Back after 5 years... HELP!

[BobbieND 3]

Hello! I need advice, feedback, and just to rant a bit! lol...

So, I used to be a "Smashing Pumpkin" on here (LBT) ... Banded October, 2008. First year was awesome! Lost almost 100 pounds! Have been maintaining the last 4 years... up and down only 10 lbs, so I've been really lucky. However, I need to get reconnected with my band, and myself.

For the past 4 years, I have slimed, and puked almost every day. Some foods work one day, but not the next. Some foods wont work at all. I'm not sure if I'm not chewing enough, bites too big, just bad food, etc... I'm actually afraid to go to the clinic for a check-up because I'm afraid they may tell me I need to have the bad removed. I can honestly say that if it gets removed, I know I will regain my weight.

Mentally, I'm not at a great place for this. I'm obsessed with food... still. I get angry that I cant just sit and eat a burger, or a sandwich, or fries, or whatever, like I used to be able to. Even in super small amounts, I can't eat any of the foods I used to enjoy. Sometimes I eat certain foods just so I can taste it, knowing it wont be staying down. And I don't always know when to stop. My chest gets full, and hurts, but I never ever feel sated... in my stomach. I never actually feel full! Is this normal????

I keep thinking maybe I should see if I can get the Sleeve done, or even Gastric bypass. I'm good at eating small amounts, I just hate that I have so few options to choose from, and even those, more than likely, wont stay down. I know its supposed to be just a tool, but without it, I can admit, out loud, finally, that I wouldn't make it. My body is slowly falling apart, so exercise hasn't been much of an option the past couple of years. Bad knees, back problems, etc... I do have a dog I walk daily, but that's about all the exercise I get. I'm not working due to physical limitations and have applied for SSI/SSDI. I was off my meds for the past 8 months due to no money and no insurance. Thankfully, I was just approved for Medicaid, so I'm finally getting my meds and getting my brain back on the right path. I've also recently quit smoking, and am doing PT for my chronic back pain. So, things are starting to look up. My next and last step is my band, diet, etc...

So, anyone with any thoughts? Questions? Comments? Snide remarks? I'm open to anything at this point...

Thanks for reading..... Bobbie

[jamilyne 102668 1,207]

Hi smashing pumpkin - lol! I think you should go to the doctor, it doesn't seem normal to me that you are vomiting so much. I know that you are afraid to go, but I think you should. Maybe you just need a little unfill. Please don't think negatively until you find out for sure. You can't keep that up:) I'm not a veteran or anything - just offering my 2cents

[ccjll 177]

I'm so sorry for your struggles - it's hard to be a food addict - I know that I am certainly one! I'm a newbie compared to you (only 6 months banded) but in the past couple of months I've gone from no restriction at 6 cc's to complete restriction (couldn't even drink for a week) and now I'm at 4 cc's with ability to eat almost everything - fortunately I'm being pretty good and get another fill after waiting 30 days from the over fill on Tuesday - yay!

I must say that it's been a relief knowing that #1 I can be completely restricted b/c 6 weeks ago I didn't believe that to be the case AT ALL... that said I don't ever want to be that cut off again - but I also know that at 4 ccs I can get a reprieve from the banded life if ever I need it - years down the road when I've maintained my desired weight for several years - or if something comes up... so I don't feel like the band would need to be permanently removed.

That said - if you need to stop P&Bing maybe you should just get a substantial unfill and live life that way for a while...??? I don't see how the sleeve and/or RYN will be much different - in fact that's what I like about the band that it IS adjustable in a way.

This is ONE HARD ROAD - regardless - prayers out to you my friend wishing you all the best!

peace

[somsgal 23]

Bobbie, I kept having those same problems with my band. I had gotten so sick but kept going to get meds from regular doctor because I knew what my lapband dr would do. Jan 6, 2012 I had no choice but to call my lapband dr because I really didn't think I would make it much longer. Hospitalized on 1/6, band removed 1/9, and stayed is hospital the remainder of the week.i cried and begged dr not to take my band.

I could not eat for a long while but once I did...the rest is history. I thankfully was just sleeved on 4/9 with all but 26 lbs of my original weight. Dr had lots of abrasions to deal with because of eroded lapband but am doing fine even with hernia repair. Don't put off the inevitable! I almost waited until it was too late!

[judych 225]

Hello! I need advice, feedback, and just to rant a bit! lol...

So, I used to be a "Smashing Pumpkin" on here (LBT) ... Banded October, 2008. First year was awesome! Lost almost 100 pounds! Have been maintaining the last 4 years... up and down only 10 lbs, so I've been really lucky. However, I need to get reconnected with my band, and myself.

For the past 4 years, I have slimed, and puked almost every day. Some foods work one day, but not the next. Some foods wont work at all. I'm not sure if I'm not chewing enough, bites too big, just bad food, etc... I'm actually afraid to go to the clinic for a check-up because I'm afraid they may tell me I need to have the bad removed. I can honestly say that if it gets removed, I know I will regain my weight.

Mentally, I'm not at a great place for this. I'm obsessed with food... still. I get angry that I cant just sit and eat a burger, or a sandwich, or fries, or whatever, like I used to be able to. Even in super small amounts, I can't eat any of the foods I used to enjoy. Sometimes I eat certain foods just so I can taste it, knowing it wont be staying down. And I don't always know when to stop. My chest gets full, and hurts, but I never ever feel sated... in my stomach. I never actually feel full! Is this normal????

I keep thinking maybe I should see if I can get the Sleeve done, or even Gastric bypass. I'm good at eating small amounts, I just hate that I have so few options to choose from, and even those, more than likely, wont stay down. I know its supposed to be just a tool, but without it, I can admit, out loud, finally, that I wouldn't make it. My body is slowly falling apart, so exercise hasn't been much of an option the past couple of years. Bad knees, back problems, etc... I do have a dog I walk daily, but that's about all the exercise I get. I'm not working due to physical limitations and have applied for SSI/SSDI. I was off my meds for the past 8 months due to no money and no insurance. Thankfully, I was just approved for Medicaid, so I'm finally getting my meds and getting my brain back on the right path. I've also recently quit smoking, and am doing PT for my chronic back pain. So, things are starting to look up. My next and last step is my band, diet, etc...

So, anyone with any thoughts? Questions? Comments? Snide remarks? I'm open to anything at this point...

Thanks for reading..... Bobbie

hi Bobbie... i hear you ... and i know how it feels to be angry because one cant eat the best tasting foods. ive been banded now for two years, just over. I lost about 36 pounds.. i had another 16 to go. Ive been up and down with fill and unfill for the whole two years.. its very touchy with me and the balance between eating without trouble and having trouble is very slim. i havent reached the green zone yet. i went through a period of pain and acute inflammation (gastric) a few weeks ago , became dehydrated and ended up in emergency. AS a result they took a lot of saline out of my band and now im eating like there is no tomorrow. I do have some saline in, not much. Im feeling desperate right now myself. Have you had any unfills with your band? how much saline have you got ?... how long is it since you last saw your dr?...

Im like you, without the band im hopeless with eating. I couldnt do without it either. somehow you need to reconnect with yours. See your dr and talk it through with him.

I have an appointment for a fill in a few weeks. i reckon i would have put on about 7 pounds in six weeks. Not good enough. Im starting to panic now. I hope you get it sorted... it sounds like you need a small amount of fill taken out.... let us know how you get on. incidentally, i have two knee replacement and arthritis through my spine and feet as well. I cant exercise all that much either.... it sucks.

[2muchfun 8,928]

" I get angry that I cant just sit and eat a burger, or a sandwich, or fries, or whatever, like I used to be able to"

Snide remark to follow The first year I was banded one of the forum members, Pink Dahlia, wrote this:

"I'm so stinkin thrilled with my weight loss, I don't even care what I can't eat"

Once I hit the green zone I realized she was right. Being healthy and thinner than I was before band is so much more important to me than what I can/can't eat. food just isn't that important. And, I think you may be kidding yourself if you think you can be satisfied with just a bite or two of fries and burgers?

Of course, the sleeve will limit how much you can eat. But the sleeve can be compromised too. I'm no psychologist but my recommend would be for you to set up a series of consults with a bariatric specialty psychologist. Band or no band, sleeve or bypass, you could benefit from some counseling. Sorry for the tough love

BTW-If you feel like you're chewing enough and taking small bites, you could use a small unfill.jmo

[dawalsh 919]

hi Bobbie... i hear you ... and i know how it feels to be angry because one cant eat the best tasting foods. ive been banded now for two years, just over. I lost about 36 pounds.. i had another 16 to go. Ive been up and down with fill and unfill for the whole two years.. its very touchy with me and the balance between eating without trouble and having trouble is very slim. i havent reached the green zone yet. i went through a period of pain and acute inflammation (gastric) a few weeks ago , became dehydrated and ended up in emergency. AS a result they took a lot of saline out of my band and now im eating like there is no tomorrow. I do have some saline in, not much. Im feeling desperate right now myself. Have you had any unfills with your band? how much saline have you got ?... how long is it since you last saw your dr?... Im like you, without the band im hopeless with eating. I couldnt do without it either. somehow you need to reconnect with yours. See your dr and talk it through with him. I have an appointment for a fill in a few weeks. i reckon i would have put on about 7 pounds in six weeks. Not good enough. Im starting to panic now. I hope you get it sorted... it sounds like you need a small amount of fill taken out.... let us know how you get on. incidentally, i have two knee replacement and arthritis through my spine and feet as well. I cant exercise all that much either.... it sucks.

judych I wish you well also :-)

[LeighaMason 19]

• Well, Bobbie, guess who is back too? Yep, I gave myself food poisoning a few months ago and I have gotten progressively worse. I slime and puke after every meal and now I am down to barely being able to drink any liquids. As a matter of fact, since I have only been able to drink and eat just carbs I am up 6 lbs too. I am going back to the Dr tomorrow for the bad news. The only 2 things I can think of are 1) I have developed enough scar tissue around my band that it has tightened it up (had been at the perfect fill level for 4 years) and I just need a little unfill and everything will be better or 2) My band has slipped and is going to have to be removed, in which case I will have the sleeve done instead. ($16K) so hope for the first!

[dawalsh 919]

I hope it works out for you. I inquired with Weight Loss Agents and they can do a sleeve. Revision for $8900. It's in Mexico though. They do offer financing and a layaway plan in case your insurance does not cover a revision.

I only brought it up because I'm losing so slow with the band that I might consider the sleeve. My daughter had the sleeve last July and she is doing fabulous!

Anyway I hope your problems are over soon.

[LeighaMason 19]

Thought I would post an update, I went to the Dr and no slip, just too tight, they removed 1.5 cc and now I can eat! Yeah! Now to lose the 7 pounds I gained while I was too tight and eating crap food.< /p>

[SandyM 1,956]

Keep us updated how you're doing. I imagine you feel better

[dawalsh 919]

Bobbie, I kept having those same problems with my band. I had gotten so sick but kept going to get meds from regular doctor because I knew what my lapband dr would do. Jan 6, 2012 I had no choice but to call my lapband dr because I really didn't think I would make it much longer. Hospitalized on 1/6, band removed 1/9, and stayed is hospital the remainder of the week.i cried and begged dr not Vthe o er I tco take my band. I could not eat for a long while but once I did...the rest is history. I thankfully was just sleeved on 4/9 with all but 26 lbs of my original weight. Dr had lots of abrasions to deal with because of eroded lapband but am doing fine even with hernia repair. Don't put off the inevitable! I almost waited until it was too late!

hi, did insurance Cover the revision or were you self pay?