marfar7

I'm almost 3 years out. My weight loss was slower compared to most on here. The first year (I didn't get restriction till my 3rd fill, almost 5 mths out) was about 70lbs.I began dating then. I had ben widowed for about 3 yrs by then and felt uncomfortable dating. I met my now husband at about an 80 lbs loss. The 2nd year, I lost another 20 lbs, making it 104 lbs in 2 yrs. This is my 3rd year and I began having complications with my band. I gained back about 11 of those pounds.
Hopefully after my 2nd slip, they'll be able to remove my Fluid and start fresh. Hoping they won't have to manually reposition it. Even though I'm now having complications, I would do it all over again. It's so nice to wear a size 8! I've never worn a single digit my entire adult life. I gave away all of my size 3x clothing, so I really can't afford to gain it back!
Good luck to you! You can do it! You're worth it! Even tho you feel like you're starving right now on the liquid diet, it will be a bleep on your lifetime radar! Oh, and I eat anything I want - including bread, rice, and Pasta. Just VERY small amounts of them. Anytime I go to Olive Garden, it's usually about 5 meals for me. I get sick of it or it goes bad in my frig before I eat the rest of it! My husband complains how much food I waste. Oh well. Better in the trash than on my body!
Oh and some advice: Be patient. can't say that enuf. For the first 5 mths and until my 3rd fill, I felt like I failed yet another diet. It was the 3rd fill that got me to restriction, where I could only take about 6 bites of a meal and be done with it. I don't think I researched it too much before, so I truly thought once I got it, I'd start losing immediately. Doesn't happen. Most people need from 2-5 fills before feeling the restriction.
Marci

Happy Birthday! I love Olive Garden! Anytime I go there, I always get the seafood alfredo, which becomes about 5 meals for me. I either get sick of eating the same thing over and over or it goes bad in my frig before I have a chance to finish it! And for those who can't do pasta: Olive Garden will replace any Pasta with steamed veggies. My husband is a low carber and get the scampi chicken with steamed veggies instead of the Pasta. And I usually eat about 1/3 of a breadstick and a 1/2 bowl of Soup.
Again, Happy Birthday! Great job on your weight loss. We're about at the same distance in our journeys - it's also been 2 1/2 yrs for me and I've lost 104 lbs! Congrats to both of us!
Marci

Happy Birthday! I love Olive Garden! Anytime I go there, I always get the seafood alfredo, which becomes about 5 meals for me. I either get sick of eating the same thing over and over or it goes bad in my frig before I have a chance to finish it! And for those who can't do pasta: Olive Garden will replace any Pasta with steamed veggies. My husband is a low carber and get the scampi chicken with steamed veggies instead of the Pasta. And I usually eat about 1/3 of a breadstick and a 1/2 bowl of Soup.
Again, Happy Birthday! Great job on your weight loss. We're about at the same distance in our journeys - it's also been 2 1/2 yrs for me and I've lost 104 lbs! Congrats to both of us!
Marci

I've had my band for almost 3 yrs now and I've lost over 100 lbs (now it's less since I've gained a few lbs back). Most of you have probably read my dilemma on another post somewhere, but I'll re-tell it for those of you who haven't:
After losing 104 lbs and being within 11 lbs of my goal of 135, I began having severe acid reflux at nite (so bad that I had to take 1 rx Nexium, 2 rx Prilosec, and 5 otc Zantacs and sleep propped up on 3 pillows). Still I coughed up stomach acid all nite. I allowed that to go for 4 months, as I was afraid the dr might take out some Fluid and I would never get to goal. After 4 mths, my husband had had it. He demanded that I go in. After an xray confirmed that my band had slipped, the PA took out 1/2 og my 9cc fill and let me rest for 4 weeks. The reflux was gone! Slept like a baby for the first time in months. I could sleep on my side, could snuggle with my husband again. Life was grand - except - I was constantly hungry. It was like before I even had my band. During the 4 weeks tho I only gained about 3 lbs. When I went in to start the refill process, I wasn't given another xray to confirm that it was fixed. I should've demanded it but didn't really even think about it. He put 1cc in. Still slept like a baby, also no restriction. 2 weeks later, he put another 1cc in. Restriciton is finally back! Yeah! After about 3 nites, the severe reflux is also back tho. Along with the nightime reflux is almost constant heartburn during the day. The meds help with the heartburn but not the reflux (and there is a difference between them if you didn't know this!). I happened to be out of state for 2 weeks when it started again so I emailed my RN and she replied with "You need to come in and get unfilled again". Made my appt for Monday Aug 6th. They will take an xray 1st.
What my suggestions to all of you newbies: Watch the PB'ing. I call it vomiting because I wretch just like vomiting, altho it's only the food I'd eaten and not stomach bile with it. After finally getting restriciton after 5 mths and 3 fills, I vomited about 4-6 times a week. I eat too fast (even tho I work on it, I'm far from perfect and it's easier to me to vomit than to learn how to eat slower). I've vomited in parking lots (with my head hanging over the car while in the drivers seat), in the yard, in my bathroom, and many, many public restrooms. It just became normal to me. When I first got my slip, the dr warned me to stop throwing up. When he put the 2nd 1cc in, I threw up my pills that nite. I either reslipped my band from throwing up, or it was never fixed in the first place. I'm working on eating slower, and when a stuck episode does happen, I'm working on suffering thru it and letting it play out. Sometimes I'm miserable for about 20 minutes but at least I'm not throwing up as often. Yes, I said as often. A couple of nites ago, I ate about 1/2 cup of banana pudding. To not let my husband hear me, I took the dog outside to potty. I threw up in the yard. He heard me thru his office window. And I thought I was being so sneaky.
I now have 22 lbs left to my goal. I've gained 11 lbs thru this whole ordeal. And this time, I may not even get an unfill. They may have to go in and reposition it. That's another 4 weeks of a liquid diet. All because I made myself throw up so often because I can't learn to slow down. Do I want another band? I've been seriously thinking about it. But my bmi is now only 26, so I doubt my Medicare will even cover an alternative surgery. I think they have to cover band repositioning if it's caused medical problems. Why can't I just trust in what I've learned over the past almost 3 yrs and get it taken out completely? Because I guess I haven't learned that much. I refuse to diet - that means I eat everything I used to eat, just much, much smaller portions. That's why I love my band so much. I can only eat 2 Cookies intstead of 12 ( I know I probably shouldn't be eating cookies at all - but that's dieting to me). I'm terrified that if they take it out, I will regain all of my weight back and I'll be the sad, 248 lb woman I used to be. Who doesn't even have her 3x clothing anymore and can't afford a new wardrobe AGAIN. So, yes, I think I'll have it re-positioned if necessary. I'm hoping they just take out the fluid for a few weeks and we start all over again. It's such a slow process tho. And at $160 each visit and a 6 hr round trip, it's gunna cost a fortune if I have to start all over again.
Why did I do this to myself? Why can't I just learn to eat slower and avoid all the throwing up in the first place?
Marci

Like someone said, the only symptom of a slip that I had was severe reflux at night. So bad! And I could also eat a little more than usual. I'd always heard that if you slipped, you wouldn't be able to keep down anything - not true for all people.
I'm now working on my 2nd slip (confirmed next week). Am I still happy with my band? Absolutely. Do I wish it would quit causing me problems? Absolutely
Good luck!
Marci

I've had my band for almost 3 yrs now and I've lost over 100 lbs (now it's less since I've gained a few lbs back). Most of you have probably read my dilemma on another post somewhere, but I'll re-tell it for those of you who haven't:
After losing 104 lbs and being within 11 lbs of my goal of 135, I began having severe acid reflux at nite (so bad that I had to take 1 rx Nexium, 2 rx Prilosec, and 5 otc Zantacs and sleep propped up on 3 pillows). Still I coughed up stomach acid all nite. I allowed that to go for 4 months, as I was afraid the dr might take out some Fluid and I would never get to goal. After 4 mths, my husband had had it. He demanded that I go in. After an xray confirmed that my band had slipped, the PA took out 1/2 og my 9cc fill and let me rest for 4 weeks. The reflux was gone! Slept like a baby for the first time in months. I could sleep on my side, could snuggle with my husband again. Life was grand - except - I was constantly hungry. It was like before I even had my band. During the 4 weeks tho I only gained about 3 lbs. When I went in to start the refill process, I wasn't given another xray to confirm that it was fixed. I should've demanded it but didn't really even think about it. He put 1cc in. Still slept like a baby, also no restriction. 2 weeks later, he put another 1cc in. Restriciton is finally back! Yeah! After about 3 nites, the severe reflux is also back tho. Along with the nightime reflux is almost constant heartburn during the day. The meds help with the heartburn but not the reflux (and there is a difference between them if you didn't know this!). I happened to be out of state for 2 weeks when it started again so I emailed my RN and she replied with "You need to come in and get unfilled again". Made my appt for Monday Aug 6th. They will take an xray 1st.
What my suggestions to all of you newbies: Watch the PB'ing. I call it vomiting because I wretch just like vomiting, altho it's only the food I'd eaten and not stomach bile with it. After finally getting restriciton after 5 mths and 3 fills, I vomited about 4-6 times a week. I eat too fast (even tho I work on it, I'm far from perfect and it's easier to me to vomit than to learn how to eat slower). I've vomited in parking lots (with my head hanging over the car while in the drivers seat), in the yard, in my bathroom, and many, many public restrooms. It just became normal to me. When I first got my slip, the dr warned me to stop throwing up. When he put the 2nd 1cc in, I threw up my pills that nite. I either reslipped my band from throwing up, or it was never fixed in the first place. I'm working on eating slower, and when a stuck episode does happen, I'm working on suffering thru it and letting it play out. Sometimes I'm miserable for about 20 minutes but at least I'm not throwing up as often. Yes, I said as often. A couple of nites ago, I ate about 1/2 cup of banana pudding. To not let my husband hear me, I took the dog outside to potty. I threw up in the yard. He heard me thru his office window. And I thought I was being so sneaky.
I now have 22 lbs left to my goal. I've gained 11 lbs thru this whole ordeal. And this time, I may not even get an unfill. They may have to go in and reposition it. That's another 4 weeks of a liquid diet. All because I made myself throw up so often because I can't learn to slow down. Do I want another band? I've been seriously thinking about it. But my bmi is now only 26, so I doubt my Medicare will even cover an alternative surgery. I think they have to cover band repositioning if it's caused medical problems. Why can't I just trust in what I've learned over the past almost 3 yrs and get it taken out completely? Because I guess I haven't learned that much. I refuse to diet - that means I eat everything I used to eat, just much, much smaller portions. That's why I love my band so much. I can only eat 2 Cookies intstead of 12 ( I know I probably shouldn't be eating cookies at all - but that's dieting to me). I'm terrified that if they take it out, I will regain all of my weight back and I'll be the sad, 248 lb woman I used to be. Who doesn't even have her 3x clothing anymore and can't afford a new wardrobe AGAIN. So, yes, I think I'll have it re-positioned if necessary. I'm hoping they just take out the fluid for a few weeks and we start all over again. It's such a slow process tho. And at $160 each visit and a 6 hr round trip, it's gunna cost a fortune if I have to start all over again.
Why did I do this to myself? Why can't I just learn to eat slower and avoid all the throwing up in the first place?
Marci

Like someone said, the only symptom of a slip that I had was severe reflux at night. So bad! And I could also eat a little more than usual. I'd always heard that if you slipped, you wouldn't be able to keep down anything - not true for all people.
I'm now working on my 2nd slip (confirmed next week). Am I still happy with my band? Absolutely. Do I wish it would quit causing me problems? Absolutely
Good luck!
Marci

Ive been fat all my life. I married at 21. Lost enuf weight to join the Army, and spent the next 19 yrs in wedded bliss with a guy who could care less how much I weighed. Then he died at 46, 5 yrs ago. Initially I lost 30 lbs (bringing me to 170) butn. Over the next 18 mths I gainedalmost 80 lbs. The thought of being alone for the rest of my life scared me to death. I couldnt imagine putting my profile on the Big Beautiful Women daating site. So, 2 yrs after my husbnad died, I moved from VA to OR, where I didnt know a soul (just wanted to start over so I picked. OR off the map).
I had started lookint at the band before I moved but really started seriuosly considering it after moving. I had my first appt 2 mths after moving. I was banded about 4 mths after moving. About a year later and a loss of about 70 lbs, I started dating. In Dec 2011 I remarried a wonderful man who is so supportive of my band life. He reminds me to slow down when im wolfing my food, is concerned when I have reflux, and encourages me in the dressing room when a pair of 8's actually fit!
Im now down over 100 lbs. I hate to think that I would've never met my husband if I had still been obese. But its true that I didnt even have the courage to meet anyone so fat. I ask him all the time if he would still love me if I gained all the weight back. He tells me yes, but I wouldnt like myself very much. Which is troo.
Also when i bent over to tie my shoes and I was out of breath, that also made my decision!
Good luck with ur decision
Marci

Ive been fat all my life. I married at 21. Lost enuf weight to join the Army, and spent the next 19 yrs in wedded bliss with a guy who could care less how much I weighed. Then he died at 46, 5 yrs ago. Initially I lost 30 lbs (bringing me to 170) butn. Over the next 18 mths I gainedalmost 80 lbs. The thought of being alone for the rest of my life scared me to death. I couldnt imagine putting my profile on the Big Beautiful Women daating site. So, 2 yrs after my husbnad died, I moved from VA to OR, where I didnt know a soul (just wanted to start over so I picked. OR off the map).
I had started lookint at the band before I moved but really started seriuosly considering it after moving. I had my first appt 2 mths after moving. I was banded about 4 mths after moving. About a year later and a loss of about 70 lbs, I started dating. In Dec 2011 I remarried a wonderful man who is so supportive of my band life. He reminds me to slow down when im wolfing my food, is concerned when I have reflux, and encourages me in the dressing room when a pair of 8's actually fit!
Im now down over 100 lbs. I hate to think that I would've never met my husband if I had still been obese. But its true that I didnt even have the courage to meet anyone so fat. I ask him all the time if he would still love me if I gained all the weight back. He tells me yes, but I wouldnt like myself very much. Which is troo.
Also when i bent over to tie my shoes and I was out of breath, that also made my decision!
Good luck with ur decision
Marci

I was very open about it. My mom tried to talk me out of it. Thought I could do it the "old fashioned way" - like she did. If that actually worked for me - I'd have done it the first 100 times I tried! I was a widow at the time (alone) so a significant other wasn't in the picture. Since then, I've married. I've told everyone who will listen, actually! Last week was the first time I showed my new mother in law a before pic of me. She couldn't believe the difference. I'm very proud of that.
Marci

I'm out of state right now and the recipe is on my frig. But I found one online and it's exactly the same:

7 ounces semisweet chocolate
7 ounces butter
6 eggs
3 ounces sugar
4 ounces flour

Directions:


1
Melt chocolate and butter together.


2


Mix half of eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes. Add flour. Then add rest of the eggs.


3


Add egg mix to the melted chocolate mix.


4


Pour mixture in individual ramekin cups.


5


Bake in oven at 390 degrees (200 celsius) for 15-20 minutes.


6


To serve, sprinkle top with powdered sugar and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.


You need to use good quality chocolate (I got some at Trader Joes) and room temp eggs. If you can find a way to do a lower calorie version and taste the same, hats off to you! This turned out just like Carnivals the very first time I made it a couple months ago. Good luck!
Marci

I have a 14cc Realize band. And about 6 mths ago (before my slip and unfill), the PA filled me to 10cc and said I was maxed out. Didn't believe him, as I've heard that the bands hold more than they're sposed to. But when he injected the saline, the syringe pushed against him, like there was too much Fluid in there. He said from now on, it was up to me. My band has done it's job. Unless I lose a ton more weight and make the band too loose that it'll hold more. At the time, I only had 11 lbs to go. After being unfilled because of a slip, I've gained about 8 lbs, so I'm about 19 lbs from goal.
No clue why he gave me a 14cc vs a 10cc. He didn't tell me.
Hope that answered your ?
Marci

About a week for me...
And as long as you brought this up, I can share up a very private little NSV! Last night, the first time in about 9 years, I could see over my belly enough to watch. woo woo!! :-) hehehe... It was like my own little porn movie!

I started gurgling after drinking anything after my 3rd fill - when I hit the green zone. Stopped gurgling about 6 mths later (even tho I've been filled/unfilled several times since then. My husband kinda misses it. Lulled him to sleep! I know I wasnn't too tight. I remembering asking on here about the gurgling and found out it was perfectly normal.
GOOD LUCK
Marci

My mom actually went to the Chefs dinner (where they sit with about 25 others at the Chefs table and tour the galley, learn some of Carnivals dishes, etc) and got the recipe for chocolate Melting Cake. I made it for a poker party a couple mths ago. Turned out fantastic. There's only like 5 ingredients - pretty easy to make. If you want it, I can email it to you!
Marci

About 5 mths ago, I began having bad nightly reflux. I took 2 rx meds and 1 otc med and slept propped up on 33sat pillows. I finally went to my doc and got an xray. I had a slip. The dr took out about half of my 10cc fill and let it rest for 4 wks. He then put in 1cc. I still had no restriction so he added another 1cc. I threw up my pills that nite. I finally had restriction again, the problem is the reflux is also back. Im out of the state right now visiting family, so I emailed my nurse yesterday telling her about my severe reflux. Either the slip was never corrected (I shouldve insisted on another xray before they started filling it) or the pill vomiting slipped it again. I have no clue whats going to happen. Its a 6 hr round trip and $160 for each visit, so I'm hoping they figure it out soon.
So yes, i know how you're feeling. Ive never heard, however, that once you have a slip you're more prone to slips in the future. Ill hafta look into that one.
Good luck
Marci

My mom actually went to the Chefs dinner (where they sit with about 25 others at the Chefs table and tour the galley, learn some of Carnivals dishes, etc) and got the recipe for chocolate Melting Cake. I made it for a poker party a couple mths ago. Turned out fantastic. There's only like 5 ingredients - pretty easy to make. If you want it, I can email it to you!
Marci

I've been on 3 cruises since being banded. The first one was only 4 days. I stayed the same. The 2nd one was 7 days and I lost a lb - cuz I got so seasick I didn't eat very much. The 3rd one (my honeymoon) I gained 4. Not too bad for 24/7 availability of wonderful food. One day they had a chocolate buffet. Everything chocolate. I ate 1 bite of each thing.
Cruises are easy to find healthy food. I think at least. Every morning, we'd do the buffet - I'd eat oatmeal, yogurt, maybe a 1/4 of a bagel. lunch (if we weren't in a port) was usually the buffet also. Whatever special they had that day. And the dining room for dinner was always awesome. And every single nite, I'd have the chocolate melting cake (Carnival Cruise) for dessert. Best thing I've ever eaten.
Can't wait to go on another cruise! You have me dreaming!
Marci

I've been on 3 cruises since being banded. The first one was only 4 days. I stayed the same. The 2nd one was 7 days and I lost a lb - cuz I got so seasick I didn't eat very much. The 3rd one (my honeymoon) I gained 4. Not too bad for 24/7 availability of wonderful food. One day they had a chocolate buffet. Everything chocolate. I ate 1 bite of each thing.
Cruises are easy to find healthy food. I think at least. Every morning, we'd do the buffet - I'd eat oatmeal, yogurt, maybe a 1/4 of a bagel. lunch (if we weren't in a port) was usually the buffet also. Whatever special they had that day. And the dining room for dinner was always awesome. And every single nite, I'd have the chocolate melting cake (Carnival Cruise) for dessert. Best thing I've ever eaten.
Can't wait to go on another cruise! You have me dreaming!
Marci

To be perfectly honest (and I'm sure someone wii talk to me about it), I've never counted anything. Not Protein, calories, carbs, or fat. I know I"m eating much less than before my band cuz I've lost over 100 lbs. I refuse to count anything. I got my band so I wouldn't have to diet anymore. Counting sounds too much like dieting to me.
If I want a cookie, I eat 1 or 2. Dont have to eat a dozen anymore cuz 1 or 2 satisfies me. I eat anything I want (including bread, rice, and pastaa). My eyes are still bigger than my stomach. Evrytime I fill my plate, my husband comments "you'll never eatt all of that!" And he's right. I havent finished a plate of food in over 2her yrs. I still go to buffets too. Its not worth the money tho and I cant bring home my uneaten portion so its not my first choice.
I guess you can say Im truly a rule breaker. I think theres many of us here. Most people just wont admit it. I admit I never did the hang of eating healthy. I still eat fast food, sweets, and processed food. Thank God for my band. It stops me at only a few bites of said food! My husband loves my band too. After he finishes his, he finishes mine. Hes a low car ber tho so hes always complaining that I eat too much junk.
Anyway, to answer your question: I have no idea how many carbs we"re sposed to have everyday. My ears close up when my PA starts talking about what my diet is sposed to consist of! I want to tell him not to waste his time with the lecturing, but I"m too ppolite.
Good luck
Marci

I felt the exact same way over 2 1/2 yrs ago. It took 5 mths and 3 fills for me to get any restriction and start losing. I thought I had failed yet another diet. After my 4 week restrictive diet, I ate whatever and however much I wanted - until my 3rd fill. After the 24 hrs of iquids, I was so excited when I ate 5 bites of chicken breast, 3 bites of a baked potato, and a couple bites of peas - and was so full! My weight loss finally started. It's been almost 3 yrs now and over 100 lbs down.
You WILL do this! You have to have patience. I didn't do much research before my band. Wish I had. I thought I'd wake up after surgery and not ever be hungry again. Wrong. Wish I had read my patient instructions a little better when it said "Be patient. It may take a while to get restricition"
Good luck sweety!
Marci

I felt the exact same way over 2 1/2 yrs ago. It took 5 mths and 3 fills for me to get any restriction and start losing. I thought I had failed yet another diet. After my 4 week restrictive diet, I ate whatever and however much I wanted - until my 3rd fill. After the 24 hrs of iquids, I was so excited when I ate 5 bites of chicken breast, 3 bites of a baked potato, and a couple bites of peas - and was so full! My weight loss finally started. It's been almost 3 yrs now and over 100 lbs down.
You WILL do this! You have to have patience. I didn't do much research before my band. Wish I had. I thought I'd wake up after surgery and not ever be hungry again. Wrong. Wish I had read my patient instructions a little better when it said "Be patient. It may take a while to get restricition"
Good luck sweety!
Marci

Well - today is it. My first bandiversary! In so many ways seems much longer than a year ago - but then again the year flew by - hard to explain! 130+ pounds down in one year. Hard to believe. I am so excited. I did not quite hit my goal yet (to be 135 pounds) but I am darn near it and i know i'll make it soon. Thank you all - you have no idea what this site and your support has done for me since even before surgery. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!

After i was got restriction after my 3rdmom fill, i coasted too. Never counted anything. I ate about just as poorly as I did pre band, just much less. That got me to the first 100 lbs. Havent lost anymore on this current regimen. My band slipped a couple mths ago and had to unfill. Had my 2ndmom fill last week and im starting to feel i n control again. Ive noti ced myeslef havving tow atch my calories in the interim.
Good luck to u
Marci

I'm such a rule breaker. I drink about 2 beers a week. And when I go out to Mexican, I usually have a margarita. I didn't drink for a few months following my surgery, and when I did, I had a glass of wine. Didn't affect me any differently. I would check with your dr too. Enjoy!
Marci