Bandista

@@gowalking Thank you for your post. I was just wallowing in self-imposed misery because I had a small gain over the holidays. Thank you for helping me put everything in perspective. It's important to look at the positives and how far we've come. (I'm also back at the pool today so will overcome this small setback).

Hi Friends. As we are only days away from the new year, I was taking stock of 2015 and thinking about how it went for me. I had many health issues in 2014 and while I lost most of my weight in 2013, I was focusing on getting myself better physically the first couple of years of my journey.
For the first time this year, I was past most of my health issues or learning to live with them. I could finally enjoy my new life as a normal sized person who no longer was in horrific pain or had mobility issues.
The highlights...a new grandchild born in April. The best thing about Holden and my weight loss is that I can get down on the floor with him and play or I can walk around the neighborhood with him in the stroller. I'm no longer limited by what I can do with him. We're taking a family cruise in June and I expect to be running after him all over the ship. That was not possible pre WLS.
The second highlight is that for the first time in oh...about 15 years, I have a man in my life. The weight loss was health related, not relationship related. But once I felt healthy, the thoughts of sharing my life with someone came back. I am enjoying the things I didn't even realize I missed such as the touch of a man and the closeness of having physical love in my life. From a practical standpoint, I can move around in a way that was impossible before WLS and even with the loose skin, saggy boobs, scars and other things that let's me know I'm no spring chicken, I feel like a young girl when we are in bed together...or when we are walking around the city holding hands. If the relationship fizzles, so be it...I still have a great life with or without him, but for now, I'm very happy sharing my life with this man.
Third....was my lifelong wish to get to London. I finally made it there this past summer and walked all over the city. Was it perfect? No. I actually had pain and couldn't walk as much as I wanted...but I still walked and biked as much as possible. I took the bus and the 'underground' and nothing stopped me. I was afraid that I'd missed my chance to travel when I was too heavy to do so comfortably and now, the whole world is open to me again. I've gotten a second chance and I'm not going to blow it. Every time I think about eating poorly..and making bad choices, I think about all that I've gotten back over the last few years and it's usually enough to make me stop going down the wrong path.
And best of all, my day to day life is full of the simple pleasures of fitting in the world again...both physically and emotionally. I'm no longer on the sidelines watching others live their lives while I cannot. Nothing holds me back anymore. I never have to think about whether or not I can do something..I just do it. Now that I can walk with no effort, I can do anything I want...or go anywhere I want. The only thing better than 2015 will be 2016...and the years after that. I feel younger and healthier now that I did ten years ago and because of that, I look forward to each and every new year and the adventures they may bring.
Wishing all my BP friends a very happy and healthy new year and here's to 'losing..and how much we gain when we lose and maintain'.

Hi Folks -
I am a senior bander if you will. I was banded almost 12 years ago (January 17, 2004) I was lucky enough to conquer my weight loss goals to some degree....losing over 100 lbs in the first 18 months....but sadly I feel that my journey is coming to an end.
I seem to be experiencing constant acid reflux and indigestion and I am fearful that it is a result of the aging band. Back in the day when I was banded it wasn't as common as it is now. The doctor that banded me (now since retired) said that the implant had approximately a 10 year lifespan. And this is really my question to everyone today....does anyone actually know the lifespan of the these bands? Is there an opinion out there? I am worried concerned and quite frankly lost...I haven't been to a doctor for my band in literal years....(insert head shaking here)...so I for sure need to get this sorted. Does anyone have any advice? Good, bad or indifferent I am ready to hear it all.
Thanks for reading
Peace

Well, at my last check up this year, my doc examined my band and said it is good for a lifetime.
I believe it is a 5 cc band from 2006.i think inamed is the name. Not sure.
I keep it filled about 1.6 or so.
Just like you, I do NOT want this journey to end.... Even uninflated it was a bit tough to stay on my personal eating program.
I am maintaining a 75 lb weight loss for all these years, save one minor set back years ago.
Please tell me what happens. I don't have too much info on longer time with the band. Thanks and best of luck staying the course.

My lap band surgeon gave me the impression that the lap band is made out of silicon (plastic), and that the silicon will be a part of your body forever. He said there were no indications that the silicon itself will fail over a certain time period. He told me that the silicon would outlive me. Of course, if there are issues with the band, slippage, etc., this would change the picture. If women have breast implants, aren't they silicon too? I've wondered if they last forever. That's a strange comparison but all I could think of .
Good luck in your journey.

tracew:
My own Lap Band Celebration is now TWELVE years as of this week.
We can draw any conclusion we want, just by clip & pruning limited facts to support whatever conclusion we want.
There's a jillion reasons I'd rather never had done the procedure.
However, there's '2 jillion' reasons it was necessary.
Get yourself checked out thoroughly for the 12 year ride & let us know what you find on exam.
Frankly I'm more satisfied than ever, even with a small handful of 'A-AWAHs' that sneak in now & then.
I don't think I would have survived all my co-morbidity factors this long.
Cheers for the New Decade!!!

It's wasnt till fill 6 I think before I re felt it.

In my opinion, Everyone looses weight post surgery...from the post surgery diet alone, not because of the band.
I did, and then had my first fill of 4cc's 4 weeks after surgery.....the next fill was 4 weeks after that...
Between my first and second fill I GAINED weight...the weight I lost from the post surgery diet began to come back.
It was not until my second fill that I felt that the band began to make a difference, and it took three fills before I can say it was doing something significant.
So for 12 weeks from surgery, it was a struggle...probably the hardest phase of this procedure. That's why it is referred to "Banders Hell"
All I could do was hang in there and apply good old fashion diet principals, which I am not very good at. The reason I needed surgery after all.
But I did get through it, took some time and some hard learned lessons, and now I can say it is the greatest thing I could have ever done...5 years and it can't be any better.

@@wincha Your doing pretty good, looks like you just had surgery this month?
It can take up to 2 weeks for a fill to settle in around the band. Do you know how big your band is? 10CC or 14CC?
You don't want to have difficulty eating, that's not the point of how the band works. It's not about feeling "restriction" as much as it's about not feeling hungry between meals.
You should be able to eat about a cup or 3-4 oz of Protein without any problems chewing and swallowing. If you find your hungry after that much, eat some vegetables.Just because you "can" eat a whole chicken breast doesn't mean you "should" be eating the whole thing.
Start with the 3-4 oz serving and after eating wait about an hour or two assess how you are feeling. If you find your hungry 2-3 hours later then you very well may need an additional fill. If you are not hungry at 4-5 hours after eating then your band is working just as it was meant to and your in a good place. It takes some practice and disapline to eat only the serving size necessary. The band is there to let you know when you have over eaten, but waiting to that point of feeling sick is not fun, and you never want to be so tight you get stuck on food because trust me that is really not fun.
Keep up with the exercise and you will soon start to see the pounds melting away.

I had my first fill today. I have lost 8 lbs since surgery. I'm riding my bike 5 miles 3 X a week but now it's turned winter and that may not continue.
I've been getting hungrier as I was recovering especially at night. This isn't just in my head because after I eat my stomach is still rumbling
Today I had my first fill, there was 6cc already in there and the NP added 1 cc. I'm still hungry. She had asked me if I could eat a whole chicken breast and I sad yes. Well I still can now
I had Soup afterwords but I'm ok to eat a nothing tonight nothing is bothering me and I'm not feeling full or "restricted". I was tuning of giving it till Monday and if necessary move up my next appointment which is in 4 weeks.
Any suggestions ?

Thinking of your family, Joe. And life, affirming happiness and being present in our lives.

Had my surgery today. Now home resting. A little sore but other then that feel ok

Joe I am sorry for the loss of your cousin. Yes everyone needs to live life as much as possible and enjoy every minute with the people you love. I was happy my husband and I made our trip to Alaska before he passed away . I would love to go back and do some hiking and more exploring. He really wasn't physically able to do that but we had a nice trip. Life sure does take all kinds of turns sometimes. I hope you continue to enjoy your health and enjoy your time with your wife and family.

Should have said something or Pmd me I forgot how close you lived , if it was my day off I would have came & met you & your Wife just to take a pic & meet both of you, JFC.

I'm dancing just thinking of the music...it could also be the Holiday music I have going at my desk I really enjoy the holiday, and Joe you are 100% right.
Spend every day like it's your last. Love and Laugh and love some more. Get out there and live life to the fullest every moment of it.
Hugs to you all my friends and Happy Happy Holidays!!!!

Sorry joe about your loss...
The older I get.. The more losses I'm handed. Sigh
Earth wind and fire!!!! Liz. If you aren't dancing, something is wrong and you need to see a dr!!!!????????

Condolences on your loss Joe. Can't imagine what your Aunt and Uncle are going through.
On a happier note though...the picture of you and the Mrs. is lovely. Have a wonderful Christmas and happy new year.
I know that 2015 was a good one for me...especially with the addition of my grandson born eight months ago today as a matter of fact. I'm surely looking forward to 2016. We have our family cruise in June and the boyfriend and I have a number of things coming up...the Philharmonic, The Who, Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Barber of Seville at Lincoln Center...and cuddling on the couch watching TV.

I'm sorry you have not been successful with your band and that you haven't been able to get the fills you need to make it work. The purpose of the band is to dim your appetite so you can make good choices but you have to do that part -- not eat whatever you want. Please don't discourage my choice in getting a band as I have been very happy with it for two years. It's one thing to have it not work for you but to tell other people not to have one surgery or another based on your singular experience is misleading. Meanwhile, best wishes and hopes that you are able to work with your doctors to find whatever is right for you.

Hi there, all -- Happy Solstice and all the rest. So much going on at this time of year -- I have to admit I am looking forward to January and the calm following all the holiday merry-making. It's been one thing after the other here, including a three-day trip to see cousins out of state where we helped them give a huge party. Must run in the family. Exhausted but happy. Taking a morning in bed with my laptop and journal beside me. Need to choose myself first and make sure I am well-rested, not racing around. I gasped when I saw the scale this morning but assume that is a lot of retention. Time to rein it in, however, and get back on "my" foods versus restaurant food, party food, etc. I did hydrate very well on our trip -- took six bottles of my cranberry aloe Water with me and downed them all -- plus I got out for one mega-walk through a beautiful park. Now to get my exercise routine here established for the cold months ahead when I can't really do the outdoor thing. My treadmill awaits. Need something like a video series to watch down there while I'm doing it.

Hi there, all -- Happy Solstice and all the rest. So much going on at this time of year -- I have to admit I am looking forward to January and the calm following all the holiday merry-making. It's been one thing after the other here, including a three-day trip to see cousins out of state where we helped them give a huge party. Must run in the family. Exhausted but happy. Taking a morning in bed with my laptop and journal beside me. Need to choose myself first and make sure I am well-rested, not racing around. I gasped when I saw the scale this morning but assume that is a lot of retention. Time to rein it in, however, and get back on "my" foods versus restaurant food, party food, etc. I did hydrate very well on our trip -- took six bottles of my cranberry aloe Water with me and downed them all -- plus I got out for one mega-walk through a beautiful park. Now to get my exercise routine here established for the cold months ahead when I can't really do the outdoor thing. My treadmill awaits. Need something like a video series to watch down there while I'm doing it.

Hi there, all -- Happy Solstice and all the rest. So much going on at this time of year -- I have to admit I am looking forward to January and the calm following all the holiday merry-making. It's been one thing after the other here, including a three-day trip to see cousins out of state where we helped them give a huge party. Must run in the family. Exhausted but happy. Taking a morning in bed with my laptop and journal beside me. Need to choose myself first and make sure I am well-rested, not racing around. I gasped when I saw the scale this morning but assume that is a lot of retention. Time to rein it in, however, and get back on "my" foods versus restaurant food, party food, etc. I did hydrate very well on our trip -- took six bottles of my cranberry aloe Water with me and downed them all -- plus I got out for one mega-walk through a beautiful park. Now to get my exercise routine here established for the cold months ahead when I can't really do the outdoor thing. My treadmill awaits. Need something like a video series to watch down there while I'm doing it.

Hi there, all -- Happy Solstice and all the rest. So much going on at this time of year -- I have to admit I am looking forward to January and the calm following all the holiday merry-making. It's been one thing after the other here, including a three-day trip to see cousins out of state where we helped them give a huge party. Must run in the family. Exhausted but happy. Taking a morning in bed with my laptop and journal beside me. Need to choose myself first and make sure I am well-rested, not racing around. I gasped when I saw the scale this morning but assume that is a lot of retention. Time to rein it in, however, and get back on "my" foods versus restaurant food, party food, etc. I did hydrate very well on our trip -- took six bottles of my cranberry aloe Water with me and downed them all -- plus I got out for one mega-walk through a beautiful park. Now to get my exercise routine here established for the cold months ahead when I can't really do the outdoor thing. My treadmill awaits. Need something like a video series to watch down there while I'm doing it.

Oh the pics are terrific. I must admit I wasn't sure about the hair color when you first changed it, but I am liking it more and more each time I see it on you.

@@gowalking thanks Liz. Feeling 100% better today thank goodness!!! I plan to lay low through the end of the year and into the new year. Really taking the time to focus on changes that I need to make through out my life not just in eating, but in reducing stress and trying not to do everything that needs doing and making time to just do nothing relax and enjoy life.
Even though this was right after surgery visiting my cousin in CT (probably where I got sick, with all the little ones running around literally noses and all.) I can still find my smile

Oh Lisa...I'm so sorry you're having issues. I hope you are doing better now that some of the Fluid is out. You poor thing...you and Ken should just relax and do nothing for a few days if possible.