restrict2008

I was banded on June 18, since then I have had about 3 fills with the last being on Nov 6. Up until then I was losing weight at about 10-12 pounds a month. Since Nov I have only lost 3 pounds. Most of the time when I eat, unless it is liquids or soft foods I end up feeling sick. I no even attempt to try to drink when I eat and my sugar cravings are crazy. I kept a food diary and I am eating anywhere from 800 to 1500 calories a day. I haven't been super good about exercising but I do walk. Is there something wrong. I am afraid to go back to my doctor because I know he will have a fit that I have only lost 3 pounds in 3 months. Any advice?????????????????

Sue

your doctor better not have a fit! show him/her the diary!

Everyone plateaus! It can linger. Usually exercise and lots of water, changing your diet to a higher percentage protein can help! I feel your pain- I am on liquid supplemented with protein- I basically have been eating 300-400 cals a day and nary a pound lost!

I'm in GA and I had no issues at all about flying there for a fill, an unfill (which could be considered an "emergency" as I couldn't keep ANYTHING down at all - even sips of water) and another fill. When I had my ACTUAL emergency, even though the hospital had a WLS group, they still didn't remove the fill like they should have until it was too late. I could have literally gotten in TJ faster and probably still have the band

That really is heartbreaking fur- makes me want to keep Sterile Access Port Needle (Huber-type, straight, non-coring 20-gauge x 2†needle) on hand at all times!

Correct - there are several doctors who won't do fills on Mexico banded patients. I suspect more has to do with the fact that they have patients of their own to take care of.

Dr. Ortiz has done a wonderful job of working with Fill Centers USA and more seem to opening every day.

My disagreement with restrict2008 was their statement that "....if something went wrong- if mexico isnt readily accessable. Many doctors will not treat a patient who had their band placed abroad.". That is completely untrue. A fill isn't something "going wrong", IMO.

There are other things that can go wrong that are not emergencies- leaks, problems with tubing, etc. I know of a girl who developed a leak and was told to go back to TJ to get it fixed. These are valid concerns, and have nothing to do with the competence of any particular mexican doctor

Correct - there are several doctors who won't do fills on Mexico banded patients. I suspect more has to do with the fact that they have patients of their own to take care of.

Dr. Ortiz has done a wonderful job of working with Fill Centers USA and more seem to opening every day.

My disagreement with restrict2008 was their statement that "....if something went wrong- if mexico isnt readily accessable. Many doctors will not treat a patient who had their band placed abroad.". That is completely untrue. A fill isn't something "going wrong", IMO.

I called 30 offices around my area and only one agreed to do follow up (including complications) if I had my band placed in mexico. I made an appt with that one doctor and when I called to confirm they changed their mind. That scared me. So i know first hand how frustrating it can be to get follow up. If it were an emergency any hospital would have to take me by law, but only for an emergency. Doctors have the right to deny a patient if care is not critical. Fill centers may be expanding but there are certainly none near me.

I wouldnt necessarily have a fear of getting the band placed in mexico- but a fear of who to go to if something went wrong- if mexico isnt readily accessable. Many doctors will not treat a patient who had their band placed abroad.

I was banded on June 18, since then I have had about 3 fills with the last being on Nov 6. Up until then I was losing weight at about 10-12 pounds a month. Since Nov I have only lost 3 pounds. Most of the time when I eat, unless it is liquids or soft foods I end up feeling sick. I no even attempt to try to drink when I eat and my sugar cravings are crazy. I kept a food diary and I am eating anywhere from 800 to 1500 calories a day. I haven't been super good about exercising but I do walk. Is there something wrong. I am afraid to go back to my doctor because I know he will have a fit that I have only lost 3 pounds in 3 months. Any advice?????????????????

Sue

you shouldnt be afraid of your doctor!! they are there to help you- and feel free to remind him of that!!!

you are at a plateau- that happens... I dont lose any weight when I eat > 1000 cals a day. Worried about you getting sick- def call your doctor!!

I either got the flu, food poisoning or a reaction to some strong antibiotics I was taking after a recent hysterectomy. Whatever it was caused me to vomit uncontrollably. At some point, per the doctors, my stomach basically doubled over itself and began to die off. I was completely unresponsive to any of the anti-nausea medications they tried on me.

IMHO, had they removed the fill as soon as I got to the ER, my body wouldn't have had so much trouble expelling the vomit. Or the band could have had zero effect whatsoever. I am still waiting to get a complete report from the hospital and doctors who worked on me.

BUT the band itself didn't cause the problem. Not getting it unfilled immediately could have caused the problem to worsen though.

I hear stories like that and it makes me want to keep a syringe around just for emergencies- I know you should never ever never try to unfill your own band- but a small part of me wonders that had you been able to that day would things have been different.

I have BCBS and they wont cover my surgery or any complications from it---

I too am scared that something might go wrong and need emergency surgery- I would be required to pay for everything.

Ask your insurance company specifically if they have any exclusion criteria

I know exactly how you all feel- I have been a yoyo dieter and one time I actually got down to a size 4-

and I was still very sensitive to the dispicable things men say... It is very hard to overcome feeling offended by that- I am just glad to have the extra perspective...

I know I have to stick to it- I wish I could undo it, but it is already swallowed and done with-

Do you think that extra meal will make much difference?

I have been very good- shake for breakfast, one for lunch, and lean dinner-

I dont know what I was thinking but tonight I ate TWO dinners! (a lean pocket and a smart ones)

I am on day 6 of pre-op diet- banding on the 15th...

how bad is this slip?

I dont think my liver should get slimy and swell up from one extra smart ones but it is exactly this kind of rationalization that got me fat...