JoiaRox

Unlike the previous poster, I do get a severe amount of pain when I PB. I get the chest pains and nausea, and then scorch my throat when I heave/PB it out. Sometimes I end up heaving so hard that I pop the tiny blood vessels around my eyes, leaving little red dots everywhere (goes away in a couple of days). Two things: (1) Yes, it's a result of eating too fast, too much, not chewing, etc. If you follow the LapBand rules, it won't happen - but, randomly, it happens to the best of us every now and then because we're not used to consciously chewing and taking small bites. It happened a lot for me (2-3x daily) when my band was too tight - I was able to get liquids down, but food was a no-no every time I tried. A little unfill from the doc did the trick! (2) PB is a lot like vomiting - but we don't call it vomit because you're not actually spewing from your stomach, food all mixed with acid. Like the previous poster said, this is food coming up from your pouch. Usually accompanied with saliva (slime), it's all portions of undigested food that generally got stuck in your pouch/esophagus.

All of these below I've had with Water and think they're delicious: chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Peanut Butter Cookie Dutch Chocolate Cake 2 more to mention: Caramel Latte - it's okay...not a favorite. Pom Razz Sangria - absolutely GROSS. Couldn't stomach the stuff, even after holding my nose to get past the smell! What worked best for me, so I wouldn't get sick of them, was ordering the travel combo pack - each portion comes in it's own package, and you get a variety so that you can try them all out!

Just an addition - yes, LapBands have been filled to capacity. While I'm only 6 months out and have 8cc in my large (14cc) band, I have a friend who had the LB put in a few years ago. He also has a 14cc band. He lost all the excess weight (not all the skin), but DID get filled up to capacity (all 14cc's) to do it. Now? He's put back on quite a bit of his weight and can't get a fill to help him, since he's at capacity. Just goes to show you that you really need to have a mental shift in how your brain treats eating/exercise when you go through this process! Obviously, the lessons didn't quite all sink into his brain...

You're too tight - an unfill will do a WORLD of good! I was too tight for a month, and finally got unfilled a few days ago when I got back in town from vacation...I LOVE FOOD! Ha! Besides that, I lost nothing while too tight - being malnutritioned from throwing everything up, my body went into starvation mode and held onto EVERYTHING. No good... Since the 1cc unfill last Thursday? I've lost 4 pounds. Nice!

Ditto - it happened to me about a month ago (I'm 6 months post-op now) and I shrieked some bloody murder when it happened. To follow, my port area went NUMB afterwards. I was out of town on business, so I just went to sleep and woke up, luckily, fine. I haven't had any problems since and have seen the doctor since. Just keep an eye on it...if you're having other symptoms, it may be an issue! But my guess? Probably not :thumbup:

I'd recommend changing your diet...eat more...see if your body is simply used to the workout and diet you've been on. Sometimes? We have to trick our bodies into losing more weight. Without knowing what your caloric intake is, I'd recommend that. I'd also recommend changing up your exercise routine...perhaps work out at different times of the day, or do a different exercise routine. Our bodies just simply get funny and "used" to the workout/diets we're on. What has worked for a year may not be what works anymore.

Which is why I jumped in and went the politically incorrect route :confused:

At restriction, I've found that I can drink all the way up until the point I start eating. I can't drink during meals, and I generally wait about half an hour after eating before I resume drinking. My key has been having a water bottle with me all the time...I drink it if I've got it!

As an addition: if your head is in the game, you've made the right eating choices, etc...kudos to you! I've found this band to be my life changer, and I'm utilizing it as just that. A better way to really read about the lessons people learn is by reading/writing blogs...you get the entire journey in writing, instead of a single post about a single issue. Go spend some time reading a blog...you'll learn that Protein shakes are not a meal, but a supplement to your diet - you SHOULD eat three meals a day. You'll find tricks/tips that other Bandsters have learned along the way. This thing CAN work for you - just smile and enjoy the ride :confused:. I keep reminding myself that this weight took 10 years to put on...an overnight transition isn't realistic and isn't going to happen. Every single pound I lose is a celebration!

Well written post...as a bandster who's six months out of surgery, I can tell you some of the things I've learned: 1. Overall, my weight is down. Do I lose every day/week? No. But, as long as the trend is generally down, life is good! 2. Do I exercise? Nope. Every once in a while I'll go jump on a treadmill or in a pool, but my body hasn't needed the infusion of regular exercise yet to lose weight. When I plateau, I'll get into it. For now? I only exercise when I feel like it. I do not live a sedentary lifestyle, so I'm sure that helps. 3. Restriction is a double edged sword. I was filled to 8cc in my 14cc band about mid-March...I lived for a month and a half on that fill, still being able to eat most foods but in lesser quantities. After a month and a half of that fill, realizing that I was still hungry most of the time, I pushed my doctor to fill me up to 9cc at the end of May...and then I went on a three and a half week vacation. I couldn't eat ANYTHING without PBing it back up (yes, I took small bites, chewed, etc.) and was miserable with chest pains all day from even trying to eat. That malnutrition cost me a month of weight stalling - my body was starving and refused to let me lose weight. I got back a few days ago, got unfilled back to 8cc and have lost almost 4 pounds in just a couple of days because I'm eating again. Be careful what you wish for in your restriction... 4. The LapBand is not a "miracle pill" or an "easy way out." For those of you thinking you were going to lose a million pounds in a few months...you should have opted for liposuction or gastric bypass. I chose LapBand because it is the HEALTHIEST TOOL on the market...I don't eat nearly as much as I used to, I don't get as hungry as I used to...but the food choices are still ON ME. I could have started the day with eggs, sausage, bacon, waffles, hash browns, etc...but here I sit working on a serving of Weight Control Quaker oatmeal. The girl I was 7 months ago would not have made that same choice. Rewire your brain...this band is supposed to help you do that. 5. Too many people whine on this website. Seriously? You've been overweight for a long time, no doubt, and have tried and failed with numerous diets...otherwise you wouldn't have a LapBand. WHY do you think this is another easy way out? WHY are you frustrated with your progress when you can't even pull your head out of your butt long enough to do some serious reflection on what YOU are doing or not doing to help yourself succeed? Seems like many of the users on this site didn't have their head in the game when they started this...your ignorance is only due to the fact that YOU chose not to ask questions of your doctor, do the research, etc. Don't be "shocked" that your previous dietary habits aren't working...don't blame lack of restriction on the reason you're failing. It was a good 3 months before I felt restriction...I still made the choices to eat healthy, eliminate carbonated drinks, etc. This is on YOU. Stop putting it off on other people/excuses - more than likely? Your blaming/creating excuses mentality is what got you fat in the first place.

Congratulations - you rock! I know I was excited to see the 300's disappear...I have awhile before I hit the 100's, but each new "decade" of weight loss is exciting for me. I can't believe I'll be in the 260's soon!

I had 8cc in my 14cc band before I felt any restriction. Even then, I was still hungry in between meals but couldn't physically eat any more to satiate the hunger. After a month and a half with the 8cc, my doctor took me to 9cc...bloody hell! I starved for a month while on vacation, PBing every food I ate and barely being able to drink liquids without some chest pain. I went back to the doctor as soon as I returned from vacation a few days ago and got unfilled back to 8cc. For now? It's AMAZING being able to eat oatmeal again, and I'll see how it goes...if the hunger returns, I may go up to 8.5cc...but 9cc was a killer! Just be careful what you wish for

I'm in Bakersfield, CA as well and LOVE this site! I was banded in January of this year and am down 63 pounds! Yay!

So I was laying in bed on my stomach, talking to my boyfriend on the phone...then decided to get up. I've done this a million times before. But this time? I felt something rip, my port area was immediately on fire and I squealed out in pain...now it's been about 15 minutes and the port area is numb and a little swollen. The port is still there in place - I can feel that much. Any one have a suggestion as to what's going on? Been there? I'm going to bed now and hope it's better in the morning...I'll check back for any responses

I'll be a bad bandster and post here...I'm not a rule follower either. I've read and read this site, threads, other research, blogs, etc....and I truly believe this journey is about finding what's right for you. I know the rules and generally stick to them - not because my doctor told me to, but because trial and error have proven that I should. I can't drink right after a meal - PB results. I surely can drink before, and even sip some Water during...just depends on how my body is responding to what I put in my mouth. Carbonation? I was a Diet Coke-aholic before starting this process. I gave it up and am an avid iced tea (plain) drinker now. But, all that iced tea wreaks havoc on my stomach from time to time and I find that a Diet Sprite or 7-Up helps my stomach deal with it. I stay away from beer (I was a Bud Light drinker, but never NEEDED a regular dose of it), but I still enjoy my screwdrivers (the serving of fruit in the orange juice is great too! lol). Bottom line? I know the rules. I'm not openly defying my doctor, but I'm taking those rules and utilizing them to make this band work for me. I don't think negatively about myself, nor do I scoff at the extensive procedure I had done. I HAVE lost 60 pounds since starting a little over five months ago. Sorry - I'm not a regular workout kinda gal. In fact, working out generally makes me maintain. When I start to plateau? I'll add regular workout. The LapBand is a TOOL - how you make it work for you is your choice. I've had 5 fills, am at 9cc in a 14cc band and am stoked to have lost 3 pant sizes in 5 months, in addition to the 60 pounds. I don't count calories (I did in the early months), I pay attention to what my stomach tells me...and I'm a success so far. When I'm not being successful, I'll re-evaluate and change what I need to in order to continue being successful. Just because you've found what works for you (either strictly following doctor's orders and logging everything in a computer or not)...don't berate others for doing what works for them. We all got fat in different ways, we all have different mental issues that go along with our obesity, and we're all on very different journeys, regardless of the LapBand surgery as a common denominator. I'm happy...you should be too!

Thank you for those of you who responded. Update? I made it through my business conference and had no further problems with my port. On the flip side, I couldn't get food down on Saturday or Sunday (ripping was on Thursday)...so blah. Water and liquids still go down fine, so I guess it was a matter of me needing to take some recuperation time!

My LapBand rule? NOTHING is gone forever - you just re-learn how to eat, pay attention to what your body is telling you, respect the limitations of the band and live your life. Sure, I can't eat a full serving of some things...so? If I want some pizza, I'm having it.

The reason we slime (from a science teacher's point of view): The mouth's job is to produce saliva and masticate (chew) the food for initial digestion before it proceeds to your esophagus, stomach and intestines for final digestion. When you eat with the LAP-BAND®, your food doesn't go as quickly to the final stages (stomach, intestines) because it's held in your band stomach until it passes through to your "real" stomach. As a result, your mouth kicks up the salivation notch because it still thinks you have food that needs to be pushed through and is simply doing it's job. The PROBLEM comes when you've eaten a little too much...you've got food hanging out in your band stomach and/or your esophagus, it hasn't or can't pass through to your "real" stomach because it is either temporarily blocked or hasn't had time to move yet...your mouth does it's job by producing more saliva...and that saliva has nowhere to go because it can't push through the food to your "real" stomach. End result? A mouthful of delicious (okay, not really) slime that looks a lot like saliva. I sometimes get to the point where I'm sliming - you can either attempt to swallow it if you're out in public or driving, although the saliva has nowhere to go and you're going to continue sliming for a little while until your food can pass through your band stomach. If I'm at home or near a bathroom, I try to expel some of the saliva by spitting it out. When I spit it out, the food is also going through it's digestion through your band stomach...eventually the sliming stops and you're back to being all good!

No problems at all for me. Caffeine is completely fine with my doctor - I drink iced tea like it goes out of style. I've never been a daily coffee drinker, but I do drink it on occasion (and LOVE my Starbucks!). The only limitation my doctor gave me was no carbonation - the bubbles interfere with the band's operation. So, soda is out (and that was an easy adjustment, even for a Diet Coke-aholic like me!), but coffee is fine!

If you only eat a small amount of food a few times a day, you're going to starve to death! I'm at full restriction and found that it's helpful to eat several times a day - granted, they are small amounts and more like "snacks" instead of meals (fruits, pieces of baked chicken I've chopped up, yogurt, pita bread/hummus, etc.), but it's imperative that I keep nutritious food in my body so that my body can burn fat and lose weight. As for whether or not the original poster needs a fill...I had the same issues after fill #4. I COULD eat large meals on occasion, but then there were some days when I could hardly eat anything. I PB'd a few times a week, always due to my error. I acknowledged that to my doctor and went for two appointments without getting a fill - he said I was losing weight, so there was no need for a fill. Finally, on my last visit, I discussed the issues again: 1. I still PB on occasion, but have learned how to control my bite size and how to chew, chew, chew for the most part. 2. It frustrates me that I feel hungry most of the day. I try to eat healthy foods, but I can still throw down a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger if I'm out and about and feel hungry - I don't want to be able to do that. 3. Yes, I'm losing weight - but it's kickin' my hungry a** to do it! The doctor agreed to give me fill #5 because of my honesty about how this band is working/not working with me and because I had mentally overcome the issues I had with PBing (not completely - it's still a daily trial!). Now? I am RESTRICTED - for sure. It's even more important that I take small bites, chew well, eat slowly and listen to my body. It does a great job of telling you when the food you've chosen to eat isn't going to work, when you're full, when you're hungry...but you HAVE to be willing to listen and respond appropriately - otherwise, THAT is when the PB monster comes to get you!

I agree with the previous poster - there are no forbidden foods. I'm at full restriction with the band, have lost almost 60 pounds in 2010 and indulge in anything I want to. It's all about moderation - I don't have some cheesecake EVERY day! Truth be told, I wouldn't even want to. My body has adjusted to healthier food choices, and my cravings have changed because of it. Even though my portions are very small (full restriction of the band sure teaches you quickly to eat less!), I eat anything I want. Bonus? I stay full off of a small portion! Even though I indulge on occasion (Frappuccinos from Starbucks are my weak spot), I don't do it often because the weight loss I see is a bigger craving than the junk :thumbup:

Four words: GET A NEW DOCTOR.

And liquids I used? I could have anything but soda and coffee (now I'm still a Starbucks whore, but the soda is gone)...broth, protein shakes, popsicles, etc. Anything liquid was ok!

Each pre-op and post-op diet is different depending on the insurance company, doctors, etc. Lots go into it, and if you spend time reading the threads on these boards you will find a TON of personal stories and quickly see the differences in all of us. Having said that, I'm 5 months out and have lost 58 pounds - woo hoo! I had a 2 week liquid diet pre-op (only followed for a week because they notified me of my surgery date with only a week to go), then a 1 week liquid diet, 1 week of mushies, and finally a transition to solid foods. I've learned that Protein is my friend, fats/sugars are not, the LapBand WILL work but you've got to give the gradual fills time (I was very frustrated a few weeks post-op when I entered "Bandster Hell" because the swelling was gone, I hadn't been filled and I was STARVING) and, most importantly...NONE of the people/experiences on this website are the same. Never let anyone ridicule you for how you think, how you choose to proceed, how you exercise, what you eat, how much Water you drink, etc. If whatever YOU do works for you, then that's all the success you need! Best of luck to you :thumbup:

I'd ask for a complete unfill/refill to make sure you have that much in your band, to start with. I know that throughout the five months I've done fills, I actually did have less than I was reported to on my 3rd fill. Last week I went from 8cc to 9cc (in a 14cc band), but he pulled out the entire 8cc to verify before he put back in all 9cc to add a total of 1cc. There are many reasons we don't have as much fill as we're supposed to have, but it can be corrected. If that's not the case, you gotta be patient. My doctor was convinced that 8cc's would do me in...and I went 6 weeks not getting another fill (even had 2 appointments in that time and the doctor didn't give me fills). Finally, I PUSHED my doctor last week and explained that I was NOT at my sweet spot, I'm eating large portions, etc. He agreed to drain and refill up to 9cc...and it's been working like a charm! I've had a wonderful week of restriction and, even if it loosens up a little bit, that'd be okay! Foods have been REALLY tough to get down this week, but I know I'm not overfilled because of what I'm able to eat. My advice would be to schedule an appt. SOON and tell your doctor that you need a fill. Even at 8cc? I could eat a whole steak too...9cc made a WORLD of difference. But, we're all different, right?