Hey guys! I am 6 days out from being banded!

I was talking with a friend who had Lap Band a couple of years ago, and has been extremely successful with it, and she was giving me a couple of tips to get through the beginning. One of them sparked my curiosity, and I wanted to get other opinions.

Her surgeon told her that once she gets to the dreaded "bandster hell" to start taking charcoal pills to soak up the extra HCl that is secreted in the stomach. That the HCl is what causes the feeling of nausea and empty that people experience when not eating (I, luckily, have not felt it yet..).. She said it took a couple of weeks to feel, but it happens... and when it did, she took her charcoal pills and it went away. She swears by them..

I was just wondering if any of you guys have been instructed, or just decided by yourself, to take the activated charcoal pills? If you did, what were the benefits? What were the downfalls?

I have a follow up appointment with my doctor on Monday, so I will definitely be asking him about it then, and I will report back!

Thanks so much in advance beautiful people.

Most doctors give you anti nausea medication and I really don't see the need for the use of this. It is only something that can be used for short term and can cause intestinal blockage. I would not want to take it myself but that is just me. I never had an issue with the empty feeling.