Debbie P

Boy you said it in a nutshell. Yes, I was banded 12/03/2007 and today I have only lost 47 lbs. I have the same problems as you, throwing up anything solid before 6 p.m. If I have anything for breakfast, its liquid, lunch consists of salad and apples, or soup which they said not to eat, and dinner, well it depends. Last night for example I ate Ahi Tuna (rare) which I can always eat, not last night. Threw up 3x before anything would stay down. Like you I know the difference between hunger and (thinking your hungry). I'm 49 and have been on this roller coaster ride too long. I have been to the doctor to have my band checked under the x-ray. That 1000.00 was wasted. Then in December he told me I have been throwing up for too long, and he was removing the fluid from my band for 2 months. The 1st of February I was back for my fill, only to find out I gained 6 lbs. during my "unfill time". Now, I'm filled again, and throwing up again. This is no way to live. We are cruising in April and my husband is worried I will throw up all my food on the ship. Yet, I hate to go back to the doctor cuz every fill costs 200.00. So, if you can help me, please suggest away. The pain in your shoulder, yep I have it too. It never went away. Another blessing new since my surgery is pain in your chest when food dosen't go down. Lovely isn't it. I question if I should have just done the GB. I will never know. Best of luck to you. Debbie

I would love to hear the outcome of your situation. Me too, I have the same problem. Everytime I get filled, they can't seem to pull out what they put in. I've been checked under the scope and they tell me everything is in place. I've lost 60 lbs. but no matter what or how much I eat, no weight loss. I hate to exercise but that seems to be the only way. Good luck.

I have had more than 10 and been stuck 2 times. Never eat flour tortillas.

He thinks I did reach this plateau for now. When you have a lot to lose your metabolism isn't working like it should or for a thinner person. This might be it for me unless I do a drastic change. I am not the person that can live on protein shakes. I had so many of them I will puke if I have another. My fill is 2.7 cc now on a 10 mm band. The problem with this is I cannot eat breakfast, ( I will throw up anything before noon), lunch is ok - salads, apple & peanut butter, but dinner well that is another story. Last night I could not eat, but was hungry. This is my standard problem. Nothing solid really goes down well, but sweets and the wrong stuff does. Wish someone could explain that to me. I hate throwing up, but if I am not this tight, then no weight loss is expected. I'm real undecided about the band, some times I think the gastric bypass would have been better.

Heather, You look great. Could you tell me what you typically eat for a day. I was banded in Dec. 07 too and have only lost 64 lbs. I am at a period where nothing is changing. Had another fill today but still do not feel the restriction like I should. Help. Debbie

I feel the same way you do. I was banded 12/3/07, 1st fill 1/4/08 and only lost 64 lbs., but have gained 8 lbs. back. I was told today by my doctor while having another fill, when you weigh alot before surgery, you may only lose this and it may be it. He also stated he has changed his mind on exercising. He used to say eat 19 potato chips, walk 2 miles, now he says that is unrealistic. Yeah! I hate to exercise. But I work in Schaumburg, IL and live in Genoa, IL. Email me if you want to keep in touch. Then we can exchange email addresses. Debbie

BC/BS sucks. Yes, I did. Good luck. Dot all I's and cross all t's, that's the best I can tell you.

Hi there, Well you diet is definately different than mine was. I was told only liquids, not any food 1 week prior to surgery. The less you eat of solids, the better. The object here is to lose 10 lbs. or more. You can definately do it on liquids, but let me tell you its hard. I only ate Soup, clear, Jello, no pudding, popcycles, tea, Water w/lemon, Better than broth soup starter is good, go for the vegatable or chicken. I did cheat and have a soft boiled egg once. Once you have the band, you will be real good in the beginning. Follow doctors orders, try not to cheat. I had my surgery 12/3/07 and my 1st fill 1/4/08. I've lost 64 lbs. so far, but have had many fills. I am able to eat to much I think. I was over 300 lbs to start and just with todays fill the doctor finally said starting that heavy I might be at my goal for now. Gastric bypass patients will lose quicker, but lapband patients, slower. Anyway you look at it, you will be on a diet the rest of your life. So, don't cheat, follow doctors orders, good luck. Debbie

I just want to say thank you to everyone that replied. You guys are the best for knowledge and information, much better than the clinical people that have not gone though it. I will take all you suggestions and put them to good use. Thanks again. Debbie

I thank you for your suggestions, they are great. Could you also tell me your typical foods for a day? I did sort of cover most of mine, but I did forget I do put some cheese in my salads (low-fat), and eat low fat cottage cheese sometime, as well as an apple with low carb/low cal. peanut butter. I think it is very challenging to keep up with a variety of foods on this diet. I cannot face to see another protein shake. If I have to I will die!

I must agree with you, I do not exercise as much as I should. I have a long commute to work and usually only find time during the weekend for exercise. That part is true. As for the food journal, yes, my doctor keep suggesting that I write it all down. My husband who is a diabetic actually keeps track of everything he puts in his mouth so I go with that since typically we both have the same meals. But I guess I never thought it would be so hard. It seems like bypass patients have it easier. Maybe I wrong, but at this point it will take another year to lose it. I will see how my fill goes tomorrow. I find that if I am real tight, I cannot eat breakfast and lunch isn't great either. But by dinner time I can eat. Do you feel that throwing up is a problem cuz when I'm tight that seems to be the thing I do after taking a few bites of food, then after that passes, I can eat. Weird huh?

Can anyone tell me why after 9 months of being banded I am stuck and not losing any more weight? In the 9 months of banding I lost 51 lbs. and have been up and down with my weight ever since. I eat a normal diet, oatmeal Breakfast, salads lunch, and usually fish (broiled or baked, chicken, etc. for dinners. I just went on vacation to Disney World, walked the entire park 2 days, and came home to see I've gained 2 lbs. I'm pissed! My friends say its muscle gain, but I've discussed this with the RN at my Bariatric center and she has no explanation why I'm gaining. They say stay around 1000 -1200 cal. per day to lose weight, but I'm hungry and that is not enough cal. to keep me full. I've had regular fills, and having another tomorrow. My doctor filled me as much as possible since I was flying and the band gets tighter when you fly, so he was concerned that I get to tight and not eat at all. That didn't happen. I guess what I'm thinking is maybe I should have had the gastric bypass. Can anyone help with my problem? I'm sure this has been discussed several times, but I could use help from all of you that have experienced the same thing. Thanks alot!

Don't be discouraged. It happens to all of us. I don't get on the scale around that time, it will eventually go away.

Donna, Be careful with fast food. The McDonalds fruit and yogurt has tons of calories, its awful. I looked it up and I remember its real high. When in doubt, order brothy soups, no creamed soups, lots of fat. Good luck.

Aubrie, Thanks for the info. I don't know what I have either, other than its a 10 cc band. I'm at 2.9 fill right now. All I can say is that for the 5 days in Vegas I had, it wasn't until the last day I could eat any solid foods. I lived on Soup and free drinks! Thanks Debbie

LessandLess and Everyone Else who Helped Me!!!! You are all so sweet to reply. I really appreciate all the comments. Thank you all. Debbie

Gayle, I thank you for your in depth explanation. My husband does have heart problems, and he too has stents. He is going to my lapband doctor tonight for discussion. All of the many replies were wonderful. I believe you all are really great. My husband is not really overweight, he is about 200 lbs. and 5"9, but his diabetes is awful. He is on a new med since he had to come off Metformin, (something with your liver after being on it a long time). He has had diabetes for 18 years and is on Lantus shots nightly. His eye site is bad, now has cateracts, and his heart doctor says he really has to watch is food intake or he will have problems with his heart again if he gains weight. The problem with my husband is he loves carbs, Pasta, bread, etc. It dosen't help that we are Italian and that is a main staple in their diets. I think if he can give up carbs like you, he will be better off. I too gave up soda, bread, pasta, cakes, anything like breads. I cannot digest it at all. It seems like lately I throw up every meal that I have solid food. It takes time to settle, and eventually I can eat. Strange. But, thank you all for your replies. Debbie

Thank you for your reply. Yes, it helps alot. He is only considering lap band to get rid of his diabetes or at least drop his insulin. I will give him this article. I just saw the diabetes forum, this is great. Thanks again.

My husband has stage 2 diabetes. Does anyone know for sure if lap banding will help cure this? I thought I heard if you have diabetes, gastric bypass will cure that, but I'm not sure with lap banding. He is not to overweight but has health problems that by losing weight should help with, but the diabetes is the worst. If you know or have this situation too, please let me know what you can. Many thanks, Debbie

My question is this: I had my surgery on Dec. 3, 2007. I've had several fills since then, but recently I went on an airplane and out West to Nevada and since flying I can hardly digest anything solid. I was told flying makes the band tighter, and high altitudes don't help either. Has this happened to anyone else? I have all I can do to eat 1 meal per day, unless its something like salad, or liquid. But yet I'm not losing much weight with this. I'm watching calories closely, but unless it's water weight I'm confused. If this is familiar to you, please let me know.:thumbup:

Hi fellow banders, Could everyone put in their favorite recipe's for all to share. I think of everyone on this website posted their favorite recipe we could all benefit from it. I know I've posted 2 of my favorites, low fat pizza and low fat enchiladas. I think this section of this web site is fantastic. I'm always searching for new recipies for variety. I know many of you must have something you could post. So, post early and often! Looking for help here so we all have variety in our daily lives. Debbie:thumbup:

Im in the same situation. I had my surgery 12/3/07, first fill 1/4/08, 2nd fill a week later and 2 more fills since then. I'm going back on 2/29/08 for another. I suggest you do your next fill under the x-ray so your doctor can see why your not filling to stop your hunger. That is what I'm doing. I want to know why I can eat more than others. I'll be happy to find out why too. Good luck. Debbie

Houston, Texas I guess the first thing is to ask how the doctor does his procedures. Does he to it lapscropy (sp?) or open. Then how big is the band he puts in, and what should you expect from his point of view for the amount of fills you will have. Then I would ask if he expects you to be on liquids 10 days prior to surgery and how long afterwards. What type of food will you be able to eat after the healing period. If you take medications, find out if you can swallow them or have to crush them. Good luck. I had my band on 12/3/08 and my first fill 1/4/08. I'm down 35 lbs. and feeling terrific. I think you will be glad you chose this instead of gastric bypass. I've not heard to many good things about that surgery. Debbie

I would assume that he takes Mexican patients, but I don't know for sure. He gives free fills for the 1st 6 months after surgery. I would call for a price check.

I'm not sure where the Quad cities are, but my fill doctor is: Dr. Roger Mallifier in Dekalb, Illinois - 815-748-8304. He is affiliated with Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb Illinois. Good luck, he is really good.