NaNa

What you are doing is harming your band, drinking soda will probably further "stretch" out your pouch which can cause band slippage (pouch dilation)...if I were you I would go to see my surgeon ASAP and you need to let them know what is going on. Here is my level of reflux what I call that may be Ok: 1. In the green zone, eat too late and then lie down and cough up some "stuff" -- A ONE TIME EVENT --- I consider this ok, and just adjust my eating and I will chew some papaya enzymes before bed and drink some Water to push the food through that will not leave food in my upper pouch. 2. If you are TRULY in the Green zone, that REFLUX SHOULD NOT HAPPEN OFTEN if you don't eat close to bedtime. 3. If reflux awakes you from your sleep just about every night and you wake up with vomit shooting out of your nose and mouth -- this requires IMMEDIATE attention from your surgeon and with some saline reduced -- this often indicate something IS WRONG WITH YOUR BAND and a Upper Gi should be ordered to check to make sure your pouch has not stretched or band has not slipped. Good luck

Haha...you are point on...I lost over 130 pounds eating Popsicles and eating weight watchers peanut cluster ice cream, pretty regular...but I pick and choose my vices very carefully -- there is no way I would have lost weight drinking milkshakes, reese Peanut Butter cups, donuts and real ice cream daily -- heck some people drink these ice lattes and they have over 1000 calories.... For ME, I don't eat rice, potatoes, mac n cheese, pizza, fries, red meat, etc...so I guess it's a balance...I eat healthy 90 percent of the time and that 10 percent is for me and my indulgences...

This is why I keep my band at a level where it's tight enough to keep hunger at bay and loose enough for me to eat a small amounts of solid, If I drank Protein drinks and ate only broccoli, and NEVER had a treat, I would probably end up binging and eating an entire bag of chocolate...they easily slide through the band...lol..

You are like me... I am not foolish and think I can only drink Protein drinks and eat 2 oz of protein, and yogurt every day for the rest of my life..it's just not doable or realistic...so I decided to compromise and eat a treat that is fulfilling and yummy and don;'t have many calories..

Well...they are not for everyone, yep the carb content is high..but the calories are low...... I am not eating 800 calories a day...I need to up my calories and also I walk 1 hour per day....if I did not get any exercise in...I probably would not eat them...but they are yummy...and help beat that chocolate urge. -- which would be a lot more calories....I use to eat a block of dark chocolate but it open up the Pandora's box ... :wub:

I purchase a few cases of it, it's only 100 calories per little cup, and it's just SOOO good -- I get the orange flavor. I've replaced this with my past addiction to chocolate and it's seems to be a better addiction since now I am seeing the scale move consistently and I include it with my daily calorie count which is already pretty low.... I eat one every night after my small dinner before bed ... That's all I wanted to say.

Congrats on your sweet spot. You may not need a fill looks like you've hit the spot already.

Yea, sorry unfortunately that's one of the worse things about the lap band, it's very difficult for banded people to change surgeons. Surgeons DON'T WANT PROBLEMS, and sadly many with the lap band have many, some don't follow up with their surgeon for years until they have a problem and most surgeons consider taking on someone else's patient pose a liability, some surgeons don;t like "fixing" other surgeon's problems. Even if you are doing "well" and don't have any issues NOW, some surgeons still will not take on anyone that they did not band. Have you went to www.lapband.com? You can type in your zip code and hopefully you can find a surgeon there. I changed surgeons but I never had any problem, but I live in the Mid-Atlantic DC region, but my band surgeon was well respected and the first thing they asked... Who did your band, and where did you get it placed...most surgeons WILL not take on most people that get banded in Mexico. Also, remember MANY surgeons moved away from the band a few years ago, and are now doing more Sleeves, "I think the Sleeve popularity" is wearing down now since so many are gaining weight back, and 'some' surgeons are now coming back to the band with a new perspective on aftercare. Also please keep in mind if you find a surgeon that will fill you, you need to ask if "complications" will be part of that aftercare, some surgeon will fill your band, but will not offer any complication aftercare if they did not band you, so please be aware of this. Good luck

KoolNor -- you asked and you will receive!! :wub: Did your surgeon say Coke or carbonated beverages was part of your post op diet plan? There are speculations that drinking carbonated beverages WILL stretch your pouch -- which CAN cause band slippage. You don't want to damage your band before you lose all of your weight, if you paid cash for your surgery, remember it cost about the same or more to get a new band or get it removed....sometimes being "scared" straight will help you follow rules and stay on track. Remember why you did this! You can do this, follow your dietitian or surgeons post op diet plan. We are not perfect dust yourself off and start over, it's a learning process.

If your current employer (if your insurance is through your employer, it's NOT the insurance company that is denying your revision to the Sleeve, it's probably an exclusion with your employer's insurance policy. Your insurance CAN deny a revision to another type of weight loss surgery, but they MUST pay to either fix your band, replace it, or remove it. That being said....you have a complication, and your insurance MUST pay to fix your CURRENT BAND. You can appeal it, but they MUST PAY for either to remove the band, fix it or they MUST PAY TO REBAND YOU. You CANNOT live with a slip band forever, even with an empty band, your symptoms will get worse over time. So while you are only having mild reflux now, you may want to get your ducks in a row and appeal, appeal, appeal. Going on a liquid diet, and only eating small amounts will help in the short term and relieve your symptoms, but it's only a band-aid, but eventually you will need to get your band out, replaced or a revision to something else. There is an attorney call Lindstrom on Obesity Help that helps folks appeal, but you may not need an attorney, all you have to have is Upper Gi, and records of your band slippage and complications. Also, it sounds like your surgeon may not be doing things right, you may need to get a second opinion with another surgeon, something does not sound right.

Get a second opinion, I had to find a new surgeon to address my needs and find a very hidden hiatal hernia that did not show up on a regular Upper Gi. I had some of the same symptoms, and it was pouch dilation WITH a hiatal hernia, every time we would fill the band I would get reflux and I could not stay in the green zone. Dr Ku, fixed me and I have not looked back, I currently have excellent restriction with no issues and the scale is now moving in the right direction again after a few years with hardly no weight loss. In meantime, you are too tight and need some saline removed. Also if there is a pregnancy board here you may want to ask this question because on other boards, I've heard of MANY having issues after pregnancy with their bands. Allergen suggest to unfill the band during pregnancy.

Truth be told, many surgeons think many obese people are very lazy and getting the band REQUIRES a lot more UPFRONT work than the Sleeve or Bypass. Also, honestly lap band aftercare can be a pain in the @ass for many surgeons with filling the band and unfilling, so some surgeons are pushing the Bypass and Sleeve regardless of WHAT the patient wants. You will have to live with the Sleeve the rest of your life regardless of what issues may crop up, with the band -- well you will always have options to get it removed or adjusted if needed. Many surgeons LIKE the Sleeve and Bypass because first you are guaranteed Instance gratification of weight loss, but you will NOT be guaranteed to keep it off once the pouch stretches, and it will over time. The surgeons don't care if you gain weight back, they KNOW that the Sleeve and Bypass works "temporarily" and MANY gain every pound back over the years if they are not dieting and exercising like crazy and the sad part is..even if you regain weight you still MUST take required Vitamins for the rest of your life. I got family members that have had stomach stapling and the Bypass over 20 years ago.. stomach stapling is similar to the Sleeve and they are all still obese. And yea they all got skinny in the first few years, until it stops working. I got rebanded last year due to a hiatal hernia and my old surgeon tried to shove the Sleeve down my throat, but I found another very experienced band surgeon that had placed over 500 bands, and I am very happy I was rebanded, I got very good restriction again. I would never do anything but the band since it's adjustable and removable. Good luck.

You go girl!! And have fun dating!!!

Have a great wedding anniversary!

I guess? I guess I will continue logging my food on SparksPeople...LOL, hopefully someone else will take it over now.

I will admit eating in the Green Zone can be a challenge for many people, and many people will continue to try to eat 'normal' meals which WILL cause vomiting, heartburn, reflux and eventually band slippage. If I plan on going into the Green Zone I have to be mentally prepared for it, because I know that I have to be EXTRA careful with a tight band, more-so when I am on the loose side. I try to keep my meals moist, regardless of what I eat, now I am in the green zone, and I would not dare eat grilled chicken, if I want chicken I have to compromise and eat dark moist chicken to prevent vomiting and heartburn, it's the small price I pay to stay in the green zone, and seeing the scale move and prevent vomiting, reflux and heartburn. Also I chew papaya enzymes sometime to clear out my pouch and food should ALWAYS go through the band without vomiting as long as you take pea size bites, I am currently in the green zone and I really don't have to chew my food that well because I am not too tight. Heartburn can be cause by many things, it can be cause by eating spicy foods, eating too much food on a tight band, vomiting, and sometimes when we THINK we are in the Green zone we are actually teetering in the Red zone. Sometimes, getting on a PPI (acid reducer) can help, but it should NOT be used to mask a too tight fill adjustment. One way I can determine if I am too tight is -- I test my new fill out, if I can eat 1 soft boil egg PER MEAL, or about 1-3 oz of moist chicken WITHOUT vomiting, reflux or heartburn, I have truly achieved the Green zone and another test I use is -- when I drink Water, there is always a brief delay when I am in the Green zone...if the water sits in my chest I am too tight and I go back immediately to a little saline. I agree if heartburn is unbearable, you need to see your surgeon, you should NOT be in misery, the sweet spot DOES NOT CAUSE MISERY -- that's why they call it "SWEET" when you are at the sweet spot, you get satisfied quickly on small amounts of about 1 cup and your food gently slowly passes down our esophagus to your pouch into your lower stomach WITHOUT misery. Sometimes removing only .01cc can make a huge difference. Good luck

A Sudden tight band WITH reflux should be of concern, especially if you've not had a recent fill. It's worth visiting your lap band surgeon to check things out -- if the reflux is frequent, I would start off with an Upper GI. Sometimes, eating too much on a restricted band and vomiting can cause these type symptoms and some times going on liquids for a few days will help calm things down..but REFLUX that is frequent should never be ignored. Many long term bandsters will reduce down saline if they start experiencing any frequent reflux that is not resolved by not eating too close to bed time. Good luck

Why are you having second thoughts to have the Sleeve? It's just a personal decision. I never let a surgeon PICK a surgery for ME, because *I* will be the one living with it and any issues that may crop up with it. I chose the Band because I can get it removed if any thing happens and I can always get it adjusted to fit my personal weight loss needs. I am just not comfortable getting a surgery that I can't reverse, once your stomach is gone, there is no turning back even if you have regrets. I have friends with the Sleeve and they tend to like it, many lose a lot of weight more quicker than with the Band overall. I would have revised to the Sleeve when I got rebanded last year due to a hiatal hernia repair, but I learned that MOST Sleevers suffer from reflux and dumping syndrome and it can stretch back out, so I said nope I will stay with the band. Good luck.

Sending good vibes your way!! Hopefully this will be the one.

This is such inspiring story, also she looks awesome and like a different person after weight loss. http://www.cnn.com/2....html?hpt=hp_c3 Lauren and Justin Shelton attended her sister's wedding in September 2011. At the time, regular things like buckling a seat belt were a struggle for them because of their size. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Lauren and Justin Shelton lost a combined 538 pounds in 19 months They go to the gym six days a week and stay active on their day off They have found support in each other by taking every step of this journey together (CNN) -- At work one day, IT consultant Justin Shelton suddenly began to feel ill. A few hours later, he was in the emergency room, and doctors told him he might have a kidney infection. They just needed to run a scan to confirm the diagnosis. The next words were a cold reality check: The imaging machine could not support his weight. "They told me, 'We think you have a kidney infection, but we can't confirm for sure, so we're just going to treat it aggressively and hope that's what it is,' " Shelton said. He was 25 years old and weighed 592 pounds. Two years earlier, Justin's wife, Lauren Shelton, had had her own medical scare; her gallbladder had to be removed because of weight-related complications. At her heaviest, Lauren weighed 341 pounds. Their size made everyday tasks difficult, too. Years ago, Lauren was on a plane, and the seat belt wouldn't buckle. She was mortified and tried to hide from the flight attendants that she didn't fit into the seat. Both Lauren and Justin had been asked not to get on rides at a theme park because of their size. But Justin's trip to the emergency room was the final straw. Something needed to change. Luckily for Justin, doctors were right and able to treat his kidney infection without the scan. "It made me think, 'What if it was something else? What if it was more serious? What would I have done then?' " Justin said. So in February 2012, the couple began a 19-month journey to take control of their health. Early struggles "I was always bigger than the other kids, but the pounds really started packing on during high school and continued to do so over the next several years," For Justin, it was a knee injury at age 13 that kept him from playing sports. The exercise went away, bad eating habits continued, and his weight got out of control. The Sheltons met online seven years ago, and their relationship revolved around their eating habits. They would go out to eat and indulge in one unhealthy meal after another. They knew that in order to get healthy, they needed someone to steer them in the right direction. So they sought help from a weight-loss management program at a local medical school. A physician's assistant gave them guidelines on what they should and should not be eating, and on the amount of exercise they needed. Justin and Lauren started their new exercise routine by doing simple activities such as walking around the park and swimming. In late 2012, they joined a gym. "We go to the gym five to six days a week and take one day off and try to do something fun and active like hiking or swimming," Lauren said. The couple also started using a smartphone app to track the calories they consumed. In the beginning, they ate at restaurants only on special occasions and prepared all meals at home. Lauren found recipes for healthier versions of the foods they loved. Their diet primarily consists of lean meats with lots of fruits and vegetables. Even today, everything they eat goes into a food journal. The weight came off quickly at the beginning. Justin lost 25 pounds and Lauren lost 30 pounds during the first month alone. They tried to keep the weight loss steady after that, knowing they couldn't expect to see such a big number month after month without being disappointed. Weekly weigh-ins helped them track their progress. "We have graphs that show our weight loss through an app. It helps us stay motivated and get through the hard weeks," Justin said. In just 19 months, Justin dropped 362 pounds and Lauren lost 176, for a total of 538 pounds. 'Nobody is perfect' As they begin to move into the maintenance phase of their diet, the couple has allowed themselves to indulge once in a while. They now have what they call their Special Sunday Meal, where they will cook something they don't typically have during the week. "This Sunday, we may have grilled turkey burgers on a whole-wheat bun with some oven-baked potatoes," Lauren said. "Typically, we do not have starches very often and do not keep breads in the house." They still give in to cravings from time to time. Lauren says she has a sweet tooth, but she controls cravings by distracting herself with activities such as walks or naps. What keeps her on track is understanding that "No matter how many times you slipped or messed up, you just have to start over, and eventually you'll get there," she said. "You have to stay positive and remind yourself that you're human and nobody is perfect." Even though they've managed to lose a substantial amount of weight -- Lauren went from a size 32 dress to a size 12, and Justin went from size 58 pants to a size 36 -- the couple struggles with the psychological side effects of such a massive physical change. Self-image has been an obstacle for both Lauren and Justin. They admit to having moments when they still see themselves as the obese people they used to be. "I don't see myself as quite as small as what the pictures show or people tell us we look like," Lauren said. Through both the struggles and triumphs they have found support in each other. They say that doing this as a team has brought them closer together, and they feel like they are almost newlyweds again. Recently, Lauren and Justin traveled on a plane and were thrilled to find they could not only buckle their seat belts but needed to tighten them. They also returned to the theme park and rode the rides with no problems at all. "It was kind of triumphant," Justin said. "We are a lot more adventurous and outgoing. Our outlook has changed almost completely."

I drink chocolate Soy Milk and add a scoop of

Carolina Girl, Your anotomany is different from us regular bandsters, you are sort of like a Sleeve, (just folding the stomach) but without removing the stomach, so your restriction will be VERY tight from the git-go.... I have not read much long term research on Pilications, there were some mixed reviews on it initially, but it seems like more and more people are getting it, it's good to hear you are doing so well with it.

Yes, it's the accountability post that Sunny started, however, I'd like to be held accountable for what I eat too, so maybe I should not post this here, maybe I should start a post in the Nutrition section as well where I can be held accountable for exercise and what I put in my mouth daily. Stay warm!! I am in the Mid Atlantic region and it's about 65 degrees this morning, perfect weather.

Good morning Rockstars!! Breakfast: 1 cup of chocolate Soy Milk - 1 scoop of

Hi sunnysidega, I am usually up early so I guess I will start it this morning, we will see how it goes.. I will start it in the exercise and fitness area.