barbara9460

Well, I'm frustrated... I'm down to 250 from 330 (I'm 5'11 1/2) and still need to lose from 50 to 80 more lbs. I'm just not able to move the scale! I'm adjusted so tight that I literally get full on two or three bites. I've been at this level for about 6 months now. I should exercise, but have back issues and walking is hard for me - painful to back and knees. I have to wear a brace on one leg to walk somewhere close to normally. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm really tired of this plataeu!!! :confused: Thanks, Barbara

That's what I thought and boy, was I wrong!!!! :wub: I have spent months at too tight and now have GERD so bad that the symptoms mimicked a heart attack. The pain was so bad I can't describe it. DON'T GO ON BEING OVERFILLED - it really is bad news and you really won't lose in this state. Best of luck! Eat in the bandster way and you'll start losing again.

I also am over-filled. Been this way for months now. Other medical issues and my stubborness are to blame. It got so bad that I truly thought I was having a heart attack and ended up spending the night in the cardiac ward of the hospital. Ultimately my heart is golden and my band is too tight. On my way to the doctor this morning to have some fill removed and do a barium swallow to check things out. I'm hoping I can get back on track with my eating and get back to losing weight.

This sounds like GERD. If the Nexium isn't working (like mine isn't right now!) then you are probably too tight. Getting less restriction may help. Hope you're feeling better soon. I see my doc tomorrow to have some taken out as totally out of the blue my GERD has come back with a vengence!

Let me start by saying I've been banded for more than 2 years now. Not at my goal due to other medical problems, but will soon be able to exercise - yeah!!! :scared2: Been in a wheelchair for almost four months, so now exercise looks great to me! Yesterday I woke to acid in my throat and horrible pain in my chest. I sat and spit for about an hour and then tried to go back to sleep. The pain did not go away and actually increased. I could only take small sips of Water and tried coffee, but no go. Called my "ask a nurse" from my insurance and she sent me to the ER. I was very scared as I thought I might be having a heart attack... these are the same symptoms my step-mom had when she had her heart attack - except for the acid reflux. I haven't had reflux since I've had my band, except for once when I went to bed shortly after dinner. Long story short, a night in the hospital, much blood work and IV meds for GERD, it seems I have GERD. That didn't make sense to me because I've not had it in more than 2 years!!! Evidently you can have GERD and not feel the symptoms at all - especially if you've previous had it (20 years worth!) and had a long period with no pain. The hospital said that GERD doesn't go away, similar to diabetes. You may not have to take meds for it, but you still have it. So, if you have chest pain, even if you think it's GERD, GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!! The pain and other symptoms I experienced were exactly those that women feel when they are having a heart attack. Thankfully I am fine and am about to make an appointment with my band doctor. NEVER MAKE AN ASSUMPTION THAT IT'S GERD - ALWAYS GO TO THE ER!!!

I am 5'11, but have lost 80 lbs. May 9th will be my 1 year bandiversary. I must weigh in (excuse the pun!) and say to go with what the psychologist says. The lapband is so much safer. And frankly, if you look at all the celebs on tv, and I personally know several that had the gastric, most have gained much, if not all the weight they lost. They have issues with being generally healthy because they can't absorb the nutrients. They have to take handfuls of pills to get what they used to be able to get from food. Lap-band all the way!!! Best of luck! Barbara

This is normal. And you're friends are right... it's due to the weight loss. You spent so long with extra padding, extra blood volume, extra everything that now you don't have. It will take some time to re-acclimate. Soon you'll feel normal at this temp. Best of luck! And congrats on the 100+! Barbara

This is normal. And you're friends are right... it's due to the weight loss. You spent so long with extra padding, extra blood volume, extra everything that now you don't have. It will take some time to re-acclimate. Soon you'll feel normal at this temp. Best of luck! And congrats on the 100+! Barbara

Girl, get a new pair of eyes!!!! :w00t: You look fantastic! In the first picture you definitely have muffin top - but not in the second! Go easy on yourself! You should be very pleased!!! Keep up the good work!:confused: Hugs, Barbara

Actually, you most likely don't have IBS. We all have the growling/rumbling, gas and bloating. Some with pain and others without. I think somehow that all the chewing makes us swallow more air! At any rate, you're probably fine, but if you're worried or in excessive pain, call your surgeon again. How long since you were banded? Barbara

I had the same experience with the Vita-Band - Watermelon flavor... nasty!!!!! I tried some Flinstones kids vites, but they're not so great either. YUCK!

:thumbup: I drink about a pot of coffee, real coffee, every day. I drink it with fat free half n half and splenda. Even on my clear liquid stage I drank a tiny amount of coffee daily. I work normal hours, but I have to get up at 4:30 in the morning and am up until 10 or so at night. I also don't sleep well due to back problems and menopause stuff, so I can't survive without it. The reason they tell you don't drink it is that for some, coffee is hard on the tummy. Also, caffeine isn't great for any of us really. It's like any band food... try it gently and slowly to see if you can stomach it. Best! Barbara:biggrin:

If you're going to have tortillo's it's better to pan fry them with a tiny spray of PAM. That way they aren't so gummy. Also, the corn or whole wheat are easier than the flour. I've had homemade pizza on real crust, in very small amounts and with lots of chewing and mixing it with a salad (alternating bites) it went down fine. Best of luck! Barbara

Banded 5/9/08... Positive: I am positive that this was the right thing for me to do. I feel better than I have in many, many years. I'm off nearly all of my MANY meds. I've met some wonderful people here and elsewhere that are on the same journey. I have a job to go to every day and the best son a mother could want. I have a loving mom and wonderful friends. I could go on and on. Thank you for a wonderful thread... there's so much negativity here sometimes. "I believe that it is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else,will affect its successful outcome" William James, Psychologist, Professor and Author 1842-1910 Consider yourselves hugged!

Stick with it. My doc had 3 wks of clears, 2 of fulls and then mushies. It's really hard, but you'll do it. Jello seemed to help me a lot. I drank my weight in friggin broth too! If you feel the need to chew, then try sf popcicles. Stick with it... it' does get easier!

That was the only thing I did not do. I had my coffee all the way through the process - except for the first few days after the surgery. I did have a caffeine withdrawal though... I was pretty bitchy. I don't drink as much now though. You do become lots more sensitive to the effects of the caffeine afterwards. Hang in there! Barbara

Trayrenee... ask if they prescribe EMEND the night before surgery. EMEND is a drug that is normally given to chemo patients to keep them from being sick so much. It is a wonder drug! I have extreme sensitivity to anesthesia - always spend hours and hours throwing up - no matter what they give me. Well, I took the Emend at 8:00 the night before surgery and not only did I not feel sick at all, but the anesthesia cleared my body LOTS faster. Good luck! Barbara

Thank you guys all so much. I got my second fill at the beginning of this month (Sept) and my docs patients do two days clears and then two days full liquids before moving back to food. Well, that night I went into spasm and it lasted all night long. I truly thought my band had slipped. Now I'm about three weeks out from that fill and I still have to have a bite and then wait to see if it will go down. I thought I was all alone in this. My doc didn't exactly say so, but was somewhat belittling about it - said he had pts. that would "kill" to have the fill I had. Jack is right, sometimes you have to have a bit of warm liquids before you eat - and go super, super slowly. No matter what - nothing very cold before you plan on eating. These episodes have lasted for hours when they've happened to me. They are horrible and I'll do anything to avoid them. Best of luck everybody! Barbara

The day I started my two week preop liquids I stopped 1 med (Actos) and cut my dose of Glucophage; After surgery I stopped that one too. I had to do insulin my first year after diagnosis with type ii. I was on max meds prior to surgery. Now, 4 1/2 months later, my blood sugar is normal. No meds. I'll get my a1c back this week and the new test glycomark - I expect all will be perfect. Remember this: you still control what you eat. Since surgery, I've cut out nearly all carbs - I don't eat bread, though I do eat an occasional cracker; I don't eat Pasta or white potatos, though I do eat the occasional well blended sweet potato. I go sugar free with things like Jello, pudding and Protein shakes. I still keep an eye on my bs readings too. How long have you had type II? They say that the sooner you get the lap-band after diagnosis, the better your chances of complete reversal of the condition. I've been lucky! I've been diagnosed for 8 years and probably had it much, much longer without knowing it. Best of luck and let us know how you do. Barbara

Lori, take special care with the prednisone - especially if it's taken orally. Some of the steriod type drugs can cause SERIOUS problems with the band. I had an issue with bronchitis and was on a medrol dose pak (steriod) and my surgeons office nearly flipped out! Call them for advice right away.

I hate to say it, but you guys don't know how good you've got it. My doc had this: 15 days of preop Optifast and broth and sf jello; after surgery, 10 days of Clear Liquids only; three weeks of full liquids and then mushies. I followed it to the "T" because I know that I can't break these rules and be successful. Was I hungry? You bet I was. Cried sometimes and was feeling like I was starving. I'm 4 1/2 months post-op now, have lost 67 lbs and am on my second fill. It's depressing sometimes, but ask yourselves this: Did I go through all of this, the cost, the preop stuff, just to start cheating now? If you want to chew, eat a popcicle - sugarfree of course. If you're having headaches, then call your doctor for advice. It's vital that you follow his instructions. And by no means offer advice to others about cheating - the newer people need to know that just because you had an okay outcome so far, it doesn't mean that they will. You guys can do this! Best to all, Barbara

I'm nearly at the same place. I had my second fill. Did okay until early evening when spasms started in. Spent the entire night awake and vomiting/sliming. Next day the doc said that he had patients that would kill for my fill and didn't remove anything. I'm slowly getting back the ability to eat tiny quantities. It's been more than two weeks and I'm still suffering. Sometimes I can eat a small bit and others I can't get even two bites down without sliming and pb'ing. I'm pretty miserable, but am going to stick it out a bit longer. I'm due back in his office on 10/9, but may not go at this point. If it doesn't get better quickly then I'm going to ask for a partial unfill. I hope it get's better for both of us SOON!!! Barbara And by the way, my ticker is wrong... I've lost about 67 lbs now.

Hey Restless... don't forget that you can have sugarfree popcicles too! Love 'em! Best, Barbara

Another reason- the primary reason actually - is that if you ever have a medical emergency where you're unconscious, the paramedic will know that they have to use extreme caution when intubating you. congrats on getting your band soon, Barbara

Hi Jodi. I don't do Protein Drinks for the most part... they smell horrible. But! I do use the Unjury protein in things like sugar free pudding. I've used everything except their chicken Soup flavor. It's best in thick things like pudding. Frankly, I dont' believe there IS a Protein powder (or liquid) that isn't horrible. I'm very sensitive to smells and taste and most make me gag. The one thing about Unjury, they are pure and medical grade. They are whey isolate - the best kind of protein. Best! Barbara