Sakura04

Hi everyone, this topic hasn't been covered since 2008 ... can we put anything on our scars? Vitamin E? Mederma? Neosporin? Anything you get from the drug store? What have you used and what works (or doesn't)? Thanks!!

Hi, Does anyone know if any military doctors, specifically on base know how to do fills or will I have to go back to my band doctor for them? Have an overseas PCS coming up, wondering how I'm going to work this being far away from band doctor. Thanks!

Heading to Camp Casey, South Korea ... any info you have will be fantastic

thanks guys! keep the suggestions coming!

It just hurts. Best way to describe it would be to swallow a pizza crust, like a big piece and when it gets into your esophagas, it turns sideways instead of length wise and it gets stuck. Water or anything else you're drinking will not cure the stuck food, it only makes it worse. Before the band, drinking something usually helps whatever is caught pass but not with the band. You have to suck it up, know it's going to pass and be happy when it does. It's very uncomfortable, feels like horrible heartburn and makes you want to move into instant yoga positions to try and help it go down LOL but it doesn't help. It's a reminder the band is doing it's job and you need to do yours by taking smaller bites, chewing really good and letting your food settle before taking more. I didn't know what the stuck feeling was while on liquids or softs (don't let mashed potatos fool you - those suckers can hurt too!) but as soon as you get brave and think you can take a bite of bread when it's served at a resturant or too big of a bite of anything, you'll know. If you haven't experienced it - you're doing a fantastic job and keep up what you're doing!

I always keep Vitamin Water with me because I get concerned about my hair falling out due to vitamin deficency also. I find that plain water is sometimes a struggle to drink but the vitamin water gors down pretty easily. I'm a few days out from a month since surgery and my port isn't as tender as it was but it is still definately swollen still and I can feel it - feels weird! Moving for a while was painful but it gets easier. Going to try some sit ups this week, hope all goes well.

I am the same way! I left my 6 year old daughter at the table in a resturant alone w/ my purse and ran to the bathroom because I took too big of a bite of salad. I was shaking and started to sweat on my brow! It was horrible. I haven't been sour on any particular foods, I can eat pretty much what I want - it's more me learning how to eat smaller bites and waiting in between them. Once I can master that, I should be good. Until then, being "stuck" sucks!

I didn't want to tell anyone because of the unsolicited advice that seems to come my way when I make decisions. Had to let my boss know because of the dr's appointments and once my mom had an opportunity to put an APB out to the family when I was in another room, she did and I'm down right pissed. This is my decision to tell anyone if I choose. I got the same response that I'd expect from my 9 year old when confronted my mom about it "oh, I didn't think it's that big of a deal". Establish your expectations up front with your friends and family before telling them anything. It'll save the heartache in the end.