Desdemona

Will be 10 yrs St. Pat's Day. Lost 90 lbs. Never had a complication. Never abused it. Went to a teaching hospital w/very experienced surgeons. Have read all the studies over the last 10 yrs. Has the worst outcomes and the most complications for all the WL surg but the complications are more minor than the others and band is only 1 that is reversible. I had to learn a lot and be very persistent. Took me longer to lose. There's no guarantee that you won't need/want a revision with any of the WL surgeries - see the other forums and read about them. I have friends who have had bands, sleeves, and by-passes who have all regained everything and given up. But I have friends who have bands, sleeves, and by-passes who are doing fine. My best advice is to pick the one that sounds best you and then work that program. It's not easy - but I'll tell you this: 1 don't have high blood pressure anymore. My cholesterol is great. No pills. No medical problems anymore. Joints don't hurt anymore. Climb stairs. Had several cosmetic surgeries and love buying great vintage clothes. Love having so many people tell me how good I look. Walking on the edge of the ocean at 66 yrs. Just pick a WL surg and then dedicate yourself to it body and soul. Best wishes.

Banded 10 years ago in central NY. Happier than ever. Lost 65 lbs out of the 90 lb goal shortly after banding but then stopped losing and hovered there for 5 yrs. Then -- slowly gained 30 lbs by gradually eating bigger portions and too many goodies. Tried several times to get a hold of myself but just couldn't. I really couldn't feel my band much anymore. Finally - went on a medically supervised 800-calorie liquid fast a year ago. Whoa!-- that good ole' band just kick right in there again! I'm not sure I could have done it without it - but all of a sudden - my band said -- HELLO THERE!!!!!! Lost the 30 lb regain and then just kept going till I got to the original goal. I learned a lot losing the 65 lbs after getting the band but I learned a lot more this past year about how to get to 25 BMI and maintain it. Just finished my plastic surgeries ------so far - so good. Whew! What a 10 yr journey!

I have a suggestion that you MIGHT want to consider 32 BMI and an intense relationship with food is a concern. Personally, I have had a GREAT experience with the Lapband. I got it in March 2008 at 43 BMI. I'm current 26 BMI. My first 5 years was consistent losing and then holding steady at 30 BMI. Then - there was a 4 or 5 yr period when I slowly gained 30 lbs and just couldn't stop myself from eating. Then I went on a medically supervised liquid protein diet. It worked. Stopped my cravings in their tracks. The band, that I thought had stopped working, kicked back in and was a great help. After the liquid diet, I found foods that were low calorie, nutritional and I never let that craving bear come back. So far, so good. As to the band -- I read a lot of research (in fact - I AM a medical researcher) and I don't believe there is any evidence that the band causes cancer. Now -- having said that -- I DO think that having it too tight, or slimming or engaging in certain practices is flirting with CA and other health problems. I also believe that there are MDs who are not properly trained. I also think that the band can be problematic for someone who has a good surgeon and who does everything right. There a risk - that it will need to be removed --yes. So far, I have been fine. No problems -- never --- but I can't swear that it will always be that way. But -- now-- after saying all of that --- I'd recommend that at 32 BMI - you first try a medically supervised liquid protein diet. You are overweight but not morbidly obese. It would be cheaper, non-invasive and just as fast of a weight loss. If it doesn't work -- try surgery. Best wishes

Medically supervised liquid protein diet. It works especially well with the aid of the band. I did it. When I went on the liquid -- I lost very slowly. The MD thinks all my low-carbing threw my metabolism out of wack. I don't know -- maybe. So I stalled for about 6 weeks but then it wacked in. I'm now down to 26 BMI. Another thing ---- is --- have you had any surg for lose skin? It's possible that some of your weight is loose skin instead of fat. Also --- removing lose skin can really give you a needed boost. Best wishes

Oh my dear ---- I'm so sorry. I mostly want you to know that there are people out here to read these posts and definitely - hear you and get it. I'm also here to tell you to never, never give up. I'm 66. Got up to 43 BMI when I got the band in 2008. Got down to 32 BMI and stayed there for 5/6 years and then gradually gained abt 30lbs -- so abt 50% of what I lost. Like you - I just decided to bite the bullet and find a way because I just couldn't bear to put it all back on. I didn't get a conversion surg. I went on a medically supervised liquid protein fast. Took 4 mons and lost slowly due to age -- BUT I took the 30lbs off and more. Am now 26 BMI and have been stable there for 10 mos. I had my band adjusted and my band (that I was convinced didn't work anymore) really was a blessing in helping me through the liquid fast. It just really kicked in again. I had an arm lift 2 mos ago and I have a TT coming up in early March. Listen to me --- YOU CAN DO IT! Don't beat yourself up. The past is the past.

I agree with Texas Rose. It sounds like you may be a little swollen from -- maybe dehydration? Or because something has stuck. A day or 2 of liquid is worth trying.

I have UHC and they paid for reduction. They were dense and large before and then they were long and hanging. You will need medical reason because insurance does not cover cosmetic. I had proof of degenerative disc disease, marks in shoulder from bra strap, and pain. A plastic surg, should be able to give you a good sense of how well they can build a medical case for you. They take pics and send to the ins co and they will decide if they approve. Sometimes they'll offer a partial payment but they paid 100& for me. Next to the band, it's the best thing I ever did.

I'm 62 and have quite a GERD story that is now resolved. I'll cut to the chase and give you my recommendation. Do a strong search in your area for a practice that has high grades for treating BOTH GERD and the band. Try to see someone who really does do RNY, The sleeve and the band. That way --- you won't get someone who is trying to push pts to using the method that is easiest and more lucrative for THEM. I had HORRIBLE GERD and did everything in the book and gained 20lbs to boot! Changed MDs (from someone who is supposedly an expert – but had pretty much stopped putting in bands) to someone who routinely does all 3 and also is a specialist in GERD. They did a full assessment and found nothing wrong with the band. Said the GERD was because it was too tight. Took 2ccs out. GERD cleared up IMMEDIATELY! I also gained a couple of lbs. after that. I also went to an allergist and found that I had 3 allergies that caused post-nasal drip which was really impacting sleep quality and contributes to GERD – so I went on prescription nasal sprays and started getting allergy shots. I had no idea that I was having so much problem with breathing until after I started breathing well. My air passages are completely clear now. No more GERD. No more waking up at night because I can’t breathe. The band does put pressure on the diaphragm so having allergies can really make it harder to have the air we need. Now feeling a lot calmer because I have tons of air and a good night sleep. Got back on good diet and started losing again but I was really hungry because I only had 4 cc in my band. She just put 1.5 in and I’m back to losing and feeling great. Bottom line is --- it may be best for you to go with RNY but you may want to try a good strong GERD and band surgeon first to see if they can resolve it. You said you eat because you are lonely. Research has found that they are 2 types of obese people: those who eat a regular meal when they are hungry and then eat their sweets between meals vs those who will just reach for sweets (instead of meals) when they are hungry. That 2nd type is a primary sweets eater and they don’t do well with the band because the band requires eating solid Proteins that will sit in the stomach for a while. If people are primarily sweets eaters --- their food goes right through the band and they will always be hungry. My very best wishes

I had band surgery in March 2008 and I had to eat very light for a good year after (and more importantly ------COULD eat light!!). That's exactly how I lost so much weight! The stomach is doing a lot of healing the first couple of months --- and even the first year -- after surgery with both band and sleeve, The lighter the diet -- the better it can heal and not be stretched out. Letting it heal right in those months after surgery will make a major difference in success for years to come. It can be a little hard to eat so light after we have been used to plowing up food for years. But --- trust me--- it's GOOD if you can't get much food down the first few months after surgery. You'll LOVE your new jean size. Over the years on this board --- I have found that those people who were able to accept a new relationship with food -- were the ones who lost most weight and found new lives. It's quite a change and not everyone can do it. Those critical weeks/months after surgery feel very odd. Anyone who finds that they just can't eat much (regardless of which type of surgery they had) will also get to fully apprecaite how little food a person needs and how much they were eating before. Best wishes.

Hi-- I haven't been here for quite a while and was really happy to come back here today and find some of you, I have also been experiencing a fair amount of reflux over the past year. Some saline was removed at that time and now I have subsequently gained about 20lbs. I still am about 45 lbs lower than from my preband days but I'm disappointed. I have the head of my bed elevated 6 inches now (and practically slide right out every night!). I'm taking 2 Omeprazole a day and also really trying hard to stay away from food before bed.I have been thinking about the sleeve too but the the MD dosesn't see any slips or evidence of band problems (other than the reflux). My ins would pay for a sleeve if there was something wrong --- but there isn't. Things seem to be much better the last few days but I'm worried about where this is all leading to. Even if the acid reducer works -- I don't think it's a good idea to stay on 40 mg of that every day for a long time because reducing acid in the stomach like that can cause cancerous polyops in the the stomach. I'd like to do the sleeve but I'm kind of worried about that. I mean --they SAID the band was the ticket and didn't expect problems and so I'm wondering what kind of problem will pop-up down the road with the sleeve. And that is not reversibe. I have to be honest and say that I'm a real couch potato. I just brought a trendmill into the house today because that is what I like to use when I go to the gym. So -- I'm going to do my best with losing weight and using this treadmill.

Lumpy -- please run --- do not walk --- you a good gastroterologist immediately! This problem can be addressed but if you do not attend to it --- it can be very dangerous. This is nothing to fool around with. Don't be afraid --- just Go and do what you are told to do. Best wishes.

Have you been told that this problem is caused by the band or did you have it before the band?

I try to aim for 20 but I'll bet that I often have closer to 30. I think eveyone is probably different and needs to find their own way. All I can say is that when I eat more than 20 to 30 carbs a day - I get wicked cravings for all kinds of food and then I'm off and running. If I keep my carbs low --- I don't crave often and if I do go over a bit for 1 day -- it's easier to get back on the wagon the next. It could partly be that I'm in my 60s, that I'm a very short woman and I'm not very physically active---(still work hard but mostly sitting). Maybe if I moved more or was taller or younger -- I could eat more carbs. All I know is if I stay that low --- I have no problem with portion control or keeping calories low. If I go over that amount of carbs -- I get hungry and also have bad cravings. All of my blood tests, blood pressure, and pulse get really good when I stay low carb. They go up when I eat more carbs. I also have more energy, stay more even in mood and sleep better. I also lose weight with it as long as I take it easy on nuts and cheese. I eat half of an Atkins frozen breakfast, take a thermos of coffee with cream/Splenda with me in the AM, maybe an Atkins snack/light meal bar or 100 calorie pack of cinnamon or coco covered almonds for lunch, an Atkins dinner with 1 low carb flax Tortilla (Mama Rico's). In the eve -- I might have homemade low carb egg custard (made with egg whites) with flavored Spenda suryp and Cool Whip or an Atkins candy bar. Nice hot Chai tea as needed. Pickles, oives for treats. Works for me. I think that when American's are eating high carbs --- it's mostly sugar and starch (and usally with a fair amount of fat). I don't know of any nutrution book that says that sugar, crackers, Cookies, bread, Pasta and chips are good for a person. I don't think we are missing any important nutrition at all by staying away from that stuff. Low carb does not discourage most veggies. Corn, potato and Beans are not exactly on the low carb diet but they can be eaten (especially beans and other whole carbs) once the weight is lost. It's also true that during the losing phase - it's better to stick with berries for fruit becase they are so low carb. it's a good way of getting fruit in without getting high carbs and sugar. I do think that I need to be stricter in low carb than many other people because of my size, inactivity and metabolism.

Sensato!!! Hot Breakfast Cereal -- It's basically bran with flaxseed meal. Can buy with or without flavors at Netrition online. I buy it plain and add my own Splenda and then a bit of Cool Whip on top. You can also make your own recipe using Red Mill but I suggest Sensato every AM. You will go SOON and it cleans you out. Also very good for the digestive system. Very 107 calories, 12 grams of carb but net carbs are about 2, 10 grams of Protein. You can make it fairly tasty by adding a half of banana or fruit. The hull of straight brand can be a little bitter so the Cool Whip cuts it great. I'm also wondering if it's possible to add it to some low carb egg white custard to make something that might be more like grapenut pudding.

pinkcess-- I don't buy the idea that most of us don't have any willpower -- but I do buy the idea that for different reasons -- we have all been powerless to control our habits around food. Dasiychains 7 is right ---- we ALL have gone though the same feelings/habits you are going through now. That's why we got the band. And others are right too --- that the band is no magic bullet but for most people (not all) it sure does help an awful lot! I keep remembering what my surgeon told me when I got the band. He said, "getting the band is like bulding a soap box for a soap box derby. We go to the top of the hill (of your weight) and I can use the band to give you a good hard push down the hill. It works beautiful/very easy for about half the trip down the hill. But when you get about half way down - your gotta start peddling like crazy to get all the way to the bottom of the hilll." I think of that a lot because that is exacty the way I found it to be. For the first half of the ride down -- the band should seriously cut those cravings out. It's amazing but you will suddenly find your self-control. Go for it!

For openers -- the people who are telling you that you could die are crazy. Don't listen to them. Second, if you really want to worry about risks -- then make a list of all of your current medical conditions. If you don't face some of the potential risks invovled with the band now --- what is going to happen to you in 10 yrs? With the band you do have a decent chance of developing some type of discomfort and minor complicaiton soon or later that you will most likely be able to deal with. There is also always a small possbility it will be more compicated and that you may eventally have to have it out or revised. But thre's one thing for sure beyond any question ----- that is -- if you don't do something radical to lose the weight you have - you're defintely headed for extremely serious trouble. I got the band almost 5 yrs ago. I took care of it. I lost and kept off 80lbs. I have tired very hard not to play games with it and I usually manged to stay honest and real. People who don't do that are going to have trouble. Sometimes even people who are very good have trouble. All I can tell you is -- it's just unbelieveble to actually get your life back. I not only lost 80lbs and regained my health-- I feel like I turned the clock back 80 yrs! I'm 61 and people think I'm 40. I feel like 35. Look --- I"m not going to tell you that there are guarantee to the band ---- but there are definely guarantees to being morbidly obese.

Read the Ten Tips For Battling food (And Family) Over the Holidays that was posted Tues night. Ten Tips For Battling Food (And Family) Over The Holidays

This is great. I'm going to print it off and glue it to my forehead!

Excellent post!! Thanks!

Dear GodsTyro--- I read your post and was quite moved by it. I know exactly what you mean about watching your father's body breakdown. It just feels so awful to watch someone you love get sick and weak ---- to watch their lives just slipping away. It's so hard to understand why we (humans) have to go through this cruelty. I'm sorry for your loss. ------- But I also want to ask you to try to wrap your loving arms around yourself --- and hold yourself with love. His life was precious and now you can see how easily your life and health can slip away from you as well. Your precious life/health has got to mean more to you than a peice of pizza --- a bowl of ice-cream---a plate of Pasta. The sad truth is that we are all going to lose our health/lives someday and there's nothing we can do to stop that ----- but we CAN resolve that we are not going to let go of our lives over a stupid, rotten candy bar. Please hold on.

I lost 75 out of 100. What the MD means is that the average person getting the band loses about 50%. Actually the studies range from 43% to 55%. That does not mean that people can't lose more or all of it. It just means that the average is about that. It's a higher average for the sleeve and even higher for bypass. The bottom line is that since we have the more conserative method (the band) we have to be more proactive in getting it all off. The band gives us a great big push down the hill and we can coast the first 50% but after that - we really gotta start peddling like crazy to make it all the way down the hill.

Sounds like you might be too tight. You'll be OK but you really need to try not to throw up too often because it can cause band slips. The best thing to do is avoid getting stuck. It's good to keep papaya emzyme tablets around. Chew 3 and it helps get the food down. Put your hands/arms above your head and walk around.

You MAY be too tight but I can think of other things that could be causing this. Are you eating too fast? Are you taking small bites? Using a little cocktail fork can help. Are you chew, chew, chewing everything super well? Are you drinking Fluid with your food? Are you eating foods that are known to lump together -- like bread, macroni and cheese? All of those things can cause your food to get stuck. If you then throw it up to deal with the pain -- your esophagus will swell and it will be hard to get anything down. You have to be on fluids for the rest of the day before trying solids again. Some solids can be hard to get down. Some people find that chicken (espeically white meat) are too dry and dense to eat. You may need a sauce with that. The band tends not to do well with the pizza, crackers, chips, potatoes ect. They can get stuck easily. These are highly processed starches. The band is designed to keep you away from them. It's also true that you could be too tight and that you are eating slider foods and shakes/liquids. Are you drinking carbonated beverages? That isn't good. There are several good books on Amazon about proper eating and care of your band. I recommed one. I was in the hospital 2 weeks ago and my band was evaluated. I have had it for 4.5 yrs. They MD and techs said my band was in great shape and they all began to tell me horror stories about the amount of lapband troubles they have seen. They see a lot of slips and errosions and most of the time (not all) it is because people go on eating the same way they did before they got the band. I'm not saying that you aren't eating right. It could be that it's too tight or because of something else but if you are not using the band rules --you could lose your band.

Yes --- I have been there and there's a few things that can easily cause this problem: 1) taking too much food into the mouth, 2) not chewing well enough ---- chew, chew, chew and then chew some more, 3) certain types of food --- more common are dense foods like dry chicken, bread, pasta, 3) drinking protein or soups or too soft of food instead of solid food (fluids and soft foods go through the pouch very quickly. Band is design for solid food), 4) eating solid food and washing it down with fluid. Always wait about an 1hr before drinking after eating. 5) Having too tight of a band -- that causes swelling around band. If that is the case, you may have to let some fill out to let swelling rest. Try the 5 day pouch test and follow it strictly. Don't mix food and fluid. If that doesn't work --- see your surgeon.

Best wishes. You did really well.