hokiemama

This post is a couple of years old, but if the document is still available, please send to jenavasmom@gmail.com Thanks!

I have had my band for 5 years and although I didn't get down to my goal weight, I had been around 158-165 for a year (my goal was 140). My band became irritated and tight and I started having a lot of difficulty getting any food down. I was miserable and ended up getting all of my Fluid out, so that my esophagus could heal. That was only a couple of months ago. I am now up to 199!!! It is my fault of course. Once my fluid was out, I was pretty much binging daily. I really am shocked at how much I have gained so FAST though. I finally got 5 ccs of fluid put back in last month. However, I was used to having a lot more than that (8-9 ccs) and the 5 feels like nothing. I went back in yesterday and 1 cc was added. Now that the holidays are over, I have started back with exercise, counting calories, and drinking Water. I am so discouraged though. I was within 20 lbs of my goal weight but now I am 60 lbs away!! I am mad at myself. I know exactly how it happened and how to lose it again, it just SUCKS that I let myself gain the weight back that I said I never would. Good luck to all of those who are starting over again, for the first, second, or tenth time!

Well, although this thread started several months ago, it seems like there are plenty of people who are still in the same boat. I am one of them. I have had my band for 5 years and although I didn't get down to my goal weight, I had been around 158-165 for a year (my goal was 140). My band became irritated and tight and I started having a lot of difficulty getting any food down. I was miserable and ended up getting all of my Fluid out, so that my esophagus could heal. I am now up to 199!!! It is my fault of course. Once my fluid was out, I was pretty much binging daily. I really am shocked at how much I have gained so quickly. I finally got 5 ccs of fluid put back in last month. However, I was used to having a lot more than that (8-9 ccs) and the 5 feels like nothing. I go in again tomorrow for a check up. I hope to get more fluid put in. Now that the holidays are over, I have started back with exercise, counting calories, and drinking Water. I am so discouraged though. I was within 20 lbs of my goal weight but now I am 60 lbs away!! I am mad at myself. I know exactly how it happened and how to lose it again, it just SUCKS that I let myself gain the weight back that I said I never would. Good luck to all of those who are starting over again, for the first, second, or tenth time!

Well, I ended up in the ER yesterday. I couldn't get any fluids down and decided I shouldn't wait. They removed the Fluid from my band. They said I needed to wait 4-6 weeks, then come back and they will look at it under X-ray to see how things look before determining if I can start getting fluid back in.... Fortunately, it gave me instant relief. AND I had NO reflux last night while sleeping. I didn't realize how miserable I was and I was just trying to deal with it. Now, I feel so much better! I have never been so happy to chug water! I will have to be careful over the next couple of months not to binge and gain weight. Thank you for your support!

Thank you @mountaingal. I went to college at VT and grew up about an hour from there. I'm trying to hold off on an appointment a little longer but I couldn't even get coffee down this morning, so if this continues, I will have to go.

This is interesting to me. I have had my band 5 years and have just started having some problems that I haven't had before. I have done okay, although I haven't reached my goal. I gained 15 lbs. in the last 6 months. I had very little restriction in the last several months. For example, I could eat a 6 inch subway sub, in the same amount of time as others that I was with. I called my surgeon and he said I needed to go behavior modification groups. I didn't go. All of the sudden in the last few weeks, my band has gotten very tight. I am waking up with horrible reflux. I am throwing up food if I have more than a couple of bites or if I eat too fast. I had only gotten something stuck 3-4 times in 5 years, but now it has happened daily. Maybe from that irritation, I am now finding it difficult to drink. I waited two hours after eating a small amount of chicken last night, but the Water wouldn't stay down. It took me over an hour to get down a Protein shake today. Part of me is glad that I am not able to eat much at all now, but the fact that liquids are causing reflux and coming up is concerning. I probably need to make an appointment soon.

@@catfish 87 Thank you for your support! That sounds a lot like what I am experiencing. The surgeon who placed my lapband did all fills under Flouroscopy, but he retired and the new doctor does not. So I haven't had the fluoroscopy in 2 years. Behavior Modification group may help me to try to make better choices, but obviously I had surgery because I was an over eater and made bad choices. The band was keeping my portions under control and now it isn't. The nutritionist said I shouldn't rely on the band to control my portions, I should do that. Well, then what's the purpose of the band??? I may look for another doctor because I do not want to gain any more weight. I was less than 20 lbs. from my goal and now I am almost 35 lbs. away from it. I'm going the wrong way... Thanks again for the post. It is helpful to hear what others have gone through.

Well, I just called to schedule an appointment with my doctor and was told that I need to go to the behavior modification groups first and then see how it goes. I know that my head isn't in the mind set that it once was, but I also do not feel like I am getting the help from the band like I used to. But, I agreed to go to the group and see what happens. I know I have to put more effort into it so that I do not gain any more weight. It is just frustrating to feel this way. MissyMH- It sounds like you could use a fill. Just getting stuck on bread and steak is NOT restriction. I had real restriction in the past. That was when I would get full after a few bites of food and not get hungry in between meals... I would probably still get stuck on steak. I also can't take big pills. But that is just the band being there. It isn't doing what it used to do.

I have the loose skin. I think it is because I do very little exercise. My arms and that inside of my thighs are the worst. I hate it. I suggest doing weights and cardio as you continue to lose. That minimizes the hanging skin...

Thank you both. I will make an appointment with my doctor. He has only taken the saline out one time (ever) to check for leaks. I don't even feel like I have a band most of the time.

Okay, so it's been almost 5 years since my lapband surgery. I haven't been on this forum in probably a year. I had been doing pretty well with slow loss but no gain. The last 6 months have been a struggle. I have gained 15 lbs. in the last few months. I can eat a 6 inch subway sub WITH BACON with no problem (an probably more if I wanted to). I have 9 cc in my 10 cc band. I had a fill about 2 months ago because I was over eating and felt like I no longer had restriction. It helped but only for a couple of weeks? I do not eat slow or chew my food as much as I should. I can't chug liquids, but I still feel like something is going on. I remember when 4 bites of food would fill me up. Now, I am back to my pre-surgery portions. I should have the will power to eat less, but obviously I don't and I have relied on the band. I'm not exercising, which is my laziness and I know what I need to do there. I am getting to the maximum level that I can with my band. Has anyone else had this experience? I'm getting frustrated and do not want to gain anymore weight! Help!

I would say at least drink protein shakes. You need to get protein and vitamins for energy and weight loss. Drink water also. I would avoid fruit juice. Empty calories, sugar, and the acid could be irritating your tummy. In my opinion, not having an appetite is a good thing. In my experience, if something is stuck and won't go through, I know within minutes. It hurts until it goes through or comes up. The longest I've had something stuck just hurting, not going up or down is maybe 30-45 minutes. Maybe you have swelling and don't feel hungry. Definately keep your doctor appointment and be honest about what you ate, how much, and how you feel. Again, this is my experience and everyone is different. But do drink protein shakes at least.

Walk, walk, and walk more. This is what my doctor and bariatric coordinator told me. It not only helps with circulation, it helps move all of the gas out, helps to get the fluid moving, helps prevent blood clots, and speeds up healing. Even if you don't feel like it, walk. Even if it's for five-ten minutes then sit for an hour and walk another five-ten minutes. Walk every hour. This was very helpful for me. I am lazy and whiney and when the doctor said this, it made me get myself up to do it. I'm very glad that I did. Of course, any shortness of breath, call the doctor. Always be on safe side if in doubt. But, 2muchfun is right, your body has been through a lot. My doctor had me watch a vidoe of the procedure first. It really is invasive and I was surprised at how much pain I had the first week. But just drink plenty of fluids. Walk. Focus on healing right now. Call the doctor when unsure. There is a lot of good information on here. BUT, do not believe everything you read on the internet.... LOL

For me, the container that I drink out of makes a difference. It may sound silly, but if I drink a regular bottle of water, I tend to drink less. When I put water in a thermas or big cup with a bigger opening, I drink way more. I can't explain why. Maybe taking bigger drinks with a bigger opening. I also put sliced apples and cinnamon sticks in my water. This gives it just a hint of flavor and is "supposed" to help with metabolism and weight loss. I like it, so why not. I don't count ounces, but just like the others, you can tell because you pee constantly (which is annoying) but it makes the pounds come off a little faster! Good luck