I was banded in 2008 at 433 pounds. For the first two years, the band was like magic, and I lost 200 pounds in 2 years very easily. The next 50 pounds came off much more slowly, with a lot more effort and several long plateaus. But I got down to 178 pounds which although still overweight, is not too bad on my 5'9" frame. My weight fluctuated a bit but always stayed below 200 pounds until about a year and a half ago. My acid reflux started getting really bad and even with prescription acid blockers was still causing me trouble every day. The band was no longer taking away that "head hunger" that was so magical in the first years after the band. My weight started creeping up and up, and when I tried loosening my band to deal with the acid reflux, the weight gain comes on even faster. At the moment I have no fill in my band because I wanted to see how I would do without it. Unfortunately, I am not making the right eating choices. And I have fallen off the exercise bandwagon. This morning, when I stepped on the scale, it said 249! I'm upset and depressed. I feel like the band isn't working for me anymore and I don't know what to do. I don't want to gain this weight back.

I'm considering converting to a gastric bypass but would like to give the band one more go. Has anyone had luck getting their band to help them lose weight past the 7+ year mark?

29 minutes ago, SkinnyKathy said:

I am not making the right eating choices.

<snip>

I feel like the band isn't working for me anymore and I don't know what to do.

I think I found your problem. The band is working as designed. You are not maintaining the lifestyle change. No surgery will change that. If you were to have another surgery, you would most likely have another honeymoon phase. But if you do not make the change in your lifestyle, it will only be temporary again.

Well I am over 10 years and I have fought regain.
I do HAVE TO stick to band rules tho.
Protein. Exercise. Water. Repeat ad nauseum
I sometimes have to go back to protein drinks and bars for meals. To get back in the lower eating range...
I agree with maintaining the lifestyle or a second wls will be in vain. Or short lived
Best of luck

Yes, I know that it ultimately boils down to my eating and exercise choices. I lost 250 pounds and kept it off for 8 years so believe me, I've lived it. What I'm saying is that the "tool" that the lap band provided me which helped me achieve that is no longer working. The "tool" being two things: (1) restriction, without unmanageable acid reflux, and (2) cessation of head hunger. #2 went away first, lasted maybe 3 years. #1 lasted until within the last year or so the acid reflux has become such a severe problem that I had to have the restriction taken away to manage the acid reflux.

My question should really be directed at bandsters who have had their bands for 7+ years. Every other long-term bandster I know is also struggling with acid reflux and weight gain. Julie, are you struggling with acid reflux at all? Good suggestions about protein bars. I have maintained my morning tradition of a green protein shake since my surgery up until today so I know I am getting plenty of protein. My biggest problem is evening snacking. I switched to an apple in the evening to keep me full with less calories.

16 hours ago, SkinnyKathy said:

Every other long-term bandster I know is also struggling with acid reflux and weight gain.

You should talk to @bayougirlmrsc I think she is like 10 years out and still kicking ass.

16 hours ago, SkinnyKathy said:

My biggest problem is evening snacking.

You've identified your problem behavior, now you just need to take the steps to correct it. Stay busy late in the evening so that you don't think about eating.

Have you talked to your surgeon? They would be best equipped to handle any weight gain issues. I'm only 1.5 years out so I can't say I've had reflux issues... do you eat small meals? Chew really well? I'd have your band checked for problems like dilation or a slip or erosion. If there's a problem like that the surgeon can probably do a revision, right?

17 hours ago, SkinnyKathy said:

Yes, I know that it ultimately boils down to my eating and exercise choices. I lost 250 pounds and kept it off for 8 years so believe me, I've lived it. What I'm saying is that the "tool" that the lap band provided me which helped me achieve that is no longer working. The "tool" being two things: (1) restriction, without unmanageable acid reflux, and (2) cessation of head hunger. #2 went away first, lasted maybe 3 years. #1 lasted until within the last year or so the acid reflux has become such a severe problem that I had to have the restriction taken away to manage the acid reflux.

My question should really be directed at bandsters who have had their bands for 7+ years. Every other long-term bandster I know is also struggling with acid reflux and weight gain. Julie, are you struggling with acid reflux at all? Good suggestions about Protein Bars. I have maintained my morning tradition of a green Protein Shake since my surgery up until today so I know I am getting plenty of Protein. My biggest problem is evening snacking. I switched to an apple in the evening to keep me full with less calories.

hey kathy.... i had my band for 8.5 years. Unfortunately i got sick with a virus threw up and slipped my band. They tried a complete unfill but it didn't help. So on March 23rd me and my Tina sadly split..... Since i have maintained the way i ate with "tina"... and have been able to keep my weight the same. I know that its up to me to eat the way i know to eat. So, even though i can eat bread rice pasta and other stuff i have stayed away. I figure if i went with out it for 8.5 years.... i don't need it. I have been tempted, but i am holding strong. I know one day ill slip, but hopeful i can get back on track.

My suggestion to you is to start over.... do a two week liquid, 2 week puree, 2 week soft and then set your mind to not eating the things that you didn't eat before.

You can do it.

Keep us posted. !!

It is the very few that are maneuvering with our band

I truly want to know your progress bayou girl

Kathy

Hope the reset with bars and drinks helps. It can be brutal!! Just like at the onset

Thanks, Bayougirlmrsc. It's good to know someone else who has kept the weight off for so long with the band. I'm sorry you had to have yours removed and it sounds like you have a great outlook which I'm sure will help you stay where you are.

Needtorecover, I have changed insurance since my surgery so I am working with a different doctor now, but I have been under the care of a bariatric doctor the whole time. I've been checked for slippage several different times and I'm fine. I do have a bit of erosion but not enough that it is causing these problems. I did have a revision surgery about 5 years ago to correct a leak in the port/tubing. Once I got that fixed my band went back to working like a champ.

Julie, yes it can be brutal! But for me it was not brutal at the onset. This is the hardest it has ever been for me. I'm glad to see other long-term bandsters though that are making it work. That gives me hope that it can be done.

I was thinking about it and the other thing I did religiously in the first few years was log my food intake. So I recently joined loseit.com and am now logging my food intake every day, honestly accounting for every bite. Sometimes its the small nibbles that add up that can sabotage you, so I am committed to being honest and transparent with myself.

17 minutes ago, SkinnyKathy said:

Julie, yes it can be brutal! But for me it was not brutal at the onset. This is the hardest it has ever been for me. I'm glad to see other long-term bandsters though that are making it work. That gives me hope that it can be done.

I was thinking about it and the other thing I did religiously in the first few years was log my food intake. So I recently joined loseit.com and am now logging my food intake every day, honestly accounting for every bite. Sometimes its the small nibbles that add up that can sabotage you, so I am committed to being honest and transparent with myself.

Keeping an honest food journal where you write down everything that goes in your body is so important. I wouldn't be where I am now without it. Good for you for getting back to it!

Good luck!

On 4/13/2017 at 11:43 AM, Julie norton said:

Keep us posted. !!

It is the very few that are maneuvering with our band

I truly want to know your progress bayou girl

Kathy

Hope the reset with bars and drinks helps. It can be brutal!! Just like at the onset

thanks Julie.... it's been almost 4 weeks and im still at the same weight. Knock wood

Great BGirl. I know it can be tough without our tool. If I don't compromise my eating plan when my band is empty. I'm ok. As soon as it is breached. My body asks and begs for more food
In answer to a question. I don't get heartburn much. But I reject the first food of the day very often

Then it gets better