sorry for her; my insurance approved -- we were hoping to go through bandland together. :help:

I've had a few rough days; feeling "backed up" but can't get any relief (tried virtually everything) weight is up a couple pounds. Can't wait for a normal BM. I go to doc on Fri; probably will get mushies then. Still on Protein shakes (I've been alternating Atkins Advantage and

Have you been able to go to the bathroom? I have been up and down with the bloat; sometimes it's just gas, sometimes constipation. Take some Gas-x and walk a bit either way (can't hurt). I've been adding Benefiber to my shakes -- sometimes the protein can bind you. I was banded nearly a week before you and I am just starting to feel normal in my belly, both in and out. Soreness at incisions nearly gone.

Peaches9, you are my first band twin! How are you? Are you loving this liquid stage or what? Today I found myself chugging a little; and surprisingly I haven't had any consequences...

The protein drinks can really satisfy and do provide nearly instant energy don't they? (not sure why I'm surprised) I'm not prone to swallowing gum, but I read in other threads that it's a huge problem if you do. So I'll lay off the gum. Otherwise I'm feeling pretty good...

I'd love to compare notes with another LUCKY bandster. See how others are doing that are on same timeline. I'm not hungry; anyone else surprised by this? Making a real effort to get all my Protein in. Anyone know if chewing sugarless gum is okay? I check the site every day, a few times as time permits. Lots of great advice out here.