momomia59

I have had my lap band in for 10 years and just this year I started experiencing horrible acid reflux. My doctor also put me on Zantac and then Dexilant. That worked for a few months but I was still bloating and lots of gas pain. I finally had a emptying test done and found out that I have "gastro paresis". This is where the food in your stomach sits there and does not empty out. They put me on Reglan and that seems to work for awhile but I cant stand being on a liquid diet that I have just recently put on 20 lbs. (ugh). Finally my lap band surgeon took out my fill and it seems to have subsided. Its been 2 weeks and no more medication. I see my lap band surgeon next week and I'm hoping to get my fill back in so I can get the weight off if not we are going to talk about moving over to the sleeve but I don't think my insurance will pay for it? Holding my fingers to see.

Hi Guys, I've had my band in for 10 years so I thought I would just throw in some of my experiences. The first 6 months are the hardest. I did not lose any weight the first 3 months and finally went in for a fill. Wow..after I had my fill I was sick for about a week, couldn't keep any food down, dehydrated feeling horrible. I decided to suck it up got throught it. Drank gatorade, stayed away from water it made me feel very heavy and would cause me to throw up. I drank protein drinks, yogurt, the typical "slide down" food until my band felt like it eased up from the fill. I was starving, but you have to learn to get over that feeling and concentrate on something else. During the next six months after my fill I lost 30 lbs, my fill loosened and I was able to eat better foods. Oatmeal for breakfast, soups, small amounts of meat. The only thing is I have to eat 6-7 times per day. Do not try to consume everything at one time like a regular meal. Its not going to work. Sometimes I'm hungry but only eat maybe 3-4 pieces of watermelon, an hour later I'll eat some protein and my whole day will go like this. You have to find what works for you.

I've had my band for 10 years now. If you wait for a couple of days the fill will loosen up. If you are vomiting and unable to keep any liquids down then you probably need some taken out. How big is your lap band and how much do you have in it now?

So are you saying that you have 4 hours until you have surgery that you want to go to Sea World? If thats the case I would say go and enjoy but make sure you leave enough time to check in and do pro-op procedures. Now if you want to go after you have the surgery I would not recommend it. I had my surgery at 2:00 in the afternoon and was up in my room around 4:00. I was wide awake but uncomfortable. I certainly did not feel like walking around that day. The next day I got up and walked around the hospital, showered and dressed. by the time my husband and I flew home I was exhausted and went straight to bed. I finally felt really good after a week and could do everything I normally did before the surgery. I struggled with my eating for about a week until I could put together a journal of what would go down what wouldn't. Scrambled eggs are horrible for me, so is rice and any type of pasta. So I pass on them completely. Please make sure you stay away from any type of bread. Man when that stuff gets stuck you are hurting until it passes. Its been 10 years since my lap band and I've been at the point for quite a few years that I no longer get fills and my weight has stayed steady for the past 6 years. I do exercise every day though!!