Bella5

Hi! Age: 42 Gallbladder out: No reflux: yes...I think I felt reflux in the middle of the night once but sometimes I wake up with a mild sore throat I thought was post-nasal drip but now I think it's reflux. I don't mind the reflux (bcause I don't feel it and it doesn't happen in a.m.) but I think it is causing the tissue inside the band to get irritated and swollen which doesn't allow me to eat well. It is closing my band more. This happend before and Dr. unfilled it a bit and all was good for 2 months. He also gave me Prevacid and Carafate. My insurance didnt cover Prevacid which I paid for - for 2 weeks anyway (worked well) and Dr. switched me to Pepcid AC and Carafate. Worked until now. I am getting the same symptoms. My general Dr. gave me another prescription proton pump antacid to try for a month. I called Lapband Dr. today to see what he wants me to do. I'm on liquids for now-too uncomfortable to eat most foods. Liquids go down fine. I'll try not drinking for 2 hours prior to sleep. I already don't eat that late anyway. I'll try Aloe Vera juice as well. I really don't want an unfill because that would put me back to 2.0cc which wasn't doing anything for me in terms of weightloss. I'm at 2.5cc which I thought was my sweet spot. I hope I just needed a better medication and avoid drinking fluids at night. I don't eat spicy or pepper but I do use some herbs when I cook. Let's see what the Dr. tells me today! I hope I can kick this problem! Oh another thing....the Drs. and nurses always ask if I PB alot. I guess it may also irritate or enlarge esophogus. Well, I am glad to say I never have in the 5 months with the band---ever---hope I never do!

Breakfast: scramble egg beaters, oatmeal, 1% cottage cheese with friut, Yougurt mixed with friut total. flakes.even a little cottage cheese is great for Breakfast and has lots of protein! egg sandwich: ...............................Thin pancakes: 2 (or 1 after fill) 40 cal toast ..........lowest cal just add Water 1/4 cup egg beater .......................but make them thinnnn dash parmasan cheese ...................very little sugar free syrup ..................................................1/4 cup egg beaters for ..............................................scrambles eggs lunch and dinner: sunkist has packs of tuna that are flavored. my favorite is sweet and spicy made into a sandwich. Salmon is easy to cook and fast. Vital Choice has them on line. I try to eat high Protein lunch. chicken, tuna, fish, quail, lean cuisine and healthy choice have ok choices in calories and protein if in a hurry. hope this helps!!!!!

I got my first fill on the 15th and all went well. It was under fluro and as I drank the barium all he could put in that would allow the barium to go through well was 2cc. I've heard some people say they got 4cc, .5cc, 1cc and so on the first time. Does it always vary that much? The doctor put in 3 cc at first and the restriction was unbearable with the barium! I guess its different with everyone? Right now I am doing liquids and Protein shakes. Wednesday I start mushies. I hope it takes! If not, he said to come back to his office if I can still eat a whole plate of food. I shouldn't be able to eat a whole lean cuisine or prepared meal. Well see...... Good Luck!!!

I use fluroscopy. My doctor has one in his office and he uses it to find the port so there is no question and possibility of puncturing the tubing. He uses no numbing agent since the needle is small and it is painless. It looks cool on the screen and restriction can be seen as the barium is swallowed and the saline can be added and removed accordingly. Patients responses as well as visual pics are taken into account. Its a great experience!

3 days clear liquids, 3 days full liquids, 3 days mushies, 3 days soft foods, then normal

I agree with TQUAD. My doctor also has us do 3 days clear liquids, 3 days full liquids, 3 days mushies, 3 days soft foods and then normal eating following a fill.

I was on Altace 10 mgs and was told to take my bp 3x a day after being banded. I saw it go down daily. This I was told was due to the low carbs i was consuming compared to before. Anyhow, I was off my bp meds in less than a month. I saw my doctor and showed him my journal and told him I was feeling very weak and tired ---very weakkkkk. That was it---I am off and feel great! I am also on Crestor 5 mgs and need to wait till Feb for bloodwork to see if I can get off of that too! Please see your doctor--it sounds like you need to.

I get my first fill tomorrow but up till now, I've been able to swallow any type of pill big or small. Looks like this might change? When I first got banded, I bought a morter and pestle to crush pills and was very careful. As the swelling decreased I was able to feel more comfortable with the idea of swallowing a larger pill. I purchased chewable celebrate vitamins (recommended) but I can't stand them!!!:sneaky: I need to try something else.