scout47

Thanks so much I will ckin to Bandwagon immediately and the other tips later.

Was banded April 2009, lost 40lbs in first few weeks. No more w8 loss since then. With no fill have been throwing up 4-5 times a day. Finally after going to Mayo Clinic and back to my original surgeon in Nashville it was determined that my problem has never been my band, but my esophagus. Am now on meds for that and hardly throwing up at all now. So bottom line, I need to start over and learn how to use my band as a tool. Can anyone suggest a book explaining the whole post-op do's and don'ts. I don't need all the "talking into surgery" stuff. I really want this to work, please advise. THX

It's been a long time since I have been on this site. I was banded 4/1/09 and from the beginning I had a problem eating the protein I am supposed to without throwing up. It has now been almost 2 1/2 years and I still throw up almost every time I eat. To say I've been frustrated is an understatment. I have only lost about 30 lbs total. Anyway, this week I was given some hope I was told at Mayo Clinic that I had a hiatal hernia and needed to have that repaired and the band removed; I was scheduled for surgery in August and then my employer (from whom I have retired) changed my insurance and Mayo decided they would not accept the new ins. Finally my original surgeon said he would see me even though he does not accept the new ins either. He allowed me to do self-pay for my Monday appt (September 19) and the good news is that I do not have a hernia, I do have Esophageal achalasia which does not allow the esophagus to relax enough to allow my food to pass through into my pouch. As of Monday I am taking a new med which is supposed to fix this problem. So, bottom line is that now I have to start from the beginning using my band. Can anyone suggest an eating plan that works with my band and my diabetic needs?? Of course, the idea is that when I lose weight I can stop taking my insulin and a bunch of other meds. Any help anyone can give me would be much appreciated.

Thanks for the encouragement! I think one of my biggest problems is that I was in denial regarding being diabetic; so I never really had a "diabetic diet". The Nutritionist I saw when I was first diagnosed was terrible, made no sense, and then soon after I saw her she was no longer there. So I am on two types of insulin and also Metformin. So I definitely need to make my own structured eating plan. Thanks again for answering my posts.

Izzy, thanks again for your info. I wanted to look at your post again but everytime I tried to find my original post and view my answers, I can't find either. The only way I can find it is to click the web address given in my emails telling me someone has commented. It's been so long since I've posted on this forum and so many things have changed, can you tell me how I can go directly to my question and view the answers?? Thanks.

Thanks for the good tips. I usually have a Myoplex (42 g protein) every morning for breakfast. Also,I love Nut Thins and Laughing Cow Herb and Garlic cheese -- hadn't thought about mixing it with salmon or tuna would be great!

Thanks for your comment. My lap band surgeon has already told me what to eat: Protein three times a day--no snacks. However, since most proteins come right back up, I wanted a good alternative. Guess the best thing for me to do is look on the web and find a list of all types of proteins. Thanks for making me think!!

I had my lap band surgery in April 2009 and have given up with it working for me :thumbup: I haven't been on this website since Jan 2010). I usually throw up 4-5 times a day, which I could even live with if I were losing w8 but I just keep gaining back my original 40 lb loss. I have had all of saline removed from my band except 2 oz; tried to get the dr to remove that too, but he thought this would be OK. He said the reason I'm so hungry is that I'm starving myself since I can't keep protein down--especially chicken--and I'm not losing because I'm eating carbs--but I've got to eat something; I am also insulin dependant diabetic. I had to cancel my last 2 appts because I was too sick to travel to my dr in Nashville (it's almost a 4 hr round-trip). So I just keep trying to eat and just keep barfing. I had an MRI and it showed everything was in place, I did the 5-day pouch test, but the minute I eat other than liquids or mushies it comes back up. I know I sound like a pity party, but I am sort of pitiful :frown: Any advice?

Even though I can't seem to lose much weight even with lapband, I agree, I would give anything to have my flab (especially stomach) removed. Is it very, very expensive? I assume insurance does not cover these procedures.

Hey, since you are self pay I don't know what Dr. Morton requires. It was my insurance that required the 6-month weight loss (try) documentation and the pysc exam. I know how it is to be so curious. You can call Dr. Morton's assistant, her name is Anoosh, I don't know her last name but there is only one Anoosh (not sure of spelling either, but that is the way it's pronounced)--she is a great lady--and I'm sure she can tell you the time line. I don't mind if you tell her that I told you to call her. Hope she will help. Anita Barrett

You are so welcome! Stay in touch.:smile2: Anita

3children, I just saw Dr. Morton today and asked him your question; he said if you are self-pay, fills are FREE for one year!!! This is a somewhat new policy at Baptist Hospital--they have the lowest weight loss costs in the US. Good luck, I do not think you can go wrong with Dr. Morton. Anita

Are sunflower seeds a good snack?

Denise, Sorry it has taken me so long to answer, for some reason I couldn't log on to this site. But I'm baaaack:thumbup: After my ins approved (they required a 6-month weight-loss program, to prove I would be consistant with my follow-through--I just went to my local GP, and a phyc evaluation) then Dr. Morton scheduled my surgery immediately following a two-wk pre-op of a liquid diet. I am not losing w8 like I did at first, but I've been having trouble finding my exact fill needs. I take over 30 prescription meds and if my fill is tight enough to keep me full it is too tight to get my meds down. But I think I am finally on the right track. Head-hunger and self-control have been my two main problems, but hey, if I could have controled those two things I wouldn't have needed the lap band! Hope this helps. Anita

I hope this is a great food:rolleyes2: I snack on sunflower seeds all the time, really keeps me from stuffing my face with carbs. Are sunflower seeds a good thing?

:mad: Monday was my 8-Month Banded Anniversary and I have only lost the 40 lbs I lost the first two months. We leave for Disney on Saturday and when the weight was just dropping off in April & May I thought I would have lost at least 80 lbs by now. But nooooo, I am now fighting with the same old food addictions and head-hunger I had before I was banded--except now of course usually what goes down comes right back up :drool:. And according to Dr. Morton if I don't chew until my teeth fall out and only eat 1/2 cup three times a day, this will be my lot for the rest of my life--my FAT life :eek: Before surg I thought I had read or asked everything there was to read or ask. However, I must have missed the part that even though you will have a terrible problem eating healthy foods you will have no problem at all eating unhealthy foods . In my innocence, I understood that I wouldn't be able eat a lot of anything, and could only eat a very small portion of everything--thus the will-not-have-to-rely-on-willpower fallacy :wink2:. At this point I could really lose my religion and have a real cuss feast :cursing:, but I must be too sleepy this morning to really rant. I know banding works, so I lay the fault solely at my feet! What can I do to get back on the losing road!! Hopefully my appt with Dr. M (the next week after Disney) will help--although the sarcasm I encountered on my last visit has really had the opposite effect--I operate much better with encouragement rather than sarcasm and disgusted looks--which to be fair did not come from Dr. M, but from his nurse . My constant problem is with more fill I can hardly get my meds down--but that also leaves me without enough restriction. But I think I will opt for the larger fill and just do the best I can with my meds--I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to let all this pain and expense be for nothing :biggrin:. If God is for me who can stand against me :thumbup:. Hey, they're right--journaling does help :drool:. So get thee behind me satan and take your Dove Chocolate with you!!!

:mad: Monday was my 8-Month Banded Anniversary and I have only lost the 40 lbs I lost the first two months. We leave for Disney on Saturday and when the weight was just dropping off in April & May I thought I would have lost at least 80 lbs by now. But nooooo, I am now fighting with the same old food addictions and head-hunger I had before I was banded--except now of course usually what goes down comes right back up :drool:. And according to Dr. Morton if I don't chew until my teeth fall out and only eat 1/2 cup three times a day, this will be my lot for the rest of my life--my FAT life :eek: Before surg I thought I had read or asked everything there was to read or ask. However, I must have missed the part that even though you will have a terrible problem eating healthy foods you will have no problem at all eating unhealthy foods . In my innocence, I understood that I wouldn't be able eat a lot of anything, and could only eat a very small portion of everything--thus the will-not-have-to-rely-on-willpower fallacy :thumbup:. At this point I could really lose my religion and have a real cuss feast :cool:, but I must be too sleepy this morning to really rant. I know banding works, so I lay the fault solely at my feet! What can I do to get back on the losing road!! Hopefully my appt with Dr. M (the next week after Disney) will help--although the sarcasm I encountered on my last visit has really had the opposite effect--I operate much better with encouragement rather than sarcasm and disgusted looks--which to be fair did not come from Dr. M, but from his nurse . My constant problem is with more fill I can hardly get my meds down--but that also leaves me without enough restriction. But I think I will opt for the larger fill and just do the best I can with my meds--I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to let all this pain and expense be for nothing :sleep2:. If God is for me who can stand against me :thumbup:. Hey, they're right--journaling does help :sleep:. So get thee behind me satan and take your Dove Chocolate with you!!!

LollyMoe, :confused:Speaking of Journaling, is there a place to Journal on this website? Or is the only option we have is to Blog? Thanks.

Claire, I just read your post. I don't mean to be an alarmist, but if you still have this pain I suggest you call your local doctor. These pains sound like the ones my grandmother had when she was having congestive heart failure episodes. Seems like gas pains would have passed by now--however, what do I know. But just to be on the safe side, check with your local GP. Let me know how you're doing.

Yesterday B 3 egg yolks (hate whites):thumbup: L Ham (chopped) w/bit of mayo and relish S String Cheese D Will probably have tuna salad

Trish, I haven't noticed that going back to the Metformin has changed anything weight-wise, but it has helped keep my glucose lower. I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and go back to my doctor. I am more determined than ever to be healthy--so, yes, that means exercise too :biggrin:. Keep in touch.