Mimilou2004

You have reason to be concerned and ask good questions. Personally I would share my concerns with her and tell he you would like your total fill measured next time. Good luck,
Mimi

I had my band put in in 2009. At first I did well with it and lost about 50-60 pounds. I definitely take responsibility for allowing myself to get back into some unhealthy eating habits but ever since I had the band put in I have had issues. I did decently with the band for the first year though I definitely got stuck often. In summer of 2010 I ended up in the ER after a fill gone wrong. Turns out my port had flipped so that required a second surgery. I never found a sweet spot in terms of restriction. I had fill put in and taken out numerous times but never got to a spot that both helped with hunger and allowed me to eat anything without being stuck. In Sept 2012 I had all of my fill taken out and I still get stuck at almost every meal. I had been thinking about getting my band removed for a while and then the final straw occurred this week. I ended up in the ER because of intense pains under my sternum and nausea. Doctors still aren't sure as to what caused it but I made the choice to have the band removed once and for all. I completely understand that the band is a tool and that had I kept to a better diet I'm sure I wouldn't have gained weight but at the same time I've just had poor quality of life since the banding. I'm in pain at nearly every meal and constantly get stuck even with no fill at all.
I'm getting my band removed in about 3 weeks and I wondering if anyone out there has had success post band? I'm so fired up about having to have it out that I'm starting over fresh because I don't want to gain anymore weight and want to get healthy again. Any thoughts or suggestions for people who have had it removed?
Thanks!

I gained many many pound since foot surgery in October then the Holidays, so I feel your pain....I had to buy jeans 2 sizes bigger and it hurts. However, as the prior poster said, do all those things, plus there is a product many ppl don't know about.
I won't name any brands but all GNC's and VitaminShops carry Cassein (casein) powder which comes from milk and is a slowly digested Protein that can be very thick and keep you full for 3 hours for 100 or so calories. I put a scoop of chocolate and some Water or Ready to drink protein in a little bowl and mix it hard into a paste or slurry and eat it dlowly from a spoon like pudding. It is not horrible and is really filling. Since I started this, I don't night eat any more and am losing 1/2 pound a day. Demon ice cream got its claws into me and this mixture is helping the cravings.......of course the head hunger battle is a separate issue and mighty battle.
Best wishes and Happy New Year

Are you happy with your weight loss? If you are, congratulations, if not, journalling is really helpful and doesn't need to be complicated and time consuming.
Best wishes.

I try to go to the range at least twice a month.

From what you have described, I think it would be OK to stay the same or get a tiny 0.2 adjustment and see what the scales do. I have been struggling with maintenance for a few months and it is just as much work as losing the weight. I actually had to increase my exercise to go along with less fill in my band. The good part of more exercise is you can have planned for calories from "forbidden" items. Maintenance is hard work and I wish you the best.
Mimi

I was so relieved to find this thread as I too, am struggling mightily. After being overfilled, slips, hiatal hernia problems, I was unfilled then had repair surgery...short version. The bottom line is that I am experiencing everything you all are....after being unfilled for 5 months and slooow refilling, I am up over 20 pounds and feel horrible, food is constantly calling me and I am back mentally to where I was 2 years ago as far as wanting to eat all kinds of slider food. I hope you all keep posting your struggles and journey back. The only thing that I haven't back slid on is exercise..I have a trainer 3 days a week and do the tradmill for several hours on Sunday. She has been my saving grace.
Mimi

I am bitterly against program fees, they are a giant rip off. My practice has all the nut follow up and education you need for no program fee. Insurance won't pay the fee or reimburse you. Call around to see if there is another center of excellence without that extortion payment.
Mimi

If you smoosh them in a blender aka puree into a thick liquid it would be OK and nutritious.
Good luck!!!!

I have been working on getting the loose skin removed for 2 years and I have had my arms done and I don't even notice the scars any more and have no regrets. I have beautifully shaped arm muscles and love to show them off now that the batwings are gone. Next Monday my turkey neck and wattles go in the medical waste can and I am thrilled. I have nothing against age appropriate wrinkles etc, but were it not for losing all this wt I wouldn't have hanging skin, so I just laugh at ppl who are critical.
Best wishes on your future endeavors.
Mimi

I have been working on getting the loose skin removed for 2 years and I have had my arms done and I don't even notice the scars any more and have no regrets. I have beautifully shaped arm muscles and love to show them off now that the batwings are gone. Next Monday my turkey neck and wattles go in the medical waste can and I am thrilled. I have nothing against age appropriate wrinkles etc, but were it not for losing all this wt I wouldn't have hanging skin, so I just laugh at ppl who are critical.
Best wishes on your future endeavors.
Mimi

He's not doing a full replacement, just port and tubing. I did ask him why he's only replacing those things and from what I gather from what he was said, if the actual band was leaking, there would be no Fluid left in it at all. That I had some Fluid left classes me as a slow leak, and that's almost always attributed to a leak in the port or tubing.
But I will say I arrived at his rooms straight from work and I was starving. And when he put the 8cc in my band, I went from starving to not in the slightest bit hungry in the how-ever-many-seconds it took for him to depress the plunger on his syringe. I know this restriction won't last long, but damnit it feels good to have it back!

Because Lello's are so beautiful I got one done at age sixty then got many done in a large abdominal mural hip to hip to cover the Tummy Tuck scars. I think they are beautiful....thank you Lello!

I am proud of you, you r amazing, for many reasons. Keep up the journey and best wishes.
Mimi

No, nothing magic....I don't think you are rec'g the aftercare you are due...something is not right and you deserve btter. Can you switch to another doc?

No, nothing magic....I don't think you are rec'g the aftercare you are due...something is not right and you deserve btter. Can you switch to another doc?

I know you are eager to get major wt off and 35 pounds is nothing to sneeze at!!! Slow down and pay attention to the posters who are giving you solid advice, especially Jess. This is a marathon, not a 5K and you will endure many wt fluctuations and then one day you arrive at maintenance.....then what is the plan to keep your weight stable? You must learn and grow through this journey...the easiest part is what we are good at...gaining and losing!! So make haste slowly while listening to your body and the many good posters here. You are going to do very very well and I will be following your posts on your journey to health and wellness.
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

I think ppl didn't post because they were at work or didn't want to hurt your feelings. The story and the facts don't match human anatomy and physiology. You might want to think about journalling and weighing and measuring your food.< /p>
Mimi

Wow, you are sure a bitter person....your aura tells me you probably never worked the band and lie to yourself about your food intake....I can't very well wish you luck, but I do wish you peace.
Mimi

I think you are hopeless and should give up.
Mimi

I think you are hopeless and should give up.
Mimi

I think you are hopeless and should give up.
Mimi

I think you are hopeless and should give up.
Mimi

Wow, you are sure a bitter person....your aura tells me you probably never worked the band and lie to yourself about your food intake....I can't very well wish you luck, but I do wish you peace.
Mimi