Hey everyone, I was banded in 2010 and have had great success. I lost about 155 pounds and then stalled for about TWO YEARS! I gained and lost the same 5 pounds for two darn years! I actually lost heart and started eating unhealthy for a while because I was so frustrated. I recently started a new job and between extra (good) stress and being diligent I've managed to break through the stall and have lost about 40 pounds in 8 months. I'm usually able to eat just fine and feel like I have good restriction and only get sick if I eat too fast or things I know my band doesn't like. Well for the last two months or so I've been experiencing things I'm not used to. Everything will be fine for a few weeks and then I'll have a few days of not being able to hold down almost anything but it always goes back to normal after 4 day to a week. It's been annoying but didn't worry me too much. This week I've been having a "bad band week". I've just started new medications and I don't know if it could be from the meds or if I should worry about a slip. I'll drink something and after about 40 minutes or an hour I'll get sick but it's not like the typical slime of Lapband. It's like a thick foam vomit (sorry, gross!). There is nothing in the vomit other than this foam and I'm not sure if I should be concerned. I haven't been to my band doctor in years since I haven't had insurance and now that I have insurance he isn't covered so I'm in the process of trying to get another doctor to see me. Ugh! Looking for any advice that isn't "go see your doctor" because I'm already working on that. Thanks in advance!

Tonya sorry you are having a bad band week. I too have had spells of foamy/slimy issues. I needed a band adjustment even though I had been ok at that level for about 2 years. So the explanation from the Dr. and RD. was that maybe my internal shape had changed as I lost wt. and fat mass. The fill was reduced a little and doing better now. Occasionally I do have a little trouble but as you said it can be explained. Nuts and capsules don't agree with me. That causes me to have the foamy/slimy problem. Hope you can find a Dr. soon to get this resolved. I am at 5+ years.

Have a good week!

The first 2/3's of your post, you were describing me.

However I am not bummed about the fact I stopped loosing....the truth is I have nothing left to loose!

I hit that place where all excess body fat is gone.

And I also loose and gain the same 5 lbs over and over again.

Also, I am not being treated for anything with Prescribed medications.

I have experiences what you describe, but it happens very rarely these days. And I can always, IN MY CASE ONLY, relate it to something, even if it were hours before.

I have found one has to be gentle with the band and cannot abuse it day after day...by forcing to eat something I am better off giving up entirely.

Myself, every 4-6 weeks, I give my band a rest...I stop eating solid foods and stay with liquids for at least 3 days. Soups, shakes, etc.

If it were me, I would give everything a rest. Give things a chance to rest even if stretched.

AND I would inform my Dr. soon if it continues, and if it passes I would still mention it to him when I see him.

I totally agree with @B-52. When I start having similar issues, my nurse practitioner always has me go back to liquids. I do nothing but Water and Protein shakes for 3-4 days and that seems to do the trick. It could quite possibly be something that you're eating or doing has irritated the band and you're dealing with the swelling side-effect. Try going to only shakes for several days and then ease back into food by going to mushies, soft foods, as you build back to regular food.

I'm certainly not an expert, and have zip medical training, but I have had my band for a while and communicate VERY regularly with my bariatric nurse practitioner during these types of things. I'm just passing on what I've learned...

Keep us posted!

Agree with B52 on the 'forced eating' business......if I have to gag it down something needs to be vetted .

I'd had a 'foamy' issue only rarely ~verging on ALMOST 'never'~ and that was related to attempting some new unenthusiastically gobbled down food that never was part of my own 'food group'.

re: "I've managed to break through the stall and have lost about 40 pounds in 8 months." WOOT!!! Congratulations.

Now.....regarding that visit to your NEW doc.......ahem.....as they say in the space opera: "Make it so"....

Thanks for the advice! I've stuck to liquids all day today and I guess we'll see how that goes. I'm feeling quite weak and tired so I'm trying to choke down a protein shake as I type this. I've developed a huge aversion to protein shakes. I recently heard of a brand that's basically like the Crystal Lite of protein shakes. I think I'll be able to tolerate that better so I ordered some samples. I'm hoping I can start back on food in the next few days but I guess for now it's liquids. Ugh!

I am curious what protein shake you like? I have not had one in 4 years and was at a point I could hardly get one down. Many powders were gritty and that just was gaggy for me on its own. I should keep something on hand to go to if I get these issues but need to go shopping. Thanks for sharing if you have suggestions of good protein powder or shakes.

Thanks to B-52, I also do the liquid thing . I believe that this keeps my band very happy.

I haven't tried it yet but the brand that was recommended is called Syntrax Nectar. They have your standard flavors but also have fruit flavors that dissolve clear (like Crystal Lite). I ordered the samples but I haven't gotten them yet.