juliegeraci

The thick stuff is sliming and the vomitting is PBing. You need to make sure you chew really well and eat slowly so when you get the satisfied feeling you don't push it. You probably do not need a slight unfill because from the sounds of it it has only happened twice in 6-8 weeks. As far as the soda goes sometmes it does help to hiccup due to the carbonation. I do drink soda on occassion and do not have a problem with it accept for burping.

Are you able to eat solid protein later in the day? My doctor told me there are 3 types of tight. Liquids, mushies and solids. If you can only live on liquids that is a bad thing. If you can eat mushies and lose then you may want to stay there. If you want to eat solids and can't you are too tight. So there is a fine balance between a sweet spot and not having one. In your case, it depends on if you lossen up later in the day. I am just curious as to how much solids you can get in? At what rate are you losing on liquids and mushies?

For me my sweet spot is when I can eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food and be satisfied. Sometimes though it is only a few bites then I wait a bit to finish maybe 2-3oz of fish or whatever. Also its when you don't PB or have reflux. I know you PMd me about my fills. I emailed you back. Some bands are really fickle so you just have to work with your surgeon. Sometimes its as little as .01 or .02 which is literally 2 drops of saline and precision. It took me 2 years to get to my sweet spot so hang in there. Mine is at 3.45 in a 4cc band. 3.2 was too tight then I went down and up 3 more time then finally hit it. The stomach is a ficke thing so I don't know why 3.2 I would PB and 3.45 I wouldnt'. Go figure. BTW, reflux is not good. I would take an antacid every day to see if that helps. It is a sure sign of being too tight. Fickle bands though you can go down and go back up and it can be gone. So don't be afraid of doing that. That is what I did and I don't have any heartburn or reflux.

It was no big deal. I did have a sore throat afterwards though. I didn't remember the tube going in or out.

I would call the insurance company every day.

Its getting really bad. My brother is 43 years old. He lives with my parents for the last 2 years or so. He is unemployed. He drinks about 2 5th a day. He does have a drivers license but that will be revoked soon since he has been missing his driving classes. He has had multiple DUIs, bicycle crashes, ambulance rides, detoxes, rehabs, etc. etc. The longest time he has been sober the last couple years is approximately 2 months. My parents need to get a grip. They have told him numerous time they will evict him, take him out of the will, etc. Nothing has helped. How can a person hit rock bottom when they have a place to live? How can you see them killing themselves right before your eyes and not be able to do anything. Nothing has helped. My parents sent him to rehab twice in the last year.

Great NSV. I got out of a low beach chair yesterday so I totally understand what you are saying. How fun! I wish her luck. Let us know how it goes today.

I have a ledge in my shower so that helps. If you don't have one you may want to get a plastic step for your shower. It really helps, especially after surgery.

I know this is a very old thread but I just saw it pop up. My Brother is dying of alcoholism right now. He is living with my parents which isn't helping the situation. He had 3 drunk in publics against him. He drinks at least 2 5th a day. He is unemployed for at least a year or 2. My parents don't help the situation by letting him live with them. He hasn't hit rock bottom yet. He has been found unresponsive on side walks, parks and the like. He has crashed his bike. He is currently in driving school, which he is now missing to get his breath alizer removed from his car. He has a license but that will be revoked since he hasn't been going to his classes. What a mess. We think he needs to be homeless to get it together. The most sober he has been is 50 days. He went to rehab twice in the last year or so. My parents paid $17k for that and it hasn't helped. So this is my story unfortunately. He will probably outlive all of us. We call him the cat with nine lives. He has been in motorcycle drunk accidents, DUI, drunk in public, just about everything. He missed his court dates recently so maybe he'll be put away for a few months. That may help.

Julia, this is totally bogus. My BMI was probably lower than yours and I'm banded. I would go to the doctor and talk to them. They should be educated enough to know what the lapband is. Good luck.

Obesity is a disease. It is just like having diabetes and is incurable. I would ignore her. Once she sees the results she will want one too! Good for you for making a life changing decision. You will do great.

Hi Kelli, I take it you are self pay? The first thing I would do is find a good Bariatric surgeon experiences with lapband. My doctor has done thousands of surgeries so that is why I chose him.

My doctor has never had to use fluro. He always gets me on 1, maybe 2 pricks. Make sure they use a numbing agent so it will not hurt as much. It will really help if you are nervous.

The only problem I have had with my band is mine is very fickle. It took me just over 2 years to get to my sweet spot. I lost about 60 lbs during that time. I have been filled and unfilled over 20 times so it can get quite costly. I finally got my insurance to cover my fills. I paid out of pocket the first 18 months.

This is bogus information. 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks mushies, 2 weeks solid. Fills at 6 week. I drink caffeine without a problem. As far as the diet goes, I eat everything just less of it. That includes fruits, vegies, meat, breads, rice, potatoes. Did you get this information from an actual surgeon? If so you may want a new one.

Often time you can fix a slip in a month or so with a complete unfill. That is what you should do first then go back in for small fills.

Leslie, this is great. I wish you all the luck.

I would talk to his father again and give him an ultimatum. You shouldn't have to live in fear with your children. Do it before it gets any more out of control.

I am really sorry this happened to you. Size 13 is great. I have never been lower than a size 14 and I'm in a 16 now, 18 jeans. Love yourself the way you are. F* that person. You will never see them again. Don't give this any more energy. You deserve nothing but the best.

You should be able to drink water in the doctors office and have it go down in a few seconds. If it sticks there you are too tight.

Gayle, that is fabulous news. I had 6.5 lbs removed and I still cant believe my pannus is gone. You are doing great. Congrats!

I typically eat no more than 1/2 cup at a time. On the days I am looser I eat 1 cup. It really depends on my restriction level.

You are not alone. Eat high protein, fruit and vegies as much as possible. Limit the amounts of carbs you eat. Only brown rice, red potatoes, cream of wheat. If you count calories try and stick to 800-1k no more than 1200 calories a day. It does get better but takes time with fills.

I would have insisted on more agressive fills. It took me 2 years to get to my sweet spot and I still battle it. Restriction is key to success.

Hi Jessica, that is rather fast but 1/4 to 1/2 cup is normal good restriction. If you continue to lose at that speed I would get a slight unfill of .3 so you may eat 1/2 to 1 cup of food. You may be one of the lucky ones that still loses 1-2 lbs per week on 1 cup which is good. I would monitor your progress with your doctor and adjust accordingly. Good job.