For the first time in two years I have no liquid in my band. Since the beginning I was having difficulty eating ‘real’ food. All I could eat was soft (or slider) foods. And then, in the last 30 days or so, I was having heartburn. So, they took all the liquid out of my band for three months and I’m freaking out that I will gain the 30 lbs. back that I have lost. I need all the support I can get. Can you help me please? Thanks, Jazz

Jazz,

If you've been banded for 2 years and only lost 16 pounds since surgery (based on your ticker...14 of that 30 was preop maybe?) *and* unable to eat real food, there's no doubt that you've been overfilled for a good part of that 2 years. As we all discover, being overfilled does not lead to weight loss because we end up eating higher calorie/carb slider foods. In addition, we can damage our esophagus from too many episodes of urping up stuck food.

I know it's scary to be without a fill but, to be honest, haven't the last 2 years been sort of like you haven't a fill in the sense that you were eating sliders and not really losing weight?

Please don't think I'm insensitive. I spent several months in the same condition with the same results so I really do understand. Just look at this as a rest period and do the best you can with at least making good choices.

.

Thanks ElfiePoo, you're a doll.

I know its hard to be without your fill but this is a great opportunity to relearn healthy eating again with solid food ( since you have had a hard time eating solids for 2 years.

The band is a tool not a magic wand right? This is an example to show someone that we need to work to lose weight not sit and wait for it to fall off.

I hope things go well for you. Stay strong and positive

Elfie said it perfectly.

This may be exactly what you need to be able to get accustomed to veggies and healthy foods again. Once you are properly filled and not overfilled, you will be able to drop weight more effectively.

Stay strong and hang in there. You will do great!

Are you working out? If not I highly reccomend it. It has been key for me in my weightloss journey. I los 107 pounds in about 10 months. When they scale stalled I increased the intensity and the scale started moving again.

Thank you friends. I needed to hear words of encouragement. I'm doing OK so far.

I'm in the same boat....I went for an unfill on last Monday and have been hungry every since. But I have made up my mind to eat healthy food and not overdue it with junk. It's hard but we can do it.

Thanks Mona40, yep we can do it. So far so good. Thanks for the support. You've done so well - it's motivating for me as well.

For the first time in two years I have no liquid in my band. Since the beginning I was having difficulty eating ‘real’ food. All I could eat was soft (or slider) foods. And then, in the last 30 days or so, I was having heartburn. So, they took all the liquid out of my band for three months and I’m freaking out that I will gain the 30 lbs. back that I have lost. I need all the support I can get. Can you help me please? Thanks, Jazz

I have been unfilled for a year and have maintained my weight loss. I count calories. Basically I eat the same Breakfast and lunch and vary dinners a bit. I exercise everyday and vary that, too. The band never worked for me like it does for others. I was hungry when I was at every fill level including being overfilled. The only difference was that I had a few stuck episodes, the last one taking me to the ER and an overnight stay in the hospital. The pain was beyond belief. I will never allow that to happen again. EVER. That is when I got unfilled and that's where I'll stay.

You can do it to. Just accept that you will have to get the most food for the least calories and plan accordingly with healthy foods. Good luck.

I so feel your pain. I have been unfilled since Sept. and have gained 8 pounds. It is a struggle every day. I am fighting with my mind to eat better, but so far I have not won! My old habits have taken over. I want to win this battle.

I have been unfilled for a year and have maintained my weight loss. I count calories. Basically I eat the same Breakfast and lunch and vary dinners a bit. I exercise everyday and vary that, too. The band never worked for me like it does for others. I was hungry when I was at every fill level including being overfilled. The only difference was that I had a few stuck episodes, the last one taking me to the ER and an overnight stay in the hospital. The pain was beyond belief. I will never allow that to happen again. EVER. That is when I got unfilled and that's where I'll stay.

You can do it to. Just accept that you will have to get the most food for the least calories and plan accordingly with healthy foods. Good luck.

I have never had a fill since day one 12/20/08 of being banded. I steadily lost weight, slow but surely and have maintained that if I can go another Dr. appt with no fill, then so be it. I am at goal of 90 pds and my 2nd bandiversary is around the corner. I have maintained for the last year and it is a game of still having a piece of pie now and again, but cutting back on something else to balance it out. I keep going up and down the same two pds and gave up to get another 5 pds off. I guess I will stay at the size 8-10 and just live with where I am and be thrilled that I got this far. I feel great, but over exercised in our yard work so I am taking it easy for a few days. Good luck and keep smiling.

I am right there with you for the next 30 days........I was having problems and went in and I had food backed all the way up into my esaphaogus.......so 30 days no lumps, bumps or chunks......been on for five days and ave lost 4 pounds.........

For the first time in two years I have no liquid in my band. Since the beginning I was having difficulty eating ‘real’ food. All I could eat was soft (or slider) foods. And then, in the last 30 days or so, I was having heartburn. So, they took all the liquid out of my band for three months and I’m freaking out that I will gain the 30 lbs. back that I have lost. I need all the support I can get. Can you help me please? Thanks, Jazz

I am right there with you for the next 30 days....was having issue and went in to find out I had food backed all the way up into my throat and my...... no lumps,bumps or chunks for 30 days....being real creative and after 5 days have lost 4 lbs..........you would be surprised what you can put in a blender and than eat...be strong

Thank you everyone for your support.

How are you doing, Jazz? Are you having to deal with hunger...or are you finding that even with no fill, the band is working.

I used to say that until you had your fills, the band was just a piece of plastic (based on how they talked about how the band worked both here and in my seminar) that didn't do anything. Then I discovered that the reason some people don't need a fill is because the band works by putting pressure on the vagus nerves which in turn shuts off the ghrelin (hunger hormone produced by the stomach) ...and they just happen to be one of the lucky ones who get that pressure with just the band. The rest of us need everything from a slight fill to almost maxing out the band...and some never get enough pressure at all.

.