everfeels9

I was successfully banded 5 years ago. Was 246 now hover around 195. Have not reached my goal of 155 but still 195 is better than 246 so there was some progress. But now I'm stuck not losing any weight. I got a fill a few times but it was unbearable I couldn't even swallow water so now I have no fill, no restriction and my doctor does not want to try fill again because it was so painful for me last time.I try to watch what I eat but admit I don't exercise enough (A few times a week on my elliptical). Anyway I do get occasional acid reflux and have been on antacids but its not a BIG problem. Still my doctor suggests that I seriously consider band removal as I am young-ish (Under 50) with no high blood pressure or other health conditions. She said I would also be a good candidate for the Gastric BYpass. She said there is no real research on what happens if ppl keep the band in for decades and since I'm in relatively good health, have not been losing weight, and experience acid reflux, I should get it removed. But surgery is surgery (has its risks) plus some ppl on here have expressed it to be painful. But better now than never?? Would love some feedback on this! THanks!

Thanks for your response!! I appreciate the insight. So sorry you had to suffer but sounds like you are thankfully on the med for good. Interesting because my Dr said if I had removal I would have to wait for the bypass surgery. I was like --do it all at once!! I mean I 'm already sedated!!! But she does not so that she makes her patients wait and I guess its for the best so I can heal after band removal. I am thinking a lot about this and think I am going to have the band removed but not the other surgery. It just seems like too much. But I am afraid that without the band I will gain everything back and at my age my metabolism is a mess!! Anyway please feel better I will keep you posted on my progress probably have band removed at beginning of next year and then take it from there.

I got banded in 2013. Had one fill 6 months in. 5cc's. It was fine for a while but now I've started to gain weight. Had another fill yesterday for the 1st time in 3 years and OMG I cant even keep Water down!! I will try to make an appt with my dr for tmrw but the appointments are always weeks away. Please advise. Is this normal?? Im so thirsty just want a glass of water but even sips are unconfortable UGGGH!!

I went to the Dr and they removed 1.25 cc's from 6cc's in 10cc band. I feel so much better. Water and soup going down easy! Whew!!!

Hi I havent had anything but liquids since yesterday post fill. Nothing stays down. It comes back up. Havent eaten anything at all. Im going to suck on ice this evening then call the dr tmrw for unfill. This feels wrong.

I am in NY and has afill yesterday and OMG I cant even drik water. Will this go away??? Im so thirsty. Im sucking on ice.

I was banded in 2011 lost abt 75lbs but now gaining it back plus IMG acid reflux, hearburn. Its crazy. Licorice helps and sometimes I put a little baking soda in water and drink it down. Relief! But so much sodium. I discovered Slippery Elm tea works best very soothing. Anyway told my doctor he prescribed nexium but I don't want meds. Still I have an appt for an xray to see what's going on with the band. I'm hoping I'm OK but something's going on. I actslly don't want a revision. If they have to go back in I just want them to take it out. Do they do that, remove the band? What has to be the situation? Curious! Thanks!!

I just celebrated my three year bandiversary!! I was initially 245 and got down to 180 but now I'm at 200. So frustrated but I take full responsibility. This winter I spent a lot of time indoors and ate a lot. But I joined the gym two months ago and it seems I'm still gaining not losing. And now I barely keep any food down getting stuck often so made appt for xray to make sure my band hasn't slipped. My journey has been good I'm thankful for my health and a successful surgery and even though im at 200lbs in not at 245!!! I need to make eure I never go back but I'm scared and confused. I need help, support, suggestions, words or wisdom. Thanks!!!

I just celebrated my 2 year bandiversary in May 2014 and I can agree--this was the best decision I ever made (besides having my kids), I've lost 70 lbs and have thirty to go but im not worried. Taking it VERY slow has worked for me. I took my time to figure out which foods I can and cannot (bread, pizza) eat and three months after surgery I started exercising at the gym and now I do Bikram yoga 4-5 times per week. I feel great. I look great (if I must say so myself) and again,I am so happy I decided to do this.

I had surgery over 2 years ago and my boyfriend nor my best friend knows this. Should I tell them?? I kinda feel like it's nobody's business. My daughter knows and my brother, an MD, knows and of course my doctors. But...my best friend and my boyfriend are both overweight. She works out but overeats and he does no xercise at all (I know! Sigh!!) except the occassional walk. I do exerise four to five times a week but they still are in awe of my weight loss success and I feel kinda guilty. I do not lie I just say Im eating less and exercising more (which is true)> Initially, I did not tell my best friend because I did not want her to talk me out of it (she's very opinionated) and when I had the surgery my boyfriend was juts a guy I was dating. Now we alre living together and much closer. He says stuff like "eat the rest' and I just say "I can't, I'm full" (which I am). Once he rubbed my stomach and said "What's this hard thing in you stomach" and I ignored him and changed the subject (He thinks my surgery scars are from a hernia and appendicitis). Obviously we are getting closer but still...It was my decision, its my body, its done and I dont feel the need to discuss it or get their opinion of it. I mean I thought it was a crazy alternative too, before I did the research and the legwork (I interviewed different doctors and attended post-op meetings before I had the procedure) and decided to go for it. I guess I feel guilty because I know the surgery works and it would help them both. But my boyfriend already doesn't like doctors and my best friend has a great job with great benefits and she can read and she watches tv and has seen the ads--if she wants info on the band she can get it! Plus, I know the procedure is not successful for everyone so I dont want to recommend it when I cant guarantee the results i've had. Any feedback/insight into this issue would be appreciated!!

What about shakes?I use the Nutribullet it pulverizes my fruits and veggies. With cold low fat or soy/rice/ almond milk (whatever u prefer) and a scoop of Protein powder its quick and delicious and your kid will enjoy it too!! FYI --Im only 2 years pst surgery and glad you have shown up on this site. Seven years!! Im happy you are well even if you have fallen off the lap band wagon as I am concerned about the long term/future effects the band will have.

I just celebrated my 2 year bandiversary in May 2014 and I can agree--this was the best decision I ever made (besides having my kids), I've lost 70 lbs and have thirty to go but im not worried. Taking it VERY slow has worked for me. I took my time to figure out which foods I can and cannot (bread, pizza) eat and three months after surgery I started exercising at the gym and now I do Bikram yoga 4-5 times per week. I feel great. I look great (if I must say so myself) and again,I am so happy I decided to do this. Thanks for sharing your story and letting me know Im not alone in this journey!

These taste good and are high in protein but VERY high in CARBS, too!!

U can steam or grill veggies to make them soft. Zucchini, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and onions (delish), sweet potatoes (baked or boiled--no butter!!lol) and other veggies are satisfying just cook them well.

Yes! This is awesome. Thank u for sharing. I am a bandster since 5/12 and love it!! I've had one fill so far and have lost 45lbs with 30lbs until my goal weight. I must admit that I do worry about long term sucess with the band. Most peple have a few years but you have 10!! Awesome. Congrats and thanks for being an inspiration. Let's do this guys!! Let's stick to our exercise, drink our water, eat our protein. Lets remeber why we got banded in the first place to---to lose weight and live happier healthier lives. Yay!!

olive oil, lemon, salt pepper!

Hi! So gIad found you guys. Ive been banded for 3 months and have lost 29lbs so far. Nit bad I know but I also know that most of my calories come from ALCOHOL but I cant stop drinking. I love red wine but have switched tio vodka and sake since they are supposedly less calories per oz. Stiil I know my drinking is going to sabotage my lap band journey. I've been to AA meetings many times and they just make me want to drink more!!! And when I compare myself to others at the meetings i say "I'm not THAT bad"... and the cycle continues. I can stop. I have stopped. When I did my pre-op and post-op diets I stayed away from alcohol completely. Now though Im 3 months in and its summertime and my life si stressful and Ive started drinking again- and entire bottle a day four days a week. Im NEVER going to lose weight this way. HELP!!!!

I told my job and some family I was having surgery on my foot LOL> BUT soooo glad I did. Its a slow proces and even the one cousin I told who thankfully hasnt told anybody else (that I know of!!!) looks me up and down every time she sees me and says stuff like "you didnt lose that much weight yet". Its crazy but weight issues bring out alot in people. Id keep it to myself if I were you. Peaople try to sabotage and say negative things. And besides at the end of the day its yur body and yu have to do the work !! Good luck.

I was banded on May 10, 2012 and have lost 21 lbs. I was hoping it would be more but just remembering to take it slow. Havent even started working out yet--joined the gym today!

I was banded on May 10th so am still helaing walking a little and havent started exercising again yet. Will be back at the gym on Monday though so this topic is timely. I g=have a perm but know its going to be hard t maintain once I start exercising again.I LOOVE the steam/sauna and see it as my reward fro going to the gym. But my hair is going to be a hot mess lol>> I think I'll do braids for now but ultimately I know Im going to do the BIG CHOP and get this perm outta my hair. One of the reasons I got the band was to lose weight and get back to my tru self, the core of who I am which is really a natural woman!! I wore my hair natural for years and it was short and cute but I was much slimmer. When I started gaining weight I permed my hair so I could add tracks. I felt like it was the only thing I could do to try to look good and groomed since I was so heavy. But now Im on this weight loss journey and am envsioinig a new better me--slimmer, healthier, with NO Perm!!

Thanks for sharing I think I missed it though.

OMG> What a great topic. I was banded May 10th and told exacty fur people: My daughter, my brother, my cousin and a close friend from college who lives in another state. Im not ashamed but like someone said here I dont want o have to constantly discuss my weight challenges. I already put enough pressure and criticism on myself (im working on this) and dont need it from others. That said...I went to my first post op appt today and there was 1st a group of people there to go over eating and nutrition tips. This was before your individual appt with the doctor. OMG there was a woman there that lived in my building. She was talking loud in the waiting area about having the gastric sleeve a few days ago and how she has been doing. So when they called my name I stopped and spoke to her briefly (even though I didnt want to. I was there to see my doctor not for social hour. Geez.) Asked her how she was feeling and all. She was friendly and said she was fine just a little weak. She asked me what I was getting and I told her I was "CONSIDERING" lap band (although I have already been banded.) I hated that I lied but im just.. the last thing I want is for everyone in my building (I only have one real friend in the building everyone else Im friendly and polite with but we dont really socialize ) and I havent told her and dont intend to. (Shes very judgemental and I dont want or need her opinion). Anyway, I saw the nurse and got weighed (Ive lost 16lbs!!) but did not go to the group meeting. I actually rescheduled for Friday and am tempted to call the dr office and ask that I not be scheduled along with this woman from my building. I know it sounds crazy and it probly is but I dont want to have to deal with this person everytime I see my doctor. What the hell!!?? I feel like its an invasion of my privacy. What should I do???

Im 2 weeks post op and was feeling guilty about just relaxing. I do walk and run errands but was going to start the gym again tmrw. But now I think I'll wait a bit until I see my dr next week. I feel great no pain no meds but I can feel my port area and my incisions still have some of the "derma glue" on them. I will take it easy. Thanks guys!

mmm...thanks! I have been making vegetable soup with tofu, letitng the veggies (leeks, mushrooms, squash) cook really long to get soft and of course the tofu is soft. But I have more tofu and was wondering what to do. I'll grill it on my george forman grill!! Great idea. Yummy.

I was banded on the 10th about 2 weeks ago. Lost fifteen pounds too. Now Im on mushies and actually had ice cream yesterday (it was my grandmas93 bday). It was only half cup and it went down fine and I ralized that just because I have this band this tool I have to make good choices. I didnt beat myself abt it bcause I enjoyed it but still i (we) have to watch it. I advise you to not beat urself up, try not to get depressed and make better choices: fruit, jello, lowfat yogurt, etc. If yu made a few poor choices dont sweat it and do better next time. You got the band for a reason so its going to be a process and a re-learning in regards to food choices and you relationship to food. Good luck!!