Julie norton

There are many of us quieter banders who just keep going.

I had my lap band in 2006. Still happy still continue to work my healthy habits.
Not easy some days!! Mostly just habits after 13+ years.
High school weight feels right for me right now.
I’m hopeful to not lose my band... it happens

There are many of us quieter banders who just keep going.

I had my lap band in 2006. Still happy still continue to work my healthy habits.
Not easy some days!! Mostly just habits after 13+ years.
High school weight feels right for me right now.
I’m hopeful to not lose my band... it happens

Next week is 14 successful years and counting!!?. Nice to read about decade banders .
It is not always easy....even now after years with a 1cc band
And. I am grateful . I shudder to think that if I had not changed my life , I would be 325+ now.

Many of us are successful with banding
. Least invasive and returnable
I’m 12 years in and still living a wls life.
Lots of us left due to such negative and loud feedback from those who did not have luck ( for many reasons)
Some of us stick around....

Very few of us banders around. I like my band... mostly .
It has been over 13 years and it just works. I think the band trained ME
Best of luck to us all.
Am I the only one that wonders how long ???

I have mine in my breast bone, its a bit of a pain with underwired bra’s so i wear sports ones- unusual place for mine too

I think it really depends on you and the amount of fill in your band, but I had a hard time with certain meats, eggs, toasty breads, and fibrous fruits (oranges, pineapple, etc). Because of complications with the band, I had a revision last week to the sleeve.

I’m looking for a dr in central Florida. Actually I need to loosen band. I’ve had it for 16 years and lost 150 lb. I’m now 70 and after staying steady I’ve started losing again and and want to loosen it up. Hard finding Dr.

Next week is 14 successful years and counting!!?. Nice to read about decade banders .
It is not always easy....even now after years with a 1cc band
And. I am grateful . I shudder to think that if I had not changed my life , I would be 325+ now.

I too gave up the Big Macs. Haven’t gone as long as you. I am super impressed.
might I as why you haven’t gone back in so long? Your fill should still be there.
I know as much as I tried.... sonic hotdog called and I answered. I have to admit.... omg it was the best hotdog I ever ate. It is really hard to do it with out the band or when it’s empty. Hungry is real

I was banded in 2007 with a 4 cc band and cannnot tolerate more than 1 cc or am too tight.

still doing well

I have had the lap band for 17 years. I have not had any adjustments or dr visits in 8 years. I have a lot of phlegm issues. Is there any fluid in my band after all these years? If yes, maybe getting some removed would help.
Is my original stomach shrank down to normal size now?

I need advice. I don’t really want to have it completely removed because I know me..... McDonald’s Big Mac here I come. Ahhhh I haven’t had one in 17 years!

Many of us are successful with banding
. Least invasive and returnable
I’m 12 years in and still living a wls life.
Lots of us left due to such negative and loud feedback from those who did not have luck ( for many reasons)
Some of us stick around....

Many of us are successful with banding
. Least invasive and returnable
I’m 12 years in and still living a wls life.
Lots of us left due to such negative and loud feedback from those who did not have luck ( for many reasons)
Some of us stick around....

There are many of us quieter banders who just keep going.

I had my lap band in 2006. Still happy still continue to work my healthy habits.
Not easy some days!! Mostly just habits after 13+ years.
High school weight feels right for me right now.
I’m hopeful to not lose my band... it happens

Hi! This is my first time logging on in 2020.
I definitely am very grateful to have had the VSG, in August of 2015. I was miserable and just receding from life. I reached my goal weight in 2016, and then my dream weight in 2017 - the lowest I'd been since I was 14. I perhaps got too thin, down to a size XS / 2, and I'm tall. But I felt amazing and began receiving compliments from strangers and friends alike on looking beautiful, and I felt beautiful.
Unfortunately I regained some weight in 2019 after some dental disasters (I have several baby teeth that lack permanent roots, so they need to all be pulled and replaced with implants) required that I eat nothing but soft food. And then I regained again in 2020 after experimenting with fertility treatments (which weren't successful, sadly) and falling back into depression. I've gained a few more while quarantining since March. Grocery shopping became one of the few out of the house activities after we transitioned to working online, and I slipped into past habits of eating for joy and out of boredom.
My BMI is currently 26, so I'm not too far out from being in a healthy weight range again. I just want to get back on track and prevent continuing regain. I started tracking my food again on MyFitnessPal, and cleaned out the kitchen of temptations. I am hiking more often and going for scenic drives when I'm feeling restless to get out of the house. I returned here for motivation / camaraderie. I hope you are all doing well!

Hi Julie! I'm still around too...I am 6 yrs post VSG. Wow, how the time has passed. Initially I had the typical loss of the 'surgery doing the work' and felt great. Followed the rules to a T. But about 18 months post op I made major changes in my life, left a long-time career, moved, went to grad school, took a night position, etc. I started slipping little by little and although it wasn't too bad initially, as time went on I started having regain. Then I lost a parent, graduated grad school, went back AGAIN for a Doctorate, changed jobs again, etc. Finally about 2.75 yrs post op I got some super sobering health news (a condition that my surgery had corrected was back) and had to get real with myself. I had to seriously have a 'come to Jesus' moment with myself and realized the TOOL was still there. I went strict Keto and never looked back. I now have successfully lost my regain, am back where I was at my lowest post op, and am working to maybe drop another 20. No, I can't and probably never will again, eat what I really want to. I'm ok with that. My health condition is hopefully under control. I feel good. I have remained on track. I consider myself a bariatric success and I know a LOT of folks who weren't as fortunate.

Old lapbandster here too! Have been banded for 10 years. Love my band most of the time and have no plans to remove it. Not for now at least. I think a lot of the problems are due to a band that is too tight. I was having issues in the past two years and found that an unfill + progressive fills to a lower level to have solved 90% of them. Don't let the band get too tight as it can happen even if you have not had fills for years! I am 14 pounds heavier now at a lower fill level but would rather be a little heavier and comfortable than thinner and miserable.

Hi Joan--add me to the list that is wondering if you aren't have any trouble with your band, why does your doctor want it removed? We have a saying here in the South: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" If I hadn't had so much trouble with mine in the last two years I'd still have it.

Julie, you’re not alone. I wonder how long my band will last as well, but fortunately I’ve had zero problems six years in. I never “test” it, and I maintain a healthy respect for the rules, including no NSAIDs for my arthritis.

If I ever had problems and needed it removed, I would certainly have another WLS again.

I love my band.

SW 302
LW 171
CW 189
Banded 2014

Looking to connect with people that have had their band a while and are still happy with it! I’ve had mine for 12 years! Sw 314 Lw 170 Cw 223. I’ve gained some back and wanting to find some support to help refocus.

Hi!
Banded in 2014
LW 130
CW 136
Still love my band! Well its more of a love/hate relationship sometimes!

Hello there! I too have been banded for 12 yrs. I’ve lost and maintained a 120lb weight loss. I’m extremely happy with my decision and it’s getting harder to find long term banded people out there.

SW 220
LW 100
CW 109

That's great to hear.....especially w so many band bashers out there........I'm 18 years out myself (was my doctors first patient actually) kept all my weight off all these years UNTIL....5 years ago late in my pregnancy( my baby girl wasn't gaining enuf weight ..had all fluid removed...gained all the weight back FAST....was embarrassed to go back to my doctor for a refill...which was silly...but finally did 8 weeks ago and weight falling back off again just like it always did...I lived all these years as a "skinny person" with that famous perfect "sweet spot" in my band that I forgot I'm really a fat person in a banded skinny body lol...can't believe how fast weight came back (AND my food addictions)when fluid was removed during pregnancy......and she was premature still..weighing 3 pounds......so I set recommend fluid removal when pregnant ......I now got my refill now and ..been losing like crazy again now that I got my sweet spot w my band again....band for me has truly been a lifesaver...would NEVER have it removed....its all about that sweet spot ....

Finalllly someone else in the same position as me. I’m 12 yrs out and still thrilled with my device and maintaining my weight. Best decision for myself. Congrats