dmr3112

I asked my surgeon this very same question today. He says banders already know the tricks to get food in and old habits haven't been broken. This is another reason why he makes revision patients wait three months - they have to reestablish good eating habits. It's energy in versus energy out - same as the band. However seeing most of us couldn't eat with a band and weight loss is extreme due to malnourishment, it makes sense that being able to actually eat food to lose weight will take longer than a starvation method. I was mystified about this too!

Hi everyone, I'm two weeks out from my band to bypass revision and tomorrow I start the optislim liquid diet. I had my band placed in 2006 and had it removed three months ago after the second slip. For most of the 10 years I was under weight, having lost over 100pounds (50 plus kilos) mainly due to not being able to tolerate much of anything. I lived knowing that if I ate, it would become uncomfortable and I'd need it out. I lived with sliming, coffee (the milk) congealing in my stomach, reflux day and night, waking at night with it coming out my nose, finding out where the restroom was as soon as I'd go to a restaurant or someone's house, an annual Iron infusion for anemia - it was no way to live but still a better alternative to being fat again. I got to the point though, that I was so dehydrated that I couldn't cope any longer. Out it came. Since then I have gained 12 kilos (about 25 pounds) which I'm desperately unhappy about as I followed a very strict food plan, combined with intense exercise (I became very fit since losing weight) and was so hopeful that my natural metabolic state may have reset itself - but no. Even though my insurance resistance and under active thyroid returned to a normal state my genetics remained the same. All those long forgotten feelings of shame, disappointment in myself, failure, frustration and desperation returned, just like I'd lived with for the 34 years before the band went in. So, now for the next new beginning! I just want to be able to eat small amounts of nutritious food, enough to give me the energy to live my life actively and happily and to not become malnourished. I'd be really interested to know how those that used to suffer food intolerances with the band, are now coping with eating food after the bypass. I've also heard that those who have a bypass after a band don't do as well. My surgeon says it's because we keep bad habits with us (ie we know what passes through restriction most easily) however if you've had success please share it and why you think you have. Thanks so much and I really appreciate you sharing your stories:) DR

i couldn't tolerate my latte! It would congeal in my stomach and "block" foods moving through my band. Same with milkshakes. Band now gone and no issues with dairy - however now only treating myself to one latte a day and NO milkshakes!

I still have the hernia but my band was removed 5 days ago - not a second of refiux since. I used to live on medication to try to control it but it would wake me at least 4 times a night. My band had slipped for the second time and I couldn't eat or drink much at all. I lost all my weight in the first 3 years and maintained it for the last 5, most likely due to the slip. Im now slightly under weight. I too am petrified at putting the weight back on but straight away I have bought a fitbit, joined myfitnesspal and the gym and I am determined to be stronger and get my stamina back. It was no way to live - reflux and throwing up after every meal, poor food choices just to get something down. Still, I wouldn't change a thing because I consider this my next chapter. I am so grateful for my journey!

Hi there, Im having my revision this Tuesday after having my band for over 7 years. My weight loss has been substantial and in fact, I am probably below weight now (I even see that I look too thin). I had a slip about 6 months after having it put in, but I have never really coped with the band and think I am one of those people that will vomit no matter how little Fluid is in the band. I have had another slip and can't keep food down at all. I had the rest of my fluid out last Friday and now can keep liquids down. I couldn't even tell you when the band slipped again - most likely years ago and I just lived with the reflux and vomiting. Its better than being fat isn't it??! Now though, I have lost too much weight and feel terribly lethargic and not myself at all. I just want to recondition and be strong again. I don't however, want to be fat. So, what to do? I have booked in for the bypass in a few months but really concerned about stacking on too much weight once the band is gone. I eat a liquid diet now anyway e.g. smoothies, Soups etc but I have been using butter and cream to try to keep weight on. I know that I will need to change my diet pre bypass. I am now a fit person and I have exercised daily and love it, for about 5 years. I wonder if this in combination with doing the post bypass diet will be enough to keep my weight under control and the bypass would be unnecessary? Its a pretty confronting and scary time - I only found out a few days ago that I was to lose the band, so still getting my head around it and RESEARCHING! Not long until your surgery - they are doing both procedures at once on the 15th? Cheers Donna