comet321

I've had discomfort since my last fill in December but I travel alot so I didn't call. I started feeling progressively worse and vomiting. Finally called my Doctor on Monday. She immediately had me in for an upper GI and it turns out my band did slip. She removed all of my fill, and I am on liquids for a few weeks and then another upper GI. Sometimes you need surgery to correct and apparently sometimes it can somewhat "self correct" after you swelling in down from fluids only. Bottom line is I feel a bit responsible since I did not call immediately, as we are supposed to. I realize the keeping a commitment to seeing your doctor regularly is imperative with the band.

Dear Mom2Twins, You poor dear. You are definitely not getting the care that you deserve. The last 2 fills I've had, I had problems with vomiting and being too tight. I could always drink fluids however. When I called my surgeon, she immediately wanted me in the office and took out the Fluid. I also take quite a few days after a fill to "calm down" and be able to eat normally. After a fill in December, I had difficulties eating and actually began vomitting a few weeks ago. I travel quite a bit for my job, so I just went on a liquid diet and tried to "grin and bear it." When I finally called my surgeon she was upset that I didn't come in on day 1 of distress. I went in on Monday for an upper GI and it appears my band did slip - possibly because I waited too long with too much vomiting. She removed all of the fluid from my band and I am now back on a liquid diet for a few weeks before another upper GI. My surgeon has called me twice at home since Monday to see how I am. In your case, your doctor seems the exact opposite of mine. If you can't switch your care to another surgeon, I would definitely request a conference to discuss the concerns you have with your care. If you are not naturally assertive, you may want to take your spouse, or a friend with you who will emphasize the issues you have. Good luck.... A mom of twins certainly needs to be well!

Great job! My anniversary was yesterday also, and I am pleased to say that I have lost 83 lbs and am 10 lbs from goal. I agree that the LAP-BAND® has been a great aid, but it is still a decision everyday to eat healthy. I am having a bit of problems however with not being able to keep a fill. My dr removed all of my fill and will try to add it back in very small doses. She is worried that my band may have slipped. I have not had problems swallowing, but moreso with digesting food. Has anyone else had this, or any problems? Regardless, I will work it. Congrats everyone!

Wow - this sounds like me. I was fine for the first 10 months with the band, but then I began to have problems with nausea and vomiting. I've had an upper GI and had most of the fluid removed but am still having the symtoms. I love the band for helping me control my overeating, but this is not a normal way to live. I am curious if anyone has been able to "solve" the nausea problem.

It is hard to believe that it's been almost 1 year. The support from this forum has been motivating. In some ways it's been easier than I thought it would be - and in some ways harder. It always strikes me that we will have to deal with our relationship with food every day for the rest of our lives. That said, it sounds like most of us would do it again. I'm loving feeling so much better.

Glad to find these posts - thanks for the information. I was having problems with keeping food down a few weeks ago and my doctor did a complete unfill and wants me to have an upper GI (being scheduled) to make sure I didn't have a slip. I am now feeling better but have gained 7 lbs. I do not feel any pain now - does that mean my band did not slip? My surgeon never mentioned a liquid diet though. I will try that just in case - plus it may help with the weight gain. Good luck.

Hi Everyone...I haven't posted for awhile due to some personal issues. It's motivating to read everyone's posts and see how well we are doing since last September. I am so much more healthy now than before. However, I am falling into the same trap a few of you mentioned - eating things that go down easily but are basically junk. That type of eating is not out of hunger. I haven't been exercising much so reading the posts about the dedicated exercise is also motivating. With our 1 year anniversary coming up in a little over 2 months, this is probably a good time to recommit to a healthy lifestyle and set realistic goals for September. Nice hearing that all of you are doing well!

I've lost a total of about 75 lbs, 60 since surgery on September 1, 2009. I went almost 2 months around December without losing anything, and then lost more than 20 lbs in March and April. Unfortunately, I was having some episodes with food getting stuck after my 3rd fill so that is what prompted the loss. I had to have an unfill for a bit, and now it is much harder to lose. Like a few of you I am losing some of the initial good habits - like not eating junk food - but I am determined to start eating healthy again. I think you start fearing the LAP-BAND® less and push the limits on eating. I have also not been working out lately which is not good. I made a commitment to a healthy lifestyle when I decided on LAP-BAND® and have to hold my end up.

Isn't that the greatest feeling?!!! Congratulations!

Hi All - I have had the same problems with constipation and flatulence. I agree that drinking water as well as eating vegetables and fruit (or drinking V8 if the veggies are too difficult) make a different. I keep Gas-X around also - it really works and is safe.

It's always reassuring to read a post you can relate to. I just had my 2nd fill last week since being banded in Sept 09 and I have had far more trouble than I did earlier. I think I did not respect that swelling does occur and you have to eat like post surgery until the swelling goes down, which is probably different for each of us. I have been PBing every day, but I realize that I am also eating too fast and too much. Before the fill, I could do this but after each fill you have to adjust your lifestyle again. I now realize that I had similiar problems for actually a few weeks after my first fill but didn't relate it to the fill however I was eating slower and less at that time than currently. I will try liquids again for the next week and see if that makes a difference. Good luck finding the right balance

I started losing hair about 3 months post op, and then started taking Biotin. I am finally seeing a difference 3 months later. The hair loss has stopped. (I eat probably around 1000 - 1200 calories per day.)

When I am really hungry, I like the Muscle Milk light bars from GNC. They taste really good and have 15g of protein.

Hi Chapamar -looks like great progress. When you say you have plenty of restriction, do you mean that you are not hungry or that you risk food getting stuck? I can get food stuck fairly easily, but find that I am eating non-sticking foods all day and am hungry more often. I currently hae 4.5 cc in my 10cc band also. I go in next week for a fill with hopes that it will help me be less hungry like I was after surgery.

Hi -I was banded on Sept 1 and have lost 40 lbs since surgery (10 before surgery), but nothing over the past 3 weeks. I am really slowing down but to be honest I am starting to lose some of the initial good habits. I have been eating some cookies and junk food - it goes down easier than meat. I suspect it is time for a fill and a kick in the bottom!

Thanks HMARKO - you're exactly right. I do PB when I eat too fast or too big bites. I will try timing myself. I noticed we had almost the same amount of weight to lose and we have almost the same amount left. I'll keep watching your stats for inspiration! Good luck

Hi All, I was banded on Sept 1 and am down 40 lbs since Sept 1(hurray!). However, my weight loss has slowed down and I am increasing my appetite for easy-to-eat sweets. I have not yet had a fill - my doctor put in 4.5 cc when she put the lapband in and said that I had lost weight so she thought I was ok without a fill for now. I have trouble with some foods and it seems to be unpredictable when I will have trouble. My problem is - I think I want a fill to keep my weight loss moving but I am afraid my doc will say "no" if I tell her I have had trouble (PBing) occasionally. Anyone else have this dilemma? Thanks!

Hi September Bandsters - you all seem to be doing so well! I have also hit somewhat of a plateau for the last 3 weeks. Down ( and up) the same 2 lbs. I have a fill scheduled for mid-February. I am actually starting to have a bit more trouble with certain foods than I did earlier and I am afraid my Doc will not want to give me a fill if I tell her. I seem to have more difficulty with meat and find myself going to the protein shakes instead. It just started a few weeks ago and was not related to a recent fill. Has anyone else had that problem? Thanks!

Hi - my first fill is this afternoon! I was banded on Sept 1 and am ready for the fill. I am a little apprehensive about how they do it, but I am sure it's a lot less involved than the surgery was.

Just adding myself

My doc is pretty specific - 70 grams protein and 30 grams carb - all from a liquid protein diet for 2 weeks. I think that comes to around 700 calories max. Good luck

Sounds like you're setting records Colorado Mom! I lost 12 lbs on my 2 week presurgery liquid diet and have not weighed myself since surgery on the 1st. They warned us at the hospital that we could temporarily gain 6 lbs from the IVs. I see my doctor on Thursday so I will hope for a big loss then. I know what you mean about the wine - it is definitely easy to drink several glasses when you're talking and I miss wine already. I think the diet cranberry juice or Water with lemon is a good idea. Good luck! Congrats LovesLady -it's hard to believe that the band date will come after all of the preparation but it does. Good luck with the next few weeks of preparation.

Hi Everyone - glad to hear that all of you who were recently banded are doing well! To those aniticpating surgery 0 I have to admit it hasn't been nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I went out to lunch with my family today and had the broth from a bowl of chicken vegetable soup. It was a treat! I am on liquids for another 9 days and then on to mushies. I am still not really hungry so I can handle the liquids. By the way - has everyone removed the bandages from your incisions? I have one large dressing over the port area that I haven't removed. I put the anitbacterial soap on it and hope that is enough. Have a great day.

Hi Everyone - I had surgery on Tuesday Sept 1 and it went very well. I had to have a surprise hyetal (sp?) hernia fixed as well. I felt sluggish and uncomfortable for 2 days and have picked up nicely since then. I was actually able to walk on the treadmill at a slow speed yesterday. I find I nap once of 2x a day and that really helps. I have also slept fairly well at night. I did take the tylenol with codeine my doctor prescribed consistently the first 3 days. I'm glad it is over, but it certainly wasn't anything to fear. Having a great support system really helps. Good luck to everyone having surgery this coming week.

Hi Fellow September 1 bandsters. It is so wonderful going through this with others. I am very nervous for tomorrow. I had to have a weight check at the suregeons today and had lost 9 lbs from the 2 weeks of liquid diet (protein shakes). I thought I would have lost more but it is still a good loss. I definitely have butterflies tonight. This will be such a huge change for all of us. I am praying for all of you being banded along with me tomorrow. Good luck!!! It will be worth it!