JessyInSD

Yup... unfortunately when your restricted too tightly (which most of us end up doing) you will PB at most meals if you try and eat bulky/sticky items. I personally will PB before I go to bed so I avoid having reflux at night. Forget about sleeping on your stomach anymore. But on the positive side, I'm down to my high school weight and am in the best shape of my life! Worth the price I pay at meal times. Jessy

Hey gals, I'm in San Diego and have been banded for two years. I've lost 74 Lbs since the band and 103 Lbs since my highest weight. I am 10 Lbs from goal. If you have any questions I'm here for you. Jessy

If I eat too late at night I find that my band doesn't empty out and I'll get reflux at night. So what I've done is force myself to empty what might be in my pouch before I go to sleep and I can sleep the whole night. Might not be the best thing to do but I'm not interested in getting an un-fill until I've gotten to my goal weight. (another 10 Lbs). If you don't want to PB then maybe you can drink hot Water about an hour before bed to clear out any food still left lingering. Jessy

Hi... I had trouble with getting a couple of my stitches out too. I used ice and rubbing alcohol then dug it out with tweezers. I'd be worried about the blister you've got though. If it's not infected it just might get that way. If I were you I'd go see your doctor to evaluate it. Good luck, Jessy

Hi Regarding using apple cider vinegar, I came across a website that discusses the exact same thing and offers other "recipes" to try that include ACV. I read this last night and didn't have ACV at home so I ate a little apple butter before bed and it actually helped a little. I think I also read that just eating a couple of slices of apple will help too. Isn't that just strange? Anyway, I'll be trying the ACV tonight. Good luck all! ACID REFLUX AND GERD - safe home remedies and NATURAL CURES Jessy

Hi Chichi, You have very common symptoms. I was told by my doctor that mornings you are tighter because your hormone levels are higher which contribute to inflammation. (not sure which ones though). The reflux is a symptom of an irritated esophagus and an overly tight fill. Best way to ease that is to go on liquids for a few days to allow the esophagus to heal. I'm having the exact same issue right now. As much as I hate the idea of going on liquids I need to. I'm just dreading going to sleep every night. You can also get an slight unfill which will help with the reflux. Best of luck, Jessy

Hi Aggie, What you are describing is almost exactly what I'm going through right now. (banded 09/06) I've been unfilled once before for having reflux then I got filled again but not as tight as before... now I'm having reflux every night again. It doesn't matter if I have NOTHING in my stomach/pouch hours before bed. I haven't had a full nights sleep in over 3 weeks and I'm SO tired of waking up choking on/inhaling acid. I know what I have to do... go on liquids for at least a week and/or get unfilled. I don't want to get unfilled again so I'm starting on liquids tomorrow. Don't give up, you're not alone. Try liquids for a few days and see if that helps. Good luck, Jessy

Thank you Mary... I do think I am too tight as well. I don't think it's helping that I'm irritating my stoma/esophagus by PB'ing nearly every day either. I've decided that I'm going to keep the fill as is and go one week on a combination of slimfast, atkins and other low carb shakes to give my body a rest. Who knows... I might loosen up just by doing that? I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your encouragement. It's exactly what I needed to hear. Jessy

Thank you Kat... I do feel like I have friends here on LBT like you, that have gone through this before me and will help get me back on the right path! I "know" what I need to do, I'm just fighting it right now. What I "want" to do is get back to my low-carb lifestyle. I lost 50lbs way before my band and kept it off for two years. Then I starting slowly gaining it back. I decided to get banded because there was no way in hell I was going to go back to almost 273lbs! Since I can't eat any solid Protein, I know I need to do the shakes. I'm just fighting it. Carb cravings are the worst to over come... ARRGH! :mmph: I'm just feeling sorry for myself. Finally admitting that I have an addiction to food was so hard to do. Getting the band as a result, was easy... now, doing what my doctor tells me to do... and fighting this emotional and physical war between my mind and my body... that's the hardest part of all of this! Thanks again for your support and yes, I will call on you and others to help me. I know I'm not alone in this. Jessy

I was reading your thread on how to know the diff between being too restricted and just right. I really loved the way you explained it. I was banded Sept 29th, 06 and have had 3 fills. The last being 4.9 on a 10cc band. I now know the meaning of being TIGHT. I felt I needed more restriction because I had been out eating my band up untill this point and my doc said liquids/mushies only for the next 6 weeks. So I've been PB'ing about once a day... sucks. I'm too tight in the morning for anything but coffee and Water and both have to be hot and sipped slowly. It's not until around 3-4pm that I loosen up enough to take in thicker soups, mashed potatoes with gravy and sometimes tiny bits of chicken. For some insane reason, I keep trying to eat bread or flour products and items I know might get stuck (which ultimately do make me PB) but I keep trying. I have to learn to just give those things up but I'm having a hard time letting go. It feels as if all I do is think about what I can eat because I'm hungry but can't eat. Good thing is I've lost 10 lbs in two weeks without working out. I'm afraid to get an unfil because I don't want to be able to over eat again. I'm also not doing myself any favors by searching out more fattening soups which satisfy my hunger but are not helping my efforts either. I just wish I could stop the insanity of food in my life once and for all. Sorry for the pity party I just needed to vent and hopefully hear from others that are having the same problems... Did any of you go through this and what finally got you on the right path? Thanks for listening

You know Sue... I'm wondering what YOUR issue with Dr. Huacuz is? I had my surgery on Sep 29th with him and I have NO complaints. I was not solicited by him for anything... he and his staff were very competent and went beyond the line of duty to make me feel safe and comfortable. If anyone wants to discuss my experience with the Huacuz center and staff feel free to private message me and I'll give you my phone number. I'm for real and so are MANY people here that have nothing but praise for Dr. Huacuz. His price was extremely reasonable and maybe that's why his competition tries to bad mouth him so much. Jessy

I'm about to be banded on friday (29th). Can't wait. I'm happy to hear all is well with you.

James thank you for the details. Reading them helps! Can I ask what made you decide on going with Dr. Ortiz? Btw, I live in San Diego so thanks for the tip on meeting the shuttle at the airport. Jessy