Vicki Loichinger

Sounds like you are being well taken care of you. Praying for your continued health and that of your precious babies, Keep us updated please.

I was just reading through the threads and it seems so many had surgery this week, Praying for each of you and feeling joy for you cause i know how hard you have worked to get to this poing. Just wishing everyone the best Vicki waiting for approval of revision from lap band (2005) to RNY jumping through all the hoops

Hi I am from Indianapolis. In the process of having a revision from Lap Band to RNY. Having my surgery at St. Francis. Going tomorrow for Dietician and Counselor apt. I have already had Psych Eval, and orientation and met with the Surgeon Just doing what they ask when they ask to try and speed this along. I had the Lap Band seven years ago. I have no horror stories, I have never had a problem with my band, I was unable to tolerate salads and healthy foods so I would go to softer less healthy foods, then I had my band unfilled thinking I would eat healthier. Well that didn't really work. I have lost and gained many times over that time. I need the RNY for the help in weight but more than that for the hope that it will reverse my Type 2 Diabeetes and my need for insulun. I take huge amounts a day, still have high numbers, continue to gain weight, and my body hurts all over, so much pain involved. I hope this happens sooner than later. But I admit I am nervous about it, but I am trying real hard to wrap my head around what life will be like after. Hope to talk to all of you and lend support as I can. Vicki

Thank You so much for all of your replies. Yes I need to recommit. There are a lot of band rules I follow, always have. I think I do need to be unfilled, and do the liquids start eating solids, SLOWLY, then slowly add some fills back in. I had restriction right out of the gate. I think if eating was not so uncomftable (and I know that some people have a lot worse pain and pb'ing then I) I would eat more healthy and feel full longer ect. I have stayed away from any of the boards for the past two years becasue I do not want to discourage anyone. I truely do believe in the band. I wonder what my weight would be now without it. A lot more than I am now I am sure. I guess I was just wondering if anyone was like me, and how they got back on track? I remember how I felt when I got the call that I had been approved to have the band HOPE> a HOPE I had never ever felt in my life about anything. I want to feel that HOPE again. Again thank you all so much. I need support, and I have not sought it out. The first year of my band life, I gave support. Hope some of this makes sense.

Hi My name is Vicki. I have been an absent member of this forum for a very very long time. I was banded in Feb. 2005. Intially I lost about 30 pounds. I had fills that first year, and then even a bit out. I think I have 1.75cc in a 4 cc band. I have restriction. About the end of the first year, I stopped losing and started gaining. Like so many I pd'ed a lot. So I started eating softer and softer foods. Also I had to go back on insulin for diabetes and the weight crept back up. I also have not seen my surgeon in two years. I know bad bad bad. I just have let all the weight creep back on. I eat very unhealthy due to not wanting to throw up. Also I want to eat. My real question is CAN I START OVER. I am presently trying to get in with a doctor closer to my home. I went out of town to have my surgery by what I consider the best surgeon anywhere. But I have found that with the distance I am just not making the effort to followup with him. SO I thought if I had a doc closer and some nurtritional counseling closer and support group closer I could maybe start over. I do not have a lot of weight to lose compared to some. But the weight I have affects my health very badly. I am 4'11 and weigh 176. Looking for the wisdom of all of you on what and how I should go about all of this. I DO NOT WANT MY BAND removed. I still believe in it. (NOW my family and friends don't believe in it at all and think I should just have it out) But I fought to hard and went through to much to even think of having it removed. I know that so many people have not been as lucky as I have to have the band approved by insurance and have this opportunity. I believe, although I am not treating it as one, the band is a gift. Solid advice and steps would be so appreciated. Has anyone "started over" Vicki in Indy

Congratulations Jonathon, Today it has been a year for me. I kinda feel a bit like you in that the band has not exactly been what I had hoped for. I have not had a slip or anything like that. I have been too tight and needed to have an unfill and that certainly slowed the weight loss down. I have lost 40 pounds and then gained 10 and keep gaining and losing those same 10 pounds. I have not exercised, I have not always followed all the rules. But I am still very glad I have my band. I need to begin today as if it was a year ago and abide by the rules and exercise and put this tool to good use. I say none of this to discourage anyone. I would be banded again today in a minute. I do think that it is a tool, and like all tools it is how you use it. It is not magic. But it is fantastic. Hugs to all

I was just thinking the past few days "if I could tell a prebander one thing, it would be that you need fills to have restriction for the band to work" It seems that so many are beating theirselves up or thinking the band is failing because they aren't losing in the first six weeks or so. My heart hurts for them so much. It scares me to think of those who have no support, like this board, and other boards, and are questioning theirselves everyday or not getting fills, or eating wrong and possibly hurting themselves. Okay my rant is over. I am just sad when people get so discouraged, when they don't need to be. Hugs to all

Very encouraging and inspiring. Happy Bandiversary. You are doing fantastic.

Congrats to all you Monday May 2 bandsters. Walk, sip, rest and then do it some more. Each day will be so much better.

HI Well I have been wondering the same thing. I have lost 22 pounds, most of that right off the bat some even before surgery. I take 40 units of Lantus a day. I was also taking Regular Insulin with meals, but I am allergic to it and taking it causes great pain (my reason for having surgery to begin with) I am a type 2 diabetic. I so hoped that having the surgery and losing weight would mean no more insulin. But my sugars still run around 200, even with the drastic change in my diet. I can't help but believe the insulin has something to do with not losing more. I wish I had an answer. I am going to go for my third fill next week. I am not sure that will make a difference, because I don't think I am overeating. But I don't want to not use the band to it's fullest potential. It is hard to exercise because I am still in some pain even just being on the Lantus. Take care

Okay you should lose three pounds just for being brave and eating brussel sprouts alone. LOL. Seriously you are doing great.

Good luck. I am nine weeks out and still have problems. I used to be a two times a dayer and now three times a week if I am lucky. Drives me nuts. (gosh I ate a lot of "stuff" before surgery) Benefiber chewables have helped some. But I swear I feel like I need some of that prep stuff they give you before surgeries. I feel like I need to be cleaned out from top to bottom. So I am just comiserating. Hugs

Terry Way to go. Wishing you many more steps. Hugs

I have had a sorta difficult time with my meds since surgery. A lot of it is my fear of one getting stuck. I have had two incidents where a pill got stuck right in the middle of my chest and I was in agony for two hours. Some tricks I have learned: If your med comes in a liquid get it. I am now on two of my meds that are liquid and I am much better about taking them. If a pill is scored and can be broken in half do so and take each half with a lot of liquid. If it is a capsule, hold the capsule in your mouth for a bit to soften it then take it with plenty of liquid. If the capsule is large, put a small amount of juice or crystal light in a medicine cup, open up the capsule and let the powder dissolve and then chug it back, followed by a lot of liquid. I feel like I am taking medicine all day. But acutally I am taking a couple less then before surgery. I am also still on four insulin shots a day, that bites. I take the chewable Viactive Multi vitamins, I have a chewable allergy pill I take and I use childrens chewable tylenol or Adult Liquid Tylenol if I need something for a headache or whatever. My hope and prayer is that some of these meds will not be needed soon. But until then I am trying to do the right thing and take them with out causing myself great agony. Hugs

Kara I had my first fill last Wednesday. I got a 1cc fill. I ate less than half of the pintos and cheese yesterday. Prior to my fill I had gotten a soft taco and scraped out the meet and cheese into the beans. UMMM,