jst4kel

I was banded Jan 08 and was very happy with my band. By August 09 I had lost 86 lbs, but began vomitting often and not keeping much solid food down. By Sept 09 I was admitted to the hospital for a weekend stay and my band was emptied of all 6cc saline. I was told that my stomach had gotten so swollen that it was almost completely closed at the band. I was left unfilled for 6 weeks and in that time I gained 35 lbs. I had 2 adjustments by Jan, but had no restriction and have now gained back 55 lbs. My doctor can't find a reason that my band is not giving me restriction, so he suggested changing my path and choosing bypass or the sleeve. Just wondering if anyone has come across this. Thanks for any input.

I too had to have an unfill. I got an adjustment in Jan. 2009 and as the months went on, my restriction got tighter and tighter. I was excited because I was losing weight and feeling good. Then about Aug. I began PB'ing often, way too often, and kept putting off going to the Dr. because I was losing weight and so many people were noticing! But my hesitation caused major stomach swelling and by Sept. I was completely blocked to the point no fluids would stay down. I rushed to the ER after calling the Dr. and they removed all 6cc. I was able to drink and keep fluid down. The Dr. would not see me for another adjustment for 2 months to give the swelling time to go down and during that time I ate like there was no tomorrow. Now, I'm not saying I ate a whole pizza or anything like that, but after only eating grilled chicken, salad, and fish for 9 months, I ate anything I wanted, just in smaller portions because I still had some limit to how much my stomach could hold. Well, by the time I went in for an adjustment, I had packed on 30lbs. New adjustment of 3cc did nothing and by the time I went in for the 2nd adjustment after the unfill, I had packed on a total of 40lbs. So much of my hard work was down the drain. I got very depressed. So I had one more adjustment a couple of weeks ago, up to 5cc and now have some restriction, but have been losing 5lbs, putting 5lbs back on. Up and down. I can't eat everything I want, but can not get full on the right foods. So, I am not giving up and you shouldn't either. I had the surgery because I am a food addict and this is not going to fix itself overnight. Hang in there. I sometimes have thoughts of wanting to be like I was this summer, surviving on 1 chicken breast for the whole day, but then I realize that was not good for me either.

No way! I can't eat bread or fries. Maybe the patty if it is thin, but when I am at my sweet spot, 5 or 6 small bites is all I can take without PB'ing.

My Dr says the liquids are important because of the added pressure on your stomach after an adjustment. You don't want to eat anything that may scratch and cause bleeding or an ulcer. I am always very gassy after an adjustment, could that be your swelling? I keep Gas X strips in my purse and usually two will do the trick. Good luck!

I like WalMart's brand (Equate) Childrens Chewable Vitimans. They are inexpensive and not too big, so the taste is not bad at all.

The first thing out of a persons mouth when you talk about food is, " I didn't think you could eat that." Your pets get to know that "look" and sit patiently with you in the bathroom while you PB. Your friends and co-workers modify menus at get togethers so that you can eat also.(I have awesome friends and co-workers!)

I do have regrets from time to time, but they are stupid regrets. I regret not being able to eat a buffet. HELLO! That is part of the problem I had that made me and kept me fat. I am losing weight slowly, large numbers the first two weeks, but now it averages 1 to 2 lbs a week. I am most proud of keep the weight I have lost off. By now, before surgery, I would be packing it back on after 3 months. I am 100% satisfied with my decision to get Lap Band. As for fills, they are quick (10 min.) and painless with my Dr. because he does them at the hospital which is right across the street from his office.

I was told to drink through a straw to keep from gulping my liquids. I haven't had any problems with it.

Thanks to everyone who gave me ideas. I know I should not be drinking my calories, but I am still kinda stuck in the old diet phase of "Do not eat if you are not hungry". Did that too many years and it is hard to break the habit. I know breakfast is important, but sometimes I just find eggs and cheese too boring. I did find a South Beach bar that has 19g protein, 220 calories. High in calories I know, but a good alternitave for me vs. no breakfast.

I am having a hard time getting my recommended 60g of protein a day now. I refuse to drink any more Unjury. Just the smell makes me gag. Any suggestions on how you get all your protein in? Some days I may skip breakfast just because I am not hungry at all, so I think that is where I am falling short of meeting my goals.

I was banded Jan 24 and have no problems with vomitting or diarrhea or any complications at all. My worst complication is that I am still able to eat all those foods that got me to this weight, but I just can't eat as much as I could before. I am still having issues with eating correctly when I know that those bad foods are not making me sick.

I am eight weeks post op, had my first fill last week, and still can't feel my port and I know exactly where it is cause I saw the needle in my stomach!

I like to put dill on my cottage cheese. Not very exciting, but it breaks up the boringness of just cottage cheese and gives it a kick!

I know just how you feel! I was gaining 1/2 lb each day for the first 6 days after surgery. Try to cut out high sodium soups and drinks. I was told it was just fluid retention and it would pass. And it did. I started noticing how much sodium was in the things I was taking in and once I cut back on them, it dropped almost overnight. I was having chicken broth 3 times a day, major sodium and I bet tomato soup is full of it too. My doctor told me to weigh myself daily, but I had to stop because I got so frustrated seeing the number go up and I knew I was taking in 600 calories a day.

You can get a cherry limeade slush! The lemon berry slush is awesome also.