Hi everyone,

I want the lapband, but I have questions that I need answered to relieve my anxiety about side effects. I hope some of you who have had the surgery will have the answers. Everyone seems so friendly here! #1 Do you get acid reflux? I already have a little of this and it feels like a burning lump above my stomach. #2 I've heard about throwing up. True? #3 What kind of food do you have to avoid? #4 GAS??? #5 Any other side effects or rumours that I can put to rest? Thanks so much!

#1- I have only had heartburn when my fill was too tight. I got an unfill and no problems since.

#2-It isn't exactly "throwing up" in the sense that you are used to now. It is more like a baby spit-up I guess. We call it a PB-productive burp. It only happens if you eat too fast, don't chew thoroughly or eat a food that causes trouble. I usually only PB when I am near my period, because I am very tight around that time of the month. But, now I am used to the TOM swelling and haven't PB'd in awhile.

#3-Foods to avoid vary by the person. The foods I have consistently had problems with were mainly bread and flour tortillas. Sometimes very fibrous vegetables. Some people have difficulty with pasta and rice, but these have never caused me problems. It will be trial and error at first. #4- Gas is mostly a problem immediately after surgery. This passes within a week or so. After the initial phase, gas happens like a normal person! Depends on what you eat, your system, etc. I think we may burp a little more than the average bear as air pockets can develop in the pouch, but again this varies by person, fill amount, what you eat, etc. #5- The biggest thing I see on here is how you will have to live on liquids and soft foods. This is not the case. But, do be aware that the band is not magic! You have to put effort in. Some unhealthy foods do go down easily such as ice cream and chips. You will have to keep these out of your house. The band has been a wonderful thing for me and I wish you much success!

#1 Do you get acid reflux? No.

#2 I've heard about throwing up. True? Depends on what you've heard. Bandsters should avoid throwing up. If you've heard that it's true. When we get food stuck it may need to come up, inaccurately referred to as "throwing up". If that's what you've heard, it's true too. *shrug* Don't really know what you're referring to.

#3 What kind of food do you have to avoid? None so far at 2+ years out.

#4 GAS??? What about it? I have gas now, just like I did pre-op. It's no worse.

#5 Any other side effects or rumours that I can put to rest? Not off the top pf my head, but if you can ask specific questions I'm much better at answering them than guessing what you want to know.

#1 Do you get acid reflux? I already have a little of this and it feels like a burning lump above my stomach. #2 I've heard about throwing up. True? #3 What kind of food do you have to avoid? #4 GAS??? #5 Any other side effects or rumours that I can put to rest?

I had acid reflux before getting my band, I also had a hiatal hernia that didn;t help the reflux. The hernia was repaired when they placed my band, now no more acid reflux.

I have not thrown up since being banded ( so far).

at this point ( meaning I don't have perfect restriction yet, so it could change) I can eat almost everything. That does not mean I do eat everything. I avoid white bread and Pasta and rice because of the calories. I avoid sweets and Desserts and limit my alcohol while I'm in the losing weight phase. I do eat whole grain bread once or twice a week for the Fiber.

Gas, yes I seem to have more gas than previously.

don;t know what other rumors you've heard about.