Mimilou2004

I am so happy to read between the lines and find so many happy bandsters....every positive story is an inspiration, yet there can be inspiration in the stories where things didn't work as well as was hoped. The wonderful part is that we have many opportunities for success ahead and we learn something from every event. Mimi

I, too, congratulate you and wish you continued success on your journey. Thanks for posting!! Mimi

Thank you, Kitty, yeah meatballs are no fun when stuck, either!!!! Hummingbird you crack me up so I had P pie for breakfast, too, and it is awesome, LOL...and a vegetable serving in my book!!!! I am so happy that most ppl did well on following their plan and it is fun seeing what ppl eat. Since dinner was at my sister's I am not faced with leftover temptations, which is a mixed blessing because the turkey was the best in years!!! My sis sent me home with a huge loaf of my beloved banana bread and I have real butter left from baking....I am in trouble...I better call my trainer for an extra workout, LOL, she is on speed dial!!! Mimi

This is a wonderful thread and I hope ppl will post what their reality was.....I had good intentions (3rd T'giving banded). The reality was that my band fickled out on me because of family stress and I ended up in the bathroom barfing twice. It was humiliating and did nothing to enhance the festivities. I hope everyone has a better story to tell than I did. Mimi

It is called a seroma and it is serous fluid leaked from the muscle because it is mad that is was bothered. I don't know how long your port was on that muscle and whether it was stapled or stitched but the end result is that the muscle was superficially injured by the removal process and is leaking in retaliation. I promise you it will absorb over time....having it tapped/drawn/aspirated off is no promise that it will stay gone. Internet search seroma and it will tell you this plus more than you ever wanted to know, including that it could take months to resorb and is not harmful. Best wishes, Mimi

It would be a really good thing if your practice located and pre-sent your records for continuity of care...this they can do if they are as great as they seem to be. Best wishes, Mimi

I have heard of doing it this way and it makes total sense to me instead of a little bit at a time every 6 wks, which takes forever to get to the green zone and is financially draining. Best wishes and I wish my practice did it this modern way. Mimi

me, too, from a little tiny hummingbird on my upper chest to many flowers and other critters on my belly and hips, all in 3 weeks! I feel glam!! Mimi

Excellent results and I love your ink!!! Mimi

Don't be so hard on yourself...it isn't the end of the world....something is going on that made you revert to old habits...it happens. Posting will probably help you think it through and get back to eating clean and exercising...reflux is horrible and that suffering alone will help you mend your ways. Let's face it, we are good at gaining, we have proven we are good at losing, too....maintenance is the wild card and takes real work. I went through it, too, and had immense anxiety that I was going to get fat again, so I feel your pain. I journalled honestly but informally and walked more and worked through what was going on....sometimes it doesn't seem fair that the weight just won't stay gone by itself, LOL!!!! Best wishes and keep posting, Mimi

Leena, do you have any idea why you slipped? Mine did because I was vomiting frequently because of a hiatal hernia...my point is that when the hernia was fixed the slip was fixed and has not recurred because I am no longer urping......there is a chance of a reslip, but there is also a good chance you won't reslip. I wish you well and I understand and empathize with your predicament. Mimi

It is hopeless, you have not committed to making the changes necessary to be successful with the band. Reschedule your surgery, get counselling and try again to get involved in the PROCESS which is a journey!!! Best wishes, Mimi

I am so glad you could negotiate with your doc...and that ,7 worked...I don't think you will gain, just remember you are sweollen right now and take advantage to cut back on high calorie slider food. Over fills and swelling are miserable and I am glad you are feeling better and posted about it. Mimi

I only missed 3 days of work and I don't know what that word is either, so if I got it I don't know it!!!! Mimi

In many ways it was easier than the original because the port wasn't bothered and muscle pain was significant with the first surgery. I actually went back to work sooner than the original time. The biggest problem I had with revision surgery was gas gas gas, both abdominal and intestinal because the surgery took longer than the placement surgery. I became milk intolerant for months but that gradually resolved....thank God for Oh-Yeah lactose free RTD (ready to drink) lactose free protein shakes....so yummy I still drink them!!! Also, my sweet spot changed and it has taken longer to reach it, so exercise is paramount. Best wishes, Mimi

You are such a survivor, I admire you.....I have been reading your posts for a very long time....not always agreeing with you which is not a bad thing. Your post is honest and real and showcases how bandsters change over time and with experiences. The band fill changing after an unfill happened to me, too, with no explanation from the doc. I had a slip, unfill, surgery, slow refill, and it is hard to find restriction again...I am already past the fluid level I was at when I had the slip. I am glad you are an active poster sharing your journey. Mimi

I have had to have a few fills during maintenance but not too often....I had a slipped band repositioned and the position is different from the 1st way and I needed to fine tune the fluid level. I think it is individual depending on where your green zone is....I assess my status every couple of weeks so I can stay on top of it.....too tight and slider food is inevitable----> wt gain, too loose leads to more food and wt gain. It is a balancing act, for sure. Mimi

I adore my PT and hold her personally responsible for a lot of my success....6 wks has turned in to 3 years. She is always a phone call or email away and has helped me through some rough patches, A good PT is worth every penny spent. Mimi

Maura, I went through it post op, too. After not exercising for so long it was hard to get back in the groove.....can you get a Personal Trainer for a few weeks to pep you up? Surgery takes its toll and anesthesia stays in the body a long time so you just might have physical reasons for blah time....keep posting and we will keep up the encouragement. Mimi

I love these posted responses....It is empowering to become healthy and all the changes do not happen overnight but over time. It does take a committment, though and exercise and journalling is key. I started with a personal trainer for 6 weeks and now we have been together for > 3 years.....I see her more than my regular friends and family, LOL, and hope I can continue to afford this important part of my life. Don't get me wrong, I fall off and gain a few pounds periodically, but now I never lie to myself about my calories in and exercise out to balance things. I was never physically fit and now at 60 I can do 2.5 chin ups and that is huge!!! I hope all of these posts motivate and encourage you. Mimi

The hardest part of maintenance is, well, maintaining, LOL!!! My trainer assures me that a 5 pound swing is fixable and the fact that the gain bothers you is wonderful!!!! In the old days, or I should say pre-band days, 4 would become 20 in no time and now you have the tool to use to beat that 4 pounds back. Best wishes, Mimi

I am so excited and happy for you! You have a new lease on life and didn't have to undergo radical surgery. I am proud of you for seeking health care and glad you didn't get a jerk this time. Mimi

Is this the first time you have been this tight? If so, please listen to the previous posters and go for an unfill if you start barfing or can't tolerate real food and supplemental protein drinks.....a slight unfill early on is preferred to the complications and torment of a slipped band. I hope you are just a little swollen. Many ppl with a band that is too tight will resort to slider food and stop losing or actually gain. Best wishes, Mimi

I am so happy for you....you are awesome...thank you for posting. Mimi

Welcome back and kudos for taking charge of your health. I hope you become an active poster and share your wealth of knowledge. Mimi