tropicaljill

I have been banded for four years and all has gone well. (I have lost over 100 lbs) Suddenly I can't eat or even swallow liquids. This has been going on for 3 days, and I keep thinking it will all go back to normal. Has anyone experienced this and if so, did it magiacally go back to "normal"?

Cocoabean, my doctor didn't do an upper GI- I actually didnt wnat to pay for one. It was an emergency visit and they were going to charge me $700, so I just asked to have my band totally drained to see if that would solved the problem and IT DID! The band did not slip after all, it was my nerves shutting down my stomach and not allowing me to eat, creating total restriction.

You'll do fine. Remember this is a tool and you have to still limit your quantities, and not always rely on your fill. Even after 4 years, I still use baby spoons, chopsticks and small plates and bowls for all my meals. It really helps to eat slower and thing about every bite!! Sometimes if i think i am hungry, but know I couldnt be, I go brush my teeth! It makes me not want to eat afterall.

Well, went to a doctor ($300 later) and had all my complete fill removed (3.2 cc's) Phew. What a relief. I actually drank 1/2 bottle of Water on the way home!!! The doctor did say that when people suffer extreme/acute trauma (ie: loss of a loved one, finds out some is extremely ill, etc...), that your mind actually has the power to shut down your stomach and it's ability to function correctly. I am guessing that is what happened to me. Having just found out i have breast cancer, and anticipating my huge surgery next week, my body was (is) freaking out. Oddly enough, I am at a little more ease now. Hopefully i can eat some food now! She did warn me that now that i dont have any restriciton at all, to be CAREFUL...the pounds can sneak back on slowly. thanks everyone for the input-- and for those of you reading this thread and are "shut down" (cant eat anything)--try to relax, get some fill removed and all should be well. It may not be a slip afterall :-)

Hi Sharon, I am right there with ya. Wasnt able to keep ANYTHING down since Friday- i literally sipped on ice cubes for almost 3 days. Was freaked out i had a slip and don't have a doctor nearby (10 hours away). I just laid low all weekend and today i've a cup of brothy soup and 1/4 cup of brown rice, and so far so good. I don't recommend this method (of not seeing a doctor) but my gut instinct was it was nerves or an oddity. I did actually find a doctor an hour away that will take my fill out today ($300 emergency fee). i need to have that done anyways, cuz i am having major surgery next week. good luck to us both! jill

yeah, i got an emergency appointment to have all my fill removed today. Hopefully that will solve everything.

I agree, it may be stress- hoepfully that is the case. I will call the Dr (its not 8 am here yet) and i think at the very least i am going to have my band emptied for the surgery so i wont have any restricitons post breast op. that way i will have one less thign to worry about (restriction). thanks everyone for all your kind thoughts. i'll keep you posted!

Thanks everyone. I have moved 15 hours away from my doctor, so first thing tomorrow am I will find a new doctor and see what we can do. In the meantime, hopefully all will go back to normal. It has to!!! I learned last month I have breast cancer and am scheduled for a double mastectomy the day after Thanksgiving.......UGH!!!!!!

If you can eat it, here is a trick... You can get bulk popcorn and put a small scoop in a paper bag, fold the end shut and stick it in the microwave. Every microwave is different but i usually set the timer on the microwace for about 2 minutes- I pull it out when the popping starts to get really fast. No butter, no oil, no artificial anythings. Just popcorn and a brown papaer bag. Then of course I spruce it up with my own stuff- but it really works.

Me too! What a great feeling.:clap2: My other recent non scale victories: 1) My wedding ring is WAY too loose 2) I can tie my shoes without having to do it from the side 3) I had to go bra shopping- which I despise - but the size was two sizes smaller this go around! Jill

In my huble opinion, stay where you are for a while. It takes a while to find your grove (I dont think I have even found mine yet). I would say take at least a month between fills. How long is your doctor leaving for? Forever? Or just for a bit? I would maybe say if he is leaving, never to come back again, get a fill. If he is just leaving for a while, wait. BTW, I lived up there for 12 years (Eureka, Arcata & Mckinleyville). I go up there alot, still have family up there. Where did you have your surgery, up there? Jill

I am in Santa Rosa and Angela is in Marin. We should all get together some day! Jill

Hi Sheila, Yes, he is my doctor! I had the surgery on Nov 15th and it was a great experience. Dr. felix andhis team are very professional and very helpful. I live up in Santa Rosa (an hour north of SF) and it was (is) TOTALLY worth it for me to drive 5 hours to have him be my doc. What insurance do you have? I have BC and was approved because I was 40 BMI. I am very happy to say I am no longer that- have lost nearly 40 lbs. just remember the doc and the lap band are a tool- it still takes dedication and effort. But YES I highly reccomend Dr Felix! Fell free to contact me if you have further ?'s. Or just reply on this thread and I will get back to you. All I can say is this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I can't believe I didn't do it sooner. jill

Wow, what a powerful thread. I am thankful I had the support of both my family and husband. All I can say is this is the best thing I have ever done for myself, and I cant wait to get close to my goal like mommy0105! Thanks for the inspiration!

Had my surgery on Wed, back to work on Monday. Could've been back on Saturday, but office was closed! I felt great! I was surprised at how easy it was. JOb is 50% at a desk, 50% on my feet. I had been exercising for months prior to surgery, I think that had a lot todo with my stamina and recovery time.

Just checking in..go in for my second fill tomorrow. After reading the last page or so of posts--I am a little scared now. Maybe I am pushing it too fast??? I feel like I have no restricition at all, and want at least some. Had my first fill just before Christmas, but don't notice anything different anymore. I am exercising like a maniac (sometimes 3 times a day- seriuosly)- but still have not lost anything in a couple of weeks. I have to drive 4 hours for my fill, asked for the day off- so it is a big ordeal. Don't want to cancel now. I will check in over the weekend to let you all know how it went. Angela- I live 1 hour north of SF, in Santa Rosa. Maybe someday we can meet halfway and chat? It would be cool to meet in person. Got to head off to work. Wish me luck tomorrow :nervous Jill

You might even find out you LIKE exercising! I started going 3 days a week and now I am going a minimum of 5, sometimes even 7 days a week (yes Saturday and Sunday too!) and I have been walking on my lunch hour instead of eating. Once I kicked up the work out a "notch" the pounds started coming off way easier. I am lovin' th egym- it is MY time. I sleep better at night and am feeling so much healthier too! Congrats on the wedding date(s). I have been married 10 years, and I tell ya what...after this recent weight loss things are get real exciting! (LOL)!! Jill

Brooskie- Just let it go in one ear and out the other (I know that is hard sometimes). I am sure he didn't mean any harm, he just doesn't "get" it. I have lost both my mother and father and wish that they were alive to be able to see my progress through this journey- so count yourself lucky he is around to see :-) Jill

This was one of my biggest worries too (what does that say about me???). Would I be able to eat sushi (and scuba dive was the other worry). I have been banded almost 2 months and tried shashimi first -- that was a hit (phew!) Last week I tried a sushi roll and was able to eat 5 pieces and I was stuffed. I can say sushi is MUCH CHEAPER now that I am banded. From now on I will strategically pick the one roll I want most! I like it with soy paper too. Just remember to eat slow, chew, chew, chew and enjoy.

Denise, I just want to say you look great and you are an inspiration to all of us. I can see a difference all over your body. Keep up the good work. I also have to commend you for doing the lap band vs. gastric bypass. Besdies, if you had done the bypass, we would have never had you on the board! Tom, thanks for the encouragement. I always know when I read one of your posts I can count on a pep talk and encouragement You are great at reminding all of us we need to think positive. Happy New Year to everyone! Here's to a flabby-less 2007!!! Jill

Here's some of my positive thoughts for the day: I have been to the gym 12 out of the last 13 days! Today I skipped going out to lunch (oh sooooo tempting!)and walked two miles instead, then came back and had an apple and cheese. That would of NEVER happened before! I am set up to work with someone at the gym to learn free weights on Saturday. I have been gung ho on the elyptical and stairmaster, but need to start working on definition. I am thrilled I did this and can't wait to see myself in a year!!! Jill

I was on Xenical and stopped for all the "orange' reasons above! Now that I am banded I dont want to have orange poops ever again! YUCK!

Oh...so well put. We all have to look at the BIG picture (no pun intended) and try to reach back in our memory to pull out the enthusiasm we all felt just days after the surgery. We were all so optomistic, and still should be. And remember ...exercise- even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking the FURTHEST away from the store so you can burn more calories! It will be awesome in a year when we all connect back and total the pounds we have all lost. It is going to be amazing! We can do this:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: !

A little trick I use sometimes..especially at night. If I am hungry, I go brush my teeth. Sounds silly, but it works for me. My mouth feels clean and I dont want to mess it up again! Hey, I'll take help any way I can get it! LOL! Jill

Thanks everyone for the salad feedback! I had a small one with my soup and so far...so good! Tom, congrats on you success and for people at work noticing. Keep up the good work. The neighbor jsut came over tonight and told me my face looked thinner. YEAH! Every little compliment helps! It feels good, doesn't it? GO TEAM! Jill