Band_Groupie

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book 　 　

This is actually something I tried to find out before banding, because I saw so many posts here about reflux (I wasn't all that concerned about reflux, but I was about Cancer) but I've never found a study done on this. I'm no doc, so ask your doctor...I do know that reflux is very common after banding, probably the most common side effect (you'll see tons of posts here on it, but banding does cure some people's reflux they had before banding as well). I've been effected by the reflux too (never had it before) and while researching it I found out that some with reflux don't get the burning, but rather just a 'lump in the throat' feeling (called the globus sensation- you'll also see lots of post here about trouble swallowing or a lump in throat). I had both. Reflux over time can cause Barretts (sp?) esophagus which changes the cells in the lining of your esophagus into a precancerous condition and this can develop into cancer. The info. I read said that if you're having any problems with reflux during the night (burning, coughing, even vomiting) or if your band suddenly becomes tighter with reflux then you need to go in immediately for a slight unfill (luckily I had neither). Taking a PPI (like Nexium) long term is not recommended as they shut down the normal stomach acids completely. Esophageal dilation can happen if you repeatedly overfill your pouch and food stays backed up into the esophagus. Just being aware of these things and knowing what to do if they happen helps a lot, but it seems none of us were given this information. Like I said, I'm no expert, but this is what I've read. -BG

Woweeee! What a change! Congratulations!!!

Megan- Congrats on taking your first step! Have all your questions ready and make the most of your time there. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions! -BG

I'm assuming they tried a strictly liquid diet for a week or so to allow the inflammation to go down (if you're vomiting continuously it won't ever get better)? Reflux is also an indication that you're too tight as I'm sure you know (whether from the band or inflammation). I've read where someone had 'too small' a band for their anatomy once and they had to replace it with the larger size one, but I'm sure they should be able to tell that when looking at the 'flow'. Also read that it's possible sometimes a slip doesn't always show up with the fluoro if you have a slip that comes and goes (moves in and out) with eating (I'm wondering if they could do one right after you eat to see what it looks like?). Hmmmm.... So sorry you're having this problem! (I have bad post-nasal drip and some reflux, but I can't imagine this causing vomiting unless you're only vomiting when laying down (people vomit in the night with bad reflux). -BG

'Luck'! Take it slow, and remember...no lifting! -BG

Now there's a great goal! You can do it! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Hope your home now and starting to heal. Take things slowly and keep us posted! -BG

Call your surgeon today!!! You realize that this can be something more serious than just a too tight band if you let this go on. You're probably at the very least malnourished by now. Call them now and tell them what is happening please. -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Thinking good thoughts for you today and hope this note finds you at home and resting. Keep us posted on your progress! -BG

- The kids all had a great holiday…they are enjoying their favorite gifts; DD- all the new clothes, shoes, and beauty items; DS1- his new (used) desk and new comfy office chair (which he vows to somehow fit into the minivan to go back to school with him); and DS2- his new acoustic (w/electric) guitar. Mostly, they’ve enjoyed spending quality time together. - I wish I could say there was no holiday drama, but it always finds a way in. This time it was a boyfriend/break-up right before Christmas (poor timing). I’ll just say that DD is doing alright and was out with friends a lot over the holidays. She got inspired to clean out her bedroom (most of her stuff from college was jammed into her room on a shelving unit and in boxes, and under her on-lifts bed)…so we all pitched in and helped her take everything she doesn’t need out to the ‘clubhouse’ in the back yard for storage. She took off the bed lifts, bought some shoe storage boxes for under the bed and she’s almost done cleaning up. A ’fresh start’ is a good thing sometimes. - On a lighter note, DS1 has a new girl he met at college (not sure if she's an official 'GF' or not) …they have been back and forth the hour drive several times already and he’s off to see her again today. - Mom’s birthday was yesterday…I miss her, but am thankful Mom and Dad were able to visit us just before Christmas. - DH and I, although we missed seeing both our extended families, enjoyed our first holiday season without any travel. It was much more relaxing/non-stressful and provided many quality moments with the family. The kids have really appreciated it as they’ve been able to see/spend time with their friends as well (I can’t tell you how many times I was giving thanks, w/all the boyfriend/girlfriend issues that we were home). DS1 was also able to work (restaurant) over the holidays for some extra cash for school. - We took the kids last night to see Avatar and then out to dinner to celebrate our ‘last moment of the holiday’. I had a wonderful ‘moment’ watching them ‘plan’ on what order they were going to sit together at the theater (it’s nice to see that even as they get older they enjoy each other’s company). Great 3-D movie BTW…and for those of you that get sick watching IMAX or 3-D movies (I can’t even watch the ones at Epcot without feeling sick) I had no problems at all. It's a stunningly beautiful must-see movie. - Everyone (except DS1, who has another week home from college) is now back to work/school…depressing……..for them - Most of the holiday decorations are already down (I hate that job) and I’ve got a dining room table full of ornaments to finish packing up today…depressing………for me * Oh, and Kay...I'm sorry I forgot to post the kitchen tool tree pic, but I remembered yesterday when I was packing it up. Attached are a few pics of the little tree and a pic of my red handled kitchen tools (now you all know I'm clinically insane...my family calls this part of my 'rust' collection). - From 12/18 until today (the past 2.5 weeks), I’ve lost 3 pounds…it still continues to amaze me (losing weight over the holidays). I’m at 170.5, so (as Xavier would say) I’m headed back to the 60’s (yes, I remember the 60’s…I was a child, but I remember LOL). - I bought a size 12 pair of pants this weekend…yes, I can barely button them, but the 14’s were a little too roomy. I’ve got them hanging up in my closet ‘front and center‘ (in front of my shelves) as my next goal (size 24 to a 12!). I also bought a piece of ‘shape wear’ for the first time, but more about that later. 　 Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season full of time with your families! As I sit here and listen to the ‘Today Show’ with segment after segment about weight loss (ahh…January), I’m headed into this New Year with renewed hope that as much as last year was all about my weight, sometime this year…it won’t be.

Woot!!! Look at that smile! ...and yes, it's time for a new ski ensemble...you're swimming in that one girl! What a great goal! -BG

I never drink protein shakes (except post-fill). I add soy protein powder to my morining oatmeal concoction (along w/added fiber). I eat lean protein first at lunch and dinner and sometimes have a snack on nuts or edamame. I find it harder to get in all the veggies and fruit because I'm eating mainly protein (so the protein is easy for me). Good luck! -BG

I've got perfect restriction and can still eat everything, including bread. I can eat 1- 1 1/2C at a time, but am satisfied with about 3/4 C per meal. I'm guessing a 6" sub would be more volume than that, so I'll agree that your restriction isn't tight enough yet. Remember though it's not about how much you can eat, but rather how little you need to eat to stay satisfied between meals. If you're eating until you're 'full' then you're overeating. Best wishes! -BG

Yep, I had the same thing...my outside incisions were glue only, but the last scab came off and an internal stitch (looked like a piece of clear fishing line) was suddenly sticking out. Doc just pulled it up a little and snipped it off...couldn't feel a thing. Really weird though LOL. -BG

Heartburn is the most common side-effect of banding and for many the only symptom is a 'lump in the throat' feeling (no burning, but some, like me, have both)...also known as the 'globus sensation'. There's a fair chance you could be too tight and need a slight unfill. Take this seriously before you develop a bigger problem...it might loosen up in a few days, but keep a close eye on this and call your doc if it doesn't go away. Read (click) 10/21/09 Feel the Burn - LAP-BAND for more info. Best wishes! -BG

We happened to be at Kohl's tonight so I bought one of the Flexees ones to try. I tried on both the one that has thigh and tummy control and then the 'Ultimate' control one with thigh control (both came above the knees to just below the bra line and both list 'firm control'). I liked the 'Ultimate' one better because it had nice wide bands with a sticky backing at both the top and at the thighs. The other one had just a thin line of elastic top and bottom that left more of a line. They both seemed to give the same kind of support...I was surprised the one I picked didn't say tummy control, but it seemed to do the same job...actually the one with tummy control gave me rolls when I sat down where the seams went across the stomach (just because of how it was constucted). The one I picked didn't have seams there, so it didn't give me tummy rolls. I'll let you know how it goes and I'll take a look at the other ones too. Thanks again!

I developed reflux for the first time in my life after my fourth fill (never had my gall bladder removed). It was never a problem at night nor did I develop any more tightness (both red flags that you should go for a slight unfill). I was also developing a UTI (unrelated) at the same time so I was drinking gallons of cranberry juice (VERY acidic so it probably added to this). I started the Nexium right away (I've read it has a healing rate of 90% in 9 weeks if you take it right away). Nexium or any PPI isn't something you want to be taking long term as they shut down all your digestive acids completely. I've stopped them now (after 9 weeks), but still have a little relux that I'm treating with Tums and Papya Enzymes...I've got Pepcid in case I need it. There was a study that came out this year that showed that those on a PPI developed an over-production of acid when stopping a PPI (even with people who didn't have reflux to begin with) so make sure you use something else for awhile if you're stopping a PPI. I'm hoping this resolves itself soon. Oh, and people should know that reflux sometimes presents ONLY as a 'lump in the throat' feeling with no burning, but sometimes both. Reflux is supposed to be THE most common side-effect of banding...I believe it. It's something to be watched closely as you don't want to develop much worse esophagus problems...even cancer. Best wishes all. -BG

I don't track calories, except every now and then, but having been a professional dieter I have a pretty good idea. Most days I'm between 1000-1500. I went through a period after my last fill where I figured out I wasn't eating enough calories and my WL stalled. If you're exercising a lot more than usual right now you might try upping your calories a little more and see what happens. Good luck!

Andrea...you'll be there before you know it. Here's the link to the 5 day pouch test... Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test BTW...8 miles in one day...you're my hero!

172.5 Another one pound week...I'll take it with a smile! Happy New Year!

Perfect way to get positive is to be it...you're doing it right. I had 20 years of major yo-yo dieting and I got the band not to help me lose it (again), but to keep it off. I was more excited than anything coming up to my band date, but even I was nervous and had moments where I couldn't believe I had gotten to the point of needing WLS. Anyone who says they weren't at least a little nervous is probably just fooling themselves. The fact that you can lose it means that you'll have the committment needed to use the band properly...you're going to do great! -BG

Congrats!!! Way to go!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BUNNIES!

I'm so glad there are others approaching this the same way! Here's to NO MORE diets! Happy New Year...it's going to be a great one for us all!! -BG