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This is a great post. I have been banded since 2007 and initially lost about 80 lb., then gradually gained about 30 back the last few years. I started back at the clinic last Dec. and they were great, not making me feel awkward for being absent from the clinic for quite a few years. (My insurance changed and did not cover band clinic). Thank goodness I am back on track with new insurance and all is good. I have to be accountable. I get weighed in every 6 - 8 weeks and find that is the key for me. It's slow, as now I am filled completely with the old band that only holds 5 CC's. I have no more fills left and really only feel about 1/2 the restriction I felt initially. Had upper GI and all looks fine on that end. I was wondering also if I could get it all removed and start over. Give the band a rest for a while? I have lost about 15 lbs. of the 30 lbs. I gained back by going back to the clinic and keeping a food diary. I have 15 lbs. left to be where I was before I gained, then I don't know where I will go from there, as I never really reached my goal. I went from a size 3X to X-L, but really want to be in a size 14. I am 60 yo and my aim is not to be a bathing beauty, but comfortable. I hope we can keep this post going!!! Good luck to you!!

Hi All, Happy Holidays. I won't go into all the details, but after a long hiatus I went back to the weight loss clinic and had .5 added to my band. I thought I would feel more restriction. This is getting me worried. I've been away from the board for a long time, so I'm not sure as to how far they will fill? Can I expect to get filled up to 4 cc in my 4 cc band, and then what? Where do I go from there if my weight loss continues to stall? I have gained 30 lbs. after a 3 year hiatus. I'm getting back on track, but now I'm worried.

Hi There, Congrats on your weight loss! Being a long-time banded (7 years), all I can say from my standpoint is that it is still important to log in what I eat. During the years I have fell in and out of love with my band. Life will get in the way. It is a lifestyle change and for me, I have had my ups and downs. I had to be banded because I have a problem with food. I have to be held accountable. It's just the way it is. If I slack off, then I know I will pay for it. I know it's really hard sometimes and you have to lighten up and give yourself a break now and then, but ultimately, to be successful we do have to follow the band rules and it's not so bad!! The end result is sooooo great!

I have the hardest time with this at night. I'm thinking maybe it's because I'm tired and just give in to the cravings too easily. I have much more control earlier in the day, but don't beat yourself up. We all got to this situation because of excess weight whatever the reason and we have the band as a tool, but it's a day to day journey nonetheless.

I am recently "back on the chain gang" also! Just got a fill about 2 weeks ago. I'm still not where I was 5 years ago restriction-wise, but it's much better and my GI came back good. I'm going back for a meeting with the "team" to go over things and I have a food log I have to keep (the log helps TONS). Hopefully we can all support each other through this journey! Good luck!!

Lady Lap Band, I can definitely relate. This is a lifelong battle. We have our ups and downs. I was banded in 2008 and also fell off the wagon for reasons that we don't need to get into, but I am here for you. I went back to the weight loss clinic a few weeks ago and am back on track with a .5 CC fill. I hope we can all support each other and just look forward to feeling FAB in 2014.

Happy Holidays and ty for your great responses. NaNa, I have been banded for 6 years, approaching 7. I did think about trying the 5 day pouch test. I really don't expect anything to be wrong with my band, as I have been feeling fine, except not as tight as I was in the beginning. Thanks again for the great advise. I'll keep you posted. And yes, I agree that I have forgotten the proper way to eat my meals and I'm scheduled for a followup visit with the weight loss team in a few weeks. If all is well, I'm going to ask for another small fill and go from there.

Just want to add that my NP ordered an upper GI for this Thurs. to make sure all is well with my band.

Hi otherside, I was hoping I would get this post going again! I'm in the same situation and hope we can both support each other. Every day is different and this is a lifelong challenge. I will be 60 in August. We have so many different challenges don't you think? How to hear from you! I just got a fill today. I gained 30 lbs.back after a 4 year hiatus, but I'm trying to get back in the swing.

So happy I found this post! I just came back from my first clinic visit in over 3 years. It was sooo hard to pick up that phone and make the call, but they were all sooooo nice! The PA gave me .5 CC fill and a visit in 4 weeks for a type of group visit with her and the dietician. I decided the less said the better on my part, except explaining that I lost my insurance and now I want to get back on track. I gained 30 lbs. and decided to just fess up and look ahead. I had my blood work done, got a B12 shot. I'm so thrilled to be here on this post! I hope we can keep this post going! So nice to have something in common with you!

Hi There, So glad I came back to this site. I'm in the same boat. I'm actually going back to the surgeon after a 3 year hiatus! It took soooo long for me to pick up that phone and make the call to come in. My appt. is Friday and I decided I'm going to walk right in and the let them do the talking. I feel the less said the better. What happened to me was I lost my insurance and had to be put on my husband's plan, which does not cover weight loss visits. I am now back on a good plan that is covered, so I'm so glad I found this post and can relate to what others are going through. I think I probably gained about 15-20 lbs., but I'm still at a decent weight loss, about 50 lbs. I figure this is a lifelong battle and there will be ups and downs. I'm back into the UP pattern and hope we can all support each other on this post!