amylynns

Well, I had my band taken out on Dec. 5th. Still in a lot of pain, geez--I think it was worse than having the band put in! Where they took the port out is HORRID! I thought it was odd that I had no food restrictions after surgery, just " Ok, you're done. Here ya go!" It is SO weird to eat something and not have it get stuck! It's nice, but yes, SO scary that I have no restriction. The surgeon told me IF I want another procedure done, I have to wait 6 months--and that he'd recommend by-pass, not the sleeve. I have severe reflux (from the band) and have ulcers on my esophagus.He said the only "cure" for it is the gastric by-pass. They actually remove the part of the esophagus where the reflux is caused. But I don't know that I want another procedure right now. I'm going to give it my all and try to do this on my own. I had lost 85 pounds with the band over the first 2 yrs. Then slowly over the last 3 years, have gained back about 45 of that. I know what I need to do, so I just need to do it.

Guess I need to update my stats and get a new "ticker." I do not weight 208 pounds! :-(

Ooops, I see you already answered what procedure you had done. WOW, that is so scary what happened to you!! I've had pain at my port site since I had it done back in 2008. I just thought that was normal...still not sure if it is or not. But that will be one thing I'll be glad I don't have to worry about anymore I guess. When my kids and I are playing/wrestling, etc--they always know to be careful not to jab my port area! LOL--it's a big joke now, "My port, my port--watch my port!" :-) I'm glad you're doing so well!! I am just so terrified I will gain everything back--and I still need to lose AT LEAST 50 pounds! Ugh...my sweet daughter and mom and trying so hard to encourage me. Telling me I have to tools to lose, I KNOW what I need to eat, I know I need to be physical, etc. But it's just taking my security blanket away--I know it's all mental, but I don't know how to get past that....

Did you gain weight back? Did you end up having any other procedures done?

So I went to the Dr Friday. I am devastated. I have to have my band removed. There's a possibility I'll be able to have the sleeve done, BUT---NOTHING for 6 months!!?? He said, for one thing: it'll take my body 6 months to heal properly from having the band removed. Second thing: insurance companies will make me be "monitored" for 6 months before they'll approve anything else. :-( The Dr said they've seen so many people coming back with issues from the band. I have damage done by bad reflux, caused by the band he said. I have several ulcers on my esophagus, and a large hiatal hernia. Lots of pain with swallowing and horrible esophagus spasms. Oh my gosh, so painful! I was on some meds to heal up the ulcers, which also was helping with the painful swallowing and spasms, but evidently I'm allergic or something because my legs were itching INSANELY. We finally pinpointed it down to the meds. I've been off them for a week now and finally have some relief from the itching, but my spasms and reflux are back.

I had lost 85 pounds over the first 2 yrs, then gained back about 40-45 over the next 2 years! :-( [/b]

You know--I'm not sure how much I have in?? I haven't had it filled since 2011. (lost my insurance) but I still feel restriction, so I don't know. although what I feel might be restriction may very well be my hernia and not the band at all. I'm leaving right now to go to the Dr to check things out, so I'll keep you updated!

SOEXCITED.... See, I think your breakfasts are good. Protein and fruit! More nutrition than my lattes. :-) I do have a juicer and when I'm not being lazy and have a lot of fruit/veggies stocked up I drink those for breakfast. But honestly, they don't keep me full for very long. When I first got the band and was losing, slowly--but losing, I didn't even care that it was slow. I just remember thinking in my head, "I am never going to be obese again. THIS is it, this is what I needed. All I have to do is follow "the rules" and I'm golden!" WEll....not true. When I started gaining, I had been on a new med for RA and over 4 months gained 17 pounds. This was back in 2011. since then NOTHING I seem to do---even though I can eat EXACTLY what I was eating when I first had my band---is making me lose any weight. I just keep creeping up. I might lose 2-3 pounds one week, but always gain it back. I'm just so discouraged, so mad at myself for gaining weight. :-( I hope I get some good news Friday is all I can say. I don't know what I'll do if this is as good as it's gonna be. :-(

Thanks so much for that info! I'll be curious to know how the sleeve works for you! And yes, I agree, it will be SO nice to be full and not have food get stuck every time I eat! (That's the point I'm at now because of either the hernia, or the band possibly moved) Even scrambled eggs can get stuck. :-( That's why I'm "drinking" my breakfast right now, which I know is a no no. UGH....

My surgeons office said a lot of their patients are getting their bands revised with the sleeve. I actually have an appointment on this Friday to discuss this. I had lost 85 pounds with my band between 2008-2010 and since then have actually gained back half of that. :-( I CANNOT seem to lose anything now. Just keeps creeping back up. Also having bad gastro issues. I have a huge hiatal hernia and there's a chance my band has actually moved I guess. Hopefully Friday I'll have more answers. I would panic if they wanted to just remove the band and have nothing though. I hope I'll be able to have the sleeve done. A friend of mine had it and got to her goal weight within less than a year. (lost about 90-95 total pounds)

Breakfast: (not ideal!) 2 pcs toast with 2TBS Homeade peanut butter from Hells Kitchen restaurant. ( no idea on calories!?) Snack: Cucumber slices Lunch: 3/4 of a turkey, bacon wrap on tomato basil wrap with a TON of veggies and little mayo.

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet with sprinkle of shredded cheese, nutritional yeast, red peppers, salt free seasoning. Snack: Coffee w/ creamer x 2 Lunch: Salad w/ lean turkey, sprinkle shredded cheese, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, ranch dressing. Brussels sprouts. Snack: Almonds Before workout: special K bar, BCAA drink Supper: half piece of homeade pizza. Salad w/ kale, romaine lettuce, fresh mushrooms, beans, ranch dressing Snack: Special K granola bar 90oz water 45 min workout, plus walk later with my daughters

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet w/red peppers, salt free seasoning and nutritional yeast Snack: handful of almonds Lunch: Tossed salad w/ about 2TBS shredded cheese, little bit of lean turkey lunchmeat, 2TBS ranch dressing. (my splurge) 1/4 Cup cottage cheese 1% fat. Snack: Either almonds, or I brought some leftover brussel sprouts--not sure which I'll have yet. Dinner: Not positive yet what, but typically a lean meat and veggie Snack: I'd like to say I'm not going to touch the butter brickle icecream in the freezer, BUT...I may. Water: 72oz just about done. Will have at least another 40 yet today. Will have a Protein shake and BCAA's after my workout today. I should note---I have NOT journaled in a VERY long time! I'm glad I came across this post today. (thanks to the newsletter I received reminding us how important journaling is.) I also have gained back almost 30 of the 85 pounds I had lost with my band. Some of that was due to a med I had to use for RA, but part of it was lazyness after getting into a new relationship after my divorce---exercise went on the back burner cuz I was "too in love" to not be with him for an hour and a half a day.☺ But I've been working with a nutritionist to get my metabolism working again, getting back into working out and my honey is gonna start going to the gym with me!☺

Hey everyone! Congrats to everyone---you're all doing so well!! I hit my 60 pound mark this week! Yay!! Only about 45-50 till my ulitmate goal. I guess I need my stats updated too please. Current weight is 201......SO darn close to onederland!!!

Please post my current weight..... 211 I HIT MY 50 POUND GOAL!! One goal down...a few to go! :ohmy: