Question:
ive only lost 37 lbs since surgery 15 months ago

I have been back and forth with fills and unfills due to espophagitis and acid reflux. That i cant seem to get where im supposed to be to lose. im very confused as to what im supposed to be feeling. is it normal to barf after 2 or 3 bites, or is it normal to be able to eat a full salad or even a half of a sandwich. either way im not loosing anymore.    — vernlola (posted on November 3, 2009)

November 3, 2009
I am 5 years post-op with the Lap-Band and am at my goal weight. It took me 3 and a half years to reach my current weight. I have also had problems with gastric reflux (I have a hiatal hernia that has become more pronounced with my weight loss). I started having difficulties as I got closer to my goal weight. I still have fluid adjustments every month or two. I've even had 2 emergency fluid extractions because of gastric reflux related complications. I have learned that when I get too much fluid added at one time, I have more problems. I have opted to get less fluid added, but see my surgeon more often. That seems to be working well. Sometimes, if you have too much fluid, it keeps you from being able to eat the solid foods you should be eating, and you gain weight because you can only seem to swallow higher calorie, easy to swallow foods that leave you hungry again sooner. Don't get discouraged. Just listen to your body and keep a food and activity log. Record your physical reaction to your meals and how many times you feel hungry. Take this with you when you visit your surgeon. I am surprised that you are eating bread and lettuce if you are having problems swallowing. Even after 5 years, I still cannot swallow lettuce (no matter how small the bites, or how well I chew). Even though most people in my support group who have the Lap-Band can eat bread and lettuce, I can't. No big deal, I just pay attention to what my body is telling me. Eating Bread, even toasted, still causes me pain. Concentrate on getting in your protein (at least 1/2 of your meal) and vegetables. Fill in your diet with fruit, and go easy on the grains (bread, pasta, crackers, etc.). Also, avoid high fiber foods like the stalks of asparagus, lettuce, celery, carrots (raw), etc. I've also noticed that foods high in acid bother me (like tomatoes). I try to limit these or combine them with foods that balance them out. See your surgeon every month for a while, get smaller changes in your fluid levels, keep a food diary, eat small bites (chewing thoroughly and slowly), and be patient. Thing will get better. Be kind to yourself. You are worth it, and taking care of yourself will allow you to be a blessing to those you care about. God Bless.
   — KimM

November 3, 2009
The band is a very hard thing to get use to if there are problems. Eat fewer carbs, bread, rice, noodles, pasta, potato. Limit sugars, and eat very slowly. We get in a rush in this world and it is hard to realize that if you only eat a couple bites and have to go just go don't try to finish it quickly. We really don't need half as much food as we think we do to be healthy. Fruit and Veg for filler if you get hungry but stick to high protien foods that will leave you full longer.
   — trible