fanearnhardt 3

So what if none of it still works? I was banded nearly 2 years ago and about a year ago I started with severe constipation. I am now on 3 perscription medications and a probiotic and still have problems. One of my medications amitiza makes me retain water in my stomach and hands. Needless to say I should have plenty of water. Now to counteract all the water I need to take a dieretic. Nothing is working! Fiber makes be bloated and I have severe stomach pain in my stomach/band area. Miralax doesn't work. Only thing that works is the golyghtly stuff 8 - 16 oz a day but that stuff is nasty. If I don't take anything I am stuck on the couch because of severe stomach pain, lower back pain and lack of energy. Does anyone know if electrolyghts affect constipation. I have bouts with gas. I don't like broccoli or veggies other than carrots, corn and green beans. I eat salad now and then but I'm hungry 3 hours later. Any ideas?

I'm not sure what to tell you. I am tight in the morning buy I can drink just fine. If I eat I have to be slow and chew very well. Usually after a couple of hours I am fine. I seem to snack more at night. I've lost 71 lbs and have hit a major slow down. It took me 3 weeks to loose 1 pound.

I am so sorry insurance won't pay. I was very fortunate that my insurance paid 100%. Since your post was dated Aug. 3rd I am assuming you should have had your surgery by now. I hope all went well. It is very tuff the first two weeks but it gets better. I have no regrets at all, it was the best thing that happened to me. I am lucky I have not had the problems many people seem to have. Just remember in the end it will be worth it. Even if I don't loose another pound I have achieved so much just loosing 70 lbs. My health is so much better and I have so much energy compared to this time last year. I just want to tell everyone how benefiical it is. I understand everyone is different and I've seen people where it really hasn't worked. It was their choice to continue to eat the quantity they ate before and not change. I still can eat what I did before but in moderation and of course the portion size is much smaller. I don't miss the junk, I found other things to replace it, besides I just don't buy it. Please keep us updated. I think everyone at one point was scared, excited all the emotions you can think of all at once. Weird how that works. What else is weird. lol Your top stomach will be full but yet you hear hunger sounds. Don't worry I just drank Water which is my new friend. lol

Dave, That is exactly what happens to me. I have been banded now 11 months and have only been sick 1 time. It's hard when you are hungry to not eat fast, chew your food well and small bites. If I do everything correctly I can eat anything in moderation. Obviously everyone is different and each body may react differently. Some people have to work harder than others to really loose the weight. My biggest fear is if I work out like everyone seems to be on these boards and I quit, I will gain it back. So my exercise is slow, mostly walking but loosing weight slow and steady. I have lost 69 lbs in 11 months. May not sound like much I started at 222 and now I'm 153 and a size 8! Considering I started 16-18. Although I may not exercise like everyone else I actually do so much more then I ever could have the past 10 years. I've hit my own milestones. I am off my diabetic medication which is huge for me. I am off my cpap machine and sleep great. Sure I have the munchies even when I'm not hungry and it's hard sometimes. Personally for me it changed my life in ways I cannot express. I'm sure lots of people can tell you when they were banded the Dr. will fix your hianal hernia. That alone immediately got me off my heartburn medicine and a few months later I could already tell I felt so much better. I feel healthier every day that passes. Everyone is different and how fast you loose it is up to you. I prefer to be consistant but I have had real slow periods then followed by good periods. Good luck! Michelle

70 lbs. That is great! I have been banded since 9/2/10 and have lost 67 lbs. Although I have went from a 16/18 to an 8. I am proud of my 67 lbs, especially the change in sizes. I went through a good month and half and didn't loose any weight. What I did notice when I finally started loosing the weight I actually went down to a 12 then a couple of weeks later to a 10 and now an 8. I still want to lose 20 lbs and try and get rid of my tire. I know I still have this tire and it makes me still feel big. I keep working at it, I know I could work harder but it's hard to get the motivation.

The pain killer the Dr. gave me helped. I had my kids pat my back hard and that seemed to relieve some of the pain. Try using the breathing thing the Dr. should have given you. Unfortunately it just takes time. I hope it helps because I remember the pain that I was in. I slept on the recliner for several days to help with the pain.

Each Dr. is different too. I had a special pre-diet shake, bars and this terrible soup that I couldn't get done. I talked to the Nurse and said if the soup was the only thing I couldn't tolerate then to eat so much protein instead. It made the 10 day pre-diet so much better. Good Luck!

Firefox worked perfectly! Thank you.