HSH

yeah, sounds good :-)

Hello Gaynor, I had my band removed in December 07 due to a slip. Not only have I maintained, but have managed to loose 10 lbs. I told myself "I refuse to be the person who got the surgery and did not loose weight". Honestly, the band has taught me so much in a mere 4 months. One thing I continue to do is chew chew chew. I find that I am fuller faster and that I cannot eat nearly as much as I used to. Also, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of excersice. Not only does it help me maintain my weight, it helps with my focus, moods, and energy. Best of luck to you, and if you ever feel like venting or talking to someone, I'll be here Hala

Want2beme, My pleasure! that was the idea. I just wanted to share my experience first hand. I have to say, I am much happier! I have been able to maintain (even loose a couple of lbs). I just take it one day at a time. Hopefully I will be able to loose more weight! Please feel free to ask me any questions! Take care and good luck!

Yes you are right. It was never for me. My body started developing scar tissue trying to protect itself from the foreign body. I am so much happier with the band out. If you read my post (the link above) you will know my experience with the band. I have contined to loose weight since my band removal and am feeling great. I can eat salads and fruit. Which is also FABULOUS! In any event, I joined the post for support, being made an "example" of was not my plan, and my inbox has been jammed with negative emails from several people. I have made it such that the emails I receive from this site go to my junk folder, but for some reason, it did not take. I am hapy to share my experience with anyone who wants to hear it and am happy to answer any questions. But I kindly ask you to refrain from judging me or being nasty. Oh, and by the way, thank you for your concern. My surgery went very well and I recovered in 1 day.

I am trying to stay positive and do not appreciate your post. First of all, I DID call my insurance company and while there is a slight chance that they may not pay, they advised me that they do not have restrictions on WLS. Second, if you read my post carefully, I already had my band removed, this was not an elective surgery, it was needed since my body was rejecting the band AND it the band was causing an obstrucion. In any event, I hope that the insurance company will cover this and if It does not I do plan to fight it in court since their literature states otherwise. In the meantime I will try to keep a POSITIVE attitude as not to place unneeded stress on myself. Until the insurance company denies payment, I refuse to stress about the issue OR be negative. Thank you for your concern.

Hi Toni, I am doing really well. What ended up happening was that I devloped Scar tissue around my liver that was pushing against my band. Therefore, instead of my band and stomach moving together, my somatch was able to move but my band was not, hence the slip.... SO GLAD THAT THING IS OUT OF ME. My acid reflux is gone completely. YEY!!!! and my puncture wounds hurt SO MUCH LESS this time around. In fact, the most painfull thing is my shoulder and chest pain from the gas. I think that I should be able be at work by tomorrow :-). The best part is that the insurance co. will cover the removal :-) Going to rest now :-) Take care! Hala Take care

Hi there Toni, Are you having problems of your own? please DO share :-) I am getting super nervous about tomorrow, I have been reding all these posts about post de banding issues like scar tissue and esophoges damage... EEESSHHHHH I hope that my recovery is fast... Hala

Thank you for your kind words... No it will not be for free, but they will be running it through my insurance even though I was a self pay. They said that because this was a complication that occured 90 days after surgery, the insurance co should cover it. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

Hello All, This is a rant about my experience and feelings. I got banded on August 4nd 2007 (4 months ago). In researching the surgery, I thought it to be the perfect solution. I understood the complications, but as a young, healthy person, I thought I was safe from them (WRONG). Prior to being banded, I was 215lbs. I was a runner and a salad lover. I was also a "out of control portion" eater. I decided to get the band so I could loose weight in order to get pregnant. After the surgery: First couple of weeks I struggled severely, I had no restriction and kept on asking myself; "if I have to work this hard to be on post op diet... etc, then why did I get banded??" (WHY INDEED). I got my first fill and still no restriction. I still managed to loose 15 lbs. Got my second fill, it was too tight. I started experiencing really bad acid reflux (by the way, I NEVER knew what heartburn was prior to getting banded). After my first unfill, I expressed my concerns to my doctor; I told him that I did not feel "right" something was off. But of course, according to my surgeon, it was all in my head, so I was sent on my merry way. A week later, I called my surgeon, again, with symptoms of an overfill. I went in and got the band completely deflated. A week later, same symptoms. WTF??? OH, my band had slipped. I guess that it was not all in my head after all. I received a call from my surgeon yesterday telling me that I had other WLS "options" (I am now 170 lbs, for my height, I am not even considered obese anymore, overweight yes, but not obese). OK, no WAY!!! after all the pain that I have been through, and after dismissing me the way he did, would I consider revision or any other WLS. I told him I wanted it removed. SOOOOOOO.... I am going in on Monday to get it taken out. I have to say that I have learned a lot from my time being banded. Mainly, chewing my food and eating slowly. I hope that I can continue these good habits. I am in a lot of pain at the moment; I have not eaten in 3 days and am only able to keep Water down if I sip very very slowly. I am looking forward to regaining my energy. My husband and I will be signing up for the Rock and Roll marathon in June! I am most looking forward to dusting off my running shoes (or dusting?? :-)). I just miss the high I used to get from running and I miss my old energy level that I never regained after getting banded... Oh, AND I can’t WAIT to eat a leafy green salad and sink my teeth into a crunchy apple. Mmmmmmmm Anywhoo, I think that I will go study now, OH; did I mention that I am a graduate student one week away from finals? Well I am... So I am hoping for a quick recovery. If you have made it this far reading my rant I congratulate you. Here is a bonus question: How long is the recovery period after band removal? Good luck to you all! Hala

I am so glad to hear that I am not alone. I had my surgery on August 4th. got my first fill 4 weeks after that (no restriction) and got my second fill today. I have a 5cc band and have filled 2.1cc so far. I can eat and not feel full/ restricted/ I also have thought of going back on Jenny. But the point was to change my habits and not just go on a diet. Anyhoo, I have only lost 20 lbs and have 48 to go...SUCKY! I feel that if I do not get the restriction soon I may freak out! :-)

I have the worst time with red meat, not matter how much I chew it still gets stuck. Sick of chicken and fish :-( Does anyone else have issues with red meat? Hala

hello all, I was banded on August 4th and have been on solids for almost a month now. I had my first fill 4 weeks post op and had no restiriction. I go in for my scond fill nest wednesday and am hoping that I start feeling some restriction. I know that the band is in place because if I do not chew chew chew food gets stuck. Id anyone else experiencing a lack of restriction. If so, do you think there is any hope to ever feel it? I have lost a total of 20lbs so far. Hala

Hello, I am in San Diego. Banded on 8//4 and weightloss is slow, only 20 lbs so far ... 2nd fill is in 2 weeks. Looking forward to that :-) Hala

Hi there, I quit smoking years before the surgery and i did it using nicotine Patches. I strongly recommend that. Hala

Hello Tigerlily, So, I had the same doubts abot the surgery that you did. Specificallly, I was terrified of the anethesia. I am a 28 year old female, 5'4 and went into the surgery weighing 216 lbs. My main motivation was my health and the fact that I want to have a baby. I have no heart conditions or comorbidities. But I think the thought of having a heart condition or diabetes was scarier to me than taking the plunge. Since my surgery I have not been perfect (you can read my post "I want to cry"). With that being said, I have lost a total of 20 lbs in a month. I was hard both emotionally and physically. I made an appointment with a therapist to deal with all the "head isssues" that come along with the surgery. I guess what I am trying to say is that the benefits DO outweigh the costs. The fact that you have a great support system is wonderful. Also, the fact that you are so young and have a heart condition should be a very strong motivator for you. Although the ultimate decision to get the surgery is yours, I strongly urge you to do it. It will be the best decision you will ever make :-) I wish you the very best of luck with your journey! Take care, Hala

Thanks! I thought so, but I just wanted to check :-) Thank you for replying! Hala

Hello All, Okay, so I had my first fill yesterday (1.3 ccs). I am going to be on liquids for 3 days and I have a couple of questions. 1- How soon do you start feeling the restriction? 2- Why do I have to be on liquids for 3 days? Hala

Hi there Marcy, I think that it is the diet. I had that same problem and it lasted for a few days after I reinroduded solids to my diet. It's nothing to worry about :-) Hala

All, Just wanted to update you all with my staus. I went to the doctors this morning and my band is fine. The nutritionist actually encoraged eating solids as long as I chewed really well... I had my first fill of 1.3CCs. I need to be on liquids for 2 days (anyone know why?) I hope that this fill gives me a feeling of satiety! but I am back on track and feeling good.. I lost 4 more lbs despite being able to eat! Thank you all for your support!

You asked if anyone had a 2 shake diet with a rich protein meal. I did. that is what my doctor ordered... So you have no reason to feel bad!

All, I get my first fill next week. I have been feeling pretty good and have been trying really really hard to stay on soft foods, when I do eat solids, I chew like there is no tomorrow, I have decided to be perfectly honest with my doctor on Wednesday when I go to get my fill. I hope that I have not ruined my band, but if I have, then that is something that I will have to deal with. I will keep you posted on my progress. I also made an appointment with a therapist that specializes in post weightloss surgery issues. I figured that might help me. In addition, this sight makes for a pretty strong support system. I will keep you guys posted on the outcome. Hala

OMG! I was terrified of being put under, It was to a point where it concerned my doctor. You are not alone! I think that it is normal to be scared before any elective surgery. I almost walked out of there :-) I think the key is to be more excited about the surgery than scared of it. Keep reminding yourself why you are doing this. I know I was teetering at the egde there :-) With that being said, I think that medicine has come a long way, and although there are risks involved, they are miniscule. Make sure you talk to your anasthesiologist and express your fear/ concern. I am sure that he/ she will reassure you. And guess what? It will be over before you know it!

Are ou drinking Water? dehydration can cause headaches. I know the pre op diet is hard, and the post op as well... I wish I had more sugestions, but I hope you feel better!

I was fine day 1 and 2 post op because I was on pain killers. By day 3 I was off the meds and hurting moderatley. I was back to work on day 4! I think that it varies from person to person, I have not had a C section, but since you have I think that you may have a higher tolerence for pain :-) Good luck to you!

Thank you soooo much! It is so comforting to hear that!!! I really don't know what to expect when I go get my fill. How does he know what that band looks like?