TXbandit

I was banded in December 07. I lost slowly, but went from 235 lbs to 188 lbs (I am 5'9"-) and kept that off for a couple of years. Then I started eating too much and had a dilation. All Fluid was removed and I recovered from that - then started getting fills again. My weight went to 193 and stayed there for another year. The next slow gain was to 203 for another year. Now I have been at 210 for 2 years, currently size 16-18. Still I am happy with the band. I have restriction and I can't eat much at a time....I am 61 years old and have been on a diet since I was 13 I took diet pills for years, and I believe I "burned out" my metabolism, so I now have problems losing weight. If not for the band reducing the amount I can eat, who knows what I would weigh? The band is just a tool.....you have to "listen" to it and feel when you are full, then stop. It is easy to eat foods that go down easily and it is easy to eat too much and not "listen." The band is a part of me now, and I have to remember it is there and not stress it.

I haven't posted in 2 years about this topic, but I still have dilation issues. As anyone who's been pregnant knows, pregnancy changes everything, even your shoe size. You probably ate more when pregnant, and got used to that .Look at your portion size. I have 7 cc in a 10 cc band and I can see by the barium that I have restriction and a small dilation. I don't feel the restriction at all like I did at first, but when I think about the amounts I eat now compared to before the band, I have really cut down. I haven't lost any more weight, though. AndI still have dilation. Other than that, I have no complications and don't even realize I have the band. I miss things getting "stuck" and I miss losing weight...but I would probably be much heavier without it!

I had surgery in December of 07 and lost 50 lbs. I had 70 to lose, so I was pretty happy with the 50 lbs. I kept that off for 2 years (easily due to the restriction), then it became easier to eat more and more at a time, so I went in for a tune-up. I found I had a dilation, and they removed half of the saline (I have a 10 cc band). I behaved and corrected the dilation and currently have 7 cc. It certainly isn't enough and my restriction isn't great. I guess I will call them today and make an appointment....I know I probably have another dilation and will have to go thru the routine again. i'm kinda bummed out. i didn't get the band because I am a great dieter. I CAN'T diet and I have been on every diet ever imagined. I find that I am back on that roller coaster. I have gained back 10 lbs. I really want to feel that restriction again...you know, the feeling that "I hope this little bite of food will make it down okay..." I love that feeling and want to get it back. Guess I will go listen to Barry Manilow :-)

I was a TX state employee when I had my surgery in December 2008. I had to self-pay. I also used to work for the Dept of Insurance, and if your insurance doesn't cover weight loss treatments, they don't have to cover it even if it is medically necessary. I just considered it "my new car..." and made payments like car payments!

I had my band about 18 months, and had been getting regular fills. I had been eating more volume-wise and eating too fast. I thought I needed another fill. I got a fill and the next few days I couldn't eat anything solid and keep it down....went back and had a barium swallow and found I had a dilation (no slippage). I didn't have any other symptoms other than not being able to eat solids. Some say heartburn is a symptom, but I didn't have that....what are you experiencing? I think it is pretty easy to get a dilation after having the band awhile - beware eating too much too fast!

I went in for a barium swallow today and found that my esophageal pouch is too large - no slippage yet. I had 1/2 of my 7.5 cc (10 cc band) removed and have to stay on liquids for a week and mushies for another week. Anyone had this problem? Did it resolve? I am almost to my goal weight....maybe this liquids/mushies time will jump start me again.

Sue, the heartburn is supposedly one of the signs of dilation....I didn't have it, though. I was continuing to get fills every 6 weeks or so since surgery in Dec 07 (I have a 10 cc band) but I still seemed to be able to eat too much (not like binging...for example, a Lean Cuisine entree dinner). With the last fill, I could only tolerate liquids, so I went in for an unfill. My physician assistant noticed I hadn't had a barium swallow since my surgery and that is when she found the dilation. I would guess that many people who have the lap band over a year, have most of the band capacity full, and have gradually been able to eat 1 - 2 cups of food at a time, have stretched their pouch. Just a guess, but it makes sense.

I am an "oldie," banded Dec 07. I remember clearly being able to eat a horse 2 weeks after surgery....that was worrisome! Then I got my first fill and knew how restriction was supposed to feel. I kept up with fills often during the first year and have found that is really the key for me. You'll get used to it!!

The key to this, I have found, is the fills. When you start losing restriction (can eat more) you may need another fill. I had 10 fills the first year (banded 12/7/07) and one just the other day. The wt loss is slow, but it always came off the best right after my fills. I would get a fill, lose 3-4 lbs, then stay the same weight until the next fill. To me, that was always the key - keeping up with fills.

Hello, Merry Losers! I just got a fill the other day-last one was 6 months ago - and feel like I just had surgery!! Liquids and mushies and counting protein....last 10 lbs need to come off. I was beginning to "diet" again and remembered I had this great tool, so went to get the fill. Woo Hoo, it works when you keep up the fills. Wt. loss has been slow, but that is ok. I actually have not gained any weight back, which was my goal for having the band. I could lose weight before the band, but always gained it right back. The band keeps it off!! I love it....clothes shopping is fun. I am in a size 12-14, which at age 56 and height of 5'8" looks just fine, thank you very much. Hope "all y'all" are enjoying your band!

I am 56 and have had the band for 1 year. If you have patience you will not regret doing this. No, you may not lose your weight in 1 year - it may take 2, but you will not feel like "I am on a diet." Take care of yourself and chew everything very well! Get your fills - I have a 10cc band and have had 8 fills. Listen to your body and you will know when you are full - stop there. I have struggled with weight all my life. Finally, I eat "normally" and have lost 60% of the 60 or 65 lbs I wanted to lose after one year. I have no doubt I will have the rest off in another year. It's not a quick fix, but actually, at our age, you don't want to lose too fast, or the skin will be pretty loose...go for it and ou will not regret it!

Hi, fellow Dec 07 bandsters! The lap band has become such a part of life, I haven't been on the site for awhile. During the first few months, I was discouraged that I wasn't losing 10 lbs a week, but as time and fills have gone on, I am taking it in stride. My goal is to lose 60 lbs, and I have lost 46 over the past year. I am getting rid of clothes the minute they become baggy, and going to resale shops to get clothes that fit. I can eat anything that I chew WELL, just alot less of it. Happy Bandiversary, and I hope you have a great 2009.

Thanks so much for your tips. I didn't get the band to be "on a diet" for the rest of my life, counting carbs, etc....I was sick of that. I want to eat what I want, just not much of it and feel satisfied. So far, I have lost 40 lbs (20 left to go) and I have been banded 9 months. I will try your tips!

Well, well, I should have known to come back here for a little support! I have been banded for 9 months (tomorrow), and have lost only 40 lbs. Granted, I "only" had 65-70 to lose, and I am over half-way there, but still it seems so slow. I have good restriction, but have found ways around that, unfortunately. Still, I only eat about half of what I used to, but it is enough to keep my weight steady. I know I need to exercise more....especially at my age. Thanks, y'all!

Katiebug, I don't read directions well......I answered 45% because that is where I am goal-wise (lose 63, down 32 lbs) Can you remove my vote? I want to put in the correct % and not mes up the results. It is a really good poll, and a subject I was wondering about. Thanks!!

oops! I entered that I had lost almost half of what my total loss will be, and didn't do the correct calculation....I will do the poll again - is there any way I can remove my vote from the incorrect choice? Thanks!

I don't think the band helps me lose weight faster - I have always lost slowly. A big reason I got the band is so I wouldn't gain it back after I lost it, which I have done several times before. It is so great to look at a plate of food that in the past I could have eaten easily (plus more), and know I just can't hold it! :redface:

I was also banded in Dec and have a 12 cc band - I have had 4 fills and am at about 6cc.....-before the 4th fill, I was able to eat an entire horse. Now, I am down to one hindquarter.

I have had 4 fills and have about 6 cc in a 12 cc band. I can eat more than 4 oz, but I noticed when my band is really tight (a few days after a fill) I am uncomfortable and gassy....If you can only eat 5 oz and stay full for 3 hours, that sounds about just right!

When I start eating more and WANTING to eat more, I go for a fill. It seems my weight loss gets a "kick" from the liquid - mushy diet for a day or two after the fill...and each fill gives me just a very small improvement in restriction. I have had 3 fills so far and have 5 cc in my 12 cc band. I can tell I will need another one in a week or two. I can eat anything, have never barfed, and get full on probably 3/4 cup.

My expectations were too high. I expected to lose 30 lbs right away :smile2: Then another 30 the next week :tongue2: and the last 5 could be lost slowly. :laugh: Ha Ha! In reality, I can eat anything, just not much of it. Wt loss is slow but sure, and it feels good to be full. I don't constantly think about and want food like before. Excercise helps alot. I have had 3 fills, and get a little more restriction each time. I haven't ever barfed! :huh2: I guess I expected to be instantly thin, even though I knew better in my mind. That caused some down times for me at first, but I finally woke up to reality. It is a very "freeing" experience, even if the weight comes off slowly, 'cuz I don't have my "diet" on my mind constantly.

In eating situations with other people, I have noticed that the 2 who know I have the band try to match me in portions eaten and eating slowly. THEY CAN"T DO IT! I eat what they eat, only miniature portions, and I never feel deprived. They are sitting there unable to stop eating. Like I used to be. Yesterday, my sister and I split a hamburger with everything on it, and she ate her half and I only ate 1/4 and felt like Thanksgiving-full! I marvel everyday at the way the band works! No, weight isn't falling off quickly, but at my age (55) the slower the better - don't want to win any SAG awards :thumbdown:

If you are able to drink liquids without barfing, you are ok to wait to call the doc on Monday. I just know that after 2 months, my port site is a little sore - esp when I wear jeans. Can you feel the surface of it when you lie on your back and tense your abd muscles? My guess, too, is it would be sore from retching...Good Luck! Don't let ole DH get you down for too long!

You youngsters stay away from the diet pills. I took them off and on for 20 years, and yes, the weight stayed off, but there came a time when I couldn't take them anymore because of rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath. Yes, I gained weight.....but the lap band is helping me. I don't lose fast now because I burned out my metabolism on the diet pills. They are dangerous :frown:

I still get them, too - I got some Beano tablets, and I chop them up with my pill cutter and take them before I eat. They have some digestive enzyme that helps with gas. I also use gas x, but not too often. I'd have to say, that is the only thing I don't like!