notateechanow

Berry, I'm not in your position, but I've certainly had a few rough months of ignoring my band. I know how hard this must be for you, but I strongly suggest you make two appointments---one for the nutritionist associated with your program, and the second with your surgeon. Be honest and tell them you need to start over. Ask their advice. They're there to help you. You can't work the band until you find out how to do so. You're not alone in this, and the more you isolate, the worse it will be. Reach out for help. If your program offers a support group (mine has been amazing and truly THE reason for my success during difficult times...) start there. Don't beat yourself up, but figure out how to fix the situation. Start when you're ready. It's there for you to use....but you have to be ready to use it. Good luck! :laugh:

My surgeon recommends visits every 4 weeks, give or take a week or so. (I assume that depends on how aggressive the fill and the size of your band, though..) He will fill only if 1) you're hungry between meals and the prescribed 1/2 cup of food doesn't satisfy and if 2) you aren't losing at least 1-2 pounds per week. Otherwise, he'll suggest you meet with the dietician and figure out how you're working around the band. While I've lost relatively slowly, I am down about 80-85 pounds since starting in October of 2008. I've lost 20 pounds in the past month and had nearly 5 months of not losing. I'd strongly recommend you check in with any dietician/nutritionist to be sure your diet is on track, too. Also, movement is so important. It is undoubtedly the reason I started to lose again.....I'm doing about 16-20 miles a week on the treadmill. It's the amount my body needs to lose weight. If I do more, I get hungrier. If I do less, I don't lose.....keep track of everything you're doing to find your body's balance. Keep an open dialogue with your doctor, too....

Come to the support group with us on the 20th. Know that it's never too late to cancel should you have major doubt. When you talk with all of us, you'll have a more accurate depiction of what this is all about....the good, the bad, the frustrating, and the glorious new life. We're all honest and direct, but more importantly, we're here to support you....

OH, Gina... So sorry to hear you've been through all of that. I'm not sure if you can try to schedule a trip up to the actual support group meeting, but I've found it to be invaluable to talk with other BANDED people...Yes, the doctors have experience and have done hundreds of these, but which one ever actually HAD a band and knows what I'm feeling, first hand?? I know some of us try to schedule any fill appointments for the same day as the support group meetings, just to save the trip into Boston. We'd love to have you join us. Many of us go to the Brigham's group because it's bigger, but also on Tuesday. The Monday group at the Faulkner is far smaller, but also harder for most of us to get to. The next Brigham meeting is on the 20th, the day after the MLK holiday. Hope you can make time to join us! :thumbup: Good luck. Get back on track and get rid of the extra 14! Did you schedule your next meeting 4 weeks out? You can always cancel or reschedule in a few weeks if you don't need it....

Hey there, littlefroggy. A few things to consider. My band is really affected by my mood. If I'm stressed, it tightens, even when I don't realize I'm in a stressful situation. I'm tighter in the morning and when I haven't eaten anything for a few hours. I get up and eat a little something before going out for breakfast or brunch, just to test the waters and to loosen up before heading out and to avoid issues. You can have some tea/coffee before a meal to try to loosen things up. Also, be sure you go to your fill appointment even if you don't need it. Your doctor may take a little out if it doesn't improve or suggest you not get a fill this time around. Regardless, if you have insurance, you should still go! I also have issues with eggs. I know a lot of people eat them with no problem, but for some reason, I'm better with crispy pizza than scrambled eggs! No idea as to why.....The last thing you might want to consider is your menstrual cycle. When I'm PMS'ing or have my period, I'm far tighter. Hope that helps. Good luck. Be sure to find ways to get in enough calories or you'll slow down your losing..... :wink_smile:

The other things to consider, too, is when was the last time you ate before that? What time of the day was it? Were you under a lot of stress? I have difficulty if I haven't eaten in more than 4 or 5 hours. I sometimes can eat a few bites then wait a bit....and I'm able to eat more again. Take it slowly. I find that I can eat if I am very consciously eating. In the meantime, wait until you're feeling better before trying food again! If you have a particularly difficult time, go back to liquids again for a few meals. I'm so tight in the morning that I can rarely eat solids--other than a bowl of cereal. I also struggle when I'm stressed or PMS'ing. Just some things to consider. Keep track of when you have issues so you can figure out your body and how you are affected by different events. Good luck. Feel better.

Good girl!! See you on the 20th???

Heidi, HOW ARE YOU NOW??? YLJ: Even if you're scheduled for a fill, your doctor will ask you a few questions to determine if it's really appropriate to give you a fill. 1) Are you hungry between meals? 2) How much are you eating at each meal? 3) Do you feel restricted or can you consume at least the directed amount at each meal? If you're feeling restricted and don't want a fill, you should still go in for your regularly scheduled appointments, at least for the first 6 months or so. It's good to let them document your progress and check to be sure that things are ok. Congrats on your weight loss! It's great to hear you've had such success!!!

Hey there, Heidi. Hope you're ok. I went to see Dr. Robinson today. Mr. Personality was very awkward when I ended up crying in front of him.....OH, my....not a comfortable situation, but that will definitely teach HIM to ask, "Is everything ok?" Yeah, it was BAD.....but I didn't get an unfill after all. I'm down 15 pounds in the past month so I'm told I shouldn't workout as much and to go out and enjoy the holiday week and EAT. Ha, ha, ha......So.....I'm all ready for our next meeting. Hope you all had a great holiday. May 2009 be an even healthier and happy New Year for all of us. Hope you'll all be there on the 20th.

Hey there, Amy. It's been an hour since you posted and I hope you're ok. I think the best thing to do is just wait it out, provided it's something that will dissolve eventually. If you can get/keep tea down, you should be ok in a little while..... Sorry to hear you're struggling. Keep us posted. They're back in the offices tomorrow so you can see your own doctor, rather than someone in the ER who isn't familiar with the Lap Band.....

I would strongly recommend going to one of the support group meetings, either at the Faulkner or the Brigham. The Brigham's group is more well attended. (we all go!) If you can make it, you should go! You'll get lots of answers for any questions and apprehensions you may have. Please join us! :hurray:

Wait it out. No telling if it will or if you'll have pain. Just try not to panic. It will move along, but do not drink anything to wash it down. That will just make it worse. Do the best you can to go about your day without thinking about it. Despite getting something "stuck", food will eventually dissolve. Gum will, too. The more you panic, the worse things feel. You'll be ok. We're here for you!!! Good luck. :hurray:

I've had issues, but even with them, I've never regretted my decision. We talked about this very thing at our last support group meeting we all went to. I've only lost 85 pounds, but even with that, this is a new year for me. I struggle with keeping food down now, but even today, I was ok with a yogurt and 3 turkey meatballs even though my house is filled with food. It's provided me a freedom I never imagined I could have. I knew I love to eat and cook, but never realize how obsessed I was.....I workout far more than anyone I have met and haven't lost as much as I expected. However, I'm down from a size 24 pant to a consistent 14. I can do 60 minutes on the treadmill without being sore after....that alone is HUGE for me. The band has truly provided me a freedom I never imagined. It wasn't about the weight for me...it was the lack of control. I have that now. Good luck. Have you decided on your surgeon? Please, keep in touch. I know we're all very willing to chat about our experiences here. :hurray:

Ronin, Stress makes my band tighter, too..... Glad to hear you're getting down some liquids. Did you make an appointment to SEE your doctor, though?! :thumbup:

It's not necessarily that you're losing restriction, so much as you're adjusting to it. It could be you're just accustomed to it now. Keep in mind it will be easy to get down the bad foods, like cookies. Be sure you follow the plan with your proteins and vegetables and consume the amount directed by your doctor. It isn't unusual for you to feel less restricted after a while. You'll just get another fill when you need it. Don't give into it though. Make sure you stay on plan and don't overeat. You'd hate to have your hard work slip away because you're able to eat more.....

Regardless of what the cause is, you need to call your doctor immediately. I, too, have struggled with keeping food down. I had a fill in April but needed an unfill in July after months of being ok. I went again in September for another unfill. I just couldn't bear not eating any more. I'm not sure it's a slipped band or just your band tightening, but either way, you definitely need to see your doctor on Monday!!! Don't wait. This is really not healthy. The band is supposed to restrict your intake, not prevent it! Please call your doctor. Keep us posted. :thumbup:

Oh, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling too. Are you filling up fast or having a hard time getting things down? If you're filling up, then chewing long won't make much of a difference. Have you played with different textures? I actually have a tough time with things that have a lot of liquid. I know it's supposed to be easier, but I do better with crunchy stuff. Also, if I haven't eaten for too long, I have a harder time eating. Mornings are always a challenge, but late night, there's nothing stopping me!! The more you experiment the better. Eating one thing at a time works best during the experimentation so you can figure out what does and doesn't work. Also, what works today might not work tomorrow or even later today....it's all so fickle! Hope it gets better. I assume the next meeting isn't for at least 2-3 weeks. It's usually the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of the month. I'll check in this week when I'm there. :tongue2:

What time is your appt.? I'm headed in at 10:45 on Tuesday....

Ok...back to the drawing board again. After a miserable Christmas of throwing everything up, I'm headed for an unfill on Tuesday. Nothing gets "stuck", but everything comes right back up! I'm hoping his computer is back up and working and he'll have my history of fills and unfills in front of him this time...MIGHT be helpful. :tongue2: How was everyone's holiday??

24 POUNDS?! Yay, you!!! Great job. Glad to hear you're feeling well and able to live with the band. It is a huge adjustment. Happy holidays! See you in the new year. :thumbup:

It means being appreciated AND respected for what you say because people aren't too preoccupied by how you look.....

It sounds like he'd be best to start with group therapy. If his surgeon is part of a group, I'd expect that they offer this. Most surgeons have a monthly group meeting. After that, when he's really ready to face some of those not so hidden demons, he should start with the one on one counseling. It isn't easy, but it is well worth it in the end. Deal with the most pressing issue first---if you're right and he'll only listen to those of us who have been banded, then take him to a support group meeting. Call his doctor's office and ask if they have one or can suggest one..... Good luck. He's so fortunate to have you, but be sure not to try to "fix" this for him. He needs to handle this one--with your support--but on his own. :thumbup:

Hey there, ladies! I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I've been looking for pictures from last Christmas so I can see how far I've come. I've been baking up a storm and haven't even wanted any. That, in itself, is a HUGE accomplishment!! Have a super holiday. When is the next meeting? Drop me a note to say hello when you have time! I'm off til Jan. 5th. :thumbup:

As I mentioned earlier, my band tightens when I'm stressed. I go to counseling weekly. The band just didn't solve all that ailed me. The other thing to consider---I have a problem getting food down if I haven't eaten for too long, too! If I have something for breakfast--like a protein shake and get too busy to eat lunch, I have a really hard time getting dinner down. The other issue can be if he's really hungry he doesn't chew well. I do find myself eating food that comfort but don't sit well. I can't believe how much I relied on food for comfort in the past and didn't know until I recently had a lot of upheaval in my life. He needs to get some help. He should be adequately adjusted by now and needs to be honest with his doctors. They can't treat adequately if they don't know the extent of it.....

There can be several different reasons for vomiting. First, he may have too much restriction. (The band is too tight, causing pain and not allowing food to pass through, so he vomits it back up.) Another cause could be that he's not eating the appropriate amount of food. Unfortunately, the band only restricts your stomach, not your head. If he hasn't changed his eating habits, it's possible that he's over eating--particularly if he's not measuring his food. One more issue could be that he's no longer able to consume the same kinds of food as before banding. Each of us is affected differently---I can't eat soft foods because they are easy to eat without chewing properly, so while they go down ok, they come back really fast! Many banded people have issues with rice, bread, Pasta, etc. Good news is, there's very little nutritional value in these foods. Lastly, he may also be someone who panics when he starts to feel the tightness of the band. I have had times when I've preemptively vomited because I worry that something I've eaten will get stuck and intentionally vomit it back up. If he works closely with his surgeon and nutritionist and follows the "rules" of eating, he should be ok. I think you'd be well advised to have him talk with his doctor. I know my ex was concerned for the same reasons and eventually pushed me to get an "unfill" of my band. I found that my band tightened with stress. Many of us are apprehensive to unfill because of the potential for gaining weight back. It's a hard balance to find. But, with good support from the doctor and nutritionist and honest communication, he should be ok. Good luck. :thumbup: