A New New Dawn

Promise??? LOL, just kidding!

Kudos to your hubby too! Sounds like he is a great source of support!!

I agree with Chez above that we do want the best for you. People's posts can be interpretted many ways in how you interpret ours and we interpret yours. Nonetheless, I think they are all well intended. Getting back to your original question.... unfortunately, or fortunately burping is very common. However, there are a few things you can do to help minimize it. If you use a straw for your beverages, you swallow a lot of air that way which can increase burping as can eating too fast. I recently was having a problem w/ gas (both ends, sorry tmi) and found out that from the weight I've lost already that my cpap (sleep apnea) machine needed to be turned down and that went away once it was. Also, as CG mentioned, sometimes those little burps/hiccups are a sign for many of us that we are full and to stop eating. Lastly, I am having a lot of tiny burps today and it's my band giving me issues today. Yesterday, at lunch, I had some chicken that was too dry and it caused me to have a bit of a stuck issue. Last night and today I am having a bit of the burps while my band/tummy settles down from being irritated yesterday. It's my sign it's still irritated and I need to keep it to liquids today. Best wishes to you... congrats on your success thus far.

And no one is going to be perfect 100% of the time; however, there are plenty that I am astounded by just don't care and don't want to put forth any effort and expect the band to do all the work. Sure it does a lot of the work but we have to do our part at least MOST of the time. The crappiest foods are the ones often that are the easiest to go down so we have to make that effort to choose wisely.

I believe after you reach 500 posts, you are able to change it yourself.

Sorry you are struggling with your weight loss. Honestly, I could not eat more than a cup of food if I wanted to. But I do agree that it is really meant to keep you satiated for 4-5 hours between meals and not necessarily make you feel "full". A couple suggestions, first, try for a week or two to log your food - everything that goes in your mouth. Then, make an appointment with your surgeon. It has probably been a while since you have been in. Perhaps you need a fill, perhaps the band may have slipped, but he/she can assess what is going on. At that same time, meet with a nutritionist that specializes in the lap band to go over your food diary and see what needs to be modified. I've seen many banders that after years have "forgotten" some of the rules since it's been so long since they learned them. Sometimes that refresher is all they need. Are you starting your meals with 3-4 ounces of solid Protein, then 1/2 c of veggies? The protein should fill you up. If you are just eating random food, it may not have that effect. Also, you say you can easily eat 2 cups of food but anymore restriction and you are throwing up. Perhaps when you had "more restriction" it was just too much of a fill. For example, for some people removal or addition of even .1 cc can make the difference. Whereas if you had 1/2 cc extra that may have been way too much for you. On the other hand, some people when they have more restriction state they cannot get anything down. Now if it is liquids, then yes, there is definitely cause for concern. However, some people are at proper restriction/fill and just aren't eating properly (taking bites the size of their pinky nail, waiting a minute between bites, etc.). Now that I have reached the "zone" I have to be very diligent about eating tiny bites, pausing, then next bite, pause, etc... and no liquids for at least 1/2 an hour after meals. So, sorry for the novel.. I am just concerned that you may be giving up or considering giving up without exhausting or pursuing all the options to continue and be successful with this. It has been a HUGE learning curve for me, but soooo worthwhile. I wish you the best!!

sorry, posted here by accident

NIGHT LADIES... guess I should go pack and I gotta get to work very early...

Due to the travel, etc. did you ever get any fills? Perhaps, that was part of the problem. Also, were there issues w/ your first band itself? It seems odd they would remove it and put a new one, if there weren't medical issues with it.

Interesting article I just came across... I'm not advocating for everyone to run out and buy frozen dinners and I don't remember the last time I had one but thought this may have some insight for those times you do opt for one. http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight-pictures/best-frozen-meals-for-weight-loss.aspx?xid=aol_eh-diet_4_20130114_&aolcat=EFG&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing8%7Cdl6%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D257505#/slide-1

I am certainly not a man to comment on that; however, my fiance wears swim shirts when he swims if you feel more comfortable doing that... or a tank top

In the interim, be very glad you were diagnosed and are being treated. Having severe apnea can cause many serious health issues, adds strain to the heart, and your energy level is way down from not getting proper sleep. It is a Godsend that you have been diagnosed and hopefully, it will go away. I am down about 70 lbs and not sure if I will ever be rid of the apnea (runs in family members of all sizes); however, I know I need to get my machine adjusted w/ the weight I have lost as it is waking me up w/ the air pressure too high now. That's a good sign for me! Hang in there, good things are coming...

You're welcome! I am happy to share my experiences if they may help you. I get premier protein at Costco. It is about $28 (if I remember correct) for 18 of them. So around $1.50 each (cheaper than the McDonald's breakfasts I ate before surgery). I have seen others say they got them at Walmart too. Personally, I don't care for powdered protein mixes and my daughter even likes the premier protein drinks too. These are premixed in small cartons. They are best to drink really cold.

Have you tried tuna salad ( w/ lowfat mayo), or salmon salad, etc. since you are still having some soft foods? Otherwise, low fat cheese and beans are a good protein food. Adding cottage cheese adds protein and even adding powdered non-fat milk to soups or tuna salad, etc adds protein. They also have unflavored protein powders that help. I have recently found that I like the "premier protein" chocolate premade protein drinks and they have 30g of protein and 160 calories so I do that at times for breakfast. I often don't do well (too tight in the a.m.) and the protein drink is a good start for me. Since you are going to your dr. tomorrow, you can ask them too. Btw, as noted in other posts above, many people don't lose during the healing period that you are in. It is soooo important to form realistic lifetime goals and habits with your eating now. So please take care of yourself.

Actually, undereating will slow your metabolism and slow down your weight loss. It's important you get in your protein (you are still healing and so you keep your strength and lose fat, not muscle). As long as you are not eating junk food, there is nothing to feel guilty about.

I hear ya on this and it is a great victory. I also understand that this is the only place you share certain things. My family, nor fiance know my weight, bmi, etc. Maybe when I get near goal I will admit it but not now! I was just calculating my bmi the other day to see where I fit now on the "obese" scale. About 8 years ago I had an emergency appendectomy. Later I got the surgeons report from the hospital and was in tears as he wrote several times that I was morbidly obese, extremely obese, etc.... NO MORE!!! I am very happy for you!!!

If you aren't having trouble with it, I would see no reason to have it removed. I have seen many people on this site that have had it for years. Also, slippage is often due to improper eating habits (overeating) or having the band too tight, and/or throwing up a lot. As long as you don't do that, ideally you won't have problem with it. Would you take your car to the shop and tell them to replace the tires if they were in good working order? Have you ever worked with a nutritionist to formulate a plan and evaluate how you are eating and what modifications may be in order. I may start with that before doing anything else. If your doctor isn't concerned, I don't see why you should be. Best wishes to you!!

For me, it was sore and most uncomfortable when I slept and when I sat at my desk at work. On occasion I took Aleve if it really bothered me and that helped. I remember putting a low profile pillow under the side of my stomach and slept on my side and that seemed to help too. I wouldn't overexert yourself but moving is good to keep the healing process going. I also had weeks of feeling like the tubing or something was jabbing into my ribs when I sat at my desk and would have to make sure I was sitting up very tall and sometimes held in my side. Thankfully, that passed. I was concerned it wouldn't but it did. Hang in there and don't hesitate to call your dr as they are there to support us through this and even the nurses can assess or assist over the phone too.

best of luck on this time around.. I hope it goes through for you.

It is always great to hear stories from seasoned lap banders. Thanks for inspiring us newer ones! Yay, for the band!! You are a great success story.

You may want to call your doctor and see what they say. The port is the most painful incision since it is the largest and where they are most invasive. My port started bothering me around the same time and the doctor told me it was just the swelling and me still healing. But trust your instincts and call the doctor if you are concerned. Feel better soon.

I have never heard of that approach! I agree with Missy to insist that you don't want it that tight if you cannot swallow your own saliva. That is ridiculous. If you are still this way in the a.m. I would call his office. I hate for you to go to the ER as they often will drain the band completely; however, if you are miserable then please don't wait. I hope this passes quickly. The swelling will subside in a couple days but I you don't need it too tight unnecessarily. Just trust your instincts and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself.

I actually bought some spray hydrocortisone (from Walgreens) and sprayed it on my belly because it itched so much. As long as nothing gross is coming out of it....