ebar822

Thank you for the replies, guys :thumbup: The ear wax definitely doesn't sound crazy...but I just recently had a physical and I had an ear infection so I know my doctor checked my ears and there was no buildup there. The water thing sounds like it might be it, though. I need to work a lot harder at getting all of my water in. I am not on anything for reflux, but I don't have any acid problems so I don't think that's it. I have been making an effort to drink more water and I need to do better than what I'm doing now. Sometimes I think seeing a therapist wouldn't be the worst idea for me...I mean, I definitely feel something when I swallow and I don't know if mucus is the right word. It's not slimy, but it's thickness there and it's everytime I swallow--i'm not even talking about when I eat. I don't know...I hope that the water helps! Thanks again for the replies!

I posted last week about this mucus-y feeling I was having every time I swallowed. Someone mentioned that it might be too tight, and even though I could eat fine (shrimp, steak, chewed well of course but still...), I decided to go in and get it checked out. I took it upon myself to get an esophagram because I am now completely paranoid that my band will slip again, and even though I ahve had absolutely no symptoms of that, I was still worried. I had it all checked out and all is normal. The band is in perfect position and according to the barium swallow, it's wide open as well. He said I could use another 2cc fill if I wanted to have it. I opted against it because I ahve 3 vacations coming up over the next 6 weeks and I don't want to be too tight or get sick while I'm away from home so I'll go in for another fill on 9/2. But is this all in my head? I still feel thickness when I swallow. I'm trying not to think about it but it's hard to put out of my mind! It makes me feel like something's wrong, even though the scans prove otherwise. What do I do?!

I have not PB'd or vomited once since having my revision surgery on 2/27, but I feel this thickness when I swallow, like it almost feels like there is a mucus buildup. The thing is though that I don't have a cold/cough or anything, so I can't attribute it to that. All of my food/liquid goes down fine, but it just feels tight when I'm NOT eating--is this weird? Is it all in my head? lol. Can anyone relate?!

if you're having trouble digesting food and you need to take tums, this may be a slipped band. have your surgeon check it out just to be on the safe side.

Just a bit of background: I was initially banded 12/07 and then needed a band adjustment surgery in 2/09. I am now 5 months out from that surgery, and I've been going every 4-5 weeks for adjustments. Obviously they are taking it slow because I had a slipped band and we do not want to see a repeat of that. At this point, I believe I'm at 5.5 or 6 (somewhere around there) out of 14cc. I don't think I should be able to eat the amount of food I am able to eat and in the time I'm able to eat it. i haven't had any issues at all with digestion, I mean not one PB or vomit episode (knock on wood, I'm trying to keep it this way!!!!) but I can eat an entire turkey burger, the whole bun, and some baked fries on the side. And i could eat all of that in under 10 minutes. I'm trying to stay healthy and I'm eating the right things (for the most part), but when I see how fast and how much I can eat, I start to worry if there's something wrong. and I know I am paranoid and I think that my band might have slipped again (because the last time I was able to eat a lot and then suddenly nothing at all). I guess I am just wondering how others with the same amount of fill did at that stage. were you able to eat so much and so quickly?

I have been hovering right about 260/261 for weeks. And what's worse is once that starts happening, I become dejected and my old eating habits come back. I became so frustrated that I started eating crappy food again and I am sure it was a combination of waterweight/my period, but I went all the way back to 267. When I stepped on the scale and saw that, I knew I had to stop. I had worked toooooo hard, you know? So I detoxed...lol. I ahd only fruits and vegetables for two full days and now I am back to eating normally...and i am proud to say when I weighed myself this morning, I was 257. It's so weird, eating so badly for 3-4 days and then 3 days later I am past my plateau! I feel motivated again and like this thing works. Now let's hope I make the right choices at the BBQ for Father's Day today... I want to keep OUT of the 260s and head into the 240s!!!

I don't want to scare you but your symptoms sound very similar to the ones I had and it turned out to be a slip. I wasn't losing weight because I could eat more, yet at night I'd have night coughs and I'd never digest anything...it didn't make sense so I went in and sure enough I had to get a revision surgery. Good luck.

You really must immediately see your doctor, get an esophogram, and get an unfill. Reflux and night coughs are very symptomatic of a slip, so if it hasn't slipped yet, it's time to remedy the situation before it's too late and you're back in surgery...that's what happened to me. Good luck!

It's actually very creamy..something about the type of rice that it is, the starch gets released and it becomes very creamy. I just had leftovers for dinner and it is amazing. You guys must try this recipe!

I can't take credit for this one... but I did make a few substitutions... Giada's Dirty Risotto Dirty Risotto Recipe : Giada De Laurentiis : Food Network I used half chicken stock and half water to cut back on sodium. I used olive oil instead of butter. I omitted the pancetta completely (too fatty) and instead of the regular sausage, I opted for spicy turkey italian sausage. I also used a lot more sausage than she calls for...I used the entire package to up the protein...it obviously also makes the dish a lot bigger so you will get more servings that are more protein-rich (rather than rice-rich). I also omitted the salt and cheese because as you will see, the dish is salty enough as it is. But if you use her suggested amount of sausage, you will probably need the salt and cheese. Play around with it...but it's delicious and very band friendly!

I have to agree with Melody..I told my coworkers and they have been an amazing support system. I also never wanted to think they were talking about me behind my back, amongst themselves saying that I had to have had surgery to lose all this weight...I wanted to be upfront and honest. I also thought with them seeing me eat (including pre and post op diets) they would have figured it out eventually so it was better to just be up front... but in any case this is your decision to make. Just ask your mother to be mindful of your wishes...but also remember she has a right to tell people about herself if she wishes to...it may be what she needs to keep on track and keep positive about the whole thing...

I've been making a shake with fat free/sugar free frozen vanilla yogurt, 1% skim milk, 1/2 banana sliced, 1 tbsp peanut butter...and you can throw in a scoop of protein powder. delish...

The only thing I would say is be careful of overeating on the cruise. Cruises are notorious for their food but you really don't want to throw up anytime...let alone that soon after surgery so really just be careful of overeating. Other than that, have a BLAST!! I'm jealous!

Thank you guys so much! Sometimes it really is overwhelming and I just felt like I'd never get there...but now it's almost like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...and I'm just trying to take baby steps and set small goals... My next goal is 200 pounds also...it's 65 pounds away but I can get there. I would also like to buy a bike and start using that to get around the neighborhood rather than driving.. Does anyone know anything about bikes?! I haven't ridden one since I was a teenager...and even then it was a problem!! lol. Well until then I will keep kicking my own ass on the elliptical! Thanks again for all of the support, guys! It really does help :sad: amceache: I felt the same way..I really did. And it was hard for me to exercise at first, but you have to push yourself and do it. Even if it's a light walk, just get your body used to moving. You WILL be able to build up...now I can do 30 minutes on the elliptical, which is still not much compared to others but when I was at my highest weight, just walking one block winded me...so just push yourself to your limit...and keep re-evaluating and see if you can do more. This will work for you...it's an amazing tool and it will change your life:) Congrats on being banded!!!