Elisabethsew

Best of luck to you!

What many term a "productive burp" is the result of "stuck" food. If you try to put more food in or drink to relieve the problem, what often happens is a regurgitation of food from the pouch. The body's natural defense to move food along is saliva production. When food is stuck, the saliva production goes into overdrive. Many people "bring up" this thick mucus while others bring up the undigested food as well. The ordeal of trying to relieve the obstruction can result in chest, back, or abdominal pain as well as a sore throat. Most surgeons advise a liquid to soft diet after such an event.

I found this interesting and thought I would share... Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Weight Gain AOL Posted: 2008-02-11 11:07:34 (Feb. 11) - If you're watching your weight, those no-calorie sweeteners could be doing more harm than good. A Purdue University study found that artificial sweeteners might actually foster weight gain by confusing the body in a way that makes it harder to burn calories. <!-- MOD: info_genericpromo - 312043 --> In the study, one group of rats were fed yogurt sweetened with glucose, a simple sugar with the same calories as table sugar. Another group received yogurt with saccharin. The saccharin group went on to consume more calories, gain more weight and put on more body fat. Other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K could have similar effects, the study said. The findings come on the heels of a separate study that linked diet soda consumption to an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome -- a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and high blood pressure. When humans prepare to eat, their metabolism revs up and body temperature rises. The Purdue study found that the rats used to the saccharin had a smaller rise in body temperature after eating a sweet, high-calorie meal because their bodies were expecting fewer calories. Study authors Susan Swithers and Terry Davidson said they think this response both led to overeating and made it harder to burn off sweet-tasting calories. The research might explain why other studies about the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight have largely been inconclusive, Swithers said. It might also explain in part why obesity has risen in parallel with use of such sweeteners. People can still count calories to regulate intake and body weight, Swithers said, although she acknowledged that it requires more conscious effort than consuming inherently low-calorie foods. The findings were published the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

Please remember that ALL of the lapbands that are FDA approved have been shown to aid in the loss of weight. Regardless of the model, the band is a TOOL that helps with weight loss but does not guarantee it. You still have to monitor caloric intake, exercise, and make a conscious decision to change maladaptive patterns. While strong opinions are fine, it should be remembered that this is a support forum and people who have the new J&J band should not be made to feel that they were foolish for listening to their surgeons' advice and getting it.

Walk, walk, walk. Anesthesia slows everything down and that includes the GI system. Limit the amount of time you spend in bed or a chair and walk as much as you can. You can also try lying on your left side and bending as low as you can tolerate. I hope you feel better soon.

I agree. Call your insurance carrier and request in writing their requirements for weight loss surgery approval. Congratulations on taking the 1st step and welcome.

Welcome and best of luck with your surgery. It's normal to have doubts but you're in good hands and have people to support you post-op.

Congratulations on taking the first step!

This phenomenon also happens for a lot of people when they travel via air. I too notice I am tighter around that time of the month.

I'm not sure what band you have. Call your surgeon's office and ask to speak with an NP or a PA. They can tell you for sure.

Having surgery is a very difficult and personal decision. I told only 2 people and never regretted that decision. I only need to answer to myself. Obesity is part genetic, part familial, part emotional, part situational, etc. People who don't suffer this disease simply CAN'T relate. Stay strong!

I think you really need to see your MD. Women don't have typical symptoms of a heart attack but left arm pain is significant and can be the only sign for some. An EKG and some blood work will anwer the question. You were banded on the 13th so there is a slight chance that it's being caused by the lingering effects of the anesthesia but that's unlikely. Please see your MD ASAP and let us know how you're doing.

Many obese people have a fatty liver and that's the reason for the pre-op liquid diet... to shrink it. I hope everything works out for you... fingers crossed!

Eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. I hope you feel better.

Good luck with your surgery.

It's important to realize that the amount of fill is 100% dependent upon your anatomy. If you can still eat as much as you want and as fast as you always did prior to the band, you need another fill. Period. Some people get one fill and never need another while many people spend months going for fills until they finally feel restriction. Think of a band as a blood pressure cuff. They put it on your arm and start to inflate it. If they put it on tightly, they won't have to pump it up too many times to get your B/P. If they put it on loosely, they will have to pump the cuff up several more times to achieve the same B/P. I hope that helps.

MANY people experience band tightness in the AM that eases as the day goes on. I'm an RN and I work 12.5 hour night shifts. What I find interesting is that my band does not respond to shift changes. For example, when I am off from work I have dinner at a normal time and sleep fine. I wake in the AM and have coffee and my medications. I measure out a cup of Special K Cereal and slowly have that with a second cup of coffee. When I am at work, I can't eat anything after 3 AM. If I do, I can't sleep when I get home because food and liquids regurgitate. It seems my band likes to sleep from 11 PM on and tightens up after dinner... strange! Because it's important to get Protein in throughout the day, try different Proteins when you're tight (Peanut Butter, soft cheese, etc.), and hard proteins for dinner.

The danger of having a hernia is that it could strangulate. The pain becomes severe and immediate surgery is necessary. Hernia repairs are almost always done via a laproscope approach so if you're having pain, you might want to consult a general surgeon and have it repaired.

Ask about endometrial ablation. This basically burns the endometrium and stops the bleeding. Estrogen is stored in fat cells and being on double dose BC pills at 45 coupled with obesity makes you VERY at risk for blood clots (been there... NOT fun).

The 6 month medically supervised diet is common. While you're doing it, educate yourself on the banding procedure and practice not drinking anything with your meals.

Yes, it is normal to have pain afterwards and many surgeons advise 24 hours of liquids after an episode like you describe followed by 24 hours of a soft diet. Warm liquids might help. I hope you feel better.

Welcome. Several members of this board have been rebanded. Your surgeon will determine how long of a healing process is necessary and can give you the needed information on being rebanded.

Nicely stated, Lee. You're under the care of a quality surgeon and your "tool" is doing what it's supposed to do. Congratulations!

Welcome! The pre-op diet is hard but it's important to shrink your liver so that your surgeon can visualize the organs. You'll also have less pain post-op. You'll find a wealth of info here so read, read, read, and ask lots of questions.

Welcome! I would suggest looking for surgeons in your area and calling to find out when they are offering their free informational sessions. You'll meet the MDs and staff, talk with others like you are contemplating the surgery, and hear from those who had the surgery. Call your insurance carrier to find out if you're covered and what their requirements are. My fills NEVER hurt and I've had them with lidocaine and without. Do a lot of research and read all you can so that you can do what's best for YOU. For some people, another type of weight loss surgery might be better.