May 2007 Banders

[keiko 1]

As others have said it is great to see our '07 group back on the board. I had thought that maybe because I hadn't been "on" for awhile that I was just out of the loop. Glad to have a thread going. We do need the support. So sorry to hear that many have been having problems. I hit a major stop and only seem to be able to move the scale up 2 then down 1, up 1/2, then down 2, then up 3, so basically about the same only at this point have to admit to up 6 from my low for the last year. I have started back exercising and I think that should help, if I just showed more restraint. Ice cream usually always goes down! meats, not so much. I still have the problem with fainting with my vegus nerve when I eat sometimes, so I have to be particularly careful. BUT, I feel so much better than I did for years, and feel blessed to have the band that did help me lose nearly 90lbs. I hope that nothing happens to my band. I don't want to even think about life without it, I would opt for the sleeve for sure. More and more insurances are going to start covering it soon I hope. Good luck to everyone, and let's try to keep in touch!

[keiko 1]

Hi Devera,

Your story sounds very similar to mine. I've been thinking of going back to the doctor for a fill, since I haven't been back in 2 years. I guess I didn't feel that I needed it. I was at a good place and slooooowly losing weight without any work on my part. However, since I have gained 6 pounds back, which I've never done before, I, too, think it's time to get real, face the music, and go back to see the doc.

BTW, I'm so glad this thread has been revived.

Keiko

[jsrico 1]

OK.....so here I am.....looking for a "EAR" or maybe some sympathy or understanding or maybe even some advice from the people I know understand what I go through. So you guys might remember me.....banded in May 2007 at 265 lbs. Got down to 175 lbs by December 2007. I could of lost another 25 lbs.....but I was happy and content and feeling like a million bucks! Well then in October 2008 came baby number 3 (Jordan)....lost some weight but only got down to 220 lbs before baby number 4 was on the way. Well baby Sophia arrived in August 2010. When I delivered I was 271....I had never been that heavy. Well she is 9 months old and I just finished breastfeeding so now I can get back to the band. I didnt want to be selfish and restrict my food when I needed to feed her. So now the truth....I weigh 230!!!!! OMG!!!!!! Well I was totally unfilled when I first got pregnant. So I have NO fill in my band.....but I throw up every day. My husband is soooo frustrated that everytime we eat I run to the bathroom to throw up. My food gets stuck and I am miserable w/ the tightnes in the chest and the cant talk so I have to go stick my finget down my throat......but now because it happens sooo much I have lost my gag reflex so it is really hard to make myself vomit! So I tell him today I need to go get filled so I can start loosing weight again and he says....."Hell you dont eat very much and you throw up all the time....what is a fill gonna do for you"?? I hadnt really thought about it too hard....but why am I so tight when i dont have a fill??? There is also no rhyme or reason for when food goes down fine or when it get stuck....I dont understand. Should I go get a fill...even though I am tight already but not loosing weight? If I get filled I wont be able to eat a bite w/o throwing up. HELP!!!!

Sandra

[cindyluhu 0]

I agree! I haven't been here in years! How is everyone doing? I am going to have to take some time and go back and read some posts. It feels like long lost friends!

[delo 1]

sandra, it sounds like your band has slipped, you need an upper GI, you should call the doc.

[jsrico 1]

Delo......why do you think my band has slipped?? I would think that I wouldnt be able to eat at all. Like yesterday I had eggs for Breakfast and coffee.....I threw up 3 times in the process. Today....2 eggs and coffe and I was fine. Then dinner was rice, Beans, and fajitas....I was fine too. lunch was a salad and I threw up. I dont understand how sometimes I am fine....could that still be slippage??? Would a fluoroscope tell too?

[delo 1]

Delo......why do you think my band has slipped?? I would think that I wouldnt be able to eat at all. Like yesterday I had eggs for breakfast and coffee.....I threw up 3 times in the process. Today....2 eggs and coffe and I was fine. Then dinner was rice, Beans, and fajitas....I was fine too. lunch was a salad and I threw up. I dont understand how sometimes I am fine....could that still be slippage??? Would a fluoroscope tell too?

[delo 1]

Delo......why do you think my band has slipped?? I would think that I wouldnt be able to eat at all. Like yesterday I had eggs for breakfast and coffee.....I threw up 3 times in the process. Today....2 eggs and coffe and I was fine. Then dinner was rice, Beans, and fajitas....I was fine too. lunch was a salad and I threw up. I dont understand how sometimes I am fine....could that still be slippage??? Would a fluoroscope tell too?

Sandra, I just know something's not right there and that's what happened to me, along with some reflux and I had an upper GI to confirm it, now I'm waiting to see if it went back in to place after doc took out all the Fluid. Another upper GI in June, if it went back I'll get a fill for sure, I need it. I just think something's going on with your band and it needs to be checked out. Hope it's fine for you though. Let us know how you're doing. People are having better luck with the sleeve now. Not sure though. I just hope my band goes back in to place cause I need it.

[jsrico 1]

So I went to the doctor...had a fluorscope.....all was fine. My band is still not filled (EMPTY,EMPTY,EMPTY), but I am still tight?? Now...OMG...I burp all the time.....eating, not eating, asleep, awake, driving, talking! You name it.....I used to think that it was a silent internal burp that no one could hear....but NOOOOO, I am so embarressed! My husband and kids are like MOMMMMMM or Honey! What is that? How do I make it go away???

HELP

[GonnaBfree 0]

HI

I was banded in 2007 also. doesn't seem to be alot of bandsters from our era active anymore.

I'm looking for people who have had the band and maybe are out of touch with it.

I never had "great" success with the weight loss, but have managed to keep my weight down. This for me is a success. I am still down 46 pounds. But I'm back on bp medicine and now take cholesteroal med. I'm pre-diabetic and am finally getting around again to do something about it.

Before I keep going, I want to be sure i'm not just talking to myself. so if there is anyone that can relate. Let me know.

[Tamjpjb 1]

OK.....so here I am.....looking for a "EAR" or maybe some sympathy or understanding or maybe even some advice from the people I know understand what I go through. So you guys might remember me.....banded in May 2007 at 265 lbs. Got down to 175 lbs by December 2007. I could of lost another 25 lbs.....but I was happy and content and feeling like a million bucks! Well then in October 2008 came baby number 3 (Jordan)....lost some weight but only got down to 220 lbs before baby number 4 was on the way. Well baby Sophia arrived in August 2010. When I delivered I was 271....I had never been that heavy. Well she is 9 months old and I just finished breastfeeding so now I can get back to the band. I didnt want to be selfish and restrict my food when I needed to feed her. So now the truth....I weigh 230!!!!! OMG!!!!!! Well I was totally unfilled when I first got pregnant. So I have NO fill in my band.....but I throw up every day. My husband is soooo frustrated that everytime we eat I run to the bathroom to throw up. My food gets stuck and I am miserable w/ the tightnes in the chest and the cant talk so I have to go stick my finget down my throat......but now because it happens sooo much I have lost my gag reflex so it is really hard to make myself vomit! So I tell him today I need to go get filled so I can start loosing weight again and he says....."Hell you dont eat very much and you throw up all the time....what is a fill gonna do for you"?? I hadnt really thought about it too hard....but why am I so tight when i dont have a fill??? There is also no rhyme or reason for when food goes down fine or when it get stuck....I dont understand. Should I go get a fill...even though I am tight already but not loosing weight? If I get filled I wont be able to eat a bite w/o throwing up. HELP!!!!

Sandra

My doctor had told me that scar tissue builds up over time and that in itself will add to the restriction.

tami

[Tamjpjb 1]

Before I keep going, I want to be sure i'm not just talking to myself. so if there is anyone that can relate. Let me know.

You are not talking to yourself. I have become out of touch with mine as well. I have been gaining weight, have restriction on and off, throw up on and off and have heartburn constantly`taking medication daily for that.

Not sure if I need a fill or unfill at this point.

[keiko 1]

Hi everyone, I've been reading everyone's comments and wanted to give you an update. I did go to my doctor, who told me I should see him once a year for a checkup on my band. I, too, thought I had somehow "lost" Fluid in my band, and that was why I was able to eat more and slowly putting weight on. Had an upper GI (right in his office) and it turned out my band hadn't slipped but I had developed a "bulge" above the band that was allowing me to eat more. Needless to say that was not good. He did a total unfill in October and has slowly added some restriction back. I am now 1/2 filled. I'm supposed to see him at the end of January for an update on my weight loss. With the holidays I've not been doing too well. It seems as though I can still eat more than before. I'll let everyone know my update after I see him. At least I'm relieved to know that my band didn't slip. BTW, when I was completely unfilled I hated it! I felt I could eat the world, and didn't like that uncontrolled feeling. But yet, I was still hungry and wanted to eat so I wouldn't be hungry any more. GAD, HOW HORRIBLE. I hope I never have to have my band removed. I would definitely try to get a sleeve. Keiko

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[NimbleBean 2]

Hey All,

I've been to three Weight Watchers meetings. First week - starting weight - was so hard. But, after my first full week I lost 2 lbs, and at the end of the 2nd week - 2.2 more pounds gone! I think that the band problems I had in April last year were really the jump start that I needed. I was completely unfilled then, started building up fills and have had a powerful re-commitment to my own health. Now, the band and I are working together and Weight Watchers has been a real plus in getting the numbers moving again.

Hope all of my May '07 friends are doing well and that 2012 is filled with good health and happiness for us all!

NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

[Devera 1]

Proud of you for getting back on track, it is hard! I have been "inching" up or pounding up to be more accurate, and not happy. I lost my support group when I moved from my surgery area. I know that is a contributing factor. BUT, I also know I have to take responsibility. I think Weight Watchers is a good program and that is what my husband AND myself need to do. Keep us posted. I am hopeful that maybe getting back at least to the support of this website I can get back on track, and hopefully others of us as well. Let's here from you ALL! Successes and those like us that are still working at it. WE CAN DO THIS!!!