Is this how it's SUPPOSED to be???

[OneYearLater 14]

I was banded last September and since then my weight loss has been INCREDIBLY slow. Although I know that I am definitely eating less than I normally could before being banded, I still never felt what I have thought of as real restriction. Even though I obviously have tried to chew my food well, I hadn't had any repercussions if I didn't chew as well and I know I can eat way more than a 1/2 cup of food to a cup if given the opportunity. I haven't had any foods that I have had difficulty with like it seems most people here do. It's felt so much more like dieting like before the band and so frustrating that I went through a surgical procedure to feel the same way I did before. I know that it's just a tool and it's on me, but it really felt like my tool wasn't working at all since I had only felt short period of what felt like restriction right after a fill.

Well, I haven't been to the dr for about 3-4 months now. It just kind of seemed pointless. No matter what it felt like the fills weren't helping. All of a sudden about a month ago, something happened. I got really sick (not band related) and was throwing up most of one day and unable to eat. For a couple of days, I couldn't keep anything down except liquids. Ever since then, I suddenly after about 3-6 bites of food, I'm a crazy belching fool and have to stop eating immediately and actually feel full to where I am not having to MAKE myself stop...I have to stop because I feel really full. I can no longer handle bread or rice and if I don't chew my food into oblivion, I'm GOING to feel some pain from it...so I do with everything now.

I know this probably sounds kinda stupid, but is this the way it's SUPPOSED to be? It seems like it probably IS and I've really just not gotten to where I was supposed to be before and maybe am.....or is my band too tight or did it slip from all the throwing up? I'm thinking if it slipped, I wouldn't be able to keep liquids etc down, but I can just fine. I'm hoping that this is what the band is supposed to have been like all along and I'll finally get some good results and with a little less of the feeling like i'm doing everything on my own. To be honest, it's nice and I'm kind of scared of going back to the dr and having him remove some fill etc and going back to where I felt nothing again...

[LarraineM 6]

Here is how its SUPPOSE to be. You NEED to see your lap band surgery Dr regularly they are there to help you not judge you. Your Dr. has the experience with all situations. Your team wants you to be sucessfull,please want that for yourself. You are paddleing backwards wihtout even being aware of it. We ve all had our moments Try again go back to your Dr and ask for a redo more interventoin maybe even sitting honestly with your nutritionist and being re educated on the basics again. I wish you the best it s time for you to pull up your boot strings and get going.

I was banded last September and since then my weight loss has been INCREDIBLY slow. Although I know that I am definitely eating less than I normally could before being banded, I still never felt what I have thought of as real restriction. Even though I obviously have tried to chew my food well, I hadn't had any repercussions if I didn't chew as well and I know I can eat way more than a 1/2 cup of food to a cup if given the opportunity. I haven't had any foods that I have had difficulty with like it seems most people here do. It's felt so much more like dieting like before the band and so frustrating that I went through a surgical procedure to feel the same way I did before. I know that it's just a tool and it's on me, but it really felt like my tool wasn't working at all since I had only felt short period of what felt like restriction right after a fill.

Well, I haven't been to the dr for about 3-4 months now. It just kind of seemed pointless. No matter what it felt like the fills weren't helping. All of a sudden about a month ago, something happened. I got really sick (not band related) and was throwing up most of one day and unable to eat. For a couple of days, I couldn't keep anything down except liquids. Ever since then, I suddenly after about 3-6 bites of food, I'm a crazy belching fool and have to stop eating immediately and actually feel full to where I am not having to MAKE myself stop...I have to stop because I feel really full. I can no longer handle bread or rice and if I don't chew my food into oblivion, I'm GOING to feel some pain from it...so I do with everything now.

I know this probably sounds kinda stupid, but is this the way it's SUPPOSED to be? It seems like it probably IS and I've really just not gotten to where I was supposed to be before and maybe am.....or is my band too tight or did it slip from all the throwing up? I'm thinking if it slipped, I wouldn't be able to keep liquids etc down, but I can just fine. I'm hoping that this is what the band is supposed to have been like all along and I'll finally get some good results and with a little less of the feeling like i'm doing everything on my own. To be honest, it's nice and I'm kind of scared of going back to the dr and having him remove some fill etc and going back to where I felt nothing again...

[Rachel412 116]

You need to see your doctor to make sure you didn't slip. Such a big change after being sick really worries me. No, that's not really how it's supposed to be (there are a couple of links in my sig about "restriction").

[mint2bskiny 4]

I went about 4 months with no restriction I felt the same exact way. Really funny thing is that I got the stomach virus about 3 weeks ago and wasnt able to keep anything down. ddi a lot of vomiting and a WHOLE lot of worrying the band slipped. I called my doct about 4 days after i was feeling better went in had a upper GI and BAM! She said " your at good restriction'! thats all it took. ha ha. she i watched as the Fluid took its time going down but nothing ever got stuck. I now eat about 1/2 cup food about 5 bites before I get full. She said there is nothing wrong with that at all! I do suggest to go back to your doctor but I also know that the feeling of restriction is different for everyone and if your not misreable with the amount food your eating then your fine.

[windycitywids 5]

Gyps,

Let me start by saying the Heat Miser rules!

I would call your surgeon immediately as you may have has a slippage. Follow up is essential for your health with the band.

Good Luck.

[Dave_NW 92]

After you call your doctor to find out if your band has slipped, (as others have suggested), read this link. It will tell you the missing parts of what you may not already know: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Good luck!

Dave

[shuckybucky 107]

I am wondering the same thing but on the opposite extreme. I had a fill June 11 and had to go back about two weeks later and have some removed. I was doing great and eating a variety of foods and no more than a cup at a time. Then all of a sudden two weeks ago I started having problems. I can't eat anything!!! I have been on liquids for 5 days. I can't even eat pudding or mashed potatoes because I start PB it up. I burp when I have anything even liquids. I am not hungry for the most part so I think that means I am VERY restricted and not to loose. I have a hard time getting Protein Drinks down. I started feeling the effects like headache and extremely sensitive skin so I am now doubling my Vitamins and the sensitive skin is resolving (sign of Vitamin B deficiency). I dont' live close to my doctor office (6 hours) and I am getting into a new bariatric surgeon that just started practice here so I can't go in until Friday. I just don't understand what caused the sudden change and how to get it back.

[Cindy C 150]

For at least the first year you need to see your doctor monthly. Your tool isn't working for you because you aren't taking care of it. Like any other tool if you want it to work properly it has to be properly maintained. If you drove your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil who's fault is gonna be when the engine blows? The car's? The mechanic's? No....YOUR"S!!! You need to go to the doctor and take care of your tool!