kallen00

It sounds like you have a lot going on in your life so try and take it one day and one issue at a time . I also have reflux and have found a few things to do to keep it at bay. Do not eat late at night , slow waaaay down when you are eating and throughly chew your food . Avoid acid producing food and beverages such as alcohol and foods that just do not mix well. Keep your meals simple and make nutrition a priority, not what the scale says . I take an OTC acid reducer when I feel I have eaten to late or had some alcohol. It helps a lot . I had esophagitis and learned my lessons the hard way . Change is often hard for many of us , and if one goes back to doing as they did before banding ,your body will tell you . I disagree with taking pharmaceuticals as a crutch ,there are much more effective products available OTC , such as Saffron and CLA , check out LEF.org , do your research and find what works for you and your body. Banded in "08 and finally have settled into a rhythm and effectively dealing with the band . Work it ! and you will be successful. ~

I like HMR 70 from Health Management Resources,lactose and fat free . I have tried them all ,over time , and I like this product the best . 110 K cals and 13 Grams of carbs. ~ XLNT

Thanks for your input . That is exactly what I have one as soon as i got my report and could get an appointment to see a well experienced Bar. Surgeon in my area . The surgeon was the person that told me about the Realize band being taken off the market.He explained why he did not use it ever in his practice. The surgeon will make the determination along with myself to either try to fix it or take it out. My thoughts are to take it out .

Hello fellow Banders , ~~~~ I have just rejoined after a little over 2 years . I want to share my story ; currently ongoing . I was banded (Realize ) about 2.3 yrs ago at a surgical center of excellence out of state about 100 miles , I do not live there but was recommended to the center by local WLS Center because of Ins. issues I have had nothing but L.B . trouble for the last two years ( 2 fills and 2 cc removed and currently at 3 CC's ) and now my symptoms are getting worse ; chronic IBS etc. and a Hiatial Hernia which I did not have before WLS. I will know more in the next 4 -5 weeks after a LOT of testing . My G. I. MD has recommended removal as I have chronic reflux & Esophagitis , I do not know exactly what she saw in an upper and lower GI ; but she recommends removal. I second that !! I saw the local MD Surgeon that does WLS surgeries all the time and he told me the Realize band was taken off the market over a year ago and why. I was appalled ! I see it is still listed as a L B option when I came home and googled it . There are a few tests to go through to make a determination as to what exactly is going on with me . I would never do this again and I do not want it fixed even if he can "fix it " I have lost a total of 25 pounds and it simply is not worth it for me . It is possible the band has worn through and overfilled and causing stomach issues , thus causing the IBS ; they are checking this out shortly. Fluoroscope and a Barium spill. I mean this as an FYI only as we are all different ; some people do just fine banded, others do not .

I'm with you Susan ! when it works it is a wonderful tool , when it does not it can be a nightmare. I have been a fan of peanut butter in a spoon and ice cream also . I get down what I can and now I'm afraid to eat anything until I find out exactly what is wrong with me as food literally just goes straight through. My new Dr . wanted me to have an Rx of Cipro ; I declined after reading the reviews on the drug. Awful. ! I have a fluoroscopy scheduled for Feb. 11 so the Surgeon can watch what is happening , a barium spill also . Has anyone else had their band removed and opted for a sleeve instead? I don't know if this is even do-able for me but it is just a question .