MR P

Thanks to all of you for your responses on my indigestion issues. What i am discovering is that the indigestion is worse on the days that I am constipated. Vitamin D is part of our vitamin regimen. Every time I take D, it constipates me. When I experiment and don't take it, things are fine. When I resume, the constipation is back. I've told the doctors this and they think I'm crazy. Now no D and Magnesium Citrate almost daily. Does anyone else experience constipation issues? I did have acid reflux prior and when I eat, I can get a good indication from the first bite of what is going to happen with my food. When I have a good bowel movement, the indigestion is minimal. I can feel the urge to move bowels as I am eating (which I am not so certain is good either). But on the days when I am not having bowel movements, I vomit profusely. When indigestion is onset, it is minimized if I stand. Does this sound like some sort of blockage? Thanks in advance!

Thanks Kelly!

The worst place to be in any situation is not knowing enough to ask questions. I am four months out - lost a ton of weight (52 pounds). From the start, I felt like the patient that fell between the cracks. I had the initial orientation to explain procedure, costs and so forth, did pre-op, psych eval and the rest is history. My insurance company, did not require that I attend classes. The doctor is supposedly one of the best in the field (according to them anyway) but in my opinion could use less ego and more customer service. Even though, I kick myself for going into this blindly, I knew I needed to lose weight and the big incentive was that the insurance company paid 100%. Being an HMO it would be hard to change doctors. You all sound so informed and discuss things that are totally unbeknownst to me. Can anyone recommend any sites, magazine articles or books, to at least give me a clue as to what I need to know? Thanks so much!

Sorry, not familiar with that. Our doctor said no Water 45 minutes before and 30 after. Will be curious to hear what others say.

Well, I like the VPX Protein Rush drinks. They come in multiple delicious flavors. Theyre kind of expensive and somewhat hard to come by. Vitamin Shoppe was where I found them but they no longer carry them. Sometimes I get them online. Overall I tend to make my own Protein Drinks, 1/2 c skim or soy milk, cup of ice cubes or frozen fruit, Protein powder - mix it in the blender. Im four months out and I tend to do other things for protein - cottage cheese, tuna, eggs, seafood, Greek yogurt, etc. I have whey Protein Powder on hand which I use for a spice. I sprinkle it on eggs, Cereal, etc. One of my favorite treats is sugar free Jello, skim milk, with protein powder sprinkled over it. It adds a creamy, sweet taste to it.

Well banded in Mexicali Mexico, you obviously didn't get the gist of the post. I am doing just that and have included this site as part of my research. Up until now, I have had tremendous results in hearing from fellow members. HeatherinCA sent me a wonderful link which I appreciate and was wondering what others had found in addition to my own findings. If this is the attitude you take, why bother to even reply.

I agree - stay hydrated and keep walking. There was also a breathing device that we used to clear out our lungs. Remember, your body went through quite an ordeal and the discomfort will eventually pass.

I've dealt with reflux for God knows how many years now. So it was prior to the band. Going in for an endoscopy this week.

Thanks Hummingbird, good to hear from you again. But when you were constipated did you have indigestion/vomiting issues?

I have been experiencing a tremendous amount of indigestion. It has led me to either have excessive belching or to vomit. Then I go back and can finish my meal. The doctors say its because Im either over capacity or I am eating too quickly. Others around me monitor me so that I dont scarf down my food. What I can't figure out, if I vomit or belch up what I am currently eating and return to finish my meal, how can this be a capacity issue? In order to finish my meal, wouldn't I need to have vomited up the food in my pouch? I also get heartburn from swallowing toothpaste in the morning. If I suck on a slice of orange or grapefruit, or eat a piece of banana, I want to die as the heartburn is so intense. I can go several hours between meals, have hunger pangs and still get indigestion when I eat. Have any of you experienced this or what it is? I am at 4ccs and banded three months. THANKS!

Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for responding and in such depth. I am thoroughly confused as to what the issue is - there is no rhyme or consistency as to what is happening. I get the indigestion from the first bite and that is my indicator to be prepared to make it to the bathroom. When it happens at the first bite, could that be a capacity issue or eating to fast? Bananas are a perfect example. I may break off a piece in the morning, nibble on it, and feel it burn as it goes down my throat. I can get down spicy food with no problem one time and vomit up yogurt the next. My stomach can have hunger pangs and be empty from not having eaten for several hours and I can vomit as the indigestion builds from the first bite. Sometimes I belch and can continue eating. Sometimes I may vomit many times over the course of an evening and wonder what is left for me to regurgitate. When this happens my stomach feels do bad, that I am too sick to exercise. I am at a point where I realize that I dont know what I need to know about the procedure. I have no idea what a slipped band is and have no clue what the symptoms of being overfilled are. I dont feel that I have reached capacity, but do stop eating with the idea in mind to stop eating as I am attempting to lose weight. Im at 4cc's, what is my total capacity? If the fill is removed does that mean I can have no more fills? I read what others post and their knowledge is so vast that much of what I read I am hearing for the first time. I have no confidence in staff as I have been told so many things that I know cant possibly be accurate. I choose not to address issues with them. This has been ongoing. There is the issue of switching doctors, but I am on an HMO. The latest trend which I am monitoring is the fact that I have a tremendous amount of constipation. I am usually somewhere between heading to the bathroom to vomit from indigestion or feel the need of a bowel movement during a meal. I do see a correlation. I vomit and have more indigestion when I am constipated. Other times, I feel as though the food goes right through me and is and that I need to move bowels. In those cases there is no indigestion. Our Vitamin regimen includes Vitamin D. I have brought to the doctor's attention, as well as my primary care physician, that Vitamin D constipates me. They scoff that that is not possible. I've done tests over the years and found that on the weeks when I fill my vitamin container with D, I'm constipated. When I leave D out, my bowel movements are fine and the indigestion is minimized. So that is my next level of attack. Any feedback or anything you can relate to? Thanks to all!

Thanks Cocoabean, I could not agree with you more. But I think that this is more serious than that since I went into this with acid reflux. As mentioned in the other posts, a motility disorder was detected and I have requested more tests. What I am noticing now is that food is moving through my system very quickly and I am having to leave the table for a bowel movement. The bm is a dark color which the doctors have cautioned me to be aware of. Even when I slow down, eat or drink liquids, even on an empty stomach, brush my teeth - the indigestion is there. Sucking on a slice of orange is brutally painful, so it sounds like acids and other foods are irritating the esophagus. I belch and I can resume eating.

I was never told that. Thanks so much. My weight loss is proceeding well. Best wishes to you as well.

Thank you for responding. I have a history of acid reflux and the doctor changed his mind at the last minute before the band regarding an endoscopy. I had an esophegal xray and barium swallow and did find that I have a motility disorder. I have been on Prilosek and now on Dexilant. I have been eating more soft foods and liquids and I have stopped vomiting but the indigestion comes on with the least amount of solids, regardless how long it has been since the last time that I ate. At the least amount of indigestion, I stop and belch "my way through it". I am now awaiting authorization for an endoscopy through my primary care physician. Thanks again!

Thanks I meant pouch capacity as opposed to stomach. To me that is my "new stomach". I did have an upper GI and did learn that the band is not causing obstruction. I havent gotten all of the results yet.

I am 9 weeks out and have one fill of 3 ccs. I have dealt with acid reflux for years. It flares up from time to time. Prior to the band, I would eat things like red meat or chicken and I could feel it work its way through my digestive system until it eventually cleared. Severe indigestion. Now instead of passing, the indigestion is quite painful and I have to regurgitate. What I have found that I need to do, is take something soft or smooth, like yogurt, cottage cheese, skim milk, a protein drink to "soothe" the tract so that I cans wallow food. If I dont, I have a miseable eating day. A scrambled egg is impossible to get down, I sucked the juice out of a slice of grapefruit and thought I would die. Even swallowing when I brush upsets my stomach. Do the soothing technique and things are fine. Anyone else experience this or reflux? The staff at the doctor's office says that I am eating too fast and taking too big of bites. I think it is more serious than that. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I have become a big fan of the Leslie Sansone walking DVD's. In several of the sessions, she uses weight balls. I have been having trouble finding them here in the Los Angeles area. I know that they are online but I want to try them before making the purchase. Does anyone have them and where did you get them? How many pounds are the blue ones that she starts out with? THANKS!

Im going through the same thing. My second fill was yesterday - 1cc , 4 total, and do I feel the difference. Everything is coming up. Thanks, this board works!

I am 9 weeks out being banded. I have had one fill of 3 ccs (which I think is a terribly long drawn out process, but thats another topic). I have lost a ton of weight witih no restrictions. I have been told that with the band our stomach is the size of a golf ball and told that we can only eat an ounce of Protein, and a tablespoon each of vegetables and fruit at a sitting. Though I am not eating at the Hometown Buffet, I am able to eat way more than what I am told to expect. Is anyone else restricted to such portion sizes or is this what I have to look forward to with future fills? I mean 20 more pounds and I am out of obesity range.

Indeed! I have the VPX Protein Rush drinks which are so yummy. In addition, I keep whey Protein powder on hand and use it like a spice - sprinkle it on everything. One of my favorite treats is protein powder in skim milk over sugar free Jello. I eat tons of cottage cheese and I try to get some form of seafood in my diet several times a week. Thanks for responding. The goal is 70+ grams per day.

Your responses have been great. I dont have a problem with hearing that I should eat a 1/2 cup - thats 4 oz after all. Pretty standard from what we are told in other programs. 1 tablespoon is a half an ounce - that sounds like starvation to me. I'd like to do a calorie count of how many calories are in 3 meals of 1 oz of protein and a tablespoon of vegetables and fruit. And when I read that we are to make the meal last 20-30 minutes it took everything to contain myself from splitting a gut laughing!

Im not so certain that it is too tight - its only 3cc's. My bet is that its acid reflux which was pre-existing. I dont have issues with waking up at night. They were scheduled to examine it before the procedure but decided it wasnt necessary. Ive gone on liquids and soft foods like I did pre-op and things are much better. If I dont soothe first thing in the morning, I cant swallow, if I do soothe, then I belch and it passes. If I soothe, oj and grapefruit juice are not a problem. If I dont, my chest is on fire. Thanks for your input!

Toothpaste? Grapefruit juice? Thats eating too fast or too much to swallow? Doesnt happen when I soothe first.

The pouch is the size of a golf ball.

Thanks Eko, the part that I didn't mention is that we are supposed to make that last 20 minutes. Talk about rolling on the floor laughing!