Gaylene

Amazing transformation. Well done. I find this video and the comments to be really motivating. Thank you for sharing it.

Alex, you might be able to answer a question for me. I cannot find out what the life of a band is. I got mine in 2008. I worry about erosion in the future. I have gained 20kg and wonder if I should get a sleeve. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you

I had a lap band put in in 2008. I lost 30 kg but have gained 20 kg since. I am wondering about the ongoing safety ie erosion of the band and wonder if I should have the band removed and a sleeve done. Has anyone out there done this? Any comments on the life of the band ?.

Bandista I like your reply re the head hunger. Head hunger is my real issue at the moment. I got the band in 2008 and have recently put on half the weight that I have lost. I am scared. I make food choices like a child. I am 63 years old!!

Is the lap band with plication done if the lapband operation itself is not successful? I ask this because I see you had lapband surgery in 2007 and the plication recently? I am puzzled and interested because I am stuck at the moment. I got the lapband in 2008 but have now put on half the weight I lost and am scared it will continue. Gaylene

Hi, thank you so much for sharing this. Stay positive. You can do it. I have times where I wonder if my band is too tight. I can't eat until about midday and then only want porridge or poached eggs. By night I can eat more things but always struggle with meat and veg. I have veg juice and try to eat small amounts of other dishes. I find I have to watch the easy foods and use my head to control my emotional eating. I am also finding I am more troubled with slight heartburn. Quickeze work ok for this so it is not bad. I must admit I am worried that I am setting myself up for erosion though. I have not been to my specialist for a couple of years. I put on several kilos but have got some off again. Gaylene

Hello sweet pea Good luck for your upcoming surgery. I had a lap and fitted in 2008. I have lost 30kilos and kept over twenty off . I am very happy with it. I find that if I use my head and listen to my hunger signals I get by with eating very little. It is easy to cheat it but once you get the great feeling associated with your weight loss you don't want to cheat. My blood pressure has come down and I enjoy exercising and shopping for clothes of course!! I look forward to hearing of your progress. Gaylene

Hi everyone, Is anyone out there struggling to maintain their weight loss? i was 86.5 kilos when I had my surgery in Feb 2008. I had reached 92 kilos prior to that. In 6 months I got down to 63 kilos and loved it. It was so easy as I never get hungry. However, I now am fighting "head hunger"more than ever before and am up to 78 Kilos which is very scary for me. I have had top ups as I need them and think I am about right. I am very restricted in ths first part of the day and once I start eating I find by night time I can eat quite a lot. I am starting to eat wrong foods and getting anxious. I suppose there are no magic answers other han making wise choices etc. Anyone else struggling like this?? gaylene

Hello Fefe, It is very early days for you yet. I think you may need a topup- band fill. Your appetite should not be increasing at this early stage. Go see your surgeon or whoever is doing your top ups. You should not have to be fighting your appetite at this early stage. That is part of what the band does. Takes your appetite away. Good luck. Gaylene

Hello Bex, I don't think there will be anything wrong. It is very early days yet and I suspect the bump you are feeling may be the port. You do get used to being able to feel the bump.The pain may be from the stitches holding the port in place. Have you got a phone contact of the surgery to check your concerns? It sounds to me that you are doing really well with the walking. Be careful not to overdo things. I have just registered on this site and am not sure how to use it, so I hope you get this message. I am in New Zealand and am surprised that I have got this far into the site. I am struggling with my eating at the moment but am determined not to undo all my progress. You have made a real life changing decsion to get this done. Good on you. Hope we can chat more. Good luck. Gaylene