khoelscher

Thought I would share a good result from these symtpoms. After reading the above postings, I was worried my band had slipped, called my Dr., and went in for a barrium swallow last Friday. Good thing I did. NOTHING passed through the band during the test, not one drop. The Dr. came over right away and said my band had probably swollen due to coughing excessively when I recently had bronchitis and that it was not uncommon. Good news is the band had NOT slipped. He did an unfill immediately and everything appeared fine. He was going to put a little back in for me as I travel and have a hard time making it back, but I managed to pass out when he was unfilling me (1st time I had an unfill standing up as there were no tables in the xray room!). He worked me in this coming Friday for a refill. It's a bummer since I had just gotten back on track and had lost 4 pounds. It feels weird without that "tight" feeling when I eat. Just trying to make it on will power, good habits, and extra excercise until then. Melody, I could eat more than I thought I should too, but the doc said my esophagus muscled were having to work overtime to push the food through, which is bad. A barrium swallos was quick, painless (just tastes bad) and the insurnace covered it as they put it through as a reflux test. Good luck.

I have not had a fill in over 6mths, but I have been eating junk food like ice cream too much and of course slowed my weight loss. Got back on track about 1 week ago but have woken up choking/coughing the last few nights. No other changes. Have always been tight in the mornings and have PB very quickly if I overeat. I have never experience the choking/reflux since having the band the last 2 yrs. Am I overreacting to think I may have slipped or could I just be irratated? I recently got over a sinus infection that resulted in a lot of coughing but am over it now. This fill has worked over 6mths, could it suddenly be too tight?

I have been banded almost 2 years (April 15th) and have never had an issue with reflux or night problems. I have only had issues with anything when I first get up in the morning, including Water, and off and on with PB, but usually when I tried to eat to much. I recently got back on track with eating more Protein and excercise, but have started waking up choking in the middle of the night (usually around 4-5am) and sometimes, after drinking water in the morning, PB a few remnants of my meal from the night before. Don't know if this is getting trapped or is a sign of slippage. Hope someone out there has some suggestions.

I am very interested in feedback from anyone. I was banded 4/15/05 and had a very quick recovery with a fill at 4 weeks and another 3 weeks later. I felt good restriction to the point it just limited my food intake and didn't have issues with any certain food other than certain breads like tortillas and Breakfast breads. A few months ago I started to PB a lot (4-5 times per week). I went into the doctor and had .5 ccs removed. It got much better but in the last 2 weeks, I can't even keep Water down in the morning until about 3 hours after being up. I have always had a hot chai tea 1st thing and then breakfast after, but the hot chai is now coming up. What's weird is that later in the day I can keep solid foods down most of the time. Can it be slipping if some times you can eat solids but other times not even liquids? I haven't had any heartburn or reflux (heard those were slippage symtoms), just the golf ball feeling and the inability to keep it down. I put in a call to my doctor, but they are closed Friday afternoons and I travel Mon-Thurs. Thanks, KH:guess

Dr. Veninga North Texas Bariatric & General Surgery (972) 939-8218 4333 N. Josey Lane PlazaII, Suite 205 Carrollton, TX 75010 I was banded in Mexico 4/15/05 and he has done 2 fills for me. I have been very pleased and haven't had to have an adjustment for the last 6 mths. Hope goes well with your surgery! 58lbs lost

Rena, Don't give up on banding. I am post-op by 3 weeks and just went back on solid food. I want to loose 135lbs and have lost 22lbs. so far. I know this will slow down and I too had heard that with the band weight loss was not as fast as the by-pass, but I am so glad I did not have the other one. I know someone who had the gastric bypass the same week I did and they are still in bed, on pain meds, and restricted diet/excercise. I was working from home the Monday after a Friday surgery and traveling across the country for work the following week. I went through a rough patch on the liquid diet (thought I was crazy for having the surgery) but am so happy now! I have not had a fill yet but can tell a huge different in how much I can eat but still eat the things I love. My tastes have changed some, but not dramatically. The research I did shows that the weight loss evens out after 2 yrs., we will just lose it more slowly and at a steadier pace. Good luck no matter what you choose! Be sure and post back on how you are! KH :banana Surgery 4/15/05 Loss to Date 22lbs (5/9/05)

Jack, Great to know there's hope! I am hoping my tastes will be different when I go on solids. Thanks, KH

Suntres, I too am in my 2nd week. Count yourself lucky, I am not allowed mushies. Week one was all clear liquids, Day 8-10 add yogurt (creamy only), and then ONLY adding protien drinks until Day 22. I would kill for some creamy tomato soup or cream of chicken soup right now. I am also a very picky eater. I keep thinking about bread and pasta. I had to go to my grandmother's birthday party yesterday where they had catered Texas BarBQ. Thought I was going to DIE from the smell!!!!! My husband says the same thing too. It helps sooooo much to know someone else is feeling the same things and I'm not alone. Thanks for sharing your story. KH day of surgery 4/15/05 Loss to Date: 13.5lbs.

I feel your pain!!! I called Dr. Ortiz's nutritionist yesterday and she said I could start on yogurt today (hoorah!!!). She also said I could have soy milk or regular milk if it didn't upset my stomach. I drank a little chocolate milk last night and didn't sleep worth a darn. I feel fine, but I can't get comfortable for some reason. My incisions are itching too, but I guess I'm lucky since I ALWAYS sleep on one side or the other and haven't had a problem with any of that (no pain). Have you been lifting anything heavy or overdoing? I was told to only do light aerobic workouts (no weights) and nothing over 20lbs for 3 weeks. Please, please be careful with the solids. The discomfort will pass (so I've heard) and hopefully it will help you from excess again. That's what I am hoping for. I have never had a snacking problem, I just like bad foods and can't seem to stop once I start, but I hate feeling sick. Hoping the band will keep me in line for this reason. Good luck and stay strong! KH

Hi All, Just joined the site today and someone mentioned I should post an intro here. I was just banded last Friday, 4/15 in Tijuana by Dr. Ortiz. Everything went great and I am already back at work, just from home since I normally travel every week (lifting a suitcase would be a little tough :cross-eye ). I look forward to chatting with many of you and following all the great support I have seen on this site to get me through the next few weeks of liquid "hell". KH:)

I just returned from Tijuana last evening after having lap band surgery by Dr. Ortiz on 4/15. They have me on completely clear liquids for 7 days (no milk, yogurt, etc.). They said I wouldn't be physically hungry but my stomach is constantly growling. I know about the mental hunger, but this feels different. I am drinking plenty of Gatorade, juice, Water, and broth but nothing seems to help. V8 (which I previously hated) seems to be the most filling, but only temporarily. Any suggestions? This is my first posting and really don't want to mess up my band, but I see many other lists that include 1% milk, watered milkshakes, etc. So far, I have tolerated everything on the list with no problems. HELP!!!!