Emmy27

Anyone still out there? I live outside Chattanooga - how about you?

I was banded two years ago this January. Doing very well except about 5 months ago I had an adjustment that was too much - caused reflux and I aspirated causing aspiration pnemonia. I had Fluid out - recovered well and then went back for an adjustment which was halfway between where I was and where I had the problem - it was perfect and the last adjustment I have had since. In Sept I had a tummy tuck and breast lift and reduction - there was some concern that the swelling might cause me to have increased restriction but it went well - not one problem eating. Monday night I had some symptoms of reflux but overall was ok - I hadn't been taking this med that helps with the mucus so I made sure to take it the next night (it was thought that I had a lot of mucus when I had the aspiration too... so I started on this to thin the mucus at night) Then this Tuesday I had a great lunch - no problems. By Tuesday evening I felt some increased restriction - was having a thick Soup for dinner out - couldn't eat much of it but what I ate went down fine. Slept fine, no problems with reflux. Then yesterday I couldn't keep any solid food down at all - though I did okay with fluids as long as I went slow. Last night I took the mucus med but still had some reflux issues. This morning I still feel more restricted then normal but am doing okay sipping tea - I am afriad to try any food. I called my doctor - they think I must have just irratated something and want me to go on clear fluids - it is odd that it is happening so far out from an adjustment. I asked if it could be a slip and she hesitated - saying she didn't think so since there wasn't vomiting (there was PBing but it was a result of this, not what started it)... she said if I don't feel like I can wait it out they will see me immediately if I call back, even on the weekend/evening. She wants me to come in Monday if it hasn't resolved by then. What do you think? What have your experiences been/ do you think it sounds like slippage? I wouldn't have thought so but the more I read on here I am wondering even more... Thanks in advance. oops forgot to add - I am on prevacid - she told me to double the dose for the next couple days. Also, I just started the pill for irregular periods again on Sunday - she said this can cause some fluid retention which can cause an increase of up to .2 of pressure on the band (like I had an adjustment of .2 in the band) - that is the same amount they added to get me where I have had a good restricition up unitl now so I am now, technically, over where I was where I had the aspiration pnemonia which would be another reason to try to wait it out another day or two -for the fluid retention to resolve.

I went on clear fluids only on Thursday - was able to tolerate soft foods on Friday (broccoli cheese soup - lumpy) Saturday I ventured out and did fine but got filled up much faster than I had (1/4 cup of food probably). Fluids are not a problem at all anymore - no more pain. My doc said I must have just irrritated my stoma. I have never been so happy to be able to eat. I had myself convinced the band had slipped. Thank you for your support/encouragement.

Okay... so everything was going well, lol. I had my first fill on Tuesday. Suppose to be on clear fluids Tues, full fluids Wed/Thurs, soft food tomorrow and regular food Saturday. So... I did the clear fluids.... had full fluids yesterday and had soft foods today. I know, being bad already but I am starving.... So... I stop eating at a point because I know I should BUT I don't feel any restriction still.... shouldn't I by now??? Two days later? Or am I really asking too much? I don't know how much my fill was but I do know my doc is fairly conservative. Do you know how soon after a fill you can have another? Should I not even be worried about this until I start back on a normal meal deal? Ugh... I want to lose already, lol. TIA

Sorry to be gross but this is just out of hand. Why does my body feel it necessary to produce this much nastiness that does not make it through my band? Yuckers in a big way. Nasty, nasty. food is fine - I eat and it stays down fine but the mucus comes up. What in the world? I had a good laugh the other day while I said a prayer for less mucus. I bet God hadn't heard that one before - except from maybe us bansters. Do you have the same problem?

My doctor said it's allergies... that the mucus sits there and usually a hot drink helps to thin it out. They also said that in some cases (like mine apparently, lucky me) that there is more and when you eat the food dislodges it. It has no where to go but up. It's not like a PB at all... it just makes it's way up. It's no fun to say the least though it's been better the past few days. Hope it clears up for all of us!

I didn't have a chance to read through all the replies so this may be a repeat but... The wonderful thing about the band is that you can still have a poptart if you so chose. No, not everyday but once in a while it's fine. You're not expected to give up anything... The next wonderful thing is... you ate two this time. With the band and the proper restriction you MIGHT be able to eat one and that is it. Hang in there... don't give in to the "I already blew it so might as well just give up".... you are succeeding already and the band will help you with continued success without so much of the struggle of portions. Hugs,

I am a stay at home mom. Prior to this I was a mental health counselor for adults with mental illness. I was the assistant director of a 36 bed outpatient program. Loved it, miss it. Planning on going back to school when my youngest starts kindergarten - to be a psychiatric nurse.

I want to do a really good weight loss journal, online. Do you know of any good and FREE sites where I can do a journal? TIA!

After much discussion with my doctor, reading here and soul searching I decided to take a chance and have a third adjustment. My portions were at least twice as big as they should be and I was hungry quite often leading me to snack. While I was still losing the minimum one pound a week, my doctor said I could have an adjustment based on my appetite and portions (if I had been losing more than that it would have been a no go). So, I went this past Tuesday - almost four months exactly from my surgery, for fill number 3. It was an entirely different experience this time. The last two adjustments didn't phase me - I drank clear fluids the day of the adjustment, full fluids the next day, soft foods on day three and was generally back to regular food on day four. My first adjustment showed me now additional restriction, my second one was MUCH better in terms of restriction but as I lost weight (and the fat between my band and stomach) it became time for another. So, when I had this third adjustment she told me she had added some and felt some resistance indicating, based on her experience, that I would have some swelling. She said she could put more in but thought that would be an overfill so we stopped and I am thankful for that. I was really worried after the first day I was having a hard time just sipping room temperature Water - called her and she explained the following (which is also in a handout they give at each adjustment but I needed to hear it): This adjustment caused swelling which can take up to two weeks to subside completely. I could potentially be on fluids for a week this time but if I am not back on solids withing two weeks to call (or call before then for any reason). She told me she had a patient a couple of weeks ago that couldn't make it through the swelling stage and had some Fluid taken out, a couple days later she called as she had no restriction again. She told me it was up to me how to proceed - I could hang on and work through it (assuming I was getting fluids in) or come in for an unfill. I am sticking it out and was able to start some full fluids today (day four). We both think this will lead me to good restriction at the end of the two week healing phase. Wish me luck. Also, my understanding is the first fill is basically just to give you some practice chewing well, slowly. The second fill is the one where you learn even better habits (again, the chewing) and can feel what will happen if you don't do what you should. The third is where the band is actually putting some pressure on your stomach and somewhere between the third and fifth is hopefully where you reach your "sweet spot". What do you think? Anyway, wanted to thank you for your input - I weighed it all in my decision, didn't ignore it at all. Thanks again.

I AM losing about a pound to a pound and a half a week. If it weren't for that I would not consider a fill. BUT - I still eat more than a cup and a half at dinner. lunch is also a bit more than that. I get hungry between meals so I snack. Breakfast is always something hot first, then something soft or I PB. I am excercising so I think that is attributing to the loss too. I still PB if I am not careful chewing, not that often at all now that I am getting the hang if it. I want to maximize what this band can help me do and feel like I could do more restriction. I trust my doc in that I would not get overfilled (they do it under floroscopy too) and if it did happen know the signs to watch for and could fix it. Also, I have been making very good MEAL choices but my Snacks haven't been the best - my doc discourages any snacking and sees that as a sign for needing a fill. What do you think? Should I leave well enough alone or see if I can do better?

Anyone? Please?

I am sorry that is't so painful right now. This too shall pass. The first two days were rough on me - by a week post op I was back to normal which I didn't think would happen on that second day. I still have to unhook my bra if I drive after I eat... not sure why as it's not RIGHT over it but it does make it uncomfortable. As for the tylenol - I would sip it but not over more time than 10 minutes. Five would be even better. You can mix it in some juice but to me that makes it worse. Good luck and welcome to Banster world!

Mine hurt less than when the poke your finger for that one drop of blood. And I was PETRIFIED of what it would be like. My best advise is not to look, lol.

That is really and truely inspiring. Thank you for sharing and congratulations!!! Size TEN? I think I was born in a 12 and worked my way up, lol.

Okay.... "I've lost, that loving feeling" lyric comes to mind. Hmmm... this restriction - do you have it, do you not issue is baffling. I have more in the morning but now at dinner I don't get full again... is that normal after a few days? I am still eating the appropriate portion but feel like I could eat more. Part of me is tempted to eat more to see what/if anything happens. Darn it... I just want to KNOW! Wish there was clear sign on my forehead or something (okay, maybe not, lol).

I had NO restriction after my first fill and was so dissapointed and down on myself. Had to wait four weeks for my second fill - had it this past Tuesday. Had no restriction all week/since - I was on fluids and then soft foods. I had my first "solid" meal tonight and all it was was one grilled boneless chicken breast with melted cheese and about 5 green Beans and I was full!!!! FULL!!!! REALLY!!!! I almost started crying.... so thankful to finally HAVE it.... My husband was laughing at me as I pointed to my stomach with glee and said "RESTRICTION"!!!! Like I just found a pot of gold, lol. Woo-Hoo.... And yet... there is a tiny bit of me that can't just be happy - still worried it was a fluke. Ugh... But I have RESTRICTION!!!! :banana

Philip is definately in my prayers. I wince when I think what he must be facing. I am Christian and received some very helpful/comforting thoughts on death that I would love to share with Philip if he is interested - I do not want to post them only because if he is not Christian they might not be as helpful as they are intended to be right now. Can you let him know he can email me? Now, later, not at all.... whenever/if ever is good for him if he is interested. In any case, he is in my prayers.

Karen, it sounds like a great plan. Over the next week you can give your stoma a rest... it must have been working overtime. I bet you were close to your sweet spot, just a bit over. At least now you have a range to work in... you know over that 1.7 will be too much. With the one pound... it makes sense - you weren't getting ANYTHING in... your body kicked into survival mode. I bet you lose some this week (unless you go crazy, lol). Wouldn't it be wonderful of this band of bansters could go marching with each other from fill to fill, lol. What a force to be reckoned with! Glad you listened to your body... hard to do sometimes. Hugs,

There are no words... thankful prayers that she felt no pain. Prayers for her husband who will feel the pain for both of them. Thank you Blossom, for touching my life in such a positive way. You will be missed.

Yeah, I think you are right Karen. That slime stuff is a good sign something is up. These fill things are so much more complicated than I expected. I thought it was a matter of how many fills... not thinking about all the variables of each fill. When I had mine they asked how it felt... I wasn't sure and said it felt like it was in my throat. I think they took some out - I don't ask. I watch on the screen but try not to be wrapped up in numbers (works for the fill, not for getting on the friggin scale). Hang in there. You'll get it right. It's so hard to go through when it's not the right amount (too little or too much). Hugs,

Still wondering, lol... is this real? If I eat solid Protein first I get filled quick - anything else and I could just eat and eat.... am I really full or is it an issue of being stuck somewhat? It's not a full fledged PB, that I know but hmmmm.... being "full" is such a foriegn concept to me.... What does feeling "full" feel like to you?

Probably not damaged but it could be sore/swollen as the ladies before me mentioned. My doc also recommends fluids after PB for 24 hours. Try warm liquids... they can be quite soothing and help decrease restriction in most cases. You can always call your doc tomorrow, right? Just to get his/her reassurance if nothing else. Hugs.... let us know.

It's low cal/low fat and good Protein - Old El Paso makes a new tub of shredded chicken in taco sauce - I got it in the meat section of my grocery store. I mixed half a cup of this with half a cup of lowfat cottage cheese. It was good!

I love Mexican too... and Italian... and Chinese.... sheesh - wonder how I got where I am? LOL Seriously though, the Mexican is good for me texture wise. And it dows have good protien. I just worry about hidden fats... wonder if I can find out that info, hmmm....