Sultana

Hi, I have seen several references to "pouch stretching". Because I have not had success with the band, I am very curious as to what this is, how it happens, how can you tell if you have it, and what can be done? Why would food not come UP rather than one's pouch stretch? Thanks for any info. Sultana

Hik, Would someone please explain to me how the buddy list and ignore lists work? Thanks! Sultana

Hi, I do use Nasalcrom--a steroidal nasal spray and I most often sleep sitting up--not for reflux, but (geez, I am about to sound like a health disaster here) for a jaw problem. I was in close lock with TMJ a few years ago and had both sides of my jaw operated on. The disks are shot and cannot be fixed, but the pain is minimal as long as I do not lay on my jaw too long. I have learned to live with it. When we stay in hotels, we put bedspreads, phone books, etc. under my side of the bed for head elevation. If I lay on my jaw too long I get extreme vertigo, and sleeping flat on my back all night is not doable. You would think that with my food allergies and my jaw problem that I wouldn't even be able to eat!!! Some obstacles are easier to overcome than others! :laugh The up side of the food allergy is that I eat very few processed foods because most have corn syrup, corn oil, corn starch, dextrose, sorbitol....or any of the other corn words that I know so well! It also greatly limits sweets, which is a good thing too. Enough about my farcical existence! Thanks for all your encouragement; happy holidays to all.

Hi All, I did see Dr. K yesterday after I had an upper GI. I watched it on the screen as my esophogus did its peritalsis thing trying to get the barium through the band, but NOTHING was going through. It was in the morning, however. My doctor said the band was in the right place and my pouch looked okay, but that my esophogus looked...stretched??? (can't remember the term she used). I was at 3.2, and she removed .3 so I am now at 2.9. I am still not sure if it is enough, but I will see. She told me to let things heal by eating liquids and mushies for the next few days, and to continue taking the Previcid for 2 weeks. An upside is that I lost 14 pounds just short of 2 months, but it was a heck of price to pay with all the reflux and PBing. I did not reflux last night, but I did not eat or drink for hours before bed time. Time will tell, I guess. I was sure that I would have a dialated pouch and that she would need to remove LOTS of fill. Has anyone heard from or about Michelle? I know she was having problems, and since I have been mired in mine, I have not been here in a while. Let me know, okay! Thanks for all your encouragement (as usual). Sultana

Hi Alex, I too LOVE ice cream. If there were a decree that we all had to choose only one food to subsist on forever, I would choose ice cream. I do NOT eat it often because I can only eat premium ice cream (Haagen Das, etc.) because I am allergic to corn products which are found in many lesser ice creams. It makes the low fat, low sugar ones choices I cannot make. I guess that my doctor's lack of concern about my pouch makes me nervous about long range problems. I thought of that before you told me about your doctor's conservative view. I was very surprised that she removed so little fill--maybe she feels that a few days of mushies in conjunction with the unfill will do the trick? Like I said, she did look at the films herself. She is so very busy, and while I trust and respect her, I sometimes feel very rushed and flustered because she has one foot out the door; that happened yesterday. I must say that she did squeeze me in, so I'm sure that was a factor yesterday. You know, I agree that food choices are definitely a factor that we can control, and I work on that constantly and conscientiously. It does help, however, if the band prohibits me from eating too much of any food that I might choose. My band is certainly not consistent in that matter. Another interesting thing that I did not mention earlier is that my doctor thinks that the reason that my band all of sudden got too tight when I have been at this fill for a while, is because of post nasal drip clogging things up!! I have a long history of allergic problems, and here on the east coast, this is my worst season because I am allergic to mold. All the leaves and rain make the mold count very high. Has anyone ever heard anything like that??? Years ago my allergist told me that I was "wired funny", and I must admit that I do feel like a freak. I am hoping that like Leatha (?) said, I will just hit my stride late and start really losing. Many other bandsters must have the same food problems and demons that I do, and yet they loose way faster. It can't just be because they stick to a strict diet....why would they NEED the band? Well, enough philosophy. I will keep on keeping on and abiding by all the best banding tenets. I am ever hopeful....at least today!

Hi All, Thanks for your responses. I am feeling so much better--have had no reflux today, and I drank lots of Water. I guess the real test will be when I start eating chewy solid food in a few days. Alex, I will keep thinking of you and hope you get the news you want. The GI Dr. indicated that I did have some dialation, but called it moderate, and Dr. K looked at the films herself and did not seem concerned. I have to trust her call here; she is the expert. I would think that if my dialation was a problem she would have removed more fill. I think she was reassured that the band was right where it should be. At any rate, I'll bet your news will be good. Have you had trouble keeping the weight off with less restriction? Damn those chocolates anyway!! Michelle, what is causing your spasms? I also had great pain when eating (particularly the first few bites). I think it was my esophogus unsuccessfully trying to move the food through the too-tight band. Is that what it is with you? I am glad your symptoms have abated some. This is some journey, eh? Keep in touch.

Hi, I have been a stranger here for a while! I have spent the last 4 nights sleeping sitting up because I have had constant regurgitation during the night. It seems to happen if I ate something or if I drank something. I have not had a fill since the summer. I have noticed lately that my band seems tighter, and I did not think of that as a bad thing. I even had a few PB episodes, but I was eating and drinking okay, and then this started. Could this be a stomach virus? How long should I let it continue before letting my Dr. know? Is it possible for my band to just tighten to this point so long after getting a fill (August)??? I did not even eat any Thanksgiving dinner!! I really hate to have fill removed it this is only a temporary thing, so I could really use some advice. Thanks. I hope all of you had a way better Thankgiving that I didi!! Sultana

Hi Leatha, I did get a copy of the message you sent about my pills in my e-mail, but it did not show up on the boards??? At any rate, I only take 4 pills that are medication (and they are pretty small), and I bought chewable daily vitamins, vitamin C, and Calcium. I too now take them one at a time even though they are small. Does anyone have a suggestion about how to take Tylenol? Thanks for your concern Leatha (an unusual name like mine!!)

Hi Michelle, I too will be thinking about you. I really hope it is something that can be tended to on the spot. Please be sure to keep us posted.

Hi All, I am all better now! I think I too may have gotten something stuck---a pill. I have been having trouble with them. I think it may have set off esophogeal spasms too. Leatha recommended the Prevacid which I took, and now the problem is gone. I can eat and drink normally....well normally for having a band. I have not had any reflux for the last two days or nights. I think I will still get an upper GI since I am about due for one anyway, just to be sure. I really don't think it is anything major. Thanks so much for all your help and suggestions. Michelle, I am hoping that you called this one!!

Hi Leatha, I did just send an e-mail to Dr. Kurian. I already have an appointment scheduled for the 30th of Dec. (I travel from Phila. to NYC), but asked if she wants me to get an upper GI and see her now. She does not use fluoroscopy, which I don't always understand, but I guess an upper GI will do the trick. I gave her all the details, so we will see what happens. Thanks again.

Thanks Leatha and Alex, My doctor is very good at responding to e-mail, so I will send one off to her right now. So you really don't think this could be a virus? I do have other symptoms (achy, cough--which could be from the reflux, etc.), and I can still eat. I just ate non fat yogurt, green beans and soy chips (low carb, high protein) for lunch. Alex, when it happened to you did your stomach gurgle and have the food or juices work their way up? I do have Prevacid which I will start now. I had this problem before when I was filled too tight, but it went away with an unfill. It was different, however, in that I did not have the noises, I could NOT eat, and I had terrible heartburn. I will contact my Dr. and see what she wants to do. Thanks for your help. I am still so depressed that with all these problems, I have lost only about 40 pounds in a year. I get too depressed to come here and read about everyone else's success (happy for THEM, depressed for ME!!) I do try to stay positive, but it is difficult. Thanks again. Sultana Sultana

Hi Marie, I don't think so. I have never had it before, and when I do regurgitate I do so even with water. This just happened a few days ago; it has not been ongoing. That's why I was wondering if it might be viral. You know, I was reading some of the support threads, and I saw that quite a few had been on a sweet binge (could be the cold weather???), and this all started after I ate sweets (which I normally do not do). I did look at the Ahroni site that Penni (?) suggested, so I am going to follow that advice to drink a glass of water and hour before bedtime. Has anyone experienced sudden band tightening??? Thanks,

Hi All, It has been a while since I posted because I find it painful to read about everyone else's success (I really am very happy for all) when I am struggling to lose every ounce; I feel like such a failure. On my good days I look at the upside of having lost what I have, but I guess now is bad because I have lost only a pound or two in the last two months. I have only lost a total of around 30-35 pounds in 10 months. I do have restriction (better in the AM) and I do eat less; I just don't lose weight. At any rate, Alex suggested that I try weight training, and I have read that it increases metabolism. I have been hypothyroid since I was 19, and I have a resting metabolic rate over 1800--which is horrible. So....I am looking to increase my metabolism. I do exercise regularly in water. I want to include some weight training, but I want to do it in the water because I have had back surgery and am restricted as to what I can lift. I would appreciate any advice. I do go to a health club, and I know they have water weights and ankle wraps and water bells. Any suggestions? And please know that I am really happy for all of you who have wonderful weight loss success.

Hi Nancy, I certainly cannot offer you suggestions, but I can sincerely empathize. I have been banded for 9 months and have only lost 35 pounds. It did take me longer than most to get to proper restriction, and my Dr. is very conservative with fills. I am now at 3.2 and finally have some restriction (it is off and on like I hear from other bandees), and I feel like I eat very little, yet I don't lose. I would love to have lost your 50. My Dr. did do a resting metabolic rate on me, and it was lousy, from what I understand---about 1800, and I have been hypothyroid since I was 18. I exercise too consistently, but I could step it up. I DON'T think your tofu meal was alot by any means. I am shocked (considering my state) that 50 pounds just fell off. I really, really, really understand your frustration. I so wish that someone could give both of us the magic advice. I'm sitting here now having not eaten all day since I have been up (4 hours ago), and wondering how I could NOT lose weight. When I have good days, I know that without the band I would not have lost the 35 pounds, and I am so much the better for having done so---lots of improvements. Having experienced minor success (considering the many pounds waiting to be lost), I am depressed about being on an extended or permanent plateau. Please keep me posted, and let me know if you find something to spur your loss, okay? Sultana

Hi All, Well, I made an unplanned trip to NYC on Friday to have some of fill removed. The week before my Dr. put in .2 making my fill 3.5 so on Friday she removed that amount....and instant relief! I had constant reflux and heartburn, and I was only eating watered mushies and liquids and sleeping sitting up! I just couldn't believe that after a week of that torture that I only lost .6 of a pound. Honestly, what is the matter with me???? I was eating next to nothing. Geezer Sue, I have started the Wellbutrin, and I have no side effects (very low dose), and I am starting to feel happy again and not like throwing a pan across the room because it boils over. Donali kindly sent me an avatar sized picture of my fat face (I do have great legs though!!); I hope that it will show up when I submit this. Kelly, you look great! I am so elated for you! God how I wish I could lose 65 pounds in a year. It will be a year for me in late Dec. and I am only down 30 pounds. However, it took lots of fill to get me going. I'm hoping.... Thanks for sharing. I am an old head, and I like your Stones shirt!! Thanks all for your continuing support and friendship.

Thanks New Hope! Does banding that is too tight lend itself more so to slippage and erosion? I am at 3.3 cc, but I can still eat and drink (but not chug!) comfortably--although a lot less that I used to. I just keep learning things about this band!

Hi All, Up until yesterday I had been sticking with liquids and mushies and I started taking Prilosec at my Dr.'s advice for the heartburn. I was doing much better until last night when I tried solids again. I ate some very tender scallops that were easy to chew. I have had heartburn since and I keep burping, sometimes with reflux. I do believe that my band might be a little too tight! However, I can eat and drink, so I am going to try to wait it out. It has been my experience with fills (and remember that I am the QUEEN of fills having had 6) that they do tend to loosen. I know that some people have the experience that they tighten. The Prilosec dosage is for 14 days, and I am on the 3rd, 4th? so I figure that would be a good time period to wait. Whaddaya think? I did start taking the Wellbutrin, and I have had no side effects, although I expected some nausea and jitters. It is probably because my Dr. started me on a very low dose--150mg daily. That's fine! I have been burping throughout the entirety of my writing this....just wanted to make it more auditory for those of you who learn that way!! Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Hi Lisa, "I'll tell you what" --no, not from Texas just a King of the Hill fan!! Always glad to hear another voice. You will find much assistance and support here as you start your journey! Sultana

Hi All, Well, I had a horrible night that I spent sleeping sitting up because I had constant reflux. Lots of burping and reflux. Does it mean something is stuck? Will it pass? Should I drink? Eat? Call my doctor? I just got this last fill four days ago, and I have been eating and drinking carefully, but I have had heartburn and now this. I would appreciate some pearls of wisdom. Thanks!

Hi, My doctor only added .2cc, but it may have been too much. You know, on the way to my appointment (I take the train to NYC from Phil.) I was not feeling well--fatigue, achiness, and stomach pains which I thought was hunger. Maybe I have a bug on top of things. I did e-mail my Dr. (it's so great that she is accessible that way). I will call if I don't hear from her in a few hours. Thanks.

Hi All, Well, today I had my SIXTH fill, and I am now at 3.5--the most fill any of my Dr.'s patients has. I am 9 months out and have only lost 30 pounds. I asked Dr. K about the fact that most people lose the majority of their weight the first year, and didn't that make me a failure??? She was very kind and encouraging. I have to explain here that I am in the process of switching antidepressants (MENOPAUSE!!) because Prozac has a weight gain side effect. Right now I am weaned down to NONE for a week before I start the new ones, so I am sure that plays into this. At any rate, I then went with the dietician to have a resting metabolic rate test which was a whopping 1800+ (I have been hypothyroid since I was 19???) and in a very chastising way she said to me, "You know Sultana, most patients lose the majority of their weight the first year". Now I am crying and feeling like it is a lost cause and that I am a failure. I explained to her that I exercise, eat Protein first, don't drink until 2 hours after eating, never drink hi cal liquids, etc. All my previous fill was still there today, I just think I am a freak and need lots more fill than some others. Do you think this long fill process has made me miss my "window of opportunity"? I hated being so emotional today (I am really quite analytical by nature), but I am so frustrated and feel like such a .....NON loser. Thanks for reading this. I feel better just having typed it out.

Donali!! I laughed out loud at your air conditioner analogy! I love how positive and insightful you always are, and thanks for your support. x0x0x

Hi Marie, Thanks for your kind words! Nope, no leak. Dr. K extracted (?) siphoned ??? whatever.....she took out all the previous fills and said it was all there. My allergist has always told me that I am "wired funny", and I guess I just need more fill than most. I am still on liquids, but tomorrow I will try real food.

Hi Alex, You know, I did not let her (the dietician) off the hook. Even though I was crying, I asked her WHY should would say something like that to me in that tone without knowing anything about my story. I had never seen her before, and she did not even know me or about me. She was taken aback and tried to backpeddle, but I told her that it was too late that it was already out there. Of course, I was crying (drug crisis) at the time, so probably not so authoritative! Dr. K. was very supportive, kind, and encouraging. I am sitting here now trying to ingest a watered down yogurt before I meet friends for lunch (I won't eat), and it's tough! I think I am definitely tighter. We'll see.... my new motto!! Thanks, and you're right--lots of good advice and support.