marfar7

Hey all! Most of you probably know my story: I was banded in OCt of 2009 and did well. Lost 104 lbs in 2 yrs, was down to within 9 lbs of my goal when I started having severe nightime reflux last year. Had to sleep on my back only propped up on 3 pillows, taking RX Prilosec, OTC Zantac, and popping Tums like crazy. I refused to tell my dr cuz I was scared he would take out some of my fill. My husband got tired of my whining about my reflux (some mornings I'd wake up with brown stomach acid on my pillow, sorry if tmi) and insisted I see my dr. I made the 6 hr round trip visit to my dr and he did an xray. My band was slipped. So he took out about 1/2 of my 10cc fills (I have a 14cc band) and let me rest for 4 weeks. The reflux stopped right away. Yeah. In 4 weeks I made the trek again (not to mention that everytime I say hello to my dr, it's $160 + the xray) and without doing a followup xray, he put in 1cc. Well, that was fine, still nor reflux, but also no restriction. So 3 weeks later, he put in another 1cc. The reflux came back that night. Went back (yet anoter 6 hr journey - it's an all day affair + $160) so he finally did another xray. It was still slipped (could've done the xray earlier and prevented all this) and said that "he treats the symptoms, not the xray" so he took out the previous 1cc he had put in. I still have 7 cc in my band. I haven't had reflux too bad (maybe 2x a month or so - I can handle it), but much, much less restriction. In the past year, I've gained 24 lbs. I started Atkins 3 weeks ago in hopes to get rid of it. I promised myself I'd never diet again after getting the band and prided myself on never counting anything and still losing 104 lbs. The portion control only works till about 6 pm then it's a free-for-all. I've lost 11 lbs in the past 3 weeks. Still 20 lbs from my 135 goal. Here's my dilemma: I have this very expensive tool inside me that not's working correctly. Should I go to my dr and pay the over $300 I owe him (no clue where that'll come from) and insist that he correct my problem? That may mean surgery again and starting from scratch, with monthly fills, monthly 6 hrs trips and a liquid diet for 4 weeks (HATED that). Or should I continue to diet and lose the weight (I'm doing well on Atkins, but I'm not really happy right now. I sure miss carbs!) and rely on my band to do just PART of the job? Like I said, I have SOME restriction, just not optimal to lose more weight. No clue what to do. I'm sure Medicare would pay for revision surgery, but I don't want to demand to my dr that he operate when I have no symptoms anymore. He said this was up to me now, not to rely on my band so much. What would you do? I HATE dieting, that's why I got the band in the fist place. I luv being able to eat just a few bites of everything I luv and still lose. HATE not being able to eat about 95% of food. Suggestions? Marci

I used to be able to eat an entire box of Kraft Mac and cheese in about 5 minutes. No sharing for me! I've eaten it maybe 3x since my surgery 3 1/2 yrs ago. I can eat about 6-10 bites and then I'm done. No problem with Pasta, just can't eat very much of it. I usually mix a little cheddar to it after mixing the powder. Makes it cheesier. Yummo! Marci

When I'm stuk, it's a pressure in my chest, I start sweating and salivating. They only way I've found to relieve it is to put my finger down my throat and vomit it up (I say vomit, but it's really only food, no stomach acid). But I don't recommend that often. My band slipped last year from frequent vomiting. Since my slip, I've learned to eat much slower and not get stuck in the first place. I very rarely vomit anymore. Took me 3 yrs and a slipped band to learn! Wow! I must be a slow learner! Oh, and I can't drink anything when stuck - otherwise it's like a volcano erupting! My nurse calls it the "cork effect" where if food is stuck in ur esophagus and you add liquid, it has no where to go but back up. And its not pretty - especially in a public place! Good luck! Marci

When my husband is done with his meal (and he eats really fast), he starts eyeing mine! Altho he's a low carber, so if it's like 1/2 of a burger I give him, he pulls the bun off, so I guess thats ok. In fact, I started eating faster so I could get more of my meal - thats backfired on me, for sure! Immediatly to the bathroom! Marci

It's when the food you just ate comes back up - no stomach acid involved, so it's not really vomit. Some people just burp and it comes up, other are more violent (like me, it's just like vomiting except it's just food). The first year or so after surgery for me it would be accompanied by major gobs of "goo" (saliva built up in your esophagus. Looks like a jellyfish in the toilet (sorry if tmi). Hope that helps. Oh, and PB stands for Productive Burp Marci

Everytime I make bacon and eggs (about 2x a week), I cook myself 2 pcs - even tho for the past 3 yrs I've only been ever able to eat 1 pc. Always give it to my dog (I know, I know, she really doesn't need it either!). My eyes are ALWAYS bigger than my stomach. Thank goodness I have a husband that likes my leftovers! Marci

About 2 weeks post op, I could barely walk cuz my leg was swollen and hurt really, really badly. I remember talking to my mom about 1,000 miles away and her telling me to go to the ER. I didn't, I sufferred thru it, thinking for a mili second that it might be a clot. Took a pain pill and went to bed and by morning, it was fine. No clue what it was, but it did scare me (obviously not enuf to take me to the ER -I have to be truly dying to go to the ER). Thats too bad. And it does have to do with the lapband - surgery at least! Marci

It's probly the #1 rule of the lapband - never drink while eating and up to 30-60 minutes afterwards. It's on page 1 of the rule book, I believe! It's sposed to wash the food out of your tummy quicker, making you not full as quickly. As for me (as I wrote above) I can't drink while eating and up to 45 minutes afterwards cuz it brings everything back up. My nurse calls it the Cork Effect. When the food is sitting in my esophagus and you add water to it, it has no where to go but back up. I would stongly advise you to stop drinking with your meals. I'm not the perfect bandster (by far, I break many, many rules!), but this is 1 I follow (and I have no choice in the matter, really!) Good luck! Marci

I wouldn't expect any miracles with the first fill. Most people need 2+ fills to get there. After my 2nd fill, I felt like I had failed yet another weight loss attempt. After my 3rd fill, however, the magic started. My first real meal was about 1/6 of a chicken breast, 1/4 of a baked potato, and a couple bites of green Beans and I was stuffed. Actually, I wouldn't say "stuff" cuz it didn't feel the same as being stuffed, I just knew that if I ate one more bite, I would probly vomit. Be patient. It WILL come. It may take a few fills to feel a difference! Good luck! Marci

Over 3 yrs post op and I still burp alot after eating. It's quite embarrassing. At least I don't make gurgling noises I used to make for the first year or so. That was really emabarassing. Now I just gurgle occasionall before falling asleep. My hubby says it lulls him to sleep! Glad I can be of service! Marci

I'm anxious to here replies to this also. My band slipped about 10 mths ago and even with unfills/fills/tweaks, it's still slipped. Since I have no symptoms now (I only have about 6 cc in a 14cc band now), my dr is leaving it alone, but I'm getting tired of dieting to prevent weight gain when I have a tool inside not doing it's job. Thinking about having it replaced sometime in the future and I was wondering these same things. I hate to start ALL OVER again, with all of the fills and whatnot, but I'm almost at goal and wish to stay there forever and I know without it I'll gain all the weight back. This time, however, I will follow all of the rules and NOT VOMIT everyday! So I'm also interested in hearing from people that have had a revision done.... Marci

I started Atkins about 2 1/2 weeks ago (I've now lost about 12 lbs) and thank God for Atkins bars and sf jello! I haven't cheated once and I'm now in the pocess of adding more carbs into my diet (almonds, avocados, etc). However, I was wondering if any of you Atkins bars fans have a rumbly tummy and gas and diarrhea after eating them? This past week or so, my tummy has been upset, not nauseous or anything, just upset. I've cut down to 1 Atkins bars a day and I still have tummy problems. Is it caused by having no carbs or the bars? Love the bars (they have 1 that tastes just like a Payday -yummo) but can't stand the tummy ache anymore. What do you low carbers enjoy for sweets (beside sf Jello - I eat that daily also)?? Marci

I physically CAN'T drink while eating - I will throw it all up. I've learned the hard way, especially with soda (yes, I KNOW I'm not sposed to drink it but I occasionally have sips of my hubbys). If I eat food and then drink a sip of anything, I'm immediately in the bathroom. So it's never really been a problem for me. But, when I go out to Mexican or something spicy, I sure do miss a swig of water! Just drink a big glass before you eat (I can drink right up till the time I eat) and get it out of the way. Good luck to u! Marci

I used to work at a hospital in Lake Arrowhead, Ca where it can snow 4-6 ft in 24 hrs period. In March 1994, we had our "March Miracle" dumping about 4 ft of snow in 1 day. The roads were all closed and the nurses were all stuck working for 3 straight days (sleeping in between shifts, of course). But can you believe that women in labor made it to the hospital? ABout 6 of them came in. They were the only ones out and about. Where there's a will, theres a way. I know that NOTHING could have stopped me from getting my band on the appointed day. Snow, Blow....if the roads are open and it's safe, I'd say go anyway. Thats where having a Jeep comes in handy! Marci

Wow! Fantastic! You're doing really well! Keep it up! Marci

I chew gum all the time. I do this thing with my lower lip (my husband referes to me as "wiggles") all the time I'm idle and not doing anything, so popping a piece of gum helps with my wiggling. I chew until my jaw feels like it's gunna lock up! I've never asked my dr about it and he's never mentioned it. I don't think I've EVER swallowed a pc of gum in my entire life, however so I don't see that it would be a problem. My favorite: Orbit. It's sf and it POPS - something that is a must in gum I chew. Usually sf gum doesn't pop very well but ORbit does. Don't get the strawberry, however. My husband and I both notice that within an hour, it dissolves like dirt in your mouth. Nasty! I don't think there'd be a problem with chewing gum right after eating. U don't make that much saliva to worry about it. Good luck! Marci

SOME peoples bands work immediately. I guess you were one of the blessed to have this true. A few people (very few) don't ever need fills. My 3rd fill was the magic one for me. Before that, I tae exactly as I had previously and didn't lose a lb. After my 3rd fill, I felt satisfied on about 8 bites of food. And it pretty much stayed that way till last year when I had my slip. Now I have so-so restriction. I'm actually on Atkins right now losing what I've gained since my slip and I swore I'd never diet again. I guess I'm doomed to a life of dieting again. But at least it's not the daunting over 100 lbs loss. I only have to lose about 19 more lbs. Good luck to you. You're doing fantastic! Marci

I had my 1st (of 4) back surgeries in 2000, weighing over 220. My dr never said a word to me about my weight. Maybe its cuz they were so surprised to see a 35 yr old female in the VA hospital. (Injured on active duty). More recntly however, my dr did blame my hypertension on my fatness. And once I lost over 100 lbs, that stopped also. Most drs skip the part in mecial school where they learn bedside manner and handwriting skills. Ur doing well with ur loss. Forget what he says. U know ur doing well. Keep it up. Marci

I can't stand Stevia. I think it tastes bitter. My dr recommends Splenda, as it's actually made from natural sugar (unlike Equal or Sweet and Low). And you can bake with it (also unlike Equal and Sweet n Low, and Stevia). "While the process to make sucralose begins with sucrose, or table sugar, the final product is different from sugar. Sucralose is made by replacing three select hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms, resulting in an intensely sweet, no-calorie sweetener. Unlike sugar, the body does not break down sucralose into calories for energy. Yet, both sugar and sucralose activate the same taste buds on your tongue. " (Taken from The International food Information Council) Recently, however, I've found that Splenda does have 1 gm of carbs per packetm and since I'm watching carbs now, I've cut down on it tremendously. I used the sugar free coffee syrups in my coffee (which I drink alot of daily). They have 0 carbs. Good luck to you! Marci PS: Now clue why it won't take off the green background that I got when I cut and pasted the info! Anyone know how to remove the green background? lol

I had to spend 1 nite (Medicare requires it). WHich was good cuz I got the good pain meds! I was home by 2 pm the next day (after a barium swallow to make sure placement was correct) eating Jello and broth. I don't work, but I guess I could've gone back to a sitting job in maybe 5-7 days, a more active 1 maybe 2 weeks later. Good luck in your decision. Best decision I ever made! Marci

If u ask ur drs office for the card, they will give it ti u. I've only tried to use it once, at {ometown Buffet (cuz im definately a waste of money there) and they wouldn't accept it. I don't usually like what the kids menu has on it. But u can also ask for the senior menu at some restaurants. I luv brining 2/3 of my dinner home. My husband and I usually share my Avo Cobbo salad from Red Robin the next day. So it makes 3 meals. Just ask ur drs office for 1. I just emailed my nurxe and she sent me 1 in the mail. Its up to the rextaurant whetner tthey will accept the m or not. Marci

Actually, I'm going to say the opposite of everyone else! When I decided to get the band, I also decided that I'd never be on another diet again. Counting stuff was so against my decision to get banded. For the first 4 mths, I felt no change and ate just like I had previously. After my 3rd fill, however, I started feeling really satiated on a few bites of food. YEAH! Finally it worked! During the active losing phase, I lost about 6-8 lbs a month, eating anything I wanted to, just in really small portions (example: Taco Bell - 1/2 of a bean burrito is all I could eat, Olive Garden - 1/4 of an entree, 1/4 bowl Soup, no breadstick). I figured counting anything (calories, fat grams, WW points) would negate my decision to get the band in the first place. I know alot of people will argue with my concept, but it worked for me. Until....my band slipped about a year ago. Don't ignore frequent vomiting. After unfills/fills/tweaks to my band, I have so-so restriction, but not like it used to be. So after gaining 20 lbs in the past year, I've succombed to the DIET. I figure it'll give me a boost in my loss and maybe teach me healhtier eating practices. I've prided myself on never dieting, eating what I wanted and still losing over 100 lbs. Now I'm among the ranks of the dieters. I started Atkins Induction on Feb 1st and have lost 8 lbs! The first 3-4 days I was really cranky, going off of carbs. But now I find that at least what I'm craving (pineapple and grapes) is healthier than candy and cookies! I wou;d've killed someone for a cookie! Point is, there will eventually come a time when you get proper restriction (no clue how many fills you've had so far) and the band will start working for you. Counting stuff is up to you. You'll probably be healthier in the long run if you count calories, WW points, etc - but that would've driven me crazy! You're band will eventually tell you when you've had enough (and you'll be amazed at how little that is!) and if you push it past that point - run for the bathroom. But I'm warning you now - DON'T DO THE FREQUENT VOMITING. Learn to listen to your band, chew thouroughly, eat very slowly, and never drink with your meals. You won't have stuck issues and you won't have the vomiting issue, like I had. Good luck in your endeavor! Marci

Before worying about what you eat, I'd be calling my dr to find out what's going on. Last year I sufferred from severe reflux at night and heartburn during the day. I ignored it for months, popping pills and sleeping propped up on 3 pillows. I finally went to my dr (I was so afraid he would unfill me) and found out my band had slipped. He did unfill me. Just for 4 weeks. Then slowly filled me back up. While I still have the minor slip, I no longer have the symptoms I had. Heartburn is not a healthy sign. If it's transient, and a Tums works,I wouldn't worry about it too much, but constant heatburn, or nightime reflux,I would definitely see my dr. Btw, I now take RX Prilosec, OTC Zantac, and Tums as needed. I really don't need many Tums anymore. Good luck! Oh, and stay away from red wine, chocolate, fried foods, and pineapple (all makes heatburn worse) Marci

Yep!!! Absolutely!!!

I majored in nutrition in college (about 5 classes short of my BS tho). I remember learning that whatever your body can't process, you end up peeing out. So all those body builders who load up on more Protein are litterallyputting it down the toilet! Marci