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I believe you're saying that you are having two different symptoms; reflux (acid burning in you stomach/throat) and gas (usually with referred pain, sometimes in your back or left shoulder). You need to call your doc about the reflux. If he hasn't given you an Rx for it, ask for one. Mine sent me home with Nexium (Rx). I didn't have it for long luckily...mainly at the beginning and then every once in awhile for another month. The reflux acid on your new pouch and stoma can cause more inflammation and even ulcers. As far as the gas goes, there's not much you can do as it's trapped air in your abdomen from them filling you up with air to help with the surgery, and it just needs to be absorbed by your body. The walking does help to more the air around and help your body to absorb it. There's a debate as to whether the GasX helps other than in your gastrointestinal system, but I certainly used it (you can take several at a time). I also used a heating pad on the areas that hurt and that helped me. I also took a gentle laxative a few days out (for just one day) to get things moving along and that made me feel a lot better (TMI- I started really 'tooting' after that). Good luck to you and please call the doc if you're having any reflux. -BG

Karen, I am happy to hear things went well for you. I was released yesterday around 230pm. The surgery went well. It is so weird not being hungry considering I have consumed food since Wednesday around 8pm. I had to wait 24 hours to shower and it felt good. I cannot figure out how to get the bandages off. They are clear, almost like a second skin ANY SUGGESTIONS! The GAS X strips are helping. I have not passed gas or had a bowel movement since Thursday morning. Doc said to take milk of mag on day 3 if I don't have BM...TMI! I have not had much pain, I reserved the "happy medicine" for bedtime. The chewable Vitamins tastes like flavored cardboard. One word of caution..take a pillow for the ride home. My belly shook everytime we hit a bump and it hurt. I cannot tell where the port is located. I am a bit of a chicken and don't have the nerve to feel around. I have gas in my left shoulder which moves to my chest...not too bad. The doc did an EKG and blood tests to make sure that the shoulder pain wasn't related to any heart problems. I am so glad I wore a loose dress. DO NOT were jeans or anything snug. I have 6 incisions less than 1/2 inch in size and pants would have been terrible. I have been trying to drink as much as posible. I am having Jello for lunch...yummy! Monday I will start the chocolate Protein shakes. Days 1-3 diluted juice, days 4-14 Shakes and low-cal drinks (no more juice). Day 15 I start the mushy diet. Getting out of bed sucks and wiping your back side (butt) was a little painful (that turning motion) Sorry TMI! I had a thought...if my butt wasn't so big I would not be that difficult...LOL.

Oh how sad. I haven't had that problem. But I do know that I sip on the 12 oz can (180 cal, I think) all morning. Or if I use it as a snack at 10 am, it's gone by lunch. I really like the Boost-(8 oz w/ 15 gm. protein) but it's so high in calories (240) that I hesitate to get those unless it's that time of the month and I'm really tight. (I know TMI) :thumbup:

Just remember that the band is different for everyone as are sex positions. You should try different positions and find what is right for you! Of course, we really would like a video to see what does work for you - it is okay to share TMI with everyone on LBT!

Congrats on the RV Candice! Looks nice! Joint replacement class all morning... learned a lot. Was pleased because some people inferred it might be a waste of time and it was NOT! Have a whole folder of stuff to look at, including "Sex after Joint Replacement", complete with pictures of suggested positions! Old people pictures! TMI! At least they all have clothes on! LOL! I do have a new list of questions for the ortho surgeon when I see him for my pre-op appt next week.... none related to the afore mentioned pamphlet! Phyl, I gotta find some 'new' positions!!! Can you email me?? Remember, Peter dosn't have an artificial knee... but I am sleeping with a RETIREE now - so I am sure there are some adjustments that we need to be making:tongue_smilie: Also, the RV dosn't have a QUEEN size bed, its only a DOUBLE >>>> :nanahump: I don't know how we are going to sleep in THAT... when we are used to a KING in the house..OMW :wink2: Shopping for a new flat screen TV this weekend to put in the van. Then Peter is going to remove 1 or 2 of the seats and make an armoir for extra closet space. There is a microwave and a toaster oven built in..

Hi ladies. I feel so discombobulated. It's like living in a new house. I don't know how I'll function. Good thing you are all here with me though. I'd be lost without you all. There were things I was going to say...hmmmm.... Phyl, old people sex. LMAO!!! I wanted to die! With their clothes on...are you kidding me? That's way to freaking funny. Did you share that one with Earl? hehehe...tmi...tmi....sorry. Candice, when you head south you can drive west to Montana, spend some time in Glacier and Yellowstone....see Karla and me...and THEN go south. You know what I'm going to tell Jeff tonight during pillow talk....how unfair it is that we can't retire :wink2: You are such a bad influence :nanahump: Denise, I'm missing the idea of going back to school...but not. I love the first few weeks. I love shopping for classroom stuff. I love it when the kids are still afraid of me. I love torturing the 7th graders. By the time they are freshman they knew I was just a big softy...but good times up until then :Banane56: Here's wishing you smooth sailing. Janet, the walk is 3mph for 8-10 hours depending on the time you spend at rest stops. They have stops every 3ish miles. They are mixed....one will be a grab and go, the next a full service food stop, the next a grab and go...they say you should be eating at every stop and drinking one to two bottles of water/sports drink between each. I heard that it's very common to come back 5-10 pounds heavier after the walk...but that most of it is Water weight from being overhydrated. I'm really excited to do the walk. The videos make it look so moving. I tear up everytime I watch one. I might have to up my zoloft dose to make it through :biggrin: Maybe next year I'll sign up for San Diego and then you can join the team. Don't give me that, I could never. You're a machine!!! We all know you could. Karla, help me out. Teaching, nursery...what is job #3? What about taking in alterations? everyone needs jeans hemmed. Just a thought. There has got to be something....oh oh oh....driving bus!!! Bus drivers get paid good money and they have short hours. When our teachers sub bus driving they get to leave school early, or come late....and the guy across the hall said he got almost $200 a day. I think he might be exaggerating but maybe not. Might be something to look into. Lots of times he got paid to drive bus while he was teaching by doing field trips and stuff. Okay...Jeff is going to kill me if I don't go to bed. Went to the drive in tonight. He has to leave here at 430 tomorrow morning and then the kids and I leave here while hes gone. So....until I check in again....have a good one. Oh...going to be at Rose's and at the lake so it will be spotty me checking in. Don't panic. I should be home NEXT Sunday at the latest. Love you girls!!! Have a great week.

I've just started watching Big Medicine & Ruby. For me, the jury is still out on Big Medicine, as I find the surgeries a bit TMI. I really enjoy Ruby. She's really inspiring. On the lighter side, Drop Dead Diva is fun, and I have gotten hooked on Dance Your Ass Off.

Love the new name and new thread! Congrats on the RV Candice! Looks nice! Joint replacement class all morning... learned a lot. Was pleased because some people inferred it might be a waste of time and it was NOT! Have a whole folder of stuff to look at, including "Sex after Joint Replacement", complete with pictures of suggested positions! Old people pictures! TMI! At least they all have clothes on! LOL! I do have a new list of questions for the ortho surgeon when I see him for my pre-op appt next week.... none related to the afore mentioned pamphlet! Went to lunch and then right to appt w/primary care doc for followup on anti-depressant. A few rather "down" days over the past week so she decided to up the Zoloft to 100 mg- I was on 50mg. And BP was 100/56 so she cut one of my BP meds in half again. I was down 4 lb since last appt about 6 weeks ago... and that was an early morning fasting appt and this was afternoon... right after lunch. So I've reached a new low but not changing my ticker until I get an early morning Wii weight. But my crazy bathroom scale was down another lb. this morning. I'm not TOO tight, but definitely TIGHT! Lost my dinner last night. Last couple of weeks I've had a couple of episodes that were more than PBing... last night being one of them. Couldn't finish my dinner tonight... tilapia.. it was too dry and tasted bad... like maybe a little freezer burned. Still feels like it might not stay down. Yuck! Ate my veggies and some of the fish.

I think they do if it involves the word SEX :lol0: Of course, Bearded hasn't heard that word recently as we're both too damn tired to exert that much energy ... how sad is that?:001_smile: (sorry if that's TMI)

I probably should get all those female tests, it has been 2 years since I had a mammogram. Last time I had calcium deposits and had to go back for a 2nd test. I don't have a cervix anymore (I know TMI) so the pap isn't as critical, but they still like to test it. I have had treatment for irregular cells. That was fun. But it has been about 5 years since I had a pap. Steph, I hope you unfill went all went well. Half the time I think I am at my 'sweet spot', half the time I am starving, and lately I have been sticking. I figure I am still going to the doc on Friday to establish myself as his patient. I'll visit with him about whether he thinks I need a fill. I know once school starts I will be hungry all the time. Got the quilt room cleaned and organized today. I will not be shopping for a while, I have enough projects and new patterns for the next 10 years. Candice, slap the man. He is being a TOTAL MAN!!! However...if he is good in bed, then keep him. Kari, I am so proud of you, I have a stack of work to do in the next 3 weeks. Tomorrow is the start day.

Good morning ladies, back on track today; I saw a friend of my brother's last night who hasnt seen me since I was 11!!! We met and of course, what happens? We eat. So today I am 4 lbs heavier, @274; Darn it!! but then again (TMI) it's my monthly friend coming sometime this week. I knew I was holding water in like crazy!!! I hope I can loose some more before my 2 week weigh in next Tues. I am going to the gym the rest of this week.....:smile2:

I had surgery June 8th. I still burp and fart! Both my hubs and I were both sailors (Coast Guard). So, he's not offended like some guys can be. My best friends ex-hubs expected her to run to the bathroom every time she had to pass gas, whether it was a burp or fart. I will say that both feel soooo good, as Rutiglius said. On the rare occasion, I've had both happen at the same times. Hubs calls those Two-for's (two for the price of one), LOL. Ok, maybe a little TMI, but I find humor helps The only time I find it uncomfortable is when I am in public and I have to find a bathroom or someplace non-public. Yes, even though I'm a sailor, I do have manners. I slimmed the first week after surgery. The doc gave me a partial fill during surgery. Between the stomach swelling and the partial fill, I couldn't get anything down. After days 3 and 4 I slimmed every time I ate or drank. It's nasty-icky feeling :smile2:.

If you pass gas at the other end does it feel better too?

thanks, how many gas x at a time, I took one around 740ish and it's 940ish now, take another? I still need to go # 2 too and I can't it's there but won't come out sorry tmi but it's making me angry, I have a feeling I'll feel so much better when I go, I have a stool softener but afraid it'll give me an upset stomach

I had my final weigh in today, and am down another 2 lbs. over a 4 week period. I am just glad I was down some, I have not done as good as I could of in the last week or so! Its TOM, it makes it hard on me, I know TMI! I go for my final psych eval tomorrow, then they will submit to Aetna. ! I am so nervous, but I really think I have all my ducks in a row! I have two more classes to attend, one next week, then one more after I am scheduled for surgery. We get a 3 month membership to a local gym, and three visits with a personal trainer with our prgram fee, so I am pumped up about using that. We can start as soon as the surgery is scheduled. Hopefully, that will help get a few more lbs off before surgery. I can't wait for a new me! I'm think I'm on my way!Jodi

MOrning ladies....... Waiting for Jury duty!! Well I think I had an episode that came very close to dumping last night. Lap band dumping which I didn't think existed. Someone told me it did at the last group meeting. All over ice cream. I haven't had ice cream, or more than a couple bites in over 15 weeks. I went to rite aid and got two scoops. I don't know why except I was having problems eating this weekend and I figured the ice cream would be a nice treat and would stay down. I was up until 3am with the worse cramps and the runs!! It was very painful and the only thing I can think is that darn ice cream...............I thought I was gonna explode!! TMI I know, I know............ My system cannot handle alot of things anymore. But serious ice cream I would have never guess................not even tempted now. Scared me a bit. So I am also back to following the rules 100% this week!! LOL.

Hello, The following is tmi, but I eat, I poop. Good diet plan. I am lucky I don't feel bad. I guess I should be knocking on wood!! I am going to try to get something done today beside trips to the bathroom. That is also a good exercise plan isn't it??? Squats everytime I sit down. HHHHMMMMMM... So glad Macy is better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone I was banded July 29th and (knock on wood) things are going just great! My surgery was a breeze and I have experienced very little pain. The gas has been minimal, and I am peeing all the time! My question is... when will I have a BM? My Dr did not give me a stool softener but his nurse did ask me if he had. Why on earth would I need a stool softener when all I am consuming is liquid? My DH said why would you go if you haven't eaten anything but we all know & have probably been there. You still go.... it's just liquid! (TMI right! ) So... when did you all have your first BM post op? It's not out of fear or pain that I don't go either (like after you have a baby!) It's just not there! I'm not uncomfortable, just used to being VERY regular and I haven't had a BM since before the surgery. Other than that I could not be happier. Ok, maybe a little happier if I could have something besides broth and Jello but I'll live until I get to the mushies! Thanks in advance for all your insight!

Sorry if below is TMI: Let's recap for any reading later After stopping Yaz Birth Control pills mid pack because my surgeon told me I had to be off for 30 days before surgery: 24 hours: Felt fine. This will be no problem I am thinking. 48 hours: Massive headache bordering on a migrane. Only had 1 in my life. 56 hours: Feeling like a bad period coming on. All the worse symptoms that I get a few days before my period. 72 hours: All heck breaks loose: Headache, food cravings, backache, neck hurts, cramps, tired, very grouchy, crying, sudden depression, wishing I could have a cig (quit a year ago). 78 hours: Started flow, heavy and worse cramps I have had in years. Sick to my stomach, tired. Moral of the story. Plan, plan, plan. If you are taking the pill right now talk with your surgeon about a time frame to stop so you don't have to stop in middle of a pack.

Um.. TMI... :laugh:

Linda In theory, I agree. I even understand. But, I drink water, exersize get fiber and I still only have BM every seven or more days. (and that is with a laxative) I don't like taking them but man, the hemoroids are killing me. Dang, trying to push that turd out is harder than pushing out any one of my babies heads, (TMI)

I wasn't kidding, but you know that term, "Godsmack"? Well, i found those pounds since I got home. No BM though. Took a laxative and still waiting for it to kick in. I know. TMI,eh. Is the RV one like the brochure you had? Steph - I don't know what to tell you about Michael except to make sure he understands that it is his behavior that you don not like and not him as a person. Most times when kids act up, it is for attention, to make sure you love them. So again, make ure he knows it is the behavior you don't like. Now, I am going to show all of you that I have too much time on my hands but.........have you seen the shows that Maury, Montel and Sally Jesse used to have on about troubled brats? Maybe one of those boot camp thingys would work great for him.. Make him realize how great home is and teach him some respect. It always worked on those shows and those kids were only gone one or two days. Don't know cost or anything, but you can google it. Well, got to go make dinner. check back later. If I can find my way off the farm. I am 1500 points from the mansion.

I am actually surprised I didn't post my update sooner like I said I would! I have met many great people on here, so I am sure they might be wondering how I am doing...:sad: Well...to all those opposed to going to Mexico.. I had a WONDERFUL experience with Dr. Ortiz, the facility and staff! I couldnt have been more comfortable! The facility was immaculate! I could have eaten of the floor.. Dt. Ortiz met with me and my husband before I went into surgery and went over everything & answered any questions either one of us had. great guy! I was in and out in 30 minutes..that was including prep and closing me up! Had pretty bad nausea and was past out for a couple hours. But they had me up and walking! After I 'came to" from being a little loopy I felt MUCH better than I anticipated! I spent most of my time on the phone calling family and friends (b/c we were allowed to call anywhere in the US from the room)..so i took advantage of it! Don't remember much of the conversations though...lol I met some GREAT people! (5 others were there getting the surgery as well). I went back to the hotel the next day and did plenty of walking around with my hubby). ....so being home...GAS PAINS!!! UUGHHHH!!! horrible! I never got the pains in my shoulder, but they were SO bad in my chest and then moved into my back! my belly was very bloated and swollen! I pretty much rested and walked... my recovery was not as "speedy" as others.. i had pretty bad port pain too...ended up taking a few more days off from work...which I totally needed! Each day got a tad better... I know its a little TMI...but I never thought burping and farting would feel SOO relieving!! :mad: LOL! Mentally..some days were better than others...but I am sure you all (who have had been on liquids know)...I thought I was gonna cry if I drank another cup of soup!! I just wanted FOOOOOD!! mashed potatoes never tasted so good! LOL I was on Clear Liquids for 1 week, full liquids weeks 2-3 and started Protein drinks week 3 too.... well today is day 22 and it will probably be a while before I actually want a cup of soup!! :biggrin: I was not filled at all at surgery and my first fill is August 12th. Just trying to be careful until then since I really dont have restriction. However, since I am still swollen inside and healing, I get pretty full off of a little bit. I have only lost 9 pds or so....but I'll take it!! I would jump for joy at a 1 pound loss when I used to be on Weight Watchers...so when I had lost 8-9 pounds in just under 3 weeks, I was happy. Plus my doc and many on here even say not to stress about the scale until after the first fill, bc thats when you feel restriction...hopefully. So that's pretty much so far! Erick (my hubby) has been great every step of the way!! I thank God for him everyday! :sad::wub:

Thanks Restless Monkey. After I posted the message I thought the same thing and called. I was seriously one step away from the emergency room! They told me what to do and I finally got relief. (TMI to share on here) lol :biggrin: I still have trouble getting in 64oz of liquid but I get at least 50 oz a day of Water and crystal lite. I am on soft soilds so I eat cottage cheese and yogurt and dairy products usually help me ward off constipation but not this time. Do I have to worry about this being a problem all the time or does it even out? Thanks for your post.

Monday, July 27, 2009 Getting Rid of the Crap Thought I'd give you a heads up on the topic today. In case you're squeamish. If you've ever been on the Atkins diet you know you lost weight but you probably also experienced constipation. You have to pick fibers that don't shoot up your blood sugar. I managed because I took ground flax seed and Psyllium Husk. I also found fish oil helped. Veggies and fruits are carbs and have to be limited on Atkins--especially fruit. I've never been that fond of salads and raw veggies, and fruit is limited because of its high sugar content. Not that fruit ever helped me with a lifelong constipation problem. I could eat a lb of grapes or cherries and see no impact. The food protocol for lap band is pretty close to the Atkins Diet. Protein first. Veggies and fruit in small quantities. Careful with the grains because they swell and stretch the stomach. Regular bread and rice can make you bp when they swell. Whole grains can be added cautiously to help control hunger after you've been on the band awhile and your stomach is healed. So enter my old enemy, constipation. Laxatives barely help. I've added fish oil back and just a little ground flax seed. I'm scared of the Psyllium Husk because I know it expands in water. I drink my V8 everyday as well as some diet V8 Splash to get my veggies. I do have some cooked broccoli and califlower and green beans. All fruit has to be peeled and raw veggies can hurt the stomach. I eat a lot of beans (not green ones), but all they do is make me fart. When I was a kid I was so constipated I only went 1x/wk after my big Sunday dinner. TMI, I know, but I gave you fair warning. Excercise is supposed to help but I'm walking and hour and fifteen minutes everyday. Big meals actually used to help me move it through but I can no longe eat big meals. I take a good multivitamin as well as calcium supplements and I get my dairy everyday, so I'm getting my nutrients. This whole subject gives new meaning to the phrase: this too shall pass. People do not like to be constipated. If you've ever dined in a nursing home you'll find prune juice to be a very popular item. I'd need to drink a quart. I'm finding it hard to come up with any kind of spiritual or tool for recovery meaning to apply to this topic. Constipation is just a fact of life that you have to experiment with until you get relief, whether you've had lap band or not. About the only metaphorical meaning I can come up with is that its important to get the crap in your life out of you. You need to do what it takes to get it moving on out or you'll end up with a sluggish brain and spirit and may actually end up with an impacted brain that's stuck on the same old ideas and ways of thinking and is not capable of changing for the better. Step 6 & 7 deal with becoming ready to have God remove all our defects of character and then humbly asking him to do so. Work the steps, pray, read your Bible, read spiritual books, talk to people who don't look like you or think like you, journal, take some risks, go on adventures, take care of yourself, peel away another layer and reveal yourself, have fun, and don't take yourself too seriously or waste time beating yourself or other people up. Love God above all and your neighbor as yourself.