LifeLiver

Ready for some RAW confessions-I have spent the last 8 years living (or dying to be thin) with my band. For the most part I have lived a life of chronic vomiting, severe restriction, with a trade off of loosing 190 lbs at one point. About two years ago, my weight has been creeping up, at 6ft tall I can hide pounds pretty easily...but after 20 lbs the battle was on. At 205 I started to panic and got a trainer, and really watched my food. For the most part, because I could not eat alot without vomiting...I was always eating. And because I was always vomiting, I thought I could eat whatever I wanted...because I would throw it up after all. On June 15th of this year, I managed to gain 10 lbs over a weekend. I thought this is crazy, what is happening with my body? I found a trainer, and began working out every day...still doing my daily gig of eating and vomiting. Well, I went to see a new PCP, and admitted to my band problems and concern with weight gain at very high rates. All labs have come out normal...and I thought this is it, I am going to eat well and get my life in control...so off I went for my first upper GI since banded...and guess what, total restriction, nothing getting through & my esophagous was 3 times the size it should be. The radiologist was wonderful, and being a Clinical Nurse Specialist I am pretty wise in medical stuff, and can talk my way (or manipulate) through most things. So I told him I would go get it assessed and unfilled. I did, I was following the rules to be healthy. I weighed in at 207 (working out, eating well) and was actually really excited to eat normal for the first time in 8 years. I felt like I was freed from survivor and off the island and could eat! I guzzled Water, I ate...and did not binge but enjoyed every meal. On Monday getting ready for work, my pants were TIGHT...got on the scale and in FIVE days gained 23 lbs. I freaked, called my PCP, ran blood work, all normal. I had a theory my fat cells were trying to blow up again. Yesterday I met with a new surgeon and he confirmed that exactly that....that my body was trying like hell to reset to 360lbs. SO my question for you all, can you relate to anything I am saying? I am scared to death, crying, sobbing and grieving this weight nightmare. He has recommended a conversion to the sleeve...Please help me understand the good & the bad? He went ahead and filled me with 2.5 cc to stop the rapid weight gain...and so now my puking has resumed. I have never been so open about my experience, but I am ready to live again...and cannot believe I have destroyed my metabolism...I thank you in advance for your help.

that brought me to tears...thank you...your right. This is not the end...It is just so awful to not be loosing, and eating mindfully, not engaging in all the party food. AND have people around me see how heavy I still am 2 months after surgery. I am having my true metabolic rate tested on NYE in a lab...to find out if I am in metabolic failure or what is going on...thanks for your support...means more than you may ever know.

when I had the band I too was eating more than 1000 cals..and now even with less cals wt does not go down....body has adjusted to less food...unfortunately..
try some Soup to reduce your hunger pangs...I know its easy to preach....but i am sure you can over come this phase....dont be depressed...srtess and depression also causes weight gain..
all the best dear....

230 goal 210! thanks!

Am I too late? I have my weight from Friday and would like to join...let me know

that brought me to tears...thank you...your right. This is not the end...It is just so awful to not be loosing, and eating mindfully, not engaging in all the party food. AND have people around me see how heavy I still am 2 months after surgery. I am having my true metabolic rate tested on NYE in a lab...to find out if I am in metabolic failure or what is going on...thanks for your support...means more than you may ever know.

I went from puree to Soup in 10 days...15 days post op was eating normal food...including steak

Have you seen the paperwork? Maybe its the same as FMLA, where the doctor doesn't really provide any specifics. Either way, all you need to do is remind the boss that is taking the information about HIPPA and that should keep his lips sealed.

Is it not a relationship where you can explain to him that you don't want anyone else knowing about this? And can the doctor's office write in a medical code rather than write out your diagnosis?
Sorry. That is hard.

We had a MAJOR birth control FAIL!!! First time we had set after surgery we got pregnant even with 2 forms of birth control... I am 17 weeks now and there hasn't even been a mention of the staples being a concern and I am ALWAYS emailing my surgeon and his staff asking questions.

I had pretty much the exact thing you're asking about! Lol I was banded in '03 and lost 100lbs. I was within 20lbs of goal. Weight was creeping back on and we discovered a slip in '05. I had to have my band removed at that time because of erosions. I was actually rebanded a year later after gaining back all the 100 I had lost, plus another 20!! With the second band, I was like most revisions, where I just never had much success. I lost 60, gained 20. Lost 40, gained 30. I went on like that for 7 years before finally getting a revision to sleeve in May this year. I've been really successful, and as of today, I've lost 100lbs and am just 20 from goal again!!
And if I can do it, anyone can! I work hard, but weight loss has always been a struggle for me. Feel free to inbox me if you have more questions, since I think I'm kinda the exact situation you were looking for! Lol

Great info! That was exactly what I was looking for. That really helps me get even more excited to get this show on the road. I honestly can't believe they even do the band anymore. It seems like the complications far outweigh the success....across the board! Thanks again, gals.

Yes. I lost weight with the band a few times, but as my profile "my story" shows the band is a dangerous medical joke and shoud be ..Banned!
I was 104 with band. Within a year of being unbanded I gain 86 lbs.
I'm sleeved and healthier than I've ever been. Close to a safe goal and my only regret is getting the band and not the sleeve 10 years ago.
I AM. VERY. HAPPY.

Im wondering if anyone has been banded, lost a bunch of weight and then regained and lost again with the sleeve? Make sense? Sorry, dont know how else to say it. = ) I've seen on here band to sleeve that have been successful but it seems like most have either been unsuccessful with the band or got close to goal and revised to lose those last few pounds. Im trying to find someone who is in my prediciment or close to.
I was banded 2006, lost 125 lbs and was at goal. After 3 years, the weight started creeping back on. Unbeknownst to me, I had a slip (couldnt afford to see my doc) and I probably lived with the slip upwards of 3 years before I finally presented to the ER without being able to even swallow saliva. By that point, I had put back about 80lbs of weight.
I was scheduled for band removal with revision to RNY on Sept 12,2013 but woke up with no band and no RNY. Doc says my intestines are on the wrong side and he couldnt do the bypass. So immediatley I asked for the sleeve and was approved and my surgery is 11/5.
I guess my question is, has anyone else had success with another surgery and then success again after regain? Does the fact that I had success with the band work in my favor? Or does the fact that I regained most of my weight with the band work against my potential success with the sleeve?
Thanks in advance!
Kayla

Band07,
I can totally relate. I was banded in December 2010 and it was fantastic for about the first 18 months. I lost about 90 pounds with the band before I started having problems, managed to maintain for the next 16 months and had revision surgery to the sleeve on October 1, 2013. Since then I have lost 20 pounds. I keep telling my surgeon's office that I don't feel anything and even jokingly (sort of) asked if they forgot to do the sleeve. I haven't felt full, sick and only get to satisfied when I eat more than the recommended 4 oz (usually more like 6-8 oz or I am hungry again in no time). They keep telling me this isn't suppose to be really uncomfortable or difficult like it was with the band but I truly feel nothing unless I am eating 6-8 oz of more dense food. I work out 30-60 minutes 6x a week which I have done ever since the original band surgery but wonder if I will ever make it to goal. I have 35 more pounds to go before I hit the very top of the normal BMI chart. I guess I was hoping for more too and still hoping I might get there eventually. This is probably not much help but at least you know you are not alone - and now I do too so thank you for your post.

I was sleeved on 9/20. Iv lost 15 lbs and that was all the first month. I was very successful with my band for 6 years and only revised after being sick of that stuck feeling and all of the inconsistency with the band. Now don't get me wrong I can't eat as much as someone who has never had surgery but I honestly feel very little fullness or restrictions with the sleeve. I can eat a 6" sub from subway and a bag of baked ruffles just to give you an idea. I don't know yet if I regret it or not but I do know I'm making the decision to make it all about me. As far as I'm concerned I'm living life and taking care of myself as if Iv never been on the operating table. I will trust in myself for maybe the first time ever. I'm training for a half marathon this year and making good food choices because I want to. I'm still about 12-15 lbs from my goal, but when I get there I will know that it's because I worked hard for it and I'm okay with that. I wanted that feeling that Iv read so much about, I wanted to be full after 6 or 8 bites but I didn't get anything close to that. I just want others to know there are no guarantees with revision and prepare for the "what ifs " . It's funny to me now I was actually worried about losing too much weight being a low BMI patient to begin with. Now I just worry about getting to goal. I can tell you if I left it to the sleeve I never would but then again maybe that's how it should be...

And I believe it. I AM a carb addict!
http://www.details.com/style-advice/the-body/201103/carbs-caffeine-food-cocaine-addiction

My little friend. You have done well, now "life" intervenes.
Please check the research page and review the "carbs and cocaine"... I wonder if you (like me) have a problem with carbs -- if I eat ANY carbs I am famished for days!!!

I had a sleeve done 10/22, I am distraught, I am always hungry. I can eat alot, and take in about 1200 cal a day...being mindful and choosing wisely. I was down to 223 on 11/6 and since then have gained..up to 235 today. How is this even possible as 1lb is 3500 calories! I am working out...I am so sad. Sorry to bust in on your positive post, but looking for advice from you...

Is there a way to invite me to the next challenge so I dont miss it?

Is there a way to invite me to the next challenge so I dont miss it?

Very well said. I think many of us feel the same way. I used to joke that I had the opposite of anorexia. I would look in the mirror and think "I don't look bad, I look pretty good". Then when I actually saw pictures of myself, well OMG how I looked so fat like my face and skin was going to explode. I know they say that being thin can't make you happy or change problems in your life but boy I feel like confronting other issues in my life as a thinner person, I am more confident and happy.
I wish I had done this years ago but I can only claim ignorance. It was like a switch went off in me one day when I heard that Caroline Manzo's daughter on the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" was having lap band surgery I started looking into it and 5 months later I had the sleeve surgery and never looked back. When I think of the years spent obese I could cry. But no more.

I had my revision on Oct 22nd, 3 weeks post op I was down about 25lbs to 223. I am now 230. I am working out, about 4 times a week. Honestly, I feel like I can eat anything...and always hungry. I am eating around 1200 cal a day. I have my followup appt this week, and am embarrassed to go. I went though all this and feel like I should have had the bypass from band revision. I try to keep protien first, but can eat anything with no difficulty...and I am trying to be mindful and not eat Cookies which are everywhere due to the holiday. Went to a party sat and ate about 10 shrimp so I would not eat the other 100 items spread out...I am trying to keep my spirits up, but I am so sad, and then want to eat and say f-it...its not working. I am not drinking my Water enough...so today I am committing to that. Any advice? I dont want to be the big whinner...I am just scared, sad, and embarrassed.

Thank you all for the time you took to respond. I am in the dumps..and wonder how much is self sabatage...I am a pro at it . I am going to focus on the good...one hour at a time.

I don't know how well the band worked for you, but mine wasn't so great - had it for 10 years of pretty lousy actually. I did take the time to contemplate how I contributed to "failure" and one mistake I vowed to never make again was to blame myself and not seek help and support. I think it is great you have asked here and I think you should be very straight forward with your doctor. Don't be embarrassed, you need help! I am guessing he has seen all variations - fast and slow losers etc. I think that you might benefit from some sessions with a nutritionalist or even therapist. Reality of it is, you might be slower loser then you were with the band, or compared to some other sleevers. That is painful to accept, but honestly does it matter? I have lost 160# due to my revision, does anyone really think it matters how long it took? The journey is far from over for me even, because i am now in maintenance... in other words, there never is an "end" it is all a process, an ongoing way of living.
So, ;practical advice, get yourself a sleeve guidebook (usually provided by your surgeon or NUT) and follow it as closely as you can! Who cares about Cookies, this is your health and life on the line here! Even doing that, it might be more slow and steady, but you will eventually make your goal weight.
I think it took me 3 months post op to really get in the total groove with my sleeve. Nerves are damaged, I was dehydreated, sometimes I felt hungrier than I should, sometimes I had no appetite... all over the board. The key is to be eating the dense Proteins. I am talking fish, chicken, sandwhich meat etc etc. If you aren't hungry for a slice of sandwich meat wrapped in a piece of lettuce, are you really hungry? That goes along ways to filling you up and makes it easier to eat properly. There are lots of "sleeve basics" that i presume you know, but following them really does help.
hang in there and don't give up!