Family member question

afriend · May 22, 2008

My mother had the lap band surgery a year and a half ago. She has stopped losing weight and is eating horribly. Not only is the food terrible but she is eating huge amounts. I am not exaggerating when I say she ate half a pizza yesterday in one sitting. The day before she consumed 6 ice cream sandwich bars in 6 hours along with other food.

I was under the impression that you could not eat huge amounts of food when you got the surgery. I guess the point of this is that want to know if anyone else has experienced this. Has her stomach stretched out again?

I love her and I am worried. Her eating is out of control and I know it will hurt her if I say anything. Any input would be appreciated.

I also need to ask about her incessant burping and farting. The entire family has noticed and it is unbelievable how often it happens. This sounds terrible but we are all extremely irritated. There is not a day that goes by that we don't hear her constantly passing gas. Whenever she is going to eat or drink we know she is going to burp for about 20 minutes after she is done. Is this normal?

Edited May 22, 2008 by afriend

plain · May 22, 2008

I was under the impression that you could not eat huge amounts of food when you got the surgery.

Your impression is not true. There are a lot of ways to cheat around the band, if the patient really wants to. Unfortunately, it seems that some doctors are doing their patients a dis-service by not thoroughly explaining that the band works, but "you get out what you put in".

Ice cream is pretty easy to get past the band, but the pizza makes me think that the might have caused a slippage by eating the wrong kinds / heavier amounts of food. Only the doc can test and say for sure, though.

Telecia · May 22, 2008

Many people report till they start getting thier fills they can eat anything. Sounds like she got the surgery and didnt bother with getting fills or anything afterward. Or if she did get any fills they weren't enough to offer any restriction.

CrueFan · May 22, 2008

I Would Have To Say That If She Had Started Losing Weight Then She Had Been Having Her Fills, I Would Say Its More A Slip Or Eating Around It, More People Need To Realize Its Not A Cure Its A Tool Andif You Dont Work With It, It Wont Work

jojopom · May 22, 2008

It sounds as if your Mom needs a fill and a refresher on healthy eating. Her gas is something that should be discussed with her doctor but could be due to the poor choice in foods she is making.

Mariposa · May 22, 2008

I agree with the above, its the same for gastric bypass, if you dont change the way you eat, and if you are an emotional eater and never addressed why you go to food for comfort, the lapband can only do some much. Just like they said its a tool. You have to get the fills, you have to eat right, maybe allowing 1 day a week for a treat, working out, see a counselor if needed.

As for her gas, its probably the food choices. My husband doesn't even have the lap band and eats like how you describe and I pay for what he eats that night :rolleyes2: so certain high fatty food produce more gas, is she drinking beer or soda, that too causes gas!

I think a family meeting, discuss how she has failed the lap band, what we in a whole can do to get her on the right track. Ask her how important it is to be healthy and thin or to eat like a pig and be unhealthy? But in your own words! Ignoring this wont help, but if you address it and she doesn't care well its like this, you can bring a horse to Water but you cant make them drink. So encourage her, tell her husband to only buy healthy foods, so there is no temptation. Remind her how the gas is annoying the family and how unfair it is for yall! And if so a therapist can help! Good luck!

Cari · May 22, 2008

Tell her to try this: Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test it is meant to see if your pouch is working and reset it. A few of my friends have done it and gotten back on track to loosing weight again.

Hastings · May 22, 2008

My band is in place and working fine and I eat healthy food and correct amounts of it.

I do also burp a lot. Not so much the other. Lots of burping. I think it is relatively common with the lap band.

blueriley · May 23, 2008

Umm, I burp a lot now:laugh: Imagine what it will be like after the band:thumbup:

linesj · May 24, 2008

Not only was "it's only a tool" stressed to me over and over, I had to take 3 different psych tests to make sure I had no underlying problems that needed addressing first, and had to take a multiple choice written test to make sure I understood the band. It's not just a Dr, but a whole "Center for Bariatric Surgery" that can provide the support and information one needs. I had to see Dietician, psycholigist, recreational therapist, physical therapist, nurse, Dr. and some of them twice before even getting a date. And every last one of them I had to explain that I knew it was still what I put in my mouth that would determine my success or failure with the band. Maybe our Mom could find a better Center for more support?