Sherree.mongrain

I got my band in 10 1/2 years ago. I love my band...don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of struggles, some of them severe. But I have lost 134 pounds and have stayed withing 5 to 10 pounds of my current weight 142 for a few years. I have had my fill completely removed several times and the refilling process is almost always grueling. But then I get to my sweet spot and the weight comes off. That brings me to my current problem...about 2 1/2 months ago, I began to have serious reflux problems. You know what I mean...regurgitating acid through the night, cough, hoarse throat, nausea, etc. I did research on the proper GERD/reflux diet and made lifestyle changes, which I tracked. I have been on Dexilant--off and on--for 4 or 5 years. I finally went to my Gastrointestinal doc and she ordered and endoscopy and doubled my Dexilant dosage. Other than a small hyatal hernia, everything inside looked okay. So my doc scheduled a CT scan of my abdomen with and without contrast. They called me this morning to say It looks like my band has slipped and they wanted an Upper GI done. I called my bariatric surgeon's office and am waiting for them to call back to schedule. Needless to say, I am really freaked out! With this going on for almost 3 months, I am so worried about what may be going on and what damage might have occurred. I have put off dealing with this, and over the years, other physical problems related to my band, because I don't want them to take it out or unfill it. I still want to lose some more weight! On top of all that, my only daughter is getting married in 2 months! Does anyone have a story that will encourage me? I don't want a sleeve or other gastric surgery. Is it inevitable that the band will have to be removed? Help!!!!!

Hi, I got my band January 8, 2003. I am 5'0" tall and weighed 276 lbs. My doctor, Robin Blackstone, had never done a lap-band before, only gastric bypass...but I had done my research and knew I wanted the lap band and that I wanted her to do it. She and her team, Melissa (you rock), worked diligently over all these years to help me achieve my goals. I weigh 151 right now and still want to loose 10 more pounds. It has been such a ride of a lifetime! I can still remember how much time I spent on the boards trying to find someone to help me, someone who had the same things going on as me, someone who was worse off than me, someone who had "made it". When I had my surgery in AZ, the band had only been approved in the US for a year or so. Everybody was going to Mexico to get it done. Some even to Europe. I am forever thankful that when I was ready for my band, Dr. Blackstone had been studying and was ready to do one. Also, that my insurance paid for it. Each step of this journey is long and not at all what I expected, but I would do it all again tomorrow to learn all the amazing things I have learned about myself, to be able to be living in this moment, not sitting on the couch watching my family live life all around me. The lap band is a life-changing experience...if you are ready to really change, one day at a time, it can be the best decision you will ever make! Good luck to all of you!

It is so normal to feel frustrated and confused. You are trying to listen to your body for maybe the first time in a long time. I was so afraid to eat in the beginning, expecting pain, nausea, all the horror stories. But I didn't have that. My doctor did not yell at me, but certainly has been very direct throughout all the years I have been seeing her. She knows a certain way to do this that works for most people, and she wanted me to succeed, not blow it! One thing I was told by other "bandsters" early on is to treat your band like gold. It is the tool you will now use to lose weight forever. You don't want to hurt it or test it or stretch it...but...having said that, I would say take it easy, one or two cheats this early on are good chances for you to think about what it is you want and who you're "cheating" on. This is a long journey, but you will discover so much...don't freak out. Just go with it! Trust yourself

You'll be fine...you'll never be the same again...you'll just keep getting better! Now that you've made the choice to take care of "you", you'll never look back. Good luck...!

I have IBS too...it's complicated...try to be patient with your body. It's working very hard to adjust to all the changes...

This is a common problem...I have used fiber additives, which have helped. It just depends on where your fill is...talk to your doctor. Also, drink TONS of water. I know you are probably already doing this, but drinking water helps a lot. (It's good to prevent wrinkles too...side benefit!)