annieM

Thank you sue. I take a heartburn medicine, but with the dilated pouch, it wasn't enough. I had my surgery on Friday and now am in the liquid phase of recovery. I will have to do the 2 week liquids, 2 week mushies as if I am starting over. No heartburn and I can drink comfortably now without fear of PBing. One warning, my insurance would not cover my operation because I was self pay for my first band. No one told me when I got my first band that any complications would not be covered.

I have my surgery scheduled for the 18th. I will just be in heartburn hell until then.

Hoo Rah! My son is at boot camp at Parris island now. He will graduate Jan 8. His letters are very upbeat and he seems to love it. I'm glad he has joined such a big family!

I had a barium swallow today and it showed that my pouch was hugely dilated. I couldn't believe it. I haven't been able to keep anything down for quite a while in spite of being totally unfilled and I have terrible heartburn. My surgeon wants to do a revision with a new band. My question is how do I avoid getting dilated again? This is a real drag and I'm not even losing that much weight with not being able to eat.

Hi I have twins, fraternal girls, 17 and a boy 18. It was pretty crazy when they were younger, but it got easier with time. My stomach is slowly going down with my very slow weight loss, but I don't think it will go back to normal. Hang in there!

Anyone freaking out yet? Mexico is shut down. No movies, no sporting events, etc. I feel sorry for anyone due to have their band surgery in Mexico around now! The only thing that concerns me is the delay in getting the stats in. Average hospitals don't have a test for swine flu, it has to be sent away. Results take weeks to get back... So stay away from Mexico folks.

I've lost 65 lbs and am only 5 lbs away from a normal BMI. It's taken me 2 1/2 years and i'm feeling great.

I posted a while back wanting to know how being in a high altitude place would affect the band. No one knew. Now I can say that it did not affect my band at all. I was in La Paz, Bolivia for a week at 12,000 feet and could eat pretty much the same as at home. The long flight was another matter. On the pressurized airplane I could get nothing down. Just thought I would let you all know.

I was stuck around 50 lbs for a year and a half. Now I've lost an additional 10, but i was really beginning to doubt if I could go the distance. Now I have a myoplex drink for bfast, soup for lunch or salad, and a tiny portion of what the family is having for dinner. I think I am around 1000 cal. Good luck to you all.

Hi. I am traveling to La Paz, Bolivia which has an altitude of about 12,000 feet. Has anyone traveled to a high altitude place after being banded? I am debating getting an un-fill before going, but I would love to avoid that since I am at a good fill level now.

It was sad to see the old guy go last night when it was really Joelle that everyone wanted to vote off. Nice in a way that they kept the kid. He really needs the show.

Twice the mapquest has taken me to the wrong location so now I've been using google maps. I use the gps in my car too. BUT, I still prefer a hands on map.

Try eating your food on a really small plate, like a saucer. If you are eating too much that should help. If you really are eating only a tiny amount, and still getting stuck, it's time for an un-fill. You sound miserable and you need not be with the band. Don't risk a slip by throwing up too much.

Congrats on the terrific job! I hope you feel great and energetic and ready for the next phase.

Losing the hard way, bah. Losing weight is always hard, with the band or without. Regaining is the easy part and that is what the band helps me with the most. People who make those uninformed comments are doing the public no favors.

That's right, they won't(shouldn't) put the same amount back that you had before. You will have to build up to it as before. Good luck.

How weird. My doc doesn't make any rules about liquids or anything after a fill. They just have me drink some water afterwards to make sure it goes down. There wasn't a "0" on the poll.

I have found the breaded meats difficult to eat, but there are so many that are just stir fried that it is not a problem. The soups are delicious too.

Go ahead and have a soda. Make sure it is on an empty stomach and go very slowly. I'd bet when the gas bubbles hurt your craving will go away.

When my slip happened i couldn't keep anything down. I also had heartburn in spite of taking the purple pill. I didn't need surgery, they just unfilled me for a few weeks and then did another barium swallow and it seemed to have fixed itself. I will be at risk for another slip so i will be careful not to get overfilled like i was before. good luck.

You need that fill and you shouldn't drink while you eat. Meanwhile, try to be good so santa will bring you cute new clothes in your new smaller size.

Thank you for all your good ideas! Keep them coming.

I'm 5'8" and have the 4cc band. I was told it was the better band to have, but I don't know why.

I thought I'd start a thread where everyone could post their methods of avoiding overeating during the holidays. Thanksgiving is over, but the leftovers are still here, then it's my son's birthday, my wedding anniversary, three work parties (one for 60 at my house...), Christmas and of course, New Years. Post your ideas friends!

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful that I won't have to cook this year. We're going to my sisters house and she is a great cook. I've only lost 45 lbs in two years, but that is more than I could have done alone.