how do you begin again?

I was banded in October 2007. Initially I lost 50 pounds. I've since gained that back plus 10 more. No matter what I eat I throw up. My VG band has 3-1/2 cc in it ... that is all. even when it is empty I throw up. I have gone all the way through an appeal with my insurance and they won't remove it, let alone give me a revision to gastric bypass. I don't know where to begin or what to eat. I cut things in small pieces, don't drink when I eat and nothing helps. Any suggestion would be appreciate. Many thanks. Lisa

stand by ...help is on the way

It baffles me that your insurance wouldn't at least remove it, it's very dangerous to be vomiting all the time. Did your doc get in on the appeal? Usually there are several appeals and a peer review before a final no and quite often once the doc gets involved it gets approved. I can't even imagine vomiting on a daily basis. All I can suggest is try to puree what ever you eat, not much fun but will get you some nutrician and since you are getting less than optiamal food injection be sure to ,make sure you get your vitamins! When my band was too tight I pretty much lived on pureed chunky soups. I wish you good luck and hope someone can help you!

I had all my doctors right letters for me and went through the request and an appeal and was told there was nothing they could do except find some alternative medical treatments that maybe could help with the vomitting. I am trying to get a single insurance policy with an insurance company who I know will remove the band and give me gastric bypass but, since i live in New Jersey, I am not eligible for insurance as long as my employer offers a group policy. I am not depressed but it is getting depressing. I told the health care advoate to at least take this thing out of me and she said she would try to help but there was nothing.

That doesn't make sense to me either!  Did they pay to get the band placed?  I was self-pay and if for any reason, I needed it removed, I am pretty sure I'd have to pay for that myself.  You can have all kinds of health problems with daily vomiting.  Electrolyte imbalance is just one of the issues.  I can't imagine they feel it's okay for you to vomit daily.  I think the band should be emptied, so that you don't have further problems.  Then I'd ask to have an upper gi or some type of test to see if the band is still in proper place. I'm sorry you're having such a rough time!

Before eating I would try to drink a cup of tea or broth something very hot and then I would eat something easier to digest like a chicken thigh maybe not a breast if it's dry have some sauce on the side like bbq to dip it in if you need it... since it seems like you are irrated I would highly avoid breads anything that can ball up and prevent from passing through..

stick to soup but hearty soups full of chicken, veggies, some egg noodles (not too many) chili's, stew stuff like that .. then progressively move on to chicken, maybe some pork with veggies stuff like that.. to me it seems like you have to baby your band a bit.