Hi everyone, just wanted to drop in before I go to sleep and get the ball rolling. My surgery (Realize Band) was performed by Dr. Jeffery Hannon in Mobile, AL, January 2009. My story might be depressing to some of you just starting out, but the good news is that I'm here right now, taking the proverbial "bull by the horns", right!?

Four months post-op, I was doing great! I had lost almost 60lbs and was going to be fitted for wedding gowns, and then life just laughed and said "oh, how cute!"-- I found out I was pregnant and Dr. H immediately had me come in to have a complete unfill. My son was born in February of 2010 and I had put on 35 of the 60lbs that I'd lost. This is really a long story but what ended up happening is that I had an adjustment near the end of 2010 (back to my previous "sweet spot"), and was not able to swallow anything-- not even liquids. I live too far to be able to rush back in for an unfill, so I dealt with the pain, vomiting, and discomfort for about 2 weeks. By the time I was able to get back in to see doc, I was swollen and had to have yet another complete unfill. A month or so later, I lost my job, and me being a self-pay patient, was unable to afford the out-of-pocket expense for any fills. I am still without cc's and without any restriction whatsoever. I'm back up to 245 and I'm fed up.

On the bright side (there always IS one, you know), I now have a decent position making a decent income, and can now afford my fills. Yippee! And I am ABSOLUTELY going in Wednesday for a fill, no funny stuff this time. I'm not leaving that room until I know I am at a comfortable starting level. I MUST do this, and I feel it in my bones (how ironic) that now is the time. I'm more ready now than I was when I first got the happy mask on the operating table.

Please, PLEASE, tell me someone else has filled these shoes before and has had to start over? Lie, even?

I haven't been there, but I can tell you that you are AWESOME for getting your booty back in the saddle again! We are here or you and keep posting so we can keep cheering you on!

"**** happens" But you are getting back up.. don't let it get you down.. and you do seem determined!! go girl! you'll do it! and I have read a few people recently going through the same thing and starting over!! Good Luck mamas!

Hi I have had this happen twice but mine was due to my port breaking I have now had it replaced twice the second time was only 3 weeks ago! I have had my band 7 years and both times it was not working I gained 10kg (22 pounds) the first time I was working out and eating right so I was disappointed to see I was gaining weight this last time really got me down and a bit depressed I cried in the Drs office but it's all fixed now and I'm back on track to getting the weight off I have already lost 3.9kg in two weeks so yes you can start again! You know what to do this time so go get em!! Best of luck

Life does happen, so glad things swinging back in your favor.

You'll do great! Keep us posted!

WOW! Thank you guys for the support. I am excited to get filled Wednesday, My husband made pulled pork for supper and I'm finding it very difficult to resist not eating as much as I want to, but I know that soon I won't have to worry about that. I'm staying strong. Tomorrow it's all liquids. I'm going in with an empty stomach, and not cheating-- I have normally gone to lunch after leaving from my adjustments. I know. That's terrible. Which is why I'm in the position I'm in, I'm sure. Haha-- here's to cracking down and holding myself accountable for my own health and happiness.

Your inspiration is that cutie pie in tge photo with you. Best of luck.

starting nova,

I was banded in 07, did very well for a year. I don't remember how much I lost. But, as they say so often, s&it happened, my mental health plummeted downward and I stopped adhering to the band rules. I had a complete unfill in 08. I lived the last 4 years as if I had no band, and I essentially gave up.

At the end of summer, this year, I had an epiphany. I know, sounds cheesey, but I did. I found an awesome therapist who helped/is helping me with all my mental garbage and food addiction. So, I decided that I wanted to live! I care now. Like you, this time around is completely different for me. I'm like a newbie sometimes, veteran other times. I had about a two week battle with this addiction since I went back to my surgeon, but my posse and some select people here on LBT helped me through it. I can now hold my head high, because I lived and I learned and I changed.

The first time around in 07, I was changing my food intake. This time I am changing that AND my lifestyle. It's truly amazing how I see things now, with new eyes.

I have a 10cc band that has a 1/2 cc in it, so basically nothing. But I eat as if I had more cc's. It's hard to keep from eating more food than I'm allowed, but I'm doing it for the most part, and I'm proud! My WLS clinic wants to take the fills slowly. I'll get to a good place with my band eventually.

So....You're not the only one who was banded several years ago and came back to do it over, the right way!

I have faith in you. I welcome you back to banded living. I welcome you to LBT.