schampange

Well all I have an appointment tomorrow with my surgeon, wish me luck!

Well all I have an appointment tomorrow with my surgeon, wish me luck!

I was very scared to but it was well worth it. I was 320 lbs and am 180 now. It hasn't been easy. You learn what works and use that. Listen to what they tell you. And do it.

No fever. The pineapple juice will dissolve something if it's stuck. It has worked. I am fine.

If we do a FB group can we do a locked group and you can allow people in- but there are lots of people I dont want knowing I am banded. Also can we make the name a sort of name that doesnt say lapband - because some people can see which groups you are in- even if they are locked- they just cant see your posts. Thanks
I returned to my doc this week after a year and half away from him. Almost back at my starting weight. He was sweet and compassionate about my struggles and said sometimes people just need to take a break and when you are ready- the band is waiting for you. He actual removed about 1 cc from my band- since I was having some pains. We did a barium swallow- showed a little reflux but band was in correct position and not slipped and also no dilation. I go in two weeks to get an EGD done (scope) just to see if I have erosion- he doesnt think I do- but just to be safe.
I have no restriction right now. I could eat bread! I am amazed that 1 cc made a huge difference. I have 8 in my 10cc band.
Pain is better now.
I just struggle so much and love reading post like yours that make me feel I am not alone.

Hello everyone, I had the band in 07. Weight at time of banding 234, current weight 186, lowest weight with band 173. I fell off the wagon, have had multiple complications but have not been back to the doc since 1 year post op due to financial problems. I have decided to go back in within the next 30 days to get checked out, get an unfill if he can since my port seems to have flipped sideways. I just love that you all are supporting each other, I would like to become a part of the group ! My goals: get back to dr., figure out what is causing the complications and fix it, regain control of my eating habit's, start exercise more and get to my goal weight of 147-155 or where the doc said 150-160. I drink when i eat so i can get more than 2 small bites down, i eat the way wrong foods, I crave sugar and carbs all the time. Protein even shakes are hard to keep down. Miserable just miserable, I cannot wait to get this figured out. I await your advice critiques

Hi Schampange,
I tried paleo on and off since July 2012. All in all, I gained weight. While I do believe in the science behind it, I've finally given up on it. It also felt restrictive with what I was allowed to eat. Somehow it was better in theory than in practice for me. I have since joined weight watchers. I had my first meeting today and am hoping I'll have success on it. Best wishes to you finding what works for you. Lord knows I'm still trying to figure it out!
-Hilary

Schampange - I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble with your band. It sounds like you are way too tight! I hope you get in to see the doctor soon.
Update about my progress:
I know I'm eating way too much. My band lets me eat a good sized dinner. For example, tonight I had a slice of meatloaf and about a cup of sweet potato. That is about 2 cups of food. I know I shouldn't be able to eat 2 cups of food! But, if I go any tighter I end up on soft and mushies and throw up all the time. As it is I throw up a few days a week now. I'm confused about how it is so hard to get food down sometimes, but I also have such little restriction as far as how much I can eat. If anyone has any thoughts on this, I'd love to hear.
I fell off the wagon with my super strict paleo diet. I've made a few adjustments to make it a little more do-able (added dairy back in) and am back on track as of today. I'm also committing to track my calories every day. I waffle back and forth about what is more important to count, carbs or calories. I'm still not sure. I also didn't exercise last week. I tweaked my back on Sunday and took a few days off. I'm headed back to yoga tomorrow and took a 45 minute walk today.
I'm miserable in this body. I'm weighing in between 204 - 209 depending on the time of day. I hardly have any clothes that fit, my face is fat, I feel icky. I've got to get some weight off! I feel so frustrated! I thought I had weight loss surgery so that I'd quit having to diet all the time and quit being fat!
-Hilary

I agree with everyone, see the doc! I can't speak to the port pain because I'm still pre-op but I have been experimenting with lots of different ways to make the Protein Powder shakes taste better!
If you don't have one, I would get one of the mini handheld blenders, they're not too expensive and work great for camping or traveling. Blending tastes better than shaking!
I've found that Greek yogurt really helps cut the chalky taste so I've been using a combo of Water and greek yogurt (non-fat, high in protein!)
Other tricks...
Add flavor drops. I use the ones found in the water aisle (Dasani, Mio), nice and tiny for carrying around and you can add a no-calorie flavor to your shake.< /p>
Citrus juice, straight from the fruit so no added sugar. It may sound gross to add lemon, lime or grapefruit to a vanilla flavored Protein powder but it works, the acid cuts the powdery flavor.
A little Peanut Butter. Adds protein and lots of flavor, especially yummy with chocolate flavored protein powder.
Pre-made shakes. They can be expensive but my nutritionist recommended a brand that costco carries, Premier. It's more affordable to buy in bulk. Ordering online at Amazon.com can also be cheaper than picking them up in a drugstore or grocery store. They don't have to be refrigerated until you're ready to drink one so that might be good for when you're on the road and faced with only fast food options.
Good luck!!

You can request a Copy of your Records with a signed release form.
While you are doing that and waiting, start looking for a New Surgeon.
If you tell them you are all messed up like I was ! The response that I got was "NO SURGEON WILL TOUCH SOMEONE ELSE'S JUNK !"
So I told them I moved, and I found a surgeon to look at the whole thing under Fluoroscope.
Anyway nothing wrong with the band ! that a adjustment couldn't fix, and I did regain almost all of it.
So my advice to you is what I said, and move on it.
Shirley.

Reading these posts make me so sad. I'm in Canada where health care like that is all paid for. I'm sorry you have to stress about money and live with pain, because docs are expensive.

on the food front, you could stock up on fresh fruit to carry in the truck.

I was just diagnosed with a completely flipped port. Having revision surgery this Wednesday. The only difference I can feel is a slight twinge of pain when I lay on the port side.
I have no restriction or reflux at all.
That's why it is so important to go to Dr. Living with reflux is not good.
Just explain to the Dr. that you fell on hard times and didn't have the money, which I'm sorry you're going through that, its rough. 6yrs ago my husband was self employed and we had no insurance, you just don't go to the Dr.
What happened to the days no one had health insurance and anyone could go to a Dr? Miss them days.
Keep us posted.

Thanks for the encouragement. I will definitely get that app. Its time for me to regain control

I agree with going to see the doc immediately. I did want to comment though on the trucking. My father in law is a truck driver. He used to be over weight but then was diagnosed with diabetes and heart problems. He lost 100lbs and drives cross country all the time. He did it by keeping oranges and fruits in his truck. He used to eat bags of cheetos but stopped buying stuff like that. Mostly just cut out all of the bad carbs. He never did have any kind of WLS surgery.I think my mother in law just scared the hell out of him lol. My husband and I regularly meet him at truck stops for dinner. He gets salads and chicken breast all the time.
I just wanted you to have faith in yourself. Go see the doc. See what they can do for you but know it is absolutely possible even with driving cross country. You can do it. And don't be embarrassed. Your doctor is there for you to reach out to. If you are not comfortable with him/her maybe see if there is another doctor in your area that can help you. Keep your head up!

Thanks for the encouragement. I will definitely get that app. Its time for me to regain control

Hun.. please please go see your doc! if he is to expensive maybe call around and see if there is a cheaper one. I just recently stopped working, so I asked mine how much out of pocket will be, she said 50.00 doc visit, 100 for an adjustment.. not to bad.. considering the health issues you are causing yourself. Let us know how everything goes..!! good luck hun!!

According to my surgeon, the success of the band is depended upon you seeing your surgeon and getting the the right fill in order to lose and maintain weight. I'm glad you are going to go see your surgeon and you can continue to see them a few times a year. Congrats on your Weightloss and keeping it off for 5 years.

I wanted to reply so you do not seem alone in this. My advice to you is to see if another Dr might see you on an emergency basis and let you pay it out.
Also only eat what you are suppose to even if you can eat more, just stop, measure it out. You have worked so hard I do not want you to gain it back.
I know the more experience bandsters will be along soon with the good advice. But you do need to get in and have a flouro and see if everything is okay does not sound like it. Call some more doctors and see if someone will work with you. I think when you have paid so much to your Surgeon he/she should see you. Did you try talking to Dr himself or office manager. Or if you can just go there and demand to be seen. They took your money now you need their help.
Cheri

I think the first thing you need to do is see your Dr. You need to make sure everything is where its suppose to be.
You know being too tight can actually cause you to gain weight, by eating more sliders that are higher in calories, but easier to get down.
I strongly advice you, call your Dr.
Best wishes