Grandma26

I've had my lapband for about 2-1/2 yrs. with no trouble at all! The last few months I have gone wild eating!! I have kept my portion sizes small but my choices are off the chart!! Yesterday I hadn't eaten all day, about 3:00 pm I ate a few mini crackers, because I was hungry...I didn't chew them enough, they got stuck, I had the worst pain for over an hour, I was finally able to throw them up and noticed a small amount of blood. I started a liquid diet yesterday after that and today have only had yogurt and liquids. I have no pains and feel fine. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank!!!!! I was a little concerned with the blood, but everything seems ok today

Well it has been a long hot summer here in Northern NJ and I haven't "exactly" followed my plan. I have been maintaining my weight all summer, I haven't gained which is good, but I think I went to one BBQ too many because I am having trouble getting back to where I start losing again. I have been doing a low impact work out several times a week all summer so that help me maintain. I am looking for a few easy to follow, quick, jump start ideas. I started liquids again and can manage a day or two but then I am so hungry I grab anything within reach so I need to be careful there! Any input would be appreciated!!

I have often thought about what I would do if I had to have my band removed. It's hard to think about. I am happy with my band and it's performance. The few issues I have had are of my own doing, either over eating, not chewing enough or simply eating something I know won't go down causing it to get stuck! I know for a fact thatIwould gain all of my weight back if it was removed. Now with the band I can say to myself " you have had enough, anymore and you will hurt the band and yourself", and I stop eating. Without the band I will continue to eat what ever it is saying to myself..."I'll be good tomorrow" Hopefully I won't ever have to face that decision, but I am pretty sure I would want to have it put back in. I hope you find peace with your band!! Hugs,

It happens to all of us! don't beat yourself up because you can't do anything about it now. Start fresh today and get back on track. What helps me is to remember how uncomfortable I felt when I over ate. I am not over eating at this point, but I am eating the wrong foods. I think I got tired of the same routine and the summber BBQ season did me in!! Hang in there!!

I am sorry you are having such a bad experience. Have you discussed your current problems with the facility that is 70 miles away? Maybe they can help you now and after that you may not need to visit their office very often. It was a year for me in June and I only have to visit the office if I need a fill. My last fill was in Nov. '09. so my visits are far apart. Keep your chin up, it is hard when you aren't getting what you were promised, but whatever you decide to do I wish you good luck.

Congratulations on maintaining your sanity with all that going on! You amaze me because you were able to continue to lose dealing with the stress you must have been and are probably still under. I too have been away from the boards for the summer but I am sure we will be welcomed back, this is a truly wonderful group. Keep going you will make your goal before you know it.

I didn't need to stay in the hospital. My surgery was at 9:00 am, I was home by 3:00 PM. I was very fortunate, I didn't have any pain, just a mild discomfort. I didn't get the severe gas pains, my incisions we small and no oozing. I rested the rest of the day and went to work the next morning. Surgery is different for everyone, but definately do whatever your doctor recommends.

I am right there with the Wendy's chili! It is so satisfying to me. I found the recipe for it on line and I will be making some this weekend. I seem to crave broiled fish now. I ate fish before but now I want it all the time. My tastes have changed over the last year, some things I ate before being banded are not appealing to me anymore, which is a good thing since I was a junk food junkie!

Congratulations! It's hard but it's worth it!! Keep up the great work.

Hang in there it does get better. Warm liquids helped me when I was feeling out of it and couldn't stand one more minute.

CONGRATULATIONS!! That is amazing and a great example for all of us! Reading post like that inspire me. Keep up the hard work !!

OUCH !!! The roll probably did it! If it was dry and you didn't chew well enough it gets stuck, and it you took another bite after that it compounds the problem. I usually have a liquid or mushie day after an episode like that. The band gets fussy so I baby it for a while.

I use regular butter because my portions as small and I don't use a lot anyway. So far so good!

My surgeon told me not to swallow anything larger than an M & M. One of my pills I hate is a med. size capsul and I don't have a problem with it.

Hi big shell, Welcome to this site. My first suggestion would be to visit a bariatric surgeon and discuss your choices with him/her. Your surgeon will let you know which route they feel will work best for you but the decision is yours. They will also talk to you about which option will be best if your are hoping for a pregnancy. With the band I know they ask you to wait about 12-18 months, when you become pregnant they open the band up fully, you eat normally but healthy!! then after the baby is born, when you are healed and ready, they will start again slowly with fills to get you back on track. I had 100lbs to lose and after visiting a few seminars in my area I chose my surgeon. During my initial consultation we discussed the options. I decided on the lap band because I was afraid of the permanent alteration to my body. I have had good success so far, a friend of mine went the gastric bypass route and while her weight has come off faster, my food tolerence and side effects have been better. Either way is a big step, but it's the first step in changing your life dramatically for the better!! I always remeber my band is only a tool in helping me lose weight, it's not a magic bullet. I get out of it what I put into it. By thinking this way I am never disapointed and don't get discouraged. My surgery was easy, recovery was fast and I was back to a normal life in a shorter time then if I had bypass. Every one is different and healing, pain etc will vary but I have been happy with my lap band choice. good luck and let me know how you are doing. G'Ma

I don't have a problem not drinking with my meal, I really miss a cup of hot tea right after my meal. I keep busy cleaning to get through the 30 minute wait!!

I had my 4th fill Thursday (5-1/2 cc in a 10 cc band). I had great restiriction and didn't understand why I could suddenly eat way more after 5 months! My NP explained to me that as we lose weight, we also loose weight around our stomach so it can cause the band to loosen up a bit. I had a very, very small fill and all is great again!!

I can eat breads, crackers and potatoes prepared way! but I avoid pasta and rice. I am having a problem with most meats too. I can eat ground beef and some times chicken but anything else relly gives me a problem.

OMG you are too funny!! I find myself dreaming of "slider" food. I have a question.......may seem stupid but here goes.......since we chew everything to mush...doesn't just about everything slide right thru?? And what makes some food slide and other not slide? Today is a "head" hungry day for me. I am doing my best to fight it.....but a rainy, cold day makes me hungry!!

Hang in there it does get a little easier once you are fully up and running!! Once you are healed and back on regular food you will start to see a difference. However, the band will only control your appetite, you still have to make good food choices, and if possible to help increase the speed at which you lose....Excercise!! The head hunger doesn't go away, but we do learn to control it a little better. Good luck!

Not one regret!! I finally feel comfortable with myself. I feel I have been given years of my life back and wish I had known about the Lap Band sooner. Good luck!

After surgery you are swollen, fluid retention and all that good stuff and that can cause you to gain weight. I wouldn't worry about weight loss until after you are healed. The weight will start to come off, it just takes some a little longer than others.

Hi Whillow, 38 POUNDS is GREAT!!! You are doing amazing, try not to let your friend or anyone else hurt your feelings or discourage you at all. Sometimes it is ignorance on their part. They think because your had surgery the weight will just melt off!! I wish!! They don't understand the hard work this takes. KEEP YOUR CHIN UP and just smile! Hugs, G'ma

I have read this many times on LBT and I try to keep repeating it during the times when I can't go on another minute without some kind of comfort food; "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". We will always be head hungry, lets face it even skinny people fight that urge. I take it day by day and it does get easier. Now if I am miserable and can't stand it anymore, one bite of something changes my mood completely and puts me back on track. Stay strong and reach out to this forum for strength!