girlinnyc

Hi there--i am having the same problem. was banded 3 yrs ago..then RE-BANDED due to a slip--and after that time--could never really fill up the band--AWFUL reflux at night--and finally, i had a laryngeal spasm (you don't want to know)--and i couldn't breathe--so finally went back to surgeon (duh) and had esophagram--and it shows a possible hiatal hernia. not sure what they will do for this--they took 1cc out of the band--now down to 5.5cc and i can finally SWALLOW things--like WATER--and have to see surgeon again in may (no appt's until then)...would love to hear from anyone w/ an opinion. Thank you!

go back right away and tell them how you're feeling. they'll probably put a little more fill in the band. if you're hungry--it's not exactly right yet. good luck!

Maybe you don't need more restriction--are you having any reflux at night? that would be a sign NOT to get any more fill. if you really want to get some more--be very conservative...maybe only 1/2 cc. you do have a small band--and you want to be able to eat--right? if you feel you are on a good losing path--maybe save the fill for later. hard for someone else to know your individual situation--but i would say--be conservative. best wishes, girlinnyc

your medicine might come in 37.5 mg form--ask your dr. to prescribe 2 of those per day, rather than 1 75 mg capsule---they are easier to take. (i have the same issue). good luck! -girlinnyc

yes, eating fast is a DISASTER-=-you must slow down!:ohmy: it helps to not wait until you're STARVING to eat! that's always my downfall--and i've been at this for 1.5 yrs--(and i just got a NEW BAND last week)...when you eat before you're very hungry--you can slow yourself down easier. it does take a little time for the nerve cells to alert your brain that food has arrived! so--to repeat and remind--slow down, tiny bites--chew well--and try to wait between bites of food--to let time elapse. easier when you're not STARVING--so don't wait too long between meals (i know, i know--life gets in the way and it's HARD to manage sometimes). as for throwing up--yes, it IS above the stomach--the band is right above your stomach--creating that famous POUCH--and the food does pop right out--and then you feel better. however--this can lead to a slip--as i can testify about. best wishes, girlinnyc

sounds like the band is working. as long as you're not getting reflux at night and you're not PB'ing--you're doing ok. you're not hungry, are you??

you didn't mess anything up, but try to stay away from bread and Cookies. inevitably, you will get more fill in--and that stuff will get STUCK--you'll see!! good luck, :biggrin2:

came home today and SLEPT! didn't sleep so well in the hospital--some gas pain--which moved around--and now is gone! so, i was up at 2 am, commiserating with another guy who was banded right after me---then, when my iv pole started beeping away, because it was out of battery juice, i had to return to my room so it could be plugged in--but wasn't sleepy--so, read until 4 am--then fell asleep until 5:30 am--when they started coming around to take temperatures, and so on...so--really, not a lot of sleep time. i'm AMAZED at how "not so bad" it all was. the dr. (fielding at nyu medical center in nyc) has this down to a factory assembly line--and the anesthesiologists and supporting staff were all really on the ball. when i woke up in recovery--i was conscious, not in pain, and able to talk to my visitors. i did just fine. today--i had several things to drink--and some painkiller---big tip--ask for painkiller before you leave the hospital--that percocet pill for the ride home was VERY helpful. i basically feel like i've been punched in the stomach a number of times--so, a dull ache--but nothing REALLY SHARP or UNBEARABLE. the incisions are packed with gauze over the steri-strips--and plastic over that. they said i could take a shower--but was afraid to. tomorrow, i can take the plastic off the steri-strips--they stay on. i've HAD open abdominal surgery--next to that--this was really, REALLY bearable. please write and ask me any questions. i'm very happy to be home--i'm working on my optifast shake (watered down) and i'm really NOT hungry. watching tv, sleeping on and off--and taking the rest of the week off. ahhhh, so glad it's OVER!!

i think you should take your husband with you. After all--what are husbands for?? he'll be able to get you a drink of Water and help you walking around---i'm sure he'll feel less concerned if he IS with you--let him come with you! tell him to bring a couple of good books--and voila--he'll be fine, watching you recover! also, you don't want to be carrying luggage, or lifting it out of overhead bin or ANYTHING like that right after your surgery--i say--let him come with you! you'll be glad you did. Best regards, girlinnyc

hey, now you're REALLY going to feel what the band will do for you! it will really remind you to eat slowly, and not too much! and you won't feel hungry either--let me know that what i say is true! it has helped me tremendously!

who's your surgeon--did you check him/her out thoroughly?

sara--good luck with your surgery and new life to come! best wishes, girlinnyc

i am just realizing that THIS thanksgiving--i'm not going to be at all able to eat like i did LAST thanksgiving--and thank my lapband for that! but i'll be looking a lot better at the family getogether--another thing to be thankful for.

did you get some pain and anti-nausea medication? that might help. also--what are you eating?? maybe you should stick to very soft, liquid-y foods--and chicken Soup is always good! hope you feel better soon!

have your daughter come to the dr's seminar with you--if possible. This surgery has changed my life. Although i haven't lost THAT much since January (40 lbs--but i'm only 5'2")--it has made a huge difference in the way i feel about myself, and how i deal with food. i am so much less interested in FOOD and eating--than i was before. AND--i'm NOT HUNGRY!!! i'm so glad i had this surgery--it's been a lifesaver. i look better too! and that is important in my job (even though there is "no discrimination" --ha--when you're heavier--you're discounted as "stupid"--which i'm not). i'm 2, going on 3, sizes down in clothes--and it makes a BIG DIFFERENCE. your daughter should not be the one who decides what you do. as long as you have found a really experienced surgeon and you have a good, thorough medical workup before surgery, the risk for this surgery is VERY LOW. write anytime! girlinnyc

That's a LOT OF ICE CREAM---how many calories in that whole thing? it won't damage the band--but boy--that's probably making up for all the calories you are NOT getting in "real" food, like Protein, vegetables and fruit! could you cut down on the ice cream? i bet your weight loss will get a good jumpstart!

If the surgeon gives a DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS CODE, other than "followup"--your insurance will probably pay. i have suddenly developed reflux--the last 3 nights. i just woke up choking on acid---disgusting. not sure what's wrong--but haven't had a fill in several months--and the band is pretty tight and i've been losing weight...not sure what to do--except, i guess--go back to the dr.... anybody have a thought? thanks, girlinnyc

i just got my first fill--about 1 hr ago. while in the dr's office--it all went very well--surgeon stuck needle in--no problem, put in the liquid, no problem, took needle out, no problem--stuck a little band aid there---i got up, put coat on, went outside, made next appt (1 month), went downstairs, outside--and felt---a little left side chest pain--maybe even like heartburn. it has continued. came back to work--ate some clear vegetable Soup and am sipping a diet snapple. still have the uncomfortable feeling on lleft side. this feels like the "idiopathic" (no known cause) chest pain i get sometimes--but it is continuing. not severe--just slight -- but upsetting. any comments? Thank you all, girlin nyc

Thanks everyone---it did go away---and the surgeon said "that shouldn't happen"--but what can i say--it did--it hasn't happened again on subsequent fills. i am REALLY FILLED UP NOW--band is VERY tight--which is good (and bad). so--i am losing weight (oddly--sometimes it drops--then there's a plateau--then it drops again)--and learning to deal with new eating habits. if i wait too long to eat (like today)--i'm definitely gonna be IN TROUBLE at dinner. how bout all of you?? -girlinnyc

They don't use flouroscope for fills, in my experience. i have had dr. fielding do my fills--and he definitely knows what he's doing!

sounds like you need to contact dr. RIGHT AWAY! waking up choking with liquid coming out of your nose could lead to serious emergency. call dr. TODAY--and go in. do you have gastric reflux? (that's what prilosec is for). were you evaluated for a hiatal hernia? call the dr and go see him!! please let us know what happened! best wishes, girlinnyc

Joan and Maria, You will be very pleased with the NYU program! Good luck to you both. Dr. Fielding was my dr--and he was on my insurance. Whichever dr. is on your insurance--you should go with. as for being in debt or being overweight---being in debt will be easier--once you weigh less! Dr. Kurian also just joined their practice--she is excellent too. If you have any questions, drop me a line! best wishes, girlinnyc

Joan and Maria, You will be very pleased with the NYU program! Good luck to you both. Dr. Fielding was my dr--and he was on my insurance. Whichever dr. is on your insurance--you should go with. as for being in debt or being overweight---being in debt will be easier--once you weigh less! Dr. Kurian also just joined their practice--she is excellent too. If you have any questions, drop me a line! best wishes, girlinnyc

do you have any? get some!! those will definitely kill the hunger. follow exactly what the dr. says--you don't want to have MORE surgery to fix something--do you?? soon you'll be eating again--don't worry. give the whole process a chance to work--and you'll be happy with the results. meanwhile--get some chocolate protein shakes--like optifast--mix them in the blender with ice--very filling. good luck! girlinnyc