Shauna80

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!

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!

Just look at my pictures!!! Absolutely NO REGRETS!! Its hard work, but SOOOOOOOO worth. Just to feel like the old me again is worth it...the complements from my husband, the feeling good about myself, and not to mention being able to walk in my closet and wear anything I want, and not play that "Im too fat for that" game! I questioned it too...but since doing it, I love it! 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!

I am in the medical profession, and was banded on Sept 18th. I have lost 20 pounds so far...You have to go into this surgery with the right mental attitude towards food and life. This is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is not an easy fix...if you cant get your mind around the fact that you will have to change your eating habits, and exercise then this will not work for you. The band is a TOOL, its not going to make you lose weight, its a tool to assist in your weight loss. If you want to lose weight and not really do much work, then the band is not for you...maybe the bypass is a better option. Your family is not educated on what the band is, or does by what you wrote. You are not going to have mental distress because you can't eat a normal size plate of spagetti. You can eat most foods, depending on the person. Me personally have a hard time eating white starches because they get stuck, and its uncomfortable, so I dont do it..I guess if I really wanted them I could suffer through the pain but its not worth it, and I dont miss it! This is something that you have to do when you are mentally ready to do so. If you are not a decision maker, then you need to talk with a professional about how to make a life altering decision that is for your health. NO one can make this decision for you. I LOVE MY BAND...and I can honestly say this is the best thing I have done for myself. I eat pretty much what I want, just smaller portions..I dont deprive myself, but the band does not allow me to overeat. You wont be able to eat 5 Cookies and a bag of chips...Im good to get 1 or 2 cookies down on an empty stomach. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck, and do whats best for you! Shauna

I wanted to get ideas of what people did for their mushie food stage. What did you eat for Breakfast, lunch and dinner to keep you full in between your meals? I am so used to eating 5-6 times a day, that I want to make sure I only eat 3 times a day and stay full in between. I look forward to your ideas!:smile2:

I love hearing everyone stories....I am starting mushies tomorrow and so excited...I kinda started tonight! I wanted some stuffing I made and it was soft enough so I had some....YUMMY!!! I have lost 11 pounds total, and I am starting back at the gym next week....so I will need to keep my protein intake up!

That's great that you lost that much weight and have no loose skin. I am a "solid" person now, and still muscular and I dont think I will have much of a problem...maybe at the bottom of my stomach where I have a few stretch marks from my pregnancy. But if thats the worse I can deal with it! I had a boob job at 21 and I hoping mine will lift back in place when I lose the weight and weight train....it happened to a friend of mine. I would get another one now if I didnt want anymore kids, but I am going to wait until after my last kid to get them done again. I am excited about the future and see a light! I want to stay in touch with everyone and see your progress!!!:smile2: