Need Help

I had lapband done March 2009, in April 2011 I had to have surgery again my band had slipped. Well it hasn't been the same actually I've gained almost 30lbs. I know partly it is my fault. When the band was let out before the surgery I was able to eat anything and I allowed myself, the food addict took over. Since then I have had three fills and I still don't really feel any restriction. I can eat just about anything and I am having a real hard time stopping myself. When I do eat a strict diet and staying around 1000 calories and exercising four days a week I manage to loose 3 to 5 pounds in about 7 to 10 days. But one day of over eating and I've gained it all back it seems. I am trying to add more protien drinks. But I am not making any head way and I'm having anxiety attacks over the fact I've gone from a size 10 pants to a size 14. Has anyone had any simular issues? I really need some guidance to see if I can fix this on my own, before seeking proffesional help.

Jill in FL

Hi Jill,

     I had lapband done July 29th, 2009.  I lost about 35 pounds including preop diet.  I have kept it off.  I exercise about three days a week.  More during the summer.  How did you know you had a slip?  What were the symptoms?  I am seriously considering RNY.  My insurance will pay for lapband (which I had) and RNY.  In the meantime, waiting for insurance I am getting another fill Tuesday.  I will keep trying.  It is also partly my fault.  I do eat much less.  I wish I did RNY in the first place.  I am sorry you are having problems.  I have never had any problems but I can eat anything just smaller amounts.  Not sure what the freakin sweet spot is.  Not sure I ever had it.  Take care,  Lori WI

I was fight acid reflux for about a year, it got to the point that my band was almost empty and I was still waking up in the middle of the night coughing up acid, so I had an upper GI done and it showed it had slipped to the middle of my stomach. I still have acid reflux a little bit but not enough to take any medicine. I currently have 5.9cc in my band and it just doesn't seem like enough. I have another appointment on the 19th were I will have him put more in. Thanks for the comments.

Jill, FL

Well one suggestion is add more protein not more protein shakes. Anything liquidy isn't going to help you feel full like a solid protein will. The only way I can stay on track is to journal my foods and try to stay on the low carb side most of the time. I'm sure others will be on here with more suggestions. Best of luck to you!

First of all, it sounds like you need a fill!

Protein shakes aren't really the way to go, liquid calories don't make most people feel full for more than a very short time. Try more dense protein.

Kate

I have had my ups and downs as well, but the beauty of the band is you can get restriction again. Get a fill and go back to basics. Good Luck.

This is just my own observation and I have no medical facts to back it up, but I have been noticing a trend when one has a slipped band and revises back to the band. I've seen the majority of patients with band to band revision gain their weight back. My guess is that all the scar tissue left over from the first band makes it very difficult finding good restriction with the second band.

I am one of the few who did not gain any of my weight back when I revised back to the band, however I was unable to lose a single pound after my revision and my restriction was never consistent.

Do yourself a favor and step on the scale everyday so that you don't gain anymore weight. That's what I did and it kept me from gaining my weight back.

Thanks for all the encouraging messages. I just have one more question. Tell me what your daily meals look like. Just Trying to work my way back to the beginning. If you have any other suggestions please send them to me..


Jill, FL