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I too have the burping and gas. I'm over a year out now and it hasn't changed much. I remember telling my nutritionist about the gas a few months after surgery and she said it still could be the gas from surgery.....well a year later, I don't think it's the gas from surgery. I use those GasX strips that melt on your tongue, they work pretty good but not all the time. It's just something that some of us have to live with. And I agree with others that said, it's a small, small, small price to pay for getting healthier, losing weight and KEEPING the weight off ! I don't think there is anything that would make me regret having this surgery, for sure not some burping and gas passing! You learn how to control it....(or hide it). And yes, oh it feels so good to get one of those burps out. Feels like 5 pounds of pressure has been lifted....haha.

I was banded in March of 08. I've never had any trouble with the band or trouble eating. My last fill was February 23rd. As of this Monday, April 20, I'm having trouble eating or drinking. No trouble at all up until this point. When I drink I can "feel" it going down and it most of the time feels weird going down. Kinda like the water is getting hung up but eventually goes down. I can only eat mushy things and not much of it at all. I'm not hungry. I wasn't like this before Monday. I could eat just about anything I wanted as long as I followed the "bandster" rules. It just concerns me about getting the water down and it feeling uncomfortable. But once it passes, I'm fine...no uncomfortable feeling. One confession is I did get sick three times in a row Monday morning. I'm hoping that didn't slip the band or something. I got sick becuase some new medications turned my stomach and made me nauseous.

Dr. Terry Pinson did my surgery in Tupelo. I'm sure he'd take you on as a patient after your surgery.....I mean I guess he would. There is also 2 other doctors that perform the surgery and do the fills in Oxford. Good luck.

I agree that I don't want to play the numbers game. Thanks for all your replies. I just have goals set for myself and 10 pounds a month is one of them. I don't think that is too harsh or unrealistic of a goal. I do think my Dr was out of line by saying those comments when I asked about the band and how much of a fill I was getting. But it didn't bother me that bad. I just wanted to see if other doctors were not wanting to tell like mine was/is. When I say I'm eating 1.5 to 2 cups of food per meal.....I really don't know for sure. It's hard (for me) to judge how much is what. I know some will say just weigh the food or measure the food but that is too much trouble for me. Take for instance last night.....in my mind I ate about 2 cups of food. I had a whole pork chop (about 1 inch thick, cut into tiny bites), the bottom part of a small biscuit and a piece of cantaloupe. How much to ya'll think that is converted to cups of food? I don't have a clue, so I'm guessing 2 cups ? ? ? I know what I'm doing is working and I don't want that to change. I just don't want to fall into a rut of not losing. I feel I'm eating more than I should but I DO NOT want to get to where I BP and can't even drink normally. I've never BP so far, I'd like to keep it that way.

I had my first fill in April. I asked my Dr. what size band I had......he said "the right size", and smiled. I didn't smile and so I asked again, finally he told me a 10 cc. After my fill as asked how much did he put in...he said "just enough", and smiled. Now, I really like my Dr. He is very compassionate and caring but a little of a smart a**, but then again so am I. So I let it slide. Last months I had lost 12 pounds in a month and he didn't do a fill on me because he said I was doing great. I wanted a fill but was Ok when he told me no. I go next week for hopefully my second fill. I've lost 8 pounds so far. This is so weird to say but I don't want to lose more than 2 more till then or he probably won't fill me this time. I think I need a fill. I'm eating waaayyyyy less than I did before surgery but I can still eat 1.5 to 2 cups of food per meal. Has anyone else had these issues with their doctor. Like I said, I really do like him and feel comfortable with him.....he just has to have is way I guess....haha.

It works air into your pouch as you chew. Also, think about if you happen to accidently swallow it......don't know if it would pass thru easily. I gave it up and changed to sugar free mints

I use the GNC 100 % whey, banana cream flavor. I drink a shake 4 out of 7 mornings for breakfast a week and love it! I've tried other brands and flavors and this is the best one I've found. It tastes like a banana milk shake to me, with no after taste. Others may disagree, it just differs from person to person. I didn't like the walmart brand....was too chalky for me. A one pound bag costs 12.99 and I always take advantage of their sale - buy one get one half off. The chocolate caramel flavor tastes like a cold coffee to me....it's ok. I've also got vanilla and you can mix other stuff with it to change the flavor. Such as fresh strawberries, raspberries, flavorings and Jell-O packets.

I had a similar issue, but it was with my dad. My mom was totally on board with me because she went to a seminar with me and knew most all the details about the surgery. When I was talking to my dad about it he was very opposed to the idea. He didn't know what the Lap Band was, he just heard the "bariatric surgery" part of our conversation. And like most parents I'm sure he was thinking he didn't want his "little girl" (yeah, I'm 30 now but still his little girl) going through any type of unnecessary surgery. But when he started to see the commercials on TV and I brought him some booklets to read about the surgery and explained how it was nothing like gastric bypass surgery, he felt a little easier about it. But he still didn't encourage me to do it. Now being 2 months out from surgery, he's has a totally different opinion about it. He tells me every week how great I look and how he can really tell I've lost weight but most of all he tells me he's proud of me for having the courage to go through with it. Coming from a father, telling his daughter he thinks she courageous in doing something........really boosts my confidence levels. Try educating your mom about the surgery. If she's anything like my dad, she'll come around. Funny thing now, my dad is trying to convince my brother to have this surgery done. But right now my brother doesn't want to give up beer drinking with is buddies enough to have the surgery. Maybe he'll realize there is a lot more to life than beer drinking with his friends when he could be 100 + pounds smaller !

I love me some Tony Stewart too ! ! and yes I like the "restrictor plate" I now have! Good one!

Squirrel, You are off to a great start! Keep up the good work. I'm right behind you with my 25 lbs gone. I feel so good with just that little gone. I can't wait to see what it feels like with 50, 70, 100 or more gone. And the best thing about it is........I'll NEVER see that weight again! Just wanted to say Hi and welcome you to this great group of folks that are here on this site. Sheri

I just sent you an e-mail of what I used. Good luck ! !

You are right Lanie. I just need to nip it in the bud, but in a nice way. You gave a great example. Thanks!

When someone out of the blue asks me, "have you lost weight?", that makes me feel good. It meas since they've seen me last, they can possibly tell I've lost a few pounds. But when the same people ask me almost daily or weekly, "how much weight have you lost now", it really gets under my skin:angry_smile:. I smile and say, "I haven't weighed since last week so I don't know of any more". Because I do honestly only weigh once a week. But it gets so discouraging when I've only lost 1 pound or possible none and they keep asking every week. I was very open with friends, family and co-workers about having my surgery. Everyone I associate with regularly knew about me having the surgery and they all were very supportive. I know they are just curious as to how much I've lost and I know deep down they really do care about me in my weight loss journey. But it drives me insane some days when they keep asking. If it were only one or two a day I don't think it would bother me. But I'm talking about 5-10 people ask me daily. I'm trying to be the nice person I think I am (haha) and smile :biggrin2: and not snap back at them but I'm starting to lose my patience. I promise I will never ask anyone again how much weight have they lost. If I'm being totally unreasonable in thinking this, please someone tell me so. Or if you agree and feel the way I do, let me know I'm not the only one.

This is a great thread. I won't miss: - legs rubbing together - back aches - fitting into chairs with arms - damming up the tub (Water won't pass to the back because I'm wider than the bathtub) - having to corss my foot on my knee to tie shoes and having the tie on the side instead of in the center of the shoe where it should be - not fitting on amusement park rides with my nephew or having to leave the rollercoaster after trying to fit in it while everyone is staring. - looking to see if I'm the largest person in the room - feeling insecure on the inside while trying to hide it on the outside all the time