For those who feel Like Odd balls

[DebraSV 18]

I have not contributed or participated in a very long time, But I hope this may be of some help. I have made wonderful progress with my lap band but it has not been without significant issues. I lost most of my weight by November last year (9 mo). But starting mid May I started having more and more problems with eating. After a month of losing way more food than I was able to keep I finally talked with my nurses. I had to go in and have a couple of ccs taken out of my band. Which I did NOT want to do. But it turns out my sensitive stomach did not go away with lap band surgery.

I have a limited capacity to take in the Protein Shakes, so I have to use them judiciously. I can use Lactaid to help, but after a few days in a row of one or two, that's it. I tell you that because after a fill I have at least 2 full days when i really cannot eat. Most mornings I cannot eat, but I have to use something to get my Vitamin and meds down without me getting nauseated and I was using the shakes for that. That had to change. Once they got me past 4cc, I really had to work at what I could eat. Crackers worked but they are not what they want me to eat. I found that for Breakfast I need very little, but I have to go with whatever works. The rest of the meals I am able to stick to my plan pretty well. When my stomach is super irritated I have to revert to bland slider foods. if that does not calm things down my next step is to check with my GP to see if I have some kind of stomach virus or UTI going on. More times than not I do. If none of those work, then my final resort is to call my surgeons office and have a little taken out. I always put it back in 2 to4 weeks.

I have found that texture is everything, and anything that is cooked dry or stringy is never going to stay down for me. But overall I can eat a wide variety, I focus on the Protein, and try to keep it "chunky". I am to a point that I do use fruits for Snacks from time to time, but I don't eat a lot of snacks as a norm. On days when my band is tighter, I sometimes have to eat 4 or 5 very small meals to get enough to keep me going. After having several tests and a couple of upper GIs we can clearly see my pouch is pretty small. I often have symptoms of a slip, but it has been checked many times and I have had no slippage. Its just me. I admit it can be very aggravating, but it definitely beats the alternative. Though there are many struggles, they all seem minor in comparison to being able to achieve a pretty healthy weight. I know I will never be skinny, but I am so much better off than I was. I never thought I would wear mediums as a norm, but Here I am.

So if you are having similar problems, just know it is a very manageable situation.

[Karen72 1]

I'm proud of your weight loss. I too have struggled. I have gained back all the weight I lost after surgery. I am doing Atkins for two weeks to jump start my weight loss. I have to drink Protein shakes before lunch and dinner or I will throw up. It sounds like neither of us have bodies that want to cooperate. Good luck to you.