Hi ya'll. I had my lap band about 3 years ago. I lost 80 pounds and was doing great. Then I had severe pain and had to have my gall bladder removed (and 3 stones that were stuck in my liver removed). After that I have had steady weight GAIN. I am so frustrated! I started at 320lbs, got down to 240 and now am at 300 again. Anyone know what I can do to reverse this??? I also moved to West TN and had to see a new surgeon. There are no support groups, only 1 doctor an hour away. I really feel lost here.

Did they give you fills? I lived in East Tennessee for 5 years but live in Florida.

What did the doc say?

I have had 2. The doctor i was seeing in Murfreesboro was horrid. Just switched to one in Jackson, TN. He seems okay. Have had 1 fill. Saw dietician and she said I am having all kinds of sugar issues and I am eating way too much. I am getting another fill on the 11th. Apparently I swell really bad when I have a fill and sometimes I cannot even drink water.

Maybe you need to get smaller fills at a time, if you swell a lot?

Maybe so. I don't even know how much I have in there. Should start working on using the band better. I just need some help. I got the band in Brunswick, GA. Had a GREAT doc there.

After a fill, you must always drink water to make sure it goes down. Do not just leave the office.Your pouch can only hold so much. NOT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN STUFF IN IT.

Eat only 1 cup of food at a time. That is it. Eat protein first, then veggies and fruit. NO to Bread, pasta rice. cookies soda, cake. ect. potatoes also adios.

NO drinking with the food or right after eating either. Eat that 1 cup of food, expecting yourself to be satisfied NOT FILLED UP> Chew your food and make sure you chew it good. Fish is good. Steak and chicken not so good. Focus on getting nutrition into your body first and formost., not junk.

ASk how big your band is. Ask how much they are putting in at a time. Is this a lapband dr who is doing this or the nurse? What do you mean by sugar issues? are you eating sugar food or do you have diabetes? I hope I have not come on too strong for you.,...I am concerned. If I can lose weight so can you....and I am 64 years old. and old people lose slowly Iiene

Did your great doc give you notes and rules to follow?

No, you don't come on too strong. You are straight forward, and I appreciate that. My first surgeon gave me his rules: Protein shakes for 2 days after a fill, then soft foods, like soft scrambled eggs and sugar free pudding and Jello. Then I can work up to fish and soft veggies.

The last doc said nothing but Water for the first day (clear liquids) no milk, then the 2nd day Protein Shakes, and the 3rd day soft foods.

Told me I shouldn't be able to eat much, but I can eat an entire 12 in Subway sub (toasted ham and cheese).

You are right. I have to get back to basics. I do drink when I eat. I will work on that this week. No more bread, rice or Pasta, either.

What about coffee? Can I still have my coffee?

The dietician said I had 3 overlapping issues with sugar. She said I may be having dumping syndrome, reactive hypoglycemia, and pre-diabetic hypoglycemia. She said that each of these things can mess up my sugar, but can be controlled. Also, when I had my gallbladder out, I get the Worst case of burping! It doesn't matter what I eat, I burp.

Regarding the drinking with the eating. Think of putting all your food in the sink. Then put the water on....What happens to the food? Thats what you are doing to the food you ate. Watering it down and it melts. Down the drain. The reason for the lapband is to keep YOU full until the next meal.

Re coffee I guess its ok. I do coffee in the am about 6:00 I drink 2 cups everyday. Why would u even buy a 12 inch sandwich? I suggest that you find out exactly what foods have protein and have protein. Then find out about the carbs. veggies and fruit. Not bread, potatoes rice. they are filled with carbs. We are all on a high protein- low carb program...It is similar to atkins. Stay around 80 grms protein and 60 carbs...ask the nutritionest. .. Carbs turn to fat. Protein keeps you full and helps you lose weight.

Regarding diabetes, I do not know anything. What does the regular doc say about your #'s from blood work? As for burping. get some gas x.

Ok...protein it is...Thank you for reminding me of the basics. I really needed it. I eat at subway cuz it is the closest to where I work for lunch. I should probably just pack a lunch.

Here is a link to the 5 day pouch test. Not only is it a good way to get back into the Lap-Band groove, but mentally it can help you get back to where you were when you were first banded. Have a look. http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I would also strongly suggest asking a nutrionist exactly what you should be eating. If everyone here responds, you'll hear different advice from just about every person. Why? Because every nutrionist and surgeon have their own ideas what works. A good example, a previous poster stated not to eat more than 60g of carbs, but my nutrionist told me not to not to eat more than 125g of carbs. Obviously, that's a big difference, but neither one is "right" or "wrong", just different approaches to weight loss.

Get with your nutrionist and then follow up with your surgeon and consistently get fills until you have good restriction. If you want to lose the weight, it's really your only choice.

Best wishes to you.

Last year my hubby and I went to a Meet and greet in Las vegas. It is with all weight loss guys and gals. We ate every day at Subway. Go ahead and have your sandwich. Open it up and eat it with a fork. Use the bread as a plate. Darn it all. you got the surgery....I am gonna get you to lose weight.

my e-mail is lizybird@aol.com write to me.

Just read the 5 day pouch test info! OMG, how awesome! I will start this tomorrow. Glad I don't have to completely give up my coffee.

I will check back in a few days to let you know how it is going! Thanks for all of your help!

you got good advise from her also. She is right...email me

Will do!