"Worst slip I've ever seen" - Dr.

[Ejones2 0]

I was banded in 2010 weighing in at 285lbs at 19yrs old. I've had an incredible journey and at one point I was half my size! Now seven years later I've still managed to keep off over 100 pounds with only one fill and zero follow ups with my surgeon who is now retired. Over the years I did have times where I would be really sick with heartburn and unable to keep foods down. I also fell back into old habits like drinking with meals, having carbonation, and over eating.

Yesterday (Aug. 15, 2017) I visited a new surgeon in my area for a general consultation and adjustment since I haven't been losing weight. Before he does adjustments he has his patients do a barium swallow, which I guess is good practice, but I have never done one, not even after my surgery which this new doctor found to be odd. It didn't take more than a second for the doctor and radiologist to see that my band has severely slipped. He described it as a stage/level 4 slip and said it's the worst slip he's ever seen (images included with post). Thankfully I'm young and healthy and I don't need immediate surgery since I'm not experiencing any side effects of the slip but I could at any time.

So my band needs to be removed and I'm heartbroken. I know that the band is just a tool and only controls the volume of food I can consume, but I don't know what life will be like with a full stomach. I'm terrified of regaining my weight. Unfortunately healthy foods don't make up most of my diet and I love sugar and have a tendency to emotionally eat. I'm looking for support for a good foundation after my removal.

After removal how did you monitor your eating? Did you immediately regain weight? Did you do a barium swallow after your initial placement? Did any of you lose contact /have your surgeon retire and then have complications and wonder if it was due to their malpractice?

[JTHmom 32]

16 hours ago, Ejones2 said:

I was banded in 2010 weighing in at 285lbs at 19yrs old. I've had an incredible journey and at one point I was half my size! Now seven years later I've still managed to keep off over 100 pounds with only one fill and zero follow ups with my surgeon who is now retired. Over the years I did have times where I would be really sick with heartburn and unable to keep foods down. I also fell back into old habits like drinking with meals, having carbonation, and over eating.

Yesterday (Aug. 15, 2017) I visited a new surgeon in my area for a general consultation and adjustment since I haven't been losing weight. Before he does adjustments he has his patients do a barium swallow, which I guess is good practice, but I have never done one, not even after my surgery which this new doctor found to be odd. It didn't take more than a second for the doctor and radiologist to see that my band has severely slipped. He described it as a stage/level 4 slip and said it's the worst slip he's ever seen (images included with post). Thankfully I'm young and healthy and I don't need immediate surgery since I'm not experiencing any side effects of the slip but I could at any time.

So my band needs to be removed and I'm heartbroken. I know that the band is just a tool and only controls the volume of food I can consume, but I don't know what life will be like with a full stomach. I'm terrified of regaining my weight. Unfortunately healthy foods don't make up most of my diet and I love sugar and have a tendency to emotionally eat. I'm looking for support for a good foundation after my removal.

After removal how did you monitor your eating? Did you immediately regain weight? Did you do a barium swallow after your initial placement? Did any of you lose contact /have your surgeon retire and then have complications and wonder if it was due to their malpractice?

[JTHmom 32]

I was banded in 2006 had my band removed last month due to the last year having horrible acid reflux that caused ulcers in my throat and stomach i went for my check up and have gained 2 pounds which isn't to bad so I'm looking into weight watchers to see how I do as I know I need a tool so if I can't keep weight off ill look at getting sleeved . I was devastated losing my band. I also have a few friends who have had their bands slip its not uncommon

[finding_a_healthy_way 12]

Hi EJones2

I' probably quite late into coming into this conversation, have you had it removed already? How are you finding it?

I had my band removed 2 years and 1month ago. I sustained a number of band problems prior to having it removed due to the fact that the surgeon over filled the band and I also got ill causing me to be sick a lot. This then meant I had a band slippage and it caused me ongoing esophageal damage and damage to my pouch including a pronounced area of my abdomen and inability, eventually, to eat without severe pain. When I went into A&E, they had to call my surgeon who came the next day. It was actually supposed to be corrective surgery but he decided to take it out.

This was really hard for me as I'm sure you are anticipating for yourself. I very much needed the band and was not finished losing weight!

After the procedure I was sore and was on liquids for about 8 days before moving to mushy foods, very small portions and eating regularly as you might when you had the band. Due to the soreness going back to the gym was not possible for about 6 weeks so I just went on really long walks each day, sometimes two or three hours a day so that weight gain would not happen to fast.

Most of all i just want to reassure you that everything will be okay, and I hope you are able to get your health back after removal. It's a scary thought going without the crutch of the band to prop yourself up, and undoubtedly weight gain will happen over time (I think I've gained 25(ish) pounds since) but I've learned there is more to life than deprivation and being thin and in control. Try to do the things you enjoy, get outside and be in the company of others. It all helps, it's going to be okay. Best wishes and I hope all goes well,

Bryony

[kmartin234 0]

Finding a Healthy Way -- that's the answer. It took me many, many years of dieting and the Band to realize that. I mentioned in an earlier post that I found Bright Line Eating on line in June 2016. This way of life has been my savior. The goal is to live happy, thin and free, free from the burden of food controlling your life. I'm still not at my goal weight (20 pounds to go) but I have experienced the freedom. It's wonderful. It's not easy. Good luck. I'm getting my band out the 25th of Sept. and I can't wait. It has been the worst thing I've ever done to lose weight. Can't be good over a lifetime. My surgeon says that's all she does is remove these things (after all she did was put them in, go figure?)

Kathy

[Nancy MBGC 90]

Has anyone mentioned to you the idea of getting the sleeve done? A girl in my nutrition class had problems with her band, and was transitioning to the sleeve.

[kmartin234 0]

Finding a healthy way -- following up to my surgery for band removal on the 25th at Emory Hospital, Atlanta. All went well. Other than a little nausea from the anesthesia, there was no marked discomfort. It felt like I had been doing some ab crunches for a couple days. Took a little Tylenol and Advil for a couple days and was good t go. I can't tell you how grateful I am to eat my 14 oz of vegetables at night now (just once!). Eating has become a pure pleasure again. Now that I have Bright Line Eating (been doing this now for 15 months) and I know how to eat, how much to eat, what to eat and when, my life is on tract. Other than planning my meals, food no longer plagues my life. I can enjoy the good foods on my plan and know that it is enough and I will continue to lose weight without regurgitation and dread. I wish others could find this peace without drastic measures like surgery. I had to learn the hard way. Don't we all have to find our own way?!