ronnfia

Had mine July 23rs

I had similar issues and also was unfilled. The rest took care if the problem but I ended up gaining 25 lbs during the rest period. Now in process of getting refilled with hopefully just one more fill to get proper restriction. Gotta tell you, at first being able to eat a full meal was absolute heaven.! But looking back I wish I had just gone liquid for a couple of weeks instead to let the band settle.

Hey. I got banded 6 years ago and although I was been able to stop gaining weight I never got down to my desired weight. Had issues with possible slippage and was completely "unfilled" earlier this year, Disaster. Now up 25 lbs and struggling to get refilled to get good restriction and at the same time try and get weight off on my own. It's been very hard but I feel a renewed determination to succeed. Hopefully will get another fill within next few weeks and get back on track. Good luck to everyone on their journey.

as for how the band feels, you don't feel it or are even aware of it until your first few fills. I don't think I was aware of mine until my third fill. I was in the office after getting the fill done sipping my water to make sure it went down and I felt the restriction for the first time. it was quite a feeling. from that point on you are very aware of the band, not because you feel it but you feel it doing it's job. if you eat too fast it lets you know. if you eat too much it will let you know. and the way it lets you know..... it comes back up. i have heard a lot of people have problems like total restriction or acid reflux or pressure, I have had all of them too and it just takes time to get your fills just right. I am lucky to have my Dr relatively close to me in proximity, any problems and I can go to their office to have an adjustment. honestly if I could have done it differently I would have, the sleeve wasn't avail when I had my procedure, would I have done it? probably not. my dr wasn't too keen on it due to the shape your stomach becomes, said more chance for reflux due to the cylindrical shape. ru en y? yes I think I would have done the actual bypass. but I made my choice and I work with it the best I can. like I said I have had problems and I am still dealing with them. one habit I started was eating lots of small meals. the portion is under control (usually I can only eat about 1/2 a sandwich or maybe an egg at one time) , but the amount of small meals is way too high. carolinagirl had some great words of encouragement and advice and I thank her for that. she doesn't know me or owe me anything but support and comradely from this group is invaluable. wow, I'm sorry to have gone on so much, thanks for letting me open up.... good luck whatever journey you take

I took 2 weeks off

For me all I feel is the port in my belly.

Looking for support from long time banded. I was banded in 2007. As with everyone I have had ups and downs. Overall happy since I was able to stop my weight gain but haven't had the large weigh loss. I am 230 , was 260, want to be 180. I eat lots of small meals can't eat any more than about a cup of anything but like I said, lots of small meals. Had slippage a few months ago so was unfilled and let the band settle. Band ended up ok so was refilled. I guess I'm looking for words of encouragement and support. I find once I get pounds off they stay off, am considering opti fast to get weight down. Any advice out there?

thanks terrydumont46, I will get back to basics.. I work nights so I think instead of a meal at night I will do one shake instead. I totally understand the portion advise and will put it to use. I'll keep updating and let you know my progress. thanks again!!

I ended up having a possible slippage a few months ago. my Dr decided to loosen my band and let it settle back into place. deep down I was hoping to have a problem so I could get sleeve or ru en y revision, honestly the band is a struggle, daily struggle. I also have acid reflux issues and a large bottle of emeprosole when needed. sadly the band corrected itself. I have Kaiser and if there was a problem I could have has the revision for free. bummer. I feel like its time for a sit down with myself and make a new start and work harder at using this tool. also going to try and keep posting here. it's been a while and I feel better connecting with others "in the same boat".

6 years out and still struggling.

I had a possible slip and my treatment was to have it un-filled and let it settle back into place. my symptoms were night time reflux, immediate feeling of throwing up no matter how much I ate and always feeling uncomfortable. I pretty much hated to eat because I felt like crap and it felt like a chore just to eat. after 3 months I had a ct scan to see how the band was and it was back in place. I honestly was hoping for a major slip because I am tired of fighting with my band. if I could I would opt for the old fashioned gastric bypass and be done with the band, I still am having issues and would recommend bypass instead, that's just my opinion.

tipsby great posting. I was jolted awake by your "fighting with the band" comment. I feel like I have been fighting with it the entire 6 years. I hope you have found peace with yours and I will do my best to follow your lead. thank you!

I got banded march 2007. have had lots of ups and downs. overall pleased, I wanted the band mainly to keep from gaining and lose a little which I did. so no major weight loss. recently has a possible slip so was un filled and allowed to let band settle. bad idea because my habits came back ( or were unleashed because we all know sometimes the band just masks the issues) anyway got refilled and back on track but still no major weight loss, but now I am ready to drop more but don't think I can handle another fill. as it is now I can only eat very little at a time (so lots of small meals, another issue) has anyone overlapped treatments and used opti fast and if so was it successful? I feel like once I lose the weight the band pretty much keeps it off.

Just realized I never made an introduction!!! Hi , my name is Ron. It took me 16 months from first appointment to surgery. I was Banded on March 17 2008 (Happy St Patty's Day). I lost 27 pounds on my pre-op diet. It was much easier than I thought it would be, until the holidays hit. had to make a mad dash to the finish line to loose the last few pounds b4 surgery. I had my procedure done In Fremont California by Dr. Dutta and his staff. They were all wonderful as well as the staff in the Hospital after surg. I stayed 1 night and went home the next day. Sounds like I have been having issues most others have been having so far; no fill yet and getting hungry! One thing I have been experiencing is air/gas in my stomach. it was bothering me so bad after surg that I went to the store and bought Gas-ex. It helped a little. has anyone else had this problem? I still struggle with it and wondering if it will get worse after fillings? So far this site has been a God send, you are all wonderful and I totally appreciate all positive and sometimes negative input. I think I need to tuffin my skin to take the negative. Queenie (haha) Enjoy the site, it's a lot of fun and informative!!!

Hi Dawalsh, thanks for your comment. In the clinic I go to (kaiser) there are 4 surgeons that handle the operations and the fills, i get to see my surgeon occasionally but normally See another for my fills and follow up appointments. Kaiser does the sleeve but my dr is recommending the ru en y if I have it redone. She advised me of patients having lots of reflux issues with the sleeve and ultimately I would prefer gastric bypass because in an emergency my dr said it can be reversed. The sleeve cannot be. Wish me luck in my travels!!!

Update time, Hello to anyone out there. Just passed the 5 year mark. Have been happy with weight, not skinny but not getting any bigger. Complications a few months ago. Had a bout with vertigo and ended throwing up a few times. It was the first time for me to actually throw up from my stomach and not from eating too fast. From that point on I started to feel funny, I was able to "feel" my band and port more prominent. Was uncomfortable as soon as i started eating was always felt odd. I let it go on for a few months before going back to my Bariatric dr for a check up. Turns out it may have slipped. My dr immediately unfilled by band (weight gain started right away!!) and now I have to wait till August to get an X-ray to see if it moved back. If it doesn't correct itself I will get the option to have it removed and replaced with ru en y. Any thoughts from anyone out there???

I didn't get any restriction until I had my 2nd fill. Once you get there you will definitely have restrictions. You get to experience the sliming and the throwing up as you get used to how much you can eat. I have had my band for 4 years. I no longer have the love affair with food that I used to have, eating has gone from enjoyable to a chore. I still eat too much, I just don't do large meals, I have learned how to eat more smaller meals. ( too many small meals as it has been lately).i have successfully been able to keep off 60+ pounds off so it has been a success overall. Like Dolly said stick in there and you will find your sweet spot, it's just going to take a while.

Hey all, anyone still on this thread? Can't believe it's been 4 years. Still down 50+ pounds but definitely still struggle. Foods just doesn't mean much to me anymore. Sometimes I would rather not eat than deal with the uncomfortable full feeling and the occasional slimming. Anyway, how about updates, if anyone has the time.

Hi everyone, 4 years since my surgery. I have to say my journey had been an interesting one. I have to honestly say I am very happy I had my surgery but I must honestly say I no longer enjoy food the way I used to. One benefit to lap band instead of Ru en y... I can eat anything I want, no limitations except for the amount. Am still not filled all the way but can only eat very small portions. Gone are the days of eating half a pizza or 2 burgers. Now a half of a yogurt can fill me up. Still have some weight to loose, can't eat big meals but have learned how to eat lots of small meals. Still a journey... [ATTACH]24102[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]24103[/ATTACH]

Well well well. I was banded on March 17th (Go Shrinking Shamrocks!) My first fill was with my surgery Doc and went well. Felt restrictions right away. Didnt lose weight but actually gained the following month. My fault due to continuing with liquid calories, yogurt, jello soups etc... 2nd fill was bad, new Doc that does fills from 2nd fill on. Sed I was eating too much and wrong foods and didn't want to do the fill. I was under the impression i wouldnt be able to eat after getting fills, I was wrong. I need to also start up exercising again, I am a little disgruntled and off set mainly because I know i did bad. anyone else out there with similar problems??????

you look awsome!!!!!! Keep up the great work!!!

Wow, you guys are great. I have had a hard time lately because I had stopped posting on this site and 1 other I am a member of, I forgot the great advice and motivation I can get from just making a posting. I was modivated today and went for a run/walk. I have lost a total of around 30 pounds since I started my journey but like I sed I gained some back the last 2 months. I am signed up for a 1/2 marathon the end of the month and although I will walk most of it I am getting ready starting today.(thanks Plain for the great advice!) Please keep posting and help keep me on track. My eating will be the hardest but I will really start watching what I eat and try and keep a journal. Thanks again guys!!!! Ron:thumbs_up::Banane37: