marfar7

Hey all, Ive had my band for almost 3 yrs and have been very hapy with my over 100 lb success. About 7 mths ago, I began experiencing bad reflux every single nite. I was taking 1 RX Nexium, 2 RX Prilosec, and 5 OTC Zantac. Plus enuf Tums to feed a village of starving children. And sleeping almost sitting up, propped on 3 pillows makes for a lousy nite of sleep. I was afraid of telling my dr for fear that he'd say I was too tight and take Fluid out. I finally gave in to my husbands pleadings and after an xray, a slipped band was found to be the culprit. The PA took 1/2 of my 9cc fill out and let me rest for 44 wks. The reflux stopped immediately. I did pretty well only gaining 3 lbs during this time. Without xraying me to make sure it was corrected, my dr put in 1cc. Still no reflux but also no restriction. 2 wks later later he put another 1cc in. Finally restriction again -to but along with it came the severe reflux again. I wish i had insisted on a followup xray to make sure my band was in place before starting the fill process again. Since I was out of the state for 2 wks, I emailed my RN. She responded and said Id need to come in and have some taken out. Ive been home for 4a days now and havent had reflux the last 3 nites. So did it correct itself or is the lack of reflux just a quirk? Its a 6 hr round trip and $160 everytime I see the doc. Should I make an appt on Monday or wait and see if the reflux returns? Can the band reposition itself once it slips? Marci

I think your insurance also looks at your co-morbititiys when accounting for the payment for the lapband. Even tho arthritis isn't listed as one, per se - I'm sure your arthritis gets better at a lower weight. My insurance said "a bmi of >40, or >35 with at least 1 co-morbitity. I have a spinal problem that requires me to take a few different meds everyday. Some of those meds are notorious for making you gain weight. But I think they mean like a lb or 2 - not 100. I don't seem to have any problems anymore with these same meds. I've even cut down on my antidepressants - to 1 a day instead of 3 of them. Cut down on my blood pressure meds too. Thank God! Just wanted to tell you that I think you have a chance at getting the lapband paid for even with a BMI of <40. Make sure your dr puts in your record how your arthritis would benefit you at a lower weight. Good luck! Marci

Actually, to be honest, Im sometimes jealous of the amount of food other people can eat. Especially on holidays. Its not like Im drolling over watching people eat, cuz I seriously have no more interest in eating. I just sometimes wish I would drool a litte. Does that make sense? It doesn't really to me!. But, no, normally it doesn't bother me to sit and watch others eat. Usually by the time Im done eating, my husband and friends are waiting on me to finish so I don't usually watch others eat. Good luck! Marci

For me, the green zone is where I eat about 10 bites of any given food (never measure or weigh anything) and I'm full. By full I mean I can't eat another bite. I was at the green zone after my 3rd fill unti about 8 mths ago, when I lost 100 lbs and had to have another fill. It's been so so ever since. I'm really seeking that same "zone" again, as I still need to lose about 15 lbs. Good luck! Marci

"Found a hospital with a barbaric surgeon on staff, but of course by the time I was admitted, he was gone for the night." Sorry, no advice. I just had to laugh at the typo, I think! Is it sposed to be "bariatric surgeon" or did you actually mean "barbaric surgeon"? Thanks for the LOL! Marci

I couldn't wait for mashed potatoes. I just bouught the ones from the deli, already made. Just needed to heat them up. I savored every bite. Especially having been on liquids for 4 wks. I think u can also have scrambled eggs, egg salad, tuns salad, cottage cheese, etc, can't u? I could on the soft diet. I've never heard of making mashed potatoes with cream cheese. Sounds good, actually Enjoy ur food. Glad to hear ur progressing Marci

I have hypothyroidism and have been banded almost 3 years. The loss of over 100 lbs hasn't affected my dosage of Synthroid, however. They do blood tests for my TSH every 6 mths or so and find it perfect, no reason to change my dosage. I've heard alot of people say that their dosage goes down with weight loss tho. So yes, I have it and have been successful! Good luck to you! Oh, I've had it for over 8 yrs now. Marci

Yes, you're in "Bandster Hell". It's the time after surgery but before you find your "sweet spot" of restriction. It'll happen. You have to be PATIENT. I know how hard that is. You had wls, you want the pounds off now. Unfortunately, it doesn't work this way. I hate to tell you, but you probably won't have restriction after this 1st fill either. Maybe, but probably not. It took 3 fills and 5 mths for me to get restriction. I lost maybe 4 pounds during that 5 months. If you follow the rules, measure out your portions, exercise, act like you actually have restriciton, you'll have more success. Or you can just do what I did - wait till I actually have restriction before losing. Good luck with the patience! Marci

I agree. It took me almost 3 yrs of regular vomiting to slip my band (not telling you to do so, however). I doubt if it'll slip on your first vomiting episode. That said, I definitely don't recommend vomiting regularly. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Sometimes it happens. Marci

It's been almost 3 yrs since my surgery. I still remember that starving feeling of liquids only all too well. I must've misread my post-op instructions, however. I thought I was sposed to be on Clear Liquids + Protein shakes for 4 weeks. I was STARVING. Literally. I added tomato Soup at about day #10. Thought I was cheating until a few months ago when I glanced at my post-op instructions again. I was to be on FULL liquid for 4 weeks! I could've had yogurt, pudding, and any cream Soups I wanted. I could've kicked myself in the butt for starving needlessly. And everytime I would go to Albertsons to stock up on my tomato soup cans, I would smell the deli fried chicken and almost die. Promised myself that would be my first "real" food. It wasn't. I'm glad that you can eat more foods now. The hardest part is over (besides bandster hell of finding your sweet spot, of course!) and you can relax a little. Good going - keep up the good work! Marci

To be honest, only the last fill I've gotten (after almost 3 yrs) was the only one I followed the liquids rule of 24 hrs. My 3rd fill (the one that brought me to my "sweet spot" I was staying in a motel (drs office is 3 hrs away from home). I went to the hotel coffee shop for dinner. I ordered a chicke breast, baked potato, and green Beans (+ a dinner roll). I ate about 8 bites of the entire thing - I was totally full. It made about 5 different meals for me. After having complications with my band recently, I decided to start following the rules. They're there for a reason. Taco Bell is not my friend 2 hrs after fill! I still have a few lbs to lose, but I'm sure I'll make it if I continue to follow the rules! I'm sure they recommend liquids for 24 hrs because of the changes made to your stomach. It's not to punish you! Good luck! Marci

Last year I ordered pancake syrup from Waldon Farms. 2 flavors. Both nasty. Also ordered Carbquick (too expensive). Its a no carb Bisquick5ype baking mix. Made pancakes with it. Worst pancakes I've ever had. I've tried their salad dressing and its good. I think their syrup is gross tho Marci

These look yummy. That would ave me time in making my own veggie chips (slice carrots, zucchini, and snap peas into the dehydrator for 24 hrs). Can't believe walmart sells them! That's usually something u can only find at Trader Joes Marci

Actually, my PA told me that your stomach isn't completely round. There's folds in it, making it like wrapping a piece of paper around a ball. So, it may not hold the exact amount of Fluid that it's sposed to. I have a 14cc band and I was maxed out at 10.5cc. When he put in the needle, the syringe pushed back against him, meaning there was too much pressure in it. I'm sure that as I lose more weight, those folds will even out a little and it'll take more. For the time being, however, I'm maxed out at 10.5 (which had to be emptied cuz of a slip anyway!) I always thought they would hold what they say they are to hold also. I was wrong. Marci

Isn't that funny? I always get stuck on yogurt. I can manage to eat 1/2 container of yogurt over a period of about 30 minutes. If I take 1 more bite, I get stuck. Ice cream does the same thing. And milkshakes. Thought these were sliders? Marci

Yes, it definitely changed for me also. I used to keep my ac at 60 during the summer. Now that's too cold. I've lost 100+ lbs. Funny, one of the side effects of hypothyroidism is being cold all the time. That was exactly opposite for me. Had every other side effect (weight gain, sleepiness), but was always hot. It'll probably change for you too! Marci

My dr also does it by feel. Never had a fleuro. In Jan, however, during a fill. He has a hard time finding my port. He stuck me about 12 times. I was bruised and sore for about a week. He alwyas uses lidocaine also. Marci

Don't u just love automatic spell check? Puts words in that I didn't actually type into my phone. Hope u can understand the above post... Marci

You're gunna slip occasionally. Even the socalled "perfect" people on(don't here do. Especially bat efore u have anyto restriction. For 5 mthsmins after mythe sugery, I hadhave no restriction. I atehave just likelooked I didhave pre band. Lost aabout whpping 4 lbsdays in thata 5 mths. Just startthe fresh tomorrow. And prayI for restrictiona soon. Cuz itI truly does help. Its thebeen only thingtohave that everI worked for me Goodin luck Marci-

Just out of curiosity: Why would anyone with a band want to try yet another diet plan? I'm thru with all diets - I've done them all and where did it leave me? At 248 lbs and having band surgery. I'm really amazed that lapbanders would fall for such diets again. I don't know anything about Advocare, but I've done every other diet plan under the sun. Some of them gave me a weight loss. But thru all of them, I gained it back + some. This time, I'm not gunna gain it back! JMHO... Marci

I've never used mine either. In fact, I think I've since lost it in a barage of paperwork. I've heard Hometown Buffet takes them tho. You'll get the $4.99 childs price. We go there about once a month (my husband is a low carber and can get plenty of meat and veggies there), and I find I can eat healthy there too. I don't think I've ever even finished 1 plate of food. It's such a waste of money taking me to buffets, but I do like to get a little of a lot of things and take a bite of each thing. Too bad I can't take home a box! Marci

Hey everyone, Most of you know about my saga - of the either never fixed slipped band or the twice slipped band. I have an appt on Aug 6th - I figured it wasn't an emergency. Everynite I take 3 different reflux meds and sleep propped up on 3 pillows just to get some sleep. A couple times a week, I cough up a mouthful of stomach acid, run and spit it in the bathroom sink. Last nite, I slept pretty well till 4:30 am. I was awakened by a mouthful of acid when I coughed. Ran into the bathroom and spit it in the sink. It was then followed by a good 2 minutes of vomiting acid (brown liquid that burns). Ok, here's the TMI part - if you're squeamish you might not want to continue. I vomited up a whole black bean. Not too weird, if I'd actually had a black bean in the last day or so. Had black Beans for dinner 4 nites ago. Not only was it weird to see a whole one in there (thought I was good at chewing my food), but also that I'd eaten them 4 nites ago (Monday nite). Last nite was probably the worst stomach acid I've had thus far. Brushed my teeth and went back to bed. Actually forgot about it today till a little while ago, when I told my husband what happened. He thinks I should call my dr's office. It's now a Friday nite and there's no one in the office on the weekend. It's not truly an emergency (at least I don't think). What do you guys think about finding food in my stomach from 4 nites ago? Shouldn't that have been passed by now? I remember taking a nutrition class in college and learning you digest your food in 24 hrs. Should I be concerned? Thanks! Marci PS: I'll try not to bother you guys about my stories of acid reflux for a while!

Im almost 3 yrs post op and began having problems with my band about 4 mths ago. Seems like I see the dr often now. And each time its a 6 hr round trip and $160. My insurance only covered the first yr of fills. This is costing a fortune. And theres no end in sight. Just criuos as to if my dr is charging a reasonable amount or not. Marci

Please don't feel like that! Patience is the first key to lapband life. For the first 5 mths after my surgery (until my 3rd fill) I lost an amazing 4 lbs! Yep, you read it right. Because I COULD eat just as much before surgery, I did. I didn't get restriction until my 3rd fill. About 7.5cc in a 14cc band. As soon as I got that 3rd fill, the magic started happening. I felt full after just a toddlers portion. I promise you - it WILL kick in eventually. You have to be patient....it will be all worth it soon! Marci

I love spicy Mexican and Chinese food. But now, I can't drink while eating (or I'll actually vomit), so it limits the spiciness I can have. I can eat anything - just in smaller amounts. I've fnd 2 things I can't: pineapple chunks and deep dish pizza crust. Both of those are no-go's. I eat sandwiches (I can only eat 1/2 now), Pasta, rice, and potatoes frequently. That's not saying that you'll be able to eat them tho. You're right, we're all different. You need to look at the reasoning behind those people who don't eat certain things. Alot of people are doing low carb dieting after the band. That limits your food. For me, the reason I had the band was so that I would never have to diet again.To tell me that I can't have bread anymore would be torture. I haven't dieted in the last almost 3 yrs and have been quite successful. A few problems have arisen in the last few months (a slipped band), but it didn't have anything to do with my intake of certain foods. Anyway, I can still eat spicy foods, but I can't drink with them so what's the point? I'm uncomfortable afterwards. Good luck to you! Marci