meandtheboys

Good luck!! I'm getting re-banded this Friday (had a slip and had to have my band removed for 6 mos!) and I'm so excited!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

My suggestion is to just look forward and picture yourself living a healthier life! I was one of the posters in the removal section. I had a major slip and had my band removed in May. After having some tests, I found out that I have healed well and am going to have the band replaced next week.I never thought I'd be so excited for surgery but I am. The band was the best gift I've ever given myself (or the best gift from my insurance co) and I bet that in a few months, you will feel the same. Good luck!!!

So very sorry for your loss.My thoughts are with you.

Spartan and cactusmom, thanks so much for your posts and kind words.in my head I know I can succeed without the band, but emotionally I feel lost without it. The odd thing is that I still feel slight restriction - I think my stomach is still healing. I'm still avoiding bread and pasta - things that didn't agree with my band. I also believe that eliminating these things from my diet significantly helped my weight loss. I've had some steak, which I didn't eat with my band and even had mcdonalds.but now, I feel like I've gotten it out of my system and realize I wasn't missing much except beating myself up afterwards - why did I eat that? I'm a failure! I'll always be fat, blah blah blah. I realize that I didn't have those thoughts at all with my band. But I'm tracking weight watchers points, at least for a part of the day and I went back to the gym today after about a 3 week hiatus.it felt great to do my run/walk routine,though a lot less running but I'll get back to where I was. I'm thinking more positive about not having another wls, but we'll see. Thanks again for your support. It really means a lot! Best, Loryn

My band recently slipped and I had to have it removed. I agree with the previous posters - if you can keep down fluids, that's a good sign. What the docs first told me was that my stomach could have been iritated from vomiting so they suggested all liquids for a few days to let the inflamation go away. In my case it didn't help, but I hope it helps you. But you should trust your own instincts and call the dr asap if something doesn't feel right.Good luck!!

Thanks, Dodger. I'm glad things worked out for her. I have a lot of thinking to do in the next few months so we'll see what happens. And I want to be clear that my Dr. Was great - he did everything he could to save my band. He was very responsive and acted quickly when he suspected a problem. LadyinBlack, I wish you a lot of success and I'm excited for you. I still think the band is a tremendous tool and I wish you so much success.

Dear friends, I'm writing to let you know that I had a band slip and to share my story with you all. I was banded on 1/27/10. I had great success on the band. I haven't had a fill at all and lost over 60 pounds in less than 4 months! I was thrilled with the band and was excited about the decision i had made for myself. I exercised - started the Couch to 5K program and was feeling better than i have in years. I did have some PB'ing and occasional vomiting from eating something that didn't agree with my band, but i didn't think it was out of the ordinary. The first week of May, my family was hit with a stomach bug. we all suffered through the vomiting and diarreah for a few days, but mine didn't seem to get any better. I kept vomiting for several days - several times a day. I thought the bug was just hanging on with me a little longer. After about a week and losing over 10 pounds, i was excited by the loss, but I knew something wasn't right. I wasn't able to eat anything but i thought my band was just a little tight. I went to my surgeon on Tuesday (5.11.10) because I was concerned. He thought that b/c i had been sick, my stomach was irritated and a few days or a week on liquids i should be fine. I was scheduled to go back in a week. listening to my body and my own instincts, I went back to the Dr. on Thursday (5.13) not being able to hold down food or liquids. I couldn't go through the weekend feeling so bad. I had lost 5 pounds in 2 days and was dehydrated. The dr. decided to give me some iv fluids and have an xray. The xray showed the band was tilted, but he wasn't sure of the slippage. After a fluroscopy (sp?), we realized nothing was moving through the band at all and realized there was major slippage. the Dr. said that he'd have to go in to reposition the band and i'd likely be fine. i had emergency surgery that night, and it turned out the band, and cord leading to the port were in pretty bad shape and had to be removed completely. i was totally shocked since i thought it was repairable. My dr. suggested waiting 3-6 mos if i wanted it replaced, and i'm leaning towards non surgical weight loss options. I'm scared to be bandless. so much went into making the decision to get the band, the approval process, surgery and adjusting to a new way of life, and i had great success. but now i've got to come up with plan b! totally unexpected, but totally possible. I'm recovering well and will go back to work tomorrow. I wanted to share my story not to discouarge anyone from getting a band, but because i want those considering the band to be aware of what could happen, though it's pretty rare. Though I'm now bandless, if I could have had it put back in while in surgery, i would have. I would also continue highly recommend the band to anyone. I was a weird case and maybe it just wasn't the right tool for me, but it IS the right tool for so many. Feel free to ask me any questions at all. Good luck to all of you on this adventure in bandland. I wish you good health and happiness! Loryn

I was banded on 1/27/10 and have lost 50 lbs and I have the same thing. The first month or so I was freezing all the time! Its not as bad as I was but my body temp is out of whack.I live in NC and its 92 today. Maybe another advantage of the band is that my electric bill will decrease b/c I don't have to keep the AC so low this summer :bored:! Good luck! Loryn

I've found that post band,my menstrual cycle wreaks havoc on how my body tolerates foods that I eat all the time.At least I think that's it.Good luck!Loryn

I had surgery on Wed and went back to work on Tuesday. I was tired, but I have a desk job where I sit in my office most of the day. I was sore, but it was fine. I think work really helped me keep my mind off of food. Good luck!!

Great post - enjoy that slushie. You are right that it is a HUGE relief to know that you can only eat so much. I find it libertating in a strange way. You will be amazed how you can create band-friendly versions of just about anything you love! You're well on your way and I wish you the very best! Loryn

I agree with the pp's - you just get used to not drinking w/ meals. My doc advises waiting 30 mins after meals before anything. It usually isn't a problem for Breakfast or lunch during the week b/c I'm at work. I only ever really watch the clock after dinner. I. Usually volunteer to wash the dishes (my DH loves that) b/c it makes the time pass and I always feel better if I move around after I eat a meal. I have a desk job for the most part. I had surgery on a Wed and went back to work on Tuesday to a busy 12 hour day ( I normally work 8 hour days). I was tired and still sore but it was manageable.it helped to get out of the house to stop thinking about food so much! Good luck!

50 lbs in 3 mos sounds completely opposite to anything I've ever heard. My docs advice was any loss in the first 6 weeks was a bonus and that that time was for healing. . That seems consistent with what I've read here.if your doc is arguing with you maybe you can find a new doc? You don't deserve that!!

Very well said colorado! I'm in shock when I read that people didn't know about bandster hell, or what doctors don't tell them about recovery and post op details. Those dr's shouldn't be able to perform the surgery.. If you are contemplating surgery, reasearch ON YOUR OWN as much as possible, ask a lot of questions - even if you think it sounds stupid, and if for any reason you don't get an answer that directly answers your question or you don't think you can live with, find anothe dr or don't go through with the surgery. Think long and hard before you go under the knife because it is not something to take lightly NOR is it a quick fix to years of being overweight. I've found most of the things I've read on this site to be relatively accurate and similar to my experience. I suggest you take all of the good and the bad comments to heart and make the best decision for yourself! Good luck to all!

I think you've asked a very logical and important question. For me, the band doesn't take away the desire to emotionally eat, more importantly, but it does take away my ability to do it without suffering very uncomfortable physical consequences.I was banded on 1.27.10 and while its only been 3 months, my relationship with food has changed. While I still allow myself to have treats, many days, like today, I have to force myself to eat because I know my body needs the protein. So I feel like I'm eating to get stronger and healthier vs. trying to eat away my feelings. I hope this makes sense. I've lost 48 pounds and haven't felt this good about myself in a very long time. That is my true motivation to keep focused. Good luck to you on your journey!!