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!!