Question:
LapBand Question?

I had the LabBand in Sept of 07' and I had the Barium Swallow on Friday becuz I thought I maybe had a problem with the Band but everything is fine with the Band What I am wondering is if anyone has had the Band for a while like me 6 months or more I can only eat very little and sometimes I have to vomit is this how the band works see mentally I see food on the plate and still try to eat it and then get sick and that is why I thought there was something wrong with the Band but since the Barium Swallow and a couple of adjustments now I think this is how the band works? I have only lost like 30lbs in 7 months which the Dr said thats good it could be more and that we are trying to get the Band to work but I think now I'm understanding how it works becuz before I really didnt have any restriction but I was wondering if this is what it feels like the pressure and the chewing real slow and small bites and maybe mentally I just wasnt getting it before?    — AngelKay34 (posted on April 19, 2008)

April 19, 2008
I had the LapBand in April of 07 and to date have only lost 50 lbs of my 100 lb loss goal. I also had the Barium Swallow recently and everything looked fine with my band. I started at 240 lbs and am 5' 6" tall. Everybody's weight loss is different depending of what weight they started at, height, body structure, and a whole lot more. Try not to compare yourself too much with those that have lost a lot of weight in a shorter period of time. I know it is hard. It's hard for me also. But. it doesn't mean you can not also lose the same amount of weight, it just may take longer. And, remember, the slower the weight loss the more likely it will remain permanent weight loss. It is not the band here that is the problem, but me, which unfortuately I believe is the same problem in your case. The band helps, BUT you have to eat the right food... high protein and lots of vegetables, in the correct portion size, which should be 1/4 to 1/2 a cup. I/2 a cup may even be too much. In my case, I have been eating inappropriate foods - those high in fat and calories & not enough protein or vegetables. In addition, my portions have been too big most of the time, and also have vomited some of the time. That really is a no-no. If you are vomiting it means either one or more of the following things, either you ate too much, too quickly, your bites were too big, or your band is too tight. All of this is something you should discuss with your lapband doctor, to get the proper diagonsis. One way to help find out which of the previous is your problem is to do a food journal for at least a week or two or even longer if you can. Besides writing down what you eat, you need to write down the portion size, calories if known, time you ate it, and for how long did you eat that meal. You will be able to tell a lot from reviewing it, and if you can't your doctor certainly can, and then give you advice on what you are doing wrong and what you need to change. With a band at the correct fill, you should not be hungry again until at least 3 hours or longer after you've eaten. My doctor also says eat only for 20 min MAX and then stop, even if there is food still on your plate. I agree that mentally you were not getting it before, but it seems like you are starting to now. I am also working on my mental portion of this weight loss equation, because I am my own worst enemy. I've been seeing a counselor about this (something you also may want to consider), and it's starting to help some. I know it will not be a quick fix, and it will take a while for me to truly mentally get where I need to be to truly be successful with the lapband. The great thing with the lapband, compared with others who got gastric bypass is that there is no final plateau of weight you can lose, if that is what you want. Just remember that the lapband is just the tool to help you, unfortunately you still need to do most of the work to lose the weight...but it DEFINITELY helps. I've never before been able to stick to a diet and lose weight. I have been able to only with the lapband and am quite grateful. I and probably you just need to kick our buts in gear to do the things we need to & not self-sabotage ourselves. I know my situation is not your situation, even though they sound very similiar in some ways. Hope what I had to say was of some help to you. Best of luck. I know I will eventually lose all the weight I want and SO WILL YOU. You just have to give it time. Weight loss for most people, not all, is slow with the band, but again unlike those that had gastric bypass, ours is generally permanent. Of course, it doesn't mean you can not regain weight, but it's highly unlike you would gain it all back and more.
   — Ewa C.

April 20, 2008
the band help develop "normal" weight loss of 1-2 lbs a week. You are doing fantastic with your weight loss. Frequent PBing means you are either not chewing well enough or you are over eating. So; If you need to empty your plate, use a smaller plate and smaller portions. This takes time to adjust your mind to as you still want larger portions, but it really helped me. Your bites should be about the size of a pencil eraser, well chewed. Food that is not chewed well enough cannot go through the band & will cause you to vomit. Watch for signs that your body gives you that it is full. You should start to feel pressure build up above your stomach indicating the pouch is full & food is backing up. I use to stop with my hic-cup. I can not tell when it is coming & stop a couple minutes before. Some people get a sneeze. Watch for & learn your signal. When it's coming or has happened STOP EATING. Donna Indiana Banded 4/19/07, lost 74 lbs
   — Donna O.

April 20, 2008
Hi Angel, What you are experiencing seems similar to what I went through after my RNY in Nov'00. I called it a non-agreement between my head and my new stomach. My new stomach was shouting "enough already!" and my head was saying "but, but, but, look at how much is left! I can't leave that. How will I ever make it to my next meal on such a small meal?!" I learned to label that head voice as the pre-surgery me who was full of fear and self reliance. The new me had to include listening to my physical signs of fullness, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THE MEAL ENDED UP. This was extremely difficult but necessary to have the surgery work. My two cents- When your head disagrees with your stomach, quietly thank your head for sharing and let the 'old' you know that from now on your 'stomach' gets to tell you when enough is enough. Reassure your 'old' you that you are looking out for her best interest and that the new you will not let her starve. Love and light, RobinJoy aka Happytrudger59
   — happytrudger59

April 20, 2008
It sounds like you are struggling with the difference between emotional satiety and physical satiety which is a big problem with obesity. Emotional hunger and physical hunger are two very different things as well. I know you will keep hearing this, but the Band is just a "tool". It is a 45 minute surgery on one day of your life and can help you on your way to your goals. The rest is up to you. It sounds like you are counting on the Band to do most of the work for you and that is not going to work. I am a gourmet cook with a large family. I used to get so upset when I would spend so much time preparing, shopping and cooking new healthy, organic low carb meals and be so excited to sit down and eat this healthy meal with my family, only to be able to eat 4 bites. Physically I was full, emotionally I wanted to eat more. My band was doing it's job, my brain wasn't "getting it". I had physical satiety, just not emotional satiety. This is a constant struggle and the emotional work we have to do as being food/carb addicts. I have a dear friend in my support group who is at goal who reminded me that this is how to get the job done. It is ok to eat very little food. I would suggest being very aware at mealtimes and following our guidelines. No water before, during or after meals for awhile. 70% protein, 30% vegetables, tiny bites and chew chew chew until your food is to the consistency of applesauce before your swallow. Sit at the table with no distractions and focus and enjoy every bite. Choose the highest quality of foods you can get your hands on. If you can only eat a few bites, make them the best bites of the highest quality foods you can. While eating, notice when you are just full, not uncomfortably full or painfully full and stop. If you go past this, you will begin to slime, have pain or perhaps vomit. I like to use a few strategies that help me with my emotional satisfaction. I eat off of a tea-cup plate, use small utensils, remove my drinking cup from the area at meal time and put it all away when I'm just full to prevent me from trying to go any farther which I know will lead to problems. If I keep my pouch full of a small amount of the appropriate foods when I get to just full- I will remain satisfied for hours until I get hungry. Actually, I really very seldom ever get hungry anymore. Fills and unfills do take a while to get to the "sweet spot" where you have just enough restriction. It took me about a year and a half of my surgeon adding a little, taking a little out to get to just the right snugness that is comfortable for me. This varies greatly from person to person. And, no matter what I do or how little I eat, I don't have much success without exercise. I notice you didn't mention any exercise in your question. All my surgeon asks of me is 10 minutes per day, anything over that is a bonus. That along with drinking water all day is how I am successfull... well along with support groups, scheduled dr. visits, etc. Remember, we are in this for the long haul sister. This is a life long commitment. Try to look forward, set goals and you can do this. Good luck to you, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic