onthego317

I also had the band for vanity reasons. The only real problem I had prior to surgery was a hurt knee from busting my butt in the gym trying to get the weight off. Most of my life I havent had a weight problem but once I gained I slipped into this hole and could not keep it off. I felt like this was my last resort. I am 14 months out and at my goal weight. However..... Yes I do regret it! I had never been hospitalized (other than to give birth) before surgery. Now I have problems with my digestive tract. Acid reflux had me in the hospital in June and I am having issues currently. I spent all day friday having tests and monday I go in to have a scope put down my throat to see whats causing the severe pain I'm having. I want to feel like myself again! Being thin and sick SUCKS! I was much happier with my health. I am going to have the band removed as soon as I heal from this episode. It has been a VERY expensive lesson for me as I was self pay. Everyone has their own experience. I personally know 3 people who are also banded and only one has not had complications. As far as the food addiction goes, you will be in mourning for a while after surgery. You will be giving up your best friend. Keep this in mind...you need to be emotionally ready to let food go. But also let me say that after being banded a bit you will figure out that you can eat almost anything if you chew well enough and then the weight loss will stop and once again you will feel down on yourself. I also agree with everyone else that you are not ready for surgery. I wish you the best with whatever you decide!!

Here's the latest update. I have had SEVERE abdomen pain since last wednesday. On friday I had an upper GI and blood work that shows nothing. Monday I am being scoped and hopefully thet will figure out whats going on. They think its either gastritis, ulcers or erosion. The pain is so bad that I cannot walk. I feel like hot knives are stabbing me. I am at the end of my rope. Before the band I didnt have any of these problems. If its erosion, the band will have to be removed. If its ulcers or gastritis, I am seriously thinking about have the band removed once I feel a little better. I love my band...dont get me wrong , I look and feel great when I'm not sick, BUT i do not love being bed ridden and in pain. I dont care how skinny I am if I cant live my life. The Dr told me that the band can cause reflux and once the acid backs up that it is trapped if your pouch is full allowing it time to do it's damage. Since being banded, I am now also hypoglycemic and he wants me to eat several small meals a day to keep my blood sugar leveled off so theres frequently food in my pouch. I'm completely unfilled. All of this makes me very sad and depressed! I was self pay and the thought of paying again 14 months later is terrible too! I want to be NORMAL again!

I have had never had acid reflux until 10 months after being banded. You should go to your Dr immediately! My esophagus got so irritated that I could not swallow and ended up hospitalized in June. Two weeks ago it started again and Now I am suffering tremendously. I started the rx medication right away but this time I have severe abdomen pain. Last Friday I had an upper GI and blood work that showed nothing. I am being scoped on monday to see exatly whats going on....they are thinking it is either gastritis, ulcers or erosion. My dr told me that the band can cause reflux and that once the acid backs up into your esophagus it can be trapped there if your pouch is full giving the acid time to do its damage. I seriously think I am going to have the band removed after I heal from all this. I had never before been sick or hospitalized. I'm in extreme pain and its so bad that i cannot walk. I feel like i have hot knives piercing my abdomen. It doesnt matter how skinny you are if you are sick. I want my life back!! I too was self pay and do not know how I am going to afford it. It was only 14 months ago that I got the band. I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to be aware that this is nothing to play with. I wish you the best!!!

Hey Yall! This is the first time I've been back on here in a while. It's good to see that everyone is doing so well! I added before and after pics to my profile. How many of you have done the same?

Hi Julie, I was hospitalized back in June because I got to where I could not swallow. I was having esophagus spasms. At first they thought I was overfilled so they completely unfilled me and it steadily got worse. I had an upper GI that showed what I was going through so they admitted me and scoped me to check it out. Everything was fine except my esophagus was extremely irritated from acid reflux. I gradually healed and have been fine until last week. The reflux is back!!!! I'm starting to have the spasms again so I called to get a rx for Dexilant. I never had this problem before the band. I am wondering if the band can cause it. Does anyone know the answer???

Hello Everyone! It's been a while since I've checked in. I"ve been wondering how everyone is doing and I see that I'm not alone in the "no exercise" department. I've had a lil trouble and ended up in the hospital but I'm now ready to get back on track. I had to be completely unfilled but now am at 3cc which is not enough but better than nothing. I have gained back 6 lbs but will get it off again!! This past year has had its ups and downs and it hasnt been easy, BUT I can tell yall that I DO NOT regret this surgery at all!! I feel great and shopping is FUN! I would like to post pictures but just haven't taken the time to figure out how. I'm 50lbs down from my highest and according to my dr's chart, I have 10-12 more to go. I can honestly say I'm happy where I am. (just need to firm up!!) I bought size 4 Levis today and they fit very comfortably!!! Our 1 yr anniversary is fast approaching. How close are you to your goal?

I had five total. The only one thats visible now is the big one where my port is. The others have vanished. My port site hurt for weeks...in fact it still bothers me sometimes but not like in the beginning.

just wanted to say thanks for the suggestion!!!! I finally have his outfit complete and its AWESOME! I didnt do tye dye because I wanted him to match me and mine is sparkly. I'll have to post pictures from the party on Saturday. THANKS AGAIN!!

I'm posting here out of desperation and thought that maybe somebody could help me. My husband and I are going to a surprise 70's themed birthday party on July 23. I have my costume but I cannot find one large enough for him. Does anyone have a 70's mens costume or a shirt in a sz 4x that they no longer need? I will be happy to pay for it and the shipping. I would love to be able to find a button down shirt that's "brady bunch" looking or even a satin or shimmery shirt. I'm thinking it could even be a ladies shirt as long as it would fit him. I'm not sure what size ladies shirt would equal a mens 4x. He's 59-60" arould his middle and he will not wear anything tight. I've searched all the local thrift shops & ebay and have not found anything. THANKS!

Before my surgery I asked my Dr about having it removed in the future once I was at my goal. He told me to leave it in as long as I wasn't having serious issues. He said that almost 100% of patients who have it removed gain some if not all of their weight back. I think we all eventually slip back into our old bad habits....even if they're minimal, it will make a difference. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!