curlysue

I have been burping non stop for the last couple of months. It started after a fill so I went and had an unfill. I continued to burp so I went back for another unfill but was advised that it was me that was making myself burp (never had this problem before banding) and since I had gained 4 pounds since the unfill, I should get the fill put back in. So I got a fill and I still burp. My husband says I sound like a bull frog! I am fortunate that the burping doesn't happen at night, it starts from the moment I awake. It happens when I drink, when I eat and sometimes it burns. Sometimes I feel like I am gulping air and that is why I am burping, at other times I have no idea why it is happening. It gets exhausting! I am concerned there may be something wrong but my doctor doesn't think so. I have started taking nexium but so far it hasn't done much good (not very consistent with taking it though) Does this ever go away? Can burping and feeling a burning sensation harm the esophagus over time?? HELP! Thanks!

I am a self pay as well and had to borrow to pay for the procedure. I am paying $423 for the next 60 months and it is worth it to me. I was banded April 25th 08, have had 2 fills and am only just starting to lose weight. Even though it is slow, it is SO worth it. Pre banding my weight was always going up, post banding even though not losing right away, my weight stayed the SAME on the scale. That has never happened to me before. Now it is dropping a pound, then another and another and I am thrilled that it is moving in the right direction. I do not care that I am paying all this money each month for the simple reason that this works and in 5 years I will be thinner than I ever was pre banding (at least for more than 5 minutes anyway) To me this is worth it. Not gaining is worth it. I make my lunch now and am not buying new clothes - that equals about what I pay out a month for the surgery. I have some nice "old" clothes that I wore for about 5 minutes and can't wait to fit into again. Anyway, feeling better about myself, having my clothes that were way too tight start to feel comfortable, feeling healthier, is worth every penny. Good luck in your journey!

Vegasgrace, I LOVE your 6 'G's. I am going to print a couple of copies and have one at work and one at home. This makes sense to me. So glad you started this thread. I was banded on April 25th and have only lost 10 lbs and that was from preop. I eat less and excersise more but the scale is not moving. I am going to follow your advice and will trust that this is going to work for me too! Thanks for the great post!

Hey VegasGrace, I want your help! Unless of course you really believe we DO need all of the above. I don't believe we do. Less food with the help of restriction and some excercise - that is my Doc's advice!

I like this thread. I too am a very slow loser. In fact I haven't lost any weight since being banded. Pre op I lost 15, post op gained 5 within 2 weeks. I was banded April 25th, 08. I feel good though and haven't gained any more. My eating habits have changed, I have started excersising and yet my body is holding on to this weight. I trust it will eventually start to move. It is weird though because I used to lose weight much faster! The reason I feel okay about this plateau at the very beginning of my journey is because I feel really good, I don't have to diet, (starve) I can eat real food just a lot less of it. I have only had one fill so far and I do feel restriction so this is good. My body just needs to let this weight go! Anyway, slow and steady wins the race! Best of luck to all!

I really don't know much about the sleeve so bear with me. What is the sleeve, how does it work, what are potential complications. Congrats on your success by the way!

What made you choose the gastric sleeve?

Heidi, Hang in there. I was banded on April 25th and initially lost 15 lbs pre op with Optifast and then when weighed at my post op appt had gained 5 of those lbs. This is a long journey and we have to remember this is a tool to assist us. It will get easier once you start getting fills. I have had one fill and I have noticed a difference. I have to eat slower and chew really well. Before the fill, I could eat anything and felt very discouraged. I finally came to realize though that this procedure is not the magic cure. I knew this in my head but still didn't really 'get it'. Now I know this is the truth. We have to work with the band. Give yourself time to adjust and don't be so hard on yourself. This is gonna take a while! I have not lost any more weight yet but my eating habits are slowly changing and the most important thing to me is that I have not gained any more weight. I have never maintained a weight loss for more than a minute! I am not dieting either. I eat protein first then other stuff and I use a small plate instead of a dinner plate. I just started back at the gym too. I am only doing a 1/2 hour on the treadmill to start but that is good enough for now. Don't get discouraged, make small changes and give yourself time to adjust. Once you start getting fills, the volume will decrease. You are going do fine. Just work with the band as best you can for now and the rest will follow. All the best.

MBA, I lost 15 lbs pre surgury on Optifast and within 2 weeks of surgery gained 5 lbs. The good news is though that I have not gained any more weight back! I go for my first fill tomorrow so hopefully that will help. I knew this journey would take effort on my part but I was still hoping for some 'magic'. Not happening! I am pleased with not having gained anymore weight now that I am eating solids though. I will probably be one of the 'slow losers' but that is ok as long as it comes off! My head is finally coming around to the fact that the band is only a tool - yes I knew this going in but again hoped for 'magic' and I have to work with it. Best of luck!

I had my band put in on April 25th and I can eat anything. I know it is head hunger but I am no good at fighting it. I had done well on Optifast pre surgery and lost 15 lbs. I have gained 5 and by now probably more. At this point there isn't anything that disagrees with me. I just take smaller bites. I go for my first fill this Friday and am really hoping this helps. I am not disappointed in the band or regret having paid for the surgery (self pay) but I am kinda disappointed that I haven't done more for myself to make this work better. This is just a tool and I choose what I put in my mouth. I choose whether or not to go out for a walk when my head says eat more. I understand and am going through what you are going through, luvynlyfe, but this isn't a miracle cure and takes effort on our part to make it work. Honestly, I am not judging you or preaching, but your post hit home. I have to work with the band and not against it. I wish you all the best.

LilMiss, congratulations! You have had wonderful success so far. Keep up the good work!

I was banded on the 25th as well. I feel pretty good but I am tired most of the time. I've been having soup and s/f popsicles. Made my own potato and cheddar soup and it was great but later realized I kinda blew the 'suck through a straw' rule. It was very satisfying though. I keep reading this forum and am trying to imprint on my brain "Patience, Patience, Patience". It isn't a weight loss race, eat slow and chew, chew, chew! Hope you are doing well!

I was banded yesterday and feel pretty good today. Gas is starting to cause some discomfort but I just took some gasex so hopefully that will help. Best of luck everyone. This is one great journey!