Getting back on the "band" wagon

Maryam · September 13, 2008

Hello there,

My name is Maryam. I was banded in August of 2004. In my first year I dropped about 70 pounds. It was amazing. I was doing everything I should by the book, and I felt great. I was thankful and for the first time I felt like I had everything in control. A year into my journey, I had to deal with something I had never dealt with before. My best friend passed away from a drunk driver. I had seen this girl just about everyday for 4 years. From living in the same dorm, to same apartment building, we always stayed close. She was also a big part of my weight loss. She always helped coach me on working out and always cheered my on. She was an amazing friend. Up until the week before she passed away I had lost about 70 lbs. Once she passed away, it seemed like everything had stopped. It started with not being able to get anything down at all. It felt as if my band would not let anything down, at times I could not even get liquids down. After a month and a half of this mess, you would think I would have at least dropped a few pounds, but nothing. I was so upset. Then out of no where, with out getting fills or anything, I started to get serious reflux. In the middle of the night I would wake up to loads of acid and saliva draining from my noise and mouth. I felt like I was drowning in my own pool. This was happening every night. After 3 weeks of trying to sleep sitting up do if anything was going to come out it would only come from my mouth, I went to the doctor and they told me they needed to take some liquid out. I didn't understand what was going on. After they took some out, the problem persisted. I had to go back and they took more out. The reflux died down a bit and I was able to start eating. At this point I really did start eating. I was taking 18 hours of classes that semester and working 40 hours a week. And I didn't deal with my emotions of loosing a best friend and the stress eating started. I graduated later that year and moved with my fiancé to San Antonio. As we worked and planned away, I continued to eat. At first I didn't realize I was gaining weight. I was eating a lot more cause there was not much restriction, but I was so distracted I didn't even pay attention. I knew I had gained a little bit of weight when I went dress shopping for the big day, but I was convinced I would get it back off. But I never did, the weight just continued to creep up and a few months before the wedding, I had my bridal portraits done, I realized I had gained about 47 pounds back from the 70 I lost. I knew I had gained weight. I would randomly have to buy new pants here and there, but I was in straight denial, and just distracted with all that was going on. After the wedding died down, we moved to Dallas, and getting settled with a new home and job, I went to my general doctor. I had been avoiding this just for the simple fact I did not want to weigh myself. I dealt with a terrible sinus infection for a month with out going to the doctor, just to not stand on that scale and to face the truth. When I gave in and went, I was devastated. I realized I had gained about 55 pounds. I was only 15 pounds away from my started weight before surgery. After how hard I worked to get it off, how great I felt from doing it, and all that gone and back to a size stretchy 18. As soon as I left his office I called my Lapband doctor. I needed to do something. I did some soul searching and I got back to the point that I was 4 years ago when I went in for the surgery. I thought about all the time and money and effort I put into getting this band. I need to take advantage of the privilege of having this band in me. So many people get denied and would do anything to get the band. And here I am not utilizing it. After a Barium Swallow to make sure everything was ok my doctor gave me a fill yesterday. It seems like everything is going well so far. I had no trouble with reflux while sleeping. And I am very hopeful. I decided to join this group for inspiration and motivation. I want to do it right. I want to wear my size 10 NON-stretchy jeans again...

Hopeful...:wink_smile:

MyTurn · September 13, 2008

What a touching story. A loss such as yours would be hard to get past.

I'm happy that you see an opportunity in front of you and your ready to grab it up. Keep posting! It helps keep you grounded in reality.

Shinyhappymommy · September 13, 2008

Maryam,

Big hugs to you! What a road you've been down. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend and sorry for the loss of your momentum on the weight loss path. But at the same time, I'm so happy for you that you've come to the place you are in--ready to do what you need to again. Hey, at least you don't have to have surgery again, go through the post-op diet, etc. You're already ahead of the game. :wink_smile:

Good luck with everything and please come here for support. It's a great place to be.

Melissa

Maryam · September 13, 2008

Thank you for the sweet message!

Mrsace13 · September 13, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss as well. I love my best friend with all my heart and if anything every happend to her I would be so lost. {{Hugs to you}}

I had that question before, I have not been banded yet however was wondering how that worked. So you were able to gain the weight back because you were not getting your fills? And now that you are ready to get back on track, you just start getting fills and it is like starting over?

Good luck to you!!

prissypotz · September 13, 2008

Kudos to you! Unfortunately with a loss like that and so many other things going on in your life, your body can shut down and work against you. I am proud of you for moving forward with your weightloss. This site has helped me a lot. Take care and good luck!

Maryam · September 13, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss as well. I love my best friend with all my heart and if anything every happend to her I would be so lost. {{Hugs to you}}
I had that question before, I have not been banded yet however was wondering how that worked. So you were able to gain the weight back because you were not getting your fills? And now that you are ready to get back on track, you just start getting fills and it is like starting over?

Good luck to you!!

Thank you. Yea, I started to gain the weight because I did not have much liquid in my band, so I was able to eat food easily and larger portions because there was not that much restriction. Old habits die hard. With out the restriction and focus I had before when I was filled tighter, I was able to eat more. And with out feeling the restriction, I didn't pay attention to my portions as much. It’s different when you are filled and you feel the pain from the band when you over eat. Now they tightened my band up, I feel that restriction I forget about and am eating a lot smaller. I am on liquids and soft foods for a week till I get adjusted. Good luck with the upcoming surgery. Its an exciting path to go down.

excarolinagirl · September 13, 2008

I am very sorry for the loss of your best friend. I really admire you for going down this path a second time. I''m just beginning this process and have been encouraged by the good information and support from the website. Good luck to you.

tcbeau · September 14, 2008

Hey, so sorry for your loss and your gain. I see you are in the Dallas area and there is a lap band conference october 3-5 at the Wyndham hotel in Irving. That might be just the thing for some extra inspiration. I will be flying out there from Ft. lauderdale, FL.