AnnieMae

I had my Realize band placed in September 2008. I had an endoscopy last month by my GI doctor primarily for esophageal dilatation. After the procedure he informed me that he could not detect any restriction with my band at all. How is this possible? I have very little "wiggle" room left in my band and am almost at my fill limit and yet I have gained back nearly half of the 30 pounds I lost in the first 3 months after my band placement. I see my LAP-BAND® surgeon Friday July 2 and I am once again afraid to get on the scale. It is true that I am eating too much but that is simply because I am hungry! I have never ever felt restriction and am so depressed about gaining this weight back. I think I have become obsessed with food which makes losing even more difficult for me. The funny thing is if I eat too fast or take too large a bite I will either vomit or need to stop until the food goes down. How in heck can I have no restriction and yet get food stuck??? What the heck is going on?? Any ideas would be appreciated! PS: Even though I am eating too much I am seeing a behavioral therapist and I am exercising routinely.

I was banded 9/30/08. I managed to lose 30 pounds but have gained 8 of that back. The ONLY change I have noticed is that if I eat too fast food will get stuck and I will either have to wait until it goes down or bend over and let it come back up. I DO NOT experience a full feeling any sooner than I had in the past. I feel stupid for not being able to lose more weight but I also feel that the band was supposed to help me eat less and keep me from getting too hungry. Nope. Not happening. I'm scheduled to see my doc in followup Monday and I am afraid of what he is going to say as I am sure I will be 3-4 pounds heavier than when I saw him last about 8 weeks ago. I have 7ccs in a 9cc Realize band. I am now wondering if I should have had a gastric bypass instead of the lap band and if I my insurance (BCBS of RI Healthmate) would cover the surgery? Any suggestions welcome. I see the dr. Monday 8/17/09. THank you!

Hi Janet. I'm Annie from Rhode Island. I had the Realize band inserted 9/30/08. I have a total of 5.5 ccs in the band now but still no restriction (I do get food stuck sometimes, however). My dr. schedules every 6 weeks as he is soooo busy. I return to him next Monday and this time I am afraid to go as I have not lost any weight and may actually have gained a pound or two. I sure could use your help. My problem is sweets and they sure do go down easy! I had lots of will power in the beginning but have lost no weight the last 2 months. Any words of advice? Thank you so much in advance.

I pretty much feel doomed. I get food stuck at times but do not experience early feelings of fullness. I feel like I'm back to square one.

crzy: I am down to 197 ( 1 lb lost) -- slow but steady. please post in the challenge. Happy Easter! Thank you

I ate a hard boiled egg this morning too fast or didn't chew well enough and experienced the worst "stuck" episode ever. This time I actually experienced the "sliming" I have read about (if long threads of thick drool is sliming). The pain was intense, I started salivating, I tried the downward dog position, all to no avail. I was at work and had to run to the ladies room and to my surprise I actually vomited (not just productive burping) the egg and the yogurt I had been eating. This was a frightening experience for me and I hope I have learned a lesson. I have had trouble with hard boiled eggs in the past but this was the worst! I think I read somewhere that if you vomit or get food stuck you should revert to soft foods for a while. Anyone know if that's what I should do? I'm starting to get hungry....

Hi all. Down another pound (now 197). Slow but steady I guess....

Hi there. Weigh in this morning was 198. 2 pounds lost. :frown:

Hi there. My user name has been changed from mrsezova to AnnieEmmm. I am getting divorced...

THanks for the input everyone. Firstly, No fluro is used for my fills. They are done in the doctor's office and they don't even hurt but at this point I would put up some discomfort if it would help. My portion sizes are too large and that's because I'm hungry! If there are any suggestions or questions I can tell my doctor at my appointment tomorrow please let me know. Thank you all!

I would like to join this challenge. Do I put my stats in myself? If not, here they are: banded Sept 30 weight 223 Current weight 200 goal weight 141 goal by july 4 170 Thank you!

Banded Sept 30. Lost nearly 30 pounds, gained back 5. I have had 3 fills for a total of 5 ccs in my Realize band but still have not reached a point of restriction. I do experience foods getting stuck at times (banana, hard boiled eggs, some breads) but other than that it is as if I never had surgery. I've lost the motivation that kept me going long enough to lose 25 pounds. I thought the band would help with my appetite and while I realize it is ME who chooses what to eat, I thought by now I should have lost 50 pounds. I see the dr. Monday and he will probably only put in 1 more cc (or less) and then i will have to wait another 6 weeks to see him again for another fill. Does anyone have any advice for me? When will this band kick in? :thumbup:

I was banded Sept 30, 2008. I have lost about 25 pounds so far, at one point I was at a 30 pound loss but.... Anywhooo, my last fill brought my Realize band up to 5ccs total in it. I have noticed food will at times get stuck at about the level where my neck joins my chest. It feels like a hard ball is stuck in there. It will eventually subside but it is very uncomfortable. My question is this: If I am experiencing food getting stuck than why am I not experiencing restriction or a feeling of fullness? It is obvious something is different with this latest fill. However, any weight loss to date is of my own doing, not from the band. Anyone have a theory as to why I can get food stuck but still be hungry?