SPEBSQSAlady

With my first band I only slimed once. I was out for Mexican and the brain said, "Of course you can eat one more chip"!. Ha, the band said, "Oh you should not have done that"! and up it came. My band slipped when I got the flu and was out of town and did not have any nausea meds with me. I vomited for 3 days. There was not an option to come home early, so I tried to live with it. I could not even drink Water, and it totally messed up the stomach and band and it was removed. Three days ago, my band was replaced !!! YEAH !!!! The only concern on getting it replaced was if insurance would pay again. When they said yes, and the doctor said it would be ok, there was no question of getting it done. I lost 63 pounds with the first one and need to lose another 100, so I am back on the band wagon and ready to roll.

One good tip to remember in the beginning is, eat with a baby spoon or fork and don't put anything bigger than a pencil eraser in your mouth. The chew, chew, chew, chew. When you think you are done, chew again.

I must have the best of Doctors (I already knew that) because I did not have to do liquids pre-surgery, only no carbs or sugars. I could have all the salad and meat I wanted, but no potatoes, pastas, or baked goods. After surgery, I only have Clear Liquids for 48 hours and then to full liquids for the rest of the week. Today is day 3 and I plan on having Cream of Wheat thinned with milk for breakfast. Even though this is my second band (first removed due to slippage), the nurse in Dr. Smith's office was also banded 2 times and told me that just because you could tolerate something the first time you might not the second time. So, that said, I am going very slow, but I am not on clear liquids. WOO-HOO!!!:crying:

On day 3 post-op my Dr. allows Cream of Wheat thinned with milk (which is what I am having today). I am 3 days out.

Has to be really thin, but hey, it has flavor and I am getting my milk. After 1 week I can have 1/2 cup cheerios, corn flakes, chex with milk and I don't have to wait for them to get mushy. Woo-Hoo. Can't wait.

I too lost my band due to slippage. I was rebanded on 9-15. I had gained back about 13 pounds of the 63 I had lost. I was losing very slowly, but since everyone says that is the way it should be I lived with it. If I had known I was going to lose my band I would have tried harder. But this time I am going to try harder and lose the rest of the weight I need to lose. I love my band and will help it help me from here on out.

drink, drink, drink, I was rebanded on 9-15 and the first time I had major pain. This time I knew I needed to drink fluids to keep hydrated. It has helped alot. I have had almost no pain since coming home. There is some discomfort, but not really serious pain. Keep the fluids coming, and walk. Hang in there, this too will get better.

Congratulations, I was rebanded on Monday 9-15 and I am feeling great right now. I know if I don't drink enough fluids I will start feeling like crap. Drinking is a problem for me as I just don't do it. With the first band I forced myself, and after the band was taken out due to slippage, I forgot how to keep up with the fluids I guess. But I am back and going strong.

Hey, hey, hey, I am back on the band wagon !! Got rebanded on Monday, 9-15 and am feeling great. A little gas, but definitely not as bad as last time. Feel like I could go back to work, but hubby says, uh? NO. You took a week off, now use it to heal internally. Sometimes he is such a pain in the butt, but I know he loves me and he knows I tend to push stuff. He won't let me this time.

HI DFWers.....

I am set to get my second band on September 15, Dr. Smith, Fort Worth. Can't wait. Had great success with the first one prior to slippage. Looking forward to more great success with the second one. Great to see you posting, Thunder.

Oh, folks, I am so enjoying reading this post. I had surgery in 2007, and band removed due to slippage 3/08. I am scheduled to have it replaced next week. I also am on the pre-surgery diet. Last time I only lost about 6 pounds and have not done any better this time. But they did the surgery last time and I am sure they will do it this time too. Of course I am already down over 50 pounds from last time, so there should not be a problem.

As for the eating lifestyle. It is amazing how little you can get by on. It's amazing to go out to eat and only order an appetzer and need a doggie bag. It does get better folks, it truly does. I cannot wait to get my band back.

WOW, amazing how others see us. We are the hardest on ourselves. Thanks for sharing this. You have a wonderful husband there.

What is PCOS?

I am so enjoying reading this post. I had the band placed 8/2007, removed due to slippage 3/2008 and getting a new one 9/15/2008. I am also nervous even though I have been there before. Any surgery give me the shakes. I know the band can work as I lost 63 pounds, and have gained some back. I want that "tool" back and that "tool" does work, if you work with it. Don't expect quick or rapid weight loss as that just does not happen. But, hey, any weight loss is better than weight gain.

I had great support the first time, but now many people can't believe I am going to "go through it again". Then there are those that say, "until eveyone walks in my shoes, it is my decision and to let those nay-sayers go."

Teri, I have them in my own family also, and I just don't get into discussions about it with them any more. As long as my DH is in agreement, I am fine. He has to live with me and put up with my PBing, and not eating like the old me. He was so supportive the first time and is looking forward to me losing more and getting healthier. He has always been slim ( the typical Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean LOL), and is anticipating me doing stuff with him that I could not do before because of my weight.

Hang in there everyone. Let the nerves run their course, and keep looking forward.

You really need to give up the carbonated drinks. The nurse in my Dr. office decided she still wanted her Dr. Pepper after her band was place and she ended up having it taken out. The pouch expanded and caused slippage. I gave up any sodas and don't miss them. Also, for those of you out there that might like things like Jim Beam fruit punches or small bottles of those types of things, I contacted Jim Beam and found out they are carbonated also. So steer clear of those too.

Hi, I am 57 and have 2 boys (aged 36 and 31). I have been with my DH for 26 years. I completely understand the plane seatbelt thoughts. I travel for my work alot. I got an extender one time, long ago, and kept it. I carry it in my computer bag and used it every trip. I was banded in Aug 2007 and lost 63 pounds. In March 2008 I had slippage and had to have the band removed. It is being replaced on 9/15. Woo-hoo, can't wait. But, the good news is, after 63 pounds, I don't have to use the extender anymore. So, there is hope for all of you what are looking forward to no extenders. The band does work and it is marvelous. I had no thoughts of not getting another one if the doctor and insurance approved. They did and I will be on the band wagon again.

srknepler I totally understand the Sears thing. I also have worn larger sizes since elementary school. Can't wait to get out of the Lane Bryant and Roaman's catelogs and get to normal stores.

September 15 here.

Original banding Aug 21, 2007.

removed due to slippage March 31, 2008

Replacement September 15, 2008

Dr. Smith - Fort Worth, TX

Can't wait to get back on the Band-wagon. Lost over 50 pounds the first time. Ready to go again.

8-22-08 Go toyour healthcare provider immediately. I had the same kind of thing the end of March and thought I could get by. WRONG !!! Ended up going into emergency surgery and having band removed completely. I just this week gotten approval from insurance to get the band replaced. (Never a thought of not having it done, as I had lost 63 pounds.) My new band goes in on September 15th and I can't wait.

HEY, HEY, HEY, got approval from the insurance company yesterday to have the band replaced. Scheduled for Sept 15th. Oh man, now I can be nervous over another surgery. I have gained back about 2 pounds in 4 1/2 months, so not too bad. Can't wait to get back on the "Band-wagon".

HEY, HEY, HEY got insurance approval again and am scheduled for September 15. WOW, was not sure the insurance company would go for it again. I don't know whether to stay in the August 2007 group or move to the September 2008 group. Boy, decisions - decisions. LOL. Will be back real soon.

For my Dr. the seminar is simply an informational time, to show you an actual band and explain the risks, etc. You would be very surprised to know that a lot of people do not do any prepraratory work or investigation and just trudge into this. I also felt the seminar would be a waste of time, but, there were a lot of good questions asked and the answers were very helpful. I also had to go through a 6 month wait for Aetna to approve me. It did help me to get into the right frame of mind to use the tool (the band is only a tool to help you), and it was a long time, but it got me really ready. Hang in there, good things come to those who wait. I wanted the band bad enough to go through what ever they told me I had to do. I would do it all again, if I had too. I will be honest and tell you that I did have to have my band removed due to slippage, BUT, the dr. told me last week I can get it back, so I am awaiting insurance approval again. Slippage is something that can happen to about 1% and I guess I was in that 1%, but it does not mean it will happen again, so I am willing to try. I lost 63 pounds in less than 7 months and already feel better.

I have Aetna and they covered my surgery in full. Possibly your employer has a rider against it? I would talk to the insurance coordinator at the dr. office and have them help you. Sometimes it is not in what you ask, but how you ask it. Do not give up. Get all the help available to you out there. One lady I work with was refused 2 months ago, and resubmitted a month later and got approved and had her surgery last week. Go for it. It can be done.

Let me know when you are in the area, and I will let you know if I get approval again and when the next surgery will be. Glad you are doing well.

Hey Thunder, how is it going? After all my issues, I have been told I can have my band back, so now just waiting to see if Aetna approves it again. Dr. Smith's office personnel are awesome. Susee, Shannon and Dr. Slicko are the best in my opinion.

Just wanted to let everyone know that my wound has healed and Wednesday the Dr. said I could have my band back. Now for the insurance issues again. Sure hope I can get approval.

Well, after 12 weeks the incision is finally healed, after daily packing with gauze. I have not lost anymore, but am holding. Now the next step is another appointment with Dr. Smith to see if I can have the band replaced. We shall see what happens. Thanks to everyone for your kind words.

Boy am I glad I stopped by today. I had problems with my band and it was removed after 7 months. That was 3 months ago. These photos sure steer me toward getting the band back if the Doctor feels it is feasible. Thanks for the inspiration.