2muchfun

A year ago I was feeling some pains right where my band was. We were going to Scotland for 17 days and my wife wouldn't go unless I saw my doc. My PA suggested I visit a cardiologist. I did. After a stress test they concluded that I may have angina caused by a blocked artery.
So, in for a angioplasty I went. They ended up stenting my circumflex artery a week before going to Scotland. Made all the difference in the world. Good think I did it since my 12 years younger wife walked by butt off. What a great country you have. And what a culture although I think your ancestors could have killed a few less people.LOL
Don't hesitate, check it out. If I hadn't, I might not be here to write a response to your comments.

I think most of us had differing experiences. For me, I just started feeling satiated longer. Looking back I probably had too much saline in my band most of the time. Getting stuck and regurgitating food seemed like the norm and now I know it shouldn't be.
I've had most of my saline removed but got a fill a couple months ago. I think some of the lessons of eating slower with smaller bites has paid off for me. I'm on a Keto diet now and the combination of Keto and a band partially filled seems to be working for me.
Just stay away from processed foods, starches and sugars.

I haven’t been online much since my surgery and wanted to update everyone on my progress. I’m no long an MGB patient. My surgeon revised my procedure to a full RNY Gastric Bypass. After performing the MGB, my stomach had active bleeding due to severe erosive gastritis secondary to my Lap-Band. Having had long term exposure to a foreign body (my Lap-Band) for 15 years caused me to have Barrett’s esophagus and sever erosive gastritis. My surgeon had to redo my entire WLS procedure again to insure an optimal outcome. In my case the RNY was the indicated procedure. Thanks to everyone who has reached out over the last week! You concern and caring words meant the world to me.

For me. Liquids , Protein Drinks and yogurt till it is better.
Hope you have relief.... you can call and usually talk to staff at your Drs... they schedule an appt for you usually... but maybe ask questions.
Best of luck

Shannon,
You should have a much higher possibility of success since you've lived the bariatric life for so long. Too many lap banders did poorly because they couldn't make the adjustment to eating the band way. There were a significant number of patients whose bodies just didn't accept the band too.
Mostly esophageal incidents, slips, dilations and poor eating habits caused most of the incidents. But you should have expectations more in line with how we banders live. Good luck.

Like Suznty says, it's a lifetime of adjustments.
How much your band is filled isn't a criteria for measuring when the band works. I've seen people with no saline get plenty of restriction and success. Every body is different. Every stomach is different. Most surgeons place the band in the same place on the stomach but if the placement is lower there's more bulk to fill the circumference of band. Think of the band around your wrist and then around your upper arm. It's going to take more saline to fill a band around a skinny wrist right?
I'm 6 years out too and had all my saline removed back in June but I got a new fill this last week. I can't feel anything yet so it may take a couple more adjustments to get back to my fighting weight.
But, back in 2011 when was banded I lost 12 lbs the first few weeks and then nothing for 3 months. Took about 4 fills to find some restriction but 6 to finally find that sweet spot. Good luck.
tmf

Shannon,
You should have a much higher possibility of success since you've lived the bariatric life for so long. Too many lap banders did poorly because they couldn't make the adjustment to eating the band way. There were a significant number of patients whose bodies just didn't accept the band too.
Mostly esophageal incidents, slips, dilations and poor eating habits caused most of the incidents. But you should have expectations more in line with how we banders live. Good luck.

Vomiting has always been a fear of mine with the band. Your stomach convulses over and over again. This can cause the band to slip or move so much that it can affect the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve goes up and over your left shoulder.
You might want to have some Fluid removed to see if it solves the problem. Your band may have moved or slipped a little and it's putting pressure on that nerve? Good luck.
tmf

Thanks for starting this thread Julie. I'm a reformed Lapbandtalk/Bariatricpal addict. I'll be posting here more often again. Been away enjoying being nearly skinny for a few years.
Some heart problems caused me to not exercise for a while and I've gained some back. Got a refill yesterday so I'm spunky to get back to dropping some lbs. Been on Atkins since the 3rd and dropped about 7 lbs. Mostly Water loss of course. Now comes the hard part.
Now that I've depleted a lot of the glycogen in my body I'll only be looking at 1-1.5 lbs per week and sometimes nadda per week. It's still easier than no band at all.
Looking forward to this new year.

The surgeon that put in my lapband five years ago is now doing the sleeve. He was very strict on having his lapband patients come in monthly. He felt it lead to their success, and I agree with him. I’m not sure if he is only doing the sleeve now, but I know he does LOTS of them. As for me, I have a love/hate relationship with my band. But I have NO regrets!

I was banded 2/14/11 did well and then had Fluid taken out 2 years suffered 4 miscarriages gained some back , lot what I gained got pregnant had my daughter a year ago and gained 50lbs I’m so depressed but it’s time to start my journey over

I have had a stomach issue 2x since my band was installed December '06
Not pretty. Not fun. Hurts
But after a day of liquids and carafate and tums I got back to normal
Best of luck

Vomiting has always been a fear of mine with the band. Your stomach convulses over and over again. This can cause the band to slip or move so much that it can affect the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve goes up and over your left shoulder.
You might want to have some Fluid removed to see if it solves the problem. Your band may have moved or slipped a little and it's putting pressure on that nerve? Good luck.
tmf

I got mine 10 yrs ago and never got below 200. Guess I got discouraged and quit. So I am on here again trying to find help to get back on the lapband wagon

Four years ago the surgical group that installed my band, only performed this surgery. They now perform the gastric sleeve as well. The last time I visited one of the surgeons in their group I asked which was really better...the band or the sleeve. He said from a patient perspective the band was a wonderful tool because it can be tailored/adjusted to each individual. He believes it really does work, if the patient listens to what it is telling you. He also said there is a movement towards the sleeve. He said the slogan used by surgeons today is "sleeve em & leave em" I guess it is a cost of aftercare, a nurse to perform fills etc.

Yes. I agree. I only have this group of veterans to talk band with.
Most of us are trying....
Remember where we started....
I was large and really frustrated... I could NOT get a handle on losing weight... AND KEEPING it off.
Still trying! I will not give up

So happy to hear from longtimers and know I’m not alone and we are all fighting the good fight.

First, is your band adjusted so you feel restriction or satiety if you eat solid food?
Are you eating small again? Small bites, small portions, big chews?
For me, Atkins is the best way to re-start this all over again. I too fell of the band wagon and I'm restarting all over again. Just remember to eat Protein first. Stay away from slider foods like Soups, chips or anything that has empty calories.
If you want some meal plans respond and I'll try to suggest some good ones. Eating high protein is easy. It's ignoring the breads, rice, potatoes and junk food that's hard for most of us. Good luck and get back to me if you need more advice.
tmf

Shannon,
You should have a much higher possibility of success since you've lived the bariatric life for so long. Too many lap banders did poorly because they couldn't make the adjustment to eating the band way. There were a significant number of patients whose bodies just didn't accept the band too.
Mostly esophageal incidents, slips, dilations and poor eating habits caused most of the incidents. But you should have expectations more in line with how we banders live. Good luck.

Thanks for starting this thread Julie. I'm a reformed Lapbandtalk/Bariatricpal addict. I'll be posting here more often again. Been away enjoying being nearly skinny for a few years.
Some heart problems caused me to not exercise for a while and I've gained some back. Got a refill yesterday so I'm spunky to get back to dropping some lbs. Been on Atkins since the 3rd and dropped about 7 lbs. Mostly Water loss of course. Now comes the hard part.
Now that I've depleted a lot of the glycogen in my body I'll only be looking at 1-1.5 lbs per week and sometimes nadda per week. It's still easier than no band at all.
Looking forward to this new year.

Good to see some old faces. I had my band unfilled back in June after I had a stent put in an artery. I did OK but I'd gained weight due to not being able to exercise from a blocked artery. Had my surgeon put a few CCs in yesterday. Back on the Bandwagon again.
Sorry to crash your #7 but so glad to see some of the old crowd are still around. I've got to lose 30 lbs to get back to my fighting weight. I'll be lurking if you don't mind.
TTFN

GoWalking,
I too thought I had a handle on my weight problem but obviously not. I sure love food and it was sweet to imbibe in the foods I'd sworn off for several years but I'll be 70 this year(I hope). Like to live another 10-20 but not gonna happen if I don't get control of this carb beast in my head.
Good luck with a new boyfriend. And no matter what we were told or what I told everyone on this forum, it's still a damn diet, only it's a little easier to manage with the band.
tmf

First, is your band adjusted so you feel restriction or satiety if you eat solid food?
Are you eating small again? Small bites, small portions, big chews?
For me, Atkins is the best way to re-start this all over again. I too fell of the band wagon and I'm restarting all over again. Just remember to eat Protein first. Stay away from slider foods like Soups, chips or anything that has empty calories.
If you want some meal plans respond and I'll try to suggest some good ones. Eating high protein is easy. It's ignoring the breads, rice, potatoes and junk food that's hard for most of us. Good luck and get back to me if you need more advice.
tmf

Good to see some old faces. I had my band unfilled back in June after I had a stent put in an artery. I did OK but I'd gained weight due to not being able to exercise from a blocked artery. Had my surgeon put a few CCs in yesterday. Back on the Bandwagon again.
Sorry to crash your #7 but so glad to see some of the old crowd are still around. I've got to lose 30 lbs to get back to my fighting weight. I'll be lurking if you don't mind.
TTFN

Vomiting has always been a fear of mine with the band. Your stomach convulses over and over again. This can cause the band to slip or move so much that it can affect the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve goes up and over your left shoulder.
You might want to have some Fluid removed to see if it solves the problem. Your band may have moved or slipped a little and it's putting pressure on that nerve? Good luck.
tmf