Are you finding it easy to eat?

This is a timely article for me to read. I've always kept my band a bit looser, not so I could overindulge, but because I had a deep fear of ever getting stuck. Having a "looser" band allowed me to choose from a variety of foods (I still did not eat bread, Pasta, rice or potatoes, as these were poorly tolerated by my band and in fact I didn't need them in terms of calories). I greatly enjoy my salads, raw veggies, etc...things that bandsters with too-tight bands avoid. I never once had to reach for a Protein shake, Soup or other (except after a fill of course).

Now, due to an ill-advised course of anti-inflammatories that made my stomach swell immensely (the organ, not my tummy), I am living the way-too-tight experience. I cannot for the life of me see how someone would want to live this on a daily basis. I cannot even drink Water without PB-ing (unless it is warm, and unless I take tiny sips). I'm living on yogurt (takes 2 hours to eat a little pot of yogurt), hot tea, Soups (again, two hours to drink a bowl) and right now I've been staring into my tuna fish since noon. (It is 2:30 pm and I haven't made a dent in it).

I went to get my band unfilled but the radiologist who read the fluoscopy said my band is fine. It's not my band that is tight, it is my stomach that is swollen. With double doses of Nexium over the next weeks, the swelling should go down so he suggested I just tough it out until then rather than get an unfill, and then a refill...etc etc.

This episode has given me a real taste at what some people opt to do with their lapbands and I just can't understand why they'd do this by choice. It's certainly not enjoyable, nor no way to live in the longterm.

Well said. I suffer from morning tightness, so any tighter and I'd be in danger of filtering out many of the good Proteins I need. I keep my band just tight or loose enough that I don't have to rely on a shake for Breakfast. I can eat an omelet, or an ham/egg on flatbread sandwich.

I've seen far too many people who have failed and had to have revision due to what I would consider a "too tight" band. They're posting here daily where they did so well for 2 years and now their band slipped or their pouch or esophagus is dilated. They're tired of the stuck episodes and constant vomiting. If this is how your journey is developing, it's time to re-evaluate how this lapband thing is supposed to work.

And I do believe, for many years, the band was sold as a restrictive tool. And many use it this way. It's not restrictive. It's supposed to assuage our hunger, not stop food from going into our stomach.

I would like more restriction, but it's just not worth the risk. I plan on using this band for at least a decade. I may not have the restriction I've seen so many others have, but, my band is dimming my appetite enough that I can still lose weight if I exercise hard and eat healthy.

tmf

I can say I am in the same boat and at times the tide is in and others the tide is out. I have some days where I am more restricted because of allergies or cold/flu though never to the point that only liquids can be taken. I have had that once after being sick, and it was not something I could or would want to live with for any extended amount of time.

Thankfully it cleared up and I did not have to have Fluid removed. I'm at a good place with my band today. I am able to eat solid foods, and keep the portions in check. That's right where I want to be. When I have days where stress cinches my band because all the rest of my body is tense, I know it already and I will take it easy on my choices of foods, and lets just say I won't be eating a steak or dry chicken breast.

I have learned even before banding that when those days come along, it's better to eat light and easy. Before banding I would get very sick if I ate heavy while under extreme stress, and now I have to say I'm glad that with the band I just can't get it down cause at least I am not sick for days

I couldn't agree more. I have always wanted my band as loose as possible so that I could eat whatever I wanted but still contine to lose weight. There's obviously trade-offs. I have difficulty with certain foods but CAN eat anything if careful. Saying that, I have chosen not to eat breads, pastas, etc because they take up far to much space in my stomach and offer very little in terms of nutritional value & satiety.

I haven't lost as quickly as some of my more restrictive friends but I'm still able to enjoy life & food & eating in public.

I've also seen many friends that have come to a complete weight loss halt. One has to remember that a certain level of caloric intake has to be maintianed for the body to function properly & not hold on to fat reserves.

I agree with all of the above statements. I just wish doctors would filter their lapband patients more carefully. Maybe using a psychologist with extensive WLS knowledge to advise these patients as to how complex WLS can be. Especially how complex the lapband experience can be.

I'm not saying it's complex for everyone, but for those who do not succeed, the complexities overwhelm them. Many of the obese who never understood basic nutrition and how their health interacts with nutrition and activity, should never be introduced to the lapband. But so many were and are sold on the lapband as a quick fix that makes them eat less. So not true.

Sorry for the rant.

tmf

Thanks to you all for reading and more importantly, for sharing your experiences. I enjoy learning more and more from people living with weight loss surgery. Sally

Wow. I never would have guessed any of those foods. Mine is always salad, veggies and fruit, with lean Proteins. If I want anything fattening, then I make it. That means a cookie or something and I make it to share with others. I'm not a chocolate fan.

Tonight, I went and got salad with chickpeas, Beans, peas, egg, and then some chicken. I also got some fruit. I'll eat off this until tomorrow. I have some other left over salad I'll eat too. Most people would put a good amount of cheese on it but dairy and I don't seem to get along any more.

That really surprises me.