I am new here so this topic may have come up before. But one of the frustrating things for me on any band forum (or in real life) is lap band recipients who seemingly know nothing about this piece of silicone that they had implanted in their bodies. I am not talking about the newbies who are trying to educate themselves. I am talking about ignorant individuals who know nothing months out of surgery. The band slip rate has gone up and so has erosion rates....(not to mention revision surgeries)....do you think maybe its because of some people refusing to learn how to live with their bands? There are legitimate reasons some have band complications that are beyond their control...but I wonder how many end up with problems because they are simply tuned out and in denial that they are responsible for their success. What started this rant is an individual on another forum who is doing something dangerous daily and when we all post that she should stop she says her doctor knows what she is doing and we are all liars, because we must do it too. Thats as specific as I am going to be...I have decided to pass all those threads by from now on....if they want to screw up their bands thats their choice.

3. I would talk to my surgeon and PCP about it. I have always had this happen and my cousin isn't banded and this happens with her also. Either I blow my nose or it comes up when I'm brushing my teeth. I have always attributed this to my allergies and my CPAP.

I hear you Sharee.

When I started this thread (much earlier in the day) that poster hadnt come to the conclusion that it was mucous from allergies yet. She called it "pouch cleansing" and that she made herself gag, but it wasnt a pb. (but any gagging with stuff coming up..is) She also wasnt really clear on why when she laid down the stuff from her pouch would come back up and give her reflux. So because she didnt know..she didnt explain it well and when others tried to help she got upset. I am glad she is figuring out what the true problem is. I am also glad you told her to look into OTC Claritin..etc. IMHO, "gentle coughing" as she called it ..is still a pb and doing it daily (as she does..causing herself to gag with a toothbrush) could be dangerous.

Wait, what's this about mucus? Did I miss something?

Well...the thread evolved during the day and the poster now thinks what her problem is ....is related to allergies and excess mucus...but originally she called it "pouch cleansing"..which she did each night by gagging with a toothbrush.

Well...the thread evolved during the day and the poster now thinks what her problem is ....is related to allergies and excess mucus...but originally she called it "pouch cleansing"..which she did each night by gagging with a toothbrush.

Wow. Some people really do amaze me.

I've always had excess mucus. Doesn't matter what time of year it is or if I've been taking allergy or sinus meds, I've got it. I usually have to keep turning from side to side at night because I get so stuffed up that I can't breathe through one side of my nose. I personally think it's a genetic thing, since my mom has always been the same way. Although, meds with Guaifenesin (sp?) REALLY help, because it thins it enough that it drains easily. TMI, I know.

Isn't she two years out? I just read her responses and if you don't explain things accurately, you won't get responses that answer your question. I clean my pouch with water and don't lie down for two hours afterwards. You should see the late nights that I have sometimes. LOL. If I cough, it's a signal to use my inhaler for my asthma. What I have only happens in the morning. My mom has reflux and even had to have surgery on her vocal cords. It is no joke.

Don't you just hate the one nostril thing? My cousin and her excess mucus used to get on my last nerves. The CPAP dries me out, but as soon as I get up, the excess mucus is back.

Don't you just hate the one nostril thing? My cousin and her excess mucus used to get on my last nerves. The CPAP dries me out, but as soon as I get up, the excess mucus is back.

Oh, I despise it. It drives me up the freakin' wall, along with anyone who is sleeping in the bed with me, since I have to keep turning over. It also makes having head colds really pleasant, since I can't find any comfortable position and have to toss and turn even more.

So true Chelle, I actually deleted my response after I saw how she was reacting to what others tried to helpfully point out.

Interesting point about the FDA approval ...that would mean that unsucessful bandsters...(for sake of this argument... purposeful unsucessful bandsters) bad habits and lack of education could affect us all. I know they affect the stats which is a bummer..thats where you hear of most bandsters only losing 50% of their excess weight etc.

I actually got sucked into that post! She seemed more concerned with what to call what she was doing, than what she was doing. Call it a "chocolate chip cookie" then, it still won't change it. It's still a PB.

Is it a PB because of the gagging?

Is it a PB because of the gagging?

Well..I suppose it could be sliming, but either way the esophogus and stomach have to convulse to get the stuff up and out when she gags.

I've always had this happen, but I don't want to lose my band because of this.

I've always had this happen, but I don't want to lose my band because of this.

Sharee:

When I brush my teeth, I notice that if I am mucusy (sp?) it comes out too. I dont want to cause you any worry...I just dont remember ever gagging per se. Maybe we should post on Dr. Curry's thread..?

Well...the thread evolved during the day and the poster now thinks what her problem is ....is related to allergies and excess mucus...but originally she called it "pouch cleansing"..which she did each night by gagging with a toothbrush.

I think spinach was involved as well. :phanvan

Sharee:

When I brush my teeth, I notice that if I am mucusy (sp?) it comes out too. I dont want to cause you any worry...I just dont remember ever gagging per se. Maybe we should post on Dr. Curry's thread..?

He answers posts here too. I think he reads the "lap band complications" thread on a regular basis.

Is it a PB because of the gagging?

PB is a phrase that a Bandster coined years ago and it stuck. It stands for productive burp, but we use it to describe anything that causes you to bring up what is in your pouch.

Jessie A, one of our Banding pioneers, calls it vomiting, plain and simple. If you ate it and it comes back up, you vomited, and you should avoid that if at all possible.

We usually refer to PB's as a gentler version of a vomit...although they can be kind of violent. This may or may not include food. They can also get easier and easier, just sticking your toothbrush on the back of your tongue and coughing. Doesn't mean they are any less dangerous. I am not saying she's bulimic, but ask any bulimic how easy it is for them to vomit. It becomes VERY easy.

Who knows if she is ultimately causing damage, but I've yet to meet a slipped Bandster who did NOT PB or vomit a lot.

It's off to Dr. C I go.