Caren

Rinse, rinse, rinse! Ibuprofen is murder on your stomach lining and can really irritate it. I wouldn't use it definitely just after a fill or after a PB episode when your irritated anyway. I cannot tell you how many ulcerated stomachs we have seen from NSAID Abuse. Everyone used to think ulcers had to do with spicy foods, etc..but most all we see now are from one of two reasons. Either viral bug called H Pylori or NSAID Abuse. NonSteroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs...aspirin, advil, ibuprofen, etc.... For years, people have reasoned that their doctor gives them a prescription for an 800mg Motrin and it has 800mg of Ibuprofen in it....so why not take 4 of the 200mg generic Ibuprofen from the store. We have seen awful GI systems from this....the main difference is that Motrin has the proper buffering agent in it to allow you to take 800mg safely..the other doe not. Please, please be careful and definitely wash, wash it though the pouch, but remember that its still in your stomach.

I LOVE shredded wheat dry. That's what I have for my breakfast sometimes with a little protein. 24 are only 200 calories of the little frosted ones. If a have a craving for something sweet in the evening...I'll get 6 of those out and they satisfy me.

I have not had acid reflux before or after surgery until my 3rd fill. I'm two weeks post fill and have to sleep on two pillows and am doing the Pepcid complete and Tums regimen. At first I thought I needed an unfill since I could barely drink sips of liquids, but have progressed okay. Have had a little real food the last two days, although not until after 2pm in the afternoon. The only thing I am still having trouble with are cold liquids and thick liquids (protein shakes, etc) and mushy things. I can do room temp and regular food in the afternoon and evening. I'm hoping I can get off these two pillows soon!!! Does anyone have any other suggestions? thanks!

The only thing that I have repeatedly had a problem with and therefore have left it alone is a soft tortilla. I stay away from carbonation too.

Like most everyone else, I've been able to eat most all veggies. I have noticed that when I steam them at home....I cut my brussel sprouts up really small. The broccoli top and asparagus tops are the easiest for me to eat if I'm feeling a little "clamped down". In those situations, I stay away from the stalks...they have occasionally been a little difficult.

I was banded in February and lost around 24 lbs the first 4 months, then slowed down and lost a couple of lbs a month or none at all BUT at least was not going up. I just got my 3rd fill at 10 months out and it seems to be a really good one. I'm now at 40 lbs lost. I'm really not wanting to lose to quickly. I have a friend that lost over 100 lbs in a year, but my goal is 100 lbs in around 2-2 1/2 years...we'll see. Good luck!

for me the resounding answer has been ....yes!

Susan, I am doing great and extremely pleased. I have 3 other friends here that also went to Dr. Rod. We are all very happy. Even though we had our surgeries in November and February....he is still available to us by phone as is his assistant Barbara. She just helped us with something recently. We think they are both great. Being in the medical field...I know that all surgeons have mortalities or patients that don't do well. After 25 years in the business, I don't know of many who don't or haven't...if they tell you otherwise...I'd worry. I don't know all of the circumstances with that particular patient. All of us who are morbidly obese have risk factors and some more than others. Surgery always has risks, but so does morbid obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. The choice is personal, but our experience was nothing but positive.Caren

Incredible...what a great diverse group of people that connect on a personal level through technology. I've enjoyed reading about everyone else's jobs. I'm an RN and have been for many years. I've been in the medical field for 27 years and an RN for 21 years. I'm currently the Director of Patient Care Services at a large hospital here. I've noticed many people have gone back to school or are thinking about it. I started back a few years ago to get my BS after being out of school for 20 over 15 years and it was very intimidating, but enjoyed it so much that I went ahead and got my Masters also in Health Services Administration. Enjoy life...while we all "get skinny" together!

I gained a few too and didn't do incredibly well with the preop diet, but success is still on its way. I have been doing good I think and feel positive about the process so far. I want to lose around 100 lbs..my goal is over the next 24 months so I'll just keep creeping along. Once you start heading in the right direction..it feels GREAT! It's fun to get you clothes altered knowing that the days of keeping 6 different sizes in the closets for years when you gain or lose 25 lbs is hopefully behind. Everyone at work is making fun of my "baggy pants" and thats a VERY GOOD THING!

I agree with Betty. Think out of the box for breakfast. I know its a mindgame, but sometimes I tell myself how I get to have a "treat" for breakfast while all my coworkers are having the same old boring sausage and biscuits, poptarts, etc. I frequently have leftovers. I'm lucky enough to so far be able to eat TOASTED bread...so I spread a piece with pimento cheese, peanut butter or something like that. I also do the fruit thing in the am ONLY if I'm having protein also. I occasionally will have a protein drink, cereal etc..too but I'm more of the savory in the morning. I know this sounds nuts, but last week one morning I had a protein drink before I left home and then when I got to work I had good old boloney and crackers. I haven't had that in years and was craving it...got low fat Oscar Mayer beef bologna and low fat crackers. Certainly not the most nutritous but a few of those hit the spot and were something different.....now, all of that coming from someone who post band loves tuna and crackers for breakfast and preband loved slaw dogs for breakfast:)

I would agree about waiting until you are FULLY healed. As a nurse, I may be a little more sensitive to concerns about eroding your band area which alcohol could attribute to while healing. BUT after that...I'm limiting myself to a couple of drinks two nights a week...not on an empty stomach. Your right about the empty calories. 90 calories of a shot of tequila and 10 calories of Tropicana diet limeade with a squeeze of fresh makes a pretty good margarita:)

this one had more information than most to me. another one is www.gastricbandinstitute.com.

Welcome CathyRN. I'm a nurse too. We're both on our way to there being LESS TO LOVE of us! The people on the site are very helpful...you'll enjoy it and learn a lot!

I had surgery by Dr. Rodriguez in Acuna on February 28. I am doing great I think. I'm 9 weeks out and have lost 24.5 lbs and 41.25 inches. He was very kind and attentive. His staff is great and extremely helpful. Do a search or look back to a week or two after my band date. I wrote several paragraphs about my experience. All positive. Let me know if you have specific questions.

thanks for the suggestions. as I said, that was my first slime episode. I've had the horrible pain twice before...once on two big a bite of tuna fish and once on a dry piece of warmed up chicken. I think I didn't chew them enough. But the slime episode was EXACTLY horribly like I had read it would be. cgrubz - it is when you eat too big a bite, don't chew something well enough or eat something that sticks like glue (my soft tortilla) in your pouch or stoma and your body during the most horrible pain starts producing slime or mucous to try and loosen it in your esophagus..it likely is spasming. You feel that you are burping or retching a little but all that comes up is slime or mucous. it pretty much feels like a mac truck is sitting square on your chest.

I'm 9 weeks post surgery and just had my first "slime" episode today...I guess thats a PB. I can't find anything to tell me if I should do anything or avoid anything in particular. Do you have to go back to liquids? Or proceed on with normal if your feeling okay? I'd appreciate any advice....Thanks

Thanks...no food came up, but definitely the slime trail I've heard so many talk about. I will take it easy. We were at our outdoor market and today was latin day for cinco de mayo. I took a bite of a small beef taco made authentically with the homemade tortillas. It felt like my chest was caving in....it was a soft corn tortilla, but the homemade ones are very dense. I've never had a problem with anything...eyeopening.

We shouldn't take Aleve, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aspirin or any other of the NSAIDs. Junior chewable Tylenol or Tylenol liquid would be the best alternatives I think.

Congratulations Becky! I was banded by Dr. Rodriguez also on February 25 am getting my first fill on April 25 so am looking forward to it. I find myself being able to eat a little more now, but still not what I did before. I'm hoping to lose, lose, lose!!

I had my band put on by Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Acuna Mexico. The experience was wonderful. He was fabulous and his assistant Barbara was incredible. The time and mentoring that she provides during your couple of days there is invaluable. I am 6 weeks post op and doing GREAT! I've lost 19 lbs and 14 inches and feel that I'm going strong. I'm following up with Dr. Jaime Ponce in Dalton for my fills...my first is scheduled for April 25. Now, the hotel and surroundings were VERY BASIC and plain but exceptionally clean and well run. I have been in medicine for over 25 years and am the Director of Patient Care Services at our large regional trauma center...so have seen it all. I was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the nursing staff at the small hospital in Acuna. They were very professional, very proud of their work. I never wanted for a thing. When it was time for my antibiotic, my vital signs, my pain medicine, my anti-inflammatory...they walked in the room within minutes before I ever asked. They spoke very little English, but we communicated pretty easily. Dr. Rodriguez speaks very good English and is very easy to talk to even now via email or his cell phone. He is very supportive. I have very high expectations and they were exceeded by the professionalism and the care delivery of the medical team. The surroundings were sparse, but that wasn't what I was there for. Three others that I know have had the same experience as me from here and we all send accolades.

I am now a little over 6 weeks postop and really have had no problem with anything except for two times when I took too big of bites or didn't chew well enough. Once was a big bite of tuna when I wasn't paying attention and another was a dry chicken finger bite I didn't chew well enough. I have never PBed nor slimed, but I had HORRIBLE pain. It helps you remember to chew, chew, chew. I have had shrimp, chicken, eggs, steak, ground beef...all of it...just pureed in my mouth and swallowed little bits at a time. Good luck.

I'm a nurse, but not really doing heavy work on the units anymore. I had surgery on Monday and returned to work on Thursday...just took it slow and was very careful of the lifting restrictions.

My sushi restaurant does a "Tuna Martini"...which is perfect for mush or soft food. The dice the tuna sashimi very small and mix with small diced avocado, wasabi, soy sauce and a few crushed peanuts...all mixed together and served in a martini glass. Its yummy!!!

they sell the disposable heating pads called Thermacare I believe. The heat lasts for over 8 hours. I bought a pack of 3 of those and wore them up walking around all day for several days and it really helped...I was able to get the heat and the movement.