So I've been struggling with reflux since my last fill about a month ago. It's gotten steadily worse- especially at night so I started taking Prilosec and I cut out all alcohol and coffee. I stopped eating by 7 every night. Some nights were ok, other nights I would wake up coughing on gross stomach stuff.

Then I got the flu and it got a whole lot worse! Not only did I have the nighttime reflux but the last few days have miserable with cramps and I thought I was going to throw up.

So, I called my Dr. and described my symptoms. I go in today at 1:00 for a complete unfill. And I have to stay empty for a month!!!

I'm so scared! Do you know how much weight I could put on in a month if I'm not careful?

But then the other part of me is excited...maybe I can eat some noodles...and Chinese food! I can eat Chinese food!!!!

Have I not learned anything? Noodles and Chinese food are not good for me but I DON'T CARE!!!!

You guys are going to have to help me keep on track during this month of the empty Band. Anyone else had this experience? What did you do to keep from going overboard?

Megan

Megan

Megan, big hugs!! I'm living proof that unfills are NOT the end of the world. Since my unfill in March I've lost another three pounds!! My BMI has dipped below 30 for the first time...EVER!!!

Please don't worry. Embrace this time to eat healthfully, enjoying the fact that you can eat in comfort. You won't take in many more calories, I'm sure, because you actually can get in a little bulk. I find that three bites of fresh fruit keep me full for a long time, when before I couldn't even think about fruit so I'd reach for the ice cream. :doh:

YOU'LL BE FINE!!! :hug:

Megan, you said it yourself, "Do you know how much weight I could put on in a month if I'm not careful", with that said, you've got to stay on top of it. Make a promise to yourself, no bread, nothing white!

Now if I could just follow my own advice with that nothing white suggestion.

Hugs!

Alexandra-

FRUIT!! I will be able to eat fruit!!!! I forgot all about fruit! Oh, how wonderful to eat a piece of watermelon or some grapes.

You've eased my mind already.

Congrats on dipping below 30 BMI. You should be so proud of yourself...

Any idea when you'll get another fill? I'm curious to see how that process goes.

Thanks for your quick response...you're the best!

Megan

Megan,

Take it one day at a time Girl! Dont look at it in a "Month long" ordeal.

One day at a time... even one moment at a time.

I would *think* that a complete unfill would make me SOOO paranoid of gaining, that I would actually freak everytime I would put a bite of food in my mouth. Ultimately losing, instead of gaining (like Alex).

Hang in there.

Oh, and you get a BIG hig-five for quickly responsing to the Reflux issue!

:high5:

Hi Megan,

Last year when I had my "Unknown unfill" during plastic surgery, I didnt gain any weight. Mostly because I tried to stick to bandster rules. Sometimes less restriction means you get to eat healthy things as well that you couldnt eat with the restriction. You can do it. Dont look at it as a negative. Look at it as a jumpstart to weight loss again cause sometimes loading up on the Fiber, salads and fruits help you to jumpstart things again.

Hugs,

Babs in TX

334/180 ish

Congrats on dipping below 30 BMI. You should be so proud of yourself...

Any idea when you'll get another fill? I'm curious to see how that process goes.

Thank you! As for another fill, the earliest I am looking at is August, for insurance reasons. But that prospect doesn't scare me at all since I'm feeling so wonderful these days. It's such a joy to be able to eat decently without pain or worry, and I truly honestly get full after just a very small amount so I don't find myself eating too much. It's the best of all possible worlds!!

Now I just need this job thing to come through and I'll ... :faint:

Megan, I have no doubt you'll do great. Crappy food is overrated. It's like a drug that feels good going in then makes you feel like crap. Remember that. Enjoy the watermelon tho!

God, I hate acid reflux. Since I've been banded (a whole month), I haven't had any - love that. I know exactly how you feel about that nasty acid in your throat. Question though - why can't you eat watermelon with your band? I love watermelon and I lived on that in the summertime. I hope it won't be a no-no when I get filled next month!

HMMMMMM Yummy watermelon!!

Sorry to hear about the unfill Meagn.

Did you get yourself a Flu shot this year???

I did & normally do not but was afraid after being banded.

This may actually be a great "test" kinda for you to see what you really are capable to do on your own.

I am trying to see the positive side here for you, I too would be very scared.

But Lets look at it like the month that Megan loses 4 pds or more all without a fill month!

I think your going to AMAZE YOURSELF ;0)

Meagan -- I think you'll be fine.....you have so many new "windows" opened now -- like the watermelon. I agree with Delara -- the junk is overrated. I just pigged out on oreos -- was gonna have just 1 as a treat and now I feel so bad about having done it that I don't think I could go back to eating my old ways for a full day let alone a month. Alow yourself a few special treats of the foods you have missed, but stick to the freshest foods you can go with. Whether you think the band has retrained you, or just forced you to walk the tight and narrow, you'd be surprised how much your eating behaviors have changed.......good luck!

Megan about your chinese food comment

Try getting a chinese cook book Egg foo young is wonderful and in the right amount very healthy, eggs, sprouts (I don't do the gravy)

You can do your own stirfries where you control the oil content with lots of vegies and some nice fresh chicken. Chinese food doesn't have to mean deep fried and battered. I am willing to bet that in china it's not that way. Also some of the grocery stores chinese deli stuff could be good for a little treat. They have ones with lots of veggies, pick the healthiest one there, and just get the smallest container they have and only do it once. I like the cashew chicken at mine, the chicken isn't fried and lots of veggies. At my store a half a cup is the smallest container! It's great.

TIP: When sauteeing or doing stirfry, in place of much of the oil you would normally use try using lowfat chicken broth, it works great

Well, I'm sure the unfill will bring some much needed relief. I've joked since my last fill that whenever I get pregnant and have an unfill there's a list of things I'm going to have. Obviously, that's a bad idea, and hopefully I stay away from most of that stuff.

*hugs*

AHHHHH...sweet relief!!!!

I had an unfill last Thursday and felt instantly better! The Floro showed that I was almost completely closed off...no wonder I was so miserable! And I had the stomach flu on top of it!! So, they took out all of the Fluid and send me on my way.

I can't believe how uncomfortable I have been for so long while eating. I keep waiting for something to hurt but it doesn't. I can eat things that I haven't been able to for YEARS! I had a peice of toast and thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

What I'm finding is exactly what Alex said- I don't think I'm eating that much more- my meals may be a bit larger than before but I don't snack because the meals keep me fuller longer. I'm amazed!

I even had a couple of peice of orange yesterday. HEAVEN!!!

Thanks everyone for your support through this. I'll keep you posted!

Megan