Help Im A Failure At Lap Band

[Heathermarie0407 67]

Lori, I live in arkansas my dr is dr lutrell. He has paper taped to his counter that lists prices for everything, it lists fills for patients that are not his. I don't know that particulars but it's worth checking into if you havnt already. He is a great doctor! Love him and his staff

[jen_1381 446]

Sounds like you need to start back at square one. See the psychologist (great idea!), see your surgeon, see a nutritionist. Back to the basics and build up again.

There's a saying that I keep telling myself - - "nothing tastes as good as losing weight feels". Now, my first thought was - yeah right, I bet Sour patch Kids and Salt & Vinegar chips taste just as good....but then the rational me kicks in, reminds myself that if I want to see the scale go down, which I desperately do, junk food isn't going to get me there.

Find a niche that works for you. Set small goals and just dive in!!

[mindwing 15]

I felt like a failure my first year after getting the band because my doctor didn't believe in giving fills. I only lost 5 lbs.during the whole year. Now that I have changed doctors and have a good fill, I am losing weight.

I have always felt the lapband is a tool, and I have to work at losing weight. So I am careful to eat only Protein and vegetables. I find the more carbs I eat, the more out of control my eating is. I don't worry about fat, since a large amount of fat in the diet comes from processed foods, and I avoid them. I do eat Atkins bars: and I drink shakes, either Atkins or EAS Advantage--They are a great low carb meal when I am busy. When I have time to cook, I take 2-3 ounces of chopped meat or fish fillets and cook them with vegetables (onions, celery, peppers, chard, sorrel, or tomatoes) Sometimes I make a gourmet frittatta- sliced mushrooms, onions and tomatoe with two eggs and an ounce of cheese. Of course, most of the time I can only eat half of the frittatta at a time. I average between 800 and 1100 calories a day.

Chewing my food to goo is a large challenge because I have very few teeth, so most food is pre-chopped, giving it a mushy texture. I avoid anything with sugar, and avoid most fruits (except for berries and melons). Eating Beans is a no-no for me on such a low calorie diet. I can hardly wait until I lose enough weight to be able to add them back.

It should be noted that when you first remove carbs from your diet, you are overly hungry for three to four days. Then the appetite slows. I eat small Snacks of meat, fish or cheese during that time--or drink shakes. I don't worry about calories or weight loss at first because I know my body is adjusting to the new eating pattern.

Eating the vegetables is critical, because a meat only diet constipates you. I get a lot of recipes from the low carb group on yahoo and the atkins site. But often I just mix the meat and whatever vegetables I have on hand.

The good thing about eating this way is that it reduces the fat in your liver. A fatty liver causes you to crave food and put on fat according to recent studies.

I plan a few free days every other month when I eat ice cream, sugar free candy(good to clean out the system) and snack crackers. I gobble down fruit, and have mashed potatoes and gravy. Real homemade whipped cream (no sugar, just sugar free daVinci syrups), sugar free hot cocoa. I don't eat enough to have a PB, but I eat small amounts and really enjoy. It makes it easier to stick to the strict eating pattern if I know I get a break every now and them.

mindwing

[LilyG 0]

I feel quite relieved to find this thread. I was banded over 2 years ago and I think I've only lost 17 lbs since then. I am so disappointed in myself and feel stymied in the use of the band. I hardly eat; I did a food diary that turned out to be between 800 and 110 cal a day, I am not exercising now and I vomit at least 3-4 x a month. It's hard to tell when to stop eating and the foods that stay down are the junk food high calorie ones: chips, nuts, croutons, cheese, etc. Lean meat comes back up again after 2 bites and I have to force myself to eat veggies. My insurance won't pay for visits anymore and I feel like the biggest failure ever. for example today I've had a Protein shake, a SF popsicle, 2T of sunflower seeds and 3 oz of pistachios. I'm hungry, but I'm afraid to eat. I am planning eggs and ham with melon for dinner.

3 friends have had gastric bypass (RnY) and have told me even with all the pain and complications they would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm seriously considering it.

[LilyG 0]

Oh and I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes 2 months AFTER having the lap band placed. I could just spit. The only good thing is that my reflux was cured. That's been a relief.

[Justme9786 50]

I feel quite relieved to find this thread. I was banded over 2 years ago and I think I've only lost 17 lbs since then. I am so disappointed in myself and feel stymied in the use of the band. I hardly eat; I did a food diary that turned out to be between 800 and 110 cal a day, I am not exercising now and I vomit at least 3-4 x a month. It's hard to tell when to stop eating and the foods that stay down are the junk food high calorie ones: chips, nuts, croutons, cheese, etc. Lean meat comes back up again after 2 bites and I have to force myself to eat veggies. My insurance won't pay for visits anymore and I feel like the biggest failure ever. for example today I've had a Protein shake, a SF popsicle, 2T of sunflower seeds and 3 oz of pistachios. I'm hungry, but I'm afraid to eat. I am planning eggs and ham with melon for dinner.

3 friends have had gastric bypass (RnY) and have told me even with all the pain and complications they would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm seriously considering it.

Sorry to hear that you're having difficulties. Have you spoken with your surgeon? Do you go to support groups? Are you exercising at all? You say that when you chew lean meats that it comes back up, are you chewing chewing and chewing more?

The band is just a tool and the tool only works if the operator knows how to use it. Constantly being down about the entire thing or thinking of yourself as a failure, will only make it worse. Instead of being negative on yourself, try to find out WHY it's not working, even if that means you may be at fault. I know I have eaten horribly even with the band and have gained weight, but I can only blame myself.

The band can be very successful and I know tons of people (including 4 of my family members) who are walking proof that if you work WITH your band, you can get there.

Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Lori.byrd 0]

Lori' date=' I live in arkansas my dr is dr lutrell. He has paper taped to his counter that lists prices for everything, it lists fills for patients that are not his. I don't know that particulars but it's worth checking into if you havnt already. He is a great doctor! Love him and his staff[/quote']

I am in NW Arkansas. We have DR Roller but because he did not do my surgery he wanted $2500.00 up front to review my records with no guarantee he would accept me. My insurance wouldn't pay it. I work at the Sams Club Home Office now and even they don't pay.

Where is your doctor located? I would be willing to call. I drive to Indy on a Sunday, see my Dr for a band fill early on a Monday and drive straight back. Gas is $100 one way, hotel bill is $65 and my fill is $75.

[Heathermarie0407 67]

Dr lutrell has an office in little rock, Jacksonville and Russellville. Not sure which is closest to you. Google Rex lutrell he comes right up

[Wendy Peters 1]

WOW I didnt expect this response. I have stayed away because I havebeen embarassed for having this issue. My Dr said I "should" be in the green zone I need to talk to someone about the mental aspect. I have never had, I guess what I want to say is Major restriction, I have always been able to drink Water fast and keep it down even seconds after getting a fill.

Is there such a thing as having a dr be to consertative, she seems to really worry about slippage. i just dont know. i think I will go to counselor then go see my lap band dr. I am trying to get back on track, my Dr gives a book she has put together to read about what to expect what to do so tomorrow I am reading that again. Im thinking about going down to the mushie stage and going up from there.

[NWgirl 574]

I feel quite relieved to find this thread. I was banded over 2 years ago and I think I've only lost 17 lbs since then. I am so disappointed in myself and feel stymied in the use of the band. I hardly eat; I did a food diary that turned out to be between 800 and 110 cal a day, I am not exercising now and I vomit at least 3-4 x a month. It's hard to tell when to stop eating and the foods that stay down are the junk food high calorie ones: chips, nuts, croutons, cheese, etc. Lean meat comes back up again after 2 bites and I have to force myself to eat veggies. My insurance won't pay for visits anymore and I feel like the biggest failure ever. for example today I've had a Protein shake, a SF popsicle, 2T of sunflower seeds and 3 oz of pistachios. I'm hungry, but I'm afraid to eat. I am planning eggs and ham with melon for dinner.

3 friends have had gastric bypass (RnY) and have told me even with all the pain and complications they would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm seriously considering it.

Sounds to me you need to find ways to get more Protein in- this could be different cooking methods, etc but I would not expect to be satisfied off of one Protein Shake and a handful of nuts (approx 20g protein with nuts plus whatever your shake was)!

You've got to learn to live a new lifestyle and not just a diet. I know me and I know that the tiny amount of food you've described would never keep me satisfied enough to stay up with a diet.

[Justme9786 50]

WOW I didnt expect this response. I have stayed away because I havebeen embarassed for having this issue. My Dr said I "should" be in the green zone I need to talk to someone about the mental aspect. I have never had, I guess what I want to say is Major restriction, I have always been able to drink Water fast and keep it down even seconds after getting a fill.

Is there such a thing as having a dr be to consertative, she seems to really worry about slippage. i just dont know. i think I will go to counselor then go see my lap band dr. I am trying to get back on track, my Dr gives a book she has put together to read about what to expect what to do so tomorrow I am reading that again. Im thinking about going down to the mushie stage and going up from there.

Glad to hear that you are going in the right direction. Everyone has their set backs....I'm currently in one right now! I broke my ankle and was out of work not able to walk for 2.5 months....imagine....sitting at home doing absolutely nothing but watching TV and eating whatever's in the house.......ya, I did it. I tried to stay healthy, but alas, it's hard. So I'm getting back on track now that i can actually work out again and I've been getting my meals back on track. Take one step at a time. Reward yourself for the little things. Even if you only lose 1lb in a week..........thats a pound lost! I try to be as self motivating as I can be.

And yes, there is such thing as coservative lap band doctors. I think the trick with them is that you don't want to go in really hard saying things that make it appear that you are not willing to work with the band... Instead, try going in saying, I'd like to try a little tighter fill and see if that will help me eat smaller meals more times a day to get my metabolism up. It doesn't have to be a drastic fill, just something to kick in the restriction even just a little.

Keep us posted on your progress, we're rooting for ya!

[LilyG 0]

This was really helpful. I have been reading more and more about LB diets (meaning what you can eat, not a diet diet) and understand a little better. I need to exercise, certainly. I went back to my surgeon and he told me I'm not eating enough-I was eating so little my body went into starvation mode and pushed my metabolism way down. That was one of the reasons I am so exhausted all the time. I'm going to try eating more and exercising (slowly at first) and see how it goes. I will also stop beating myself up.

I would like to hear what people eat over the course of the day, portion sizes, etc. The amounts seem counter-intuitive.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

I would like to hear what people eat over the course of the day, portion sizes, etc. The amounts seem counter-intuitive.

In my weight loss phase, my daily food plan was:

B: 1 egg, 1 slice toast (or 1 pkg weight control instant oatmeal w/ 1/2 banana)

S: 1/2 cup fruit

L: 2 oz Protein (chicken, fish, pork, beef, tofu, etc.), 1/4 cup non-starchy veg, 1/4 cup starchy veg

S: 1/2 cup fruit

D: same as lunch

S: Protein shake

That was about 900 calories/day.

[Wendy Peters 1]

Finally went to counselor she has counseled lap band patients before so I feel better about that Ive realized that it will probaly be a couple visits before we get past the "honeymoon" stage. So in the meantime Im going to try and find chair exercises to do and get me backon track.

As an update on me I have "frayed" my achilles tendon on both ends where it attaches to your ankle and to the calf muscles. So now Im in a cam walker boot for at least 3 weeks the only time I can take it off is when I shower... oh boy... I am extremely thankful that it wasnt ruptured as they thought 2 weeks ago when we started this.

Im also trying to be aware of what goes in my mouth and see where I can improve small baby steps.

I also am checking into changing lap band providers for two reasons and they both are equal reasons. I am tired of driving all over to have services so this one is closer and maybe I can get good restriction. I will keep everyone updated.

THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!!!!

[okiekatt 40]

I was getting fills every 3 weeks after surgery for 7 months 2 were under fluoro before they told me I had a leak, each time I had hoped that this time would be it, after my second surgery on my 2nd fill, I was on my way home and my chest started getting this pain and I couldn’t even swallow, ran back into the office for an unfill, , 4 months later I saved up the money and got up the nerves to get 3rd fill, and my doctor did a test that showed my metabolism was low and gave me some pills sent me home with no fill, the pills did help but.......I never had that full feeling you hear about, eating a cup or less and being full for 3-4 hours sounded like exaggeration to me ...so 4 months later after my last attempt to get a fill 11 months after my second surgery and 1 year and 3 months after my first surgery, I walked in his office and pretty much begged for a fill, and they gave me...ready for this?? 1/4 of a cc .......And it WORKED! for the first time EVER I get it! I really never think about food, mornings I am too tight to eat even my Protein Drink goes down slow, at noon 2 scoops of tuna from subway and dinner half a can of enchilada Soup I don’t eat the same thing every day, that is just an example, it is crazy kewl when it works and I wake up each day hoping that it hasn’t stopped it’s been over a week and I find this overwhelming excitement thinking this is it!!! I really felt that last week was going to be my last attempt, it wasn’t working, wasn’t going to work, and would never work, I was just going to be one of those people that the band just didn’t work for. Very sad and very depressing BUT NOT ANYMORE! So, if you are like I was please never give up its hard and so so depressing if it’s not working for you find out why,,you might have a leak or you might just need a teenie tiny adjustment, just don’t give up