Hi,

I had lap band surgery back in April 2007 and lost 130lbs WOO HOO. But in December of last year a fill caused me grief (throwing up a lot) which led to me finding out I had a a herina and a slipped band. My dr fixed my hernia and replaced my lapband with a realize band. He warned me I may gain some weight back as I get adjusted with this new band. Well it has been 5 months and I have gained about 45lbs back. I get a fill each month, yet I'm still able to eat anything and everything. I seem to have the "last meal syndrome" each month . Assuming that the following month's fill will be the "one" when I can't eat much anymore. I have no willpower. If I did, I wouldn't have spent so much money twice to have these surgeries. Last month I got a fill that I thought was it, but in fact it was too much. I started acid reflux at night again and the dr took out .5 (of the 1 cc that I got), so now I can eat anything again. I'm just getting depressed that may this second band won't work for me. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated. If you have had a replacement, I would love to hear your story, but any response is appreciated!@

I'm sorry to hear about this. I can't imagine how frustrating that would be. Have you tried your local lapband support group? My surgeons office has 1 a month and they are really encouraging. Also there is Overeaters Anonymous and Taking Off Pounds Sensibly. Not sure if this is something you'd be interested in but I think a big help is getting support and being around others that are going through this as well. I hope you are able to get back to your sweet spot and start losing again.

I've had two unfills because of acid reflux - one in January and again just last week.......I can now eat just about anything - only just a little. But - I decided to push my band and see how much I can eat (I'm at goal, but still want to lose 5 lbs so I can flex between 5 over or under). I ate too much before going to bed one night and had acid reflux. Didn't do that anymore! I now know my limit.....the point to this is - if you eat too much - tight or not tight - you will have acid reflux. You most likely need that half cc back or at least some of it. Especially if you are only getting acid reflux at night.

You also need to get counseling! I see a physiatrist and have since before I decided to get lapband. I over ate for a reason and if I couldn't do that anymore - what would I replace it with, would I fail to use the band correctly as a tool, or I should I work out why I over ate and learn to overcome it. You need to find a physiatrist who can give you prescription meds and get counseling (whether with a lapband group or one on one). Only then can you overcome this over eating cycle. I see far too many people fail with the lapband because they don't work on the reasons behind the over eating.....

Good luck - I hope you get the help that you need.

I dont know where else to turn. I have a wonderful family support but I know they truly dont understand what Im going through because they dont have the band like I do. I had my surgery in Nov 2010 and have lost only 29 pounds. What I am struggling with is the adjustments. I have had three adjustments but had to go back and have them take some of the Fluid out because I was throwing everything up that I ate. Even now no matter how small or how slow I eat my food I tend to have days that are worse than others. I know that stress effects the tightness of the band and I have had that here lately.

Anyway I wish I never got the band. Im honestly over it! If I had the money at hand I would reverse this surgery in a heartbeat! I go to a counselor weekly to help me with the frustrations and past depression issues but everyday I fight the band. I was educated on how the band worked prior to surgery but the doctor and his staff neglected to mention the bad side effects or how this lap band doesn't work for everyone because honestly you shouldn't be throwing up everyday with this stupid thing....if I wanted to be a bulimic I wouldn't have gotten the surgery!!!. Trust me I know this is a tool and its there to HELP you in losing the weight and you have to work with it....yea blah blah blah...sorry yall im just over it.....and honestly I dont have the option to get it removed sooo I would gladly take any advice:)

I am sorry you have had so much trouble with your band - I have a friend who struggled with hers, too, and had to have some Fluid taken out....what varies from person to person is what affects your band - stress, sickness (like allergies and phlegm), time of the month, dehydration....everything can make a difference. Are you drinking plenty of liquids/water? I know that when I am not drinking enough I find myself tons tighter and throwing up more....so I have to be conscious to get enough Water in, especially in the summertime when I feel tighter anyway. When they took some fluid out did they take just a teeny bit or the whole fill? It sounds like you might need to go the route of itty bitty fills when you get yours - which is what my friend did - in order to avoid the horrid overfill feeling. Also it takes her over a week after the fill to not be miserably tight as she must swell a lot when she gets hers....so she stays on liquids for at least a week.

What types of food are you eating? Certain things give me trouble no matter what...like steak or any types of bread. I tend to stay with what I know will not bother me - tuna salad, shredded BBQ chicken, chili...things I can make up in advance and stock the fridge for the week to take for lunches. I try to eat high Protein so that it keeps me satisfied. I drink a Protein shake every morning - as before about 11am I cannot eat anything solid - that is another thing, mornings most people find they are too tight to eat, too.....

Hang in there - you are in a rough spot, but this is a journey and not a destination...you can get through this! We are here for you!

Hi....

I am so sorry you have had so much trouble. I had my surgery August 31st of 2009, and have had my ups and downs. I am not sure I ever found that "sweet" spot, but have been working around it.

I have had two fills, and the second one was too much. I couldn't keep anything down. The doctor tok some out, and restriction was gone. Now I will have trouble eating about once or twice a week, usually because I didn't chew well enough. I get that awful sliming and just have to get it back up. Most of the time I do okay.

I began trying to lose weight at 424, was down to 380 for my surgery, lost 70 pounds over a year, then put all 70 back on throughout the next year. This past December I started doing Weight Watchers online and lost about 40 pounds. My husband and I separated a few months ago, so I couldn't afford WW anymore and stopped. I am continuing to lose slowly, but it is only because I am walking every single day. I have a horrible hill two mile walk that I do every day, and it has really helped me feel better and more in control of my eating. I still have a long way to go, because I am still 304 pounds, but I feel hopeful that the band, my own willpower, and exercise are the way for me.

Don't give up. I have never had acid reflux, but I hear it is awful. I will be thinking of you and hope to see things going better. Hang in there, girl! :0)

Rebecca

Hi,

I had lap band surgery back in April 2007 and lost 130lbs WOO HOO. But in December of last year a fill caused me grief (throwing up a lot) which led to me finding out I had a a herina and a slipped band. My dr fixed my hernia and replaced my lapband with a realize band. He warned me I may gain some weight back as I get adjusted with this new band. Well it has been 5 months and I have gained about 45lbs back. I get a fill each month, yet I'm still able to eat anything and everything. I seem to have the "last meal syndrome" each month . Assuming that the following month's fill will be the "one" when I can't eat much anymore. I have no willpower. If I did, I wouldn't have spent so much money twice to have these surgeries. Last month I got a fill that I thought was it, but in fact it was too much. I started acid reflux at night again and the dr took out .5 (of the 1 cc that I got), so now I can eat anything again. I'm just getting depressed that may this second band won't work for me. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated. If you have had a replacement, I would love to hear your story, but any response is appreciated!@

Need help getting back on track or you need some support from someone that has had the lapband?? Go ahead and add me on Facebook and see my ongoing journey, I'm a lapbandster myself and i'm going throught this amaizing journey that I dont regret! follow me on www.facebook.com/kfrancolapband