2008 Lap bander fight

[dlmyvette 12]

I was banded in 2008. Weighed in at 223lbs, by 2010 I was down to 162lbs. Didn't make goal, but was feeling great and very happy with the loss I had so far. In 2011 I was pregnant with my first child and up to 174lbs a gain of 12lbs, my pregnancy went well, I gained close to 20lbs and lost it in 2 weeks after giving birth. Suddenly without warning my band got so tight I had reflux and could not get much food in. I decided an adjustment was in order and I had my band adjusted (unfill) I thought I was doing great and felt happy that I had lost the baby weight. Slowly I started gaining weight again. It was tough and it didn't seem like I had control over my eating, the band or anything else. 1.5 years after giving birth I had gained 23lbs and felt that something needed to be done. I went to the doctor and adjusted my band once again (filled). Did not see much improvement. But began to get reflux, stuck episodes and feeling sick all the time. Once again needed an adjustment to take Fluid out. 5.5 years out of Lapband surgery I finally feel it's time to go back to basics. Would like the help of other lap banders old and new.

[catfish87 3,471]

@@dlmyvette

I'm not sure if you're aware, but this is posted in the Gastric Bypass forum?

Maybe @@Alex Brecher can help relocating it to the lapband forum?

I'm also coming up on 5 years post op (lap band) and I'm always interested in long term band topics.

My question is: When you go to get adjustments, does your fill Dr/PA/whomever do your adjustments using fluoroscopy?

You said something that really caught my attention "It was tough and it didn't seem like I had control over my eating".....

I think most all of us on this forum have experienced this at some point....thats why we're here to begin with. For me, only when I get my band at correct adjustment, does the band provide that control. I can't do it by myself either. And it's a small tweak here or there that really makes a big difference!

[dlmyvette 12]

When I go for adjustment 99% of the time it's from a PA and no fluoroscopy is done, just add liquid or take out liquid. I hate to say this, but I've given up on adjustments at this point. I'm a self-pay lapbander and this has cost me BIG TIME. I'm really happy to have my lapband and do not regret it, I'd do it all over again. Maybe instead I would've done the sleeve, the lapband is so unpredictable, one day it's fine, days later very tight, it's just too unpredictable.

You are so right a small tweak here or there can really make a difference. For me I've resigned myself to use my tool properly and start over again. I really think that's what I need to do. I'm excited that I am following the rules again, going back to what I did when I first got my band and how careful I was. I'm doing that again starting today and recommitting myself to using the tool the right way and stop making excuses. I think the level I'm at is just fine, I still have the potential of getting stuck and having an episode, so I think my level is ok, I just have to get back to basics.

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

Moving to correct forum.