Trouvette

I have developed a strange issue where cannot eat while sitting down. I immediately start trapping. If I am laying on my side or standing, I’m ok. I did not have this problem before and I haven’t had a fill in a while. Any advice?

Hi Bandsters, I had my last band fill in November 2019. It put me up to 7.5 in a 10cc band. I was fine with that fill for a few months, but then COVID hit. During the lockdown my band became unbearably tight and I got acid reflux for the first time in March and was unable to eat or drink anything. My surgeon managed me through that episode, but I still wasn't very healthy. Since then, I continued to have difficulty eating, but had the added complications of blood pressure drops, causing me to become dizzy. I even fell to the ground on some occasions. I was feeling so miserable that I finally went to my doctor last week and asked to have some fluid removed. I am now down to a 7cc fill, but I am now uncontrollably hungry. I've actually forgotten what it is like to feel this way. I'm trying my best to not eat everything in sight, but no amount of protein is bringing my hunger under control. I have gained 7 pounds in 5 days. I need to get a handle on this. Have any of you encountered this on your journeys? What did you do to keep your hunger in check?

Hi All, I've been struggling with hydration and caloric issues when exercising lately, to the point that I am getting early warnings of dehydration. I play tennis a minimum of three days a week, and the summer has been killing me. I can't seem to drink enough water to keep up with my needs. I actually just finished a weekend tennis camp and I had to put salt on my tongue every hour to try and retain some of the water I was losing by sweating. I also think I need a few more calories to maintain performance, but protein bars have been a no-go for me. I can only manage one bite. Do any of you have experience in adding more calories and water to your diet for sports? What has worked for you?

Yes, from what I can gather, the majority of his procedures are still bands. But he is a pioneer in the field and lives with the band himself, so he has a unique perspective. I also wonder about the practices of the other doctors that banders have used. Not every doctor has the advantage of how huge the NYU Langone network is. The care is exceptional. Earlier this year I had to go to the ER unrelated to the band (dehydration because I played seven hours of tennis without realizing that I was dehydrating!) I couldn’t keep down a sip of water as a result, so I went to their ER. As soon as I mentioned that I was a Fielding patient, they had the on-call doctor from Fielding’s office doing a consult, did an esophagram, did an unfill, gave me more fluid via IV than they would a non-band patient because they understood that I would have more trouble than most for a while. It wasn’t even a bump in the road because I got proper care. If you don’t have easy access to your team, I can totally see how the band is a less attractive option. I wouldn’t, for instance, do the trip to a doctor in Mexico for the procedure because you won’t have your team when it’s all over. I’m a battleaxe. I have to stay active here so we all have that support base. But I do think the website founder should do a dedicated forum for revisions.

This is just one thread. A few months ago there was someone here who went out of her way to comment on any post she could find about the band so she could trash the procedure. There was someone who asked for advice on what to eat after a food trapping who got flooded with negative commentary about the band!

Jendkopp, understood. But consider this from the point of view of someone whose only option was the band. We all chose our procedures knowing the risks. I understand that people want to and need to share their experiences, but it is not helpful to flood those of us who have the band with horror stories. Perhaps there should be a dedicated forum for procedure revisions. But I don’t participate in this forum to be told that my choice is wrong and that I will fail eventually. I’m not saying that you personally have done that, but it has been my experience here. I come here to speak with other banders about their day to day with the band. This is supposed to be a support group.

I have had my band for a year and a half now. It has been discouraging to come on to this website because I come here looking to share tips and advice with other bandsters and instead all you see are horror stories and people trying to dissuade others from getting the band. It's incredibly unhelpful and I wish that more of my fellow bandsters would come out of hiding to re-balance the conversation. I won't sit here and tell you that my experience will be the same as your experience. I will tell you that my experience thus far has been overwhelmingly positive with the band. My weight has gone done, my energy levels have gone up, and I exercise vigorously at least four times a week. In fact, I play tennis tournaments and league matches with no issues. But most importantly, what procedure you chose to get is a decision best made between you and your doctor and not a bunch of strangers on a forum. My surgeon is still a big believer in the band. In fact, he has a band himself and has had his with no problems for many, many years.

Water seems to be fine in sips. Anything else has been problematic. I've only managed a few sips of a protein shake in the past hour. Just got back from the doctor. They took half of the fill out. I feel much better. Thanks everyone!

Water seems to be fine in sips. Anything else has been problematic. I've only managed a few sips of a protein shake in the past hour.

Hi All, I went for an adjustment this past Thursday and my doctor added an additional two cc of fluid into my band. For the first time I am facing serious resistance in my band. I ate two small shrimp over the course of an hour on Saturday evening and could not keep it down. I had coffee on Sunday morning and could not keep it down. I had two pieces of penne on Sunday night and could not keep it down. I struggled to finish half a cup of Activia yogurt on Sunday night. I tried to eat a sous vide egg bite this morning and could only get through about a third before I started feeling sick. Is this what normal ideal resistance should feel like, or do I need to go and get an adjustment?