cameron1209

I had my original lap band put in Jan. 2002 and was rebanded with a Realize C band this past wed, oct 7. So far, so good. I had a dialated esophogus and a leak and I chose rebanding over converting to another procedure, since I loved my band and never had any problems for almost 7 years until last year. I hear that the weight loss isn't as fast and the chance of failure is always there, but I was willing to take the risk, and I only have about 40lbs to lose that I regained after the failure of the band. My insurance was BC/BS of Illinois PPO, and they paid for the whole thing. It only took them about 5 days after my upper GI was done for me to get the approval letter. Good Luck with your rebanding!

I'm looking for anyone who has gotten a 2nd band after having a first band put in and later taken out. I've posted before and the only responses I got were people telling me NOT to get another band and to get sleeved or DS surgery instead. I had the original lap band back in Jan. 2002 and lost 85lbs. I went from 225 to 140lbs and was thrilled with my results. That lasted for almost 7 years until I went to get a fill (the first one I had gotten in almost 7 years). Over the next several months of trying to get the sweet spot, somehow my band failed (a leak and a dilatation of the esophogus). I decided to get another band because I loved my first one and I know that they have made many advances in the band over the years. I was banded 4 days ago with the Realize band, and I am curious of how this will go. To anyone who has been banded more than once, please I need your imput!

I understand your frustration and it does level off some after the initial big weight loss that happens in the first several months. I lost like 55 lbs. in the first 6 months and it took me another 3 years of fighting my band by eating too fast, too much, and still too much of the wrong things. Finally I stopped fighting it and took off another 30lbs but it took another 8 months or so because you will not lose as fast when you are closer to approaching your normal weight range. I just had my first fill in 7 years because I am finally ready to commit to taking off the last 20 lbs to hit my goal weight. I feel like I am almost newly banded again and noticed that some of my preband old habits had crept back in over the past few years. Just keep positive and know that it is definitely a long haul sometimes. Maybe doing lots of repetitions of light weights or cardio if you are not currently doing so will help jump start your metabolism again. Hope this helps!

I was a teacher at the time and had my surgery on Thursday and was back at work on monday with no major issues except dumping and being exhausted from the huge difference in caloric intake. Just take it easy and you should be fine, but letting them know that you may need to ease back into full days may be the path to take. Good Luck on your surgery!

Congrats on the baby! I was banded in 2002 and had my daughter in 2006 so I can relate. I was afraid that I would have to empty my band to get the baby enough food to thrive. I had not had a fill in my band for 5 years, and only had around 2.3cc (out of 4cc) in it when I was pregnant, and luckily I did not have to have any saline removed at all. I only gained 10 lbs. during the preganancy and lost an additional 10lbs. I had a healthy 7 lb baby girl and no side effects to either of us with regards to the band. Good Luck!

Congrats on your approval! I had my surgery on a Thursday and was back at work teaching on Monday. I remember taking my staples out of my stomach during a break! The only side effect that I had for the first few months was the loose bowels, or dumping. It would come on so sudden and I would have to run to the potty. Also, when you are used to having so many calories in your diet, and drastically reduce it, you tend to be exhausted until you adjust. Overall, I found it to be minor inconveniences compared to the results. I was a size 3 before having children and then gained 100+ pounds for my first two pregnancies, so I was miserable and not used to being heavy. It took me about 6 months to lose the first 40 lbs so it wasn't so fast that my skin could not bounce back. I of course have some loose stomach skin, but I have also had 3 kids! I have a little jiggle on my arms and legs, but nothing I can't live with. Being so young will definitely be an advantage! I plan on having cosmetic surgery when I reach my goal to deal with the problem areas as my reward to myself for losing the weight! Good Luck!!

Thanks for the link! I am going to call my doctor monday morning to see about getting a little saline taken out, and hopefully that will fix the problem!

No, I can't remember ever having this much heartburn (except when pregnant!) before with my band. I am going to call Dr. Maese Monday morning, as I think that he allows up to a week to go back for an adjustment and not have to pay again. Thanks for the input!

I am from Louisiana originally and was banded in New Orleans almost 7 years ago, but I relocated to Plano in Jan. 2007. I started at 225lbs. and am 5'2", and have gotten down to 160lbs. I received my first fill in almost 7 years last Monday in Dallas, and have already lost another 3 lbs! Feel free to ask any questions or share and I will do my best to answer from my experience!

Sorry to hear about your port. I was banded 7 years ago and had my daughter 2 years ago. The cool part was that I did not even need an adjustment to my band through the pregnancy. I only gained 10 lbs. during the gestation vs the 60lbs for my first child and 40lbs for my second. After I had her by c-section, and returned home, I was down a total of 20lbs. with a very healthy 7lb baby. Good luck with the baby whenever you decide to have one!

I was banded on January 17, 2002 in New Orleans by Louis Martin at the ripe old age of 22. I started at 225 lbs. and haven't had a fill in my band since March of 2002. In spite of that, I lost 65 lbs. but have plateaued at 160 lbs. and I know that I could eat more than I should be. I decided to get a fill here in Dallas last Monday by Dr. Maese and so far have lost 3 lbs. The only downside is that I am having bad reflux, mostly at night, in which I wake up several times with burning acid in the back of my mouth and sometimes wake up choking and coughing on it. I did not know if this would subside as my band loosens a little or if I should get some saline removed. I have the orginal 4cc band, and I think that I have around 3cc now in it. I still had 2cc left in it before my recent fill, even after 7 years! How often do most people get filled? Dr. Maese's office said most people come every 4-6 weeks, and I thought that it seemed extreme for someone who only has 30lbs to lose and was not recently banded.