SuzanneG

Eh, I think it's the same as "my kid is smarter than your kid" or "my dog is bigger than your dog". Just human nature. ha ha My mom had gastric by-pass and she lost all her weight, but her quality of life is zero. She sick, every day of her life and of course, since it's not reversable, she's stuck with that. Then if I get a stuck or have any kind of band issue she'll say "I'm sure glad I didn't have your surgery". Like her choice was better. In her case, it was not better, but she had hers so long ago, band wasn't a choice for her and her doc said lose weight or die, so she did what she had to do. At the end of the day, its mostly competitive nature if you ask me.

How are you feeling now? What finally worked for you? For me, I do the "downward dog" position. I stand and put my hands on the floor and let gravity pull it up until its high enough to trigger my gag reflex. Also, for some reason, when I take clothes from the washer and put them in the drier, that helps. I guess alternating between twisting and bending kind works it through the band. Sometimes if I think I can get it down, I just mimic that motion and it works pretty good. I can usually tell by the amount of slime and if my nose is running, that's a pretty good sign it's not going to go down. If just a little extra saliva, I have a shot at not PBing.

I update mine on weigh-in days, which is Friday for me. Good news, bad news, or no news, I update it. Also update my iPhone app Tap&Track. Just ordered a bodybugg, so I guess I'll soon add that as well.

Ditto! I never heard the term "John Daly" before though. Is that the name of the vodka drink? I've always heard a regular tea and lemonade referred to as an "Arnold Palmer". I also love wine and MARTINIS!! But you do have to watch the calories.

Mimi, You sound like you are almost in the same boat as me. Do you have other doctors in your area that you maybe could switch to? Jeni, thanks for the comments and encouragement. I will certainly try to follow your advice. I tried resting my band with liquid diet, but it doesn't seem to help. Yesterday, after a week of liquids, I was craving food and decided to test it. I ate Breakfast and lunch perfect and although my stomach burned like batter acid during lunch, after I ate, it all seemed to calm down to a dull burn. I thought I had it in the bag. I went home and made a baked potato for dinner. I thought that would be soft and bland. I put plenty of butter and sour cream because white potatos can be a bit "sticky" for me if I'm not careful. I took TINY bites and chewed until it was Soup consistency. A few bites in and I knew it wasn't going down. I PBd so much and so hard. Afterward, I usually have an ice cream bar to soothe my esophogas, this time, even ice cream wouldn't go down. Water was barely passing through. I had packed food for my breakfast and lunch. I went back in the kitchen and swapped that out for protien drinks, then went to bed hungry and sick. I'm getting all the Fluid out of my band Friday. I guess we'll see what that brings. I ordered a bodybugg last night, hoping that will help keep me in check. Just the fact that it is something new should get me motivated for the short term. Fingers crossed that I don't gain weight!

Thanks Mimi, I just talked to his office. My band doc does not think I need Zoloft. They want to take ALL my Fluid out of my band this Friday. I'm really nervous about that. I think I'll buy a bodybugg and count calories while I'm unrestricted. What's the latest with yours? Have you talked to your doc lately?

Has anyone else had this problem? For about 3 months now, I've had nearly constant nausea with heartburn. Also, for the past year, I have had quite a few unfills, trying to loosen my restriction. Some days I can't eat at all and other days I can eat like I don't have a band. The doc has done an endo, fluro, and a pressure fill and says the band is LOOSE and looks perfect. I've also had gallbladder ultrasound and a HIDA scan and my gallbladder checks out pefect. So my band isn't tight, my gallbladder is functioning perfectly, then why do I have restriction, heartburn, and nausea? I put myself on liquids and it helped a little, but not a lot. Last night I tried chicken broth and a 1/2 of a grilled cheese (I know the grilled cheese wasn't a great choice, but I was sick of the sweet protien drinks). It went down, but very slowly. I made it extra soggy and I was able to eat the 1/2 sandwhich. Today I have severe heartburn despite the fact that I've been on 80mg daily of Nexium for a month now. My band doc wanted me to try Regland but I was afraid of the side effects. They're very severe and my mom has taken it and had a very bad reaction to it. I think he's getting sick of dealing with me. My primary care doc thinks maybe it's anxiety and wants me to try Zoloft. I was under a lot of stress a few months back when the nausea first started, but that's been gone over a month now and my symptoms haven't let up at all. I don't know what to do next....:smile2:

Acid reflux feels like what the name implies, that you have acid washing up your throat. It burns and chokes you. I'm having the same issue, plus I am having problems with restriction but the doc says my band is LOOSE. Some days I can only get liquids down, and barely, other days I can eat like a lumber jack. I'm on 80mg of Nexium a day and still have heartburn. My issues are: Restriction, Heartburn, Nausea Anyone else have this problem?

ty, that's my question too! ha ha My primary care thinks that anxiety is causing my symptoms. They did kind of start after some intense pressure in my life, but the stress is all gone and the symptoms are still there. My band doc named some tests he wants to run, but he hasn't called me back yet. He wanted me to try Reglan, but I was afraid of the side effects. My mom had a really bad reaction to it and I was afraid to try it. I don't know what to do. I'm frustrated and this little voice in the back of my head (actually it's my brother's voice, ha ha) keeps saying "it's the band, it's the band". I'm starting to wonder if maybe I could have adhesions. I've read a couple of stories about them and they kind of match what I'm going through. I think my doc is getting sick of me, but I'm taking 80mg of Nexium a day and still feel heartburn. My biggest issues are: Restriction Heartburn Nausea My band is loose, even during fluro, yet sometimes I can't eat at all. Other times I can eat like a lumber jack. I'm UP 15 pounds and can't seem to budge the scales. I'm frustrated!

Tex, did you consider revising to the sleeve? I'm 2 1/2 years out and am having near constant nausea. I've had an endo, gallbladder ultrasound, HIDA Scan, so far...nothing. Doc says my band is fine, but I'm having my doubts.

Happygirl, I don't know what to do next. My gallbladder tests came back fine, so I'm back to square one. I have a loose band, but yet my food gets stuck. I put myself on liquids and soft foods. Heavy Soups make me queazy. I have no idea what's next. I have an appointment with my primary car doc next Friday. He wants me to try Zoloft. I guess if there are no other ideas, I'll tray that next.

Leigh, gb as in gallbladder. I might have to have mine out. I've been waiting for 2 days for the doc to call and let me know. Speaking of patience, mine is runing OUT! Grrrr!

I don't know about you guys, but being on liquids made me grumpy. Maybe they are just looking to vent and get some reassurance. :sigh:

Pretty much no way to avoid it. Basically, when you are on liquids, your GI tract empties out completely. Normally, you keep a certain amount of matter in there. When you start on mushies, this goes back to normal and it shows on the scales. You are not gaining WEIGHT, however, as in fat, you are simply putting the Fluid and solids back in your GI tract where they belong. It comes right back off, don't fret it.

What part of VA? My doc is in Richmond and if it's within commuting distance for you, I can't say enough nice things about him. Search his name on this forum and you will see what I'm telling you. Dr. Mathew Brengman, 804-285-4133. Once you call that number, there is a button to push to schedule a free seminar. That's your jumping off point! Good luck and let me know what you decide to do!

For me, I was tired for a couple of weeks before the tide began to turn and I started to have more energy. I'd say, hang in there, if you are already taking a multi then I think you are fine. Keep the protien up to at least 60g a day and you'll soon start feeling more like yourself....only better.

You should be able to swallow pills, just nothing larger than an M&M. At least that's what I was told. I just take store brand stool softner. I usually buy it at Wal-Mart or Giant food. Just be sure that it says that it does not contain laxative. You certainly don't want to take those on a daily basis. I take one a day and if I'm having a little trouble, I'll take an extra one at night for a few days.

Thanks. I'll ask her about her fill history. Keep up the good work!

Will do, still waiting for the doc to call with results of my HIDA scan.

I've always dealt with constipation and since my banding 2 1/2 years ago, I take a stool softener every day. The doc said it won't hurt me and it really helps. Also make extra sure you're getting your Water in. Lack of hydration makes a huge difference. I hope you feel better soon! Hang in there.

Leigh, when I was doing the C25K, I had to eat extra before running. I'm hypoglycemic, so there's no getting away from it for me. And yes, I think I ate the same amount of calories that I burned. But in that 9 week program, I went from a size 8 to a size 6 and was about to push into a size 4 when I ended up needing foot surgery. I never lost an ounce during the entire time, but WOW did my body change. For me, that's what matters most. Especially when you are already so close to your goal weight. You're doing great! Better to focus on heart health and lean muscle than the number on the scale. I can't wait to get started again. I'll find out today if I need gb surgery, if not, then I plan to start C25K again and see if I can make it through without another foot surgery. Keep up the good work. You're inspiring. Jachut and mimi, great to see you on here and I always enjoy your posts! :-D

Welcome, Alexandra. You've done amazing with your journey. I was curious, how did you know something was wrong with our port? What were your symptoms? I have a friend that I met online here who has never lost with the band and we are constantly trying to come up with ideas that may help her.

Congratulations on your success! Are you counting your protien in addition to your calories? Try to get at least 60g a day and that will go a long way toward curbing your hunger. When can you get a fill? Does your doc make you wait a certain amount of time? Call them up and see if they will give you a fill.

Well said ELCEE! Finetnredbone, You should be thrilled right now that you don't want to eat. That was so amazing to me and the very reason that the band WORKS. Enjoy this carefree time because the hardest part is the long haul. Take advantage of your lack of desire to eat and try to get yourself in the right frame of mine to succeed. Worry about the numbers, being mad that you DON'T want to eat, are much more risky than the level of your fill. Your doctor is an expert in his field and I'm sure he considered the fact that you will need long term restriction. Once you get close to the sweet spot, .1ml will make a HUGE difference in your restriction. You have plenty of room. Try to get at least 60g of protien a day and you will begin to have more energy very soon. Good luck on your journey. It sounds like your doc has gotten you off to an amazing start!

Way to go Leigh. :-D