:think Hey all!

I was banded in August of 2004, lost 65 lbs and have kept 60 of those off for the last 2 years. I am really having problems lately sticking with the program.

I had my last fill reduced due to pbing on just about anything. I still pb almost everyday. I find myself cheating with frozen cokes, etc cuz they go down easily. I quit walking, stopped drinking my water when my urologist told me I was drowning my old bladder! My throat is always sore and voice is raspy from getting things stuck and bringing things back up...what should I do. One part of me wants a fill cuz I can eat alot of things that I can eat- things that are not good for me, nachos, popcorn, chips oh, I can eat salads, vegies but almost all meats get stuck, all breads. I almost feel like I should see an ent Dr. like maybe I have polyps or something, but my band Dr. has done films of me swallowing barium and says that they look fine. Help. I want to finish this, I would like to lose at least40 more pounds and need to restart. Should I get a fill and start over like brand new with liquids, then mushies, then solids, what do you guys think....should I go to the pyschologist and nutritionist again? Please help me....

Nancy

Wow, so sorry to hear about this.

When I recently went thru being too tight, my Dr removed all of my fill so I could let things "settle down" and so I could start eating solid Proteins again. I know exactly what you mean about eating the softer, higher calorie foods because it doesn't hurt. My weight loss virtually stopped.

Since you have been PB'ing so much for so long, I would say the most important thing to take care of first is your esophagus. I'm sure things are very irritated from the PB's, and trying to eat on top of that just makes it worse.

I have been unfilled for a month now and sure, my weight loss is slow, but believe it or not I do have some restriction. I can eat more but I'm not allowing myself to use that as an excuse to go wild with it.

Anyway, that's my thought on it. I hope you get the PB issue resolved right away, no matter what it takes. Prolonged, that can cause you some serious problems.

Keep us posted on how youre doing, ok?

*hugs*

It's time to go back to the basics.

If you're PBing daily, you do NOT need a fill. It actually sounds like you need an unfill. Get unfilled, let your esophagus heal completely, and begin eating solid food again. Get away from soft foods and mushies. When you can eat solid protein again, like chicken, fish, and vegetables, without PBing, THEN start thinking about restriction. Not restriction of solid foods - restriction of quantity of solid foods.

Start journaling your food - www.FitDay.com is the one I like best, but other people really like Sparkpeople.com. The point of journaling is to figure out how many calories you're actually taking in and to help you make better decisions about the foods you choose to eat every day.

If you continue abusing your band, you risk losing it. You went through a lot to get it, and it did a good job for you when you were using it correctly. It's time to go back to the basics and start moving toward your goal again.

You can do this. Best wishes. Let us know how you're doing, OK?

I would make a journal of what you are eating, try not to eat things that "go down easy" but you still need your protiens, if you can eat meats... is it that you are taking to big of bites? I know even after 16months of being banded I still forget. I think over all you need to talk to your Dr. and make sure that there is nothing wrong with the band... then if all is ok then go to the ENT, I have had to go there a couple of times from a PB... I hope everything works out... Take Care

I know what you are going through. I am at the same place right now. I have gained back 8 pounds just trying to keep down food, but this is the wrong kinds of food. I have had 2 unfills and have started to pay closer attention to bite size and chewing. I have gone 2 days without losing solid food. It is a challenge giving up those easy foods. Maybe we can do this with the help of this board. Good luck to you

I have found myself choosing easy foods lately. I have yogurt for bfast & soup for lunch. I eat burger meat most every dinner and have unfortunately reintroduced ice cream (AUGH!) to my diet. I worry about PBing b/c I think I am a little too restricted too so instead of eating a small amt of hard protein I coose a safe food instead. My weight loss is slow/stopped for the last couple of months so I know I need to get back on board. Thanks for your post, you made me realize that what I'm doing while not great, is "normal"! Let's try to turn it around!!!!!!!!!!!!