marfar7

Thanks for all your comments. Its now been 4 nites of no reflux. Just mild heartburn. Think ill hold out till it starts again. I went a yr without seeing my dr at all and Ive seen him about 5 times in the past 6 mths. Oh, and I've now gained a total of 9 lbs. I dont even need a belt for my jeans anymore. That sucks. Still happy with my band tho Marci

Hey all, Ive had my band for almost 3 yrs and have been very hapy with my over 100 lb success. About 7 mths ago, I began experiencing bad reflux every single nite. I was taking 1 RX Nexium, 2 RX Prilosec, and 5 OTC Zantac. Plus enuf Tums to feed a village of starving children. And sleeping almost sitting up, propped on 3 pillows makes for a lousy nite of sleep. I was afraid of telling my dr for fear that he'd say I was too tight and take Fluid out. I finally gave in to my husbands pleadings and after an xray, a slipped band was found to be the culprit. The PA took 1/2 of my 9cc fill out and let me rest for 44 wks. The reflux stopped immediately. I did pretty well only gaining 3 lbs during this time. Without xraying me to make sure it was corrected, my dr put in 1cc. Still no reflux but also no restriction. 2 wks later later he put another 1cc in. Finally restriction again -to but along with it came the severe reflux again. I wish i had insisted on a followup xray to make sure my band was in place before starting the fill process again. Since I was out of the state for 2 wks, I emailed my RN. She responded and said Id need to come in and have some taken out. Ive been home for 4a days now and havent had reflux the last 3 nites. So did it correct itself or is the lack of reflux just a quirk? Its a 6 hr round trip and $160 everytime I see the doc. Should I make an appt on Monday or wait and see if the reflux returns? Can the band reposition itself once it slips? Marci

My surgery was almost 3 yrs ago now. No fill at placement. 6 wks later, he put 5cc in. No change. Another 6 wks and he gave me another 2cc. Still no change. Another 6 wks and another 1cc, I finally found restriction! I remember eating like 4i bites of chicken, 3 bites of potato, and a couple bites of green Beans and being very satisfied. That chicken dinner lasted about 56 meals in my to go box. Now, almost 3 yrs later, numerous fills and a couple of unfills, I have about 7cc in it and I think I may need a little fill. Im experiencing reflux tho, so i may have another slip. No fills for me in the immediate future. Hope that helps. Oh, I have a 14cc band Marci

I have a 14cc Realize band. And about 6 mths ago (before my slip and unfill), the PA filled me to 10cc and said I was maxed out. Didn't believe him, as I've heard that the bands hold more than they're sposed to. But when he injected the saline, the syringe pushed against him, like there was too much Fluid in there. He said from now on, it was up to me. My band has done it's job. Unless I lose a ton more weight and make the band too loose that it'll hold more. At the time, I only had 11 lbs to go. After being unfilled because of a slip, I've gained about 8 lbs, so I'm about 19 lbs from goal. No clue why he gave me a 14cc vs a 10cc. He didn't tell me. Hope that answered your ? Marci

Thanks everyone! Appreciate your responses. I'm calling the office for an appt today. Marci

400-500 sounds a bit low to me. Even on the liquid only phase. Even my Protein shakes has at least 200 calories in them. Since the band, I've never counted calories, fat, carbs, or even protein. I eat what I want until I'm satisfied (about a toddlers portion). That's why I had the lapband - so I wouldn't have to count anything that went into my mouth ever again. But I know where you're coming from. You're in the beginning stage and just want to find out if what you're doing is "normal". I'm not a dr (I did major in nutrition in college, only have 6 classes left to become an RD) but to me, 400-500 calories sounds like starvation mode. You won't be able to function on that for very long. If it's that low just because of the very few things you can have, I'd sneak in an extra Protein shake or extra Soup. Good luck! Marci

I was very open about it. My mom tried to talk me out of it. Thought I could do it the "old fashioned way" - like she did. If that actually worked for me - I'd have done it the first 100 times I tried! I was a widow at the time (alone) so a significant other wasn't in the picture. Since then, I've married. I've told everyone who will listen, actually! Last week was the first time I showed my new mother in law a before pic of me. She couldn't believe the difference. I'm very proud of that. Marci

Sorry. The only time my port hurts is for a couple of days following a fill. My last fill, he stuck me about 15 times so I was quite sore for about a week. And bruised. Did you maybe bump it or something? Marci

Welcome! I'm sure we'll be reading your success story about this time next year! Good luck! Marci

i guess I'm the rule breaker. After 6 mths of no sodas, I went thru the Carls Jr drive thru and got a Diet Coke. Best 1 sip I ever had! In the last 2 yrs (had my band almost 3 yrs ago), I drink a sip or 2 of soda about 3-4 times a week. I've never ordered one for myself (cept that first one thru the drive thru!) and I just take a sip or 2 from hubbys. And I drink coffee daily. I notice if I take more than 2 sips of soda, it does hurt tho. Marci

Sorry to tell you this, but honestly, nothing worked for my hunger the first 4 weeks I was on liquids. Not even the Protein drinks. I ate 1 can of tomato Soup (into 4 meals) a day and that filled me for a good 30 mins. I just suffered till I was ready for soft food. That first bite of mashed potatoes was like heaven! Good luck! Marci

Ive lost over 100 lbs and went from sz 22 to an 8. My bra size went down from a 42$DD to a 40D. Something just isnt right here! I only lost 1 bra size? I still wear XL tops. On a size 8 bottom Im definately top heavy. You lucky women! Marci

Hi everyone, I'm almost 3 yrs poast op and doing well. Couldnt be happier with my band. About 6 mths ago, I began having raging nightime reflux. So bad that I took 1 rx Nexium, 2 rx Prilosec, and 5 otc Zantacs and sleep propped up on 3 pillows. I'd still be miserable. I was so afraid theyd take out my band that I didnt say anything for 3 mths. Couldnt stand it any longer. Got an xray and found my band had slipped. The PA took out 1/2 of my 9cc fill and let it rest for 4 wks. The reflux went away immediately. I we nt in in 4 wks and got 1cc put in. Still no reflux -but also no restriction. 2 wks later, they put another 1cc in. That night I threw up my pills. Got restriction agai n, yeah. But with it also came the reflux. Just as bad. I never got a followup xray before starting the filling process again to make sure it was corrected. So either it was never fixed, or my vomiting up my pills caused another slip. I emailed my nurse (out of state for 24 wks, couldnt see my dr) and she said when I got back to OR to come in and theyd check it out. Heres the thing: the reflux stopped a few nites ago! Havent had it in 3 nites. Maybe my band isnt slipped. I feel fine, i can eat anything (still have decent restriction), and Im not up all night coughing up stomach acid. Should I just forget seeing the dr? Its a 6 hr round trip trip and $160I a visit. Could it still be slipped and Im just getting used to the reflux? Could it have corrected itself? Or was it slipped again to begin with? What would u do? Like i said, im feeli ng fine now. Marci

I was on liquids for 4me wks. After the first wk, i was soooo over them. Everytime I'd go to Albertsons to stock up on tomato Soup, I would smell the deli fried chicken and almost cave. Hang in there. It''ll get easier. It really doesn't and I'm glad its ove!!!! marci

US Army 96-2000. Got out before the fightng began Marci

It'll be 3 years Oct 1. I don't regret my decision at all. Altho I wish I had researched it a little bettr before having it done. I had no clue about "bandster hell" and when I was in it, I thought I had failed yet another diet. I've now lost 104 lbs with about 16 left (was at only 11 to go, but my band slipped, I was unfilled and gained a few back). Even with a few complications, I'm glad I was banded. I'm also glad that I gave away every last piece of #x clothing I had, Good incentive not to gain back my weight. Can't afford yet another new wardrobe! Good luck! Marci

I started gurgling after drinking anything after my 3rd fill - when I hit the green zone. Stopped gurgling about 6 mths later (even tho I've been filled/unfilled several times since then. My husband kinda misses it. Lulled him to sleep! I know I wasnn't too tight. I remembering asking on here about the gurgling and found out it was perfectly normal. GOOD LUCK Marci

You just might get lucky and end up like me: I physically can't drink while eating until the food is into my stomach (about an hr). As soon as I take a sip, up comes what I just ate. Its called the "cork effect". When food sits plugging up ur esophagus and u add liquid, it has nowhere to go. Its been almost 3 yrs for me and Im finally comfortable with it. Do I WANT something to drink while eating? Sure. Especially when I eat spicy foods. But it isnt worth it to me. I can tell now when the food is settled and I can drink. I dri. Nk all the way up to the minute I eat also. good luck Marci

I learned my fast eating in the Army. In basic training, if u didnt eat in 5 mins, u didnt eat. 12 yrs later i still have trouble slwoing doqn. Especially when Im starving. Dont let urself get too hungry that u wolf it down Good luck Marci

Ur welcome. I love chocolate. And this is so rich, u literally need only a few bites. But must have vanilla ice cream with it

Niterun, Thank u for the reply. Unfortunately mu uncle doesn't have Tricare. Hes a disabled vet, not retired, so he has to us the basic VA system (which in my view is excellent medical care). The VA covers bypass. You'd think they'd cover the cheaper surgery too. Again, thanks Marci

I also could've written most of this. I never realized how much I was abusing my band the last 2 1/2 yrs. I eat whatever I want (albeit in very small quantities) but I never eat truly healthy. I've been able to lose over 100 lbs basically because I eat like a bird and vomit frequently (or PB as most people here call it). Sometimes up to 6-8 x a week. I really feel that I turned into a bulimic. Traded one eating disorder for another. Until 5 mths ago when I began experiencing severe reflux at nite. I would be up all nite, coughing and choking up stomach acid. I took 2 rx drugs and 1 OTC drug to keep it to a minimum (I'd hate to experience it without anything). I slept propped up on 3 pillows. My husband complains that he cant even snuggle with me cuz I have to sleep sitting up. All day long, I fight heartburn with tums. About 2 mths ago, I finally went to the dr (was afraid they' d take out my band and I'd be fat again but I couldnt live like that anymore). They did an xray and found my band had slipped. Mr PA said its most likely from frquent vomiting. They took out 1/2 of my 9cc Fluid and let me rest 4 wks. The reflux stopped the very first nite! I was amazed. 4 wks later, he gave me 1cc. No restriciton whatsoever. So 2 wks later, he gave me another 1cc fill. I threw up my pills that nite. I had perfect restriction within a week -doing but the reflux is back with a vengeance. I never had a follow up xray to make sure it was corrected before I started getting filled again. So either the slip was never corrected or vomiting up my pills slipped it again. Im out of state till this Tues, so I emailed my nurse. She said to come in when I got home and theyd figure something out. The clinic is 6 hrs round trip and $160 each time I go (not counting the xrays). My insurance only covered 1 yr of fills. No clue whats going to happen. Whether they can unfill me, get it positioned good and start the fills over again (and I already gained 5 lbs last mth when I was unfilled), or if I have to have surgery again. I look forward to the nite that I can sleep thru without gagging on acid. So i know where ur coming from with the vomiting. Whatever it took to keep the weight off, I would tell myself. I know that when I eventually get this all sgraightened out, I' going to start treating my band with the care it deserves. I JUST HOPE I dont gain 20 lbs in the process. Good luck to u starting over. Know that theres someone else here in similar circumstances. Message me if u want and we can track each others progress. I wish u the best. You deserve it. Marci

I'm out of state right now and the recipe is on my frig. But I found one online and it's exactly the same: 7 ounces semisweet chocolate 7 ounces butter 6 eggs 3 ounces sugar 4 ounces flour Directions: 1 Melt chocolate and butter together. 2 Mix half of eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes. Add flour. Then add rest of the eggs. 3 Add egg mix to the melted chocolate mix. 4 Pour mixture in individual ramekin cups. 5 Bake in oven at 390 degrees (200 celsius) for 15-20 minutes. 6 To serve, sprinkle top with powdered sugar and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. You need to use good quality chocolate (I got some at Trader Joes) and room temp eggs. If you can find a way to do a lower calorie version and taste the same, hats off to you! This turned out just like Carnivals the very first time I made it a couple months ago. Good luck! Marci

I can tell you what my dr does: After getting my vitals checked, they ave me sign a fill form, stating that I agree to follow the rules of the band. They then have me lie on the table, he finds my port, and he injects some lidocaine to my port area to numb it. Then he injects whatever amt he's going to give me in there. Sometimes he removes all my Fluid to keep an accurate count as to how much is actually in there. While the needle is still in, he'll have me sit up to drink a cup of Water. Thats so if I'm too tight, he can pull some fluid out without having to restick me. If all is fine, he takes the needle out, puts on a bandage, and I'm on my way home - with instructions to keep it to liquids only for 24 hrs, then a regular diet. Tat's all there is to it. I've never had a fill under fluoro like some people do. They may be able to add something I can't. It's very easy and painless. The worst pain is the slight burning from the lidocaine. Good luck! Marci

I'm almost 3 yrs out from my surgery (Medicare coverage) but I'm also a vet. When I ad my surgery in 2009, the VA only covered gastric bypass. I've heard that they now cover lapband as well. My uncle (who only has the VA insurance) is actively seeking information on this. If anyone is in the know, I'd appreciate it! Marci