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