Hello, just wanted to talk to a few new people that have been banded. I will have been banded one year as of March 21, 2007. My doctor is Adam Smith. I have to say from the start, not happy with lap band. I have only lost 22 lbs!

I'm planning on getting banded, why have you been having problems? Don't you feel full, and have you been filled to where you need to be that seems to be a biggie for alot of people.

Jen

Sorry you haven't lost that much. Is it time for a fill?

A little more information would be helpful, I'm sure. You see, every fill I got would of course give me more restriction. Good thing, right. The only thing is the more fills I have gotten the more I choked and vomit. Sometimes I would put a couple of my fingers on my tongue so I could make myself vomit and get relief from the choking in my throat. I had a "vise" sensation on my throat, espicially noticeabe after my 3rd fill. We're suppose to get a quota, if you will, of around 50-60 grams of protein a day. Protein is mainly meat, yes? Well, it was getting pretty difficult to eat protein. I for one cannot mentally handle choking on 9/10ths of my meals from hereforth. Yes, I had told my doctor of this problem and he was aware of the fact I had not lost a great deal in 8 months time. He wanted me to have a endoscope although he didn't think there was a problem. Well, I was cash patient and I know my insurance would not pay anything for endoscope since he is a bariatric doctor! I am still paying on the stupid surgery and I don't want to be "out" anymore cash from my pocket. I guess what really burns me is they don't tell you all the negative things that go with this surgery and what you might have to deal with and learn to live with. Such as, several people I know can only eat 3-4 bites of something and then that's it. Such as the choking and the vomiting. The biggest percentage of bandsters have this problem, if they tell you otherwise(the doctors that is) then they're lying. Imagine eating 3-4 bites and then the choking starts. Pretty hard to accept a the rest of your life doing that I think. Well, sorry I have written a book here. It just upsets me that they're selling this as the wonderful answer we've ALL been looking for when in fact it isn't the answer for ALL of us.

I guess what really burns me is they don't tell you all the negative things that go with this surgery and what you might have to deal with and learn to live with. Part of the onus should be on the medical staff to tell both sides of the story, but there is also onus on behalf of the patient to ask and to educate themselves as much as possible. I agree "they" should tell you, especially if you ask. And I don't mean "your fault", I just mean - it's a two way street.

Such as, several people I know can only eat 3-4 bites of something and then that's it. That's not something that's really a bad thing, is it? I mean - the whole point was restricted intake. I know a lot of people who are thrilled that 3 or 4 bites into their meal, they're full. But 3 - 4 bites sustained makes me think there's a possible slight overfill, or not enough chewing.

Such as the choking and the vomiting. Choking? Serious choking as in can't get air in?? When you eat?? Or are you describing something else? And vomitting is abnormal when you're relating it to the band. But if you're referring to bringing up food that's stuck (which is not vomitting), that's part of the deal, and if you - at no point in the process - were told that stuck food sometimes has to come up, then - wow, bad planning and educational process on your surgeon's behalf.

The biggest percentage of bandsters have this problem, if they tell you otherwise(the doctors that is) then they're lying. Hmm, where do you get this statistic? That most bandsters choke and vomit? Because that's not typical.

Imagine eating 3-4 bites and then the choking starts. Pretty hard to accept a the rest of your life doing that I think. That choking thing - honestly - kind of new. If you're choking when you eat, something is wrong. That's why I asked for clarification earlier. I can understand not wanting to pay for tests, but the $ would certainly be worth your health, wouldn't it?

Moving beyond that - meat is a source of Protein but there are LOTS of other sources out there. Milk has a fair amount, and when you combine it with a good whey protein, can easily provide the 60gm. There are little bottles of a drink that are 20gn protein each - can't remember the name, but it's only a few oz of liquid. Granted it's not hard protein, but it's better than no protein. Tofu and Beans are decent protein sources. Fish is a great one, and if you find meat hard to eat, can you do salads - e.g. tuna salad?

What are your eating habits? How are you chewing? How long do meals take you to eat? What types of foods are you eating? Perhaps we can help, with a little more info. You've already made a large investment - you just need some help getting the dividends.

There's just 2or 3 things I want to reply to your post. For one, no it is not acceptable to me to just eat 3-4 bites and then begin to get a choking sensation or whatever you want to call it, it is not a "normal" feeling.I understand it is because the food is STUCK. I also understand that when you heave and ho with food coming up your esophagus and out your mouth that most people call that vomiting. Funny thing, I didn't have any problems with almost constant vomiting at mealtime before the band. Secondly, did I research? You bet! I went to the seminar, I read articles, I had a pre op consult. You know sometimes maybe you don't know the questions to ask. There are several people I know that have been banded and not one of them has told me that they knew all the things there are to know about being banded. Thirdly, PROTEIN? Yes, I am well aware of all the sources of protein. I followed the drill for as long as I could with various sources of protein. I prefer to get my protein eating meat and things that you CHEW. However, that becomes a problem when the more fills I got the MORE I choked. My doctor had me keep a food diary, he said what I was eating was fine, just eating too much. So, I kept on plugging away with fills, and progressivly choking more. My chewing, you say? Just fine, thank you. You know, I'm glad for you, really I am, but I detect an air of superiority in your post because of I guess this band thing is working for you. You need to have an open mind that just maybe the band won't work for everyone and not be so condemning to the ones, such as I that are having a struggle with it or whom are not ''loving" their band. Finally, in closing, I posted on this site because I saw there was others like me, that are not crazy about the band and I wanted to connect with them. Instead I connect with someone who seems to have all the answers and wants to somehow riducule and find fault instead of considering that maybe since the lap band is fairly new that all there is to know and consider having this surgery has not been discovered and that is why it is not working for some.

MustangElf: I empathize with your situation, but truly look at the silver lining. You have lost 22 lbs and kept it off... isn't that better than gaining 22+ ?

For me I look forward to being satisfied after a few bites.... I PRAY for it, but that is me, and I've been doing a lot of internal "work" because I also know that I will be breaking up with my best friend.. food.... I've also been working on the small bites and chew, chew, chewing.. I eat way to fast and that is going to be a BIG habbit to break. Everyone is different, everyone has different expectations so I can NOT speak for what yours were pre-banding.

I would suggest you call your company EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) and talk to someone about your eating issues.... (ours offers 6 free sessions to employees and their families, per issue) its confidential and FREE.

What ever you decide know that I wish you luck on your continued journey. :rose: