Short and Chunky

I had my band 3 years when it slipped and had to be removed via emergency surgery. I had it taken out on Friday and went back to work on Wednesday. Very easy surgery. I had a new band put in 6 months later and I can't tell I have a band...it is not helping me one bit. I see the doctor next week. I really want this band to work but I just don't know. Good luck and hope you feel better soon. Melinda in Florida

I got my first band in July 2012..we got along great. I lost 120 pounds and felt like a million bucks..then the slip happened in April, 2014. Thought I was going to die. I was rushed to the ER in an Ambulance- vomiting blood and unable to hold down spit. My band was removed via emergency surgery. for the next 6 months I tried to be good but not happening. Gained 40 pounds..The doctor said he could put the band back in and he did December 2014. Since then, I have gained another 20 pounds. I have had 3 adjustments and one "super fill"..well, you wouldn't know it. I can (and do) eat anything I want and a lot of it. I feel like a PIG. My clothes are too tight and I am miserable. I wonder if I even have a band in place. now to top it off I have developed "mystery pains". joints, muscles, back and even my hands.. I wonder if my body is saying get this "alien baby" out of me. The doctor had talked about RNY but I was scared and I had enjoyed such success with the band I never gave it a thought. DUMB I should have listened to my inner self. My insurance would not approve a sleeve. Well, here I am, 7 months post-op and miserable. I don't know where to turn. If they take the band out, I know my insurance would never approve RNY now. I am not sure another fill is the answer either. If I do have a band in the correct place. too tight would mean another slip and I sure don't want to go through that again. Anyone out there had this issue and what did you do about it. I am 63 years old..5'2" presently 211 pounds. I used to walk daily and completed a 15K this past February (9.3 miles). Today, all I do is SIT. I tried to walk today and went about a mile. Now I am in pain again. This is nuts. I was in excellent health just a few months ago. What is going on? I have had blood work, but no answers there. I don't know if they are looking in the right place. Please give me your 2 cents. I have always trusted this site to give me good advice and I really need it now. Thanks: Short and Chunky (Melinda in Florida)

Terrydumont - that sounds awful. So sorry for that experience. I know the pain you are talking about and how scared you were. A slip is no joke and something that should be dealt with ASAP. You may not die, but boy do you think you will. The doctor told me that I could have actually "killed" my stomach with the restricted blood flow. So glad you are doing better. I didn't blame by band either and I don't blame it now, I think this is a case of the doctor not "listening" to the patient and/or the patient not being totally clear as to a situation. Melinda in Florida

Thanks guys for your posts. I felt so alone in this. Lisa I will ask for a barium swallow. I have had them before and they do say so much. Frustration is such an awful thing and it only leads to more issues. I hope to see the doctor within the next few days to get some answers and get back in the saddle once again. I want the old, skinnier, healthier me back. I felt so much better - but I also know that I have to dig deep and find my old "will power" too...that appears to have taken quite a beating. I'll keep you all posted on what he says. Thanks again for the support - you all know what it means! Melinda in Florida

Hawazenf - the doc said he could not reposition the band due to scar tissue that had formed. He said it forms very quickly but it can heal. I BEGGED him not to take the band out. I was still begging as I went under for the surgery. He said he had no choice and that my stomach could have died..if he had not removed the band. When he went in the 2nd time, he said there was still some scar tissue present (no way to check prior to surgery - I asked) but that it had improved enough to put a new band back in place. I am just so thankful to have my band back - you have no idea..even knowing how sick I was and how close I came to dying - it was still something I felt strongly about and I had the support of family and friends. Now, of course, the rest is up to me. Melinda in Florida

Good luck to you all. I had my band 3 1/2 years, lost 124 pounds and was doing great until my doctor moved and I had to get a new doc. In no time, my band was overfilled. It slipped. The reflux, night coughs and rapid weight loss..it was crazy until April, 2014 when I began vomiting blood, could not sit or lay down, horrible pain - I thought I was going to die - rushed via ambulance to the ER. I could not even sip Water. After a total unfill (a different surgeon - #3 in the mix), cat scan and complete bed rest for twelve hours, the band had to be removed as it was restricting the blood supply to my stomach. For the next 6 months, I went without my band - I felt OK, but was ravenous when it came to food. OUT OF CONTROL was an understatement. I gained 50 pounds in less than 6 months. I went from a size 8 to a size 14/16 and climbing. Fortunately, I was continuously seeing the #3 surgeon and he saw my struggle. December 29, 2014 - he put my band back in (secured a different way I think) and I feel fantastic. So glad to have my little reminder back. I have lost 20 pounds in the weeks since surgery and doing great. No fills yet and don't really think I need one yet. We did discuss doing RNY - but I weighed 208 and he doctor thought I would lose too much weight and that could cause a whole bunch of issues (I am 5'2" and 63 years old). So, we went with the band again. I am so happy. I walk every day 3-4 miles and my portion sizes of food is back to the way they should be. Have I eaten a "no no" - sure - we all do from time to time, but now I know it will only be one cookie and not the whole bag..one or two chips and not the whole case..Good luck with whatever your decision is and whatever the results but I for one am so glad to have my band back. It is part of me. I plan on taking this part of me when I leave this life. I will be so careful. As for the cause of the slippage - the doctor says he has no idea...sometimes, they just slip. He did say he did not think it was anything I did to make it slip - that was a good thing. The journey continues.... Melinda in Florida

I got my band in July 2011..it slipped April 2014 and was removed. It was put back in December 2014. Originally, I lost 124 pounds - gained 50+ back upon removed and now have lost 20 since it was put back in. I feel fantastic. I am sorry your band slipped. You need to ask your doctor why he thought it slipped and if he is anchoring it a different way this time. My did. I am so glad I had my re-done. I feel great and so glad to be losing weight again rather than gaining. Good Luck...

Well, It has been awhile..In April, 2014 - my beloved band was removed under emergency surgery due to a nasty slip..By December of 2014 - I had managed to regain 50 pounds. Not a welcome sight. Nothing fit. I got rid of all my fat clothes. I was no longer a cute little size 8. I was a sloppy, ugly 14/16 and still gaining. I was angry with myself and that made me eat more. I had continued to see my surgeon and he knew I was very unhappy. We tired everything, pills, support groups, WW (again) - everything. I just couldn't stop gaining much less lose weight. FINALLY...he asked if I wanted to have WLS again. I almost kissed the poor man...You bet... What type WLS?????? Well, the sleeve was Out as my insurance would not pay for it. My doc said he really didn't like RNY for me as I was 208 pounds and he was afraid I would be horribly thin in just a matter of months and that could be dangerous. He asked if I wanted to try the lapband again. I jumped for joy and said ABSOLUTELY. He did say, that he may not be able to put it back and would not know until surgery - due to scar tissue that he saw when he took my other band out. If he could not do the band, I would have to wait another 6-8 weeks and he would do RNY. He submitted the paperwork to my insurance company and they said YES in only 5 days..I guess they agreed. So, on 12/29, I went to surgery. The doctor was able to put the band back in and I feel fantastic. I am down 20 pounds and dropping (with no fills yet). I am walking 3-4 miles every day. My eating is once again controlled and I am back in a 12 - look out 8s - here I come again. I know there is a lot of "band haters" out there. They feel the sleeve or RNY is the ONLY WAY TO GO..but they have to understand, not everyone is 300-400 pounds..some of us need help who are 200 pounds...the sleeve and RNY just aren't for us. So, I have once again began my Journey...Thank you all for the support you gave me during my firsts Journey but most of all when my band slipped. I was very scared and very sick. I am just thankful that I have so much family support (my kids are great cheerleaders and my grandkids too) but also a great surgeon who listened to me and was willing to help me out. Have a great week and take care of yourselves....

So sorry you chaps are having a problem with your bands. I had a band slippage in April of last year (3.5 years after getting my band - 124 pounds lost). Reflux and bad pain, vomiting blood - just awful. Well, my band was removed (too much scar tissue) and 6 months later - I had gained 50 pounds..I was just sick - I missed my band and wanted it back. My surgeon agreed he said I did not weigh enough for RNY and my insurance would not pay for a sleeve. On 12/29 he put the band back in. I have lost close to 20 pounds - I have not had any fills and I am doing fantastic. I feel like I am in control and have the power once again. Good luck to you both and I hope you can have your problems taken care of without regaining the weight you lost. Regaining was so hard on me mentally - made me eat even more. Good Luck...

AtoZ - 1st, congratulations on the new baby. I am sure you are excited and I wish you only the best. 2nd, your lapband experience was sure scary. Been there..my band had to be removed in April of this year for the same reason - a bad slip - nothing going through and horribly sick. I was actually vomiting blood. My band had to be removed too. I am glad you are home and feeling better. I did feel better, almost instantly. I do miss my band (I know crazy thought) because I have regained 30 pounds - in 3 months. I am under a new doctor's care now and hopefully, that will get better now. Best wishes and good luck in post-band but most of all best wishes on your new family member.. Melinda in Florida

Terry, glad to hear you are doing so well. Hope you get to keep your band. I miss mine terribly and the scale proves it. Melinda in Florida

Band removal is called "revision". To have a different procedure, my doctor says 6 months or longer. My insurance company says one and done..won't approve a 2nd procedure even though #1 's revision was not my doing. Sad. I really miss my band. My doctor says I can't have another band either..too much scar tissue at the stoma area. Really stinks..I have gained over 20 pounds since my band was removed on 4/25...I really need help..I have zero self control, that's why I got the band as a tool to help me with control.

I had my band 3 years when it slipped and I began throwing up the lining of my stomach. My band was removed via emergency surgery 3 months ago. I had lost 124 pounds at the time. I have "found" 15 of those pounds. It is a struggle and I only wish they could have kept the band in place. The doctor told me this is normal and keep exercising and let life move along. In a month or two we will discuss my options. I don't think I have many as I don't weight but 155 pounds - I wanted to be 140. I feel fat and out of control. The doctor said that is normal too and just to hang in there. My band was going to kill me or at least cost me my stomach, it had to come out. I really miss it and I don't regret having the surgery in the first place. I don't know what will happen now. I hope you are feeling better and a decision has been made as to your next step. They did remove the Fluid and waited several hours but the band would not move. As I look back. My band probably slipped in January but it was late April before it gave me a hard time. Keep asking questions. That is the only way to take care of yourself. I wish I had been more pro-active. I perhaps would have been able to keep the band. Take care and good luck. Melinda in Florida

RavenClaw..I sure understand that malnutrician thing. I have sores in my mouth and bruises and just weird pains. Still having some of those issues. I thought I was eating better (balance - too much - but balanced) I have actually gained 20 pounds since my revision surgery..I am still have malabsorption issues. I see the surgeon Thursday. This whole thing is so strange..Fluid retention is also a big issue with me right now. Hot in Florida and I am really hanging on to every last drop of Water. 5-7 pounds each day (gained - from AM to PM weight) then I take a water pill and it all goes away but I hurt all over from carrying that weight..fingers, feet, legs wow..really sucks.

Congratulations MissL..The pre-op diet is awful and really the worst part. Friday will be here soon and then welcome to the losers bench! In regards to your shakes. Play around with those things..you will find one you like. I had my WLS almost 3 years ago and I just found one that is really good. I actually wanted seconds..LOL...1 scoop vanilla unjury, 8 ozs Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk and a shot of sugar free Torani Black Cherry Syrup. YUMMY...I am actually having one for lunch today by choice! I saw a post regarding the syrups and I love Cherry Cokes so why not...well, it sure surprised me how good it was. I will try the chocolate Protein with it next - Hummmmm - Chocolate Covered Cherries!!!! Good Luck Friday.... Melinda in Florida

I agree with everyone else that has posted on this topic. I would be a real mess as big or bigger than I was almost three years ago and certainly no where near as healthy,. Sure, I have had issues. Band slippage, vomiting blood, emergency surgery to remove the band - yep- bad news..but I have lost 120+ pounds and that is an ENTIRE PERSON. Rene's said she couldn't lift the 50 pounds she lost - try 120 pounds LOL - not happening..Since my revision surgery (4/25/14) I have had issues..healing is slow, weight gain (up 12 pounds) and in general blah..but I would have WLS all over again in a minute. It has given me a new life. I can play with my grandchildren, I am running 5K's (at 63 yrs old) and I work 50+ hours per week. No more shortness of breath, pre-diabetes, HBP..Life is so much better. I need to now get my head, my heart and my stomach all on the same page and get back to being the WL queen again and move on with my bandless life. I love the person I have become and I know that because of this surgery I have added years to my life. Melinda in Florida

That sounds so yummy...can't wait to give this one a try..

Well, I am now eight weeks post op/revision. I must say, I physically feel better. But that is where the good news ends. I have managed to eat my way up 12 pounds and climbing. I have walked (3-4 miles) every day, worked out 3 days per week, journaled my in take and still gained. I am eating larger portions and yes, I am eating CRAP. I can't make myself stop. I went on the detox and did fine, then got down when the scale went up and had a cookie..It has been non-stop since then. My naval still hurts and so does my mid-section. The doctor says I am just healing and to relax. Don't stress about the discomfort nor the weight gain. It will calm down and this is expected. Posh, Posh, Poo, Poo. The B-12 shots have my thighs bruised and I have had enough of those. Weight gain is weight gain is weight gain any way you want to look at it. I can't control myself and as much as I hate to admit it..I almost don't care at this point. My band is gone..there is no alternative on the horizon except "self-control" and we all know how well that works - that's why we had WLS in the first place. I have met with the NUT and a dietician..my GYN and my PCP...no luck, they all say, you look great, you can do this, just say NO...HAHA..They are skinny and haven't dealt with obesity their entire life. There is an evil gene inside me and it wants to be fed..the little sucker was alseep for 2 1/2 years - the band had choked the life out of it...but as soon as the band was gone - surprise - here it came again. I know I still have the plication but that is not the same...I need that tiny little pouch that sent the burping message to me to "put the fork down and walk away". I had a good relationship with my band - the slippage was not my fault - I want it back. The surgeon says I can't have it back because my stoma had formed scar tissue around the top and therefore it can't be put back. OK fine, I am intelligent, I understand...but what can I put in it's place????????????? How about "fat gene removal"??? As hard as I try to focus on something else..anything else..it call comes back to FOOD..For those of you reading this, you now think I am a "head case" and only a shrink will help me..well, maybe so, but in the mean time..I am snacking and munching my way back to being "chunky" all over again. I am still in contact with the doctor and I think he realizes that I am on a downward spiral...I hope he can help me out of this funk before I gain anymore poundage. I have little faith there. Have a great weekend to all..I hope you don't mind that I had to vent..I had to vent somewhere and this blog seemed like the best place. One thing for sure...many of you understand where I am coming from..you have been there and have the T-shirt to prove it. Melinda in Florida

Heather: Sorry to learn of your slippage. I had my band 2 1/2 yrs lost 120 pounds and I was very happy. My band slipped and mine had to be removed in an emergency surgery situation. Fortunately, I also gastric sleeve plication with my band. The band was removed but the plilcation (sleeve) remains. That being said - that was 7 weeks ago and I have gained 12 pounds with no end in sight. It is ME..I am out of control with my eating and what I am eating...I can't stop. I don't know if that will happen to you or not but I sure wish I still had my band. I am in contact with my doctor and he is not alarmed yet, he said he expected this..he has a wait and see attitude..I hope not 100 pounds worth.. Melinda in Florida

I was banded (w/plication) for 2 1/2 yrs. Recently my band was removed due to slippage, but I still have my plication and still eat like I am banded. Here is my day: Breakfast: unjury Protein drink mixed with unsweetened Van. Almond Milk plus 1 oz of meat (generally left over from dinner or from the deli) or 1 egg with 2 slices of bacon Lunch: 3 ozs of Tuna or chicken salad with 1 cup of tossed salad or 3-4 ozs of meat (left overs from the night before) and either a small salad or left over vegie (like green Beans or squash) Dinner: 4 ozs of meat (chicken, fish, beef), 1/2 cup of vegie and a small salad. Snack: If needed - Low-fat cheese stick, cucumber slices, celery sticks, 1 oz of deli turkey (I roll mine to make it fancy for me). As for fruit - my doctor doesn't like the carbs in fruit..I like fruit..so. Every now and then, I will snack on a slice or two of apple, a 1/2 cup of watermelon or cantelope. In the Florida heat..I also like to snack on a 1/2 cup of frozen red grapes. Sorry, it is still a "diet" BUT, that being said. I am not crazy mad about it. I do eat a sweet every now and then, but sugar is where I have issues and can't stop - soo, I try to stay away. I don't eat bread, Pasta or rice. Really, my choice..I just don't want to get stuck (before band removal) or feel bloated..I hate that boated feeling. I do eat a potato every now and then, but on a small piece and I am good with that. Don't obcess over this. You know what "your band" allows and what it doesn't. You also know what is really bad for you and what your "target foods" are. I love Cookies, cake and pie..they call my name and suck me in every time. I just have to stay clear of them. This is a new life style and a new relationship with eating and we knew this going into this "journey" that we are all on. Some of us will loose a ton of weight and some will loose just some but we all will loose and that was the plan, to get healthy, get off meds (diabetes, BP etc) and to enjoy our 60's. I may not loose anymore weight and I have come to grips with that, I don't want to regain (although I put 11 lbs on after my band was removed 8 weeks ago). I am now loosing that 11 lbs (down 5 this week). I don't want to go backwards. Good luck and enjoy life !!! Melinda in Florida

So sorry Dragonfly..hope you are feeling better today. Take care and stay on those liquids..Stoma and band have to rest a bit.

imashazza: It may not be a slip, you may just be too tight. Glad you are heading to the doctor..that is the right place to go. I hope everything comes out OK for you. You may get an unfill or a slight unfill but it is better than a slip and having to have your band removed. Good luck today and keep us posted. Melinda in Florida

Ladykatie, I am so sorry you are having these issues. My surgery was almost 3 years ago and I think all of us have been in your shoes. Seeking some therapy sounds like it is probably the right direction. Our relationship with food is what got us heavy and that demon doesn't let go real easy. I am dealing with carb addiction and I can tell you - Cookies "call my name". I can't have even a bite..none..or the entire box would be gone in an hour or less. Try to stay busy. Walk, clean house (mine is really clean since my surgery), play with the cat, hand write a letter to yourself or to a friend. Keep you mind and your hands busy. My doctor told me to sew or go on the computer, just keep my hands doing something other than shoveling food into my mouth..I know..sounds harsh..but he was right. My family got sooooo many handmade Christmas gifts this year..I wonder why? Good luck and best wishes with your decision and job hunting.. Melinda in Florida

2012, so sorry to hear about your band and the erosion. Good thing you kept alert and kept getting things checked out. I had my band just shy of 3 years, got deathly ill this April and almost 30 hours of vomiting blood later, my band was removed. My band had slipped and almost 1/3 of my stomach was on the wrong side. I was throwing up my stomach lining. I had plication at the same time I got my band so when my band was removed, the plication remained (like a sleeve except it can be reversed). All of this happened 4/25/14 and I promptly gained 11 pounds..I am now headed back down. The doctor told me it was normal and not to panic. Keep walking and try to stay away from the carbs. Now I am at almost no carbs and the weight is coming off. Yes, I am scared and I really wish this had not happened, but it did and now I have to move on. Good luck with your surgery and what ever decision you make down the road about revision. There are lots of us out here who no longer have our bands - you have lots of company. Best Wishes Melinda in Florida

smacke20 - Being from the US I don't know how much a "stone" is, but any gain is a gain and I know your pain. I am now up 10 pounds. I feel FAT. I walk 3 miles everyday and work out each evening..still up. The doctor told me to relax, that this is normal and it will come back off. Just hang in there and give it time. He is watching to make sure I don't keep going up. I hope you have leveled off on your weight gain by now (sorry for answering so late) but if not, stay active. Walk, swim, workout..whatever it takes. I am eating too much, too large a portions and some wrong things. It is ALL ME and I am the only one who can get it under control, but - that is why I got the band in the 1st place - no control. I guess now, I have no choice but to figure it out..I sure don't want to gain all 124 pounds back..YUCK.. Melinda in Florida