brittu

I'm 2 1/2 years out from getting banded and having trouble. I started gaining weight and being able to eat more. When I went in to see my doc two weeks ago he seemed completely unconcerned about my weight gain and merrily sent me to get a fill. But during the fill there seemed to be a problem, swelling and perhaps a slipped band (the nurse didn't say slipped but the xray sure looked like it). They sent me home unfilled and on 2 weeks liquids. I was going to go back today but on Friday sent an email to a clinic much closer to my home that also does VSG just in case I need to consider more surgery. The coordinator called me right back (she's banded) and we talked for a long time. They take my weight gain and swelling seriously and want to do another fleuro and possibly endoscopy to see what's going on. And it turns out that they're a provider under my insurance (my surgeon isn't any more). So fills and any additional things I might need will be covered. Plus it's near my home and not two hours away. The coordinator said that VSG isn't covered but replacing the band is. They do VSG but insurance won't pay. They do lots of band replacements and the smaller bands like the one I have seem to be the culprit although I'm not clear why. So I'm headed in tomorrow for an appointment and to find out more. It was a huge relief to find a practice that really seemed to care that I have gained weight and also ready to do more testing to find out what's wrong. For those that might be interested I'll report back what I find out... Britt

When I was in for an appointment last week I asked my surgeon about the Realize band. He says he doesn't plan to use it and feels it's inferior to the Allergan band. He said the new Realize band is better made that the last one but he still feels both the design and materials of the Realize aren't up to the quality of the Allergan. He's probably got a bias since he uses the Lap Band brand and is comfortable with it. But I thought I'd post his opinion for whatever it's worth. Britt

What frustrates me most about liquids (I'm on two weeks for stomach swelling) is that I don't lose weight. Grrr. Britt

I don't order much and take a lot home with me. Sometimes I just order the takeout box with the food so I don't overeat. But for me the funniest part is how hard it is for servers to believe that I don't want anything to drink with my meal. I've just given up and let them bring me the water, it's too hard to get them to understand I really mean nothing to drink at all :-).

I'd be lost without my Magic Bullet. I'm back on liquids for two weeks because I have a stretched pouch and inflammation. Last night I went and got the amazing chicken tortilla Soup I love and blended the heck out of it. It seemed like a real treat. I'm also trying to take advantage of this time by adding more to my liquids to get healthier. I got some greens/probiotic mix to add to juice. Some liquid hydroxycut. I like Protein drinks so that's not so bad for me. It would be easy to eat high fat Soups and ice cream but I sure would love to lose weight duirng this liquids phase...

Well I started the pouch test and then went in for a fill yesterday and found out I had a stretch pouched and inflamed stomach. So I got a complete unfill and am on liquids for two weeks to heal. What I thought was interesting is that the nurse told me that healing takes two weeks and you need the have the band unfilled to take the pressure off and allow the inflammation to clear up. I thought the 5 day would help me shrink the pouch (I assumed it was enlarged) but it probably wouldn't have been enough. Also it was interesting to learn that .6ccs of liquid had gone away. I'm not sure if it was because I had someone else do my last fill. The nurse said the band is somewhat porous and can lose fill over time. I didn't know that. Britt

If you're ready for it I see no problem with doing it. It sounds like you have adequate recovery time. The idea of going unfilled could be good but your surgeon can help you decide. If you were going right after your surgery I'd say wait but you're going to be banded the rest of your life so it shouldn't affect your enjoyment of your trip. The only thing to consider is whether you're the kind of person who vomits with food poisoning or not - you don't want to be vomiting with a band. I've traveled a lot and gotten sick a lot. I'm not a vomiter so it wouldn't matter to me but it's worth considering. Congrats on your decision and on your upcoming trip! Britt

After attending a bandster support group where they covered plastic surgery I realized that it's really important to get a surgeon who has lots of experience with weight loss patients. We saw lots of before and after pictures of surgery done by docs who used standard techniques and those who do surgery mostly on formerly obese patients and understand the different techniques appropriate for excess skin, etc. It was dramatic and it made it very clear that I want a guy who does lots and lots of people with significant weight loss. Britt

Well I went in for a visit and a fill today, first time in a year. I'm getting worried because I've been gaining weight and eating badly. Found out that I too had stretched my pouch. The nurse showed me on the xray both how stretched I was and how much inflammation. I'm glad I went in but I'm not at all excited about 2 weeks of liquids. I'm glad to know that someone else had their pouch shrink in just 6 days. My doc's office does a total unfil and then two weeks liquids when this happens. The good news is that once this is over and I get refilled it'll go back to the good restriction I used to have. Then I can get back on track and get the rest of this weight off. I'm sure glad I went in though. I hate to think how long this has been goign on. Britt

I lost about 40 pounds after the birth of my second son. While I was on leave I got a personal trainer and worked really hard. After going back to work I started to gain it back and regained it all in less than a year. One morning I woke up and thought "doesn't my insurance cover weight loss surgery?" and found out the next morning that they do. After much research I decided to go forward only to find out that even though my insurance covered the surgery with a 35 bmi and 2 comorbitities the clinic most people go with wasn't willing to fight for the insurance. I found someone two hours away who would. The insurance company decided they didn't think the two comorbidities were the right ones and turned me down. It was suggested that I gain weight to get the surgery and I started down that road and wrote a letter to the head of HR and the insurance company and told them that no office clerk had the right to overrule the doctor. I got a letter from medical director of the insurance company who said I was right. Voila! 4 days later I had my surgery. It was great the first year and I lost 70 pounds but I've been stalled for awhile. I'm trying the 5 day pouch challenge eating plan and going in for a fill tomorrow. I hope I can get things back on track. I've been so pleased with the band. Being a size 14 instead of a 20 is great but I really do want to go the whole way and end up in a 10 or even an 8 and be able to finish out with plastic surgery and no embarrassement in a swimsuit. I didn't go this far to fail so I'm really hoping I can get back on track. Britt

I really like Nutrisystem and have been buying the 5 day flex plan. They have a lot more Protein than they used to and are really convenient for me. I'm doing the 5 day pouch challenge this week and then will go back to NS after my next fill. Britt

After hearing a radio segment on the binders in chewables and preservatives in liquids I decided to try a powder multiple that you mix with liquid. I really like it and I can tell the difference in how I feel. I went with the All One brand and actually chose the senior formula because it has some extra things like Ginko. Britt

What about a little calorie cycling? I've read good things about increasing your calories by about 500 for one day and the next day reducing them about 500 under your normal. Jump start your metabolism back in action. Or you could try the 5 day pouch test. Keep us posted. I'd be interested in hearing what works for you. Britt

I was planning to start it tomorrow. I tried last week but didn't get past day two. I'm going in for a check up and a fill for the first time in a year (I'm stuck and have gained back 20 pounds) so I think it's a good time to knuckle down and stick to the 5 days. The good news is that I love Soup so can enjoy some tomorrow :-). Britt

Well I don't have an official answer for what's happening but I know that pain. It's what I get when I eat beyond the capacity of my band, particularly if I eat hard to digest foods like Pasta, bread or sometimes meat. It feels to me like my somach pouch is stretched and pressing against the band. It's my reminder that if I don't eat properly I could get to a point that I have complications that require the band to be removed. Sometimes I have to go to a day or two of soft foods to reduce get things back on track. Britt

My favorite is Syntrax nectar. I'm one of those people who can't stand thick shakes so soy is out for me. Syntrax has a great latte flavor I love you can mix with Water or milk. The lemonade and iced tea flavors are great too. Haven't tried vanilla or chocolate. I also like a vanilla kind called ProZone. For some reason I just love the almost malted milk flavor. The problem is that it's fairly high in calories. The Jay Robb stuff is reasonably good too. If you go to bariatriceating.com you can order a sample pack which is great - you can try several out first. Lastly, the latest stuff I've bought and loved is from New Lifestyle Diet. The puddings are yummy, I love the hot capuccino, and both the oatmeal and the sloppy joe mix are great and they utilize the band. I don't know why since it's fairly mushy but the sloppy joe mix fills me up as much as meat does, I really like it. The shakes I don't love quite as much. Britt

To be honest, I can't stand them in any flavor. WAY too sweet for me... b

Ok gang, I'm dying. It's been two weeks on liquids and it's killing me. My doctor's regimen is 3 weeks liquids follwed by 3 weeks mushies and then your first fill. Essentially you never eat solids until you've had a fill. I was ok for about 12 days and now it's torture. What was your post-op regimen? Was it 6 weeks of no chewing? Just want to get a sense of what other doctors advised. Having that info will be helpful when I call tomorrow and ask the doctor's office about starting mushies sooner. Thanks! Britt (craving teriyaki chicken, and, for some odd reason, pistachios)

I finally called the doctor's office because I'm starving and still losing weight too quickly. They said the info on portion control from the nutritionist isn't correct. I should sip my Protein drinks and watch for the full feeling. She said "let the bad do the work" with regard to portion control. Make sure to eat (drink) when I'm hungry. She also told me that as time goes as I heal by before my fill I'll be able to drink more. I'll focus on serving sizes after that (actually I'll probably try to measure during mushies just to keep any eye on intake and nutrition). Britt

(posted on food bb but no replies yet) So I've got two weeks left on the liquid stage. My crazy doctor requires 3 weeks of liquids, 3 weeks of mushies, and a fill before you eat regular food. What I'm confused about is how big my Liquid Protein drink should be. The nutrionist said 4 oz. and, while I can understand that once I'm on mushies, it makes no sense for Protein drinks. If I only did 4 - 4 oz protein drinks a day I'd be way under the level of protein and calories I need in a day. I'm already down 11 pounds in 10 days. If I do 8 oz and sip I seem to have no problems, especially if I take my time over 15-20 minutes. What did you do? Thanks! Britt

So I've got two weeks left on the liquid stage. My crazy doctor requires 3 weeks of liquids, 3 weeks of mushies, and a fill before you eat regular food. What I'm confused about is how big my liquid Protein drink should be. The nutrionist said 4 oz. and while I can understand that once I'm on mushies, it makes no sense for Protein drinks. If I only did 4 - 4 oz protein drinks a day I'd be way under the level of protein and calories I need in a day. I'm already down 11 pounds in 10 days. If I do 8 oz and sip I seem to have no problems, especially if I take my time over 15-20 minutes. What did you do? Thanks! Britt

I second the vote for the Syntrax nectar. I love the Lemonade and the Cappuccino flavors. I've replace my morning latte with a Nectar latte - I use a little cream to add fat since I don't believe in low fat eating and the Nectar is fat free. It's wonderful stuff. You can get it at bariatriceating.com or at a store near you. The online store sells sample sizes and a smaller 1 pound container if you're wanting to just try it first. Britt

I'm really happy to find this thread. I am planning to go back to WW after my 6 weeks of liquids and mushies are up. I asked my nutritionist about it and she said she feels that what's really good about WW is the weekly support and accountability and she encourged me to attend. My mom and I used to go together before I was banded. We haven't gone for about 5 months and it would really be a help to her if I went with her. She doesn't qualify for the band. However, I was planning to try out the Core plan instead of the points. I figure my band is my points counter anyway. The Core plan is more of a low carb, good Proteins plan. And how it's supposed to work is that you judge your hunger level before, during and after eating which I think would be just right for me to try doing right after my 1st fill. I'm not going to tell them at this point although I may in the future after I speak with the leader and if I feel it would be supported. The other thing too is that I don't want to be praising the band every time I make a whole and get asked "what's working." Lots of the women in the room would benefit from the band but I suspect not many would have the insurance coverage or the cash. So I don't want to derail them from beliving in or being successful with Weight Watchers. Britt

You know, it seems to me that if you eat at 5:30 you should be hungry. Going from 5:30 to noon seems too long to me. I just saw the nutrionist yesterday. She actually wrote me up a schedule. She wants her lap band patients to each every three hours and sip water the hour after each meal up to 1/2 hour before. Seems like you should be eating a meal or snack that starts with protein right about 9am just like your stomach is telling you :-). Britt

I was just banded on Monday and it didn't occur to me that my openness with coworkers, family and friends might come back to bite me later. But I'm prepared! My oldest son is adopted and my second son is biological. There have been countless stupid comments and questions. I know they're not band related (I'm sure I'll have those to recount later) but just for your reading amusement here is my favorite of all time - probably because it's one of the few times I was thinking quick enough to offer a good comeback. An interior decorator is standing in my kitchen. She sees a picture of my oldest son with another woman and two other boys. She asks me if that's my sister. I tell her nope, that's my son's birthmother and brothers. She looks at it for a minute and says, "What happened? Was it just a one night stand or was she sleeping around a lot?" Silence for a minute while I ponder the incredible stupidity and insensitivity of this question. Then I ask... "How many children did you say you have? Three? And did you conceive all of them in the missionary position?" Now it's her turn to be silent and she turns bright red. A couple minutes later she asks in a contrite voice, "I guess that was pretty personal wasn't it?" "Yup, not to mention incredibley rude," I say. Then I smile and change the subject. So I totally understand being prepared for less-than-stellar band questions. :-). Britt