I never thought this would happen. It happened.

Yesterday I almost fainted at work - left, was instructed by my doctor and was told to go to the ER - my pulse was out of this world and I was just ... ick. I was dehydrated. Explained that my band was probably too tight, I haven't been able to keep much down. My ER here locally couldn't help so they sent me about three hours away to Wichita Falls to a doctor there.

First let me say: DR. WARNOCK YOU ROCK THE HOUSE! I loved this doctor and although he took all the Fluid out of my band, I loved this doctor and the whole experience. I have never felt more... encouraged... than I did when I met with him and left his office.

So - no fill, just me and the band hanging out - he wants to see me again in about 4 weeks and we'll do an x-ray and such at that time to see if band placement is an issue or if we can begin filling my band again slowly.

I feel good about this. Didn't think I would, but I do. So - here's the plan, I'll get up tomorrow, excercise with these fantastic new vibram five finger shoes and get to work with my feet on the ground, head held high and a reminder that I'm making this body my own... because it was mine (not the food's) all along!

Yay! You go Girl. You can do it. I will be the 1sst to tell you an empty band is scary, but with exercise and self control, you can do it. Goodluck. Karen

I have also had some hiccups on the road to my goal.....

They had thought my port had flipped over, had to go for a special xray exam to have an xray guided fill... turned out the port was fine.

That was a few months ago.

Now, i have just recovered from have a port revision (old port taken out and new port put in) due to a large infection.

As much as this can be discouraging, you have to think of it as just a hiccup, and you will be back to new in no time! I'm 2 weeks post op, back to eating normal again, and back to work tomorrow!!

I feel the same as you... now that i'm feeling better, i can make better decisions and have a better outlook!

Good luck to you and I hope there are no other 'hiccups' along your road!!

I just had the fluid taken out of my band today too. It is a bit scary, but I've set my mind to watching what I eat and working out. I plan on having a weight loss on my next visit in 2-3 weeks! WE CAN DO THIS!

I too am deflated. I am struggling...I committed to myself to switch my eating to be more protein based as I've got carb cravings. I don't go for a fill until July 18th and I've been empty since April. I'n at that point where 4 lbs have crept back, but I can knock those back off on my own with focus, determination, right eating and exercise.

Thanks, everyone. It is scary when you have to get a total unfill. Today I watched my intake of food very carefully. I noticed two things. First, my stomach growled today. That hasn't happened in 2+ years. I wish someone could have filmed my facial reaction - I'm sure it was priceless. Second, I drank more Water today than I have in a very long time. When I felt hungry, I drank more water. I could never drink quickly - especially in the past few months - so today's water was a treat in many ways.

My beautiful 19-year-old daughter made a homemade apple pie. I took one small bite and thought, this is good, but a size 16 would be so much better.

Onward and upward!

I know what you mean about the hunger pains. I felt my first one yesterday in a year and a half. My doctor warned me that I would be hungry between meals, but I could control what I put in my mouth. I go back to the doctor in 2-3 weeks. I am setting a personal goal to have lost 5 pounds by then.

Let's all support each other during this trying time! Good luck to all of you!

I agree, Bobbi. I'm curious if any of you use myfitnesspal? I used it a lot before the band and I've started to use it faithfully now that I need to really watch what I'm putting in my body. It's a great accountability system.

Yes, I am on myfitnesspal with the same user name LapBandBobbi