eko

Thanks for bringing up the blow dryer trick, I forgot about that one. Just don't let the blow dryer get to hot.

Ahh yes, that happens to me every once in awhile. What I do to clear it up if it is not an open sore is to keep it good and dry and after I shower and dried the area real well, I use some Destitin (or other baby butt ointment) to protect it. The Destitin also takes the soreness out of it. I also try to keep the area dry and use baby powder with cornstarch.

I am sorry that you are having such a rough day. I think we all have those once in awhile. You are right, tomorrow is another day, and hopefully a much better one too! Be kind to yourself!

I think some people are just not capable of understanding. My family, those that know and those that do not leave me alone and do not questions what I eat. They see that I am losing weight and am becoming healthier. I have also been fortunate hat the friends have gone out to eat with also just accept my portions (they do not know I had lap band). There are others that will unconsiously try to sabatoge you because of your success. I know those little candy bars, or just a piece are tempting, but I know if I start, I might not be able to stop. Be strong and stick to your guns. We all can do this!

Congrats! That has to feel awesome!

It turns out to be perfectly normal for me. The hiccups I think in my case are due to having a hiatal hernia repaired (or at least that is my theory). The burps, well even though you don't have restriction, the band has narrowed a passage way, so it takes longer for the burp to come up, and yeah, can be noisey. Part of it can be due to drinking liquids, and then they suddenly drop to the lower stomach, displacing air. I wouldn't worry about it. I have been banded over 4 months, have had three fills and have never sipped my water.

My doctor required a barium swallow test before lap-band to check the esophagus is functioning properly before surgery. If a problem is found, it is further evaluated and a decision is made whether Lap-Band is the right WLS procedure. My barium swallow indicated a problem, so I was sent off to a Gastro Dr. for further evaluation who was thrilled that this was being looked at pre-op instead of post-op when they typically have to deal with the problem. I had an endoscopy and a esophagial motility test which both came back fine, what they were seeing on the barium swallow was that I had a shorter swallowing time than normal, but everything was functioning correctly. Only after all that did my doctor agree that I was a candidate for the Lap-Band. I am sorry to hear about your issues post-op and maybe before you totally give up on the band, see a Gastro Doc and see if there is another solution for you. I wish you all the best.

I found that I like the Pure Protein Bars, the chocolate Deluxe and Chocolate Peanut Butter each have 20 grams of Protein and 180 and 200 calories respectively. You can pick them up at Walgreens, Walmart, Target and other places as individual bars to try first without investing in a whole box. You will probably have to try several to find one you like. Watch your protein to calories ratio. Happy Testing.

Stay in the habit of not drinking during meals and don't focus on the number of calories you are getting in per day as long as the protein is being met. Allow yourself time to finish healing and time to adjust to your band. You will do great!

I don't know when you were banded, or how long it has been, but yes you can take time out to finish school. Sometimes stress from other things going on in your life just make it difficult, but the band should help you along the way. If you are taking a break from the food journal, just remember to eat Protein first and to drink your Water. The journal just makes you more accountable for what you put in your mouth. Going to the gym, take a break, just do little things to increase your movement, take the stairs, park further out, when you need a breather from work and school, take a walk. This is just temporary, and then jump back in with both feet. Also we are here to support you too. Good luck with your master's! Take care!

My last band adjustment was also a challenge, although I did not throw-up, I did get stuck a lot more than usual. I suddenly learned that I could not eat as soon as I use to in the morning (stuck on scrambled eggs), I just had to give it more time for the band to open up. I also went back on softer foods for awhile, but now the band and I have come to terms and I am back to my normal diet. I think there is some swelling with band adjustments that just take little time to go away and every adjustment requires a renegotiation in the relationship with your band. Hope things continue to improve for you.

Have you eaten anything? Can you eat? It is great that you are not hungry, but you need to get some calories in during the day.

My band also has a mind of it's own, but I don't think it would let me eat a 6" sub because it won't let me eat bread . There are days were my normal food just doesn't want to go down as easily. I think it all has to do with hormone and my cycle. My band and I are a team, but most of the time it seems to be in charge.

For vitamins I have taken Centrum Complete Chewables from the beginning. Calcium I use Target's brand of Viactiv, I found them in Chocolate and Carmel.

Does it feel like reflux? If it continues, give your Dr. a call on Monday unless it is really bad.

My doctor recommended Centrum Chewables and that is what I have been using.

If it was me and I was able to drink and keep liquids down, I would probably wait to see if any swelling went down and then reintroduce soft food moving back to my regular diet. If I can't keep liquids down, I'd call the Dr. instead of risking dehydration. Hope you feel better soon!

I was on full liquids for the full first week, then started progessing to soft foods. Did you happen to have a hernia repaired at time of banding? I would consider going back to full liquids until the pain passes and try again. Even though it was a soft scrambled egg, be sure to eat it slow and chew well as you heal. If the pain persists, call your doc. Good luck!

I had two c-sections, 1995 and 1996. My incision runs from my bellybutton on down. Had no problem with the Lapband surgery and the inflating of the abdomen. Good Luck.

I just wanted to add, life is to short not to enjoy the company of friends and family. Go out and have fun. Do a lot of talking and naturally you will eat less. Follow the tips of the other posters. Celebrate your birthday, celebrate life.

My Lap Band journey is very personal and just a few family members know about it. My friends do not know about my band, still after three months and it is obvious that I have lost weight. What they have noticed is that I am eating healthier when we go out and watch my portion size, so what if I take half my meal home. For those who ask about my diet, I don't mention the band, I just tell them that I am eating high Protein, low carb, drinking 64 oz of Water and watching my portions. It is the truth, I just left out the part about a little assist from my band. If a friend was obese, and sincerely was looking for help to lose weight, I probably would have a one on one converstion and tell them about my lap band journey.

What does your insurance require (if you are not self pay)? Sometimes insurance requires 6 months of "supervised" diet. I did it with my PCP who sent the monthly reports to my surgeon. You could get a head start on that process, you do not need to lose a lot of weight during that process. You could also maintain. Depending on your weight and BMI, if it is high, losing a few pounds will help reduce risks during surgery and give you a running start. Good luck!

I would call the Dr's office. Something does not seem right that changed that drastically overnight with no fills. Some of us tighten during when it that "time of the month". But it sounds like it is way to tight. Call!

Gurgling and diarrhea and all normal after being banded. Keep in mind if you are on liquids, liquids in, liquids out. Hang on a little longer, it will get better as you heal from surgery. Hope you are feeling better soon!

After my surgery, I just felt lost. Life revolved more around food and it just felt weird. It takes an adjustment, I just find other things to do and it gets even better when the numbers on the scale start getting smaller.