Gypsygirl

Thanks for the kind words. I know it's no fault of mine, but it feels awful gaining back the weight. At the moment, it's down to 130lbs loss...but I'm still ahead. It seems this "complication" is what has slowed down things and made me gain back 20lbs as well. After having an extended abdominoplasty you REALLY don't want to gain 20lbs....I feel super bloated all the time. I'm really looking forward to fluids for the next almost 3 weeks! So I'm still obese at 198lbs....and I'd like to finally finally get down to a normal BMI weight........160lbs. I've never been able to get there.

Thanks about the ticker advise! Oh WOW! How exciting! You know...I didn't start exercising til 2nd mth or so...and that was sloooow! I started walking...5 minutes would completely wipe me out. But I kept to it...gradually increasing the time every couple of weeks I add another couple of minutes. After a few more months, I was walking all the way to work! (30 minute walk). I'd still take the bus home. Then I started walking to work every morning....then adding walking from work to home....til I was walking to and from work everyday (1hour of exercise). I do it to this day...and it helps ALOT! Good Luck and if you need any advise,please ask!

Thanks for the message. Crap happens right?! I figure nothing is forever....not even my band. As long as I can get it replaced...cuz I know without it, I'd be 400lbs by now.

Thanks! You are right! I figure...I'm still ahead...lost 130 instead of 150! Did you just get banded in Nov of this year? It looks at way from your ticker. Congrats on the almost 20lbs!! I tell ya, the first 100lbs is was a breeze to lose with my band working properly! It's this last 30-40lbs that's a bugger!! How did you get your ticker up btw? I've been trying all sorts....tinyurl and regular....no luck....Thanks!

Thanks so much! I just hope he doesn't get in there and find something else is causing all this trouble and that I don't have to go without a band. That is too scary!

for the second time...bad this time. It initially slipped a couple of years ago when I had a bad slip due to working at a hospital and catching Norwalk virus (violent vomiting). They defilled me and waited 3 months at that time and it slipped back into place and I've been doing for fills and defills ever since. Never finding that sweet spot and plateauing at 180lbs no matter what I did. Now I'm up to 200lbs and feeling like a complete failure. I wish I was normal. I wish something went smoothly in my life.

Hi there. I'm in the same trouble. I'm getting my band removed after a bad slip and replaced with a new one on Friday, Dec.5th. It hasn't been right for a while and during the last year I've gained about 10lbs which isn't that bad. It been a struggle....horrid. I had the option to wait it out...I decided to do it now....and get one with losing 40lbs to a normal bmi....maybe!

I have had my band sinc Feb. 2003 and am with ALOT of struggle maintaining a -140lbs loss. I am still far away from goal. I have an old Inamed 4cc band....which now may need to be replaced. Anyone gone through this? What bands are out there these days? Thanks!

Thanks for the reply! Actually i did start nexium and pepcid AC when i feel yucky. I go to bed around 11pm....I only get home at 5:30pm from work....so I guess I'll have to boogie to have something for dinner.....I tried 8pm last night...better, but still a bit early this morning. I'll try to stop at 7 and 6 and see what happens. What do you do if you get hungry? just drink some water or have a cup of tea? Is that alright to have? Thanks again!

and frankly, angry! I've had my band since Feb. 2003 (4+years), have maintained my 150lbs loss for the most part. I had an extended tummy tuck and breast reduction in Jan. 2006 and since then have been steadily slowly gaining. At my lowest I was 175....and now hitting 195...which is NOT FINE! I'm TERRIFIED!!! :paranoid I have a inamed band that holds a max of 4cc. I was at 1 cc and finding it too lose. I went up to 1.25 not enough...1.50...too much. Was fine during the day, but then NASTY night time reflux was happening. I'm now at 1.4 cc and if I'm really careful and don't eat past 7pm...I'm not bad....still getting a little reflux by 5-6am. Any suggestions?? Stop eating earlier perhaps???? :help:

Thanks so much everyone! I'd like to think if I managed to keep it off now...first time in my life, it won't come back! I hope my almost $10K for Plastics won't be for nothing! If you want to read the gorry details and see my before and after pics... http://tinyurl.com/j9kwn my blog on ObesityHelp.com....user name is Gypsygirl....comments on my photos are welcome...........hope they serve as some inspiration to those starting out!! :kiss2:

Yup...I've been reading....I'm a lurker I guess! There have been many ups and downs with my band....but I wouldn't have it any other way. No other way in my life I could have lost 150lbs. and am keeping it off! I've been doing alot of research and putting alot of time into arranging for Plastic Surgery these days. I'm getting a Full Abdominoplasty and Breast Reduction/Lift with lipo Nov. 9th. I am excited, scared, terrified...etc.etc.!! :cry I'm glad someone watched the CBS show RockStar Supernova too!! I'm not so crazy! Just love Canadian talent!! Rina xoxo

I've got 1.4 and doing fine after 3 years! WOHOO!!! I love my band!! And CONGRATS to LUKAS ROSSI for winning ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA!!

Definitely! That's why I've been sitting at the same damn weight for like a year...it WONT move!! I'd love to one day, for one day see a normal BMI!!! HAHA!

Hi There! I'm not sure when you had your surgery, but the Anesthesia they use to put you to sleep when you have an operation can sometimes have that effect. I went to a dermatologist about 6 months after my band and he told me it is quite normal to have some temporary hair loss during the first 6 months after surgery and also when your body is losing weight and going through so much change. It is temporary...sure enough my hair started to grow back in. Hang in there!!

Yes, the gum swallowed I guess was a small enough piece to not block in my stoma! And it passed through ok...and I was able to eat and drink later! Thank goodness!! I also went for a fill as I was starting to feel hungry sooner after eating a meal...and I found I was eating too much volume wise. It's only been 2 days, but I've noticed a marked difference in the amount I can eat and the diming of the appetite...the band is a miracle. I just celebrated my 3 year anniversary Feb.21 and I'm so, so greatful I have a band to help me control my mouth and my ultimately my life! At 185 lbs I am considered "Overweight" my goal now is to get to a normal BMI!! Which would mean getting down to 150! Rock on all! :clap2:

last night....a small piece of gum. I have been able to eat and drink with no difficulties, but I have heard it might not be a good thing! Does anyone out there know if I might be in trouble?? Anyone else swallow gum ? Thanks....Am I worrying for nothing??:paranoid

Hi There, I was banded by Dr. Joffe/Dr. yau team at the Toronto Lapband Centre. They are my saviours!! Back in the day, $10K was the price.....3yrs ago. And worth every penny!

OMG! Hero of the day! You've made my day! Thanks so much! It's been a battle, as you see my blog is a quite the long read. I'm so very happy I could be of any help to anyone out there who is thinking about it or is just newly banded. If I can help anyone out, all the better. I love my "little friend". I'd have never been able to lose this much weight and keep it off on my own. It is has saved my life. To live! Please keep us posted about your highs and lows. It's how we learn anything in life right? Good and bad is in everything, even the band! Here's to the elusive "Sweet Spot" for you and me! :teeth: Hugs to you too!

If anyone is interested in my many ups and downs, fills and defills, forever trying to find that sweet spot....by blog is at: http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=G1029860910 Let me know what ya think! Rina

Hi All! Thank you for all the wonderful responses. Yup, even when I was really tight and could only have a Protein shake for breakfast, drink my coffee slowly in the morning…by the evening, any food went down too well! Christi, I also do not eat anything past 7pm. I only allow myself Water, herbal tea or a cup a Soup. Yes, I can amazingly “pack it in” in the evenings. Susan, first of all congrats on your recent banding and branding! Your doing really well and it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and know this is gonna be it! Yes sis, only liquids for 48 hours after a fill (according to my doc). My tummy usually gets quite pissed off at me when I try to strangle it with my little friend, but I’m going to take it slowly. Slowly is key I think. I don’t think I’m much more wrinkly than I already was! My goal initially was anything starting with a “1”…now my goal is a normal bmi. After losing -150lbs I’m still considered overweight. Grrrrr! I am thinking about a Tummy Tuck, but I think I look pretty good when I dressed!! Boise! I’ve corresponded with Dan Lester from Boise...he was a great success, darn it at 60! It’s never too late right?! Thanks Betty…good idea…going slowly. One thing I’ve learned about banding, slow and steady is the best way! Thanks Lourdes….yes, the first 2 years I was banded I pretty well had a Protein Shake every morning. That is all I could manage to get down and stay down! I am psyched now to get that fill. Damn, I’ve only got 15-20lbs to go to a normal bmi…and for the last year, I’ve been on a plateau! Hi Alexander…I actually went for a fluoro in December with this last fill and doc said all was looking good. YUP! Speed is my demon too!! I notice I eat WAY slower than “regular, normal people” but I still eat too fast for a bandster, thus when I’m a little tighter, I start pb’ing because I haven’t chewed enough. Yeah, I have no discomfort or warning signals now at all and I’m feeling a little out of control. I mean I’m maintaining ok, but if I do end up having a few crackers more than necessary BAM, I’m up 5lbs in a week. Although I can lose it in the following week, I have to keep a VERY close eye on it weekly. I’ve made an appt. for the fill March 2nd. I will try a little slowly and remember to slow down when I eat. See guys, 3 years out, and I’m learning and relearning all the time! I’m hoping if I can get the fill to the point where I don’t feel the hunger as often, I won’t want to eat as often or as much. Will keep you updated! Thanks everyone! Happy Weekend! :hungry:

Hi There! No, I don't drink with my meals. I've been good with that!! I wait an hour-hour and a half before I start drinking. I think I'm gonna try a little fill! I'm scared to...but I have to try again!

Here is my problem…I'm hoping someone will have a suggestion. I have 1.25cc in the smaller inamed band. I eat breakfast-egg whites or oatmeal. I eat lunch-usually Protein & salad. Within a few hours of eating lunch I find I'm feeling hungry. (I drink 1-2litres of Water daily) Here is the thing that is worrying me. I can eat a BIG amount of baby spinach and a whole chicken breast with no problem for dinner. I think I'm eating more than I should. It's good healthy bandster foods, but not typical bandster portions. Think I'm pouch packing ?? How would I know if I am or not? After I eat dinner, I still feel like I could eat more. And I still feel hungry afterwards. I have managed to maintain like this and my weight is pretty steady. But I feel like I'm struggling. Should I assume now 3 years out, that this is it? Previously at 1.5cc I've been good, but the last time, I had some pb'ing and by insulting my stomach, it threw in acid reflux. So I got a defill. Now I am afraid to go to 1.5cc for fear of reflux /pb'ing coming back. Yet I don't think I should be feeling this hunger so quickly after eating a good, bigger than average portion of food. Any thoughts out there?? I'm thinking of trying a fill to 1.5 and seeing how that goes...hunger wise. Thanks

Please ask away. I sure as hell ain't no expert, but after 9 months, I like to think I know a thing or two, even so it's always a learning process!

Ok....I won't eat before hand. My appt. is at 1pm, but I can't eat early in the day much anyway. I have a big problem with eating after dinner. I didn't at first, but as I'm losing, I'm finding I'm looser in the evening and therefore able to munch more than I want to. Time for a fill and looking forward to it. Cheers!