A couple of weeks ago, I posted about having felt like a failure because in the three years since I was banded, I only managed to lose 60 pounds out of the 100 or so I actually needed to lose in order to make goal. (See liquids for a couple of weeks preceding my appointment today at NYU, and the symptoms largely subsided. I also managed to lose about 6 lbs -- a nice bonus, and proof that you CAN lose again after having not lost weight for a period of time.

I had the esophagram this morning, followed by a visit to the office. It turned out that my band hadn't slipped -- but that I was extraordinarily tight. I had suffered needlessly for all that time when all I needed was to get off my lazy ass and go for an adjustment. I was at 6.2cc in a 10cc band. 0.5cc were removed, and the difference is amazing.

It turns out that I am only 5 lbs. above what I was last time I was in the office (June of 2009), and was told that losing should actually be a lot easier now that I'm looser. Sounds contradictory, but it does make sense. I was compensating for my difficulties with eating by ingesting foods and liquids that went down more easily -- and also ate/drank more frequently. Now that I should be having an easier time with food, I should be able to eat more sensibly and, more importantly, keep it down.

I feel like I just dodged a bullet. This was most definitely my lucky day -- St. Paddy's Day!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about having felt like a failure because in the three years since I was banded, I only managed to lose 60 pounds out of the 100 or so I actually needed to lose in order to make goal. (See this thread for the back story.)

I was worried that my band had slipped because for the past few weeks I had been experiencing awful reflux at night, often sliming all over my pillow to the point that I would have to get up and change it more than once. I was also foaming, and was throwing up often. The throwing up went on sporadically for about a year an a half -- since I had last seen my doctor. The reflux, sliming and foaming was a recent occurance, which led me to believe that my band had slipped. So I went on liquids for a couple of weeks preceding my appointment today at NYU, and the symptoms largely subsided. I also managed to lose about 6 lbs -- a nice bonus, and proof that you CAN lose again after having not lost weight for a period of time.

I had the esophagram this morning, followed by a visit to the office. It turned out that my band hadn't slipped -- but that I was extraordinarily tight. I had suffered needlessly for all that time when all I needed was to get off my lazy ass and go for an adjustment. I was at 6.2cc in a 10cc band. 0.5cc were removed, and the difference is amazing.

It turns out that I am only 5 lbs. above what I was last time I was in the office (June of 2009), and was told that losing should actually be a lot easier now that I'm looser. Sounds contradictory, but it does make sense. I was compensating for my difficulties with eating by ingesting foods and liquids that went down more easily -- and also ate/drank more frequently. Now that I should be having an easier time with food, I should be able to eat more sensibly and, more importantly, keep it down.

I feel like I just dodged a bullet. This was most definitely my lucky day -- St. Paddy's Day!

Well, let me congratulate you on your good news, Cheryl Ann! Seriously, that's awesome. I have a worry that my time with my band will come to an early end because of a slip. Or much worse than that, erosion! Eek! Good job also on managing your weight so well. That's almost 2 years with your band out of order. 5 pounds is nothing. Now that you've got a bit of a defill, you'll say goodbye to those 5 and quite a bit more in no time. Congrats again!

You know, I never thought of it that way -- that I have successfully kept weight off -- because I figured the band really does the lion's share of the work. But now that you pointed out that in almost two years of what turned out to be an overfill I'm only 5 lbs. over, I guess I should feel pretty good about it. But still, without the band even that would not have been possible.

Although I would still like to lose a lot more, just having lost what I have is not only weight that I wouldn't have lost without the band (optimally-adjusted or not), but I can't help but think how much heavier I would be above and beyond what I was when I was first banded. The weight just kept on piling on -- there was no leveling off in sight. So to even be what I am now is an incredible thing.

Still, I'm going to go forward and try to continue losing again. And if I feel I need an adjustment again, this time I won't wait so long!

That's great news, Cheryl Ann!

Thanks for sharing the great news, I'm so glad you are okay and all that was needed was an adjustment. You are now back on your way to an amazing journey! Good luck!!

Now I'm finding that the band is too loose; I guess I will need to fine-tune things. It actually makes me nervous, not having enough restriction. Too much is no good, but too little is downright scary to me. The loss of control looms.

I'm glad for you.