Kat225

I am sorry that it has not done what you expected it to do. It does not always work out for people, and the bypass is the same way. But you have lost alot of weight it looks like. So it did help you lose. Hope things get better for you.

yeah I lost but I gain 30lbs back now....and I only lost from being sick all the time. I might as well just be bulimic!

Had my surgery in Mexico so now all I have is a dr. to fills...no one to help me with problems or issues etc!

"Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck." Yes, I am a little over 2 years out and this happens to me. Usually it is because I am dehydrated, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I recently learned from my neurologist that Crystal Light can cause dehydration (among other things -- I can no longer drink it due to negative side effects). I used to drink it ALL the time! No more artificial sweetners for me! I have discovered Stevia ... it's okay.

So can you tell me more about this dehydration thing? What is the deal with sweetners? How does this effect the band?

"I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!" While I would not say that I am a food addict, I am an emotional eater ... any emotion, good or bad. Something that has helped me tremendously is seeing a therapist, an obesity specialist. She gives me tools to deal with using food as the answer to everything. You might consider seeing a therapist to help with your "food addiction". It can also help you to stop snacking when you are "not really hungry".

I am a slow loser as well. I frequently fight with the same 3 lbs up and down for 2-3 months. But once they are gone, THEY ARE GONE. Fortunately, I am not in a hurry to lose the weight, though I would like to lose a little faster. In order to lose faster I know that I have to make a BIG commitment to doing different and more exercise as well as being more consistent with my "healthy" food plan. I walk 3+ miles each morning before work and 1 or 2 on the weekend. This is actually not enough. I am seeing a physical therapist 1-2 times a week and after a 40 min workout and 20 min massage, I am exhausted AND I feel it in my muscles so much more than I do power walking 3 miles. Who knew? So, it is encumbent upon me to do exercises that will help me build muscle so that I can lose weight faster and more efficiently. This journey is no walk in the park, but I am okay with it.

I suggest that you take some time to think about what you can do differently to speed up your weight loss. You are sooo close to goal. (Lucky you! I still have about 60 lbs to go. ) They say those last 30 or so pounds are the hardest. We, on this forum, are all rooting for you! You can do this!

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran

I was banded in May of 2008. I have always had very slow loss and am at 60lbs lost with 30 to go. I will go for months not losing a thing and then lose only 2 lbs for the following Dr visit.

I am a food addict and food is on my mind most of the time. I thought I would be at goal by now!

I have gained a couple of pounds and then took it back off, but I am confused at the green zone. I do not feel I am at the green zone, but neither of the other zones fits either.

I'm not really hungry between meals, but do snack sometimes. Should I have some Fluid taken out of the band? Sometimes I can eat anything and the next day, I can hardly eat a thing without feeling stuck.

Have any of you been in this same situation and what would you recommend??

Thanks!

Wow! I feel like your telling my story! I am def a food addict!!! Love food! Obsessed with food! Wish I could afford to see a therapist that specialized in this area of addiction, because it is very different!

I was band just a month before you and have now lost about 50lbs. I was down about 75-80lbs but I recently put weight back on. I was so tired of being too tight and sick one day and then could eat anything I wanted the next! So I got some unfilled and could eat a lot...pounds came back quick! I'm convinced that there is no sweet spot for me. Can't figure this thing out to save my life! My band has a mind of it's own and I'm so tired of this struggle! Went back last month for a fill since my weight went up like 30lbs! Now it'sback to the same thing! Can't eat for 3 days and I will be starving then I pig out the 4th day because my body will be starving! My metabolism is probably so jacked up...I'll never lose this weight!

I hate this stupid band! It was the worst decision I ever made. I should have gotten the bypass! Either I can eat everything or I can eat nothing!!!!!!!!!!! Lose....gain.......lose....gain!!!!!! I'm in so much pain right now after throwing up because I must have taken too big of a bite of something. Don't know if I have a slip or not! Sick all the time and still over weight!

I have had many stuck/vomiting episodes. The slipped band was observed under fluoroscopy during a routine lap band appt.

When you were at the ER did they x-ray your band? When I have had a bad vomiting episode it has been advised and has helped to take prilosec daily for a week and to back down to liquids, mushies only.

The vomiting causes the stomach to swell and the band prevents it from swelling out so it can only swell in.

Joan

NO! I had some stupid resident that doesn't know what she is doing. She gave me Maalox and a protontic and told me to follow up with a GI specialist. I've had issues with being stuck before and having some pain and swelling after, but never pain like this or for this long! Since the episode, I've only been drinking Water and just a few hours ago, I started taking small spoons of runny pudding. I had my surgery in Mexico so I don't have my surgeon here. I have a Dr. that does my fills but she is not a bariatric Dr. She is 1hr and a half away. They told me to go to my family Dr. so I'm headed there by 2:30 today. I'm also experiencing pain in my shoulders like I did after surgery. The pain is very sharp at times and gets worse when I move around. I have to keep moving positions to get comfortable.

How did your band slip? How did you know? A few days ago I got stuck really bad and threw up repeatedly. Ever since I've been in severe pain. Worried that I may have slipped. Went ER and they did nothing for me....

Over the last week or two my band became much tighter than usual. As a result I was PBing a lot more! Like in the past after my stomach gets irritated from being tight and PBs, I usually get pain and can only drink Water and pudding. This time it's different. I have been really sore and can barely keep down water. I can't sleep because when I lay down I have more pain and that's when even water comes back up. Usually if I get irritated it goes away within 12-24 hours but this in going on 48-72 hours. I'm really getting worried that I have slipped. Any opinions or feedback on this would be great! I called my doc yesterday and they can't get me in til Monday but I am calling in a few minutes when they open to beg for an emergency appt. today. I am so uncomfortable and tired because I can't lay down to sleep. I have to sleep sitting up so I wake up every half an hour...feel like getting this thing removed all together sometimes but don't want gain weight. I have about 30lbs until my goal and I'm getting married in May. Don't know what to do!

I live in York but i had my surgery in Mexico so it's hard to find a US surgeon who will see you...I have to go Fredrick, MD to get fills and care. Not a huge deal because I like my doctor. She was banded herself in Mexico and understands the process and struggles. If you're interested in her info, let me know. It's about an hour and 15 min away from York.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I was beginning to think I was some rare case. My doctor told me that the band responds to hormone changes and that's why right before and during my period I can barely eat anything and then by the end, I can eat like a pig! It's just really hard to keep my control after starving for days on end. So like when I can eat...I EAT! I'm also on BC pill and that is a hormone...was curious if that had anything to do with it. It's just making it really hard to take my last 30lbs off because I will lose 5-6lbs but then I put it right back on beccause I pigout after starving. Ughhh! If I had self control I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place! Guess I gotta just deal with it and try really hard to control myself on the days I can eat a lot!

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

Is there anyone out there who's band restriction fluxuates all the time throughout the month?

Example: Monday I can eat a lot and eat almost anything (rice, bread, Pasta, etc) but then Tuesday I can slam shut and only eat soft or easily broken down foods...then Wednesday I may only be able to drink liquids.

Just can't figure this thing out even after all these years. Fill then unfill...PBs all the time then pigout a day later????

Can anyone relate?

I was thinking the same thing because I haven't had a fill or unfill in a long time now (probably 8-9 months). It's just because I lost restriction so suddenly that it worries me. I hope and pray it's not a leak!. Can't wait to get to the doctor to find out! I am eating everything under the sun now!

Lost restriction all of a sudden after all these months. Thought I was at my sweet spot but where did it go? Did this ever happen to anyone else? Did my band break/leak? Have an appointment Wednesday to see my fill doctor...

Tell your doctor! Insurance shouldn't have to know, it's the doc's call if he wants to do the surgery with your situation.

Kat, I don't know how hungry you are in the mornings (I usually am not, but I know I need to have something to get my metabolism going), but do you do Protein Shakes? That way you're not forcing food down when you're tight but still getting something in.

I started to add Protein to make coffee in the morning...

Thanks for your concern.....contacted a doc in Mexico- yes, I know.....swine flue-

but I can get round trip airfare and a hundred buck unfill...cheaper than any doc around here.

So, I'll be going next month.

I hope you get everything worked out....

Kat how are you doing? did the unfill do the job for you or are you still having problems?

I got my first fill with my new band and I am doing great. I cant eat much but I feel great!

I'm so glad you are doing well with the new band! I on the other hand am not very happy. My band still plays tricks on me from time to time. It's been a lot looser than before, but it still has a mind of it's own. It's either I can eat a lot or I can eat very, very little because I will bring it back up. I'm pretty miserable today so that's why I'm so negative. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time...

KAT!!! HAPPY BANDIVERSARY!!! I see it's one year today!

Congrats!

Thank You!!!!

Kat,

I know exactly what you are experiencing with the eating. I do not throw up but I think that's because I can feel it coming on and stop eating immediatlu. It is truly is a day to day thing with me.

I now have 7.2 cc's (as of today) in my 10 cc band. I told my doc about it today when I went to see him and he didn't act concerned he just gave me another fill. I see you have 8. something but I was wondering whst size band you have?

I have a 9cc band. It's the Realize J&J band. Even though they are 9ccs, it can hold more. Extra saline can be in the tubing is what my doc explained. Honestly though, I had an unfill Friday because of my problem and it has helped me sooooo much. I can eat now in the evenings everyday since. No more guessing games! My doc wasn't that concerned when I told her about me throwing up either. She only wanted to take out .25ccs and I told her to take more so I got .5 out. It is what I needed or I was really going to hurt myself!

Has anyone experienced blood when your food comes back up? I have days where I can eat like a normal person, then I have days where nothing stays down. The blood happened today, and it scared me. I have already called the doc.

I was actually just talking to someone on here who was having the same problem. She was intolerant to the band and had it removed. I was having issues where I was throwing up alot but then other days I could eat. I was advised to get an unfill. I had one Friday and it helped sooooo much. What did your doc say? Is he or she gonna take a look? It doesn't sound good.

Actually, It's Science!

:eek:

I don't know why you felt compelled to write this but as for me and my house we worship the LORD!

Kat- Do you normally feel tighter in the morning? I used to be tighter in the morning no matter how much I had in my band. I was tight in the morning, able to get some down at lunch and able to eat a normal meal at dinner.

How much did you get unfilled? Was it completely or just a little bit?

Yes. Mornings were always a problem for me. So based on Fri-Mon. it seems like I am exactly how you described. I can't eat in the morning and can get down very, very little at lunch but by 5pm, I can eat a satisfying dinner. At least that was my pattern all weekend. I just need to not try and push it over lunch. It's like I want to eat just a little more than my band allows and that gets me in trouble. But I think I can live with being able to take it easy all day and then have a satisfying dinner. As long as it is consistent and predictable now, I can handle it. I hope this throwing up crap is over! Thank you for the support. Where would we be without this site!

There is a cycle here, an inflammation cycle. You are swollen from barfing and the unfill. You really really need to stay on liquids for a couple of days until the swelling goes down and then you'll be able to eat.

Barfing causes swelling, swelling causes barfing, it just gets worse.

Liquids today. ;o)

Ok what seems to be the pattern since my unfill on Friday is I'm tight til about late afternoon. I can eat very little so I've been pretty much sticking to liquids for my morning and afternoon. I may have a bite of something for lunch or try some Soup. But every evening I am able to eat like I should. I can eat solid Protein and veggie etc. It is very similar to when I had good restriction without complications before all this happened. As long as I have some consistency and predictabilty, I'm happy. I can handle eating very little during the day and having a satisfying dinner. I just hope this is how things stay....

Yesterday after my unfill, I felt great and was able to eat YAY! But today...not so good. I will see how the day progresses...

Ok... so yesterday after my unfill I felt great. I was able to eat pretty easily. I even had bread! So I was thinking...ok this is great, I can eat again. This morning and afternoon so far I am pretty tight. I had just a few chips and I feel stuck. I will see how the day goes and report back...keep your fingers crossed!

ParrotheadCathy

Hey...I was wondering if you recommend a certain brand of cottage cheese that tastes good? I am just not a fan of that stuff but maybe I tried the wrong kind. Or maybe you can give me a serving suggestion instead of eating it just plain?