This Band Vet Nees Advice

Yes, one of my dear band friends calls hers, Sybil.  Makes sense!!  Well, we will get through this!

Yes Sybil seems very appropriate, lol.

Mel, same thing there. Some days I eat as if I have no band and some days I can't keep anything down. I have not a clue why it does this. Like yesterday I had a taco salad for lunch, went down great no problem then last night I tried to eat something else and Nope, not gonna happen. I just usually forget it and wait till the next meal.
 

That's how you got so skinny, woman!  ha ha ha!!

I don't usually just give up and wait for the next meal.....I try to find something that WILL go down....I think that is a downfall for me.   Now, I know if I PB, not to bother.....just drink water when I can and go on liquids for a bit. 

I think women's bodies are just too sensitvie for this band of silicone!

Hi Melanie,

I feel for you -- it must be so difficult to not know whether you will be able to eat a meal or not. It makes things so inconvenient. This happens to me a once in a while, but usually because of dehydration or stress and it's a pain. When you can't eat you end of feeling cheated, and therefore want something extra tasty (usually the non-healthy stuff) to make up for being cheated out of a meal.

I've really enjoyed your posts over the last couple of years -- you've gone through a lot and have tried very hard with your band. Personally I think you are doing awesome at 1400c with sliders!  If you feel the band isn't working for you (and it sounds like your doctor thinks this because he agreed to do the sleeve)  then, even if you have to self pay, the sleeve might be a good choice for you. There doesn't necessarily have to be anything technically wrong with the band for you to try something different. It is totally okay to want to have an easier time eating and more weight loss.  

I couldn't do self pay, but I know I would seriously be looking at something else (and trying hard to get insurance to cover it)  if I had experienced so much trouble and was doing everything I could think of to make it work.

Best of luck to you,

Trixie

Wow, thanks, Trixie!!

I can not self-pay either....and I thought about filing an appeal with my insurance company, but I just don't know.  I guess that's why I put this post up......thinking that maybe someone out there had the magic answer. 

The first thing I will try is to stay away from microwaved foods.  That makes it more challenging for me, since my lunch is leftovers 99% of the time.  I just think making some changes, although inconvenient, might be well worth it. 

Thanks for the support and kind words!!

Poor Melly. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Maybe your surgeon and his insurance specialist need to do some creative diagnosis and coding to get the sleeve approved for you. I wish I had an answer for you but the band is a fickle mistress (or master, in your case).

I agree with the others who warned about microwaving food. The microwave seems to toughen the fibers in meat and veggies. I'd rather eat my leftovers cold or at room temp than risk microwaving them.

Also, I have a hard time eating when I'm at work. Most of the time I only have a 15 minute break and feel too hurried to eat carefully. Even when I have a 30 or 60 minute break, I can't seem to eat well...too distracted by conversation, people coming and going, watching the clock, etc. So I keep a yogurt smoothie (a Yoplait product, I think) in the fridge at work, just in case, but I'm like you. I want to be able to eat real food, and I feel deprived when I have to make do with "healthy" liquids or soft foods like yogurt.

Jean

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Jean!!

This does happen to me at dinner time occasionally, but it is mainly a lunchtime thing.  I normally eat at my desk and am always talking to people, working and dealing with issues.  So, even though I don't THINK I am stressed, maybe my band is telling me otherwise.  Hmmmm

Well, feeling deprived stinks......but putting my body through another surgery if it isn't fully necessary stinks even worse. 

I will do my best to stay away from microwave foods.....and maybe start eating my lunch in a quiet place, away from everyone when I can.  Maybe these things will make a good positive difference.  Thanks again!

Hi Melly, I have finally found that if I want something microwaved I just do it for the minimum time to make it palatable and make sure I have a sauce handy, too. My all purpose is light ranch dressing. Another thing that helps me is to drink a full glass of water just before I eat. Sometimes if I eat one or two bites then pause for 3-5 min. then slowly resume eating. That has gotten me past some recent clamp downs.

My band was being very unpredictable last Nov. & Dec. but I was getting stuck more frequently. If  hadn't waited too long and gotten everything inflamed I could have gotten a TINY unfill. Alas, I waited too long and had to get more out. Even then I had some restriction. The point is that you don't have to be afraid of a tiny unfill and you wouldn't want to wait too long.

I am sorry you are having so much trouble and I hope you can get it figured out.

Sue

Thanks for your kind words, Sue.


It's a 5 hour drive to my surgeon, so I am hesitant to get an unfill if I don't need to.  I really appreciate all of the advice.