momlambert

I, too, had a band (March 2007) and it is no longer working. Much like you, Reshia. I lost 65 pounds but then the band quit working, I've gained 60 lbs. back and have really bad reflux. I am 63 years old and don't want to live the rest of my life like this. I really vascillated between the sleeve and the rny--at first there was no way I was going to consider rny but I decided to go all the way. I messed around with the band for 5 1/2 years--now I'm ready for a tried and true method. I'm scheduled for revision on December 10--started by 2 weeks pre-op liquid died three days ago. Good luck to everyone!

Congratulations! That is so exciting. Who is your doctor? Did you consider the sleeve? I'm still trying to figure it all out. Can't wait to talk to my surgeon after all the test results are in--maybe he'll give me some good things to consider in my decision. Good luck to you!

Me, me! I just came from LapBand Talk to this site. I live in Midway, work in Provo, and visit my mom in Salt Lake. Where are you? I'm having my band removed soon and want to have a revision at the same time but am not yet sure whether to do the sleeve or the bypass. I've jumped through all the hoops for a revision but haven't yet talked to my surgeon about the results of the tests (bad damage to my esophogas, for instance) and which surgery he thinks would be best. I'm going to a support group tonight and then the psychologist visit tomorrow--then we get to submit for insurance approval, which apparently with my company takes 1-2 weeks and then we can schedule. Oh, what to do! I'm so torn between the two procedures--how can that be when they are so different? Hope you are enjoying Utah--have you lived here before? Let me know if you need any pointers for getting around and making your life here great. Good luck!

I'm also revising from the band, which I had for 5 1/2 years. I lost 60 lbs. but am now having trouble with reflux, nausea, etc. Apparently my esophagus looks like "ground beef." So the band needs to come out but I'm having trouble deciding between the sleeve and the bypass. How did you make that decision, Vicki and Johnny?

Congrats! Being a Grandma is one of the true joys in life.

Hi, Ainsleet. It's nice to see a "mature" person on here. I'm 63 and was thinking that I may be the only grandma getting surgery. Congratulations to US!

Hi, Nicole. I'm new here, too. I'm hoping to revise from LapBand to either the sleeve or the bypass. Are you having the bypass? If so, how did you make that decision. I had decided on the sleeve but then an endoscopy showed my esophagus to be like "ground hamburger" so I'm not thinking I should maybe go with the bypass since the sleeve can cause more reflux. I never thought I wanted a bypass because it seemed too extreme to me, but now I'm trying to come to grips with the possibility. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Hi, Marchies! So glad to see atleast a few of you here--so good to reconnect with friends. 5 years! Wow. Sounds like we have all had our ups and downs--so is life, huh? Tammyj, you've always been an inspiration. I hope all is going well with your new band and that you continue your incredible success. Janine, I totally get the "life" stuff--my mom has had Alzheimer's the past 5 years and it is just so sad. It's like your parent dies a little more every day and so do you. Whitepants--sounds like you and I haven't had quite as good of luck as our friends. I lost about 60 lbs the first few years, maintained for a year or two, and then started having trouble with the band. I didn't realize it was the band because I was having other health issues (perforated colon, two 10-day hospitalizations, surgery, etc.). After the surgery in January I realized that my nausea was probably caused by the band, not the huge doses of anitbiotics that I was being given, so my new doctor unfilled the band. While I was sick from November to April, I lost 40 lbs. Unfortunately, as soon as I began eating, I gained a pound a day for the first few months. Now I'm gaining 1-2 lbs. a week. (I was filled in May but the band just isn't right). So today I went for a barium swallow and it looks like the band is in place and tilted the correct way but there is no stomach above the band. So when I swallow, my esophogus has to enlarge to hold the food while it goes through the band. I think that must be causing my quesiness. I see the doctor again next week and we'll talk about the results and how things go this week. The technologist said the band is definately too tight right now. The strange thing is, I only have restriction on the first bite or two and then I can eat whatever quantity I want. Like I said, something isn't right. I'm thinking seriously about getting the sleeve. I'm so torn because it's against all the reasons I went with the band in the beginning. To have another surgery right now DOES NOT SOUND FUN! (Does it ever???). Anyway, I'm reading lots and thinking and praying and trying to figure out the best plan. I do love my new doctor and have a lot of faith in his advice, so I'm anxious to see what he has to say on Tuesday. So, that's my update, Marchies! Keep in touch!

Hi LB friends--glad to see a few of you remaining! I really can't remember when my last post was, but I know it was before I started a new job in July. Oh my...how time passes! I need to catch up on the old posts and see what's happening with everyone. It is hard to believe it has been four years!. Wow. Are you happy you got the band? How is hindsight for each of you? Although I'm not where I had hoped to be, I'm definitely glad I'm not where I COULD have been, had I not gotten the band. I'm grateful. I hope some of our old friends check in this month--it would be great to hear from those who were such an important part of our journey. Best wishes for a continually successful journey of course, with the inherent ups and downs). Karen

Hi all! Thought I'd start a new month for us. Hope you are doing well. I'm gaining and MUST STOP! I'm so out of control. It's a new day and a new month so I'm committing to exercising more (at least 5 days a week), eating healthier (avoid "sliders"), and drinking more Water. Hope you are all doing well. We can do this! We've come too far to slide back now and lose what we've worked so hard for. Right? Good luck, everyone! Karen

Good job, Barb! Diet and exercise--wow! Keep up the great work and don't let one day throw you off. Hang in! Here's wishing for a great week ahead for all of us, Karen

Hi, all. Here's the link to July's thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f90/marchies-2007-july-2010-a-117574/ Happy Independence Day!:thumbup:

Thanks, Jeni, for your honest post. Sounds like you are headed in the right direction. I'm going to follow your lead here--thanks for keeping us all honest! Have a great week.

Thanks, Carol.

Hi all! Good to see you here. I forgot to look for a June thread and wondered why no one had posted for awhile. Duh! Congrats, Barb! That's great news. Good luck with your port removal and fill. You'll be back in the lapband swing before you know it. Carol and Gwen--good job analyzing your loss (or gains) and figuring out how to go from here. I've gained about 10 lbs. from my lowest weight and need to stop NOW! I think I'm back on track. I eat when things are really stressful for me--I know that. I am dealing with my mom's Alzheimer's disease right now plus have my kids and grandkids are staying here at the house for the whole summer. Those two things do make it hard for me to concentrate on myself and do the things I need to, plus they create a lot of stress in my life. I'm going to work a 12-step program to help me give up control of my Mom's issues--I think it will help in other areas of my life as well. We'll see! Thanks for listening. Good luck to everyone--Karen

You lost weight before with the band (A LOT of weight!) and you can do it again. But maybe now isn't the time. You have a great attitude and it will all happen but get your strength back first and celebrate the fact that you are here and living life to the best of your ability. Good for you!

That's a horrible feeling--glad you got through it. You have to chew and chew little tiny bites (think M & M sized bites). Water usually makes it worse so it was probably a good think you couldn't get a drink. You might want to carry papaya enzymes with you--they are pretty good "Drano" when you have a problem (you just chew them up). Good luck!

Good to see you, Rosi! I think we all have had or are having struggles--life is like that! Don't ever be afraid of coming back--we need each other! Yes, we HAVE to remember how far we've come and continue on. Good luck with your new resolve. And congrats on 78 lbs--that's amazing!

I hear ya, Carol! I re-joined WW last year (I'm a lifetime member, actually) but I just couldn't stick with it this time. I know there are bandsters who do go to the meetings and don't reveal that they have the band, which is what I did. I really didn't lose much this last time, maybe 2-3 lbs. in 3-4 months. But it's a reminder of the points. Seems like I'm always subconsciously or consciously counting points anyway due to the years and years of programming. I didn't really like the group leader and she insulted me once when I gained 1/4 lb. so I quit going when I was laid off and was no longer working near the meetings. I do think it's a good program. Let me know how you do--maybe I'll try it again this summer. Good luck at the Dr. and at WW! Sounds like you are committed. Good for you!

Don't TRY, Desdemona, DO! You can do it for sure--just set your mind to it and go forward. Thanks for your nice words--it's three years I wouldn't want to live over again.

Thanks, Desdemona. I felt (and still feel) like my whole journey has been a "slow point." It was discouraging at times but I'm really happy, too, that I haven't gained my weight back. I keep gravitating to the same weight (lose a few lbs., gain a few lbs.) so I wonder if this is where I need to be. When I look at what has happened in my life since the band (lost my father and mother-in-law, sold two houses, built a new house, caring for mother diagnosed with Alzheimer's, two unmarried daughters having babies, grandson with spinal meningitis, two children in addiction recovery, helping with birth of 4 new grandchildren, etc., etc.--of course, even very wonderful things cause stress and we've had our share of those as well), I know that I would have been at least 30-50 lbs. more than my highest weight if I didn't have this tool. So, even though it's been slow and even though I haven't lost anything for a good 7-8 months and want to lose 15 lbs. more, I'm VERY grateful for my band and the success I have had. Good luck to you.

Hang in there, committedchick. Keep exercising and following your doctor's orders. It took me MANY fills and over a year to get to my sweet spot--I know I'm unusual and I don't want to discourage you but sometimes it takes time to get everything right. You are in "bandster hell"--no restriction, hungry, and losing motivation. It really will happen for you. Keep on trying and you'll be great. It's really a process! (but a wonderful one and well worth it in the end). Good luck!

Way to get movin', Barb!

Here's the link to our May 2010 thread. Go Marchies! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f90/its-may-114733/