Ok I Have Two Questions

imb316 · June 5, 2008

First, I don't understand how some people write that they have restriction and can hardly eat without vomiting and yet they only lost 10 lbs. in a year???? Not to brag, and I know it's not healthy but I can't eat hardly anything without vomiting and I have lost 73 lb's since February 2008.

Second,

Since I have not been eating and getting proper nutrition I have noticed that pieces of my teeth - maybe the plaque? - have been falling off. Has anyone else had any dental problems due to weight loss?

THANKS!

TulipStar · June 5, 2008

When people are too tight they can tend to eat things that they can - soft foods, liquids that are high in calories so they are still getting too many caloires. Things like Soup, ice cream, milkshakes, chocolate, etc.

Regarding the teeth-- no, never heard of it, but I would ask your dr. You should be taking supplements to make sure you get your Vitamins and you minimum required Protein a day.

Hastings · June 5, 2008

Being so tight you cannot eat without vomiting does not sound healthy.

Having your teeth fall apart/out could be a sign of nutritional deficiencies.

I hope you can find a path to health. Starvation is not healthy.

Di4AU · June 5, 2008

When was the last time you saw your surgeon and did you tell him you're unable to eat? Sounds like you're overfilled. I would see him immediately. The vomiting could be contributing to the tooth problems as well as malnutrition. Everyone loses at a different pace, and true some people are kidding themselves by eating around the band, not exercising and aren't losing that well. Losing so fast you're malnurished isn't healthy either. PLEASE call your doctor.

Jillian68 · June 5, 2008

If you are vomiting once a day or more, the acid in the vomit is what is probably causing the problem with your teeth. I would encourage you to see your dr. and have your fill adjusted.

blueriley · June 5, 2008

:confused: I would get a appt. with your surgeon asap, because like others have said your teething falling apart is probably due to stomach acid or *severe* nutritional abnormalities either way I highly doubt its plaque that is coming off. Please don't starve yourself. Your body will do what it has to do to get nutrients- like "steal" Calcium from your bones and such, this can cause so many problems down the road for you like osteoporosis. I really am not trying to preach or scold you, I just worry when I see things like this. Does you surgeon have a nutrionist?

libra · June 5, 2008

I would tend to think it's more of a nutritional issue since lap band "vomiting" doesn't actually come from the stomach and therefore produces no stomach acid.

If you can't eat, you're not using the band properly. You need to look into an unfill before you end up really sick.

If you are vomiting once a day or more, the acid in the vomit is what is probably causing the problem with your teeth. I would encourage you to see your dr. and have your fill adjusted.

aubrie · June 5, 2008

That is the enamel off your teeth. The enamel is what prevents your teeth from rotting. Yes, I agree. the acid from your vomit is the problem, and you shouldn't be vomiting AT ALL. It's not healthy for MANY reasons and while it's great you lost all that weight, you're just hurting yourself in the end. See a doctor immediately.

HeatherO · June 5, 2008

Vomiting everyday and being consistently too tight are prone to causing bands to slip which lead to band removal in a lot of cases. You may be losing a lot now, but you are already seeing physical signs that your health may be deteriorating which should be carefully considered.

Phenomenal weight loss in the first few months is irrelevant if you lose your band and are back to square one within your first year. Please, consider getting a slight unfill for your health and peace of mind.

Anyone can lose little or even gain weight while having the lapband. It is a matter of calories burned vs. calories consumed. Foods such as high calorie ice cream are risky for bandsters because you can get them down very easy. If I ate 1,000 calories in milkshakes every day (which is not that many calories for a milkshake with high sugar and fat content) I am sure I could gain weight.

Are you tracking calories and Protein consumption on a daily basis? Your ranges in these areas can give you a better idea if you are suffering from malnutrition.

Sweetmeat · June 5, 2008

No, that is not plaque. As a certified dental assistant for 16 years, I can tell you from experience that the vomiting that your are constantly doing is causing damage to your teeth. Please see you doctor about an unfill and also your dentist. Let me just give you a little story of a patient of mine. Even though you are not bulimic, the constant vomiting that you are doing is hurting your dental health. My patient was bulimic at one point and she finally found help. But, the sad thing is that the vomiting had damaged her teeth so bad that she ended up having all but two teeth restored due to the breakdown from the vomiting and malnutrition. So, please take care of yourself and be patient with the band. Oral health is so important, it will do no good to be skinny and have a horrible mouth. So, go see your surgeon and dentist soon. Take care of yourself.................