Good4me1313

Yes, I too can feel my port, but only when I over eat. Feels like it is "pulling", can be quite painful.

LOL! Sliming is NOT pretty, but I sure do feel better when it comes up!

Yes, I find it very hard to go out to eat! There are not alot of people I have told about my surgery and I am well over 4 years out. I personally did not feel it was nay of their business. I usually order soup or a baked potato or a grilled veggie appetizer. You will be fine, it does take time and patience with yourself. Good luck!

Yes, it greatly depends on the person....and the pain med you are on. Be safe and best wishes!

When did you have your surgery? If it was fairly recently, it could very well be the gas from surgery to inflate your abdomen. I know I had pain in my left shoulder for weeks but it finally subsided.

I know this thread is old, but here goes. I had an unfill recently due to gaining weight, not eating right and not exercising. Immediately following the unfill, I tried the 5 day pouch test. It has been amazing! Not only have I started feeling some restriction (that I have not felt in a long time) but I have also lost weight. I am stoked. I am supposed to see my surgeon again in about 4 weeks, wondering if I will need a fill? We shall see.

Best wishes Hynita! I am sure you will be just as successful with the sleeve as you have been with the band. As you know it is a lifestyle change and it appears from your weight loss, you have already learned a few things!

Yay for you! It is an amazing feeling to see success and such a motivator to continue! Keep up the good work!

I so totally agree with Mis73. The more you follow your doctors instructions, the more successful you will be. It all about following the "rules" for the band and reaching out for support (not only do I get support here, I also go to support groups at the hospital where I had my surgery. For me, this had made a huge difference). If the pain continues or gets worse, please contact your doctor as soon as possible. It probably is your port though. Good luck!

Yes, head hunger is the worst. Nighttime snacking has been my downfall....

Wow, these are some great suggestions, thanks ladies!

Congratulations to all of us, keep up the good work! Hard at times, but so worth it!

I too was banded in 2009 Pinklily27....February. I fell off the "bandwagon" and am restarting my journey. Think one of the reasons I fell off (just one of many) was that I become too complacent. I need support from others that know what I have been through and going through, so here I am. It is easy to resort to old eating habits, give me an inch and I will take a mile. Go back to basics, follow the rules and reach out for support. I am in the midst of the 5 day pouch test and it is not easy, but hope it will be worth it to get me back in line. Best wishes to all, and Happy 4th of July!

This does sound good, thanks for sharing!

Yes, when I get stuck, I try walking first, then I will PB if necessary. I do not go out to eat very often for this very reason, but truth be told it is my own fault when it happens. When I do go out to eat, I usually order soup or a baked potato or a crab cake, things I know won't get stuck. This is not for the faint of heart!

LOL! No magic, what about a miracle then? I would love to have a tummy tuck ( I think) when I get back where I need to be, just concerned about the whole process and recovery time. May just keep all my old saggy skin! LOL!

I agree with everything that has been said here. i was banded in 2009 and stopped coming here once I had "everything under control". Well, now I am back, stopped following the rules and am having to restart my weight loss journey. What better place to come to get words of encouragement from others who have been there? LOL, it had been so long since I have been on here, I had to ask Alex to reset my password! Best wishes to all!

I have flown many, many times since being banded and have not had one issue at all. I do agree that you should talk to your doctor and get his opinion to ease any fears you may have though. Best wishes!

I agree, I now crave chocolate, never did before my band. For me, I believe there is much truth to "if you eat sweets, you will crave them".

Sliders are very counterproductive to your weight loss. Usually they are loaded with calories (as mentioned above) , and they go down so easily, it is easy to consume a days worth of calories in one sitting. The easiest way to avoid falling into the "slider" black hole is to make sure you eat your protein first to keep you full longer.

The bad days can be very frustrating! Hang in there and do the very best you can. At least you did the right thing by coming here to vent, where others know what you are going through. We bandsters have to stick together! I hope yesterday and today were much better!

one. day. at. a. time. I do really like the reward idea!

Well, IMO it is a way to get back "as one" with your band again. At least I hope I am right with that thought. The last couple of years, I have not been as mindful of my band as I was in the beginning, and fell off the Bandwagon! Here is a link for the 5 day pouch test: 5daypouchtest.com Although I am very hungry right, now I am very excited to be focusing on my band and gettign back to the basics and on the right track again. Yes, you are so right, we have done this before and we will do it again. This was just meant to be a part of our journey!

You and I sound like we are kindered spirits! Right now, I am in Bandster Hell! Banded in 2009, lost 125, and over the last year or so have regained almost 40! I know, I know! Anyway, had a slight unfill on Friday because I was too tight and basically eating nothing but slider foods. I am on my first day of the 5 day pouch test trying to get back on track….I am starving! LOL! Thanks for letting me bend your ear, just trying to get back to the rules and let my band do what it is meant to do.

Thanks for the link GuyMontag, have you tried this before?