Teakwood

I've not been on the site lately. I am 6 years post op and have maintained a 40lb weight loss, 65 total (including pre-surg loss). I decided to have a fill this past week because I've felt like I had no restriction and could eat whatever, whenever I wanted. I try to follow the rules but it's been hard. Again, I've been maintaining but I'd like to lose a bit more. I currently have 1.2cc in a 4cc band. The dr added .3. I know that I can't go much higher because it will be too tight where water doesn't go down. The first few days after this fill were great. Felt like I had my precious tool back. I've been drinking lots of fluid, eating small amounts of protein and veggies with no vomiting. However, I had bad reflux that started about 2 days after. It's constant burping. I made an appt for wed to have some removed if necessary. Anyone with a 4cc band find that finding the sweet spot is really tough? For me we're talking .3cc. I don't know if my dr will take out .1 or.2 or just want put me back to 1.2 where I had no restriction but no side affects. If you were me would you have some removed or since I'm drinking and eating keep going a bit longer to see if it will loosen? Or hold out a little longer and see if it loosens? I just don't want the reflux to damage the throat, stomach or band. Any advice for an out of touch old-time-bander?Thank you

Wish me luck everyone,I have my appointment tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully a small amount of unfill will make the difference. I am still getting plenty of water and eating small amounts of solid food but relying on soft foods. The reflux has greatly improved from the weekend so the band must be loosening. However, I still think it's too tight. This is going to sound gross but I have sinus/post nasal drip issues (it's what I had surgery and the unfill for) and the post nasal drip is back, a definite GERD side-affect. I'm back to feeling like I'm drowning in phelgm! LOL! Thank you again everyone for the responses. It's weird, I've been banded so long I forgot some of the headaches that come with adjustments!

I am feeling better today. Not burping ALL the time so my chest isn't as sore.I'm still drinking fluids and eating soft and solid food and feeling full after a small meal. I will see how the next two days go but I think I want the dr to take out .1, the reflux is causing my throat and chest to be sore.The reflux has also brought post nasal symptoms back. I appeciated the advice. Wouldn't it be nice to have a 5 yr post op group? It's nice to talk with people who are at the same like stage in the band. Have a great night!!!!

Overall is has been very successful. I've had no slippage, erosion, or rebanding. I've only had one overfill and I was back in the dr office within an hour to get an unfil. A few years ago I had to have the band completely unfilled because of a stomach flu (not band related) and it seems like we've never hit that sweet spot again. But this past year I feel like I have no band. Like I said in the original post. Minus the reflux I feel like I have good restriction again.I'm happy to share any of my experiences with the band.

Overall is has been very successful. I've had no slippage, erosion, or rebanding. I've only had one overfill and I was back in the dr office within an hour to get an unfil. A few years ago I had to have the band completely unfilled because of a stomach flu (not band related) and it seems like we've never hit that sweet spot again. But this past year I feel like I have no band. Like I said in the original post. Minus the reflux I feel like I have good restriction again.I'm happy to share my experiences with anyone.

I feel your pain and admire your strength. I am on Lithium and was taking the liquid. It is undesribably awful. It was one I had flavored. Then it just tasted like grape flavored salt! I've also been on Depakote. That one tastes like dirty socks with cherry flavoring! Even my doctor told me the both would taste bad. I got off the Depakote because of side effects and switched to the Lithium tablets because I couldn't stand that it took me 5 minutes to swallow one medicine cup of Lithium. My stomach started to churn at the site of the bottle! LOL! It's actually flip-floping just thinking about it!

Why can you not use extended release capsules? That is something I was never told and have never had a problem with. Actually, it's one type my doctor prefers I use if I can. It's easy to take. I took Effexor XR for 2 years without any problem, until med side effects caused other issues. Even though you open the capsule they still release the medication in small amounts. I also use a pill chopper, not crusher. It make the pill pieces the size of a birth control pill and that's the size my doctor always said was ok. Nothing bigger. So today I chop 6 tablets, been doing this combo for 6 months with no problems. Since there's so much when chopped, they've become my evening snack! LOL! I just take a little at a time.

The band is why I've been able to maintain. I have to follow the same rules on day 1000 as I did on day 1 in order to have continued success. I am adjusted to 2.1cc out of 4cc so the band has restriction. There is always a chance of something getting stuck, especially hard, dry undesolved medication. Hope this helps. As a post, post, post patient, please feel free to ask anything. I've probably been through it!

I had my surgery 3 years ago and have maintained an 80 pound weight loss. I am on multiple medications daily so I have tried everything. The easiest to take is liquid, but many of them taste horrible. I've been known to scare my cats doing the "yucky dance" in the bathroom. I've had a few flavored by the pharmacist and that helps a lot. Capsules and tablets are ok but usually need to be openned or crushed and then mixed with something (chocolate syrup covers the taste of just about everything-gives me my fix too! LOL!) Work with your doctor and pharmacist and you will find what works for you and what you can tolerate taking. Good Luck!