notateechanow

I've had issues, but even with them, I've never regretted my decision. We talked about this very thing at our last support group meeting we all went to. I've only lost 85 pounds, but even with that, this is a new year for me. I struggle with keeping food down now, but even today, I was ok with a yogurt and 3 turkey meatballs even though my house is filled with food. It's provided me a freedom I never imagined I could have. I knew I love to eat and cook, but never realize how obsessed I was.....I workout far more than anyone I have met and haven't lost as much as I expected. However, I'm down from a size 24 pant to a consistent 14. I can do 60 minutes on the treadmill without being sore after....that alone is HUGE for me. The band has truly provided me a freedom I never imagined. It wasn't about the weight for me...it was the lack of control. I have that now. Good luck. Have you decided on your surgeon? Please, keep in touch. I know we're all very willing to chat about our experiences here. :hurray:

Ronin, Stress makes my band tighter, too..... Glad to hear you're getting down some liquids. Did you make an appointment to SEE your doctor, though?! :thumbup:

It's not necessarily that you're losing restriction, so much as you're adjusting to it. It could be you're just accustomed to it now. Keep in mind it will be easy to get down the bad foods, like cookies. Be sure you follow the plan with your proteins and vegetables and consume the amount directed by your doctor. It isn't unusual for you to feel less restricted after a while. You'll just get another fill when you need it. Don't give into it though. Make sure you stay on plan and don't overeat. You'd hate to have your hard work slip away because you're able to eat more.....

Regardless of what the cause is, you need to call your doctor immediately. I, too, have struggled with keeping food down. I had a fill in April but needed an unfill in July after months of being ok. I went again in September for another unfill. I just couldn't bear not eating any more. I'm not sure it's a slipped band or just your band tightening, but either way, you definitely need to see your doctor on Monday!!! Don't wait. This is really not healthy. The band is supposed to restrict your intake, not prevent it! Please call your doctor. Keep us posted. :thumbup:

Oh, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling too. Are you filling up fast or having a hard time getting things down? If you're filling up, then chewing long won't make much of a difference. Have you played with different textures? I actually have a tough time with things that have a lot of liquid. I know it's supposed to be easier, but I do better with crunchy stuff. Also, if I haven't eaten for too long, I have a harder time eating. Mornings are always a challenge, but late night, there's nothing stopping me!! The more you experiment the better. Eating one thing at a time works best during the experimentation so you can figure out what does and doesn't work. Also, what works today might not work tomorrow or even later today....it's all so fickle! Hope it gets better. I assume the next meeting isn't for at least 2-3 weeks. It's usually the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of the month. I'll check in this week when I'm there. :tongue2:

What time is your appt.? I'm headed in at 10:45 on Tuesday....

Ok...back to the drawing board again. After a miserable Christmas of throwing everything up, I'm headed for an unfill on Tuesday. Nothing gets "stuck", but everything comes right back up! I'm hoping his computer is back up and working and he'll have my history of fills and unfills in front of him this time...MIGHT be helpful. :tongue2: How was everyone's holiday??

24 POUNDS?! Yay, you!!! Great job. Glad to hear you're feeling well and able to live with the band. It is a huge adjustment. Happy holidays! See you in the new year. :thumbup:

It means being appreciated AND respected for what you say because people aren't too preoccupied by how you look.....

It sounds like he'd be best to start with group therapy. If his surgeon is part of a group, I'd expect that they offer this. Most surgeons have a monthly group meeting. After that, when he's really ready to face some of those not so hidden demons, he should start with the one on one counseling. It isn't easy, but it is well worth it in the end. Deal with the most pressing issue first---if you're right and he'll only listen to those of us who have been banded, then take him to a support group meeting. Call his doctor's office and ask if they have one or can suggest one..... Good luck. He's so fortunate to have you, but be sure not to try to "fix" this for him. He needs to handle this one--with your support--but on his own. :thumbup:

Hey there, ladies! I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I've been looking for pictures from last Christmas so I can see how far I've come. I've been baking up a storm and haven't even wanted any. That, in itself, is a HUGE accomplishment!! Have a super holiday. When is the next meeting? Drop me a note to say hello when you have time! I'm off til Jan. 5th. :thumbup:

As I mentioned earlier, my band tightens when I'm stressed. I go to counseling weekly. The band just didn't solve all that ailed me. The other thing to consider---I have a problem getting food down if I haven't eaten for too long, too! If I have something for breakfast--like a protein shake and get too busy to eat lunch, I have a really hard time getting dinner down. The other issue can be if he's really hungry he doesn't chew well. I do find myself eating food that comfort but don't sit well. I can't believe how much I relied on food for comfort in the past and didn't know until I recently had a lot of upheaval in my life. He needs to get some help. He should be adequately adjusted by now and needs to be honest with his doctors. They can't treat adequately if they don't know the extent of it.....

There can be several different reasons for vomiting. First, he may have too much restriction. (The band is too tight, causing pain and not allowing food to pass through, so he vomits it back up.) Another cause could be that he's not eating the appropriate amount of food. Unfortunately, the band only restricts your stomach, not your head. If he hasn't changed his eating habits, it's possible that he's over eating--particularly if he's not measuring his food. One more issue could be that he's no longer able to consume the same kinds of food as before banding. Each of us is affected differently---I can't eat soft foods because they are easy to eat without chewing properly, so while they go down ok, they come back really fast! Many banded people have issues with rice, bread, Pasta, etc. Good news is, there's very little nutritional value in these foods. Lastly, he may also be someone who panics when he starts to feel the tightness of the band. I have had times when I've preemptively vomited because I worry that something I've eaten will get stuck and intentionally vomit it back up. If he works closely with his surgeon and nutritionist and follows the "rules" of eating, he should be ok. I think you'd be well advised to have him talk with his doctor. I know my ex was concerned for the same reasons and eventually pushed me to get an "unfill" of my band. I found that my band tightened with stress. Many of us are apprehensive to unfill because of the potential for gaining weight back. It's a hard balance to find. But, with good support from the doctor and nutritionist and honest communication, he should be ok. Good luck. :thumbup:

Sherry, Glad to hear it all went ok. Rest up and be glad you can't shovel! :tongue_smilie:

I actually had my first fill last week since April. I am finally losing again. I actually think I wasn't eating enough. I'm doing at least 14-20 miles a week on the treadmill---I'm limiting my workouts to cardio because I build muscle really fast--and while I know it may rev up your metabolism, I'm the ONLY woman I know who manages to bulk up at Curves..... So now, I'm focusing on eating everything right--following the rules and making sure I eat enough. Thanks for offering though. My scale is finally moving again. :thumbup:

Thanks, Sherry! I'm not quite where I hoped to be...but I think I may have relied a little too much on hope and not enough on wanting and doing. I will lose the last 40 this year, but I'm happy with how far I've come. Good luck with all you have going on!

Breanne, Congratulations. It's an exciting journey. I hope it works out well for you! :rolleyes2:

I think we go to the same doctor!! Funny enough, I, too, hate having to schedule fills because I wonder the same thing. I do whatever works in the schedule usually, but feel more comfortable with the Monday afternoons because I've then had a half day of eating solids before being on liquids only for 48 hours......though, I usually weigh less in the morning, and I love to have lost weight when I visit. I am tighter in the morning, so I prefer the afternoons because I get a better sense of how I'll truly feel after the fill, whereas the mornings are a challenge to get/keep food down regularly. I'll be curious to see what others say....

Did your doctor give you a particular goal for pre-surgical weight loss? If not, I wouldn't agonize. If you're following directions and not gaining weight, you should be ok. To help with the weightloss though, be sure you're drinking enough water. There are natural diuretics that you can have--caffeine is one. If you're on full liquids, the others are irrelevant! Good luck with staying on track. I see you have surgery in just a few days. May it be quick and your healing be fast. Good luck!:rolleyes2:

I hate to admit it, but I think the reason it takes me such a short time is because I start to panic and need to control it. I never wait to see how things go.... As far as calling, the pain isn't at all constant. I've had it off and on, and it isn't really bad. I'm getting used to it. I don't think it's anything to worry about....so please don't worry. If I thought I should worry, I'd call. :tt1: