Dulci

If you start to vomit, call your surgeon and ask them to call in a script for an anti-nausa medication. Rest, relax and feel better.

I have the Realize band and I am very happy with it. I have had only a few stuck episodes and they were due to user error.

Popcorn is a slider food for me. Tortilla chips and pretzels cause me to get stuck. I haven't tried potato chips. Living with the band is a lot of trial and error. Everyone is different regarding the foods that they can tolerate. You can even have changes from day to day.

I have a constant battle with head hunger and eating because I am bored at work. 7 times out of 10, if I fix a cup of herbal tea, I can overcome the urge to eat. Of the 3 times I give in, 2 of those times I make sure that my snack includes some protein. I even found a cookie that is 110 calories with 4 grams of protein.

I read somewhere on the internet that "the band is like power steering". You are still in control of your food choices and activity levels. If you are willing to make better choices (lean Proteins, fruits, veggies), and add activity to your day, the band will help you to feel satisfied with reasonable portions. You will lose weight. If you decide to eat garbage (ice cream, chips, high fat foods) and don't increase your activity, you won't be successful with the band.

Don't worry about your cycle. Anesthesia always brings mine on, even if it isn't time. With everything that will be happening to your abdomen area, cramps won't even be noticed. And the good pain meds will knock them out. Good luck with you journey!

My doctor requires me to do liquids for 24 hours following a fill. It sometimes takes several fills until you reach restriction. Until that happens, you should follow your doctor's instructions. "Testing" your band can lead to band slippage and other complications.

I have never tried this but several people have recommended "Lap Band Draino". From another post in this forum:

I am happy that your band is ok. I hope that you are feeling better soon.

The band was the right decision for me. Only you can decide if it is the right decision for you. I chose the band because it was less risky than the other options. It provides a slower weight loss. It does not cause malabsorbtion or dumping issues. The band can be removed if I need or want it removed. Some disadvantages: stuck episodes, possiblity of a slip or erosion, frequent and life long aftercare. Research, research and more research. Talk with your surgeon. Make the right decision for you.

I learned to break the habit of drinking with meals by removing my water bottle physically from my reach. After eating, especially at work where I usually eat at my desk, I have an Altoids mint. By the time the strong mint flavor has subsided, it's been 30 mintues and I can resume sipping on my water.

I would try different Protein shakes to make sure that you tolerate them. There are a few brands that send me running to bathroom. My DH commented that it was like I was funnel, pour the shake into my mouth and it runs right into the toilet. (Designer whey and Slimfast Low Carb were two of the brands that just didn't agree with me.) After surgery, use Gasx.

For me, trying to be perfect is just setting myself up to fail. If there is a cake at work, and I *want* some, I will have a small piece. However, I don't have cake because it is there or to be polite. I only have it if I really want it. If I want something crunchy and salty, I will make popcorn with real butter and eat as much as I want. Having my band allows me to: decide if I really want a treat, stop after a reasonable portion, and to move on without feeling guilty. (And I usually stay within my calorie plan.)

I like them. They are the best ready to drink shake that I have found. I really like their protein bars. They taste good and have the best calorie to protein ratio of any bars that I have tried.

Initially, I chose the band because it was the least invasive surgery and the only reversable option. Dumping syndrome and malabsorption issues that accompany bypass scare me, as does the idea that I will lose most of my stomach with the sleeve. My doctor also agreed that the band was the best choice for me. If I lose my band for some reason, I will seriously consider revision to a sleeve. However, I have had issues with depression. If there is a connection between the sleeve and an increase in depression, I would rule out that option. I will never knowingly risk going back into the personal of hell of a depressive episode. Bigenuff, thank you for mentioning your discovery between the band and the sleeve.

When I was about a week and a half out from surgery, I crunched a pretzel and spit it in a napkin. Chewing felt so good, so I did it again.

If Water is going down, try sipping on hot tea. Hot liquids can relax and open the band a bit. Sipping on some warm pineapple juice or chewing a few papaya enzymes can help -- both are natural meat tenderizers. You can get papaya enzymes at Vitamin stores and someone said that Walmart carries them. Walking, moving your arms (like if you are doing the "chicken dance"), raising your arms above your head and jumping up and down have helped. But you will feel a little silly. After the stuck clears, I'd stick with liquids for a day or so. Feel better!

I live near Fort Lauderdale, FL. I had my surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, FL. All of the ER physicians at CCF are trained to unfill bands under fluro. Since the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area is a tourist destination and both cities are major cruise ports, if anyone has any band issues travelling in South Florida, Cleveland Clinic is equipped and the ER docs are trained to assist us bandsters. There are many other hospitals in South Florida that have bariatric programs and are quality hospitals. However, I specifically asked about the ER band care at CCF, so I know they are available 24/7.

I am concerned about this issue as well. Fortunately, there are several bariatric programs locally, so most, if not all, local hospitals should be familiar with band issues. I am concerned about travelling. Next year, we are planning to drive from FL to the Grand Canyon.

If I eat slowly, I experience a gentle hiccup which is my stop signal.

I have to have something hot in the morning to be able to even get a Protein shake down. My band just isn't happy in the mornings. Can you spilt your pills or crush them? If they are a capsule, can you open the capsule and take the granules only? I open the capsule of my antidepressant and just take the contents.

Make sure you are getting your protein every day. My doc recommends 60 to 90 grams and when my hair was shedding, he said to try to keep it closer to 90 every day. Add biotin and zinc to your vitamins. If it gets bad, try Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. It is temporary. It will come back.

You are in "bandster hell" . You are doing this on will power only. It will get easier once you start getting fills. The swelling from surgery is subsiding, but your band is empty, so you it is not providing much restriction. Keep following your doc's instructions and know that it will get much easier.

I expected to see stretch marks as I lost weight. I wasn't thrilled to see them on my thighs, calves, and tummy. However, I can live with them and cover them up most of the time. But, today I noticed them on my NECK!! Help!

Miralax works well and is gentle.