I was banded over five years ago. I did well for the first year, lost one lb a week on average. I started at 234 got down to 173 and stayed there untill about 8 months ago. Now I am up to 188 YIKES!! I don't have the healthiest lifestyle, I ride with my husband over the road trucking. We don't have access to healthy food all the time, and excersize is difficult. Can anyone help me out with food choices and things I can do to start loosing again? Also I haven't been back to my doc since 1 year post op, he his very expensive and I haven't had the means to see him. I have pain at the port, so bad at times I can't lye one my side, and gall bladder problems as well. I get sick often, i know the band is too tight, as sometimes i feel blocked drinking water, most of the time I have yo drink while I eat just to get more than a bite down. Very very frustrated, I know i am to blame but I want to start again any advice would be greatly appreciated

I agree with everyone' date=' see the doc! I can't speak to the port pain because I'm still pre-op but I have been experimenting with lots of different ways to make the protein powder shakes taste better!

If you don't have one, I would get one of the mini handheld blenders, they're not too expensive and work great for camping or traveling. Blending tastes better than shaking!

I've found that Greek yogurt really helps cut the chalky taste so I've been using a combo of water and greek yogurt (non-fat, high in protein!)

Other tricks...

Add flavor drops. I use the ones found in the water aisle (Dasani, Mio), nice and tiny for carrying around and you can add a no-calorie flavor to your shake.

Citrus juice, straight from the fruit so no added sugar. It may sound gross to add lemon, lime or grapefruit to a vanilla flavored protein powder but it works, the acid cuts the powdery flavor.

A little peanut butter. Adds protein and lots of flavor, especially yummy with chocolate flavored protein powder.

Pre-made shakes. They can be expensive but my nutritionist recommended a brand that Costco carries, Premier. It's more affordable to buy in bulk. Ordering online at Amazon.com can also be cheaper than picking them up in a drugstore or grocery store. They don't have to be refrigerated until you're ready to drink one so that might be good for when you're on the road and faced with only fast food options.

Good luck!![/quote']

Thank you for all the great ideas! I would have never thought of yogurt awesomeness!

I was just diagnosed with a completely flipped port. Having revision surgery this Wednesday. The only difference I can feel is a slight twinge of pain when I lay on the port side.

I have no restriction or reflux at all.

That's why it is so important to go to Dr. Living with reflux is not good.

Just explain to the Dr. that you fell on hard times and didn't have the money' date=' which I'm sorry you're going through that, its rough. 6yrs ago my husband was self employed and we had no insurance, you just don't go to the Dr.

What happened to the days no one had health insurance and anyone could go to a Dr? Miss them days.

Keep us posted.[/quote']

Do they do the revision in the office or do you go under anaesthesia? I have been wondering about that... Do you know how much it costs?