They have added a forum for us - let's post here... So we can share with the new people....

Hi everyone, got my band yesterday. The gas is really the toughest part, trying to walk every hour to see if it helps. Did anyone also have a hard time taking a deep breath? It hurts a lot right under my breast bone when I try to breath normally. Gralda

Hi Gralda,

I was banded 4/21, I had a hard time breathing the first 2 days. The first nite they gave me a few breathing treatments, mainly because I am asthmatic, it helped a little. But I think it was because of all the gas and the tube they put down your throat during surgery. Just keep taking deep breaths it helps.

my port site was tender / sensitive for about 3 or 4 weeks. At 3 1/2 weeks I went back to work and my waistband on it was still uncomfortable

Hello Gang - - I lurk here nearly every day, hardly ever post but today I want to share that I have made it to Onderland! It is definitely new territory for me as I have not been under 200 lbs in over 30 years. It has been slow going for me but worth it all. I always come here for inspiration so hoping this will inspire someone else.

Hey Indio,

You go girl 88+ lbs. off!! I am a 50 bandster and I've shed 85lbs. I am 2 lbs. to goal. Exercise is critical for the program to work!

Best Wishes,

Tessa1

Hi all,

Does anyone out there suffer from gas?? I've tried Gas-x but to no avail....

Any other suggestions??

Gax-X and walking have always helped me. anbd if really bad I'll use a heating pad for some releif

I have made 2 posts and can't find either of them. I really have an important question. I am 60 and want to know from someone who has had the band long enough to be able to tell me if you can ever consume bread or pasta ever again once you reach goal or during this whole process

I bought a Siggs water bottle online from Amazon.com. They have different sizes, colors, etc. I fill it from my filtered water from the frig. It's cold, fits in my purse and car cupholder. You can add flavored, tea, juice, milk, etc. The designs are nice and I liked it so well I bought one for each of my 3 grandsons. Milk for the baby,choc milk for the 4 yr old and apple juice for the 7 yr old.

I believe I'm off to bed...I'd had to do more corrections than actual typing to this litte ditty. The sleeping pill is working its fine magic and making me seem totally illiterate. ENOUGH for tonight :cursing: Off to her bed. More coherent days are coming.

Everyone have a nice evening.

Thanks for the tip BeverlyDiane. I love the luna moth in your picture.

Hi Gralda,

I was banded 4/21, I had a hard time breathing the first 2 days. The first nite they gave me a few breathing treatments, mainly because I am asthmatic, it helped a little. But I think it was because of all the gas and the tube they put down your throat during surgery. Just keep taking deep breaths it helps.

I keep taking the GasX strips, I think they are helping but the pain just seems to shift to a new spot. Still hurts to take a full breath but called the doctor and they said that was normal. Thanks for your replies and encouragement. Gralda

Hello Gang - - I lurk here nearly every day, hardly ever post but today I want to share that I have made it to Onderland! It is definitely new territory for me as I have not been under 200 lbs in over 30 years. It has been slow going for me but worth it all. I always come here for inspiration so hoping this will inspire someone else.

This is wonderful news. Big congratulations are certainly due. You must feel terrific about this milestone!

Hello Gang - - I lurk here nearly every day, hardly ever post but today I want to share that I have made it to Onderland! It is definitely new territory for me as I have not been under 200 lbs in over 30 years. It has been slow going for me but worth it all. I always come here for inspiration so hoping this will inspire someone else.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!! I know how great that feeling is - Good job !!

Hey Indio,

You go girl 88+ lbs. off!! I am a 50 bandster and I've shed 85lbs. I am 2 lbs. to goal. Exercise is critical for the program to work!

Best Wishes,Tessa1

Tessa - Thanks - tomorrow is weigh in day - keep your fingers crossed

Yes I agree exercise is key ...

Congrats on your loss too !!!

I have made 2 posts and can't find either of them. I really have an important question. I am 60 and want to know from someone who has had the band long enough to be able to tell me if you can ever consume bread or pasta ever again once you reach goal or during this whole process

I have eaten pasta and rice with no problems - but that being said it's diff for everyone - to find your post - go to usercp and click on subscribed threads you should be able to find it that way..

On the bread issue - I have it but not often - I eat some carbs/starches but a limited amount.. Ususally only for dinner and maybe on the weekend for a breakfast..

This is wonderful news. Big congratulations are certainly due. You must feel terrific about this milestone!

Green how are you doing??? I have been thinking about you - you never post on this thread any more:frown:

Nonnadiana - I am able to eat whole grain bread, especially if its toasted, and have had pasta once or twice with no problem. I just don't normally eat these, I try to stick with the proteins and veggies. Also, I had to give up white bread totally, there's just no way I can handle it. You'll just have to wait and see.

Gralda, I used Gas-X strips also for gas pain with little to no affect. I called my doctor and they recommended Mylanta, so I bought some of the chewable Mylanta tablets which you can take 2-4 tablets at one time and this helped my gas problems tremendously.

Hi all, well, I had my fill emptied a few weeks ago, I was soooooooo tired of the pain of stuck food, and of throwing up!!! I had an upper G.I. to make sure all was ok, the surgeon told me all was ok, and that they just have not made the right fill for me yet. He says next time only a small drop of a fill is all I get!!! We decided to just give it all a break for a few month. Well, I have gained 6 pounds, so I am thinking of getting that "drop" soon!! Even now with the band empty, every day I still have restriction, and the food gets stuck!! I am not sure what to do, any suggestions?? thanks from all my 50ish buddies!!!:cursing:

Green how are you doing??? I have been thinking about you - you never post on this thread any more:frown:

Hey there, Indio. Yep, I haven't been posting much because I am still undergoing daily radiation treatments and the occasional chemo on top of all the nuking. This means that I am either at the hospital or trying to sleep off the nasty side effects. Cancer is very slimming but not in a good way. I am now getting my butt reamed for losing weight and am told to drink whole milk, eat butter, icecream...in short, my new diet instructions run counter to the band way. Now I have to try to eat like a weight lifter and I am not enjoying it at all. The funny thing is that I am often starving; it is just that my taste buds have been smashed by the treatments and everything I try to eat tastes like toxic sludge to me. Now, they have said that I will eventually get my sense of taste back. I sure hope that they are right!

Anyhow, here are my new stats: I am still 5'6" tall but I now weigh 133 lbs and my skin looks terrible as there is far too much of it. I have no muscle mass because my new sedentary life style doesn't encourage it. On the plus side, I have only 3 more weeks of radiation and one more chemo session to go. Then it will be time for me to heal up from this. And they do say that I am gonna be okay at the end of it all. So that part is cool, eh.