Question:
6 month supervise diet before revision

Hi I went to the doctor yesterday and to talk about moving the lap band and go to rny. I have medicare and the Doctor to me that I have to do a supervise diet before it can me done. I have gain a lot of weight back. I am bigger then i was before i went to get the lap band. I am still throwing up so that is why the band has to come. I go back on Tuesday to start diet and let them know when i want to remove the band. Have anyone had to do this    — JANIECEMOM (posted on September 29, 2009)

September 30, 2009
Hi Julia, I suggest you do go through the diet. It will help you greatly after the RNY. My surgeon did not insist on the diet & I went in for surgery after a 3 day diet of liquids. My band came off & I got an RNY but it has failed as I started to gain weight almost instantly. Best you take time to train your body & not push to a time frame. Best of luck. myt
   — amrighty

September 30, 2009
thanks,
   — JANIECEMOM

September 30, 2009
I'm a little confused as to why you feel the need to get rid of the Lap-Band. Any type of weight loss surgery is only a tool to help you loose weight and regain a more healthy eating lifestyle. The symptom of throwing up makes me suspect that you need to return to some of the WLS "basics" (which apply to any WLS proceedure). Before I share my advice, I want to caution you that with the RNY procedure it is even more important that you follow your surgeon's and dietitian's guidelines. With the RNY surgery, there are more problems with absorption of nutrients than with the Lap-Band. Many RNY patient's have regular blood tests to check levels of vitamins and nutrients. Vitamin supplements are even more essential and some people end up taking vitamin shots to avoid deficiencies. There is also the "dumping syndrome" to worry about, esp. if you eat foods with a lot of sugar. That being said, let me remind you of the "Basic" rules of all WLS procedures. If you find that you are not following them, I suggest that you return to them for at least 2 months before you make any decision to have another surgery. I don't see how changing to a different type of WLS will help unless you are following all of the rules and for some reason the Lap-Band has failed (slipped, eroded into your stomach, etc.). Guidelines: 1) Eat only when you are hungry (not because the clock says to, you are invited to lunch, you are socializing, etc.) 2) Eat good nutritious food (at least half of your meal should be protein, and the other half should be fruits and vegetables). Eat solid foods, not soft or liquid foods (you'll stay full longer). Avoid snack foods like chips and desserts. 3) Eat slowly (set your fork down and wait 3-5 minutes between bites...use a timer if necessary). It takes our brain 20 min. to realize that we are full. 4) Take small bites and chew thoroughly. Eating slowly, taking small bites, and chewing properly will keep you from VOMITING. 5) Stop when you are full (fullness in the pouch, not pain or pressure in the chest). 6) NO VOMITING 7) No sugar (eat fruit/vegetables instead of drinking fruit or vegetable drinks). No matter how tight the band is, it does not stop the added calories you get by eating "junk" food. 8) Remember that since we are getting a restricted amount of food because of our smaller stomach size, every bite we take should be for nutrition. We did this to be healthy for life, not to loose a few pounds fast. 9) FOLLOW UP with your surgeon on a regular basis. When you are having problems, you should see him at least once a month. He will adjust your band so that you are in the optimal zone (early and prolonged satiety, small meals satisfy, satisfactory weight loss or maintenance). You should be hungry 2-4 times per day, a few bites should fill you up, and you should loose about 1-2 pounds a week or less as you reach your goal). 10) Drink about 2 qts. of water each day, but do not drink during a meal (or at least 1/2 to 1 hour after a meal). Fluids will simply wash your food through the pouch faster and you'll become hungry again. 11) Exercise as tolerated and after getting the OK from your doctor. See a Physical Therapist or other qualified exercise expert if you need help getting started at the level that is right for you (and to get help with knowing when and how to progress). 12) Keep a Food and Exercise Journal for the next 2 months. This will help you see where you are struggling, and give you a tool to discuss with your doctor and dietitian when you see them for more suggestions. 13) Join a WLS SUPPORT GROUP!!! You'll get advice, answer to questions, helpful information, and best of all support and encouragement from peers who are going through the same struggles and successes as you. I know how hard it is to maintain your weight loss. I am 5 years post-op. We all have relapses and plateaus. The secret is to NEVER give up on yourself. Forgive yourself and love yourself enough to try again. Good luck with your weight loss journey, and God Bless.
   — KimM

September 30, 2009
Kim I have done everything that u have said, I had surgery on July 24, 2008 lost 26lbs the first week. Did everthing I was to do. Did not lose anymore weight until 5 weeks later and it was 5lbs. Did not lose anymore weight, I workout, eat right and got fills when I should and never got the filling of full it was like I never had lap band. The only reason for losing the weight before is because I follow everthing the first six weeks and was very hugery might I add but I didnt eat. I got up to 7 fills and still notthing. They did an upper G xray with the dye and everything pass right thorough, then he add more I went to 9 1/2 in a 10 band. The doctor said that I have a very thin stomach linning. So he said that the 9 1/2 should do the trick. So I left and went on home I live about 45min from the doctor,Got home got some water and stated to throw up. I thought may be I drink to fast, I was planning my aunt 75th birthday did not have time to have a sit back the party was for the next day. So about 30 min later I drink some more the same thing happen. I knew something wasnt right. So I got on OH and everyone said something is stuck and it will go do. So about 4 hours later i could not keep my salvia down. I was on my way back to the hosiptal the office was close. I had to stay the night and was so sick. the next day the doctor came over to take some out and told me that by looking at my chart the lap band is not for me. but we will try until September, this was June 26 when he said this and I went back to the doctor again in July because I was stil not keeping anything down he remove some more so I have about 8 in now from July. And once again he said you may need to think about doing something else, July my body had went in to stravation and I gain 20lbs. He said he didnt want to take anymore out and that I should be find. So I have been trowing up since June 25th. So because of my insurance they want me to do a supervise diet before we can do anything else. And they left it up to me when to take the band out. I go back on Tuesday and I wil let them now I am ready to take it out. I am sick all the time and top that I am not losing any wieght, I weight more not then I did when I first went to the doctor about lapband. So I hope this will let you know what I am going through. Lap band is not for everybody. I have not hear anything but band things about the lap band and I wish that I had read more on it before I had it. If u think I still need to give it some more thought on it let me know. I hope it keeps doing what it is doing for you. thnaks
   — JANIECEMOM