Justme9786

ibuprofen definitely can be an irritant on your stomach, however this is with excessive use. If you are alternating between ibuprofen and tyelenol, it should be okay. I just wouldn't overdo the ibuprofen. Especially if there is no food to help absorb it.

Same here. I'm in FL and CVS has liquid form of it. This is what I found most useful for the pain.

She is right....on the flip side of what I said initially, if you're not eating ENOUGH, that could be why too. I try to force myself to eat small amounts at least 5x a day to keep my metabolism going. Breakfast 8am Snack 11 lunch 1sh Snack 3-4ish dinner 5-6ish and I try REALLY hard NOT to eat past 8, even though I do get a craving now and then Which I've found when I do get a craving for something in the evening, a 1/2 cup of healthy Cereal (like Special K or Kashi) w/fat free, lactose free, organic milk ....usually does the trick.

Sometimes your body needs change....especially when you've reached a plateua. Try switching up what you've been eating with a big twist. For instance, I used to eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner (with a little variation of course) everyday, and then i realized I hit a plateau....I just switched up my routine and started to see some weight come off. Also, are you exercising? Remember, the band is just a tool. It has helped you lose 33lbs so far, so it's obviouly worked thus far. But remember, once you start losing weight, your body requires less and less calories to maintain and even less to lose. So if you are still eating the same amount, but not burning any, that's probably why youre at a plateau. Trying incorporating some sort of work out routine a couple of times a week. Even the simplest things can burn calories and help. Do sit ups, crunches, walk, jog, etc. Anything that would make you burn more than you usually would, would help. Hang in there... you'll have ups and downs with your journey, but keep your head up!

Lol...okay no need to yell.

I am 4 years post op and have no regrets of getting the band. The above poster is right that it is a little frustrating with the sweet spot search, but once you find it, it's bliss. I am at my sweet spot and can eat pretty much anything I want within reason and portion. I was initially only 20lbs away from my goal weight, but due to an ankle fracture and not being able to walk at all for 2.5 months, I gained some weight back. This is all MY fault, not the bands. The band is a tool and if it is not used properly, will not be successful.

How are you drinking the Water? Lots at a time or just sips? If you are just sipping and it hurts, you may need to get a little taken out. I would call your surgeon if thats the case. You can sometimes expect it to be a little tighter right after the fill just because it is swollen, which is why they tell you to go on a liquid diet for a few days after a fill, but if you can barely keep liquids down, it may be too tight.

I'd say just make sure you have your meds by the time you get home and to get up and start walking as soon as you can. My experience was that the actual procedure area wasn't what was the most painful, it was the gas pain that forms in your shoulder area (generally). The best thing for that is to get up and walk around. It helps the gas bubble to move and eventually dissipate. Gas X didn't work for me for that, but liquid tyelonol 3 did. So I would recommend speaking with your surgeon about that, prior to start of surgery so you don't forget once you get the lovely hospital meds

I didn't even realize from your first post that you were still on liquids....totally read over that one! Glad the pain was relieved by a little wind release Sometimes it's simple things! I constantly carry the gas-x dissolvable strips because I get gas quite frequently. They seem to do the trick in most cases.

Everyone is different. Sips of hot liquids helps me not PB in most cases...usually if I catch it before it's a really bad "stuck" feeling....and I rarely PB. Same with my sister, she sips hot liquids and it usually helps. But then there's my mom who can't sip at all. Having the lapband for the past 4 years I have learned that you have to find what works best for you. Not everyone is the same. Some can and some cant.

It really is a personal preference, but I opted for the band. The initial surgeon I saw tried to convince me to get the bypass, but i felt that it was far too invasive. I was only 21 when i got the surgery. The weight loss is slower, but it's still weight loss. Don't they always say, to lose weight slower is healthier? I have a hiatal hernia (likely due to band) and also had to have my gallbladder removed, which with any extremem weight loss a lot of people have to have their gallbladder removed. Overall, even if I do have some side effects, I am satisfied with my band. I can eat almost anything I want, just in the right portion sizes. And, I like the fact that my surgeon knows me after seeing him so many times for fills and unfills. It makes for a more personable surgical experience. My mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law all have the band too....we are a big band family

Do what your gut tells you. If you are not comfortable with the surgeon, seek a second opinion. I know you've vested all this time already, but it's possible that all of that may not go to waste. If you've already been cleared by psych and nutrition, you may be able to forward that onto the next surgeon. Doesn't hurt to look into at least. Do what's best for YOU.

If you can, try sipping on some warm/hot liquids when that happens. I know one of the golden rules is to NOT drink while you are eating, which is very true, but if you feel that stuck feeling, sometimes just sips of hot liquids like tea or coffee can help.

Cknight- thank you for sharing the reality of what CAN happen if youre not careful. I would seek out an opinion from a physician on the vomiting of blood. Though it cold be band related, it could also be something else. And if it is band related, like a slippage, it could get worse. And also if you are still taking reflux meds, you should get hat checked too...possibly get some Fluid if not all of the fluid taken out of your band so that it may heal. I know weight loss is all of our goals, but your health is what is the most important! Please keep us updated

You will know when you are stuck! It's in your chest area generally....you'll most likely water at the mouth and spit up or PB until it goes away. Try not to get there!!

Once you start getting fills, you'll feel the difference! Some people can feel the difference without a fill, but in most cases it takes a fill to really feel it.

F1stborn-that is normal. It means the band is working

It really varies....some people can tolerate 5ccs and some can't. I have a 10cc band and my first fill 4 years ago was 2.5ccs. I've went up and down in ccs since then with my highest being 4.4 and I could barely keep liquids down with tht fill. I am now at 3.9 and pretty much have the perfect fill.....for me. If 5ccs works for you, go for it for a little while and see how it goes.

My experience is that it has helped my "hungry" feeling TREMENDOUSLY! Before, I was constantly hungry, never satisfied, and always wanted more. Now, I rarely get that STARVING feeling. There are some times when I don't eat as I routinely would and I get hungry, but nothing like it was pre-band. You also have to consider the fill. If you have too loose of a fill, you'll feel hungry more often. I'm at a pretty good fill right now where it controls my constant hunger, but not too tight. I can eat almost all of the foods I enjoy, just smaller portions that satisfy me. Great question for a pre-bander!

I'd say for at least a few days to maybe a week you may be too sore, but I don't remember having to wait too long after. :-)

Just as you said, in a few days the gas pains should subside. Getting up and walking really is the best to help it go away. Did your doctor give you liquid Tylenol? I had liquid Tylenol 3 and it seemed to help more than gas-x. That was 4 years ago. This past year I had lap chole (gallbladder removed) and the gas pain was 10000x worse and only IV meds helped, so I was admitted. Really, it's just a waiting game unfortunately. :-/ BUT on the positive side...... I look forward to reading your success stories! It truly does start and end with YOU, not the band. The band is a tool to help you achieve your goals. I am sure we will see you posting away of your success! Hang in there! :-)

Okay, so MY biggest problem is that I don't have a lot of time to work out and/or I don't want to spend a lot of time working out.....SOOO.....after talking with friends and researching I found a GREAT all over body workout!!! It's called the "100 Workout" and it only takes about 20 minutes out of your day. By the time I am done, I am dripping in sweat and my heart rate is pretty darn accelerated!! Here's how it works: 100 jumping jacks 90 crunches 80 squats 70 leg lifts 60 jumping jacks 50 crunches 40 squats 30 leg lifts 20 jumping jacks 10 minute run Even if in the beginning you can't do all of that, try cutting each in half and working your way up. Anything is better than nothing... For instance, you can try: 50 jumping jacks 45 crunches 40 squats 35 leg lifts 30 jumping jacks 25 crunches 20 squats 15 leg lifts 10 jumping jacks 5 minute run However you need to adjust it to make it work for you....it's such a simple work out routine and really DOES work you out. I put on some fast beat music and just go til I'm done with only breaking for Water. Let me know if anyone tries it

Everyone is different....for instance, I don't use the numbing stuff...I don't like it....where as some people need it! Same with fills.... I am at 3.9 ccs and it's pretty much perfect for me, where my friend who has the same band has gone up to 6.5ccs and barely felt any restriction. Continue to communicate with your physician about your concerns. It may take quite a few visits before you find your perfect fill.

So sorry about your first "stuck" moment.... I remember the first time I PBd. It was HORRIBLE! Just based off my experiences, I would say it is pretty normal to have some discomfort afterwards. As far as the reason it happened....we all do it eventually. Eat too fast because we are STARVING! That is why it is best to always eat when youre supposed to. I eat 5 times a day usually during the week. Small meals though out the day. However, the weekends always throw me off and it's always harder for me to eat. So just make sure you keep consistent with your eating habits the best that you can. I find that the days that I'm really tight, I tend to drink more hot/warm liquids to help. There have been days I wasn't able to eat all day which made me very weak, so I would heat up tomato Soup and get Gatorade and that almost always does the trick for me.