trinity2008

I usually make protein shakes. A yummy one if you have a sweet tooth is the "reeses Peanut butter Shake". This consists of 40 grams of Rich Chocolate Whey protein powder, 2 table spoons of Natural peanut butter, 4 oz of skim milk (or chocolate soy, but I do not drink soy) and about 1-2 cups of ice. I use the magic bullet for all my protein shakes and works like a charm, easy to wash out vs a Vitamix blender or any other blender. But protein shakes seem to be my best bet for getting my protein in and preventing my hair from falling out. I also add a vitamins (powder form) to my protein shakes as well.

After surgery, that first month before my first fill I lost 30 pounds.

At 3.5 cc's I suffered major heartburn/reflex. It wasnt until i had gallbladder surgery that led to major complications (3 ERCP's) that my doc decided to give my stomach a rest (complete unfill) from all the inflammation caused by the ERCP's ( Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) - basically i needed stents in my bile duct to prevent bile backing up into my system. After the complete unfill, most of the severe reflex went away but now I take Kapidex which works wonderfully. Now 6 months post-op from ERCP, I had my band filled 6 weeks ago and another fill yesterday at 3 cc's. This time we are trying to stay away from 3.5 cc's if we can avoid it, because I did suffer major reflex at that level - and post nasal drip from allergies doesnt help either - so the stomach swells around the band, but no severe reflex yet (could be due to the Kapidex). I do have occasional heartburn here and there, but taking Pepcid A/C and Tums with my Kapidex works like a charm. Its been a long time since i have experienced any vomiting (knock on wood) and severe reflex. If this continues with you, perhaps having a slight unfill and acid reflex medication may help you.

Thats a very good question. I came down with a really bad respiratory infection last weekend along with a fever (very rare to have a fever). Then it went into my chest 4 days ago and have been hacking constantly, more so at night when I would go to bed (due to the bronchitis). Eventually I had to see my Primary care doctor to ask him if he could prescribe something very strong to ease my cough because my port, and maybe the band, were hurting from hacking all the time. He gave me a script and it definately made a difference. I see my surgeon tomorrow and plan to ask him this same question. I have noticed that my band seems much tighter now and not sure if its because of all the post nasal drip making my stomach inflamed. hmm... But in anycase, if your coughing gets to the point where cold medicines are not helping, and your hacking constantly, ask your surgeon or primary care doc to prescribe a strong cough suppressant.

I can completely relate to you. I was banded in April of last year and have only lost 44 pounds. During this time I have had a total of 4 fills. I had a set back after my second fill because my doc overfilled me (4.5 cc) and I was vomiting all the time, so I had to have a complete unfill done and had to start from scratch again a month later. I am currently at 3.5 cc's and have been at this amount for the last 3 months and we cannot go at or beyond 4.5 cc's because I vomit alot. My doc and I have determined that we are kinda stuck right now and should wait another month to try to put a little bit more in to see how I do. But in the mean time, I am very, very frustrated, as well as disappointed, that the people who were banded around the same time that I was, have lost almost 100 pounds by now and I have not. Its very heartbreaking and cannot understand why I am not losing the weight. I no longer eat breads or desserts - pretty much sacraficed everything I've loved, and I still continue to watch my portions because i will experience a vomiting episode if not careful. I just dont get it..

How big is too big to take any kind of pill with the band?? I had ligament reconstruction and have oxycotin that I could take; however, I had my band filled since the surgery and now am scared to take the bitty pill when I really need it for pain. And I am also learning that antibiotics are becoming very limited with the band. Some of my doctors get frustrated with prescribing because there are certain antibiotics that are chewable or come in liquid form. And dealing with chronic sinus infections, I am now limited to what I can and cannot take. And some of the heavy duty antibotics state to not chew. So when it comes to medication, how big is too big for the band?? Oxycotin is very small and was told not to chew them as they are time-released designed and can cause overdose problems. Please help!:eek:

myoplex ready to drink shakes. I usually buy the 42 oz and drink half in the a.m. and half in pm. I like it because it's chocolatey and smooth to drink unlike powdered drinks, which are way too thick for me especially when my stomach gets swollen. I admit that I often get tired of drinking the same thing, only because the strawberry is way to sweet-tasting for me, but i get my protein in and its much tolerable in comparison to other proteins.

I dont like the smell or the texture. I have to agree with the helloPenny though.. EAS is a great brand and I tend to buy the Myoplex ready to drink shakes. I buy the 42oz pack and drink half mid morning and the other half in the evening. A pack from Target (often hard to find as they sell out fast) and Wal-mart goes for about 9.99 (give or take a dollar) a pack. do not buy from GNC - they are very expensive. Vitamine Shoppe is decent too, they sell for 12.99. But I make sure - budget-wise - the shakes are a priority. I do not care for the powdered as it seems way too thick for me to drink, especially when my band gets tight from swelling.

I, too, suffer from hairloss. It completely scares me. I lost 35 pounds in two months and now lost a total of 50 pounds since surgery back in april. I continue to drink my protein shakes each day and am unclear why this is happeining. My hair has thinned out greatly making styling difficult. I asked my hairstylist about it and she said its because of the rapid weightloss and that it will continue to happen until my weight has stablized (weight loss goal that is!). Well, I have relatively stablized (not the weight loss goal) and my hair still continues to fall out!! I am worried that I will eventually go bald at the crown of my head! My doc says its all temporary but how much more will I lose?!?!? Its bad enough I have baby fine hair and I dont need to lose anymore. So I guess this will continue until I reach my goal???:eek:

Yes. I have had to do that on quite a few occasions. Infact, my last episode was yesterday at Red Robin. I had onion soup (without eating the onion) because I have been sick with cooties and a sinus infection, so all the post-nasal drip caused some swelling. anyway, I was in major distress and had to keep drinking so that I could start the sliming process. It turns out that all the post-nasal drip from the cold and sinus infection got clogged in my "pouch" and made me vomit my soup and stuff.

I am experiencing the same problem. I was banded in April and have only dropped over 40 pounds. I had a set back where I was overfilled and had to have a complete unfill and am now back at 3.5cc. But another bander I speak with via this site, she and I had surgery around the same time and she is very close to onederland and I am nowhere near it. she is shy 8 pounds from it and I need to drop another 41 pounds to get there. Its very disheartening for me and I just dont understand what the hell I am doing wrong here...

Hey there! I was on Paxil at one point in my life and it did cause me to gain weight. Now I am on Cymbalta and it seems to do just fine ( I have to open up the capsules and swallow the beads). I dont seem to be gaining any weight off of it, and like you I need them.

I didnt start feeling restriction until I hit the 3.5 cc mark. You will start to feel that the food u once ate at a normal sitting can no longer be tolerated. The food goes down more slowly and if you dont chew it completely, like we were directed pre/post op, the food gets stuck and then you feel the pain in the middle of the back and pressure in the middle of the chest area (I refer to this as distress) and feel the need to figure out ways to ease the pain i.e. sitting up straight, having someone gently pat on the back, or walking around/pacing (major distress) until u start salivating and then eventually vomit. But the food seems to go down much more slowly than before.

I was wondering the same thing! I have yet to recognize the fullness signs. I am at 3.5 cc's and sometimes I can get juicy chicken breast down and other days I just can't, despite chewing it up! I have had several incidents where the food would get stuck. It causes major distress and despite drinking something and hearing gurgling sounds, I have to sit straight up and then the "slimming" occurs and then its off to the bathroom to throw it up. But the distress can last for 10 to 15 minutes. It really sucks. Has anyone had a hard time doing the 30/30 rule with drinks?? I just cant seem to eat without sipping something!!

It's normal to feel that way right after surgery. You definately have to take it slow and learn what you can or cannot tolerate. I have found that the myoplex ready to drink shakes go down best for me. The Protein powders always seem too thick for me, especially when my stomach swells around the band. Just take ur time and try to enjoy them. It will get easier for you. I wish you the best of luck!