Alli in StL

I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted to this board, but I wanted to share my story. I was banded 9/7/11. It worked great for me for the first few years. I lost a total of 120 pounds. Then it stopped working so great. I couldn’t keep things down and so we took all the Fluid out with the assumption that we would try to slowly fill it back up. Unfortunately, my port flipped and was only attached by one prong. Even though I didn’t have any fluid in my band, it was a gamble if I could keep down meaningful Protein. I resorted to things that would go down easily and as a result, gained back 95 pounds. My instance at the time would not pay for any bariatric procedures and so removal was not an options. I have since changed jobs but I am so busy I just went on with life. Fast forward to about 8 weeks ago and things suddenly felt “different “. I had acid reflux for the first time ever, sometimes I couldn’t keep Water down and I just had this heavy feeling where my band was. I went to a surgeon who said it needed to come out and he scheduled me very quickly. I had it removed yesterday and the scariest part about the whole thing is that the tubing had become attached to my liver. He had to cut it off and cauterize it. He said it looks good considering, but it has me freaked out. I am in so much pain today but so happy it is gone. I ate some lunch meat with cheese and a touch of honey mustard today and did not have any issues for the first time in years.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted to this board, but I wanted to share my story. I was banded 9/7/11. It worked great for me for the first few years. I lost a total of 120 pounds. Then it stopped working so great. I couldn’t keep things down and so we took all the Fluid out with the assumption that we would try to slowly fill it back up. Unfortunately, my port flipped and was only attached by one prong. Even though I didn’t have any fluid in my band, it was a gamble if I could keep down meaningful Protein. I resorted to things that would go down easily and as a result, gained back 95 pounds. My instance at the time would not pay for any bariatric procedures and so removal was not an options. I have since changed jobs but I am so busy I just went on with life. Fast forward to about 8 weeks ago and things suddenly felt “different “. I had acid reflux for the first time ever, sometimes I couldn’t keep Water down and I just had this heavy feeling where my band was. I went to a surgeon who said it needed to come out and he scheduled me very quickly. I had it removed yesterday and the scariest part about the whole thing is that the tubing had become attached to my liver. He had to cut it off and cauterize it. He said it looks good considering, but it has me freaked out. I am in so much pain today but so happy it is gone. I ate some lunch meat with cheese and a touch of honey mustard today and did not have any issues for the first time in years.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted to this board, but I wanted to share my story. I was banded 9/7/11. It worked great for me for the first few years. I lost a total of 120 pounds. Then it stopped working so great. I couldn’t keep things down and so we took all the Fluid out with the assumption that we would try to slowly fill it back up. Unfortunately, my port flipped and was only attached by one prong. Even though I didn’t have any fluid in my band, it was a gamble if I could keep down meaningful Protein. I resorted to things that would go down easily and as a result, gained back 95 pounds. My instance at the time would not pay for any bariatric procedures and so removal was not an options. I have since changed jobs but I am so busy I just went on with life. Fast forward to about 8 weeks ago and things suddenly felt “different “. I had acid reflux for the first time ever, sometimes I couldn’t keep Water down and I just had this heavy feeling where my band was. I went to a surgeon who said it needed to come out and he scheduled me very quickly. I had it removed yesterday and the scariest part about the whole thing is that the tubing had become attached to my liver. He had to cut it off and cauterize it. He said it looks good considering, but it has me freaked out. I am in so much pain today but so happy it is gone. I ate some lunch meat with cheese and a touch of honey mustard today and did not have any issues for the first time in years.

I add quinoa to almost anything. I keep it ready in fridge. I even eat with my eggs and sometimes make a play on stirred fried rice. I find it helps me feel satisfied longer.

Karan - How did your surgery go? Hopefully, you're getting lots of rest.
Roxa - So glad you're doing well. It's great that you listened to your body and just slept for the first few days. I'm sure that was very helpful for the healing process. I'm doing good. I had gotten a fill a few weeks ago. It was only .5cc, but over the last few days, I decided that it was just too much. I went in today and he took out .25cc. I feel so much better now.

Started a 24 put on a pair of 22s this am with no problem. And try weren't even stretch denim. One of my first pants goals is this cute pair of 18s white jeans that would be super cute with my scrub tops for work (clinic setting) and now it seems like that goal is actually plausible. Lol hooray

Walk in a pool?

Remember liquid in liquid out. My first night home second night after surgery I was in the bathroom all night with the same problem.

I'm over a year out and I still haven't told many people. I have since told my immediate family and they've all been very supportive, even my mom who usually is not. My grandmother, no matter how often I explain the band, still refers to me getting my stomach stapled. When I requested time off from work, I just said I was having a medical procedure done. On my FMLA forms, no specifics were given. I did have some people ask me what I was having done and I simply told them it was of a personal nature and I didn't feel like sharing.
I find that a lot of people have very strong opinions even though they're uninformed. I didn't really want to deal with other opinions. There is one person that I eventually told whose main concern was that I'd become an alcoholic. I just don't feel like educating each and every person who's ignorant on the issue.

Wow, I'd be very upset too.
I have to tell you, I've never used any of the True Results chain but I know from reading about them on these forums I never would either. It does appear just as you said- a cattle call- just pushing people through one after another to make money. It seems their patient care is nominal at best and they seem to pump out a scary high number of totally under informed band patients.
I think if I were in your shoes, I'd start from the easiest point. You say you're starving, so I'm assuming physically hungry. Yet you're sliming/stuck every time you eat and are stuck on slider foods. Has anyone bothered to check your actual band placement? If you band has been slipped this whole time, it would also explain the port flip too. I would not ask, but demand, a barium swallow to check your band placement.
I know $300 is a ridiculously expensive amount of money, but I think it would be money well spent to get your care into the hands of a doctor who actually gives a rip. You deserve good care with a good surgeon. I do have an idea how you could check out the doctor before paying the fee- go to his free informational seminar. This way, you can get a feel for his mannerism and personality before forking over the money. If you like him, then pay the fee and switch your care to him. Just a thought.
As for the Sleeve comment, I personally wouldn't even entertain the thought until you've given the band ample chance to work for you. Check the band position, check out the new doctor, and then go forward with the band from there. IF you reach a point the band just isn't going to cut it, consider the Sleeve, but I personally think it's way too soon to go through that.
Best wishes to you.

well, stop eating crappy food
eat good/healthy protein/veggie type foods
and eat the every so often type foods, every so often.
just make better choices in your foods.
you lost a good deal. Congrats and keep on going

Wow. I feel like I must have missed something, although I'm sure I read all the responses, including my own, more than once. I really don't understand why you're so upset. Who, in this thread, is letting their weight loss go to their head? All I've seen is people trying to answer the question you asked. We can all tell you how much it costs US to get fills, but the only way for you to know how much it will cost YOU is to contact your potential doctor.

How can you say it's a waste of money if you haven't even had the surgery?

Greek yogurt has a lot of Protein. I get the plain, fat free and add my own fresh fruit and a little bit of honey. But, it is sour.

I was swallowing milk when I read this and about choked. Thanks!

like the rest says......eat but eat ((smart/healthy)) as you can
and if you cant, you cant so do the best you can with what you have.
take care. that is what matters.

Not to change the subject, but pudding sounds mighty good right now! Might have to get some today!
Marci

It's her thread...didn't you read? I'm out!

How can you say it's a waste of money if you haven't even had the surgery?

How can you say it's a waste of money if you haven't even had the surgery?

Wow. I feel like I must have missed something, although I'm sure I read all the responses, including my own, more than once. I really don't understand why you're so upset. Who, in this thread, is letting their weight loss go to their head? All I've seen is people trying to answer the question you asked. We can all tell you how much it costs US to get fills, but the only way for you to know how much it will cost YOU is to contact your potential doctor.

How can you say it's a waste of money if you haven't even had the surgery?

How can you say it's a waste of money if you haven't even had the surgery?

I only lost a couple of pounds the first few months! The first six weeks are for healing. Once you get a couple of fills, you will have restriction and the scales will begin to move. Don't get discouraged, many of us are turtles of lap band. Slow and steady wins the race:)

Why can the F word get blocked but the " English" equivalent be kept on here. No one should have the right to stay on this forum after telling someone to F off!