NYdad

Well, I've been on my band journey since 2010, I have had success with the band. It has been a constant fight and so many frustrations. Recently after my most recent unfill due to what the dr said was a prolapse I was under the impression I was going to have it removed and converted to a sleeve. We did the swallow study and after this he suggested to refill the band again because everything looked good. I was happy and sad at the same time. Of course happy because I really wasn't looking forward to having surgery. Sad because I knew I was going to spend the next 5 months slowly refilling. I have now gotten 3 refills and I am at 8cc out of a 14cc band. My happy place has always been around 10cc. I of course gained 30 pounds and feel like a complete failure and none of my clothes fit. If you are reading this and you are contemplating band over sleeve, all I can say is what I have experienced. I started my journey at 306 pounds and I managed to get my weight to 198. I worked extremely hard and I worked out and ate fanatically to make this work. After 6 years, I am tired. I am exhausted. I hope to make my way back to 198 again. I am not sure if I have the will power to get their again but I will try. If you aren't willing to work with the band and constantly have it tuned in I don't suggest it. I was looking forward to the sleeve conversion but now that I know it's me and my old friend... Here we go, back at it.

Honestly, I don't have enough sick time to cover the revision. Plus I really do love my band. It's a strange thing to say but I really have grown to love and depend on it. I'm pretty sure other bandsters that have had success would understand what I mean.

Buffalo general

I am currently waiting for my appointment with my surgeon. My band has slipped and has to come out. The band has worked for me however it has been a constant work in progress. I've had so many adjustments and 1 prior prolapse which was a complete unfill and slowly refill. In short.... The band is a lot of work and I can't help but think the life expectancy of the band isn't so good. Every time I went to the dr the office staff were always surprised that I've had the success I've had and that I still had it as long as I had. The recommendation from my Dr is a sleeve conversion.

And a big thank you Alex for a personal response from the founder of this great support group!

Hello, I am hoping some of you can help me get an understanding about recovery time. I originally had my Lap band surgery in sept 2010. I have had great success although I have worked very hard to make it a success. I exercise regularly and had constant fill and unfill when needed. Long story short I went to the Dr yesterday because It was feeling right and he said it has to come out. Prolapse for the 2nd time. He is recommending a sleeve conversion. I am all for the this however, Due to a recent family illness involving my son, I exhausted most of my sick/vacation time. I cannot afford to go out for much more than 2-3 weeks. Is it possible to return to work that soon. I have a job which requires short periods of walking and standing. I do get plenty of opportunities to sit at my desk for extended periods of time. My Dr. says I will be out 4-6 weeks. I know we need to follow Dr's orders but I also need to support my family. Thanks for taking time to respond...

Thanks for the responses, my current weight is 230. 201 pounds was my best weight. Thanks again

thanks everyone. I will have to see about FMLA. so disappointed that my band is leaving... thanks again

???? I am in the same situation. I found out yesterday my band has to come out.

I have read and heard so many negtive things about the lap band, All I can say to anyone reading this is that It was the best decision Ive ever made. Yes It took some serious life adjustments and the "getting to know each other" period was rough. I stayed dedicated to making this band work. If you read my old post you will know this hasnt always been an easy road. In the beginning I thought I needed to have this band so tight that i couldnt eat anything, well 3 years later and I'm much happier having it somewhat loose. yes I can eat more than some would like but I am controlling my weight through diet and exercise. Its my comfort knowing that If I fall off the wagon and weight starts coming back I can have my band tightened up. Thanks to the assistance to the band I have lost 105 pounds. I started this at 310 pounds and currently weigh 199-205 depending on the week. at first that fluctuation freaked me out but I've learned to accept it. honestly some weeks I work out harder then others. This summer I completed the tough mudder course which was 12 miles of obstacles and running. 3 years ago I could only dream of doing something like this. My band experience- the band works if you listen to your body, put in the additional effort and dont over tighten it. If you get the band and stay on the couch and live the same lifestyle as you did pre-band, You will likely be dissapointed with your outcome. just some extra info to ponder....(you may disagree with this, but it works for me) just one example of one day... excercise for 1 hour each day 5-6 days a week. 530am Running- 1-2 miles each day. weight lifting- 2-3 days each week. dailey protien shake after work out. Breakfast 8am...1 cup of light yogurt with granola added in to help thicken it up. snack....10am hand full of raw unsalted almonds lunch....12noon healthy choice frozen meal 9-11 oz meal snack....2pm handful of grapes or cheese stick dinner... 6pm 10-12oz dinner- chicken or beef or fish and vegetables. I drink dailey- 1 gallon of water-(or more)

sounds to me like you are too tight. I have been to my doctors office so many times to get this thing adjusted that were on a first name basis. I know what you are describing is exactly how i felt when it was too tight. I mean I was good at 10cc then 10.5 was too much. I have a 14 cc band and I started at 306. I am currently 220 pounds. hope this helps

well I'm almost 16 months post op and I'm still at it. I have a tough time losing more weight but I did manage to make it to 215 pounds now. My goal is around 200 pounds. Its been a ton of work, I run 2-3 miles each day and now added weight lifting. Believe it or not the adding of weight lifting has transformed so many different parts of my body and also bumped started the extra 6 pound weight lose. I've started to firm up the flabby areas. I manage4d to run my first 8k on thanks giving. That was the first time I ever ran 5 miles. I did it though. never stopped once. For anybody who here the comment "you took the easy way out", tell them oh yeah, lets go to the gym and maybe a little run, We'll show them how easy this is. For those of you wondering about my eating and exercise, here is an example of my day. Breakfast- 1 cup of either yougurt with granola or 1 cup of plain oatmeal with a teaspoon of peanutbutter or 4 hard boiled eggs minus the yolks. the key for me is 1 cup of what ever I have. no larger... snack- hand full of nuts any fruit-apple, orand, pear what ever. just small amount. Lunch- can of Tuna and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese or 6 oz checken breast, steak or fish with 1/2 cup of vegetables. Snack- same as earlier snack Dinner- Pretty much the same as lunch for me. My portions are always the same. I personally still have protien shakes every day after I work out. I blend my Vitamins up in it as well. I usually work out for 30- 90 minutes each day. I focus on cardio- running. I also lift weights but not really to extreme. hope this is informative to someone.

16 months here. was banded 9-28-10

I eat very high protein. I also drink 1 protien shake a day. My goal is 125 grams of protien each day. Usually 25-30 grams of protein everytime i eat. Its important to follow a nutritionist instructions when it comes to intake. This may not be the amount you want or need, depending on your activity levels. As far as your 3oz of solid protien- Are you hungry all day? After you eat are you full? My portion sizes are what my doctor recommends. I see so many different amounts posted on here. I can only speak for what works for me. I found a very informative banded member on youtube. maybe check her out. she has hundreds of videos from food preperation to her serving size... go to youtube and search for banded wendy

yeah, I am filled, I have 10cc in my 14cc band. I used to be worried that I was eating to much but after talking with my doctor and weighing and measuring my food, he is ok with this amount. basically its a cup of food, I bought the 1 cup storage containers and use these for work and such. I cant tell you that what i do is right for you. key is listen to your surgeon. Goodluck to ya and feel free to ask me any questions.

well I'm almost 16 months post op and I'm still at it. I have a tough time losing more weight but I did manage to make it to 215 pounds now. My goal is around 200 pounds. Its been a ton of work, I run 2-3 miles each day and now added weight lifting. Believe it or not the adding of weight lifting has transformed so many different parts of my body and also bumped started the extra 6 pound weight lose. I've started to firm up the flabby areas. I manage4d to run my first 8k on thanks giving. That was the first time I ever ran 5 miles. I did it though. never stopped once. For anybody who here the comment "you took the easy way out", tell them oh yeah, lets go to the gym and maybe a little run, We'll show them how easy this is.

Yep, same problem that I had. complete unfill and it took 4 months to get back up to a good fill. In the mean time I gained weight and ate just like I did prior to banding. Be thankful everything is ok and this is just a little set back. I know exactly how you feel. Honestly, I am thankful I had the problem. It giave me so much more respect for the band and now I pay closer attention to not screwing this thing up. I used to think PB and vomiting was ok and just normal. now I do everything possible to make sure I dont vomit or PB. Everything will be fine. I hope this helps.

Ok, new problem I have recently been having. I eat a high protein diet and very little junk food and recently I have had a few bouts with gout. Atleast thats what I believe it is. I went to my doc and he looked at and said to take antiinflamatory meds and call him if it persist. well its been around a month and i still have pain in my big toe joint. I really hate going to the docs so I have been managing it on my own. Is it likely that my weight loss caould be causing gout? I exercise everyday, drink plenty of water and have a pretty balanced diet. Any thoughts or ideas from people who have dealt with gout would be appreciated. thanks

First thing I'm wondering is how big is your band and how much fluid is in it? I have a 14cc band and never really felt the satisfied feeling until I had around 10.5 cc in it. It took me a long time and a lot of adjustments to get to the correct point. I generally try to eat everything the right way. Of course I have periods of time where I fail at that. I know for a fact that if I eat heavy healthy- protein rich foods- chicken, beef, or fish I eat around 9-14 oz for that entire meal. now if I eat garbage- slippery greasy food I can eat a lot. From my own experience I had to be filled properly before the band made a difference. Talk to your doc and tell them your concerns. You might need adjustments.

I ate a hotdog for dinner tonight. After having this band for over a year I'm ok with it. Eat a hot dog if you want one for crying out loud. You mean thats more dense than chicken? Healthy choice? no...gonna hurt your band? I say absolutely not.

I was very open about it. If I could start over, I dont think I would have been so open.I just get sick of the conversation piece always being about the surgery and being watched when I eat. People assume you will eat a bite of chicken and then be full and if you eat more then (they) expected sometimes they comment..."wow you can still eat alot".... really 14 oz of food is alot? really? I also hate, that I am busting my butt working out, running,lifting, and I have had over weight friends-co workers refer to the band as the easy way out.... EASY WAY OUT? WHAT? I've never worked so hard in my life! For me personally.... I would keep a low profile.

afraid so, not a fun place to be.