Why can I eat so much and keep gaining weight?

[SamWaters 0]

Hello -

My husband had the lap band surgery in June 09 and at first dropped about 40 pounds but in the last 2 months or so has started to gain all the weight back and I'm truly amazed at how much food he can eat with the band in. Has anyone experinced this?

He has gone back to get the fill but he never feels like it restricts him and he has told the doctors office this but I don't feel like they are making any changes to help him out. This is causing a lot of stress for him because he can eat so much and the band is not slowing his appetite down at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions for us?

[serenity55 15]

Has his doctor checked the band at all, under a fluoroscope? I'm no expert, but I'm wondering if maybe there could be a leak, so the fill isn't staying in?

Just a thought.

[crzytchr 3]

Has his doctor checked the band at all, under a fluoroscope? I'm no expert, but I'm wondering if maybe there could be a leak, so the fill isn't staying in?

Just a thought.

I agree, there could be a leak, or they may not even be hitting the port at all when they give him the fill. He needs to make sure they withdraw the Fluid already in there before giving him his next fill to check and make sure the correct amount is in there.

[123crod 170]

You just have to stop eating more than you should even if you can. Measure your food out until you start losing again. I can eat more than I should be we just have to stop even if the band does not stop us until we hit the right spot. Sometimes we just have to go on will power

[greytz 4]

It sounds as if something is definitely wrong. If he is eating that much he could have slippage. He needs to keep contacting the surgeon until they do something to help him, but on another note, I agree with cheri. He needs to try and show restraint until they figure out what is wrong. By overeating, he is just making it worse.

[2911plans 16]

SamWaters I am having the same problem that your husband has. Although I do not test the band to see just how much I can eat, I can eat much more than the 4ozs per meal. I went for a fill on Thursday and was only given .2ccs to bring me to a total of 7.5ccs. I asked for more, but was turned down. The band does NOT restrict my eating and it is very frustrating. I want to experience that, "I can't eat another bite" feeling after eating 3-4 bites of my meal. Does this phenomenon exist?

[Astrasmom 1]

Hello -

My husband had the LAP-BAND® surgery in June 09 and at first dropped about 40 pounds but in the last 2 months or so has started to gain all the weight back and I'm truly amazed at how much food he can eat with the band in. Has anyone experinced this?

He has gone back to get the fill but he never feels like it restricts him and he has told the doctors office this but I don't feel like they are making any changes to help him out. This is causing a lot of stress for him because he can eat so much and the band is not slowing his appetite down at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions for us?

We have to be self advocates when it comes to the band. You definatly should be calling your doctor. As for the eating process you really have to measure the food that you are eating. Your husband also needs to pick foods that are higher in protien (I.E. Fish, chicken, tuna). Also is he taking the protien supplement? My doctor allowed me 8oz of Protein supplement instead of 4oz. I'm on twice a day now but she said that if I become hungry I can toss in that 3rd shake a day.

Problem is if your husband keeps eating like he is, if the band isn't leaking or if he didn't slip, he soon will stretch his pouch. Everyone really needs to listen to the signs of hunger. When your stomach is full you can tell. Many people just continue to eat because the food is there. Maybe the plate your husband is too large and he over fills it? It honestly sounds more like temptation (giving into the head hunger) more then anything. No one said the Lapband was going to change our eating habits. It's a tool to help us. And it's still alot of work. Everyone needs to break the cycle of letting food control them. Easier said then done I know. We are still human and we make mistakes.

I would start with the doctor first and then go from there.

[bmooney364 30]

During one of his education lectures to me, my surgeon told me that people can and do actually stretch out their esophagus by overeating and get to the point that they can eat as much as they ever did. I guess the bottom area just above the pouch expands. Depending on what he is eating and drinking, the food could be just pouring out of the pouch. My surgeon also told me that eating food like Soup is just like eating and drinking at the same time. He may not have enough restriction and certainly needs to follow up with the surgeon. Is he keeping a food journal? If not he needs to start one and take it to the dr. with him. Does he ever vomit or pb? I agree with some of the other posters and I am trying to work on this myself. Measure out food and only eat that amount. I too can eat much more than I am allowed of some foods. I have trouble with dense Proteins, but can pig out on any carbs. I like 2911plans want the feeling that I can not eat another bite, it ain't happenin' Either I can eat too much or it is coming back up. How many fills has he had? Has his dr. told him to come back for more fills? Does he ever vomit or PB? Good luck and keep us posted with what you find out. 123Crod, I am coming to the same conclusion you have. I just have to use that good old fashion will power and use the band as it was designed as only a tool.

[untfluter 3]

How many fills has he had??? How big of a band does he have and how much does he have IN the band?? also, what kind of band does he have?? I know some people it takes a LOT of fill before they feel restriction.. I have also seen a lot of people w/the Realize band that are almost filled to capacity and they don't have restriction, and everyone is different to when and how much fill it takes to feel the restriction... I have a 10 CC lap band and I only have 3.25CC in it and I have a LOT of restriction....I have had 5 fills and 2 slight unfills...

Hello -

My husband had the LAP-BAND® surgery in June 09 and at first dropped about 40 pounds but in the last 2 months or so has started to gain all the weight back and I'm truly amazed at how much food he can eat with the band in. Has anyone experinced this?

He has gone back to get the fill but he never feels like it restricts him and he has told the doctors office this but I don't feel like they are making any changes to help him out. This is causing a lot of stress for him because he can eat so much and the band is not slowing his appetite down at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions for us?