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FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY I'M GLAD TO SEE THE JOURNALS BACK UP AND RUNNING. I WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE THOUGHTS THAT MY JOURNAL WAS PERMANENTLY GONE. I had the EGD done on 9/18. Something about it at the time, made Dr. C concerned so he also did an upper GI while I was there. A few days later, he contacted me and assured me that everything looked O.K. No ulcers. He thought my band was placed a little high when he did the EGD. That's why he did the upper GI. For the most part, I feel fine. I do have just a little bit of burning if I overeat. Which I'm not supposed to do anyway, so I consider it a reminder that I must make good decisions and stop when I am satisfied rather than full. I'm still sleeping slightly elevated and I would say that I'm pretty much where I was before that fill with Dr. Oweis. When I lay on my back I get that pressure. I sleep best on my sides. I generally don't wake with a sore throat, although it's hard to tell right now since I have a little bit of a cold that's hanging on. At this point, I guess it's time to start focusing back on my weight loss since the crisis seems to be at the very least on the downslide. I'd really like to see onderland soon. The last time I weighed myself (which was a few weeks ago), I was 206 I think. And, unless I've gained significantly during this period I should be able to do it with a little determination. Plan: start logging my food. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. If I can't do my elliptical, I'll be sure to walk the track at work for at least 30min a day.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY I'M GLAD TO SEE THE JOURNALS BACK UP AND RUNNING. I WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE THOUGHTS THAT MY JOURNAL WAS PERMANENTLY GONE. I had the EGD done on 9/18. Something about it at the time, made Dr. C concerned so he also did an upper GI while I was there. A few days later, he contacted me and assured me that everything looked O.K. No ulcers. He thought my band was placed a little high when he did the EGD. That's why he did the upper GI. For the most part, I feel fine. I do have just a little bit of burning if I overeat. Which I'm not supposed to do anyway, so I consider it a reminder that I must make good decisions and stop when I am satisfied rather than full. I'm still sleeping slightly elevated and I would say that I'm pretty much where I was before that fill with Dr. Oweis. When I lay on my back I get that pressure. I sleep best on my sides. I generally don't wake with a sore throat, although it's hard to tell right now since I have a little bit of a cold that's hanging on. At this point, I guess it's time to start focusing back on my weight loss since the crisis seems to be at the very least on the downslide. I'd really like to see onderland soon. The last time I weighed myself (which was a few weeks ago), I was 206 I think. And, unless I've gained significantly during this period I should be able to do it with a little determination. Plan: start logging my food. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. If I can't do my elliptical, I'll be sure to walk the track at work for at least 30min a day.

Every WLS has it's pros and cons, its risks and benefits. The key is to decide if the risks of your particular surgery are worth the benefits that you seek. Holly, I wouldn't think you'd be normal to be questioning yourself this way. If I were in your shoes, I'd be asking myself the same things. In your defense, sometimes these things just happen. I wouldn't beat myself up about it. And, just my 2 cents here........BUT, not everyone with a band barfs and slimes their way to healthy weight loss success. I myself have been banded a year and a half. The only vomiting I have done was related to my gall bladder attacks. And yes, I eat normal food. In fact, so far I haven't found any food that I absolutely cannot eat. I have slimed, (very slightly) and not enough to lead to a PB. Yes, my weight loss is slower than I'd like. But it is coming off and it's staying off (so far). The only reflux I've had was related to being too tight and as soon as I could convince a doctor to unfill me, I did and I'm better for it. I just felt like someone should remind those out there, that barfing and sliming and reflux are not necessarily foregone conclusions. Yes, there are potential complications of the band. But that doesn't mean that everyone will get them. Some do and some don't. The well-informed patient will do much better than one going into it blindly. Know what the complications are. Know what will be expected of YOU post operatively. Know whether YOU can adhere to those lifestyle changes. Develop a good relationship with your doctor so that if you have questions you don't hesitate going or contacting him/her.

Just got my results back. Doc says everything looks O.K. His plan is to wait and see since I have had some improvement in symptoms. Hopefully, they will continue to improve. I'm sure you'll notice some improvement after having some of the fill removed. I know I did. I noticed some improvement immediately, then more of a gradual improvement in the reflux. I still get it if I eat a little too much or too fast, but generally I feel 100% better than I did before the doc removed part of my fill.

I'd definately start logging my nutritional intake. If you're as tight as you're describing, it's possible to fall into "soft food syndrome". This is a bad place to be because these soft foods usually have higher calories and lower Protein. Make sure you're drinking enough Water. Most docs recommend 6-8, but I've heard of even higher recommendations based on a person's weight. You're already exercising so that's good. But, if you're building muscle (which is also good) remember that muscle weighs more than fat. It also metablizes more calories, daily. You may be in a period of equalizing the muscles with the fat. *measure yourself* This will be a great indicator. If you're losing inches, then you're losing something. You weren't specific about your starting weight and your history. But, remember that those with lower BMI's typically lose weight slower than those with higher starting BMI's. Hope this helps.

I'm having a bit of reflux right now. I seem to get it while or just after eating as well. Occasionally, it's been painful(especially those first few bites). I just had an EGD and a upper GI done at my doctor's. I think they said I was having some regurgitation from the stomach to the pouch. At least that's my case at the moment. I still stick by my original theory. I think you're too tight, even if it's just a little bit. Good Luck,

I don't know if you have a Kohls in your area or not, but that has been a God's send for me. There's usually a great "clearance" area or at the very least SALES and the plus sized clothes are comfortable, stylish as well as durable. I've gotten a lot of business attire there. That's both before banding and since. Great store. The department stores are O.K., but I find that I spend more money there and I'm rather frugle (especially when I was changing sizes more frequently). The Catherine's in my area sells clothes that are little flashy for my tastes. I mean, who wants to wear gold lame' and glitter when you're over 275lbs and wearing 2 or 3X? I still don't wear that and I'm a 16W now and can often shop in the "regular" section, buying XL and 18.

It sounds like you're having some reflux, to me. This is an indicator that maybe you're too tight. If you can't eat solid foods until late in the afternoon, I'd say you're too tight. You shouldn't have pain. You shouldn't have burning and you SHOULD be able to eat solid foods for the majority of the day. Once in a while people have some extra tightness first thing in the morning, but that should go away before lunch time. The "sweet spot" is not necessarily a feeling, it is a state of mind and experience. It is when you're feeling good, following the rules and losing the average 1-2 lbs a week. Some people actually feel restriction, some don't. Personally, I look for that feeling of satiety rather than feeling like my food is struggling to move down the pike. If I'm satisfied for at least 3 hours and don't think about eating or snacking during that time, then I'm satisfied.

Curiously enough I got a call this week from Dr. Duckett and Oweis's office. They still wanted to schedule the EGD and unfill. I called Dr. Curry's office and asked if he'd want me to go through with the test here at home or with him (since he's a 3+ hour drive from my home). He advised having it done with him, something about seeing it first hand. So, I'm scheduled for the EGD to look down my esophagus, stomach and duodenum to see what the heck has been causing all the burning. I still have a little bit of sore throat. It seems to be worst in the evening. I do wake with it but it gets better after a little while. To be honest, I'm getting really tired of sleeping so propped up. It's amazing how sore you're butt can get sleeping in the same position all night long. :confused: Those are the 2 most aggrevating things about my current situation. I've learned that if I make a very conscious effort to eat very small portions, to essentially stop before I'm full or satisfied, that I feel better. The problem with that is I want to kind of graze because I'm not satisfied. I haven't weighed myself because I just don't want to know. My clothes feel the same, so that makes me feel better. But right now I don't want to see those numbers on the scale. Ice cream has been my friend; it feels good on my sore throat. :nervous So, until Monday.........we'll see what the EGD shows then.

I weigh myself naked at home at the same time each day and preferably the same day once a week (at most). If I notice a gain of a pound or so at "that time of the month", I disregard that and don't weigh myself until after my cycle has finished. I don't like to set myself up for disappointment if it can possibly be helped and I stay realistic. A woman's body often retains Water at different times during the month and a fluctuation during the month isn't unusual. When I weigh for the doctor, I completely disregard his/her reading because the one at home is the one I weigh on consistently and that's the one I go by. My scale is digital and calibrates with each use so I feel it's fairly accurate. Also, for some strange reason my doctor keeps his scale on carpet which can make a scale inaccurate.

Curiously enough I got a call this week from Dr. Duckett and Oweis's office. They still wanted to schedule the EGD and unfill. I called Dr. Curry's office and asked if he'd want me to go through with the test here at home or with him (since he's a 3+ hour drive from my home). He advised having it done with him, something about seeing it first hand. So, I'm scheduled for the EGD to look down my esophagus, stomach and duodenum to see what the heck has been causing all the burning. I still have a little bit of sore throat. It seems to be worst in the evening. I do wake with it but it gets better after a little while. To be honest, I'm getting really tired of sleeping so propped up. It's amazing how sore you're butt can get sleeping in the same position all night long. :cool: Those are the 2 most aggrevating things about my current situation. I've learned that if I make a very conscious effort to eat very small portions, to essentially stop before I'm full or satisfied, that I feel better. The problem with that is I want to kind of graze because I'm not satisfied. I haven't weighed myself because I just don't want to know. My clothes feel the same, so that makes me feel better. But right now I don't want to see those numbers on the scale. Ice cream has been my friend; it feels good on my sore throat. :nervous So, until Monday.........we'll see what the EGD shows then.

I feel for ya. My band surgeon actually told me to seek counseling for the pain I was experiencing that turned out to be gall stones. I like the hiatal hernia idea. Even if you would develop that later, it's not uncommon for them to re-occur. Poor dear

I agree with most of this and feel it's very well said. I also agree with those who said in the first few pages of this post that if they had come here to discuss religion, it would be called "religious chat" or something of that nature. A few months ago, I kept noticing that certain individual(s) posts came off very condescending towards others and then when questioned they got argumentative and finally, they quoted their faith as their reasoning for becoming so judgemental. When it was pointed out to that individual that he/she was not behaving very christian-like, the comment went seemingly unnoticed and he/she continued to troll. I added that person to my ignore list. I suggest to anyone who is offended by another's comments, especially on a consistent basis, add that person to the ignore list. Then you don't have to read it anymore.

It's called an ignore list. Although I personally have not feel as though I've been attacked or anything, there are certain people whose posts just rub me wrong. Rather than respond, first I ignore it. If they become consistent, I add that person to my ignore list so I don't even have to read the darn things. I figure if those people are ignorant enough to tick me off like that then they can't possibly write anything that I absolutely need to read.

I haven't been using it to lose weight any more than with my daily diet. But I've made the soup, put some lean roast beef into it for protein and frozen it in reasonable portions so that I may eat it for lunch at work with crackers. It's delicious and I can't believe that I haven't gotten really tired of eating it. Other than the lean roast beef, I left the recipe as is so it's a really low cal/low fat lunch. I'm not gonna discuss my weight loss. I'm still stuck, but until Friday I was too tight and ice cream was my friend.

I'm back from my initial consult with Dr. C. He and his practice are wonderful. They're so kind and understanding. They actually listened to me. Just to have someone listen to me I felt kind of at home. If it wouldn't have been totally weird, I would have hugged them all. He took out some of my fill and is hopeful that will help my reflux. If not, he will be interested in the EGD that Dr. Oweis had suggested. He said that I need a break from this tight band. I've been eating soft food and mostly soups for so long I don't know if I'd know how to eat normal food again (joke). I can't say as I've noticed a miraculous improvement or anything, but I have noticed some of the pressure in my throat has improved. We'll see how the sore throat is in the morning. One curious note, he sounded familiar with Dr. Duckett/Oweis and indicated he has received other patients of theirs who had left the practice. :guess

I really like the light microwave popcorn. I wouldn't say I eat it all the time, but I eat it when I feel the urge. I don't go to the movies a lot, but when I do I get the popcorn there. I try desperately not to think about how high in fat it is and just enjoy the treat. I haven't had a problem with keeping it down or having it irritate anything.

What about more of a musculo-skeletal problem like the muscles in between your ribs in that area or over your ribs? It could be a spasm. If it feels like it's more internal than that, you got me stumped since you've said you have no respiratory symptoms and your kidney's have tested negative. I would think if it's something stuck in the band, you'd be feeling it other places too. (but that's an assumption and everyone feels things differently) If you think it might be the muscles that I've mentioned, you might want to check your Vitamin and mineral intake. Potassium deficiency can contribute to muscle spasms as well as dehydration (even mild dehydration). Watch your nutrition. Do some stretches, that helps loosen up the muscles and keep them less likely to spasm. Heating pads (but don't leave them on for longer than 20 minutes-puts you at risk for burns AND isn't theraputic after 20 min) helps to relax the muscle. I've heard wonderful things about those nice stick-on heat pads, but again remember they can burn and don't leave them on too long. Icy-Hot, good stuff and smells better than Ben-Gay. Good Luck

Maybe it can be traced back to training. I know in my own training, Chiropractic care was not a method of treatment discussed as a successful treatment. Who knows? It could be one of those sorry, passed-down stigmas, too. I recently attended a pain seminar. FYI, chiropractic care was mentioned as pain control for those with severe back pain although it was not recommended long term as the MD felt that some individuals become dependant on it rather than seek what he felt would be more permanent treatment for what could become a chronic problem. It was recommended for immediate care and for a set number or treatments or even a specified duration. After that, it would be determined that chiropractic care was not appropriate for this individual and he/she would need something else (ie: injections, physical therapy, surgery, etc)

I think a lot of individuals in the health care profession experience a certain amount of it when going to physicians. Do they teach this in medical school or during all the internship/residency training? It seems to be rather universal. As a chiropractor, I think you're doubly exposed Jack. So many practicioners hold such little respect for your profession.

I'm back from my initial consult with Dr. C. He and his practice are wonderful. They're so kind and understanding. They actually listened to me. Just to have someone listen to me I felt kind of at home. If it wouldn't have been totally weird, I would have hugged them all. He took out some of my fill and is hopeful that will help my reflux. If not, he will be interested in the EGD that Dr. Oweis had suggested. He said that I need a break from this tight band. I've been eating soft food and mostly soups for so long I don't know if I'd know how to eat normal food again (joke). I can't say as I've noticed a miraculous improvement or anything, but I have noticed some of the pressure in my throat has improved. We'll see how the sore throat is in the morning. One curious note, he sounded familiar with Dr. Duckett/Oweis and indicated he has received other patients of theirs who had left the practice. :guess

Unless they insist on knowing exactly what I do or my educational background, I have learned (the hard way) not to tell doctors that I am a nurse unless it comes to a point in my care where I feel I have to tell them. I have had doctors in the past tell me "The only worse thing that you could be is a doctor. Because nurses want what they want when they want it." Personally, I feel that as a nurse I've been discriminated against. They dismiss my complaints because I have either dreamed them up or expect them to happen to me. As far as your multitude of sticks, if you so choose to see this doctor again I'd set limits at the outset. Let him know you will only try "x" number of attempts and that's it. If he doesn't get it, he doesn't get it AND you don't get charged. Period, end of discussion. You will not be treated as a human pin cushion and be put at risk for infection, tubing puncture, or worse. I feel for you as I have been dealing with some bad docs myself. Egomaniacs.

I just looked through the last few entries of this journal and realized that this thing could really be a downer so, let's get some light hearted stuff in. UM, gee I don't know any good things to put. LOL I do feel a little better than I did 2 days ago. At least I'm not as angry. The reflux is still there, but not as severe. I haven't tasted blood since last Friday (8/18/06). I haven't had to suck on as many tums. I guess those are good things. I haven't weighed myself so I can't report on that. My goal right now is to get this reflux better not to lose weight. Although I must admit I certainly would be ticked if I gained. :omg: I just want to be clear for any prospective lap banders who may be reading this that I do love my band and if someone told me I had to have it out, I would expect adequate justification for the removal. I just happen to be a little too tight right now, I think. We'll get this cleared up, I'm sure. I do not regret the band, I'd do it again in a heartbeat despite what may appear to be negativity here. Please remember that most days go by without so much as a hiccup. It's those days that I am guilty of forgetting to document for posterity. I write for my own therapy. I put things in this particular journal that I feel are directly related to the lap band even though I have a full, private journal that I write in more regularly. I look forward to the comments and hope that my journey can help others just as the journals I read in my early days helped me.

I just looked through the last few entries of this journal and realized that this thing could really be a downer so, let's get some light hearted stuff in. UM, gee I don't know any good things to put. LOL I do feel a little better than I did 2 days ago. At least I'm not as angry. The reflux is still there, but not as severe. I haven't tasted blood since last Friday (8/18/06). I haven't had to suck on as many tums. I guess those are good things. I haven't weighed myself so I can't report on that. My goal right now is to get this reflux better not to lose weight. Although I must admit I certainly would be ticked if I gained. :omg: I just want to be clear for any prospective lap banders who may be reading this that I do love my band and if someone told me I had to have it out, I would expect adequate justification for the removal. I just happen to be a little too tight right now, I think. We'll get this cleared up, I'm sure. I do not regret the band, I'd do it again in a heartbeat despite what may appear to be negativity here. Please remember that most days go by without so much as a hiccup. It's those days that I am guilty of forgetting to document for posterity. I write for my own therapy. I put things in this particular journal that I feel are directly related to the lap band even though I have a full, private journal that I write in more regularly. I look forward to the comments and hope that my journey can help others just as the journals I read in my early days helped me.

Sounds like you're just a tad too tight and having some reflux as a result of it. I have the same thing right now and am waiting to see the doc to get it taken care of. Because my DH refuses the bed raising thing, I have made myself a wedge to sleep on until this passes. You can purchase foam wedges also, but don't ask me where. Currently my wedge consists of a blanket folded and pillows fashioned into a large wedge that starts at my butt and goes up to my head. I sleep at approximately a 45 degree angle and have been doing much better since I've done this and I haven't slid down, either. By trying to sleep simply on pillows under your shoulders or head, basically you're bending yourself at the waist and may be making the problem worse (or so I've been told). The mucous you are swallowing after meals or during the day is your body's way of trying to lube things up. Either there's still food slowly moving through the pouch or your body is (for some reason) recognizing your stoma as a foreign body and is trying to make it pass. Again, that's a sign you may be too tight even if it's only a little.