Ok, I don't know if there's already a thread like this but I know for one thing that I would like to band together (pun intended) with those of us who have had our bands for over 3 years and have gotten complacent.

I've always had it easy when it comes to maintaining, but now have a small slip and a leak, and very little restriction, so have decided to recommit to the bandster lifestyle to try to ensure that my weight is maintained.

Whatever your motivations for recommiting to the bandster lifestyle, you're welcomed to join me here.

So here's me:

• Banded Aug 2008
  
• Lost 85lbs
  
• now have a small slip and a leak, and no restriction, and found I could eat more
  
• As a result, I gained 5lbs in a month, pulled myself up, returned to eating well and exercising and have lost it.
  
• Looking to maintain and redevelop good eating and exercise habits.
  

I seem to be motivated best by being part of a support group, and I think it's fair, when I'm not trying to lose, but to maintain, to keep that separate from those who are trying to find the right mindset for the first time. I'm trying to reconnect with the mindset that helped me lose in the first place, so I think that's a different kettle of fish.

So, who's with me?

Good to hear cocoabean! Some days I have to be real careful and other days not so much and my band seems looser at night.

Good to hear cocoabean! Some days I have to be real careful and other days not so much and my band seems looser at night.

Mine varies, also. But this was very strange. I am still going to go talk to my surgeon about it. Because it was very tight for about 5 weeks or so. Of course, I do like that I am down a couple of pounds!

That is good news Denise.

I am going back to my Dr tomorrow. I am hoping that I don't have a slip and that he will put some fill back in. With only 2ml it feels almost like it did preband although I don't think I am eating as much as I did then. The temptation to eat things I shouldn't be is very high especially as it was my daughters birthday on Friday .

So, I jinxed myself. I got stuck last night.

That's not good.

Saw my Dr this afternoon, he was happy that everything is fine with the band. He said that normally after an episode like this they will let it rest for about 4 weeks before refilling but after I told him I was thinking of eating 1 of my horses he decided that to put 2ml back in should be OK. I have an appointment to see him again in 4 weeks but I will see how I go, if I can avoid having to pay for an appointment I will.

Hey all,

I've been busy, been reading but not posting.

Nothing much to report here. I hear about restriction and tightness from some of you and I'm like 'I can't even remember what that's like!'. I have 5.5cc in and I have some 'tightness' if I eat rice too fast but aside from that, still not a heck of a lot.

I've still got swelling issues from the port revision, and my belly seems to go up and down with no reason. I've got another appt with my surgeon on Friday and I'm hoping for some reassurance and another fill, because frustration for me is starting to peak. I am really struggling with food and hunger at the moment and I really hate it. And with the swelling, exercising is difficult so it means my scales are starting to creep up, and that's always depressing. It's only 2-3lbs but it feels like a slippery slope to me. I'm not eating much compared to other people but more than I usually eat, and I'm not exercising, and this is the result. Sigh.

Ok gonna take my grumpy self off back to work now...

What did your Dr say, is everything OK?

Just back (omg at the 90 min wait) and I still have a fair bit of Fluid around my port site. Normal, he says, it'll take a while to settle. If I develop a fever or am in pain, then come back. But it's likely Alien Baby Belly will be around for a little bit yet.

He also asked about the last fill of 0.5cc and I said it had done nearly nothing, so he decided to go aggressively with this fill and pushed in 5cc (taking me to 10.5cc) then backed it off until I couldn't feel the tightness in my chest anymore. So it ended up being 8.5cc in total.

I'm feeling it alright. I have lost all hunger and am struggling a little with Clear Liquids at the moment but I hope that will settle in the next day or so if I really baby it. If not I have another appt next Friday and he'll take some out then.

I was banded 1/08. I lost ~125, then lost full, gained a bunch back, had revision surgery 10/09. I got back to a total loss of 110 then got preggers. Had an unfilled and gained most all back. My baby is 13 mos and I finally got a fill again this week. So now I'm down about 60 from original and 100 to get to goal. Exercise....just keeping the faith...that's me

did you get your fill yet??? hope u are on the road to losing again!!! congratson your baby!!!

That's not good.

Saw my Dr this afternoon, he was happy that everything is fine with the band. He said that normally after an episode like this they will let it rest for about 4 weeks before refilling but after I told him I was thinking of eating 1 of my horses he decided that to put 2ml back in should be OK. I have an appointment to see him again in 4 weeks but I will see how I go, if I can avoid having to pay for an appointment I will.

Glad your well :-))

Just back (omg at the 90 min wait) and I still have a fair bit of Fluid around my port site. Normal, he says, it'll take a while to settle. If I develop a fever or am in pain, then come back. But it's likely Alien Baby Belly will be around for a little bit yet.

He also asked about the last fill of 0.5cc and I said it had done nearly nothing, so he decided to go aggressively with this fill and pushed in 5cc (taking me to 10.5cc) then backed it off until I couldn't feel the tightness in my chest anymore. So it ended up being 8.5cc in total.

I'm feeling it alright. I have lost all hunger and am struggling a little with Clear Liquids at the moment but I hope that will settle in the next day or so if I really baby it. If not I have another appt next Friday and he'll take some out then.

hope your at your sweet spot again!

I'm doing ok with only 3cc in my band. I am losing the weight I gained over the winter. Slowly but thats ok....no different then ususal I have been getting acid refux shooting up into my mouth randomly. (GROSS i know). I have NEVER had this before only tightness in my throat. its strange that when i get an unfill this happends. maybe it comes up easier because my band is not so tight?????? my doc said to call if reflux gets worse they will drain band completely & get upper GI sooner. guess i will call tomorrow. hope you are all well!

Heidib,

that reflux is odd. I think the idea of investigating it might be a good one. Just to rule out anything.

So glad I saw this and I am not the only one out there struggling!!!!! I was banded October 2007 .Lost about 75lbs . + 5 -5 . I gotta get my act together.

Got on the scales this morning and I am up to 51.5kg. That probably has something to do with all the chocolate, biscuits and other junk I have been consuming lately.

I decided I have to get this under control NOW before it gets out of hand. Step no 1 ignore the Cookies in the cookie jar - tick. Step no 2 have a sensible , calorie controlled, high Protein , quick and easy Breakfast - tick. Had a celebrity slim shake at approx 7.30am.

Problem. 8.30am and I am STARVING. Trying to decide what to eat that will not set me off on a morning of binging as there is no way I was going to be able to make it until lunchtime. Decided to have some yogurt.

My band at the moment feels like it is doing NOTHING. I have noticed that I am unwittingly eating faster. I was finished at the same time or before the rest of the family at dinner last night, OK I had a smaller portion but that is still not good. I have always been a fast eater and it seems without any restriction I still am. I only go back to see my Dr in about 3 weeks. How do I keep this under control until then? Should I be doing liquids, or low carb or just eating lots of bulky foods like fruit and veg? I'm confused - I haven't had to diet for 3 years and now that it looks like I need to I am finding it just as confusing as ever.

Suggestions appreciated.

elcee,

I feel you, sweetness. That's what it was like for me since I got the leak. Even now, even though I'm apparently losing, I'm hungry in the morning. I was hungry this morning. I had breakfast. I don't get hungry when I'm in the green zone, let alone in the mornings.

The thing that worked for me (and kept the weight off for the most part) in the time when I wasn't restricted was heavy Protein. So steaks, chicken breasts, pork, prawns. Fish and chicken thighs and eggs went through fast and next thing I knew, I was snacking.

I had oats for breakfast coz it kept me relatively full for fair period of time while not adding too many cals. Nice low GI diet.

I don't see Nottle for 3 weeks too and I will be very surprised if I lose anything between now and then. The funny thing is, I have restriction but it's just not enough. But because I lost, he refused to put more fill in on Friday. Frustrating!

So we can brave these next three weeks together, what say you?