ebrown1

I reluctantly post this, because a similar post I just read got some REALLY nasty insensitive feedback.... I was banded July 2009... and have lost only 25-30 lbs. in over a year. My weight stays between 262-268 and had been for a LONG time. I have MAJOR problems with eating. I have not had a fill since March. At first, it seemed good. I could eat "normal" foods (for a bandster). But-- every few days I can't seem to eat ANYTHING for days at a time-- not even soup/broth. Then I will be able to "coax" my band into letting me consume something and be good for a day or so-- then it seems I can eat almost anything I want! (so I can't be too tight!-- I went for a few weeks this summer with NO problems) Most days I can't eat anything all day. I will puke up yogurt! Then in the evening, if I start with Soup, I am able to eat something. And even though I can't eat-- IM NOT LOSING WEIGHT!!! Last spring I was too tight and vomited non-stop for a MONTH and only lost 10 lbs.-- after a month of pure suffering, tearing my esophogus and puking blood! Just this week I was vomiting blood again! But I can't be too full because I have "good days" where I can eat almost anything I want! Why is this happening? How can things change so drastically from one day to the next????

Wow! I just posted an almost identical post as yours!!!! (See band complications-- "given up") I am self pay and sick about having "invested" $25,000 in my "healthy future" and having had the same results as you! Can't eat all day. 6-8 pm smorgasboard, constant vomiting, feeling sad/desperate/ and SOOOOO embarrased when people ask about my surgery.

I was told to resume sexual activity whenever I felt comfortable/ ready.

I was always a big beer drinker. I have drank twice since surgery and didn't like it. I had vodka/cranberry. I am used to being able to handle my liquor-- but I only had a few and got REALLY drunk! I was disappointed because I like to relax and hang out for the evening and I was too drunk to do that. I really don't feel like drinking any more because of that. Maybe I need to find a drink with a very small % of alcohol that won't affect me so quickly.

I had really bad shoulder pain too-- and heat seemed to help. Tried a heating pad-- but it didn't make enough contact. My mom gave me this oblong bean bag looking thing that you microwave and then laid it on my shoulder. That felt good :scared2:

Kat-- You have spoken my story. I am almost in tears this morning after gaining another pound. I lost 16lbs. the first five days after surgery and then stopped losing. Now I'm gaining a pound every few days. I have read what everyone says and am trying to keep my sanity-- but it is HARD and very DISAPPOINTING-- and unless this has happened to you-- you don't understand. I know its too soon. I try not to look at the scale. But I just put my family into debt to have this surgery and lose weight-- I only consume 800-1200 calories a day-- and am not being successful. Someone asks me every day "So how much weight have you lost now?" And what do I say? I lost 16 but now I'm only down 9. I know I have to stay positive-- and I am most days. I know I have to be patient-- and I am most days. But some days I feel heartbroken and like a failure. I feel like I try and work hard and always end up in the same damn spot. The good thing about this forum is that you guys don't let us feel sorry for ourselves for very long.

I had surgery in the late afternoon. That evening I was walking around often. I was up every hr. of the night-- couldn't sleep much. Went home the next day. Days 2-3 I moved slow and took naps. My only big pain was my left shoulder. I felt like I was in a fog. Day four I was better physically but felt very empty physically, emotionally,... very blah. But I decided to stop taking the Lortab and just take liquid tylenol. I also went #2 that day. Between those 2 changes I felt a WORLD of difference! Day 5 I took 1 dose of Tylenol and that was the last of the meds I needed. Just kept feeling better and perkier. I'm only at Day 13 right now. I feel completely normal physically, except for a little incision pain every now and then. Psychologically I miss eating-- well, I miss pigging out on the foods I love. I also stopped losing weight after the first week-- even though I'm following the rules and only consuming around 1,000 calories a day or less. The consensus seems to be that my body is in shock and starvation mode because it thinks I'm starving. If you could manage it-- try getting off the strong pain meds. They cloud your brain. And the #2 will also help lots-- you could get a stool softener. Drink as much fluids as humanly possible. Hope you're feeling better!!!!

Im SO glad to read all of your similar experiences!!!!! I was bandded 7/23/09. I lost 16lbs. the first 5 days on all liquids. Now I'm on mushy foods and have gained a pound a day. I am following all of the rules. I only eat 3 times a day-- no Snacks-- WAY fewer calories than I've ever consumed-- but still gaining. I am going to believe in the post "Mary on a Mission" wrote that said the body is trying to stabilize itself. I need to just keep following the program and STOP looking a the scale constantly and have some faith.

I got banded on the 23rd. I would like an accountability partner similar to me. Are you interested? I think you can email me from the site if you're wanting to keep in contact. I lost 15lbs. the first 5 days on liquids. I have been on pureed food for 4 days and I've gained a few pounds back-- which I don't understand. I'm following my instructions and consuming WAY less calories than I used to. Mabye my body is just adjusting to the new way of life.

If I ain't eatin M&M cake-- I aint buyin it for my kids! It's bad for them too, and it's TORTURE for me!

I just got banded last week, and when he operated he found a hiatal hernia. He said he just had to put a few stitches in my diaphram to repair it.

I was banded on July 23, 2009. Surgery went okay. Went home and have been fine.... but I feel completely empty. I feel an empty hunger. I feel lifeless emptiness. I feel a spiritual emptiness. I don't feel like talking to anyone. I don't feel like playing with my kids. I know I am hungry. The liquid diet is hard, but I'm sticking to it. I just wonder if I'm crazy. It may just be that I'm feeling a little weak/ tired from surgery so I'm unmotivated. But I'm usually a very upbeat person. Anyone else feel this way?

Wow! Thank you all for such great support! I REALLY appreciate hearing from all of you. Today I feel like a new woman. I switched from the strong narcotic medication to liquid tylenol and I really think that has made a difference in my lucidity. I felt like I was living in a cloud. Now I feel clear headed and motivated. I still think about eating quite a bit and do think I've been doing some mourning. Food was my support system. I was married to a man who I had to constantly take care of and support and I have two small children who constantly need me. Food was the only thing that comforted me. I'm now divorced and my kids are now 3 and 4 and less "needy" and I needed to take control of my eating. But it does feel like I've lost a really good friend. Thanks again for all of your support!

I was banded on July 23, 2009. Surgery went okay. Went home and have been fine.... but I feel completely empty. I feel an empty hunger. I feel lifeless emptiness. I feel a spiritual emptiness. I don't feel like talking to anyone. I don't feel like playing with my kids. I know I am hungry. The liquid diet is hard, but I'm sticking to it. I just wonder if I'm crazy. It may just be that I'm feeling a little weak/ tired from surgery so I'm unmotivated. But I'm usually a very upbeat person. Anyone else feel this way?

I had my surgery a day before you! How are you doing?