Bell

I have allergies really bad, and I have found that hot tea before any meal really helps clear the mucus out, esp. in the mornings.

Donna, just calm down. Have you researched the band thoroughly? Have you read the band rules on eating, getting fills, and possible things that can wrong you need to watch for? Most have no problems what's so ever, but a small percentage do. Things can happen if your band is too tight. A PB is when the food hasn't been chewed enough or your band is too tight. A slip is what most call it, when the lining of the bottom section of your stomach comes up into the pouch, and doesn't return correctly. I have been banded a little over 6 months, and have had none of these problems, but others have. Please ask any questions you have and many here will be more than happy to help you.

I have never felt as if it were squeezing, and my surgeon also does fills by going complely full, then backing out, watching the flow on the screen. And sorry DeLarla, but to me both things are tools I use to make things in my life easier...but, that's just me.. You have the right to feel different.

I can't speak for anyone else about the way they feel about their band, only myself. I have had my band for 6 months, and have never felt it was a foreign device.. it is a tool I accepted into my body after giving it a lot of thought. Just like the metal rods they hammered into the bones of my legs, to hold the metal knees together, they are also tools I use every day, so I can walk. There are risk we take in life every day, that is what makes it real....JMO here.......

When are you getting this tight feeling? Is it while eating? Or right after eating? This is the feeling I get when I eat too much. If it is at other times, then yu need to see you doctor..IMO

Banded 7/22/05 Dr. Neal-Olympia, Wa. 3 fills No problem with port or band

Something you might want to try with your meds.. ask the pharmacist if your meds can be crushed. I know the Lexapro can be, because I crush mine and take it mixed with applesauce at night. I take 5 meds a day and I crush them all. The other problems sound like you need just a slight unfil.

Everyone is so different, but it is possible. I am 6 months post-op, and have lost 75 lbs. I am a bit older, and unable to exercise much, but I watch what and how much I eat closely.

I see a few of us were banded on the same day. The 22nd must have been a good day. As of yesterday, I am down 75lbs. I have had 3 fills, and now have 3.8cc in my 4cc band. This feels like it will be my sweet spot.

Dr. Neal knows what he is doing, and has been doing Lapbands for quite awhile. He will have the EGD done by an expert at the lab. Did he give you any idea what he thought your problems may be if not the band? He usually is very forthright about anythng you ask. Or at least so I have found.

I always have a cup of hot tea (Sleepytime) before bed, it helps me sleep and cleans out my pouch. And I have nothing after about 7:30, going to bed at 11:00....

I sent mine in about 3 weeks after surgery, and am still waiting.......

I like Tina's suggestion of Cricket.... I have two toy Poodles...Jocko and Chloe...

I am more worried about the fact you say you are only 3 weeks post-op, and PBing all the time. At 3 weeks I was on mushies only. The chances of hurting your band are great at this time, because you are still healing.. And true, the by-pass people would not know this, to help you. Hope you find a group near, until then this site is one of the best...

I have found that I have port discomfort if I eat more than about 6/8 ounces of food at a meal. I think it is the weight of the food on the stoma, pushing the saline out of the band, back toward the port. Is the hunger, real hunger, or head hunger? We were both banded in July, and I find myself forgetting that I am banded, even though I have great restriction, and my band lets me know it is there. If you think it is something more serious, you really need to wait until you can see the doctor.

I had mine put on 8 days before my 61st birthday...No problems at all, and almost 70 lbs lost...

I also take 5 pills a day. I had to stop my Naproxin by doc order's (said it could cause band erosion), but the others , I use a pill crusher and then take with applesause. becuase I have lost over 60 lbs, I really don't miss the Naproxin, my back and knees no longer bother meanywhere near as much.

I have had 3 fills in 6 months, at $150 ea w/fluro...bringing me to 3.8cc in my 4cc band. Shouldn't need too much more, feel I am at my sweet spot. Bell

I am a July Bandster, and am down 62 lbs....

I also have times when I have alot of restriction, then it feels like I need a fill. I have 2.6cc in my 4cc band. I am hoping this fill will be my sweet spot. Weight loss is still doing fine.

I am new to this board, but banded for 4 1/2 months. I too worried about being able to stop my over eating. I surprise myself now. I have to drive by at least a dozen fast food places in our small town. I find myself smiling to myself, and saying "Not today!"... DH and I will go out at least once on the weekend to eat, but NO fast food place. We have found that if he orders a meal with quite a bit of food, I share, and that's enough. It takes very little to fill my pouch, and it takes me as long to eat my small portion, as it takes him to eat the rest of the meal. As everyone has said, It's you working the band, it doesn't work well by it's self.

Also people with a 'First Bite' problem, need to drink something like hot tea to get their pouch ready for food.

When on a diet pre-op, I would stay away from certain things, and end up eating it to make up for it.. with the band I allow myself to eat anything I want (I have no trouble with any food so far), just limit the size or amount. So far it is working.

For me it is just the slightest little brup after a small amount of food. I know I have lost restriction when it takes longer and I can eat more than what I have put on my small saucer.

You may have to stay away from the coffee for awhile. Some surgeons say No Coffee for the first 4/6 months. It irritates the stoma. If it has been a week since the fill, it sounds as if you are a bit too tight. I had to have a slight unfill after my 2nd fill, about a month ago, but now think I am at a 'sweet spot'..