ellendeette

Excellent! I am going to check it out. I am so afraid my rings are going to slip off my fingers and I don't want to have them resized until I drop more weight. I am shooting for getting under 200 pounds soon!

I know what you mean about shoes. I have so many. Some of the ones that are too big, I saved! I couldn't part with them. I don't know what I am thinking. I gave all almost all of my clothes that don't fit but my shoes are tough to give up. I just gave up two pairs of leather boots to my Mom and Sister. I bought my first pair of leather boots that go up to my knees! I am in heaven. I grew up in Michigan and could NEVER get boots to fit my calves. I live in California and it still tickled me to find boots that went over my calves since I have lost weight. The little surprises of weight loss are delightful!

That is so cool about the ring inserts at WalMart. I will check it out and get some. I don't have a WalMart near me but when I visit my Dad he has one by his house. Thanks for the tip! I love it.

Yes, my shoe size went down after losing weight. I used to wear size 9 wide and now I wear size 8 medium width. Its opened a new world for me with shoes because finding wide width was a challenge at times. I had to get rid of many of my shoes because it wasn't safe to walk in them. I even used thicker socks and inserts. It took me by surprise when my shoes didn't fit. Also, my rings spin around on my fingers. I haven't figured out when to go have my rings re-sized yet. It costs quite a bit to have them resized but probably worth it because I don't want them to slip off my fingers!

Yes, I was rebanded on November 5, 2009. My band slipped while I was on vacation in Hawaii in July 2009. I am so glad I had it put back in. I have no cravings and feel satisfied eating small amounts of food. I have lost the weight I gained between July and November 5. I have not had a fill yet. I am taking this all very slowly the second time around. I am wearing a size 14 and I am quite delighted! I feel and look so MUCH BETTER. My shoe size shrank. I went from a size 8 1/2-9 wide to a size 8 with medium width. I no longer take blood pressure medication and my arthritis knees love the extra weight being gone so my mobility has increased. Good luck with your new band. Keep us all posted on your surgery and how you are doing.

I want to join in on this thread. I used to measure 5'6 but because of getting older and arthritis over the years, I am now 5'4 (or so). I have always wanted to be tall. My aunt who is three years older than me is 5'11 and 1/2 and I always wanted to be that tall. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to be happening for me. I have bone straight blond hair that I am always trying to bend or fluff up. I have blue eyes and I am quite fair. I have real problems trying to get a "tan" in the summer. I've always liked my teeth because they are pretty straight. So that the grey hair doesn't show up, I have my hair highlighted. My shoe size has shrunk since I've lost weight. I am from a size 9 wide to an 8 medium. My rings on my fingers spin around since I've lost weight. Some day soon I want to have them resized. The part of my body I am starting to like is that I have a pretty small waist and I'm actually considered "petite." I have been buying petite size dresses and pants. I have NEVER thought of being "petite" anything. Its a new way of thinking about myself. I think I ran out of adjectives. This was a challenging thread because you really have to think of yourself in a different way.

I go to support meetings regularly. Before I was banded, I read on the internet the reasons why certain people are successful with bariatric surgery and those who are not. I have read and have been told that the successful ones attend support groups. Having support groups is one of the main reasons I picked my surgeon. He currently has four support groups each month (every Wednesday). One is called "Eating Normally." Its run by a psychologist and deals with the issues behind eating problems. The other two meetings have either a nutritionist or psychologist who run the meetings. The meetings are combined with people who have had bypass, lap band, etc. We have speakers (other members, plastic surgeon, the bariatric surgeon who sponsors the group, etc) We also have a new lap band meeting run by a nutritionist. It deals with the issues related to lap band only. I would encourage you to go and check it out. I have met some pretty amazing people and you share the journey together.

I agree with your post. Eating does give you a pay off. If it didn't give us one, why would we do it? Support groups really help me, using this website, talking with others who are going through the same journey, etc. I am also going to therapy which really helps. There is a huge difference between surgeons. I picked my surgeon because of his fantastic aftercare program. It never ends. I can always go to the support group or call my bariatric surgeon or his nurses. I feel the band has been a powerful tool for me. I had it put in on May 20, 2008, and I lost 85 pounds. It slipped and I had it taken out in July. I started gaining weight and feeling miserable. I really thought I would do it without that piece of plastic inside me. But guess what? I am having it put back in this Thursday. Its the only thing that I know that helped me with my entire life of struggle of battling food.

That is absolutely awful! I can relate to the discomfort and pain. I felt so much better after it was out. I wouldn't even consider having another band but I am gaining some weight and I am determined not to gain back all the weight I worked so hard to lose and I want to lose more. I am having a new band put in next Thursday. I had my physical done today. I also wouldn't do it again if it cost me anything. Since I have met my $5,000 out of pocket expenses for 2009, Blue Cross covers the bill for my new band. I hope you are feeling better and please post again and give an update on how you are doing.

I am so sorry to read your post today. I lost 85 pounds and my band slipped last July and I had to have it removed. I have not been able to lose anything since July and have gained some weight. It is so very frustrating that words cannot adequately express. I feel for you. I still eat the same small amounts of food, exercise, go to support groups, continue to work with my therapist, watch my Protein, take small bites, etc. The only thing missing is my band. I have researched this subject and cannot find anything that supports my theory but I feel that there is almost a rebound effect your body goes through when your band is removed. When I told my Aunt about what I was going through she said said she thought maybe it takes a long time for your body to adjust to the band being out. I don't know but I made the decision I want my band back. This obviously may not be the answer for you but I am scheduled for surgery for November 5. I do not want to gain all the weight I worked so hard for and I want to continue to lose weight. I was only 6 pounds from my goal to go below 200 pounds. I truly think even if I only drank Protein drinks that I could not physically do it. I wish you well and to hang in there. Continue doing what you know works for you. I think we have to really watch what you eat even more than we did when we had the band and exercise more. I do not know the answer other than that. If anyone else is out there that is farther ahead than us, I would appreciate their advice. In the meantime, I am having a new band put in on November 5.

I guess I should also say and adjust my profile that 200 is my goal right now but my ultimate goal is lower than that. I started out getting under 250, then 240, then 230, etc. I made baby goals but my ultimate goal is to go BELOW 200. I am confident that I am going to reach that with my new band and will maintain the weight loss that I worked so hard to get.

Excellent question. My bariatric surgeon requires the two week of liquid so that the liver will shrink. He makes 5 or 6 holes in my stomach area and then he has to pick up my liver to attach the band to my stomach. The two weeks of liquid diet shrinks my liver so when he lifts it, it won't be harmed. If I wouldn't do the two week liquid diet than my liver would be difficult to lift up and may be hurt or he would have to open me up to give me the lap band. I have gained a few pounds since I had my band removed in July and I'm still over 200 pounds. I would ilke to get down to 150 or 160. My biggest reasons for getting a new replacement band is to maintain my weight loss and to lose more weight. I have not been able to lose any weight since July 2009. I seem to either maintain or gain. Many doctors vary on the liquid diet. Some require it. Some don't. I like it because it gets my mind set for the surgery and then I also repeat this same liquid routine after surgery. I also lose quite a bit of weight doing it before. Its always more difficult before surgery than after. After surgery, your stomach is swollen and you don't feel like eating.

I wanted to let you know that I have been approved for my new band through Blue Cross (PPO)! I am scheduled for surgery on November 8. I am really looking forward to having my band replaced. I start my two-week liquid diet tomorrow. Ellen :thumbup:

It is a million dollar question. I thought the same thing before I had my band put in on May 20, 2008. I did not realize prior to my having my band placed that it would take away my cravings for food. That I would actually feel full and satisfied for the first time in my life on a small portion. Unfortunately, my band slipped this past summer and I had to have it removed. My appetite has returned full force and so has my increased desire for food. I am in the process of requesting a new band. I really miss it. Its a powerful tool. I did not realize it until I unexpectedly lost it. The band helped me put food in perspective and in its place. For most of my life, food ruled me. To me it was heaven to eat absolutely anything I wanted with the band but with a very small portion and to feel satisfied afterwards. It was also amazing to me that after the band, I felt it was easy to make good food choices when you can eat only a very small portion. My taste and smell changed. Things that dazzled me, didn't any more. A Protein shake was something to look forward to. Probably one of the best parts of all is that I saved a ton of money by not overeating. I had to get a completely new wardrobe, new shoes (my shoe size shrank), etc., which probably offset the money spent on food. All in all it changed my life to a much higher plane with losing 85 pounds. I guess what I am trying to say is that its hard to imagine something like a belt wrapped around your stomach could help that much but for those of us who have suffered long and hard struggling with food and having it call out to us, its nice to know that there is something out there that cuts your appetite down to size and makes you enjoy your food with a smaller amount. It doesn't sound like much to someone who doesn' t have a problem with food but to me it was a tremendous gift and I want it BACK.

Thanks for your support and good luck with your new band. I should find out this week or next week about my new band approval from Blue Cross PPO. The band was a tremendous tool for my weight loss. I was wondering if you picked using the Realize band or your surgeon? I have read some really good advantages of the Realize band. My first band was Allergon (not sure of the spelling). Was your first band the Realize or another brand?

I am in a similar situation. I had my band placed in May 2008 and it slipped and twisted and I had to have it removed in July 2009. My stomach was too traumatized to put a new band in. I have lost 85 pounds. I have not lost any weight since my band was removed. My appetite has returned. Its a struggle to eat only the food I measure. The band was a powerful tool and I miss the restriction and the lack of appetite. My bariatric surgeon's office is in the process of submitting an application to Blue Cross PPO along with letters of recommendation from my therapist and internist/rheumatologist. I am hoping that I can have the new band put in 2009 rather than 2010. I met my out-of-pocket expenses in 2009 and it won't cost me anything if I have it put it now. I would have to go through the whole out-of-pocket expenses once again in 2010 and I really need the band's help now. Please let me know how long it takes you to get your approval. I am curious to see how long it will take. When I had the band initially put in, it only took a few weeks after my psych evaluation was submitted and then I had 60 days to have athe band put in after I received my approval from insurance. Good luck!!

I had the band procedure in May 2008. My band twisted and slipped and it was removed in July 2009. I had a kayak accident in Hawaii so my band slipped when I was getting into the kayak. My stomach was too swollen and tramatized during the removal to put a new band in. My doctor told me to return in 5 weeks to have a new band put in. I've been quite sad without my band but yet felt good that it was out. It sometimes felt weird that this plastic object was in me with no certain time when it would come out. I just went to see my bariatric surgeon today for a new band. He told me that my BMI is too low and its possible that Blue Cross may not cover my new band. Can you believe that too low of a BMI? I explained to him that it was an accident that my band slipped and I shouldn't be penalized for not getting a new one. He agreed and he is going to submit a request for a band for me but will need letters from my various doctors to support my claim. I thought I could maintain my 85 pound weight loss with my behavior changes, exercise, eating less, going to support groups, therapy, etc. It lasted a couple of months where I actually thought I could do it. But then I found out my Dad has cancer in both lungs and it freaked me out! I go to therapy every week and its helping me but I really miss the support of the band. It helped me tremendously with giving me a small appetite, no cravings and I did not feel hungry after eating. My doctor also suggested today that in my request to Blue Cross that I also ask for an alternate bariatric surgery like the sleeve. I said YES! I really do not want to gain my 85 pounds back and it has been difficult for me to not to snack and to feel full once again. People have told me they have done it without the band after it has been removed but I honestly do not think I am one of those people. After my swelling went down, its been much tougher. I wish you luck. I would say it all depends on your medical insurance about what procedure it covers. Insurance is (and has been) picky about the reasons why they cover bariatric surgery. Good luck to you! Please post again and let me and others know how you are doing.

Trana, My band slipped in July 2009. I'm considering having a new one put in. I was wondering what your experience was from having the first band put in and the second band put in? I am having serious doubts whether I can lose weight without the band. I'm eating about the same portions and exercising even more than I did with the band and I am not losing weight. I had a very good relationship with my band and it was a powerful tool to keep my portions in check. My slippage was a total surprise. I really had no idea that it would happen to me. I would not have considered taking my band out. I had no choice because the band twisted and my stomach was too swollen to replace it. I would appreciate your feedback on thsi subject. I would like to respond to the subject raised about whether or not you go "back to normal after the removal." Yes, you can eat bigger portions, gulp a glass of Water without burping, don't have to concern yourself about chewing, can race through eating without slowing down, drink water when you eat, etc., but you LOSE the ability to STOP eating when you had enough. I can see how I could GAIN all the 85 pounds I've lost and GAIN even more. I have had what it takes after losing this weight to go to any store and buy whatever clothes I want because they fit, like what I see in the mirror, cross my legs for the first time in my adult life, feel good in my clothes and not have buttons pop or keep the zipper down to feel comfortable, go across a mall walking and not have to stop for a break, go on an airplane and strap my seat belt without an extention, etc. These things are priceless. I guess you can say you go back to "normal" after they take the band out but I don't think I will ever look at food the same way again. Food took over my life for so many years. The band put it in perspective. Made me realize that I used it as a friend rather than fuel. I don't want to miss out on any part of my life because of my weight EVER again! If there is those out there that are throwing up too much, eating cold food, can't drink without getting ill, etc. There is something wrong. The band was meant not to be doing those things to you. Either the band is too tight, slipped, eroded, etc. You need to go to a bariatric surgeon and have it checked out ASAP. You can get dehydrated and very ill for not correcting it. - Ellen

I understand what you are going through. Its the pits! I recall the thinking in AA and OA that says we only have today. Tomorrow is over and tomorrow is not here. We really have to focus on today. Do you have a support group or other bandsters that you can talk to? My support group that I attend really helps me. In addition to the posts on this site. One of my co-workers suggested that I get some type of medication to curb my appetite if I don't have the band put in again. It is an option but I'm trying to avoid that option at this point. I don't know if my bariatric surgeon would help me with that. I'm headed out for the gym. Exercise does help in many ways. Also be sure to drink fluids. Sometimes I think I am hungry and I end up being thirsty more than hungry. Sometimes it can be "head hunger" that makes you feel hungry and can't get full. That is why I returned to therapy to help me deal with the issues that make me turn towards food. If you would like to e-mail me. My e-mail address is: e.tippit@yahoo.com It is very scary without the band. I can't believe I was one of those people whose band that slipped and had to have it removed. I was really optimistic that they could have repaired it (they couldn't). I am seriously reconsidering it (like I said before) but if my odds are increased for slippage in the future. I don't know. I would like to lose another 50 pounds or so. Hang in there! Don't panic. Keep yourself occupied with seeing people and doing things. Like I said before, I'm going to the gym for a workout. Later this afternoon I'm going to the aquarium with my husband and friend. I am doing chores around the house. I eat how I ate before I had my band removed, I really watch that I am taking in over 48 ounces of Water a day, exercise, talk on this site, e-mail friends, etc.

I'm so glad I read this thread tonight. I never heard before that your risk of complications rise because of having slippage. My band slipped in July and I had it taken out. They couldn't repair it because it was so swollen. I am eating about the same as I did before the band slipped and exercising more and can see that life is tougher dealing with food without the band. I thought I was hungry the other day (for the first time in a very, very long time) but I learned in my support group that sometimes you can confuse thirst for hunger so I drank something and it went away. I really do not want those horrible cravings and feeling empty and eating and eating and not satisfying myself. I also don't want to gain back those 85 pounds I worked so hard to lose. I am in therapy and my therapist is encouraging me to stay where I am and not have the band put in. My insurance may cover my procedure to have the band put in again if I do it in 2009. Otherwise, if I wait until 2010 I may have to pay a much bigger portion. I am so confused. I am planning to see my surgeon again and talk with her about my options. My bariatric surgeon previously told me that I can not only maintain my weight loss but lose more. Its been two months since my surgery and I can't seem to lose. I go to support meetings, measure my food, exercise even more, etc., and not even a half of pound. I also found out from my gynocologist that I only have a trace of hormones so I've started hormones so it may change my metabolism and give me more energy and maybe start burning weight off. I haven't had two months of not losing weight in a very long time. With the band, my weight went down every week. Sometimes even a 1/4 pound. All I can say is that I am frustrated. With the band, we made a great team but without it, I can see how tempting it is to overeat. I go out to eat and bring home half the food. I hope the people who have lost their band post again and give me an update. I think we are in the same boat. I keep thinking if I get a new band and it slips like the old one. That will be so hard but I am so afraid of not maintaining my weight loss.

I had my lapband removed on July 8, 2009. My band slipped and twisted when I was on a kayak trip in Hawaii. The fluid could not be removed so the band had to be removed. I am contemplating having a new band put in. I have lost 85 pounds and would like to lose more weight. I cannot see realistically how I can lose more on my own. The band was a powerful tool. Obviously, it did not help me lose all of the 85 pounds but it helped me tremendously. Its very rare that a band will slip (2-4%) of the time. Unfortunately, I was one of the few this happens to. The best part is that I can have it put back in.

I'm so glad you posted today. I was quite concerned about you. Your doctor did the right thing to take tests before the surgery. That way they can see the damage and prepare for surgery (that is what I have been told). I had my band taken out last month due to slippage. It rarely happens (2-4%) but it happened to me. It could have been a combination of weight loss, lifting my arms and being pushed from behind onto a kayak. Who knows? It slipped and I had to take care of it. All I know is that I didn't plan on taking my band out but because of the tests and surgery, my band had to go. It was too swollen and traumatized to add a new band. My surgery last 15 minutes. My port area has taken the longest to heal. I can feel scar tissue and Fluid under that area. I have heard of the band eroding onto other body organs, etc. I am still uncertain about whether to have the surgery to have the band put back in. I need to heal fully. I have to pay my out-of-pocket expenses to have it taken it. Insurance paid most of it but I have to pay almost $3,000. One thing good, after I pay for this $3,000 (or so), I will have met my $5,000 maximum and I could probably have the band put back in for nothing! BUT, I will have to pay this out-of-pocket expense in 2009 and have the new surgery in 2009. Not much time since its August already. I am doing quite well since the surgery last month to remove the band. I eat, exercise, go to support groups, go the therapy, etc., like I did before. I am confident that I can maintain my 85 pounds weight loss and lose more. I can see with the band gone that it helped me tremendously. I guess you can say in the short run that I'm doing okay. I am uncertain about the long run but I'm going to see how it goes. For those of you out there that have lost your band to slippage or erosion, please post and let us know how you are doing. It helps not only me but helps others in the same boat. Tell us what happened and where you are today. We need all the support we can get! Ellen

I had the endoscopy too while I was in the hospital. The catscan showed that the band had slipped (I had it done in Kauai) but they wanted the endoscopy to see if there was any erosion and to see the condition of my throat and to see the damage the band did. Luckily, there wasn't any erosion but my stomach was pretty traumatized and swollen with the band being twisted for several days. My band slipped when I on vacation in Kauai. Fortunately, the last few days of our 10 day trip. The emergency doctors there had no clue about a band so I know what you mean about seeing a doctor who doesn't know about the band. They spoke to my doctor in LA but they couldn't take any Fluid out because my band was so twisted. I had three emergency doctors standing over me trying to get fluid out so I could take fluid in my mouth. Lucky for me that started an IV and had fluids started right away. I don't know what to tell you other than to take it one day at a time and not project about how tomorrow is going to be. It sounds corny and simple but that is how I am doing it. I exercise every day even if its for 15 minutes. Build a support system so you have people you can talk to like me who are going through a similar experience. My personal e-mail address is e.tippit@yahoo.com Take care! Ellen

Yes, I am keeping up with making good choices with the type of food I am eating, the quantity of food, exercising, attending support groups, reading Lapband Talk, continuing to see my bariatric surgeon, talking with others that have the band, etc. I would be lying if I told you that its easy without the band. Its not. The band really helped me. We made a great team. I could feel the restriction when I ate too much. I know I can eat more without it. Its a bit scary but I have tremendous hope that I can do this without the band. I have made tremendous progress in modifying my eating behaviors. I always tell myself that if it gets too overwelming, I'm going to have the lapband procedure done again. I really do not want to regain the weight I lost. Why are you having the band removed? Did it slip? Or was it a personal choice to have it removed?

I can't even guess when I was under 200 pounds. I am only 6 pounds away and its surreal. I do recall when I was close to 300 pounds. That was not a good time for me. I thought I would NEVER be so close. It really scared me. I am so excited to reach 200 and then go UNDER 200. Can't wait!! I'm glad you all posted. Its a goal that I thought I would NEVER reach and here I am.