barbara465

I would definitely see the doctor. Some of your symptoms sound like a slip. What you are experiencing isn't "normal", whatever normal is these days. I would have the band checked out completely and your esphogus. Rule out those issues before going any further. Don't wait. You should be able to get solid food down most days and your Water. Let us know how you are doing and what the doctor says.

The lapband doctor's usually handle everything. My insurance just had be document a 6 month plan. I didn't really have to do another one. You might not have to either. I'm sure you've done all the standard weight loss plans, like Weight Watchers, South Beach, etc. Both Spiegel and Spivak are good. Good luck on your journey. There are several couples on here that have both been banded.

Just recently. A few along the way, but the last week and a half wow. I'm really getting the compliments. I think its because I've worn clothes that fit the last week. I was wearing my old clothes or baggier clothes. This week more fitted. It's starting to feel real good!

Definitely know that full moon brings out all the crazy drivers! I think maybe we just go through cycles of tight, not tight. I know stress is a factor and I've been under some with the projects at work. That and the flu probably did a number on me. I'm better today. I was able to get my meds down with a few sips of coffee. I've had a few sips of water since arriving at work and so far so good. I do think I'm now tight in the morning, but as long as I don't gurgle or PB at work I should be fine. I'm gong to stay on soft foods until Monday. Hopefully that will get me over this rough spot. I canceled the unfill which made me feel better to be able to do.

All our good thoughts and prayers are with you socialgal. We hope that all will go well and the band will be with you. I was able to eat an egg white omelete tonight. It had little cut up pieces of mushroom and a little cheese. I ate real slow. No pain. I guess I'll cancel the unfill in the morning and see what the weekend brings. Maybe I just need to tough it out and let the stomach go down. (My band probably heard me on the phone with the surgicenter and said it better behave or I was going to rip the thing out with my bare hands.) Life is good tonight.

Its just a guessing game most days. Sometimes when you get a golf ball you can wait it out. Other times warm or tepid liquids help get it down. Sometimes that makes it worse. Sometimes it just has to come out and sometimes not. For me, it is what it is, and nothing I do seems to help. I eat very slow, and chew, chew, chew. Sometimes the biggest blockage has been on liquids or mushies. I don't always think its a "blockage" as much as the stomach swelling or something like that. We just use that word "stuck" to describe the feeling.

Most insurance companies send a letter of approval - to the doctor and the patient. Most doctors won't move forward without that approval. I would make sure the doctor's office has received approval. I would also check with the insurance to make sure a. you are covered, and b. they have sent approval to the doctor's office. Most of the doctor's offices are busy and sometimes the follow up falls through the cracks. We end up having to keep them communicating. I got my approvals, but I see that 7 months later they haven't paid the surgery center.

Sounds like you are too tight. What you are experiencing is called sliming. If this continues go in for an unfill.

I don't think stress and the band mix very well. I don't think stress mixes very well with our bodies, period. There are some things you can do to reduce your stress and hopefully make it a little easier on yourself. Some of them have been mentioned, but here's my list: 1. Make sure you take time each day for yourself. That may mean a bubble bath, reading a book for a specific time period, getting a massage, getting your nails done, or just to rest or take a nap. 2. Stop being the door mat or support person for every member of your family. If you continue this you will put in jeopardy your own health and at that point you won't be able to help anyone. 3. Share the burden. Other family members can shoulder some of this for you. You don't have to do it alone. ASK for help. Don't wait for them to volunteer or see that you are finally at the crash and burn state. 4. Look into CODA. It's a organization that helps using a 12 step program. It sounds like you could benefit from these meetings. 5. Remove some of the things on your plate. You are watching your grandchildren, working, taking care of your mother, etc. Some of these activities have to go. I had to learn some of these myself when I was diagnosed with CFS and Fibromalgia. I could hardly function at that time and was all alone. I had to learn to ask for help, which was such a biggie to me. I find now when I am stressed that I just can't eat. In the old days I would eat when stressed. However, not eating can be just as bad. Get some of these things under control before banding so you can have a pleasant start to this journey we are on. Good luck to you

socialgal: good luck with the surgery. I'm thinking of you. I hope they can reposition the band and all will be good. If not, we'll help you deal with that too. The Junebies are here for you. OK update for today: I gurgled for 2-3 hours this morning over a few tsps of activia with my meds. I had waited 2 hours after waking before trying even that. I went to ladies room and slimed for a little bit, but no major PB. Called surgicenter and scheduled unfill for tomorrow because I didn't have my car in town with me. Then all of a sudden I felt OK. The gurgling stopped and I was hungry as a bear. I had a bite of nabisco cracker and it went down. I put some peanut butter on a few more and was able to eat them with no trouble. I am now sipping water, but not much. So far no problems. What gives? All this week I've been able to eat lunch, but no other meal. At night I PB big time. I've tried having hot tea before I eat and that only allows me to have a bite or two before it begins. I know others are tight in the morning, but does that mean gurgling and PBing? Are there others that can only eat mid day and no other time? Should I get a unfill tomorrow or tough this out? I'm at a loss as to know what to do. I don't care about the expense as much as doing the right thing. I just don't know what that is anymore.

THis has been the best thing I've done for myself. I'm 7 months in and feel great. Age definitely plays a role in how fast (or slow) we lose, but that's OK. Slow and steady still gets me there. I also had auto immune problems, but they haven't been an issue with the band. Good luck to all of you "older" bandsters. The journey is definitely worth it!

Well just call me chicken, but I've scheduled a slight unfill tomorrow. I couldn't keep dinner down - queso and beans after just a few bites. All I had yesterday was queso and beans for lunch and activia. I can't keep anything down today. I have taken my meds but it was a struggle and now just trying to keep them in. I should have realized sooner that when they saw restriction on the fluro that I would be in trouble. I thought at the time this was something to worry about, but promptly forgot about it. I remembered today when I was trying to decide what to do. I've given it a good try, but I can't live like this another 6 days. I always worry about slippage when too tight. Oh well, I'll have them take out .1 or .2 and see where we are.

Try working in massages. I am a firm believer of them since they have helped me tremendously with fibro. I am now going twice a month and it really helps keep my muscles working and stops the build up of all those hard spots at pressure points. I haven't had as many flare ups since doing this several years ago. I also found Water aerobics to be the best exercise. It is easier on the joints and muscles while giving a good workout. I don't have to "recover" from water aerobics like other exercise. I haven't been in a while and really must start back.

Hang in there. They may be able to do an unfill and let the band slip back in place. Just take it one day at a time and wait until you get all the results before so much worry. Stay on liquids and soft foods until you can get to see the doctor on Friday. Let us know how you are doing.

This is absolutely awesome. I know how proud I am of your accomplishment. I can only imagine what it feels like to be you. Good luck on maintenance. Take it slow and easy. Enjoy your new body and new life!!!!!!

So I went home last night and was a little afraid to eat. I finally got lunch down, but it took 90 minutes of eating real slow and stopping for a while. When I got home I had a cup of tea before tackling dinner. Anyway I had a few chips with queso and Beans. I had about 10 bites before I got full. It was so good, but when it was time to stop, it was time to stop. Gurgle gurgle. Later I had DH make me an ice cream malt. It went down just fine. No problems. No gurgles. Go figure. This morning I didn't have anything. It felt strange not to have my coffee and meds. Poor DH didn't know what to do as he makes the coffee and crushes my meds. I've been up a few hours and now at work. I have had 2 sips of coffee. Its not as bad as other mornings, but still can't take a big sip. I definitely think I have restriction now in the mornings. I guess if this had started at the beginning I would be used to it and it wouldn't seem so strange. Since I haven't really experienced this before I am just struggling to find my way. Looking forward to lunch today with PinkyLee, Barbara, and hopefully Melissa. Its a rainy day, but it will still be fun. Meet you outside Ninfa's in the food court.

I have chronic fatigue and fibrolmalgia. During this onset I had my thyroid stop working, developed shingles, and other autoimmunue failures, including prenecious anemia. I was scared to have the surgery because I was afraid that my body would reject the band. I came out of surgery with more energy and have never looked back. Its 7 months and counting. I had a easy recovery and was back to work from home that afternoon. I worked home for 4 days and then into the office I went. It has been great for me. You can't let down your guard. Take all your meds and preserve your energy. I am finding I feel much better since the surgery and the weight loss has really helped. Good luck

I'll get some pineapple juice and see if that helps. I thought about switching to hot tea in the mornings as well. I try drinking it at other times. This is getting old. I don't know how some of you put up with it as long as you did. I'm definitely well on my way to meeting my Valentine's goal.

You are never going to find a perfect time for everyone. It is better to have a regular time for the meetings so everyone will know when they are. If others want to meet at a different time occasionally we can post that. That way some of the ones that can't meet on Monday at 6:30 might want to join the group when an additional meeting is scheduled. Some Sunday at Starbucks or Panera's in Humble would be fine with me.

Another day and no dinner. I took a couple of bites and it just wasn't going down. I gurgled for a few hours. This morning I had a little coffee to get my meds down, but started gurgling. I am at work sipping at coffee, but I don't think its a go. I'm just not sure what is going on, but this time I'm going to tough it out. I'll see if later I can get my activia down. My DH refers to the weight loss as one of those giant water jugs. The ones I can't lift. He says it weights around 44 lbs. I can't imagine now carrying that around.

The Junebies now have a 2 bedroom suite at Ballys for June 7-10th. The suite has a 1 bedroom with king, 1 bedroom with 2 queens, and a living room with a queen pulldown. The living room has a complete wetbar and a place for all of us to gather and gab. The suite will be all females and so far I have myself, PinkyLee, Melissa, and Barbara 12. Barbara 12 let me know if you want to stay in the suite or do your own deal. That leaves 2 more that can stay in the suite. The suite holds 6, but we can have more stay at a cost of $30 each. However, that is probably getting a little crowded. The cost to stay in the suite will be about $330 per person with tax for 3 nights. Hotel rooms are running $85 for Thur, $145 for Fri, and $185 for Sat with a Bally's card. Slightly higher without. You can book direct or we can get another suite if that works for others. I can't book another at the rate I got, but if someone else has a gambling card we can. We need to book our spa and shows and dinners at least 30 days in advance. When we get a little closer and we know for sure who is attending I'll book those. The hotel has been newly rennovated and the new pool will be ready for us. This is getting exciting. Lucyman and Cathy are the others who have told me they are attending in addition to the ones above. Blocks of rooms are only done for 40 or more so I couldn't do that. You can make your reservations direct with Bally's or other hotel. Now that we have a place to meet and coordinate it will be easier to contact each other once there.

I definitely have restriction. This is a whole new world to me. I've also lost another 2 lbs. I am wearing new clothes today and feel great in them. Yes, life is definitely changing.

OK 6:30 is fine with me. I'll be there.

Congrats Poodles. We need to just take our victories and not worry about the scale. I know how good it feels to start down in sizes. I've stayed with my pre surgery clothes for a long time and then suddently it changed. It will for you too. Slow or fast as long as the weight comes off we are succeeding.

I'm going to try and get us a suite at Bally's. PinkyLee, Barbara, and I can stay in the suite. That way we would have a place for all of us to meet. I'm going to leave DH home as well since all of you are. Maybe we could get on the same flights. I have a Continental flight at 6:10 pm on Thursday picked out. PinkyLee you could swing through town and pick me up and we could head for the airport. Let's discuss at lunch. If we leave the guys at home we could have a spa day and a pool day the next day. This could turn out to be lots of fun. We could come and go as we pleased and not worry about the guys. I love my DH, but a "girls" weekend in Vegas a 100 lbs lighter sounds like fun. Trying to get used to restriction. I was able to recover from this morning and seem to be OK now. I'm just going to take it nice and easy.