I had band surgery in August 2013, had a fill in the first month and then another 2 months later. Once I had my second fill I struggled to keep food down. Went to my local doctor ( my band surgeon is 1200 kilometres away), she sent he for blood tests. Iron was extremely low as was B12, put me on weekly injections but levels didn't improve. Went back to my local doctor and she insisted that I needed to have fluid removed. She sent a fax to my surgeon trying to get me in immediately, I called the surgeon to be told he didn't work that day, however I could see a local GP who had the ability to adjust me band. He took all the fluid out 6ml to see what was there, he put 5.5 back. Since that day I very rarely vomit, only if I over eat. However I have lost no more weight and my iron levels is still a concern. I had a call from my surgeons nurse 2 days ago, she told me that no one gets sick from the band and if I am getting sick there is obviously psychological problems and I should make an appointment to see a psychologist. She also said that my low iron has nothing to do with my band - I explained I am not eating very well. She then suggested I get my local doctor to do testing to ensure I don't have internal bleeding. I have researched and from what I have read it is common to have problems keeping food down if the band is too tight. My dietician agrees with my GP that my low iron and vitamin levels would be caused through not getting the right nutrients from what little food I am eating. Any advice would be grateful as at the moment I feel pretty darn useless. I was 119.6 prior to op- 9 months on I am now 86 kilos..

Edited June 14, 201412 yr by pauline1964

????

Edited June 14, 201412 yr by pauline1964

"I explained I am not eating very well"

What does this mean?

Can you detail a typical daily meal plan from Breakfast-Dinner and any Snacks?

Do you track calories or foods you eat and have you sat down and consulted with a dietician(preferably a bariatric nutritionist)?

I wasn't keeping food down and was getting so tired. All had to do with the amount of nutrition. This is common with WLS. What vitamins are you taking? The surgeon should have you on bariatric vitamins. Good luck!!! Check out the high iron vegetables.

A normal days intake is - breakfast 2 weetbix - morning tea a cappuccino on skim milk, no sugar - lunch is rice cake or crackers with spread, tuna / chicken and dinner is steamed vegetables and fish or chicken. Since my last adjustment I am keeping food down. Have not lost any weight in weeks. Taking multi vitamins and iron tablets but iron still low. Going for tests - waiting on surgeon. Have been having home made soups and smoothies- green vegie ones made with coconut water or almond milk, also make fruit ones. But can't lose more weight.

Just a suggestion...... Try having a high Protein breakfast, instead of weetbix. You're starting the day high on carbs, which isn't recommended with the band. I don't think this is what's causing your issues, but it's just a suggestion.

The nurse who told you that people do not get sick with the band, is wrong. People do get sick for a variety of reasons. Though comparatively speaking, the percentage is low, but it happens; we read it on here all the time. I haven't heard of Iron deficiency so much with the band; more of a gastric bypass issue. My neighbor (had bypass) had such dangerously low iron, that she had to go for daily IV infusion. That went on for several months until her numbers came back up. Possibly there is something else going on in your body, but it sounds like you're taking the steps to check that out. I'm sorry that you're having these issues. I'm sure it's beyond frustrating

Edited June 14, 201412 yr by mrsto

Thanks. Will certainly try a protein breakfast - my dietician recommended the weetbix - willing to try anything at all.

Do you exercise and do you count/track your calories? So many of us tend to consume more calories than we believe? And stalling for a couple of weeks is quite normal. Exercise is very important with the band.

Not a lot of exercise, and don't count calories... Guess that's something I should be doing.

Edited June 14, 201412 yr by pauline1964

Band is different from other WLS in that band causes no absorption problems. On the other hand, you are probably not getting adequate nutrition. Suggestion, don't eat ice, don't drink tea around meals and take your iron pills with vitamin c.