Wtf?

[bolt 0]

Hi, I had my lap band surgery on March 26th. I had the second corrective surgery a few days later. I couldn't hold anything down...I started at 303 pounds. I lost 35 in a week and have lost zero since. (5 months?) I have had 3-4 fills and I also have a larger hernia in my abdominal area that needs another surgical correction. The second time in he put in a 14cc band.

Any advice on why I am stuck at this weight? I can't eat basically anything and I am miserable and considering asking my doctor while he is in me fixing the hernia that he created to un-do my lap band also. What's the use of having it if I can't eat anything and still am not losing weight? Ideas? :biggrin:

[jalomum 1]

If you cannot eat enough food then your body will assume you are in a famine situation and slow all your systems down, dropping your metabolic rate, it will also burn muscle as fuel so it can conserve body fat as a stand-by to get you through the famine!!

IMO: You need to have some fill out and re-establish your eating patterns to try to get your metabolic rate back to where it was before you were forced to stop eating. Eating good food often and regular gentle exercise should statr sending the signals to your body that the famine is over.

Good restriction is good, too much restriction is very, very bad. Find the balance; then use the force :-)

Best of luck....

[BetsyB 9]

How frustrating for you! Do you know how many ccs you have in your band?

When you say you can't eat anything, what does that really mean? What foods are you eating? In what quantities? I would strongly recommend journaling your intake someplace like fitday.com; it makes it much easier to see why loss is or is not occurring.

I know you're experiencing a lot of discomfort, but is exercise a possibility for you? I know that it helps me tremendously--for loss, but more importantly, emotionally. When I am frustrated, there's nothing quite like a walk outdoors to put things in perspective.

It sounds as though you're terribly disappointed right now. But you're still early in the game. Because you haven't had the opportunity to really use the band in a way that promotes loss---and you haven't yet achieved appropriate restriction---I am not sure I'd rush to have it removed.

You can always have it taken out, down the road, if you determine it really is the culprit in your discomfort. But since it's there, why not work hard with your doctor to achieve the right level of restriction? Then you can fine-tune what you're eating so that it meets your needs, satisfies you, and promotes loss.

The hernia repair itself may effect a great change in how you feel---and make you see things in a new light.

I'm so sorry for your frustration and pain--sometimes, it seems terribly unfair that things are so difficult.

But hernia aside, you're in a period known as bandster hell---when you're low on the learning curve, have inappropriate restriction, and have to learn how to live with the band and how to work it in order to achieve success.

The band really might not be right for you. But bandster hell is probably not the best time to reach that conclusion; few of us achieved the results we wanted during that phase unless we were very, very committed to eating a restrictive diet and were willing to be hungry while we waited for the band to become adjusted well enough to help with the task.

Did your doctor give you realistic postop expectations? Does he offer good aftercare and support?

[thsisme 14]

I think that there are many good posts here and some solid advice. Being new to the land of bandster, I can only imagine your frustration and pain. I was banded on Aug. 23, 2010 and the day after experienced 4 days of esophageal spasms, once that calmed down, I drank my Protein supplement to fast and went into a 3 day stomach spasm, but all is good today.

To make a long story even longer. Talk to your doctor, ask him/her why hasn't the hernia been taken care of? Ask the dietician her/his thoughts about starting your diet over again and re-introduce foods back into your system while doing your exercise. I am not saying that this is some else's fault nor am I saying that it is your fault...I am saying use and obtain the folks who have the information you need to get healthy and to stay healthy.

I wish you the best.

Bandster hell.....boy am not looking forward to that journey!:biggrin: