willowcat

Because those that mind don't matter...(darn this phone!) Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Be who you are and say what you feel...because that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind--Dr. Suess Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Guess it depends on how long you're going to be at a higher altitude. If you've moved to a higher altitude and are staying there, then you need to get a small unfill. If you're just vacationing, there's nothing you can do except tough it out until you return to a lower altitude. Take the smallest sips possible to stay hydrated I guess. I live at 6,500 ft. and LOVE to go on vacation someplace near the ocean--sea level--it really does make a big difference. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I wish you the best. We all have our own journeys to take. I hope your arthritis pain is soon a thing of the past and that you are able to participate in some sort of exercise that is helpful and enjoyable. India is a beautiful country (one of my favorite places to visit!); I can see how it would impact the choices you have available to you. Best wishes. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

One more thought though--you said it was "true vomit"--do you mean to say that it has stomach bile in it? What I was referring to does NOT have stomach bile in it--it's still just saliva and chewed up food. Stomach bile (from your lower stomach) mixed in with the food--THAT sounds serious. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I think it's just part of living with the band--a band that could possibly be too tight, but not necessarily so. If things get kind-of stuck without actually getting completely stuck, they can stay above the band in your "little stomach" for quite some time. I often get what I call "the sieve effect" where the little bits and liquids keep on going down, but the bigger chunk(s) do not. It's confusing because you still don't feel ok, but it seems that things are still going down. HOURS later I've thrown up the offending bit(s) and am instantly all better. Also, it sometimes takes being horizontal (ie. in bed at night) for the offending bit to move off the stoma before I can throw it up. I'm sure that there are those on this board that would say all of that is proof that you're too tight...to them I would say "maybe.". I've had this band for 3 years and I'm still learning--46 years of gulping my food is a hard habit to break. Some days some things I've never had a problem with are suddenly a problem--and visa-versa. I've also had partial unfills when it seems ALL I ever do is throw up. But occasionally...no...it's unpleasant, but just part of the learning experience for me. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Just curious how lipo is supposed to treat artheritis? Can't walk? Water aerobics lets you exercise without stress to your joints. Good luck Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Maybe you have a rib out of place? My mother also suffered from "vague abdominal" pain. She had all kinds of tests, scopes, and an MRI. It took her getting pneumonia, going to the hospital, and having the doctor on duty say "oh, you have a rib out of place," pushing on her misplaced rib and Ta-da! Problem fixed! Hope you soon find out what's wrong...whatever it may be. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I purposely had my only tattoo put on the top of my foot because that's the one place I figured doesn't change a lot when you gain/lose weight. Have you ever seen a latex balloon with writing on it after you blow it up and then deflate it? Not a pretty sight. Personally I'd advise against a tattoo on your arm--unless your arms don't change much--me, I was wearing Water wings (now I still have them--just not as big) Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Why would the band "cause" irritable bowl syndrome (IBS)? That doesn't make sense. I agree that this is a fishy post. Who's to gain from scaring people away from something that works for so many people? Guess I'm naive. What "study"? I did LOTS of research before getting my band...I never saw that study. Citation please. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Everybody is different. Who knows just what the doctor means by "full"?! Does that mean "can't take another bite" ( the stomach is designed to expand anyway--so our ancient ancestors could eat as much as possible when the food was available), or does that mean "I've had enough?" Not only is linguistics a problem here, but many of us never learned to listen to our "full" signals--I was always grazing and never really was either hungry nor full! You know (or are beginning to know) your body. Listen to you--you'll soon figure out how much is enough for you. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Oops! Sorry for the multiple posts--my iPhone was giving me fits! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I always crave chocolate. I do know that chocolate is also high in magnesium. Magnesium is good for muscles. When I take magnesium supplements, the cravings aren't as strong--and neither are the cramps. Still, I love high-qaulity chocolate ANYtime! Lol! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I know I crave chocolate (I always love high-quality chocolate anyway), and I also know that chocolate is high in magnesium. Magnesium is good for muscles and helps with cramping. Funny, but when I take magnesium supplements the cravings aren't as strong--and neither are the cramps. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I know I crave chocolate (I always love high-quality chocolate anyway), and I also know that chocolate is high in magnesium. Magnesium is good for muscles and helps with cramping. Funny, but when I take magnesium supplements the cravings aren't as strong--and neither are the cramps. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I know I crave chocolate (I always love high-quality chocolate anyway), and I also know that chocolate is high in magnesium. Magnesium is good for muscles and helps with cramping. Funny, but when I take magnesium supplements the cravings aren't as strong--and neither are the cramps. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

"Solid" protein is usually too dry--or maybe your doctor's definition of "solid" is different than mine? Tuna? No. Hamburger? No. Salmon? No. chicken breast? No. Scrambled egg? No. Tofu? No. The only time I can eat 3oz of solid Proteins is when I've had an unfill--or nearly--and then I'm hungry all the time. Rules like that bug me, but if it's working for you, all the more power to ya. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Yikes! Thanks for the warning! Seat cover...never thought of that! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Getting stuck HURTS! It gets to the point that if the food isn't going down, then it's coming UP! I have what I call an "in-case-a-cup" in the car all the time--just in case! Public bathroom splashback I handle by first getting a big wad of toilet paper and then I throw up into the wad of paper. Probably tmi...! Sorry, but it does prevent the splashback! My husband doesn't understand that this isn't really the same as vomit--this is just saliva and chewed up food--still, he gets totally grossed out. It's not my idea of ideal, but it is what it is. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Hi kdee! I appreciated the support of the group as well...glad you posted! . We're coming up on our 3rd year bandiversaries! I too hit a "lowest" weight and have put back on 20 lbs. I too am about 50 lbs from my goal/normal weight. I've had lots of trouble with the medication I take for depression irritating the stoma. Something's definitely wrong when barfing is no big deal--haha! I had most of my fluid removed for about 6 months. What prompted you to have an unfill? I continue to struggle with keeping a regular exercise routine...given the level of fill I had and the amount of exercise I was doing, it's no wonder I put on some weight again...it could be worse that's for sure! I want to get back to drinking my water everyday--and regular exercise. How about you?

I was banded in 2009 and initially didn't have any problems with my anti-depressant zoloft. But as I kept getting closer to the "sweet spot", I began to have more episodes of vomitting--until eventually I had the most HORRIBLE burning in my stomach after taking my pills--and then for months nothing but milk and yogurt would stay down. I take 200 mg of zoloft, but even after having my doctor prescribe the smaller 50 mg pills (I take four), I was still having a burning sensation after taking my pills. I eventually had nearly half of my fill taken out, but still had problems with lots of foods. Nearly a year later, I think that the ulceration I must have been experiencing has finally healed. I can now eat even fruits, vegetables, and bread. I don't have much of a fill and haven't had a stuck episode in months. But I don't have much of a fill and find that I'm hungry way more than I want to be. But I'm terrified of getting a fill (I kind of think I have to have a big enough opening for the zoloft to go through or I'll be right back where I was before with all of those problems). Also, I won't quit taking my zoloft--it quite literally saved my life. I want someone to tell me that they've found a way to have their band tight enough to be in the zone and still be able to take their zoloft. Anyone?

When I was a lifegaurd (in my early 20s), I would see these old ladies at the pool with their skinhanging on their thighs--like wrinkled tissue paper. Well, after losing 112 pounds, my thighs started looking like "old lady" thighs and I didn't like it, so what did I do? I "allowed" myself to gain weight and deep down I was pleased to see my thighs beginning to plump back out again (I mean, "fat" is better than "old lady" right?!). Such a slippery slope! Now at 22 lbs more than my lowest weight and inching close to the dreaded 200 zone, I've got to face the fact that I'm going to be 50 next year, and I'd rather have "old lady" thighs than "old lady" arteries, and "old lady" joints. What a silly game I was playing with myself! Time to update the weightloss ticker, face reality, and get back in the game!