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This is not a big problem for most people. Throwing up, or PBing (productive burping) is the result of either careless eating habits (taking a bit bite and swallowing it without chewing enough, so it gets stuck), or having too much Fluid in your band so nearly all solid food gets stuck. Either way, the solution is a simple one. A) Take small to tiny bites and chew well, paying attention as you eat, and :bored: Get some fluid removed if it is too tight. Too much fluid in the band will slow your weight loss, just as too little will. Many bandsters PB rarely if at all. Learn all you can, and educate your family so they won't be so scared. And you don't really "get sick", you just pop out the offending piece of food, which still tastes like food and not like vomit! Hope this helps. Keep asking questions! That's what we are here for.

Wonderful news! We'd love to see pictures.

BTW I strongly recommend Miralax!

One thing to keep in ind is that the Metamucil is absorbing the liquids and holding them in your gut. This is what it is supposed to do! And since a pint is a pound, every pint of Water in your gut adds a pound to the scale while in transit. Don't let the scale make you crazy. Also keep in mind the possible sodium content of soups or other liquids like V8. Everyone's body is different, but if you are sensitive to sodium, it doesn't take much to make you retain a pound or two of water for that reason. And then there is constipation...until it hits the toilet, it is part of your weight on the scale. Get used to weight fluctuations and learn what your "normal" is. It can be three pounds up or down from a central number on any given day. The key is seeing that the range is dropping over time. Good luck and keep up the great work.

Sorry I've been missing for so long. My gall bladder gave a few little warning twinges and then got really bad. On a Friday evening, of course! It's a long story, but eventually I did have surgery. The laparoscopic surgery was converted to an open surgery because the gall bladder had apparently attached itself to other things. Even after a week plus on antibiotics, it came out red and angry. Then when I got home, I got a case of cellulitis up and down my right side. Talk about painful! Every time I moved, it felt like boiling water was being poured on me. So I stayed immobile a lot. But the story doesn't end there. I got the staples out of my 10" incision, and steri strips on. When the steri strips finally came off, I rolled over in bed and felt that the sheets were wet. The incision split open. I got a nice ride in an ambulance at 5:30 AM. So I have been on a WoundVAC for several weeks to promote healing. It's much better, and I will be transitioning off of it shortly. The doctor at the wound clinic said I can transition to the wet-to-dry dressing any time. I was going to wait a few days, but that damn machine is driving me crazy. I nearly threw it out the window tonight. Since they do want it back intact, I think I'll switch to the other dressing. (rolling eyes) Understandably, I haven't been on the computer much for nearly six weeks. This year has been a real bitch. Maybe next year I'll actually be able to concentrate on weight loss. I hope.

Sorry I've been missing for so long. My gall bladder gave a few little warning twinges and then got really bad. On a Friday evening, of course! It's a long story, but eventually I did have surgery. The laparoscopic surgery was converted to an open surgery because the gall bladder had apparently attached itself to other things. Even after a week plus on antibiotics, it came out red and angry. Then when I got home, I got a case of cellulitis up and down my right side. Talk about painful! Every time I moved, it felt like boiling water was being poured on me. So I stayed immobile a lot. But the story doesn't end there. I got the staples out of my 10" incision, and steri strips on. When the steri strips finally came off, I rolled over in bed and felt that the sheets were wet. The incision split open. I got a nice ride in an ambulance at 5:30 AM. So I have been on a WoundVAC for several weeks to promote healing. It's much better, and I will be transitioning off of it shortly. The doctor at the wound clinic said I can transition to the wet-to-dry dressing any time. I was going to wait a few days, but that damn machine is driving me crazy. I nearly threw it out the window tonight. Since they do want it back intact, I think I'll switch to the other dressing. (rolling eyes) Understandably, I haven't been on the computer much for nearly six weeks. This year has been a real bitch. Maybe next year I'll actually be able to concentrate on weight loss. I hope.

There isn't a magic answer. Since we are all different, your body is your best calculator. Try a given level of calories, and see what it does to your weight. Adjust as needed.

That's great! Keep us posted. Do you have to do a preop diet?

Thank you! It's good to be back. :-) And yes, that is a LOT of flowers! I appreciate your watering them for me.

Now, if I can just get the scale moving in the right direction again...

Hi friends, I know it has been a while since I checked in. I wanted to wait until I had some good news for a change. My husband got a job, and started last week. He is working at the Pentagon! The pay is about 2/3 of what he was making with Boeing, but it is enough to pay the mortgage, etc. His actual work hasn't started yet, as he is still going through the process of getting all of the security badges he needs, etc. I've been kind of holding my breath to see if he would come home relaxed and happy, or exhausted and depressed. So far, it's looking good. He has adjusted to taking Metro instead of driving. He only got on the wrong train once! He corrected himself the second time. And best yet, he said yesterday that it might even turn out to be a fun job. Which was what I have been praying for all these months, a job he would enjoy. A job he would come home happy about instead of frustrated and angry. He was talking last night about how long to get completely vested, which will take most of three calendar years, but he was talking like it's very doable. So. I'm finally starting to relax a little. There was another job he really wanted, which would have involved a small move. That interview was scheduled for a few days after this job offer arrived, but despite promising to get back to him in a day or so, they never got back to him at all, so he took this position. Which is why we weren't quite celebrating immediately. There were some mixed feelings involved. He doesn't get his first paycheck for a few weeks, and of course we will be interested to see what size it actually is. That will relax me more, too. Our son finally got to start his first real post college job a couple of weeks ago. He got his first half paycheck last week, and said it was really nice to be back in double digits, financially. He is anxious to start paying us back for the college loans we made to him, and for the work clothes he put on our credit card since he had nothing appropriate for that. Now I really need to refocus on the weight loss effort. And on exercise. Hugs, Orea

Hi friends, I know it has been a while since I checked in. I wanted to wait until I had some good news for a change. My husband got a job, and started last week. He is working at the Pentagon! The pay is about 2/3 of what he was making with Boeing, but it is enough to pay the mortgage, etc. His actual work hasn't started yet, as he is still going through the process of getting all of the security badges he needs, etc. I've been kind of holding my breath to see if he would come home relaxed and happy, or exhausted and depressed. So far, it's looking good. He has adjusted to taking Metro instead of driving. He only got on the wrong train once! He corrected himself the second time. And best yet, he said yesterday that it might even turn out to be a fun job. Which was what I have been praying for all these months, a job he would enjoy. A job he would come home happy about instead of frustrated and angry. He was talking last night about how long to get completely vested, which will take most of three calendar years, but he was talking like it's very doable. So. I'm finally starting to relax a little. There was another job he really wanted, which would have involved a small move. That interview was scheduled for a few days after this job offer arrived, but despite promising to get back to him in a day or so, they never got back to him at all, so he took this position. Which is why we weren't quite celebrating immediately. There were some mixed feelings involved. He doesn't get his first paycheck for a few weeks, and of course we will be interested to see what size it actually is. That will relax me more, too. Our son finally got to start his first real post college job a couple of weeks ago. He got his first half paycheck last week, and said it was really nice to be back in double digits, financially. He is anxious to start paying us back for the college loans we made to him, and for the work clothes he put on our credit card since he had nothing appropriate for that. Now I really need to refocus on the weight loss effort. And on exercise. I'll try to catch up on some of what I missed. :-) Hugs, Orea

Ditto! I'll go look it up.

Thanks for the testimony. I think I may need to do that.

And thanks for all prayers and good energy sent our way.

Thanks fort the reminder. I'll try to get more exercise. It can't hurt!

As my bandiversary approaches this week, I am not happy by how little I've lost, but I resolve to keep trying. My husband still hasn't gotten a job. I'm doing a lot of praying and too much eating. I don't remember signing up for this crap.

Well, I am puzzled. Two forums? I hope they get that straightened out so we don't miss posts. And BTW we are still waiting for that "tomorrow" call that was supposed to come yesterday. GRRR I have a physical this afternoon. Yuck.

I'm glad you are doing better. A too-tight band leads to "soft food syndrome" which actually tends to slow weight loss. As you discovered, tighter is NOT better!

The answer to your question is a firm "it depends." Which band do you have? Did your surgeon put in or leave in fluid at the time of surgery? Are you really hungry, etc. My surgeons leave the band empty at surgery, so their policy is to put in 4 cc. at the initial fill, which is two months after surgery, and one month into eating solid food per their rules. The bottom line is, numbers don't matter. There are only three fill levels, too little, too much, and just right. Sneaking up on your optimum fill level is a good idea so you have time to adjust and learn. Good luck, and my you find your sweet spot quickly.

Keep us posted!

1-2 pounds per week is the average/expected loss, which equals roughly 50-100 pounds. I'm aiming for that again starting with this fill.

They say the average weight loss is 50-100 pounds the first year, so you are right on target. (Of course, we all want to be overachievers!) I'm not likely to make 50 pounds by my bandiversary, but I will do my best. At least I have until the 30th! Your good thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.

Hi everyone! I'm popping back in with an update. Still no job for DH. He was supposed to hear from someone "by the end of the week," and ... nothing. That is just plain rude, if you ask me. So we have gone from four job possibilities on Monday to one long shot today. On a brighter note, Dr. Tran gave me a full 1 cc. last Thursday after seeing my weight gain. I'm at 8 cc. in a 10 cc. band, and finally have decent restriction. Finally!!! I'm definitely having to be a lot more careful, and eat a lot less, but I'm having no problems that would indicate an overfill. I'm still stress grazing, and I am trying to get that under better control, but at least I am nibbling on things like jerky, sugar snap peas, cherries, and the like. And the scale is gradually coming down. That helps me keep a better mindset. So, as I was saying to a friend in an even more stressful situation, we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and take one day at a time and hope that things straighten out soon.

Hi everyone! I'm popping back in with an update. Still no job for DH. He was supposed to hear from someone "by the end of the week," and ... nothing. That is just plain rude, if you ask me. So we have gone from four job possibilities on Monday to one long shot today. On a brighter note, Dr. Tran gave me a full 1 cc. last Thursday after seeing my weight gain. I'm at 8 cc. in a 10 cc. band, and finally have decent restriction. Finally!!! I'm definitely having to be a lot more careful, and eat a lot less, but I'm having no problems that would indicate an overfill. I'm still stress grazing, and I am trying to get that under better control, but at least I am nibbling on things like Jerky, sugar snap peas, cherries, and the like. And the scale is gradually coming down. That helps me keep a better mindset. So, as I was saying to a friend in an even more stressful situation, we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and take one day at a time and hope that things straighten out soon.