Failing with the Lap Band

[kmacum]

I'm really at a loss and need some help. I had lap band surgery in December 2007. From then, until March, I did really well and lost 45 pounds. Then, just about everything I ate made me sick so I started to just eat anything I could. Since then, I've gained back 35 pounds. I still throw up almost every day, I can barely drink a cup of coffee because it fills me up, but there's something in my head that refuses to tell my body to stop. I want to keep eating, no matter the pain, no matter the consequences.

I need some advice. I'd like to start over (basically) but I need help overcoming my food issues. I don't feel like I need a fill because like I said, I can barely drink a cup of coffe without getting the full feeling. When I get that feeling, I get so frustrated because I'm not done eating!! I want more, so I eat more, and then I get more uncomfortable and the cycle goes on.

Any advice would help. I don't know how to get over my need to eat.

[sandielaw]

Throwing up everyday is NOT normal. If you can hardly get a drink down, it sounds like you need a little bit removed from your band (unfill). Call your doctor and schedule an unfill. Let us know how it goes!

[kmacum]

Throwing up everyday is NOT normal. If you can hardly get a drink down, it sounds like you need a little bit removed from your band (unfill). Call your doctor and schedule an unfill. Let us know how it goes!

I'm afraid that if I get some removed that I'll gain even more weight.

[cckcsharp]

You need to at least have your band checked out. Under flouro. Make sure that it hasn't slipped or something. Vomiting everyday is not normal and I don't think you can really move forward until you verify that everything is okay with your band and that you are safe.

[JazzyJude]

I'm really at a loss and need some help. I had lap band surgery in December 2007. From then, until March, I did really well and lost 45 pounds. Then, just about everything I ate made me sick so I started to just eat anything I could. Since then, I've gained back 35 pounds. I still throw up almost every day, I can barely drink a cup of coffee because it fills me up, but there's something in my head that refuses to tell my body to stop. I want to keep eating, no matter the pain, no matter the consequences.

I need some advice. I'd like to start over (basically) but I need help overcoming my food issues. I don't feel like I need a fill because like I said, I can barely drink a cup of coffe without getting the full feeling. When I get that feeling, I get so frustrated because I'm not done eating!! I want more, so I eat more, and then I get more uncomfortable and the cycle goes on.

Any advice would help. I don't know how to get over my need to eat.

Hi there...I just posted in another for this issue and I am going to say the same to you, as I feel it would benefit you too. BUT, first you need to contact your doctor regarding this. What you are experiencing is not normal like sandielaw says. You should now be comfortable in eating solid foods in proper portion control (about 1/3 of what you use to eat) and not drinking during your meals too.

No one ever says that having a lapband is going to be an easy thing to do. You need to start a different approach ~ start over if you have to, as you memtioned. Turn all your negatives into postives. This band DOES work if you work WITH it ~ it's a fabulous tool. You need to commit yourself and focus on the reason for this choice of weight loss procedure. You've spent good, hard earning money for this surgery. Be persistent and consistent and discipline yourself. Be motivated and plan your band journey accordingly and stay on track; focus on the new you. Yes, keep yourself busy as well such as arts and crafts, reading, walking, visiting family and friends, etc. There's a lot of things you can do. What you are now doing is re-organizing/adjusting changes in your lifestyle and it's a good thing!

You are saying you a still hungry. Dr. Miranda, nutritionist, recommends to have the Metamucil capsules at 10am and 3pm to help curb your appetite and it works ~ try it. (Note ~ after surgery, I switched to the chewable Fiber Choice for Weight Management - great supplement).

It's really hard to 'start' per se. Here you are being told to go on a preop diet to prepare for your band journey and your body is rebelling because it doesn't want the 'restriction' you are trying to do. This preop is very specific to get your body ready and still use some of the rulings for your surgery aftercare, especially the 'protein' part. You are doing a lifestyle change and it's a good thing!

Hope this helps and good luck ~ take the time to listen to your body and your band. If in doubt, ALWAYS call your doctor or nutritionist. YOU CAN DO THIS!

[karenlynn79]

I'm really at a loss and need some help. I had lap band surgery in December 2007. From then, until March, I did really well and lost 45 pounds. Then, just about everything I ate made me sick so I started to just eat anything I could. Since then, I've gained back 35 pounds. I still throw up almost every day, I can barely drink a cup of coffee because it fills me up, but there's something in my head that refuses to tell my body to stop. I want to keep eating, no matter the pain, no matter the consequences.

I need some advice. I'd like to start over (basically) but I need help overcoming my food issues. I don't feel like I need a fill because like I said, I can barely drink a cup of coffe without getting the full feeling. When I get that feeling, I get so frustrated because I'm not done eating!! I want more, so I eat more, and then I get more uncomfortable and the cycle goes on.

Any advice would help. I don't know how to get over my need to eat.

I would suggest seeing a therapist or psychologist. Most of us on here have that same "need" to eat, including myself. But, with the band, I can't. So I have to kind of confront things that come up myself, not with food (usually). Try not to worry about the pounds you have gained back. Start over today. Have the band checked under flouro to be sure you are ok. Get help so you can deal with your issues without needing the food. Check into overeaters anonymous or things like that. Remember that you are not alone, most of us feel as you do. But you are putting your life and health at risk if you overeat with the band. I've done it too, trust me! But can you afford to slip your band? Then where will you be????? Good luck! We all understand...........

Karen

[kmacum]

Hi there...I just posted in another for this issue and I am going to say the same to you, as I feel it would benefit you too. BUT, first you need to contact your doctor regarding this. What you are experiencing is not normal like sandielaw says. You should now be comfortable in eating solid foods in proper portion control (about 1/3 of what you use to eat) and not drinking during your meals too.

No one ever says that having a lapband is going to be an easy thing to do. You need to start a different approach ~ start over if you have to, as you memtioned. Turn all your negatives into postives. This band DOES work if you work WITH it ~ it's a fabulous tool. You need to commit yourself and focus on the reason for this choice of weight loss procedure. You've spent good, hard earning money for this surgery. Be persistent and consistent and discipline yourself. Be motivated and plan your band journey accordingly and stay on track; focus on the new you. Yes, keep yourself busy as well such as arts and crafts, reading, walking, visiting family and friends, etc. There's a lot of things you can do. What you are now doing is re-organizing/adjusting changes in your lifestyle and it's a good thing!

You are saying you a still hungry. Dr. Miranda, nutritionist, recommends to have the Metamucil capsules at 10am and 3pm to help curb your appetite and it works ~ try it. (Note ~ after surgery, I switched to the chewable Fiber Choice for Weight Management - great supplement).

It's really hard to 'start' per se. Here you are being told to go on a preop diet to prepare for your band journey and your body is rebelling because it doesn't want the 'restriction' you are trying to do. This preop is very specific to get your body ready and still use some of the rulings for your surgery aftercare, especially the 'protein' part. You are doing a lifestyle change and it's a good thing!

Hope this helps and good luck ~ take the time to listen to your body and your band. If in doubt, ALWAYS call your doctor or nutritionist. YOU CAN DO THIS!

I appreciate the advise and I will call my doctor tomorrow. I never thought about that actually. Maybe if I need some taken out then I can eat small portions of food and stop being so frustrated at not eating anything so I try to gourge myself. I will let everyone know what the doc says!

[JazzyJude]

I appreciate the advise and I will call my doctor tomorrow. I never thought about that actually. Maybe if I need some taken out then I can eat small portions of food and stop being so frustrated at not eating anything so I try to gourge myself. I will let everyone know what the doc says!

Good and like Karenlynn says, go to some kind of group talk and like she says, we are all like this and at times, we need to talk it out and get a reality check.

AND, the more you stress out, the tighter your band will feel. Your stomach kind of swell and for some people, hace a tendency to want to eat, instead of not. Take the time to think of yourself and relax and go forward babe. I keep a daily journal of what I eat and add up the calories, mark off my water I drink, write down my small, reachable goals and then rewrite as I achieved them, and what exercises I've done. Maybe this might be something you can do...

Keep us posted to let us know how you are doing...have a wonderful new year!!

[BrandNewDawn]

I agree you need to have your band looked at under flouro. It does not sound like your band has slipped but continuing to eat past the point of feeling full may cause your upper pouch to stretch. You do not want that to happen.

It sounds to me like your band may be too tight and that it has been for a long time. I sympathize with your feeling of frustration at not being able to eat. While the healthy food will not stay down, it seems like all the junk food causes no problem whatsoever. But, you will have a hard time reaching your weight goal eating only what you can eat if those things are all the things we are not supposed to be eating. (i. e. eating/drinking around the band)

Throwing up everyday is not normal. It is not good for you or for your band. Even if you do not slip your band, it can harm your esophagus and it is not good for the enamel on your teeth. And, pain when you eat is not normal either.

If you think you need help with your food issues then you should see someone, another poster recommended Overeaters Anonymous.

Good luck. I wish you success in 2009. Let us know how you are doing.

Dawn

[determination]

I am not a veteran at the band. In fact I haven't had my first fill yet. But what I read, really tugged at me. Like everyone says we wouldn't be here if we didn't all share some of the same issues. Sometimes we use food as a medication. The more we are down the more we eat and so on, until we are physically ill. Getting some sort of conseling would help you to recognize why you have over eaten in the past and why you are forcing the issue now. I am currently dealing with willpower right now, so for me this isn't easy either. But I know we can do this. I wish you the very best. Please take care of yourself.