Sunshine11/05

I would really like to go to the support group meetings in Little Rock, but I live in Camden and I am 2 hrs. south of L.R. I do not get off of work in time to make the drive. I get the e-mails from Jamie though and look forward to them each month. Keep in touch with me.

I used Dr. Wellborn for my banding as well. I had my banding done on Nov. 19th of 2005. I have lost 100 lbs since. I have not regretted it one bit so far. Right now I have had 5 fills and my band is at 3.2 and I am very tight. Sometimes I pb after I eat, but I have found that mainly happens when I am under a lot of stress or did not chew properly. I have trouble eating salads, lettuce does not go down well. I also have trouble with various meats. I usually can eat hamburger meat and tuna (with lots of mayo or ranch added). Dr. Wellborn is a great doctor and I strongly recommend him to everyone. If anyone has any questions please just ask me.

When you had to have your band removed, did you gain your weight back? I have worried so much about band erosion. Does Inamed pay for the removal or replacement? I was just curious. Thanks

I completely felt the same as you after surgery. I felt as if I had lost my best friend, but really it was my worst enemy just as Jack said. I kept myself busy and took up Sodoku. Now it's been over a year and I am so glad that I can fit into smaller clothes that it makes me feel great. Hang in there and keep posting.

You will be just fine. I was freaking out the morning of the surgery, but my husband was there to back me in this. He's seen the struggle that I've had with my weight and he knew that this was what I wanted for myself and noone else. The first week or so I wondered why I did it. Not because of the way I felt, but I mourned food. I always had food when I was happy, sad, angry, tired etc... My best friend had LEFT ME!!! I had to learn to cope with things without using food. I hope that you enjoy your band as much as I've enjoyed mine. But remember that you will never look at food the same again. I have lost @ 100lbs since Nov of 05. Good luck!!!!

Hi there. I was banded on Nov. 19, 2005 and I think it is o.k. to eat spicy foods as long as you do not get a lot of heartburn from it. My doctor said that chili is one of the best sources of protein. This week I had some refried beans and they were very spicy and well I threw up until they were all gone. I do not think that was due to them being spicy though. Good luck with your band and I hope you love it as much as I love mine.

I live in Camden and I would really like for us to get a support group closer to home too. Dr. Wellborn did my surgery on Nov. 19th. I love my band, 62lbs gone so far. Only 38 more to lose till I reach my personal goal. My best friend lives right down the road from me and she was banded 7 weeks ago and has lost a bunch of weight already. I know of several people around me that have been banded that would probably like a support group too. Keep me informed.

I did not PB until I had my 2nd fill. Usually when I do it it's when I eat bread or beef(hamburger). I tried to eat a bite of bread yesterday at work and well, you guessed it (golfball). Crackers and Pasta bother me too. So guess what? I do not normally eat bread, pasta and crackers. When I eat hamburger, I chew, chew, chew and then chew some more. It is extremely painful to get something stuck, but in time I think that I will know what I can and can't eat. Also breading can cause me to get PB's as well. I take the breading off of my chicken strips now. Even though I have the slimes occassionally, my band was well worth it. I haven't regretted it at all!!! 62lbs gone so far, 38 more to go!!!

lovechunks, I had my banding done on Nov. 19th and I suffered from severe heartburn for about 4 days. I had never had heartburn before surgery even though I was very overweight. It felt like a lump was in my throat that was burning. Gas makes you feel bloaty and sometimes burns in the top part of your chest. Also gas can settle in your shoulders and upper back. On the 4th night my husband had to call my doctor because I had thrown up due to the heartburn. He told be to take maalox liquid and pepcid ac religiously. I also had to take milk of mag 2-3xs a day for the constipation. It sounds like you are really tight like I was. Just be sure to get your liquids in because you do not want to get dehydrated. Your doing the right thing by sipping on your liquids constantly. They told me to drink through a straw, but my friend said they told her that using a straw causes my gas. My best friend was banded 7 weeks ago and she is doing great too. Just remember that this is all going to be worth it. I've lost 62lbs since Nov. and I want to lose 38lbs more. If you do not get any better, please call your doctor. Also, like you I was taking Gas X and it made my symptoms worse. Get you some pepcid ac and take it 2xs a day along with the maalox that's my recommendation. Be sure to call your surgeon to see what he recommends. You shouldn't have to suffer like that. Good luck and keep us posted!!