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Nexium is a really good medication for acid reflux, but most insurances don't cover it. You can try getting Prilosec OTC, Aciphex, or Zantac. Acid reflux is really common. and if you cut out spicey foods, alcohol, chocolate it will minimize it! Good luck!

want, today is day 12 and no chips!! OMG I'm actually doing it, I can't believe it! The longest other time that I know I recorded going without chips I believe was 35 or so days. That's a good long time, and for some strange reason I brok that and have been eating them ever since. I believe it was April of last year even. I lost about 20 Lbs. that month too... so sad I gained it back. :crying: But, today is a new day and I won't dwell on the past. I will only look to my future and and what I can do to improve my attitude and my willingness to succeed. That is a wonderful idea to cut out the Reese's. Make sure you count the days, I do and it seems to work wonders for me. Almost like how an alcoholic counts the time in from their last sip. That is exactly what it is for me, and addiction. I won't down play it any more than a drug addict should. It not easy but I have to do it, for a better me!! So far I have been doing an excellent job. I just got back not to long ago from my 2.25 mile walk at lunch time. The sun is starting to blaze here in CA so I might need to consider upping the time which I go out there. I feel overheated by the time I get back. I'm sure the smaller I get the better that will be, as far as overheating. Too much padding = too much over heating!! :rolleyes2: LOL!! I'm doing so good even that I'm making sure I'm even splitting my healthy snacks into servings. I took my almonds and made them into 1/4 cup servings which is one serving. It's about 28 almonds. I know it sounds like alot, but when your eating them, trust me it's not!! Haha!! :laugh::laugh: All week I have had my small dinners too. I had two Lean Cuisines on Monday and Wednesday. Then on Tuesday I had a half sandwhich and a bowl of soup. Not bad! It's starting to show finally on the scale. I was starting to think I was never going to lose weight again. I won't let that stop me though, I won't take a breather until I'm under 200 Lbs. I'll need to let my mind catch up to my body. I don't know what happened before but when I lost all that weight so quickly, my mind just flipped a switch! It was kind of scary to be honest and I did lots of things I wouldn't normally do. I think it was also a major contributor to my gain (along with BC pills) and falling off the wagon. I won't let it happen again though, ever! I have way too much at stake, and I need to take care of myself. Many people depend on me for that. I have to LOVE me too!! One thing I have been working on specifically is ensuring I'm getting enough fiber in my diet. I'm eating more whole grain cereals, along with the milk. That is a great meal packed with Protein, Vitamin D and Fiber. Being a bandster a tiny bowl makes it. It makes me feel good! A good snack also is the Fiber One cereal bars. They are about 170 calories, so I break it in half and mix it in my FF yogurt. It's really delicious and there again is that Protein/Fiber mix! I think when I'm regular, I feel "normal"... LOL!! I don't know, I just feel more energetic and ready to take on any task. Now again I'm usually really good during the week. It's the weekends that I have the most trouble. Wish me luck because it starts in about 2 hours. :crying:

heartfire---when I had the problem of throwing everything up, and I do mean everything, there was a point it was darker, but that was only a short time, and then it went to being exactly what I had drank and nothing else. My surgeon told me, if I was bleeding and it was going into my pouch or stomach and sitting, when I threw it up it would look like coffee grounds. He also said if I ended up with a tear in my esophagus it would be a RED blood as it would be fresh. In my case (I had a twisted intestine, and NOTHING was passing) nothing stayed in long enough for it to be old---be it blood or water. I drank, it went down hit the blockage like a trampoline and up it come! My DH had a really serious, life threatening GI bleed. He had heart surgery - his mitral valve failed. Then the local Dr.'s office mis managed his coumadin (blood thinner) therapy, and misread a chart from a 7.1 to a 1.1, and upped his dosage again. Or it could have been the other way I don't remember. Anyway the antibiotics he was on made him sick, and when he vomitted the first time, there was only a small red speck or 2-but noticable. Within minutes he threw up again and it was all BRIGHT RED. We head to the hospital, and you could see his abdomen swelling. They kept after him "are you sure it was blood?" he told them to give him something cuz he was fixing to show them. She handed him the little kidney shaped spit dish, and he grabbed the wash basin--and filled it with blood! Ended up he had what is called a double Mallory Weiss esophageal tear. They are very common in lesser severity among alcoholics and anorexics, because vomitting weakens the esophagus, and they vomit frequently! His Dr. called us in and told us he would likely expire (HATE that word) in the next 10 minutes, because he had so much coumadin in his system that they simply could not find a way to staunch the flow of blood. Ended up he and a surgeon tried an experimental approach with some balloons, and saved his life! Even with all the blood they gave him, every time it cycled through his liver, the liver and all the coumadin in his system, pulled the clotting agent from the new blood as well. He ended up in ICU for a week, and is now in several medical write ups!!! No bleeding of the GI tract should be ignored, but especially if there are extenuating circumstances, and her band is definitely one! She could be dealing with an erosion as opposed to a slip....they happen. That post scared me for her too. Wish we knew what happen!

The hardest thing for me to deal with after being banded is that I’ve had to learn how to live my life without “using” food. Not that I’m trying to be dramatic, but I consider myself to be a recovering addict, and that’s pretty much something that no one goes over with you in pre-op orientation. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why I would have periods ranging from slight sadness to extreme anger, and it would happen all of a sudden. Then, the other day, after an explosive confrontation with someone, it came to me so clearly: I’m having to deal with, cope with life without my “crutch.” It’s like being an alcoholic or a recovering drug addict. I mean, I could make any situation so much better for the time it took to wallow in some food. Bad day, argument with my husband, coworkers driving me crazy, overdrawn bank account…whatever…no worries…give me a cheeseburger from the Sonic, a large order of onion rings, a route 44 Slushy and a bag of Hershey’s kisses with almonds and my world could come crashing down around me, and I’d die smiling; but no more. Now, I have to deal with things…REALLY deal with them. I see things clearly…too clearly at times. But hey, I’ll gladly learn how to live this way, and I mean “gladly”; gratefully, happily and gladly.

The hardest thing for me to deal with after being banded is that I’ve had to learn how to live my life without “using” food. Not that I’m trying to be dramatic, but I consider myself to be a recovering addict, and that’s pretty much something that no one goes over with you in pre-op orientation. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why I would have periods ranging from slight sadness to extreme anger, and it would happen all of a sudden. Then, the other day, after an explosive confrontation with someone, it came to me so clearly: I’m having to deal with, cope with life without my “crutch.” It’s like being an alcoholic or a recovering drug addict. I mean, I could make any situation so much better for the time it took to wallow in some food. Bad day, argument with my husband, coworkers driving me crazy, overdrawn bank account…whatever…no worries…give me a cheeseburger from the Sonic, a large order of onion rings, a route 44 Slushy and a bag of Hershey’s kisses with almonds and my world could come crashing down around me, and I’d die smiling; but no more. Now, I have to deal with things…REALLY deal with them. I see things clearly…too clearly at times. But hey, I’ll gladly learn how to live this way, and I mean “gladly”; gratefully, happily and gladly.

I am on my second day of my diet and I am starting to worry about my liver not shrinking enough. I have had years of overeating, drinking alcohol,and I am sure probably other unhealthy habits that I am not even aware of. My surgery is in 9 days and dont see how a two week liquid diet can really shrink my liver after years of unhealthy habits. I am on an 800 calorie liquid diet. The nurse said to drink slimfast, 3 cans per day and any low or no-calorie liquids. She said I could even have a glass of dry red or white wine as long as it falls into my 800 calorie allowance. I guess at this point I am so nervous and scared that something could go wrong. Any input or advice would be so appreciated.

You have to watch the calorie and fat content too. Many of those sugar free goodies are quite high in both. I do not indulge in goodies on a regular basis. I need to leave room in my pouch for good nutritious food and as long as I am still in the losing stage I want to watch the in-between meal snacking. But when I do get a sweet tooth I eat 1/2 a South Beach Cereal bar or a SF Fudgecicle or Popsicle. South Beach also makes an oatmeal cookie snack that is pretty good if you watch how much you eat. BTW, sugar alcohol will give you gas and possibly diarrhea so you may want to keep that in mind. But it does not affect your blood sugar.

Is it ok to eat those sugar free snacks like cookies ect? It says no sugar but has some sugar alcohol. Please let me know!

Only last night i had a couple glasses of wine and a glass of vodka also with orange juice . first alcoholic drink sine op , I was fine , went down ok , didnt feel the need for any more ... note the 3 drinks were consumed over a period of 5 hours . My surgeon said fine as long as in moderation and again the empty calorie scenario .. ie calories in , but nothing much else from the alchohol. That had been my first drink in 6 weeks , which is good for me as I do like a drink also , but thats the old me and now I am just going to treat myself once a month , to a couple of drinks whilst out after having dinner with my wife. Again as recommended discuss with your surgeon , everyone different and everyones surgeon give different advice based on what info they have etc tc best of luck :wub:

Hello...I have 8 years clean and sober and I am being banded in Mexico on April 16, 2009...I feel like I am checking back into rehab now that I have a surgery date...I am looking to see if there is anyone local to me who would be interested in correspondence/support. It seems like staying clean is easy-just stay away from it, BUT WE ALL HAVE TO EAT!! UGH...I am taking it second by second.HOLDING ON!!!

First, go see a nutritionist. I can tell you what my surgeon said and what my nutritionist said. Start with protein. These are the things that will fill you. Avoid empty calories and things that go through the band too easily. Alcoholic beverages, mashed potatoes, shakes, cereals with a lot of sugar, nuts, milk. Normally, nuts and milk are considered healthy. But for the band, you don't get much "bang for the buck." They have minimal nutritional value compared to the fat and calories and won't fill you up at all. When I'm getting ready to eat (other than the last 2 weeks when I've been really bad), I consider the nutritional value (especially protein) and how it will go through the band. Is it going to get stuck or just go through? If it is going to stay in the upper pouch and not pass through, then that's what I choose. If it will go right through and has empty calories, I don't eat it. I'm not perfect. I still say what the heck and eat things I shouldn't, especially the Starbuck (you'd be amazed how many calories are even in the sugar free). But I'm so much better than I was.

I was banded on 10/23/09 and had wine on Halloween. Was totally fine (and in moderation, of course). My doctor says that it's fine to have alcohol, as long as you keep in mind the calories and don't over do it. Probably the biggest concern is making ABSOLUTELY SURE that I am never hung over (thank you, New Year's for driving that point home. . ). You can not throw up from your lower stomach with a fill in your band without risking slippage (not to mention that it would be very scary and unpleasant), so you absolutely need to make sure that you do not ever get to the point of being hungover. I posted a little about this in my blog. Feel free to check it out! Best wishes for your success, Catherine

i'm 2 weeks out from surgery... i really really want a drink... how long did everyone wait til they started drinking again?

Here is my pre-op instructions verbatim. From Pre-admitance test until day of surgery: Do not take any asprin, anti-inflammatories, herbal suppliments or Vitam E. Do not Smoke. Do not drink alcohol. Day before surgery From the time you wake up in the morning drink Clear liquids only. Take 2 Dulcolax tablets at 10am. Stop all liquids at midnight. No gum, hard candy or mints.

Hi Everone Hope you all had a good easter and congrats Gillian on you weight loss! I am suffering from severe head hunger today (think too much alcohol over the weekend did not help!) I just want to eat everything but i still have really good restriction and i cant! I know i should not moan because really i dont need the food, guess you cant win either way...just want to fill the bath up with chinese and stick my head in it

You can usually get them to go a little bigger but I darn sure didn't want that. I want tiny and that's what I got. I maintain without effort. It's a trade off, you can have a bigger stomach and use will power to control portions (HA!) or eat normal size portions every single time. I do not look at obesity as an addiction to food at all, I look at it as an obsession. With that said wanting to overeat at a restaurant is really no different from an alcoholic wanting to drink just on weekends. WLS takes the fun out of eating but that's a good thing. We tend to enjoy food, restaurants, etc., a little too much and that is what got us fat.

No more beer or soda forever! I am 4 weeks out and my boyfriend and I went to the bar this past weekend. Before the surgery... I could take out quite a lot without being phased. This weekend, two drinks did me in for the night. Be very careful and cautious until you learn how your new body will handle alcohol. My surgeons office has no policy on alcohol, but I would definitely suggest calling your surgeon's office and asking. All doctors really try to stress for their patients to avoid alcoholic drinks in general because of the empty calories. Again, it is best to call and ask YOUR doctor. Rachel

How long after surgery does one have to wait before having a beer?:smile:

Good Morning Gang - I'm Back !!!! OMW we were busy over the weekend.. I am just going to start out with quick notes to our newbies :0) - You guys have been giving great advice and I really can't top what Apples, Long & Phyl have already said - but just want to let you all know that I have read your post and glad you are joining us.. Laura Welcome !!! Slow down - you were just banded - you are doing great !!! One day at a time - it doesn't come off overnight - I know that we think it should cuz we are hardly eating compared to how we use to eat... Marty - Welcome - Glad you joined us... #1 Nov is 7 months away - why did you cancel your trip !!! You have just started this journey - why are you giving up before you even start... Spayneuter - Of course Jilliepooh - Glad to have you.. Deb Welcome you are just 1 month out - take a chill pill - this doesn't happen overnight.. Ok - To all above - most have already read the great help that you were given while I was visit my DS & family this last weekend Here's my 2 cents. #1 Banding is NOT DIETING - Diets don't work what happens every time you go off your diet - you go back to eating normal - and then you slowly gain all your weight back - WAKE UP CALL - EATING NORMAL IS WHAT GOT US FAT IN THE FIRST PLACE :0) We have to learn to eat healthy !!! #2 It's not the magic cure all easy fix to our issues with food. Our issue with food are mostly mental IMHO #3 The weight isn't going to come off over night - but will tell you that 1/2 here a pound there all adds up and you will be totally surprised that by the end of the 1st year how fast those little #'s add up.. #4 Our bands are only tools - They don't make our food choices - they don't go out and exercise - they only provide restriction once you have gotten to your sweet spot - and for some that may take longer - but it will come and in the mean time you have to eat healthy Our band's don't stop us from eating slider foods (soft or liquid calories) Cookies - chips/dip - candy - Ice Cream - milkshakes - wine - margaritas etc - slip right thru the band Janet's Secrets to weight loss and how I did it.... I tracked all my food for the 1st year. I kept a little note book in my purse - my doc gave me a calorie counter book and if I needed to I would google how many calories where in my food and log it - but there are tons of sites where you can track on line. I weighted and measured my food for correct portion size - who knows by sight how much 3 or 4 oz of something looks like.. I eat off dessert plates - I use children's silverware - and I have 1 cup bowls I am not dieting - I am eating healthy - my prior diet was large portions - high fat and high sugar My diet now consist of eating healthy 98% of the time allowing for treats 2% of the time and Exercise 3-4 days a week.. During my weight loss phase - I ate 800 - 1200 calories a day and varied them - I exercised 4-5 times a week - slowly at first then gradually increase my speed and time on the treadmill - I only did treadmill for this 1st 8 months - then last march got a trainer and now work out with weight 2 x week and do the treadmill 2 x week in addition to my weight work out... Bander rules - Protein 1st, veggies and starches/carbs if any room left - tiny bites, eat slowly and chew well. no drinking after meals for at least 30 minutes 60 grms protein - per my doc Tracking - weighting - measuring your food is all just a learning tool - you don't have to do this for the rest of your life - just until you have learned what 4 oz of meat looks like and that if it's fish it has about 150 cal for those 4 oz's - for us a serving size was a 16 oz steak - a large baked potato with the works and the basket of bread before our meal ever came along with the Soup and salad.. It's all about planing - and keeping the junk out of the house - we are food addicts - would you leave a bottle of booze on the counter if you had an recovering alcoholic in the house - hell no - so why would you have a choc cake on the counter or cookies in the pantry if those are your trigger foods and you have no control if you start eating them Keep a food calorie budget - allow for treats occasionally but withing your calorie budget - if you go over that budget that means you are going to have to increase your exercise and eat a little lighter the next day.. Ok - this is just some of my secrets - but they really aren't' secrets - but I gotta get to work and need to close this for now... So will check back later - Keep the questions - feelings etc coming we are all here for you.. Niecey - I did a tv commercial for my doc's office - part of it has shown on our local station - but not the whole thing with me talking - so far they just flash my before pic then you see me talking (but don't hear anything) now - so it's my after - it's really more about a commercial for the local channel and the doc's on their website... Julie - Hugs Girl Friend I have kept you in my prayers [ Claudine - Glad you had a great time with your sis and great on the exercise !!! Long - Love the current pictures - you go girl... Phyl - didn't reconsign your new avatar - was that your easter bonnet?? Ok gang - I have been on here for and hr - and I need to get to work - my boss just came in - so I will ck back later Hugs Janet

I have actually been on the other side. I have seen children in danger and social workers do NOTHING. I reported my own sister a few years ago because she was heavy on drugs and living with a man who beat her and her little boy. They never had food. My sister and her boyfriend took all the money they had each week and bought drugs with it. They always had their power off and they never had water. Their house was nothing but filth. They didn't have running water, but they would still use the toliet. And of course they couldn't flush it, so you can imagine the smell. They had roaches everywhere. They would take the little boy with them to buy drugs and they would run out of gas in the middle of the night and have to walk home with the little boy in the freezing cold. They got food stamps, but they would sell them to buy drugs. They were all 3 skin and bones from not eating. My sister would not get any help. I got tired of my nephew living that way. My sister would call the cops when he beat them, and he would go to jail, but she always took him back when he got out. And he always got out of it when he went to court. So I reported her to DCS. It took them months after I reported her to send someone out. The social workers didn't do anything. They offered my sister and her boyfriend alcohol and drug counseling and they went for a few months. But then they just stopped going. And they continued to live that way for years. DCS never went back. They didn't do one single thing to help my nephew. He should have been taken away ASAP.

I think the study concluded that mouth wash with alcohol can lead to an increase in cancer rates. But you should probably use a non alcohol brand anyway.

I am now past the 6 month mark and I'm down close to 60 pounds. (55 to be exact) I am starting to get comments from people about looking like I've lost weight and I'm down to a size 16 on bottom and a 14 on top. I tend to struggle the most with stopping when I'm starting to feel full and also not drinking calories...must remember to stay away from high calorie alcoholic beverages and to keep my Starbucks drinks to a minimal amount of calories. I tried eating more protein as my doctor suggested which prevented me from losing and stopped the hair loss...as soon as I stopped eating as much protein then I started loosing again and my hair started falling out again. It's a Catch-22... I am looking at old photos to see the difference from now to then and I do see some but not as much as I'd like to see. I really don't think I'm going to be really pleased until I get below 200...17 more pounds. My goal is to lose this by my birthday...July 28th. I am a little concerned because I'm up to 8.3 cc's in a 10 cc band and I've barely just gotten to the point of restriction. I still can and have always been able to eat more than the 1/4 cup so...I am the proof that you have to use the tool correctly because it is only a tool and not a be all end all. I also started going to a local support group so I can remind myself to stay on track and give back to other people who are just starting out. Aside from that...I'll check in next month.

I am now past the 6 month mark and I'm down close to 60 pounds. (55 to be exact) I am starting to get comments from people about looking like I've lost weight and I'm down to a size 16 on bottom and a 14 on top. I tend to struggle the most with stopping when I'm starting to feel full and also not drinking calories...must remember to stay away from high calorie alcoholic beverages and to keep my Starbucks drinks to a minimal amount of calories. I tried eating more protein as my doctor suggested which prevented me from losing and stopped the hair loss...as soon as I stopped eating as much protein then I started loosing again and my hair started falling out again. It's a Catch-22... I am looking at old photos to see the difference from now to then and I do see some but not as much as I'd like to see. I really don't think I'm going to be really pleased until I get below 200...17 more pounds. My goal is to lose this by my birthday...July 28th. I am a little concerned because I'm up to 8.3 cc's in a 10 cc band and I've barely just gotten to the point of restriction. I still can and have always been able to eat more than the 1/4 cup so...I am the proof that you have to use the tool correctly because it is only a tool and not a be all end all. I also started going to a local support group so I can remind myself to stay on track and give back to other people who are just starting out. Aside from that...I'll check in next month.

My liver shrink diet go like this Remember: Vegetables are unlimited on this diet. (except potatoes, corn, beans, and peas) Breakfast Protein Shake or Protein Bar Mid Morning Snack 1 small piece of fruit (if you have Diabetes add 4oz low-fat yogurt) Lunch Protein Bar Or Shake Mid Morning Snack 1 small piece of fruit (if you have Diabetes add 4oz low-fat yogurt) Dinner 3oz meat (lean)-The size of a deck of cards steamed vegetables or salad with Fat-free salad dressing 6 un-salted crackers or 2 slices low-calorie bread or 1 small baked potato 1/2 c fruit or 1 small piece of fruit Evening Snack 1 small piece of fruit (if you have Diabetes add 4oz low-fat yogurt) (you may use any shake as long as it has 220 or less calories and 10g or less fat/serving) (you may have non-caloric beverages on this diet) NO ALCOHOL Examples: Decaf Tea, Crystal Light, Sugar-free Kool-aid, Water This is only for the 2 weeks before surgery This is what my Doctor gave me