cinward2001

Sherilynn, I have *never* PBed in front of anyone. For me, at least, I always know when it's going to happen because it "builds up." It's a pretty simple matter of excusing myself to the restroom. As for sliming, it's not anything like a "rapid dog." I don't drool or foam at the mouth. Sliming refers to when your esophagus is producing more mucous to help food go down...so that contributes to a PB because it causes more of the "backed up" feeling. Try not to make this more than what it is. PBing is NOT the same as vomitting when you're sick. Vomitting from the stomach flu or something is so much worse because you feel sick, there's bile and acid in the contents, and it's your stomach muscles clenching and making you vomit. I HATE that kind of vomitting, too, and will do ANYTHING to avoid it. Pbing, on the other hand, is only food and mucous. It's coming from the very top of your stomach and/or the bottom of your esophagus. If you eat too much or get something stuck, it's actually easier (I think) to just PB and be done with it. The first time I PBed, I'd had a fill the week before going out of town. My FIRST fill. I was eating out by myself, reading a book. I had sweet tea (mistake #1), a roll (mistake #2), and roast beef (mistake #3). I was very hungry sitting down (mistake #4) and wasn't paying attention (mistake #5). The cold tea made me tighter than usual, the roll just turned to a dough blob when I ate it, and the roast was stringy. Because I was eating too fast and NOT paying attention, all of a sudden, I had this very uncomfortable feeling in my chest. I stopped eating immediately but did try another sip of tea thinking that it'd help (mistake #6). I paid my bill, walked out to my truck thinking that it'd go away. But it went from a little uncomfortable, to a lot uncomfortable, to downright painful. I pb'ed 3 times while outside...drove back to hotel, pb'ed twice more in the hotel...and felt completely fine! What a relief! I have NEVER pbed that badly again because it taught me the lesson very well the FIRST time. I've never made that many mistakes at one time again. Please, please...don't let this worry you. The first time you PB, if you ever PB, you'll think "That was it?" Or, like me, it was "Ah, so THAT'S what they've been talking about! I must be a "real" bandster now! I PB'ed!" LOL Cindy

Angyl, when you're doing full liquids, you're most likely getting enough liquid because that's ALL you are getting. But the key to drinking early on, especially if you're feeling the swelling/restriction from surgery, is to take small sips. Keep your water beside you and sip, sip, sip. It also helps if it's not cold. Cold food and water usually tighten the band (which can be VERY useful if you're not that tight and eating out...drink the ice water before your meal arrives). How much you can tolerate and the time frame varies from person to person. Drink as much as you comfortably can...or, if you're curious, try "guzzling" water the way you used to (if you did)...you'll know the difference soon enough. Can you tell I did that? If you take too large of a drink, it'll sit in your chest for a sec or two and be really uncomfortable. If you're really worried about how much you're taking in, fill up a 32oz container and make sure you finish it. With the additional fluids you're taking it, that would be plenty. Cindy

Edie, the band will definitely slow you down. You'll think you're eating small bites and so slowly...only to realize that it wasn't quiet small enough or slow enough. The good news is that it becomes routine after a while. Cindy

The bad: Last night, I was really wanting some chips and salsa. Not many, maybe 4 or 5...I was mostly wanting the salsa. Usually, at night, I can eat pretty much whatever I want, but last night, I either didn't chew well enough or ate too quickly or too much...and after the 3rd chip, I was in the bathroom PBing. So much for wanting chips and salsa. The good: Then, today, the scales reappeared from their hiding place. I weighed 177 (I was 178 before Christmas). I think it's about the only holiday season I've ever LOST weight. I'm now 2 lbs from my 1 yr goal. I'm very excited. And more good: Stopped in at Old Navy to check out the sales. I used to HATE shopping for clothes and yet I'm finding myself doing it more and more lately. There's just something amazing about putting on a blouse, seeing curves, and thinking "Oh, cute!" instead of "Ick, I'm so fat." I'm consistently wearing size 12s now. I never wore 12s even as a teenager...and I'm still wanting to lose another 20 lbs. Can't imagine what size I'll wind up. Some bad: 20+ years of obesity have definitely left some saggy skin. I can wear the low rise pants, but then there's some loose skin hanging out above the waist band. Oh well...loose skin is way preferable to rolls of fat, and there's always plastic surgery if it bothers me too much. I'm really, really excited for all of you new bandsters and soon-to-be bandsters! Cindy

Edie, PBing doesn't necessarily happen because something is stuck...it can also happen when you eat too fast or too big of a bite because the food then backs up a bit into the esophagus. Because it doesn't belong there, it's very uncomfortable. Sometimes, you can wait it out...wait until the food moves on through the band. However, for me, waiting it out doesn't work because your body keeps producing more mucous to move the food down. If the food isn't going down, the mucous doesn't either...so it gets more and more uncomfortable because you more stuff sitting there. Most of the time, no, you don't have to do anything to PB in this situation. The food isn't in your stomach..it's not quite as bad as throwing up. It's usually just a matter of "letting" the food come back up. In fact, drinking water usually makes it worse (again, adding more stuff) and laying down makes it worse (since it already wants to come back up). Sometimes, walking around or raising your arms over your head make it better. Almost everyone with a band, if they have good restriction, will PB at least once. Cindy

Sorry, can't do it in sentence! LOL - being happy again. - being able to sit out at the campfire with my boys. - clothes shopping and buying 10s and 12s...smaller than when I was a teenager!! - feeling sexy for my husband again. - reveling in becoming a strong, healthy woman! Losing weight has impacted *every* aspect of my life and it's all because I had the courage and desperation to get the lapband. Cindy

Mousecrazy, I kind of agree with you. :target: People get fat for so many reasons, and I think that oftentimes, it's as much psychological as physical. For me, I think the depression from being overweight made me turn to food more. Since it felt impossible to lose the weight, that goal was out of reach, so at least food was something I could have. Some people hit plateaus because they're having to learn to deal with a skinnier body. My personal trainer says she sees it a lot. Someone starts losing weight, it gets kind of scary, so start putting it back on. Women start getting noticed by men, the "excuse" for not doing certain things is gone, etc. At one point, I stalled out for about 8 weeks, maybe 3 months. During that time, I was feeling like maybe I was fine at that weight. Maybe I didn't want to lose any more. I was in the 180s, which was new territory for me and I wasn't sure that the effort involved was worth losing more. So I just coasted...and a few weeks later, I'd dropped another 8 lbs. AND decided that I WAS going to lose another 20 lbs. It's weird how much your mind is connected to your weight loss. Cindy

Sunnysea, I know you want something convenient, but please don't rule out Mexico. I went to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey for $10,600. Flights (2, since my husband went) were less than $300 each and we spent less than $50 while we were there. So a total of less than $12,000. Yes, you have to find a fill doctor back home unless you fly back to MX (which many do), but that's usually not that difficult to do. Dr. R and his team were fabulous, the entire experience was terrific. I worked in a hospital for over 20 years, and I had a better experience there than I've ever had with doctors here. Just something to consider. Cindy

Marjon, you're not kidding! (Sheila, this is NOT directed at you...I'm just venting because I've been in another thread sort of about this same thing.) I was telling the personal trainer today that I'm so tired of people saying "It's not working!" and then someone comes along and says "Eat more." *sheesh* It's calories in/calories out...plain and simple. I think that, if you're used to eating 2 sandwiches at a time, or an entire McD's meal, and then you switch to eating one sandwich or just the Big Mac, it can SEEM like you're following the rules. Yes, you're eating less (which works for a while), but you're still not eating right. At the beginning of banding, you still have a lot to lose, it's a big adjustment, so the weight drops with just the change in quantity. But as you lose more, you need fewer calories to maintain. So you have to be MORE strict with what you eat and/or up the exercise. It doesn't just happen automatically. So people hit this "stall," don't understand why it stopped working, and it all comes back to what they're eating. But most of us are food addicts to some degree, so we don't want to accept that "HEY, you need to eat less!" Ok, that's my rant for the day. Cindy

Glad to hear you're doing ok, Jen! Welcome to Bandlandia. Your comments about the sedative reminded me of when I was in pre-op. I had a horrible headache the afternoon that I arrived in Mexico. It was so bad that Dr. Rumbaut gave me a shot in the arm of something (at that point, I didn't care what) and that was *after* I'd had Advil, Tylenol, and then something else that they had in the office (this was all the night before surgery). I was miserable. So the next morning, in pre-op, I was very much looking forward to something, *anything,* that would make the headache go away. They gave me my "happy pill" and I remember sitting there complaining because it was only taking the edge off the headache. The gal next door was acting giddy...I felt mostly normal and still in pain. Finally, I said to DH that it was kicking in enough to take the headache away...and the next thing I remember, I was waking up in recovery. LOL I joked later that I felt ripped off because I didn't remember talking to Dr. R in the OR (he asked what kind of music I wanted to hear), I didn't remember telling the gals in pre-op good-bye...I had entire conversations that I couldn't remember! It was really rather funny. Cindy

Tanya, I'm not sure that I'd consider 60 lbs a lack of weight loss. But I know what you mean...I've hit times where I'm so frustrated because it seems like the scales aren't budging. When that happens, I put them away. Well, actually, I let DH hide them. It might sound kind of silly, but one way I lose is to NOT weigh. Here's why. When the scales aren't moving, I get frustrated and stressed. Then, I want to eat more. If I don't let myself eat more, then I get more frustrated if the scales STILL aren't moving because I feel like I'm being so "good." Eventually, I say "to hell with it" and eat something I shouldn't. If the scales ARE moving, then I'm much happier, so I want to Celebrate. Even though I don't mean to, I have a tendency to eat more because in my mind, if the scales are moving, I can "afford" to indulge a bit. I also think that, since stress raises cortisol levels, and higher cortisol levels have been linked to weight gain, that the less stress, the better. So when the scales are gone, I try to follow the guidelines. I focus on eating only when I'm really hungry and NOT because of emotions. I try to stop when I'm satisfied. I don't eat just because I think I "should" be able to eat more...I try to see how little I can eat instead. I eat Protein and veggies first, take a multi-Vitamin, and drink lots of Water. I also exercise regularly. On the days that I'm "panicking" because I just know the scales are going up, I find my "skinny" jeans and try them on. Most of the time, they feel LOOSER, not tighter, so I know that, whatever the scale would read if I found it (and yes, sometimes I go looking...which is why they're hidden...I'm a scale addict), it's not true. If the pants are looser, I HAVE to be losing weight. Then, I try to weigh about once/month (after TOM). That way, I avoid the awful scale fluctuations from Fluid retention, the emotional ups and downs, and I just keep doing what I'm supposed to do. :eek: Eventually, the weight DOES come off. Cindy

Heather, it's not meant to be "catty." Someone who is MUCH more experienced with banding once said "Find someone else who is successful with the band and do what they do. Then, you'll be successful, too." There are a LOT of people way more successful with the band than I've been and what I hear, most often, is that they've not only changed the way they eat, but HOW they think about food and eating. And honestly, you don't know any more about my journey than I know about yours. I could have had port revisions, be on medication, etc...that's all beside the point. Yes, medications can make it harder to lose the weight, yes, being ill can make it more difficult. But, MOST OF THE TIME, bandsters lose 50-100 lbs in the first year by following bandster guidelines. NOT losing with the band is directly related to eating too much and not exercising enough. It really is simple. To lose the weight, eat less and exercise more. It DOES work. At this point, I'm going to quit debating this. It just gets kind of frustrating when I KNOW people want to lose the weight and yet there are so many excuses on this board. Things like "But my doctor put mashed potatoes on my list of mushies!" Sure, that means you *can* eat them, but if you're really wanting to lose weight, are they the best choice?! Hell, during the liquid phase, you can drink milk shakes and still be within the "liquids only" guidelines. But why would you?! People spend so much time and energy looking for the "trick" to losing the weight because they don't want to accept that, despite what we "should" be able to eat, you might really have to eat a whole lot less to lose the weight. If you're on medication or have some other health issues, you might have to eat even LESS, but it still works. If you're not losing, eat less and exercise more. Stick with THAT and the weight comes off. Of course, you can always continue to eat more and then just complain that you're a slow loser or that it works differently for you. :

Katgirl, if you can afford to hire a personal trainer, you should go for it. I've been pretty active off and on for my entire adult life. Used to lift weights 5-6 days/week with the "traditional" split, did cardio, etc. But I can tell you honestly that since I've been working with this trainer, I see better results in LESS time than I ever did working out on my own. I don't even recognize my arms these days. LOL I've got some serious shoulder, bicep and tricep definition. :eek: Even though I *know* what to do and how to do it, it's different with a trainer. So you really might want to check out that option. Cindy

Heather, I wanted to mention one more thing. Sometimes, getting banded means you really have to "let go" of some of your past ideas about weight loss. I used to believe in the starvation mode, too...otherwise, how could I explain the inability to lose weight for so many years? I really didn't *think* that I ate too much. But obviously, somewhere along the way, I WAS taking in too many calories. I used to believe that my genetic "predisposition" to obesity (EVERY female in my very large extended family is obese...mom, aunts, cousins, etc) was to blame. With the band, I've finally learned to accept that it's calories in/calories out. It's not necessarily what I *want* to believe, but the proof is "in the pudding." I've been banded almost a year and I've lost 80+ lbs...I'm 15-20 from my goal. I'm truly NOT trying to be offensive or condescending, but you've mentioned that, since banding in April, you've lost 20 lbs, so maybe your current way of thinking is NOT helping you? Cindy

Heather, I've been "around" this site for well over a year now. I do know what people say they eat...in addition to reading threads concerning being a slow loser, not losing at all, etc. The typical bandster portion is usually 1/2 to 1 cup/meal. If someone routinely eats 1 cup/meal, that's on the high side. It's not necessarily too much for *that* person...it depends on whether or not they're losing weight. Since shell isn't losing weight, I said that I think she might be overeating. I also mentioned that it might be being too tight...I'm really just guessing based on very limited information. Believing in the starvation mode also doesn't prove that it *does* exist. That argument goes both ways. Upping calories and then seeing a "dramatic" weight loss isn't proof of anything. It may have been coincidental and the low calories UP TO that point are really the reason for the weight loss. ANY time someone loses several pounds in one week, it's either Water weight, or simply the scale finally *showing* what's been happening for several weeks. Again, that's the math. To lose 1 lb, you have take in or use 3500 calories less than what you need. So when anyone loses 6 lbs in one week (as an example for a "dramatic" weight loss), that means having a calorie deficit of 3000 cals PER DAY. Unless you're running a marathon, that's just not possible. It's also not possible that our bodies somehow "switch" biochemical pathways in order to store calories. Or the reverse...that somehow, because you've upped your calories, you miraculously begin to burn more. Now, maybe by eating more, the person is snacking less...or feeling more energetic, so moving more. Whatever. But if you could run a controlled experiment in which everything else is the same, eating LESS calories vs more would show the greatest weight loss. You might want to think that we're all different, but unless you have a medical condition, we're all pretty much the same when it comes to biochemistry. You'll believe what you want to believe...as will I.

The number of fills needed can vary a LOT...not only due to the individual, but the doc doing the fills. My first fill was 2.4 ccs in a 4 cc band. My doc doesn't feel the need to "creep" up on restriction. But even so, about a week after that first fill, I couldn't tell any difference. So a month later, I went for another. He bumped it up to 2.6 ccs. I stayed there for 2 months or so, then had a 3rd fill, and finally a 4th fill. I think I'm at about 2.7 or 2.8 ccs...I know that, this last time, he barely added anything (0.1 ccs). The number of fills OR the amount of a fill really doesn't matter. It's how it affects YOU that's important. If you feel great restriction with 1 cc in your band, then that's what you need. If it takes 3 ccs to feel good restriction, then, it takes 3. As long as you're not too tight, you need to keep "tweaking" it until you're tight enough. Cindy

If you're taking in enough Protein, even IF your calories are very low, you won't lose muscle mass. You can also insure that you don't lose muscle by exercising. Most of the "health" site guidelines are based upon FDA guidelines. FDA guidelines are wrong. Remember that for years and years the FDA recommended that our diets be primarily carbs. It's just recently changed to a focus on the "5 fruits/vegetables" per day. As for what most doctors recommend..if they're not obesity docs, then they're just following the FDA guidelines, too. I *should* be able to eat 3000-3500 cal/day to MAINTAIN my weight. I weigh 178 lbs and I'm very active (workout with a personal trainer 3-4x/week, karate 2-3x/week). And yet, I eat about 800-1000 cal/day. So you'd think that I'd be losing 4-5 lbs PER week if you're relying on formulas. I wish. LOL Instead, I'm losing about a lb/week. You just CAN'T rely on "shoulds" when you're trying to lose weight. Telling yourself that you "should" eat between 1000-1200 cal/day is just an excuse to eat more. Instead, focus on eating your *solid* protein and veggies, eating only when you're physically hungry, and stopping when you're satisfied. If you follow the bandster rules and you're still not losing weight, it's time for another fill. It's not rocket science, it doesn't follow "formulas." And no, being TOO tight doesn't help because then you resort to foods like soup. Soup can be "sneakily" high in calories, it's usually high in salt, and because it runs right through the band, you don't stay full very long...so you eat more. Essentially, when you eat soft foods, you're bypassing the band completely. Cindy

Sunshine, I really don't remember being that hungry before my first fill. In fact, I waited until I was 10 wks out and *knew* that I was at a standstill before getting my first fill. I do remember, when on liquids, hitting a day when I felt really "deprived." Feeling sort of sorry for myself and very limited in what I could have. I had decided that I'd make the liquid phase as much about losing weight as possible. I didn't drink juice, or any other high calorie drink, I stayed away from things like pudding, mashed potatoes, etc. This was also on the advice of the dr and nutritionist. As the nutritionist put it... I had plenty of calories in storage, so I did NOT need to eat for calories, but for Protein, Vitamin and minerals. Someone said "Look, just have a cup of hot chocolate! It'll make you feel like you've splurged and 100 cals won't hurt." So I did, and that small splurge helped me so much mentally! But back to the hunger thing. I really do think that many of us have trouble recognizing true hunger. We "think" we need to eat a certain amount. Many times, someone will post on this board that they're feeling weak from hunger, starving, etc...and that just isn't true. With 100+lbs in storage, it would take you WEEKS or months to starve, and hunger doesn't make you weak or dizzy. Dehydration can make you feel dizzy, but a few days/weeks of low calories won't. All that to say...I don't think you should do diet pills. You'll be amazed at how UNhungry you feel at first (at least that's true for most everyone and for those that don't...well, I think that's head hunger). Then, as you start to get hungry, USE that time to really think about how it feels. Are you truly PHYSICALLY hungry or do you want to eat because that's what you're used to doing? Are you bored, tired, depressed and that's why you want to eat? Learn to differentiate between true physical hunger and head/emotional hunger. Then, as you approach your first fill, you most likely will be getting hungry if you're trying to stick to small portions and low calories...so that, again, getting a good fill will make a difference. If it doesn't, then you know to get another fill soon. But if you've been "masking" your hunger with diet pills, how can you compare? Ok, off my "hunger" soapbox... Cindy

Shell, from the little bit you've said, I think you might still be overeating. Most bandsters, with good restriction, only eat about 1/2 c of food at a meal...sometimes, even less. For example, I drink tea only for Breakfast...I'm tighter in the am, so that's it for breakfast. And bread?! No way, no how. Bread is just glorified sugar...you don't need it for anything. Also, PBing or sliming isn't necessarily an indicator that you're too tight. It could be that you're not chewing well enough, taking small enough bites, etc. For me, ONE bite of bread has me stuck...and if the meat isn't small enough, I'll have trouble with it, too. Try tracking your calories for a few days. I do NOT believe in the "starvation mode." I think it's an excuse to eat more. If you consistently eat less than your body needs, you WILL lose weight. But you do need to make sure that ALL of your calories are nutrient dense, with Protein and veggies first. Then, again, you might be too tight if you're resorting to soft foods. Being too tight will slow the weight loss, too, because when you drink your calories or go to soft foods, they usually tend to have more calories and not stay with you as long...so you eat more. Beyond that, try staying off the scales for a while. Follow the bandster guidelines, drink plenty of Water, get what exercise you can...the weight will come off. But as women, we can retain a LOT of water, so if you let the scale fluctuations get to you, they'll drive you a bit crazy. Cindy

Sunshine, I love your reminders! Here's a few more.... After the initial post-op swelling and irritation down, MANY (if not most) of you will hardly even feel like you have the band. You'll start wondering why in the world you did this when the band doesn't seem to help AT ALL. Well, it really doesn't do much until you get a fill...and most often, 2 or 3. It is a *process.* So please try NOT to feel like "this" is a failure, too...give it time. One other thought...many people feel some post-op depression...whether because you start mourning food, the general anesthesia is wearing off, you're uncomfortable, etc. Expecting it won't necessarily make it better, but at least you'll recognize it for what it is...it goes away. :mad: Last...after surgery, get moving!! You're going to have some soreness and discomfort, but in almost all cases, walking helps. The more you lie in bed, the stiffer your muscles will get. Plus, walking will help with any post-op moodiness. Peaches, glad to hear that you're doing ok! Cindy

I am having a *wonderful* time reading all of your posts! Your excitement, anticipation, and enthusiasm are contagious. Every time I pop in here, it makes me grateful for my band all over again. When I read about how you feel starting the pre-op diet, or getting a surgery date, or whatever stage of the process you're in, I'm amazed to think that I'm approaching my 1 yr bandiversary. In many ways, I feel like I was just banded. Just a quick update. When I last weighed, I was down to 178lbs. That's 3!! lbs from the original goal that I set myself when getting banded. I think that I can lose that by the 19th. That was a "dream" goal...I never really thought I'd make it because I've never weighed in the 170s as an adult. I'm consistently wearing mediums and 12s now. I remember being 16 yrs old and wearing 14s and 16s. :bananajump: At 41, I'm smaller and in MUCH better shape than that 16 yr old and it's just going to get better. I've revised my "dream" goal to 155-165...and what's really cool is that it really isn't a "dream" goal. I *know* that I'll get there. Cindy

Might there be some other reason why your doctor is being so strict with you? For example, do you really need to lose a lot of weight quickly because of heart problems, high blood pressure, etc? If you're starting out super morbidly obese, that might be part of why he's wanting you to have great results very quickly. If I were you, I would question my surgeon directly, but until that time, try to see this as a positive thing. You ARE losing tons of weight and unless you continue for months and months to lose too rapidly, you should be fine. It sounds like you're getting plenty of Protein and Vitamins, so losing the fat is great...not something to worry about.

Audree, I think that what you're feeling is very normal. Much of our lives ARE centered around food. And when you're on a pre-op diet, and hungry, then your thoughts go back to food *even more*. Try not to let this time worry you...do the best that you can, and tell yourself that help is coming very SOON. Once you're banded, it does take time to shift those thoughts of food to something else, but the band really does help. For example, my mom and I have a "date" after our workouts on Monday nights. She looks forward to someplace like O'Charleys so that she can have the bread, salad, steak, etc. I have grilled salmon and some steamed veggies. I might only eat 1/4 of it, but I savor the flavor, get to spend time with my mom, and it's great! So reassure your family, too. You can (and will) still enjoy eating out with family and friends...it's just that your choices and quantities will change. But it's *worth* it! Cindy

Audree, not be scared! Ortiz is a great surgeon. You'll be fine. As for what to take...my husband and I flew to Monterrey and we had ONE small carry-on...that was it. You really don't have to take much...even if you forget something, you'll be home before you know it, plus, everyone is so helpful that if you really need it, I'm sure the Ortiz crew would help you get it. That said, I took the very basics for hygiene (deoderant, toothpaste), 2 changes of clothing (I wore the same thing to Monterrey that I wore back...a comfy top and sweats), a book, my laptop, and that's about it. The surgeon's office provided any meds I needed after surgery, along with protein drinks. I know that everyone likes to be prepared with liquid meds, soups/bouillon, etc, but most find that none of the "special" stuff is really needed. I've been taking Tylenol, vitamins, etc, in their pill form ever since surgery. And most people feel close to normal within a day or two of surgery, so there's really no need to stock up on food unless you're a long way away from a store...otherwise, your normal routine works just fine. Cindy

When I first read this, my thought was "Hell, no!". LOL For me, when food is stuck, it's a very uncomfortable, "full" feeling. At its worst, it hurts and it feels like the food is "backed up" into the esophagus. Trying to drink anything would be like adding water to the top of a clogged funnel...it just sits at the top and makes it worse. Also, the sliming that people talk about is where your body is producing more mucous to help the food go down...and that adds to the discomfort and pain because it's doing the same thing (backing up). So, for me, I KNOW that drinking anything would make it worse. Sometimes, waiting it out works...the food goes down on its own. Sometimes, sitting up tall, raising my arms, or walking will help. Sometimes, it's easier to PB and get it over with. The good news is that it doesn't happen that often...I haven't PB'd in months. I also won't drink carbonation because Inamed, the maker of the band, says it's a no-no. It might harm the band. It's also suggested that carbonation will stretch your stomach and/or might cause a slip...so it's just not worth it to me. Cindy