I was banded in July '10. Things were going great. I had lost almost 70 lbs and was feelin great. Then my husband lost his job and we lost our insurance. We have struggled pretty bad. His insurance paid 80% of my surgery but with only my income I couldn't afford to pay on my bill and being ashamed of that I haven't been back to the Dr since. It's been over a year since my last visit/fill. Everything was going good. Then the stress started, and the depression. Seemed like every time I ate or drank I didn't get full. I was eating a whole footlong flatbread sub. Or a regular meal then the very next day I couldn't even get a drink of water to go down. This would go on for a few days then it would be back to eating everything. Well as of today I have gained back 10lbs and I have been stuck since Saturday. Only able to eat minimal and drink sips slowly. And when I'm stuck i get a hard dull pain right in the middle of my chest and I automatically head to the restroom. What comes out is nothing but what looks like slime. I seriously need to see a Dr but I'm sure he won't even look at me since I haven't touched that bill. We still have no ins and the hubs is about to be on a permanent layoff from his new job. I'm at a loss as what to do but I can't keep this up. Scared to death. Any suggestions out there?

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles.

My first suggestion would be to call your doctors office and see what they are willing to do for you. Payment plan or something so you can resume your care. It's important that you get your band checked out and make sure it hasn't slipped.

Second suggestion would be to get back on the band lifestyle. measure your food, eat Protein first, then veggies, small bits and chew till mush, etc. It sounds like when you do eat you over do it and irritate your band causing issues the next day, (I'm not a doctor this is just my opinion).

Good luck to you.

I cannot eat bread let alone a footlong flat bread sub...if I could I would say the band was never in control, to loose control, in the first place.....

My band is adjusted to the point, that no matter what the circumstances, parties, stress, sickness..whatever, the band is there and is unchanging....

I may change under circumstances, but the band will not change unless I were to get some Fluid taken out.....

When people say things like "falling off the wagon", or "getting back on track",and "Going back to old habits" or "this is hard work and takes a lot of determination and commitment" etc, etc, it tells me it was more their will power and not the band doing the work.... this is all diet talk...not corrective WLS talk.....

Short of some medial situation, I do not understand how this can happen....the band is there, it is adjusted to where I Is in Control. NOT ME....and then that's it...there is nothing I can do to change that.....impossible to overeat,.Hard to understand how I can gain weight back.....

Yet..bottom line...the band is adjustable it it is up to each individual how much control they want to give the band, and how much they want to be in control....

That's the beauty of it....you can do it your way using the band as a "Tool", OR you can give up your old ways, and let the band be the "Boss" changing your life....

And as long as you are experiencing the attributes of being in the "Green Zone"....Not Hungry, Portion Control, and Patient Satisfaction....then that is all that matters.......

A lot of people can't tolerate such a level of restriction without heartburn and reflux, so willpower is a big component of success for many people.

A lot of people can't tolerate such a level of restriction without heartburn and reflux, so willpower is a big component of success for many people.

Like I said...other than some medical reason.....I don't get it.......

But many people who complain here are not citing any medical reasons for their shortcomings........

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles.

My first suggestion would be to call your doctors office and see what they are willing to do for you. Payment plan or something so you can resume your care. It's important that you get your band checked out and make sure it hasn't slipped.

Second suggestion would be to get back on the band lifestyle. measure your food, eat Protein first, then veggies, small bits and chew till mush, etc. It sounds like when you do eat you over do it and irritate your band causing issues the next day, (I'm not a doctor this is just my opinion).

Good luck to you.

agree with AJ

def need to see your doctor to rule out anything wrong if you can. maybe they can do a easy pay schedule in regards to the no insurance... point is, you have to take care of yourself and not take no for an answer.

and def need to get back to eating better quality foods in the allotted amounts.. to gain weight, you have to eat more calories than you burn off.

I agree with B-52 call the doctor and see what can be done with worst they can say is pay up or nothing we can do to help you...I think they will understand. Get back on the program and why would u even order a foot long anything?