Confused, abandoned, and unsure

I have had my band now for almost 10 months and for a while we were good.  My inusrance sends me to a physician 2 hours from my home and to be honest I am not satisfied with the treatment I have been receiving over the past 10 months or so.  It was all grand while I was loosing weight but when it slowed they started not being so nice and almost feeling liek they didnt want to see me anymore.  Last fill that I had was in April and it was too much, I couldnt even hold down water, when I called and had to go back in for a slight unfil they made me wait about 4 days and  were quite rude about it.  He thought I was in the optimal zone and that it was normal to vomit everything including water.  There is a lap band specialist on my insurance plan right in my town who is on my insurance but they wont approve me to go see him. Right insurance different IPA.  I recently got a new referral for a new surgeon but this one is an hour away.  Im thinking I need to have a physician close to home that I can attend support groups and not loose a day of pay just to attend an appointment.  Im also thinking that I want a physician to help support me through this endevor not make me feel worse than I already make myself feel.  I dont believe my band has failed me, I think that due to lack of support with my diet and a physician who doesnt seem to have time for me that I have failed it.   Im not sure what to do at this point.  I am fighting with my insurance to have a local physician but right now Im on my own.  I have no idea how much I should be eating, they told me if I am hungry eat, well not a good thing to tell my inner fat girl thats what got me here to begin with.  Sorry to sound like I am complaining but I really dont know what to do for now while Im without Dr,

Thanks for any advise

 It really sounds like your doctor's office has been treating you very inappropriatly! VOmiting is never normal, especially liquids. 
Why won't your insurance approve you to see the nearby doctor? What does IPA mean? 
Do you get your insurance through your employer? If so, sometimes your employer may also have an EAP (employee assistance program), some of those programs can include medical advocates that can help you deal with the insurance company.

My heart goes out to you. I think a lot of surgeons are jumping on the bariatric wagon without fully realizing how much patient education and aftercare is required.

Regarding the insurance issue, I suggest that you contact Vicki Browning at: 

[email protected]

Vicki worked in insurance before she retired and does a lot of "pay it forward" work helping people with their insurance issues. You can tell her the Jean M. sent you to her.

Regarding how much to eat, it's too bad your surgeon or nutritionist didn't give you that information before your surgery. Your ideal daily caloric intake will depend on your weight, weight loss goal, activity and exercise levels. Although different bariatric clinics vary in their ideas of the maximum amount per meal that a bandster should eat at one time, 1/2 to 1 cup is the general range. I try to "spend" my daily calories on 35% protein, 35% carbs and 30% fat. I am not a doctor or nutritionist but am willing to share my nutritionist's weight loss eating plan, but first I suggest that you ask your PCP for a referral to a nutritionist. Even if the nutritionist is not a bariatric specialist, she/he can explain your general nutritional needs better than I can.

Hang in there!

Jean

Also check out the support group in your area. I recently moved and found a new group and then a new doctor. Most support groups allow patients from other surgeons. At least around here.
And no it definitely is not right to not be able to swallow liquids. It can cause more problems down the road.