I am new to this forum...I live in a small town and the neares support group is about 30 miles away during the week and I have no car, so no way to get there.

I had my lapband surgery about three years ago....I lost 50 pounds and was thrilled...didn't have a lot of complications at all. But I've been at my current 250 pounds for two and a half years now and can't seem to get past this point....I lose enough that I can eat fairly easily but try very hard to eat sensibly and not over do it...but within two weeks, I gain enough to tighten up the band and then I have a few days where nothing stays down. I can't even eat salad. After a couple of days of not eating hardly anything, of course, the stomach shrinks under the band and I am back to where I can eat again. When I can eat, I am not eating like I used to...no chips, hamburgers, cookies, cake, etc. I have to admit there is one Safeway pre-prepared food in their refrigerated section (not frozen) that is the one thing I can eat, whether the band is tight or not, and I should only eat half of it but I am so hungry by the time those two days of hell are over that I do eat the whole thing. I am thinking of joining Weight Watchers as I'm pretty sure I just need to eat better during the time when my lap band is not restrictive and allowing me to eat. But I've thought many times I wish I could just have the lapband removed. Even when it's loose and I can eat, I still cannot eat chicken, pork or hamburger or steak. I can eat chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, salad, mac and cheese, cheese and crackers...some advice from someone who may have been where I am and got past it would be greatly appreciated!

I am new to this forum...I live in a small town and the neares support group is about 30 miles away during the week and I have no car' date=' so no way to get there.

I had my lapband surgery about three years ago....I lost 50 pounds and was thrilled...didn't have a lot of complications at all. But I've been at my current 250 pounds for two and a half years now and can't seem to get past this point....I lose enough that I can eat fairly easily but try very hard to eat sensibly and not over do it...but within two weeks, I gain enough to tighten up the band and then I have a few days where nothing stays down. I can't even eat salad. After a couple of days of not eating hardly anything, of course, the stomach shrinks under the band and I am back to where I can eat again. When I can eat, I am not eating like I used to...no chips, hamburgers, Cookies, cake, etc. I have to admit there is one Safeway pre-prepared food in their refrigerated section (not frozen) that is the one thing I can eat, whether the band is tight or not, and I should only eat half of it but I am so hungry by the time those two days of hell are over that I do eat the whole thing. I am thinking of joining Weight Watchers as I'm pretty sure I just need to eat better during the time when my lap band is not restrictive and allowing me to eat. But I've thought many times I wish I could just have the lapband removed. Even when it's loose and I can eat, I still cannot eat chicken, pork or hamburger or steak. I can eat chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, salad, mac and cheese, cheese and crackers...some advice from someone who may have been where I am and got past it would be greatly appreciated![/quote']

Try going back to eating the post-op foods for a few weeks and slowly work back to normal foods and drink plenty of Water. I try to combined the two types all of the time.

Have you seen your surgeon for a checkup lately? Sounds like it would be a good idea.

My surgeon is in Seattle, about 60 miles away...but I've now got insurance so I'm thinking of consulting with a nutritionist...

Seeing a nut is a great idea. Just make sure they are familiar with the band. Measure your food and eat more often if necessary. Just try to make your portions smaller. It is a big head game. Find things you like, and make them healthy. Try to stay away from the snack foods. You can get through this.

Sounds to my like you may be too tight and in doing so have changed your eating habits to adjust for the band tightening..hence the softer foods...chili, mac and cheese, grilled cheese all which wouldnt shouldnt be eaten often. If you cant get down any of the real meats, such as chicken, hamburger, pork or steak which should be your first thing you eat which makes you feel satisfied the quickest and sticks with you the longest. I just had this very talk with my dr on my last appt because I "think" i need another fill and she is not so sure to do one as she thinks I am getting close where as I dont think I am close at all to the "sweet spot".

Just something to think about and ask your dr about it when you go next ...good luck to you.

I am surely not one to give advice and I admit it as i am still learning alot about how this band works...just wanted to pass on my conversation as it may help you out to know a different angle.

I do WW...just rejoined. However I have not had the problems that you have. I cannot eat dry meat well. It does have to be were for me. WW bases point system...but the amount is lesa than we are required to eat...but it does help. I recommend going to softer foods....and smaller pieces. Puree if you have too.