Okay, so I have done well with my band. Its almost a year and I feel great! I think I might be a tad tight though bc I have developed heart burn over the last months… but I haven’t been re-filled for 6 months. Well I can manage the heart burn fine with antacids and not eating before bed—but what’s worrying me right now is my uncontrollable cravings for milk! I hate the taste of milk- or I used to I guess. But now I drink about 40 oz a day!

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Yes it is great protein, but the two things that worry me is 1) it might be a side effect of some complication like slippage and milk is pretty much the only thing that helps the heart burn except for major antacids or 2) some women report milk cravings at early stages of pregnancy…. I am hoping it’s neither and y’all write back to me saying you have developed milk cravings as a result of banding too?!?!?!?!

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Anyone with any insight please write!

I've yet to experience any kind of heartburn post or pre ban for that matter. But I have developed a craving for dairy - that never use to be. You couldn't pay me to have a glass of milk prior to the band, let alone have a bowl of cereal. Lately each night before bed I pour myself a 1/2c of 2% Borden Protein Milk - I also have yogurt / cottage cheese in one of my meals per day. That may not sound like too much - but I tell you, that never happened pre band. Could be I just am craving healthier choices - or dairy...not sure, it's definitely not "pregnancy" , my hair and nails look great tho!,

Well I've been banded for 4 months now and I too crave milk. I have a glass every morning with a flavored non fat mix. I also like to have a glass in the evening if I have a sweet tooth..I just mix in non-fat choc. mix and it's great. I never have more than 2 glasses a day and my Dr. recomended only 1 glass a day of 1% or skim milk, I choose 1% milk.

I have had chronic heartburn most my life.. and took antacids.. and I didn't like milk.

I do have milk cravings now. And pre-band I *hated* the taste of milk, I never drank it..always used it minimally in cereal.

Now I crave it in the mornings, and get a little carton of low-fat chocolate milk (which again, I never liked before) or skim milk. DH says skim milk is nasty and doesn't know how I drink it, but for whatever reason I now like it.

I'm not pregnant.

Never thought of my 'why', I just go with it.

Milk craving here too!! I never used to drink it either, now I can't get enough and I'm lactose intolerant since banding!!! The Lactaid 1% is delicious.. What is up with this????

My situation is a little different. I have ALWAYS loved milk but now I think about it all the time. I picture myself gulping down 2 huge glasses in one sitting.

I try to limit my milk to about 1/4 glass in the morning and 1/4 in the evening to take my allergy medicine. It keeps me from drinking a whole gallon in one sitting, LOL.

I thought it was just me, glad to see others understand my pain!

I was banded 12/7/07 and have lost 43lbs so far (13 pre-op). I've had one fill on 2/13/08.

Me too!!! I noticed it when I first got home from the hospital. Then, when I got to mushies stage, I was craving cheese - cheese, cheese, cheese! I had cheese grits, cheese slices (little bits, well chewed), and I wanted a grilled cheese soooo bad (didn't). It lessened after about 2 months, but I try to have a glass of skim every day, either in cereal or by the glass.

Skim has more Protein than the other percentages (1%, 2% whole), so it is good for bandsters, if you can tolerate. I always thought it was because I wasn't getting enough protein in (my band doesn't like meat very much).