Question:
No problem keeping the wrong foods down

I had lap band on april14 08 and I have no problem eating more than the allowed amount of food I have had my band tightened and loosened 2 times When I get it filled I cant hold down anything Then I have it loosened and I really can eat pretty much regular Does anyone have any suggestions on why I can eat this way.Debbie    — libradeb (posted on July 30, 2008)

July 30, 2008
Debbie I think a major factor for you is the head game of losing weight. It may be partial physical, but I think it is a head game you are losing. The band is easy to work around, and while you are having physical symptoms and problems, the fear and head games are getting to you. I really suggest you evaluate why you got the band, and do what you need to fight through your fears and tighten your band or self control your intake. I wish you well. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

July 30, 2008
I have not been tightened at all yet I had my lapband on July 3, 2008. I can eat but I stop myself from eating normal my problem is I am not loosing weight when I only eat 300 to 400 cals. a day, that makes no sense. I am at the same weight as surgery day but I have lost inches. I am confused. I work out and still the same.
   — Ladyinlaw

July 30, 2008
Hi Debbie, I'm sorry to hear about your frustration. I know the band doesn't work for everyone. I am six months out and I lost about 21 lbs before surgery following the eating plan to shrink my liver (it was very tough) and then following the surgery I have lost about 44 lbs. Unfortunately, my appetite came back two months out and I started eating portions and foods I shouldn't eat if I want to lose weight. I only lost 1/2 pound in the last two months but my life has been pretty stressful and I chose comfort food. Last week I had the band tightened for the third time and it was the first time I could feel any type of restriction. If I don't chew well enough it can be painful for a minute and I might have to sip a tiny bit of water and wait for the food to get unstuck. Your doctor should be able to suggest something. My doctor said if I don't show weight loss in two more months, they will send me back to the nutritionist. I had to laugh to myself because the nutritionist isn't going to make my food choices for me. I'm the only person who can do that. I know the band is only a tool and if I choose to eat more than the recommended portions or unhealthy foods in between meals, that is not going to help with weight loss. I would suggest you journal what you eat and how much and discuss it with your doctor or nutritionist. I wish you the best. Regina ([email protected])
   — Bigwyfan1964

July 30, 2008
I had lap band on April 29, 2008 and can understand some of your concern. Before I had my first fill on June 27, I could have eaten way more than I should, but to avoid overeating, I made sure that I measured all my food - snacks and meals. Once I had the fill (2cc), I was back to eating the way I should be. But the past couple of days have been difficult for me again, but I'm controlling my portions again and am sure not to have any bad foods in the house. You should be journalling and getting the amount of calories your nutritionist told to have - - plus be sure to have protein at each meal and for your snacks - it'll help sustain you. And as always, eat slowly and in between your meals be sure to drink plenty of water! Best of luck to you. Please feel free to email me directly if you'd like to chat.
   — Monte57

July 31, 2008
Yes...because we are taught "if at first you don't succeed, try try again"...After any weight loss surgery, you have to convince yourself not to keep trying the old habits again and again. They must be abandoned...You can eat those foods because you KEEP TRYING TO! Easier said than done, but DON'T! You have to work harder at remembering that your tool will only work with you and not by itself. Is it easy? NO! But so many of us can do it so much easier with the surgery than without...You can too, but you must commit to it. Sorry for the cold hard truth...but sweetie, it's the only way...Yu have to make better choices and soon, because this is the only way that any WLS will work...CHANGE...You can do it...Find the leaner, healthier versions of food you like and make that change...Come on...you can do it! Make an efort today and work on it...Make a menu and plan your foods...take away the bad choices and keep one little one for once a week...Look forward to that treat at the end of the week and then reward yourself...Or split that treat to one taste of it every other day rather than eat the entire thing at once...Learn moderation is not deprivation...But what you are doing now will make you unhealthy and unhappy and....unsuccessful...and everyone of us knows how that feels and doesn't want to see this happen to you...It's hard, but not as hard as you think...
   — .Anita R.

July 31, 2008
Hi Debbie, I am pretty much the same way. I had lapband surgery on April 30th and I have had two fills since. both times for the first 3 weeks after the fill I can not eat anything and if I do it will not stay down. Not to mention while I am not eating anything for those three weeks I do not lose much weight, then, after about three weeks it gets better. I just drink a lot of Slim fast and the protein bullets during those three weeks to survive. I think as long as you can hold down fluids you should give the fills more time before getting them reversed.
   — mehlbeca

July 31, 2008
You can eat this way because you allow yourself to eat this way. Being ABLE to eat more than the "allowed" amount of food is not the same thing as HAVING to eat the same amount. Wouldn't it be great if WLS magically fixed our appetite, hunger, and desire to eat? :) When you say that you can't hold anything down, does that mean you're able to swallow/eat but then vomit it up later? If the band was too tight, it seems like you wouldn't be able to swallow/get stuff down... have you had any testing to make sure the band is still in the right place? This is definitely something to talk to your doctor about. A couple thoughts for you: 1. Talk to the doctor. See if s/he will give you 1/2 or 1/3 of whatever amount your previous fills have been. 2. Plan everything out... your meals, your snacks, your beverages including appropriate portions. 3. Measure, measure, measure. 4. Don't cook/prepare more than you are supposed to eat. If dinner is half a chicken breast, don't cook a whole one... its harder to overeat if you have to cook more food to do it. 5. If you aren't supposed to eat it, don't buy it or bring it into the house. You can't eat what you don't have. 6. Find a support group or therapist to help you make this transition. It's tough and having someone to support you can really be useful. Friends and family are great but I think it helps to have someone who isn't emotionally involved with you... things that need to be said can be said without either person worrying about messing up the friendship. Good luck to you! This is hard work so hang in there. Things will get better.
   — mrsidknee