This Band Vet Nees Advice

I had my original band surgery January 2008.  I was diagnosed with a slip in January of 2010.  My original surgeon never really placed my band correctly, thus the slip occurred.  (According to my current surgeon)

From the unfill when my slip was diagnosed until I got good restriction from my repositioned band (about 9 months) I regained 40 lbs.  I was undergoing a TON of stress during this time, and I kept comforting myself with food of course.  Bad Melanie. 

Anyway.....I have had REALLY good restriction since November 2010.  When all is well, I can eat 3/4 to a cup of solid protein.  I rarely PB, and do not suffer with any kind of heartburn, reflux or night coughs.  I CAN eat right before going to sleep, although I rarely do.  I can chug water if I want.....and I can even eat small portions of breads and rice, if I want.  Also, my hunger is controlled for about 4 hours at a time. Soooooo, in my mind, my band is in the "green" zone. 

I joined a gym in November of 2010 and started working out for the first time in my life.  I also started doing power walks at lunch, taking a very fast 4 mile walk for my cardio. 

My band is driving me crazy.........absolutely batty!!! 

Why, you say?

He tightens up on me for NO REASON.  Today is a good case and point.  I had my usual coffee and protein shake for breakfast.  Come lunch time, I heated up my leftovers.  I had some chili and beans.  I made it soupy.  Well, I take three small bites and my band slams shut.  Really?  Yesterday for lunch, I was able to eat the SAME THING without any problems. 

I can't think of anything that is causing it.  It's not any less or more stress than usual.  It's not becuase I am dehydrated.  It's not because I can't tolerate chili and beans.  Maybe it's because it's Wednesday?  Maybe it's because there was a full moon a few days ago?  I would sure like to figure it out, because this happens to me several times a week.

When it happens, I usually end up turning to unhealthy slider foods.  So, out of the week, if I have 14 meals (not including breakfast) about 5-8 meals are thwarted. 

I am experiencing very little weightloss even though I am working out consistantly and strenuously, AND only averaging around 900-1400 calories a day....and that's even with the sliders. 

I was at my wits end and conversed via email with my surgeon's nurse.  She talked to him and he agreed to do the sleeve for me.  Well, my insurance denied it since there isn't anything TECHNICALLY wrong with my band.  Since I have been through a severe slip, I understand the difference, and accept their conclusion.  I do not wish another slip or an erosion on myself, so I am trying my best to work with my tool.

I am 3.5 years out, but I since my band is erratic, I need to figure out what to do. 

Do any of you have the same issues?  If so, have you been able to figure out what is causing the sudden tightness?  Mine usually goes away by the next meal.  If this happens to you, what do you do?  Do you skip that meal? 

My nurse suggested I bring protein shakes to work with me and when I can't eat my planned lunch, I drink a protein shake instead.  Sure, that's the healthier thing to do.........but I sure don't want to live the rest of my life like this.  I just want to be able to EAT real food, but small portions.

So, if you have any thoughts, feel free to share them!!  Thanks!!

Melly,

Im so sorry  you are going through this :o( .  The only thing I can think of right now since you are having problems is this major heat wave we are going through right now .

Like I was telling Spuddzy , I have nothing in my band and I feel alot tighter then I normally do and I hate it . If I did have fills in me I would be going to the docs tomorrow for some out.

That is the only thing I can think of right now is just this awful heat and very high humidity we are dealing with.

I wouldnt want to live that like either on shakes I would have the band taken out even if I didnt have no other WLS done. I would not want to live like that the rest of my life.

Im sorry I cant be more help to you  though and I hope you can find some answers   ((hugs to you )))

Maybe if you get maybe 1/2 of a cc or even less taken out do you think that might help ? Did the nurse suggest that ?

It's not the heat......we are used to the heat in New Mexico.  LOL  This was happening all winter and spring, as well....it's not something new.  Thanks for the hugs!!

I have thought about a small unfill, but the 60% of the time that my band is perfect, I would now be STARVING, if I were looser.   *sigh*  Not sure what to do. 

I know that you have had tremendous success without any fills, but my food addictions need the help of a tool with some restriction. 

Living in New Mexico you would be use to heat then lol.  I dont think I could live there I hate the heat wave we are going through right now  its awful .


I would think if the doctor wrote to the insurance company and told them that you wasnt able to eat solid foods that would be enough for the insurance company to say the band has failed and give you the Sleeve.

I would think not being able to eat would be just as important if a band slipped or something else. Gosh eveybody needs to eat for health reasons . I dont see how that is not a factor .
I would think that could be just as unhealthy as eating to much .

 

Thanks again, Steelerfan.  I CAN eat solid foods just fine about 60-70% of the time.  I guess my body and band just fight don't cooperate at times, and I will figure out what to do. 

You said,

" I have nothing in my band and I feel alot tighter then I normally do and I hate it . If I did have fills in me I would be going to the docs tomorrow for some out."

I can almost guarantee you that when your surgeon unfilled your band there was still some fluid in your tubing. I bet if you were to go back in for another unfill that your surgeon would be able to pull more fluid out.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I don't have any advice just a hug!

Thanks for the hug!!

It's one of the great band mysteries!  I sometimes have the same issue but it's hard to pinpoint because it can happen at dinner or lunch, etc.  I usually attribute it to being distracted when I'm eating, (I often eat lunch at my desk while on the computer).  I also can NEVER tolerate left overs.  You'd think chili wouldn't be an issue, but if you re-heated it using a microwave, it will zap all of the moisture out of the meat and beans.  I especially can NEVER eat meat re-heated.  Is this commont to the times you can't eat?  Are you re-heating foods?

Other than that, I have no advice.  It happens without notice for me too.

I feel for you, Melly!

Lisa O.

Lisa,

Most of the time when I have problems, it IS re-heated foods......even re-heated homemade broc and cheese soup can cause problems.  I wonder if the microwave is my enemy now?  ha ha

Like you, it can be lunch or dinner.  Well, that gives me something to try.  If I avoid the microwave, and don't have any issues, then maybe I can live better with my band. 

Thanks for the well wishes and advice!