Shauna80

Wallflower: I have no extra skin. I was lucky in that dept.

My problem is a lot like Marci's...up until a year ago I was vomiting at least 1-2 times a day. It became a way of life. I don't do it very often now, but it's because I eat slower now. But it seems like now that I can't get a fill right now I'm having to watch everything that goes in my mouth. I've never eaten bad and have always worked out. I gained weight in my early 20's because of a health condition PCOS and insulin resistance. I didn't know I had it until I was 27. So before all that started I was always in good shape and very athletic. Then I gained 80 pounds in 6-7 years and didn't know why at the time. Now that I'm back to my old self, I know what my body is capable of, but I can't seem to get it there. I'm having a hard time dropping fat, but I can build muscle well. It's a frustrating position right now for me.

So I was banded in September 2008. I went from 218 to 165 in 9-10 months and have been stuck at this weight since then! My goal is 130-135 and no matter how I work out or eat I can't seem to lose the rest. I'm so frustrated because now I have a lot of my Fluid removed because when I get a fill my reflux is unbearable. I was in my sweet spot a year ago and got really sick for a month and had to have my Fluid removed because my pouches swelled and I couldn't eat or drink. Ever since then I can't get back to my sweet spot and have gained 8 pounds I would love to hear if anyone else is struggling like this. I had an EGD done last year and there was no band slippage. So that's not the reason. I work out 3-4 days a week and eat pretty healthy using my fineness pal. Help!!! lm at a loss (

Wow Marci!

It sounds a lot like me. The only thing is that I only have reflux after a fill. Once the fluids gone in fine. My doc insists its not a slip and says that my EGD last November showed the band was in place. I'm at a loss.

No, because he says I don't have any symptoms of slippage. I've asked him several times. This all started when I got a fill last year after going a year without one to help me lose the last 10-15 pounds, and after I did that I started having problems with reflux and ended up sick for a month throwing up, so the doc took most of my Fluid out to let my stomach heal and that's when I gained my weight back. Since last January I haven't been successful when I get a full because my reflux is back and I end up having to take my fluid out.

I have been on medication. But I only get reflux when I get a fill. So he's taken the Fluid out since my problem is related to my fills. I have an appt next Tuesday. I'm hoping I can get to my sweet spot again. I was so close to my goal (w/in 10 pounds and now I'm 30 away . I'm just at a loss as to why after 4 years I'm having this problem when I was doing so good.

I've had to have a lot of my Fluid removed because of heartburn and reflux that started about a year ago. Now I've gained back 15-20 pounds because I have no restriction. Every time I get a fill I start with the severe reflux and heartburn with eating. Has anyone gone through this? I don't know what to do. I have PCOS and I can't seem to drop the weight with diet and exercise.

So back in December of 2011 I had to have my band unfilled because I started having gastric issues causing severe heartburn, vomiting blood, etc...I was at my goat of 145 when my band was unfilled. From December to March I gained 20 pounds because I was in a severe car accident and couldnt work out or do anything. I have since been refilled but its not the same. I still have less of a fill than I did in December before I had it all taken out, and now I have heartburn again, and I cant seem to drop the weight. I am back in the gym 4 days a week, and I'm eating the way I used to when I was losing but I cant seem to get this 20 pounds off!!!!!

Has anyone else had problems dropping the last 20-30 pounds? What did you do to jump start it? I need help! Its so frustrating to feel fat again, eventhough I know Im not, but all my clothes I was wearing now are too tight, and I am back into a size 10 again ( This sucks!

I am looking for any advise....thanks!

I am 25 weeks, and have gained 12 pounds so far...all 12 have been within the last 2 1/2 months! I was so sick the first 4 months that I didnt gain anything, then I gained 6 pounds from 4 months to 5 months, then 4 pounds from 5 months to 6 months. I have 2 weeks until my next appt at 7 month appt and so far Im up another 4 pounds! I am freaking out because I am so hungry all the time!!! My doc said I shouldnt gain but 3 pounds a month at this point, and now its looking like 5 for me!

How much did everyone gain? I am so worried about gaining too much...Oh, and I have not been unfilled yet!!! I have the same restriction I did before I got pregnant, so I am so scared to have to get unfilled. I worked so hard to get this weight off, and I dont want to struggle like I did to get it off again!

Curious what others have been through!

Thanks

Shauna

The band was not a fix it all for your weight issues, so you will probably need to get professional help to find the root cause of your emotional eating. Emotional eating is not something that will go away, it has to delt with. Until you understand and learn how to turn your emotions to something else besides food when things get hard. You have learn tools to deal with your stress and emotions, not food. You have to replace food with something else when you get stressed. I read you're a runner, and if running is not helping with your stress then I would recommend talking with someone. The weight gain is a symptom, and maybe talking to your surgeon will help. Good luck!

Thanks for your information and advise. I haven't gained any weight yet, but I'm also very nauseated and sick so throwing up has been a problem for me. This is exactly what happened with my first pregnancy, so I know its not the band. I hoping to weight until at least 5 months before I need an un-fill but if I continue to throw up after my 4th month I will have to get unfilled.

Did any of you guys work out the whole pregnancy to maintain a healthier you? I'm still working out when I'm not narcoleptic :tongue2: I have been so tired that sometimes I cant, but hopefully that will change.

First I think you're being too hard on yourself! Breast feeding is great for the baby, but formula is not harmful or bad for your baby. There's a lot of reasons people can't breastfeed, I had the same problem you did and I wasnt even banded with my first pregnancy. I had no appetite and would forget to eat.

Have you tried getting calories from Protein drinks or high calories liquids? That might be an option if you need more calories and cant eat. Another option is dont stress about your weight loss right now, just enjoy being a mom, get your band loosened and work out to maintain. Start losing weight again after your done breastfeeding if you cant while you are. I think you have to weigh whats most important to you...breastfeeding or losing weight right now? Either decision won't make you a bad or good mom...loving and caring for your baby is all they care about...Good luck!

Nope they wont...not unless its absolutely necessary! This is elective, and they wont risk it. Plus the first 3months are so crucial to the development of the baby, why risk putting chemicals in your body unnecessarily! Good luck with the pregnancy!

So I am a year post op and have lost 65....I love what I look like and feel like now, but I just found out I'm pregnant which was planned. I have about 20 pounds to my goal weight, which I will have to wait to reach. But I am kinda stressed about gaining too much weight. I was 30 pounds heavier that I am now when I got pregnant with my first baby, and I only gained 30 pounds with her, but now that I have lost all this weight I am worried about gaining too much weight. I'm about 8 weeks pregnant and feel really good, so I have not been unfilled yet. My doc said I wont need to until it becomes too tight.

So my question to everyone who got pregnant after banding is, how much weight did you gain during that pregnancy, and how quickly did you lose it?

Thanks for the support!

Shauna

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 04, got pregnant with 40 pounds of extra weight on me. It took 2 yrs of trying to get pregnant and only got pregnant because I was on metformin. I was banded last sept and have lost 65 pounds. I am 15 pounds from goal and I am 6 weeks pregnant. I got pregnant the first try and have been off all medications for 6 months. The band WORKS FOR PCOS! It saved my life and I have never been happier!

Here are some of my before and afters...the one in the red is the most recent! I have 15 pounds to go until goal! This is the best thing I have done for myself!

Shauna

Hey Sammy Jo,

Your story is similar to a lot of us. I was not overweight my whole life but about the age of 22 till I was banded last year at age 28, I went from 145 to 218 because of PCOS and my insulin resistance. I also had high blood pressure and was completely miserable with who I had became! I was banded 9-18-08, and if you look at my pictures, its a true testament of what the band has done for me and my happiness. The band wont fix your emotional problems, but it will help with self confidence, and you can rest assured that you WILL LOSE WEIGHT!!! That was a huge fear of mine as well, and granted I only had 85 pounds to lose total, I am down 50lbs to date, and so close to my goal...I could'nt have done it without the band! Just know that the band is a tool, not a cure!!! It's there to help you, but there is a lot of hard work involved, and you will never be able to eat the same again! Just do your research, and make sure its right for you! Good luck, and you can msg me anytime!

Shauna

I personally dont have psych issues as you call them....but I will tell you that if you dont deal with your mental issues, especially the anxiety, you will still find a way to sabotage your weight loss. The band is and should be a last resort for weight loss. If you cant control what you put in your mouth now, it wont change after the band. Thats not to say you wont lose weight, because the band is designed to help you eat less portions...but you can still eat bad foods. You have to find a way to deal with stress differently, and maybe finding someone who can help you deal with those issues might be key to your success. You have to get a psych exam for part of the approval process, so that may be your opportunity to talk with someone. Good luck!

Hey Neena,

You in a very similar boat as me! I only had 85 pounds to lose...and it took me over 2 months to lose 20 pounds...I am up to 7 months and have only lost 40 pounds. You cant compare your weigh loss with someone who has 150 pounds to lose, because when you have less to lose it will take longer. You are right on track, though you made need another fill. Find foods that are high in Protein to keep you full, and make sure you are drinking A LOT of water! I found when I was working out, and eating that if I didnt drink close to a gallon of Water a day, my weight loss slowed way down...now, on the other hand, I only drink water...I dont drink soft drinks or juice...so a gallon is not hard for me...but try and get at least 72 oz if not more. Good luck, and contact me anytime if you need anything or have questions!

Shauna

That behavior will only last so long. You will eventually get stuck, it happens to all of us...but you will need to implement healthier choices...chicken fingers are fatty, and fully of preservatives! You need vegetables, and good fats in your diet. Bacon is full of fat and cholesterol...you basically loosing weight, but your building plaque in your arteries that you wont necessarily see...but over time it can cause problems. I would personally look at finding other foods to implement into your diet. Good Luck!

Hey!!! Welcome to the site! I used Dr. William Johnson out of Johns Creek Surgery. He's the other doctor in the same practice that ParrotheadCathy used. If you would like more information send me a private message! He is awesome and I love the staff and their outlook on the procedure! Not only that, I went through the whole process starting in July 08 and had surgery in Sept 08. They work for you not the insurance company! I was really motivated so I got all my stuff required by insurance done in 3 weeks, then they submitted everything to my insurance and I had surgery a month later. Good luck!

You can see mine, but I still wear a bikini! I dont care, because my abs are better to look at :thumbup:

I did EXTENSIVE research and the band is made of Titanium, and that last forever. Unless you have serious problems with the band for some reason, most doctors wont remove it. Plus why would you want it removed?? You became overweight for a reason, and the band is a TOOL to help you lose and keep the weight off, if you have it removed you will probably gain the weight back plus more. This is not a cure, its a life time of eating right and working out. The band is there to help you, and its a lot of struggle to go through what you do, to have it removed and potentially gain the weight back. I would go into this journey looking at it as a lifestyle change, and expect to have it forever. My doc told me up front he will not take it out unless its medically necessary. Good luck! Research this and make sure its right for you.

I had a BMI of 36 and I had PCOS and high blood pressure. I only had 80 pounds to lose and Im down 45...35 to go!! Its worth the fight. I have BCBS and they covered everything, but it really depends on the coverage of your employer. Good luck!

I have PCOS and I was banded on 9-18-08...I have lost 45 pounds and have 40 more to go. I started off at 218 and with my weight loss I have NO PCOS symptoms left. I was taken off my metformin, and my blood pressure medicine as well within 3 months. I dont have any sagging skin, but I work out 5 days a week and drink TONS of water...probably close to a gallon a day. I know I didnt have as much to lose as some others, but you will be healthier to have saggy skin than all that fat around your organs. Good luck, and email me if you have questions!

I have been banded since Sept 18th...I just got back from Panama City Beach FL. You should be fine, but the only advise I will give is eat slow, and realize you wont be able to eat the portions you are used to. If not, you will be running to the bathroom to throw up! Good luck!