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Darn....my husband offered to take photos and I said no. I'm going home to see how bad it is and start doing it every time I get an infection. Should have done it last week. By time I get to a doctor, I often have it back under control- I keep the meds at home. But now I'll track and date them. What I have done is continually gone to a doctor for it and that can all be documented. Thanks for the info and idea.

I have a bad flap and it's getting worse. Down to top of thights now. I'm suffering from almost constant yeast infections under the fold from side to side. Bad ones. So, I'm starting to think about surgery even though I'm still 30-40 pounds away. Does anyone know whether these constant infections make it the flap surgery and medical necessity? Any experience with this would be helpful to know. Thanks.

To everyone- I'm hoping this is the right place for me right now...I've been on this part of the site before and met a lot of good folk, but stopped using it for many months. Like many others, I'm suddenly struggling again. I lost 92 pounds by my first year anniversary and then struggled to maintain. So close to the first 100 down and then not only do I hit a multi- month plateau, but finally....gain. What the heck is it about success that I hate it so much- LOL- Oy vey as we say. In the past 6 months I've gained 20 pounds back and I am finally admitting it and am trying to get my "mojo" back. I became so accustomed to the band taking care of things that I don't think I realized just how bad my eating had become. I've been binging on carbs and finding out ALL the eating I can do around the band. Not good. I'm already in therapy but have started going to the support groups held at the hospital where I was banded- Cedars in L.A. I've got some band issues- port issues really, and I'm going to the surgeon next week to see about finding out why I'm still having port discomfort and pain in my left shoulder 20 months after surgery. So, getting all the excuses out of the way....it will be just me. Need love and support everyone....tell me I'm back in the right place and on the right thread. I'm really hurting inside.

I'm not talking about the usual left shoulder pain. This is more in the back of the neck and across shoulders. A recent bandster asked me about it. Any ideas??

I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9ced4; COLOR: #c9ced4" SIZE=1> I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

Hi- Yes, I've been thinking of the holidays- actually been working on replacing part of the Succah. If I wait, I never get the information. In terms of eating, I found the holidays to be pretty easy last year. I was careful not to eat much challah or Desserts, but other than that, it was okay. I had a tougher Pessach as I was very tight and nothing was going through....no matzah this year. But last year the Yom Tovim were fine. Most of my friends cook much lighter recipes than in the old days. More mixed veggie type salads, less kugels, etc. Take care and enjoy Shabbos!

I MUST UPDATE THIS BECAUSE IT'S HILARIOUS! I guess the computer "reads" what one is writing and brings up relevant messages (BIG BROTHER!), but after typing my last message, my screen had an advert for sublingual B-12!!! The site is TriVita.com. Prices look about the same as Trader Joe's. Good luck!

Mine is calm now. As long as I keep something - don't need much- in my stomach, I'm good. My surgeon knows about it....I just don't understand why they don't figure out how to NOT have it happen. Maybe do the surgery a little differently or something. Anyway, after a few rough days, I'm back to normal....whatever that is. As to the B-12, yes, sublingually- under the tongue. Tastes fine. Tiny little pills. I take about 4 a day. You pee out what you don't need. Maybe you can find it on-line? Maybe Trader Joe's mails? Don't know but have heard that for many suplements, under the tongue is best. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I'm not feeling tight enough, though it's very nice not to feel every bit fighting to get through and one pb'd once all week. But, I'm nervous that I'm going to eat and eat and eat. I laugh cause my first 80 or so came off without a struggle and not with a too tight band. So, I think I may actually have to start doing some of the work here, and I hate it. If it wasn't for the reflux, I like it when the band doesn't let me eat. What can I say? My shoulder pain is almost gone....I feel a tweak here and there. And strangely enough, if I'm on the computer too much it starts to act up a bit as well. Why can't they figure this out and fix it for all of us with that side effect? UUUGGHH! Anyway, I have to start dinner (food is still central to our lives) so I'm outta here. Keep in touch everyone!

What amazes me is that so many have this problem and the doctors scratch their heads. Why not tell us that it's a possible side effect before we have the surgery? Why not try to try to re work the surgery so that this doesn't happen long term (shoulder pain is very common after all stomach surgery, but not to this long a time). If I told you that I believe it's because women seem to have it the most, you'd think I was crazy, but I think that as far as we've come, there's still a lot that doesn't happen for women. My pain is much better as I get further from the fill. And I don't have to eat much- just a cracker will do it for me. Just something. I think we should all keep after our doctors to bring this up when they go to seminars, conferences, etc.

Hey Bea- Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one who gets shoulder pain after a fill. I haven't had it everytime and it's obviously nothing to do with how much as he took some out this time, which shocked me, but I was having too much reflux. I'm think the pain occurs because they're aggravating the area when they use the port, and my surgeon makes me not eat for 5 hours before so that's lot of room for air. I'm going to try to eat a meal before the cutoff next time...I didn't bother cause I didn't want to get up early. But maybe that will help. It's better but not quite gone after 3 days. For me it's if I'm on empty. So, everytime it starts a little, I eat a couple of tablespoons of something and it goes away. I'm figuring another couple of days til I'm clear of it. And of course, as usual for me after a fill, I'm not very hungry. I'd really love to get to 100 off! "Sigh", it's not easy. I'm trying to go back to the eating I did well on at the start. Fish, fish and fish with a bit of potato and Protein drinks. I found a new love- MUSCLE MILK. They make a "lite" version too. I just bought a banana flavor and it it's not AWFUL, I'll add some ice and blueberries and have me a little protein smoothie! Anyway, got to go. Have to cook dinner and want put a Soup together to have for the week. See ya all later!

I love this. We're all hitting walls of one kind or another. But this time, we have support and maybe we all should try to come back more- these are the times we all need folks who are going through it! For me, it's about two things. Exercise and stopping this dammmmmmmmmn shoulder pain that is visiting me again after yesterday's fill. When I post about it, a ton of folks show up. Guess I'm not the only one who gets in every so often- this was obviously the fill the set it off this time. It's such a horrible pain. Makes me worry about future surgeries, etc. But, maybe I'll reach goal eventually and they'll loosen the band for good! That's a goal to want to reach. I'm also dealing with being looser- the fear that I'll eat more. But my husband keeps reminding me that I lost most of my weight NOT as tight as I've been these last couple of months. So, who knows? Glad to see everyone. Keep complaining! THis is the place for it, right?

Well, I've had the pains after one or two fills, but not all. This time he took a little out cause I was too tight. I think it must be a combo of empty stomach and the sometimes senstivity of having a needle in the port and the aggravation it causes the stomach. I'm a little better today, but I took precautions this morning.Anti gas meds as I woke and throughout the day. Sipped Protein all day all so not too little or too much in my stomach. It started up mid-day and I went home from work and put hot pads on and now it's just there, but not really painful. I'm hoping it starts to wind down. I'm also been on the computer very little today-which also helps for some reason. Anyway, you're all normal....just wish I could make it stop.I don't want to have this when I'm 75! Best regards,

I'm told 5 hours. And when I have a tight fill, 48 liquid, then 48 mush. But my surgeon was also a 3 weeks of liquid after surgery guy. So, he's on the conservative side. I had a fill yesterday, but I'm having such bad gas pains with an empty stomach, that I'm eating mushy tonight- mashed potato. In this case, he actually removed a little bit cause I'd been too tight, so I think that makes it easier as well. But I'll do mushies for at least another day or so to let it heal.

I've got the same. And I've had my band over a year! It doesn't happen every fill, but this time, actually they took a bit out as I was too tight. I had terrible left shoulder pain last evening, and today it started end of day. It not only is an irritation, but the stomach is empty much of the day and fills with gas. But today as well? It slows down when I eat, so now that I'm off the first 24 hours of liquid, I'm trying to eat a bit every couple of hours to help it all calm down. What scares me is....will this ever stop entirely. When I'm 80- if I need tests or surgery, will I still get this awful awful pain. Makes me wonder if there was something out of whack with my surgery.

Hi Everyone, Been gone a while. I was coming by all the time and no one was around, so I stopped checking for few weeks. Glad to see some conversation again. NB- GREAT NEWS! I'm envious and watch out, cause I'm buckling down to move forward (or down) again. I have 26 to go to onederland. You're doing great and I'm hoping your success will motivate me to start moving. It's amazing to have lost over 90 pounds without exercise, but it's time to move. ALso, my skin is so loose! I'd like to help that along as well if possible. I hope the rest of you are doing well!. Carol....don't don't don't give up. I went for a fill today because well, my eating is weird. Either I can eat next to nothing and throw up, or I can eat tons of stuff- and it's the wrong stuff- chips, crackers, frozen yogurt, etc. Been having too much reflux as well. But I can swallow more liquid at a time and I thought I needed to be tightened and just go back to living on shakes. Well, Dr. K put me under the fluroscope and said I'm SOOO tight that no wonder I'm living on frozen yogurt and crackers and ....all the wrong foods. And he was concerned about the reflux. Even showed me how a sip of water with my own saliva was causing it. So, he actually took a bit out (I never ask ccs). He said I'll feel better, and he wants me to eat better choices. I'm a little nervous that I'll gain, but heck, I've stayed within a two pound range the past two months eating what I shouldn't. And I did lose most of my weight when I wasn't as tight, so maybe he has a point. I'm working it. Best to all,

I gained 4 pounds on my last vacation. I was pretty open and just ate and ate (okay, I was visiting my mother, so emotional eating was at a peak). But I no longer beat myself up. I schedule a fill, and do the best I can until I get it. It's great to know there's a way to "reset the off button" when necessary. Best,

Sounds like a terrible experience and it's so awful that you had to go through it. I do want to point out that I did all my research and that's how I ended up with Dr. Khalili. Unfortunately, I don't know a doctor of surgeon who doesn't have an unsucessful surgery at some point. That's why I seldom recommend doctors- not everyone has the same experience. I've had a wonderful OBGYN for many, many years. A young girl in my communityused him when she had triplets, and long and awful story short, ended up in a persistent vegetative state- everyone went wrong. When my dad died because of a less than perfect surgery, we considered going after the surgeon and the hospital, but realized that most people did well with the surgery. So yes, people need to know the good and bad. I'm happy your end result is good and that you're in excellent health. For me, Dr. Khalili has been a rock who has helped me through every good or bad day since my surgery- especially emotionally. He sits and talks to me for as long as I need, etc. I hope you continue with good health. Bye.

no one here since my last post. Well, anyone who drops by- here's a quick hello until after the weekend. Went for a follow-up today and only lost a pound- entirely my own doing....the frozen yogurt and toppings! I'll be getting another fill in about 6 weeks, which should be right on time as I'm getting looser. Love my surgeon. I cried today about all the emotions and issues and he listened and listened. Really helps to have him in my corner. Hope everyone is doing BETTER THAN ME THIS MONTH!LOL. Have a great weekend.

I'm writing a further reply, having just come from Dr. Khalili's office. Although I know that every doctor has patients who are neutral of unhappy about their care, I find him so terrific, so caring and interested, that I have to reiterate what a fine doctor and person I find him to be- and I consider myself to be very tough on things like this. Again, I feel bad that you didn't have a great experience, but hope you'll find the right doctor for you and go on to have a band again. It's helped my so much that I can only wish this success for others. Good luck.

WOW, sorry to hear that. I see so many people in the office who are very happy, but I'm sure that unfortunately, there are people who are unhappy with every surgeon. Hope you find a better solution and are in good health. For me, it's been a great success, limited only by my own food issues, and I continue to work on those.