2 years out, desperate for answers

[Scorpionrn 0]

Ok, so I had surgery 2 years ago. I fell back into old bad habits about a year out, and regret it miserably. One problem I have had with my band since day one is inconsistancy!! One day Water gets stuck and I vomit everything, the next day I could eat a whole pizza by myself with no problems. Well, for the last 3 months or so I have noticed I can eat alot at one sitting, I have to stop myself even though I am not satisfied. What does this mean? Do I need a fill?? Has the band slipped? I was worried about filling the band more because food still gets stuck...like small bites of rice! Rice and chicken kill me! Any ideas?

[joho 0]

I feel your pain, I have the same issue, one day I can t eat the next I can. I havent tried a whole pizza though :smile2:. It is frustrating, I have probs with rice and chicken too so I dont eat them as a rule. I may very very occasionally have one spoon of rice but only if I have a very saucy curry. I dont think your band has slipped, I think you would be having more problems than that. It is a lot more to do with mental adjustment too, and that it the hardest bit for me too. May be time to have a motivational chat with the nutritionist or doctors and possibly a very very small fill.

Jo

[Scorpionrn 0]

yea, I admit i never fully got over the need to feel "mentally" full or satisfied. I was thinking about a fill, but it scares me because some days, Water gets stuck. I haven't seen my doctor in over a year:redface:. I was worried I had stretched my stomach (if that's possible). Can they do a test to see if that's it? Just stretched? Oh...and I didn't really eat the whole pizza! (probably could have :smile2: One thing that started the old habits was the vomiting. Healthy food like chicken and veges, would get stuck, no matter how small the bites were, but junk food would go down smooth as silk!! I finally got so hungery, I would eat junk. small amounts mind you, but still junk....and it just snowballed from there

Edited June 21, 2010 by Scorpionrn

[juliansmom2003 3]

They can check to see if you stretched your pouch with fluoroscopy (that's how I actually get my fills). From what you're saying, it doesn't sound like a stretched pouch. The problem is, the "slider" foods, which are so bad for us (but of course taste the best) tend to go down much easier.

For your Protein, perhaps try a sugar free pudding with a scoop of Protein powder and some FF cool whip? That's 24 g of Protein right there. Do you eat fish? I am allergic, but I hear tilapia is very soft and goes down easily. I love the Breakstone's cottage cheese doubles too--it has the fruit along with the cottage cheese, so it adds some good flavor and is 11 g of protein.

For some I know it's tough to find out what works, but if you're pbing Water, I'm not sure a fill will help you any. You need to find a good protein source that will work for you.

Perhaps a quick check in with the nut might help as well!

Good luck!

[Scorpionrn 0]

Hi Juliansmom, the only problem with that is I cannot give up meat!!! No waay! And they told me if I took small enough bites (which I do) they should not be a problem. And I'm tired of the smallest things getting stuck one day and can eat a mtn the next. The inconsistancy is killing me!! I was happier right after surgery when I was eating nothing but chicken and everything was fine! I don't understand what has changed over the last year, it makes no sense. My fiance' wants me to have it removed...but I worked too hard and too long for it!

[juliansmom2003 3]

LOL--I am the same way about my meat. I can totally relate about the inconsistency. Are you drinking enough Water? The band will get tighter when you are in need of fluids. Do you notice the days you're not taking in as much as you should that you're tighter?

Are you able to try ground turkey? It's not chicken, but it's still much softer than red meat. Maybe a nice turkey chili?

I am with you--if I couldn't have meat, I would be totally worthless.

If you can, I'd see about getting a fluoroscopy to see what your restriction looks like. Who knows, you may even be a smidge too tight. When you say you can eat a mountain some days, can you get the chicken and stuff down or is that sliders?

It's like being a detective sometimes, isn't it? LOL

[Scorpionrn 0]

On the days when I can eat a mtn, I can eat EVERYTHING!!!! chicken slides right on down! That's why i keep trying to eat it...sometimes it goes down...other's it comes up! And any meat gets stuck...sometimes. like 60/40...60% of the time it gets stuck. I do need to see my doc soon. Just waiting for insurance to kick in! And to be honest...i hate water! But I do try and at least drink tea:rolleyes2:

[Tracytma 19]

just a quickie... tea has caffeine...which is a diuretic... you are not getting the benefit from Water, while drinking just tea...unless of course it is Decaf. try water additives! Just a thought! sounds like you are in a constant state of dehydration to me.

[Cocoabean 430]

You mentioned chicken and rice. These are notorious sticking foods. I cand do dark meat chicken but not breast meat. When i eat any meats they are cut into pencil eraser sized pieces.

I spoke with my surgeon about the daily changes of banded life. He said the stomach moves a bit within the confines of the band, so some days are tighter than others.

I think you should go see your surgeon and talk it all over and get things checked out.

Best wishes!

[Scorpionrn 0]

Thanks tracytma, does dehydration make a difference in the tightness of your band?? I do try to drink Water, but...ewe! Cocoabean, even dark meat gets stuck. But so does water! and chicken, especially grilled is my favorite!