Rutiglius

AMEN to that!

After a year+ of being banded, I am really surprised by the food that I miss the most -- just plain everyday sandwiches! All kinds -- Subway, Mr. Goodcents, Turkey from home, etc... It's not even really the bread -- I could take or leave a warm dinner roll with butter (the thing I thought I would really miss!), but a hamburger or a sub sandwich -- SLURP!

I have struggled with my band. Some of it is the band and my system -- having problems with getting restriction because of phlegm and gas and having to be "unfilled", but some of it is me too. I am NOT perfect and I do go for the easy meal (soft and/or crunchy) sometimes instead of meat and veggies. However, if I did not have my band in place, I would be A LOT bigger as I continued to gain weight. At least I have been able to maintain my weight for the past year, which is new for me. I have had many issues with my esophagus swelling and with lots of fluid build-up due to allergies, causing me to get an unfill. I have been working with my doctor to do tiny little fills each month. This has worked for me, allowing my body to get used to the fill slowly. So, I just keep plucking away at it, knowing that without it, I would be gaining! I did learn that I have to work WITH my band, it will not do it all for me.

For about the first 6 mos of being banded, I followed the NO DRINKING rule to the letter. Then, I had several rounds with urinary tract infections -- that I had never had prior to banding. Now I try to drink a full bottle of water when I wake up, before I eat, and a full drink 30 minutes before I eat. However, I am a teacher and now that school is back in session, it is very hard for me to get my water in during the day, so I find myself drinking a little with meals. Our lunch times are very short (20 mins) and I don't often have time to even finish my lunch.

Nope! My doc said about 1 cup per serving. Before I started having probs with my band and gained weight back...I was losing fine at 1 cup.

I just started on Victoza today to help manage my type 2 diabetes. I have had trouble with Metformin since I was banded over a year ago. The Metformin extended release stays in my upper stoma too long and I can't eat. The "regular" Metformin upsets my stomach if I take it duriing the day. So...I am on a lower dose of it, taken only at night. However, my blood glucose readings have been too high, so my family practitioner started me on Victoza injections. One of the side effects of Victoza is weight loss -- which is a good thing, but how it achieves this is through the slower emptying of the stomach. I was wondering if there are any other bandsters out there using Victoza and if so, have you had any stomach issues with it?? I just started today and so far, no problems. THANKS!

Hi Beth, I am right there with you! I have only lost a total of 21 pounds in over a year. I started out well (losing about 30, but put some back with fill troubles). I have not been able to tolerate fills. I have never been able to get to the restriction that others talk about. I can either eat a lot OR the band is so tight I cannot even keep liquids down. My first few fills went okay -- no complications, but no restriction. I was hungry all the time and could eat most anything. Then, I was at a pretty good place with my fills -- not losing, but not gaining either. I was able to tolerate lean meats but very few veggies. About 3 weeks in this 'stage' I developed a gas bubble and became occluded and had to have an unfill. We slowly worked my fills up, but then my allergies interfered. I had so much thick drainage that it blocked my stomach and I had to have another unfill. I has slowly filled (.2cc's at a time) and reached a point of no losing/no gaining again. However, I am now starting a slow gain, and am afraid to get a fill. I eat correctly, but can still get a fair amount of food down, ie... 4 -5 oz grilled chicken, 1/2 c. veggies and rice or potatoes. I can say that at least I have been able to maintain my weight loss of 21 pounds, but I need to lose more. For some people it just doesn't work as well -- even if we do what we are supposed to do.

I can totally relate to you! I had no problems with surgery and my first few fills. I was banded in July, then in October I developed a gas bubble that totally blocked my upper stoma. They almost completely unfilled me. I have been getting very small fills and am having to take a little out. For example, I will receive a .4 fill and have to have .2 taken out about 10 days later. Right now, I am having problems with acid reflux. So..we took out .2 cc. I am still having a little problem and will need to go back if it doesn't resolve. I am on liquids for 48 hours to see if that helps. Good luck and keep us posted!

I have been banded for awhile now with little trouble. However, this past week I have come down with a head-cold and a little bit of a chest cold. Since I have been sick, I have been extremely tight. Nothing but liquids will stay down. Has anyone else experienced this?

Yahoo! That is awesome!

I saw someone recommended applesauce. That always worked for my daughter when she didn't want to take "yucky" medicine. I haven't had to crush -- so far!

I am on liquids one day and mushies one day, then regular foods the 3rd day. My coworker has no restrictive post-fill diet. I think it is up to your doctor.

Thanks to all for the inspirational "pump up"! I had a bad day today and was feeling down. This has motivated me to accept my mistake and move on!

Yep -- two months out and STILL burping!

Hi! It is normal for the port site to be tender. The port is attached to a muscle and anytime a muscle is messed with -- it is sore. It is also normal to not have a bowel movement right after surgery. I think my first BM was 3 days post op -- and it was not a lot. I also has to prop myself up with pillows -- the gas and swelling made sleeping a little uncomfortable for awhile. To help with the liquid diet, I took all the Soups I like and strained the "chunks" out of them. They still retained the taste, but required no chewing. Hang in there, it will pass!