Glammaw

Thanks for the responses! I need to do this for me. I had a lapband for eight years & lost 70 lbs. But I had problems starting at year two & had it removed. Back came the weight. I’m researching all I can while I’m waiting!

Thanks for the info! I keep second guessing myself while waiting for surgery! I’m 67 & questioning if I’m too old now. My surgeon says no so I’m waiting for surgery date!

Is anyone taking arthritis medicine after surgery? I really need mine and I can't find any information anywhere. I am afraid to ask my doctor, because if I can't have medicine for the arthritis all over my body, I may consider canceling my surgery on the 21st. I don't want to after all I have been through, but the pain of the arthritis is almost unbearable. Please let me know if you are taking something and how it is working for you. Thanks.

I saw my doc today & got a fill. He never tells how much. He says it doesn't matter. It's how your body reacts. So 48 hours of liquids for me! I'm just happy to have some help again. My surgery was in 11/2008, so I'm still working it. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Hi friends! My dr appt was cancelled so I have been struggling with no fluid in my band. My appt is tomorrow, YAY???? it's time to get this weight loss going again! Wish me luck! Liquids only for a couple of days for me. Be healthy!

My day has been a good one! Lots of walking, mostly eating OP, not perfect but working hard. It's a daily challenge, but I'm looking forward to my first fill after the most recent complete unfill. Prayers for everyone!

I could use some help! I'm 64 & post lapband by almost 7 years. Starting over AGAIN after a complete unfill in November for the second time. I have a fill appt next Wednesday. I lost 80 pounds originally but regained a lot. I have to make this tool work for me. Sweet grand babies to enjoy!

Hi! Can I join in? I am almost 7 years post lapband, with a complete unfill in November. I get a fill on the 29th, but I am trying to keep myself accountable. You all seem so motivated. That's exactly what I need as I start this journey again!

I did the same thing. My surgery was nov 2008. Starting over. Gets encourage each other!????

I had my lapband surgery on 11/23/2008. I lost 50 pounds,but then started having problems. At 6.5 ccs in my 9.0 realize band, I had constant reflux. They removed some of the fill I waited a month, then they added a small fill. but less than a month before. Back & forth until they sent me for an upper GI which showed no problem. During this time, my port partially flipped, making it very painful to get a fill. Finally, the decision was made to remove the fluid completely and give it a rest. The band has had no fluid for two years. I went on disability and lost my health insurance. I gained back 40 pounds. Now I am having problems with my liver enzymes being too high. I called today and made an appointment to get a fill with the doctor, not the nurse practitioner. February 13th was the earliest appointment. Has anyone started over this late? I need to lose my weight again for my health. I appreciate your encouragement and your prayers.

I have always wanted it. I lost a total of 80 pounds. Complications caused me to have a complete unfill. Praying everything is okay with my band now. You don't lose 80 pounds or even 50 pounds if you don't REALLY want it! But with a spinal fusion, left and right total knee replacements & revisions & a wrist fusion, it might be a little harder for me now. I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.

Hi Lauren. I wish you much success! I am starting over after a complete unfill 2 years ago. I regained most of my weight, too. I have an appointment for a fill on 2/13. We can do this!

I went in for a fill and after the first stick, the NP said my port had flipped or twisted but she got it back in place enough to do a fill. I do have more restriction so it worked but I am really worried about the port being flipped or twisted. Anyone else have this? What did you do about it? Did you see the surgeon to discuss? The NP just gave me a fill and said she would see me in a month. Should I be worried? I am 15 months out and today broke the under 200 pound mark. 25.5 pounds to go!

I won't bore you too long with my story. Lost 70 lbs, regained 20 lbs. after being completely unfilled three times. Next small fill resulted in pain and PBing with only 2 ccs. Now completely unfilled and never going back. I, too, was starving, according to my MD and still not losing any weight. I will never be able to encourage anyone to have this surgery. I am now using an all natural supplement to curb my appetite and lose the rest of my weight. I could have saved myself two years and a lot of pain. I am happy for those of you who have had great results with it. I am just sad for me, because once again I feel like a failure. Good luck you gorgeous Notorious November ladies

I hsve had a complete unfill and am losing my band. I have been using an all natural product that really keeps me from eating. I don't want to gain the weight back and this product takes away the cravings for me...and it is all natural, so no jittery feeling. I don't want to go on another diet. I like eating a little bit of what I want. Honestly, had I known about this product I would have saved myself the pain and heartache of surgery. I didn't cause my problem. There are several of us from 11/08 having the same problems. If you want to know more about this product, pm me at carolyn.wilson@insightbb.com. Good luck....

Hi all. Well, I had 3 ccs put back in my band. I have only 3 ccs and I PB everything I eat. I am afraid something is really wrong with my band. They didn't check it, just said it was okay since my problems stopped when my band was completely unfilled. Yes, I have lost 5 pounds, but at what cost. I PBd in front of my 5 year old granddaughters and I never wanted to do that again. They worry about me and tell me I need to go to the doctor. I am back to soups and instant breakfast. And, of course, ice cream goes down really easily. I enjoyed eating salads, too, and chicken, when I was completely unfilled. Doctor says every time you throw up, your band gets tighter. What can I do? I am facing wrist surgery in the near future and it is all getting to be too much for me. Guess I will make an appt. for a complete unfill again. Then what? Words of wisdom, please......

Glad to hear it. Right now I am grasping at straws. With only 3ccs in I PBd yesterday at lunch. Starting over after 18 months is no fun and, I think, even harder than the first time around. I can do this....I can do this....I can do this.....repeat.....

I'm right there with ya! I didn't go through getting approved, having surgery and bandster hell to go on another diet. If weight watchers is the answer, then I found a NEW way to punish myself.....surgery, deprivation. I know the band is not working for me now. I am not gaining, past the initial gain when I was completely unfilled, but I am worrying about what to eat, how much is the right amount, weighing everyday. And it concerns me that there are several of us who were banded at the same time, by different surgeons, who are having the same problems. Maybe it is not the panacea it is painted to be. Maybe there hasn't been enough long term research. In any case, I have it now, so I want to make it work.....partially flipped port and all. I just don't know how I have failed my band...or failed again? What did I do wrong THIS time?

It can be very frustrating. Here I am, 18 months out and starting completely over. I have 3 ccs in my band and I can tell you that is NOT ENOUGH! I do remember feeling like you describe but only for about 3 days. Then my band was too tight and they took some of the fill out. I thought it would be like that with the band, just not want food, forget to eat, only very small portions. That is not how it has worked for me. I feel like I am just on another diet right now. Just think of it this way, it has to get easier, because right now is about as hard as it gets. Hopefully, each fill will make it easier. So, to answer your question, I have only had the experience you are talking about once for 3 days. I have to keep on though. It is just not the miracle I was hoping for. Hang in there. You are in my prayers.

I know where you are coming from....but this morning, after a fill yesterday afternoon, I have some restriction. No more bread...bye, bye my love....I know that is what has put the weight on me. Glad to feel the restriction this morning...feels like I am getting back to normal. Still only have 1/2 the amount that was in my band, but its a start. Maybe it is a new stuck feeling. I had it before but it was when I was too tight, so that doesn't make any sense. How much fill do you have now? Just be careful and take good care of yourself. I know I wondered if I was having a heart attack at the time. It felt so good to be free of problems, until the weight started coming back on. My diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain all improved with my weightloss. I have to remember that! Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Do you have your gall bladder? Feels kind of like a stick going from your chest to your back. Or at least that is how it feels for me. I saw my dr today. Got a fill....3 ccs. Can't tell much difference. I remember this time, waiting for restriction. He said each time you throw up it is like getting your band adjusted. Small, small bites, chew, chew, chew. So,here I go again. Wish me luck....starting over! Gained 10 pounds in 7 weeks....sure hope I can lose it that fast. Good luck Elyse....hope you feel better soon.

dd, our bands are sure fickle, huh??? I hope to get started all over again with fills on Tuesday. I know it won't be fast but I need to get started. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will find that elusive sweet spot again. I think I found mine once for about three days :confused: It was nice while it lasted. Food was not even in my thoughts. I want that again....sooner or later. For now, we just have to keep working it. Good luck to you and everyone on this journey.

Elyse, we must be kindred spirits! I have the same feeling....I thought I could get by without a fill, but even watching what I do, it is like I was starving and now I can have real food again. But I worked to hard to get rid of this weight to watch it slowly creep back on....one pound per week....four before they removed my fill and one per week since. I have gained 10 pounds and they didn't come off that easily. I am eating bread (OMG) and I, too, had french fries AND A PIECE OF CAKE for my daughter's birthday. Once you start it sure is hard to stop. I go Tuesday afternoon for a fill and I hope it is a big one, since I have NO FILL AT ALL!!!! My husband doesn't want me to go so I am not telling him. He saw me in so much pain before the unfill and PBing everything. It should be fun convincing him I really want only liquids. Hang in there....we will get through this together....all of us :thumbup:

I hear ya! I have no fill so I am doing it all on my own but I felt so much better I never wanted to touch my band again. I just wanted my life back again. I gained four pounds WHILE I was sick with my band. I am not gaining now, but still afraid I might. I have 20 pounds left to lose and I am seeing my dr. on Tuesday. My husband does not want me to get another fill. It will be my little secret :thumbup: I don't ever want to feel like I did before my unfill....ever, ever again! If I have trouble again, I will have to get by on my own. Elyse, so glad you are better. Take care of yourself....all of you!

Elyse, glad you are feeling better. It is instant relief, isn't it :thumbdown: They had me wait for a month and then extended it two more weeks. It is such a relief to sleep thru the night and to not PB everything I put in my mouth. I was to the point I just wanted my band OUT! Luckily, my doctor responded quickly with a complete unfill and now things are back to normal. I am a little nervous about a fill, because I still have a partially flipped port (?) and the fills are painful, but at least I feel like a human being again. I am glad you took the quick route and went in as quickly as you did. You will be back to normal soon....just a little dip in the road. I waited and it has taken me longer to recover. Take it easy on yourself during this time and feel better. We are all on this journey together! Its all about the trip, not the destination, after all. I'm sure those prayers helped, too.