paula

Michelle, I agree! Everything he says is exactly what Im going through. I first PB, then the reflux; go on liquids, then to solids, then I PB again, then the reflux....... a vicious cycle. Food is going down well though. Im like alot of folks that think that the only symptoms a bandster has of being filled too tight is when water can't even go down.... not so! Thanks for this information!

New Bandster, MY symptoms of reflux started with food actually coming back up into my throat when I would lay down. It would usually happen when I was falling asleep and relaxing. I would suddenly wake up choking on vomit... kinda graphic - sorry! FYI - Ive tried several things, including not eating 3 hours before going to bed. Didnt really help. Ive slept with my head elevated, then I get sleep apnea, so that didnt help either. I realize that for me, it has everything to do with pbing. The reflux only happens when I have a strong pb that day. Thank Michelle and Betty for your consolation. I was hoping that Marie would give me her input. I remember her having something like this.

I knew you were wise.

Greg.... You are B A D!!! By the time the "fart song" had finished, my ENTIRE family (even the 2 yr old) was gathered around this stupid computer! And of coarse the men in the house wanted details, "who sent you that Mom?, Where did that come from Paula?" We only had to listen to it 3 times... I thought that was pretty good! Betty.... that is so touching. Does he still remember that? Marcus is 9 now and most kids his age dont believe in Santa. He still does!

ok, now I feel like a dumb ass. I shouldve finished reading all the reply's before posting my own. Lisa, thats good information to keep on hand. So checking on our band every 6 months to 1 year is geat advice! Thanks. Michelle, now Im wishing I wouldve ordered one of those books! Are they still available?

Leatha, soooo very glad to hear that youre "catching" the Spirit this year. My little Anne Marie told me yesterday, "Mom, Christmas is just MAGICAL!" she had such a twinkle in her eyes when she said it. Its the anticipation...

Betty , did you tell him that you were banded??? If so, what did he say??

Betty, you made a great point. Alot of times people only speak out when a problem is found. My doc does not do the fluro fills so I havent seen my band since I was initially banded. Hope all is well! By the way, any more weight loss?

Hey Greg, my speakers were turned waaaay up (kids were playing the computer earlier) and just clicked on your page. YIKES! Merry Christmas to you too! God Bless you!

I agree 100%! And to also say that using these med's can be for a short term use. Who said you had to take this stuff for years? Sometimes we just need a little help to get over the big hole in the road - then once we are on the other side, we are fine! I read this post yesterday and didnt have time to respond. Funny thing is that as many threads as Ive read in the past - there are very few that I think about once I log off, and Ive thought alot about this one! I dont really have any valuable 2 cents to add, but just to say that there are others out there in the same boat... me included. Some days I think less of our struggles then other days. Money, Money, Money... cant live with out it! I rate it up there next to oxygen! I try to remind myself often that money problems ARE fixable. In all honesty, this is true. Although it may take us 100 years to get to that point. Just try to find some "peace" in the midst of these trials. And count your blessings instead of your misfortunes (Im actually telling this to myself). It could be worst

wooo-hooo... the first fill! Glad it went well. Isnt it a strange feeling??? I remember my first fill - and my insides actually feeling different - a tightness?!?! It went away about a week later. It wasnt as noticable with the second fill though. So your doctor wants you to do lquids for the rest of the day??? Be careful! Everything is swollen right now.

My goodness, he is beautiful! Its the little baby breath... and when we hold them close and can actually smell the newness of it all (oh heck, its probably the Dreft washing powder). And the little rolls of baby fat........ just thinking about it makes me miss my own babies! What a wonderful Christmas gift!

I agree Alex! I miss not having the availablitity to EAT during times of stress, or having emotional problems etc., thats about the only time I got aggravated with my band. Because those are the times I really want to EAT - eat EVERYTHING in sight! So, basically the band has helped me think of other things to do instead of using food for comfort. Which is a good thing, but it took me a while to realize this. Another thing that may be negative for the newly banded person is = Restriction! It took me a while to figure out that my level of restriction was different day by day. Some days I can eat like my "pre-banded" days. Thats a little discouraging because the dietition told me that after surgery I would only be allowed to eat 1/2 cup of food at a time. Boy, what a shock when I sat and ate an entire order of nachoes at Chilie's restaurant about 2 months after I was banded. But, 3 days later my morning shake would gurgle going down because I had so much restriction. What Im trying to say is that learning your own level of restriction - and WHEN it comes and goes MAY be the only negative thing. When we are very stressed, during our monthy cycles, in the mornings... these are the most commen times when I notice MY restriction stronger, and others have said the same. Good luck!

Girl, you look beautiful! 143 pounds lost...do you realize that that is a whole person???

Im not sure what is happening. On Monday I got my second fill, officially at a 1.8cc now. Thursday night I drank some juice before going to bed and about 30 minutes later I started choking and coughing in my sleep. Even though I was sleeping I felt the juice coming back up. So I changed positions and tried falling asleep again... same thing! Juice coming back up. Then I elevated my head and tried sleeping this way. Much better! Just not very comfortable. Same thing happened again tonight once I went to sleep . This time it was a little stronger - and I was even propped up on lastnights pillows. What is going on? I searched the archives on information on this topic and found something that Tellie wrote back in Aug about GERD. I have no idea what GERD is. HELP!

Thanks Darcy, Michelle and Marie! Darcy, no, Ive NEVER had reflux. I guess thats why Im not familear with whatever this is. It just started Thursday night. What a crazy situation, when my head is elevated too high I stop breathing and wake up gasping for air (sleep apnea?), so normally I sleep on one fairly thin pillow. Well, the past 2 nights I have slept with head elevated to prevent this GERD or whatever it is, and now the sleep apnea is kicking my butt!!!!! (sigh) What a complainer... sorry! Michelle, have you heard about this? Do you really think the med's will help? Ill try anything. I am sleep deprived..... I need sleep!!! And wouldnt you know, its Saturday, cant do much till Monday. Oh geez, two more nights of this?!?!?!

I LOVE Christmas music too. We have a local radio station that is playing all Christmas till Christmas. Havent even bought the first present or put any decorations up, but sure have my Christmas music turned up!

41 pounds????? OMG!

This question has been asked MANY times here, but unless the mystery happens to me, I never remember the answer!!! I went for my 2nd fill today. Had my first fill back in Aug. - 1.6cc's. When Dr. Spiegel checked the level today it was a 1.2cc...... so, where did my fill go???

Betty, hope you dont mind me posting this on your thread! We are back from the in-laws - a week at staying in N. Carolina! Over all it was a wonderful week. MIL noticed my weight loss immediately, we just told her it was the low-carb diet. She wasnt "skinny skinny skinny" like she told me she was, she actually had put on some weight since the last time I saw her (whatever!!!). And my secret was safe (being banded) thanks to my 3 kids. To make time go buy between bites I would get up and tend to my kids - get them more food, wipe dirty hands & faces, clean spills, etc. So, my secret is still a secret. Noone noticed!!!!!!!! On Thurs. night, I felt very compelled to tell my SIL - so I did. She just smiled and hugged me and told me how good I looked and then we started talking about something else. And she agreed that it was a good thing that MIL didnt know! Anyway, just wanted to let all of you closet bandsters know that you can really REALLY keep this thing uncover if you choose to! Even during the holidays while you are camping out at the in-laws...

Kathy, 4 weeks after my first fill I had more restriction then 1 week post fill. Not sure why. I remember that 6 weeks after my fill I had a very strong pb and it took around 4 hours for my food to pass. It was nearly 3 days later that my stomach soreness finally went away. And that was 6 weeks later!!!!! So yes, in MY situation, I had more restriction a few weeks later rather then right at first.

Nancy, I am one of the few that wasnt so thrilled with my band at first - we talked about this in Galveston. But now my journey has taken a turn. After many thoughts on my dissapointment, I realized that it was due to my doctor and his staffs untruths - not my band! Just back from my Thanksgiving "vacation", this trip made me realize a few things... I am much happier and content then I have ever been, I am no longer shy or embaressed to meet new relatives or friends, and the big one is (and I steal this one from YOU) I no longer look to see if I am the biggest person in the room. This band has given me hope - hope for a better life, hope for a happier life, hope for a healthier life. Funny how alot of us never realized how unhappy we were and that our weight had such a impact on this.

Hi Blossom! Most of the time when co-workers have lunch together everyone talks alot and worries about their own food and the time limit. I really think this will be an easy thing for you to "hide". Good luck. And dont forget Betty's suggestion. Pushing food around on your plate is also real good way to disguise our band!

Hey Ryan...just letting you know that I was thinking about you. Glad to hear you are hanging in there!! So.... that really does shrink too??????