Feeling like I was Banded and kicked to the curve. I'm lost ;(

[Ms.Vickie 68]

I was banded October 15, 2013. My heaviest weight was 222 & when I started the Lap Band process I was 206. Since surgery I've lost 21 lbs. (I gained a few and lost a few.) But I feel like I don't have a support system (that is suitable for me) from my doctor. Most of you had doctors that had you on a pre-surgery diet, mine didn't. I had the WORST GAS PAINS EVER after surger for about a week.

My band was not filled during the surgery and I went in for my first fill December 2nd & was filled with 5 cc's. Second fill February 3rd with 1.5 cc's, and I just had my 3rd fill on March 31st with 1.8 cc's. I now have a total of 8.3 in my size 11 Realize band. Next appointment is in THREE months! So far my protocol has been "stay away from breads and pastas". No meal plan, no monthly visits, no nothing. I have been relying on Bariatric Pal for my protocol, support, and advice. I feel like an abandoned child. In the begining, I do very well when I have someone to report to and a meal plan to follow. Um yes, I'm needy in the beginning then I'm ok after that. But this 3rd fill has me feeling some type of way. I'm totally lost and don't know what to eat. I'm at the point where I'm putting myself on a DIET. I made an appointment with my nutritionist and have signed up with My Fitness Pal (user name vlwx31). I have no idea how many calories I should be consuming. But I'll figure it out. I just needed to vent.

[jamilyne 102668 1,207]

I was cash pay and I had a plastic surgeon. Before surgery I was promised all this stuff - like a nutritionist (there is none), helpful staff (after surgery that wasn't so). My doctor did want me to come in once a month for $200.00. I have gotten 1 fill. I have 2.5 ccs and I have lost weight consistently the entire time. I didn't feel like I needed as many fills as he wanted me to have. I realized that they were set up for only fills, no real checkups. So I started going to a regular family doctor. I won't get fills from him, but he will check up on me. But, it was the best I can do.

I had no support system, except for on here (as far as medical support). I learned that i need to have a lot of Protein, which my doctor really never told me. I learned a lot of other things from this website.

I hear all these people getting so much support from their doctors and that is not always the case. Its sad, because this surgery is expensive, but just stay on here, try to learn as much as you can, ask questions - I'm sure you will be ok

Take care

[Mikee57 699]

Ms. Vickie and jamilyne I am so sorry that your providers are not giving you all the help you need...I know I was alittle upset too...but my surgeon doesnt send his patients to the nutritionist until their second fill, so I have listened and asked his staff (2 of which have had Lap band surgery) a lot of questions. They might not like it, but if I have a question they will be called, as you both have mentioned this doesn't come cheap. So like that you try to get assistance from your main providers, but I would actually force the hands of those surgeons to get assistance. I know every doctor is different, but mine is taking me up slowly with my fills...he is great!!! It also teaches me that I need to be really aware of what I am putting in my mouth!!! I can only hope that you might get alittle more forceful and ask for some help...this is a great place to vent, sound off, ask for advice and sympathy...but you will need to force the issue of getting treated like a patient not some forgotten step-child. Hang in there ladies, you both are doing good!!! But I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that your providers start acting like PROVIDERS and not rip off artists!!!

[Ms.Vickie 68]

Thanks Mike.

[lisacaron 5,075]

My advice to those who do not have proper support from your bariatric surgeon is to find another one. I know it's not always easy to do, but they are out there and sometimes making the sacrifice to make a longer journey or travel outside of the area for the support is worth it.

There are groups in my home town, and they have decent support yet I travel 30 miles to get to my Dr. and his group and his hospital and staff. I do so because they are AMAZING!! Yes it's a trip, but it's 100% worth it and every time I and my husband make the journey we never regret doing so.

Search around and find an office that has the support you need and deserve, and come back here for ultimate person to person support we are a great bunch of people

[Samirax6 18]

I am sorry to hear this about your situation. I feared that going outside of my area I would have the same issues as you do. So far and I am only in the preop stage I found a local doctor that has been very informative about me doing this surgery abroad and willing to assist me starting 6 weeks post op with motioning and fills. The only advice I could give is seek out another doctor who is going to meet your needs as the above poster already stated. Good luck and keep us posted!

[enjoythetime 1,457]

Every Dr. And nutritionist has their own " rule book", but here's what mine told me to do. Again everyone is different and I'm not saying my plan is right for you but atleast this will give you some guidelines.

Daily Gummy multi-Vitamin

Daily gummy Calcium supp

64-80 oz if water-shoot for 80

60-80 grams of Protein per day

1200 cal. Per day

Your plate at each meal should contain:

3-4 oz of Protein

1/2 cup veggies

1 serving of carb, like 1 slice whole wheat toast, 1/4 cup brown rice or fruit. be careful some people have a hard time with rice because it swells (I personally never eat it).

Now there's an order to how you eat what's on your plate. ALWAYS, ALWAYS eat your protein First, then your veggies and then IF you still have room eat your carb. I try to limit my carbs to once a day and some days don't consume any except for what's in the veggies and fruit.

Do not drink anything while youre eating or 45 min.-1 hour afterwards.

Always stop eating BEFORE you fill full, only eat to satiety. Watch for soft stop signs, they vary from person to person like runny nose, burps sneezes anything you notice that happens consistantly etc.

You should stay away from soda and all carbinated beverages.

Stay away from sliders like ice cream, chips, Cookies. Basically anything that slides through and doesnt fill your pouch up to give you that satisfied feeling.

Don't drink your calories.

I always watch my sugar intake as well, no medical reason to its just not good:)

You should feel/stay full for 4-5 hours after each meal. If not and you find that you're starving in between meals and its TRUE hunger and not head hunger then feed your body with a nutritious snack, like a 100 cal yogurt, fresh veggies etc. If that still isn't doing it then it maybe time for a fill.

If you're having problems with eating certain foods or are productive burping (pb) or can't keep food down call your doctor, you probably are too tight and may need a slight unfill.

If you have any specific ??'s let me kniw and ill do my best to answer based on my journey.

You'll do great!! Best of luck!!

[Ms.Vickie 68]

Thank you so much for that protocol. I really appreciate

[Bandista 7,466]

I've definitely gotten way more information and support here than through my hospital, that's for sure. I'm used to having to advocate for myself because my husband has had a lot of medical issues resulting from a car accident. It is no surprise that it had been more difficult to advocate for myself, but I am learning to do that. I realize it is my body, my responsibility to know everything there is to know. I respect my surgeon but I'm the one with the band. It's my project.

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

I was banded October 15, 2013. My heaviest weight was 222 & when I started the Lap Band process I was 206. Since surgery I've lost 21 lbs. (I gained a few and lost a few.) But I feel like I don't have a support system (that is suitable for me) from my doctor. Most of you had doctors that had you on a pre-surgery diet, mine didn't. I had the WORST GAS PAINS EVER after surger for about a week. My band was not filled during the surgery and I went in for my first fill December 2nd & was filled with 5 cc's. Second fill February 3rd with 1.5 cc's, and I just had my 3rd fill on March 31st with 1.8 cc's. I now have a total of 8.3 in my size 11 Realize band. Next appointment is in THREE months! So far my protocol has been "stay away from breads and pastas". No meal plan, no monthly visits, no nothing. I have been relying on Bariatric Pal for my protocol, support, and advice. I feel like an abandoned child. In the begining, I do very well when I have someone to report to and a meal plan to follow. Um yes, I'm needy in the beginning then I'm ok after that. But this 3rd fill has me feeling some type of way. I'm totally lost and don't know what to eat. I'm at the point where I'm putting myself on a DIET. I made an appointment with my nutritionist and have signed up with My Fitness Pal (user name vlwx31). I have no idea how many calories I should be consuming. But I'll figure it out. I just needed to vent.

That is sad. I have monthly support meetings. I had to go before the band. I have missed maybe 3 in 2 1/2 years. They include all WLS The nurse is there , dietitian and the office coordinator Most meetings include a guest speaker. We also do a lot of question and answers. I have one Thursday night. I see my doctor every 3 months now, not a nurse. Well she is there but my doctor is the only person that does fills.

Maybe time for a new doctor. I am in Boston. We have wonderful hospitals.