JesseH

Way to go, keep it up

I just HATE the feeling of being full know. I eat until I'm comfortable. Agter a few minutes I feel full. I never like sweets so that has never been a problem. My problem in the past is that when I ate, it was a very social thing. My weight loss has slowed but not stopped. Next month I am going to my Dr. to see about a fill.

Good jib, hope you feel better. I'm down almost 140lbs. since 10-10-09. STILL no fill.

your hernia is probably new. when they do the surgery they always check for that first. my reflux kicked into over-drive after the surgery. i take kapidex and a prescription luquid and i feel good from it. mayby your dr. should deflate the band totally and start back up slowly.

best of luck

Why do they have to replace the band. I thought they were in for good. Also, I NEVER wait to see my surgeon or Gastro if need be. The meds I am on are keeping the reflux in check.

I had mild reflux prior to my surgery on 10-10-08. After the surgery my reflux went into over-drive. My reflux was in my throat, not my chest. I NEVER had heartburn. My voice was hoarse for almost 3 months. In the cold winter months the cold air made it almost painful to take a deep breath outside. Nexium didn't work but Kapidex and a liquid (I forgot the name) did the trick. After 9 months I didn't ask for a fill because I lost alot of weight and was fearfull of reflux coming back. Last week I went to my Dr. and he wouldn't give me a fill. I guess its a good thing. Up until now, I lost 96 lbs. in the first 16 weeks and 20 more in the next 5 months. I guess this is where I have to stop depending on the band and learn to really eat properly. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US.

WallyG, Thanks, I will

BlueBird, You are doing GREAT. Everyone is different. I've heard some people have gained weight by having milk shakes and such nonsense. We all had a surgical procedure to "ASSIST" us in dropping weight. For myself, I figured if I went to the trouble of having surgery, I will learn the best foods to eat, and any type of excersise is better than none. Slow and steady wins the race. You lost 22 lbs. This is only the start of the rest of your new and better life. Keep up the good work. Jesse

Wally, You are absolutely right. I had my 15 week check up this morning with my surgeon (my surgeon is 78 miles away, what a pain). I went to my Gastro Dr. (he's a friend) and he ordered an upper gi. I had a copy of the films and report sent to my surgeon. Other than the fact he said it was the WORST upper gi he has ever seen (film quality and what they took pics of) but everything seemed good. The Radiologist report said that at this time my reflux was "minor". Its been 4 months since my banding and I guess everything is going the way it should. Thanks for the help.:cursing:

Go onto Barnes&Noble.com and click on tapes & cd's and type in "ralaxation" I used to get bouts of anxiety from too much stress. Go into a quiet place, even your car, put on a set of head phones and listen.. I find that head phones work much better that a stereo or boom box. Wallygirl, I appreciate the input but I really don't over eat, I've lost 79.2 in 14 weeks and have not had a fill yet. My relux is wierd. I NEVER get heartburn. It seems to stay in my throat and I start to loose my voice. I have the Realize Band and on their web site they say that reflux may be a side effect. I truely am very carefull what and when I eat. Before the surgery I loved very hot spicey foods. For Breakfast scambled eggs cover in tabasco was a daily event. Red pepper and extra garlic on pizza. I miss the heat........maybe one day. I've been told by every Dr. I have gone too since the banding and they all say all is well but it may take up to a year for my digestive system to adjust. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF US.

I guess everyone is different. I was banded 10-10-08 and to date have lost about 72 lbs. and have NOT had a fill yet. I am going to the Dr. 1-27-09 and if he wants to fill I will only allow 1.5 to 2.0 max. I have heard of too many stories about filling too fast. Just my opinion.

Bandana, My Gastro Dr. Switched me to the desolve tabs after the banding so I wouldn't have to take another pill. All the pills in that class work the same. Angie, I had VERY mild reflux before the banding. Maybe 3 or 4 episodes a year. After banding I have been hoarse and my voice gets worse the more I speek. When I tell my Dr., his answere to me is "reflux is supposed to get better". I am so sick of these XXXXXXX Dr.s. On the Realize Band site it states clearly that reflux is a possible side effect from banding. I had my band done 10-10-08 and to date have lost 72 lbs. without ANY fills. I haven't allowed him to fill because is you read all 11 pages of this thread you will see that too much fill, too fast makes reflux worse. People call it their Sweet Spot and it takes some time to find it. Good luck.

As I said after 13 weeks I have had NO fills yet and as of today 1-08-09 I am down 67.3 lbs. I have already had "ACTIVE" conversations with my surgeon on when to fill. I still have severe burning in my throat when I breath cold air and I am still loosing alot of weight. I really don't care what he says but I will only let him fill me 1cc at a time. It shouldn't make any difference to him, its a 150 mile round trip drive for me and I am will to make more frequent trips and get lesser fills to try to protect my comfort. These Dr.'s are not g-d. Stand up fo yourself and do your research. Best of luck, Jesse

Sue, Thank you for trying to help. I have not yet had a fill. My reflux has NEVER been heartburn. It is the scid in my throat. I loose my voice easily after speaking for only a few minutes. Every Dr. I have gone to says it will get better with time. I am feeling better. This friday, 1-09-09 will be 13 weeks and I am almost 65 lbs. lighter (with NO fills). I'm sure it will resovle itself. Good luck to us all. Jesse

How did you make out after removal? I really feel fine with the MAJOR exception of g-d awful reflux. I had very MILD reflux maybe 3 times a year prior to Banding. Now my throat is on fire ,my chest burns from the acid dripping into my lungs and I am getting alot of sinus infections. I take a steroid inhaler twice a day for my lungs and I have been to an E.N.T., Gastro, Pulmanologist and my closest friend it my Internist. I had an upper G.I. last week and an Endoscopy prior to the Banding. They ALL tell me it will take time. It is 12 weeks and 60 lbs. I am at a loss and don't know what to do.

I am really surprised. We had our surgery 2 days apart. I've lost alot (60 lbs.)but I also pay close attention to what and when I eat. I never was a sweet or carb eater but I could eat alot of what I liked. Since the surgery I do eat until I am comfortable, NOT FULL and it stays with me longer. I may (?) get my first first fill in 2 weeks. My concern is that I am still dropping weight and still have a reflux problem and I don't know if I want any volume at all put in until my reflux resolves itself. My Dr. is a nice enough guy but I take a pro active interest and I am in no rush for a fill just yet. When you hit your sweet spot you will drop lbs like crazy. With everything you went thru don't let it get you down. BEST of luck to all of us.

Taking small bites and chew ALOT is so important. Last week I took my son to McDonalds and I got a grilled chicken sandwich. I take off the top piece of bread and eat about 1/2 of the rest and an comfortable. Well my mind was elsewhere and I wasn't thinking and took what used to be a normal bite, chew 3 or 4 times and that was it. It was awful I felt helpless. It would go down and I couldn't bring it up. About 90 seconds later it drpped like a brick. Just pay close attention when you eat. Think about it, most of us got so heavy by just sitting down and shoveling food into our mouths. I find that keeping frozen burgers (chicken, turkey or beef) with a little mayo for taste and lubrication satisfies me. Even the beef burger, being ground goes down easy. Stay in touch and let me know how you do.

I think everyones reasons depends on what their interests and lifestyles were before their weight got out of control. For me and in no special order 1. be more active with my family 2. become MORE active myself 3. enjoy golf again 4. travel and hunt 5. get back into sports 6. and I think the most important thing is simply to become happy again and simply feel GREAT I was a member of the 1980 Olympic Judo Team and competed at a solid 270 lbs. In 1983 I blew out my knee and retired. I lost a little muscle and got down to a great 240. Over the next 15 years I got as high as 399.6 (at Weight Watchers). If I would have had a cup of coffee that morning I would have made 400 :confused: I just got tired of being tired and opted for the Lap Band. Since 10-10-08 I am down 60 lbs. and still have had no fills yet. Everyone gets motivated for different reasons. These are mine. BEST of luck to all.

I never had a problem with hunger. As someone said earlier, I eat egg salad and tuna with mayo alot during the day for lunch and have 2 over light eggs for breakfast. I was never a big carb eater but if I eat any now I get full fast. I've lost 60 lbs. since 10-10-08 and have NOT had any fills yet. My only problem is my reflux. Maybe 3 times a year it would bother me before the surgery. Now I almost always have a sore throat and my voice is rarely normal. All this will change in time. Godd luck to all.

Heather, Congrats on the baby, you must be thrilled. My only problem with my procedure is reflux. I had it before. Prior to the surgery I might have a minor problem 3 times a year. Since the surgery my voice is always hoarse and the acid drip causes a soar throat frequently. As I said I lost 60 lbs. since 10-10-08 and still have not had a fill. The weight loss is great but I just want to feel like myself. I know in time I will.

Like everyone said, there is more web based support for the Realize. I think the best part is you can get back to foods you can CHEW must faster. I am down almost 60 lbs. since 10-10-08 and I really am never hungery. Best of luck to all.

I got banded 10-10-08 and my reflux is 50 times worse. I rarely had a problem before and now it effects my breathing and my voice. I NEVER got heart burn from it, the acid seems to settle in my throat and affects my voice and seems to prevent me from taking a very deep breath. Any help out there ?