Xandy&Zak'sMum

I have been banded just over a year (August 12, 2010) And have lost VERY little weight (less than 20 pounds) I actually lost more weight pre-op in the opti-slim liquid diet. I realise this is mostly my fault, I don't exercise... my band restriction is pretty good. I rarely feel "hungry" and get full quickly. Here is my problem: 80% of what I eat makes me throw up. I cannot eat bread, toast, rice Pasta, beef, chicken, even most veggies. All seem to get stuck after the 3rd or 4th bite. And it is NOT how I chew, as the Dr has suggested. I have chewed and chewed until the food turns to liquid. Still comes back. I don't think the band is too tight as this doesn't happen ALL the time, I may have 1 or 2 days a week that I can eat normally and not throw up. My BIGGEST problem is the frequent throwing up, even when I try to eat healthy, and I can't tell you how many times its happened in a restaurant and ruined my day. I get miserable. I get depressed, and then here comes the milkshake and chocolate and ice cream, because they all go down no problem! My sweet food consumption has increased like tenfold since being banded. Lucky thing I haven't gained any weight! I just don't know how I can go throw life eating only yogurt. I even threw up from eating a pear the other day... I hadn't even had half of it! I don't know whether to have a complete unfill, have the band removed, or just keep being miserable. If I gave up sweets and exercised, I'd probably starting losing again. But feeling so drepressed or all the throwing up makes it very hard to be motivated...

Hi fellow banders. I was banded a year ago in August, and I am still struggling. I could really use a band buddy if anyone else can offer some inspiration and encouragement. I have not lost much weight (my fault, I know) and also struggle with frequent throwing up. It isn't everyday, I don't think the band is too tight. But I've had a hard time dealing with giving up so many foods... even healthy foods. I can no longer eat bread or toast at all, no beef unless it's mince (and then I struggle with it) no chicken cooked in any way, I don't eat fish anyway. I wasn't expecting to be SOOO limited in food choices. Sadly, I don't struggle with chocolate or ice cream and that has been my downfall. I weigh less than pre-op, but not much. Anyone else out there struggling?

Hi Catblue, It really does get easier. I do still struggle, but slowly food becomes less important. It doesn't consume my thoughts anymore. Sometimes I will really get a craving or miss things, but 5 months out I can definitely say my outlook is different. I have messaged you! You can do it. It will be hard at first. You may be depressed, or frustrated but things will get easier and you will think about food less often and once you see some results, it will be a big boost. Stay in touch!

Hello fellow lap-banders, I am new to the forum and in desperate need of support and advice. I was banded in August of last year, and lost about 20 pounds pre-op. I was very close to 300 pounds prior to that, and I am 5ft 5 inches. Since banding I have maybe lost 10 pounds (if that) and struggle almost daily. My restriction is great. I have no problem with hunger really... but here's the thing. I bring food back so frequently, usually healthy foods, that I get discouraged and eat what I shouldn't.... which tends to go down easy. Mainly ice ream. My band is not too tight, I can drink fine and sometimes I can eat with no problems. I do try to eat very small bites, chew a lot and eat slowly. However, I am throwing up about every other day, and usually when I am having trouble keeping food down it seems to last for several meals. I cannot eat rice at all, Pasta usually causes me trouble but sometimes is OK. I cannot eat chicken or even ground beef. Yesterday I had 2 bites of a very tender chicken breast and it came back. Tried again about an hour later, same thing. So I am comfort eating still, even with the band. I struggle with depression and have been overweight since I was about 16. I wish I would have had gastric bypass instead, it's what I wanted but surgeon thought lapband was the best way to go. I feel like I could have skipped the whole surgery and opted for bulimia I throw up so much. Any advice? I really think the band is not too tight... it's just very frustrating and depressing. I cannot eat any kind of bread or meat. Or pasta usually. Even veggies cause problems sometimes. So... I know I could probably lose more if I quit eating ice cream and chocolate all together, and exercised more etc etc but I am quite depressed over how often I am getting sick and feel as if I cannot even eat food that is healthy anymore. Anyone else have this problem?