Banded08

Hi Jachut, I've followed you since I've gotten my band. If you were me would you get a small fill? I can't explain it, I have PCOS and was eating right and working out but still gaining, but after the band it just started coming off. Now in the last two weeks all of my PCOS symptoms are coming back which is really hard feeling bad with a baby. I tried getting a fill about 3 months after delivery and I had to get it taken out because I couldn't even swallow and there was no way I was compromising my breastfeeding. What would you do?

I have PCOS, was told children were probably not an option. Got the band, lost 75lbs in one year, got off of BC and became pregnant 1 week later. I trully believe it was because of the band. I am not 6 months pp, breastfeeding so I cannot take my Metformin. I've started gaining weight and all of my PCOS problems are coming back. Not sure what I will do, but I am so thankful to the band, gave me my beautiful daughter

I am right there with you. I have not been on this site in months, but got on today looking for help. My daughter is 6 months, I gained about 45 during pregnancy, lost 15 after about 1 week and then nothing. I exclusively breastfeed so am worried about getting a fill. I started bumping up my working out because I'm so disgusted, but now I am actually GAINING weight. I'm not sure what to do. Who breastfeeds and gains weight?

My nightmare is coming true. I was banded on 01/25/2008, lost 10 lbs pre-op and 10 lbs week after surgery. I have not lost a pound since. Dr. said I was eating too calories, so I upped them and still nothing. I kow from reading your posts you can be succuessful with the band and PCOS. So for those out there with PCOS that have been successful, if you had to give me 3 tips for success, what would they be (low carb, weights vs cardio, take medication, do not take medication, how many calories a day). I know everyone's different, but advice would be much appreciated. I will do whatever it takes.

It's nice to see how everyone is doing and their progress. I am currently down 72 lbs and 9 weeks pregnant!!!! The band is so wonderful, even through pregnancy. I had 1 cc taken out in my 6th week and it's interesting to see how much the band really works!!!!! Deep down I always hope that it's my willpower, but now having little restriction, I know a lot of it is the band. The best decision I ever made!!!

Hello, I am so glad for this website. I was banded in 01/2008. I was told I would have problems getting pregnant because I have PCOS. I waited until my bandiversay and I just found out I was pregnant!!! I'm so excited but nervous. Any support from my fellow pregnant banders would be appreciated. My doctors appointment is not until next week, can anyone give specific advice on exercising, can you continue to excerise like you were? Thanks again.

I have the same problem. My problem is either I do not have enough of a fill and I can eat too much, or I'm restricted and things hurt. I just do not feel right about having pain while I eat, so for me, and everyone's different, I basically cannot eat anything solid until afternoon. So I have a shake every morning, protein bar in the afternoon and by dinner I can eat solids. It sound horrible but I have actually adjusted. Glad to see I'm not the only one!

It has seemed like forever to get there, but I finally hit onderland! Don't mean to brag but I am so excited I had to tell someone!

I had the exact same problem. The doctor told me that fat contains a lot of estrogen, so when you lose fat, you are realeasing it. So you are essentially getting doses of estrogen shot in your system. Hope that helps.

I just got a fill on friday, I have not had one in months. It's amazing how all of this works, but the day after I get a fill, I always start dropping weight. I have not idea the reason behind it. I also talked to the Dr. about it, and he said exactly what you did. He said we are supposed to lose 40% of excess the first year and I have already done that so it's extra important to excerise and eat protien first, veggies second and carbs last. I guess the rules never change, we just have to keep hearing them!!!! Thanks so much for your help.

I have not been on here in a long time, but I need some help. My first goal was to be down 50 lbs. I was steadily losing and I got to my goal of 50 lbs and I was extatic!!! However, that was 2 months ago and everything has come to a hault. I have been playing with 4-5 lbs for the last two months and have not really lost another pound. When the weight lost stopped I started working out more, and still nothing. I though I had this whole thing figured out, but now I'm getting confused. I did feel like I was in control, if I didn't work out as hard or lost the battle and ate something I shouldn't, I fully expected not to lose. But if I was being good and working out hard, it would come off. For the first time I felt in control. I do not think I need a fill, at night I can eat more than I would like but I try to not get to that point. It's almost impossible for me to eat solids in the morning, so that does not sound like I need a fill does it? The only thing that has changed is that the Dr. lowered my Metformin dosage (for those with PCOS, you understand. But I cannot imagine that has done it. Any advice or support would be appreciated. Thanks.

HeatherO, I think the honest answer to that would be no. I do try to stay away from carbs but I have also always tried to eat as normal as possible (balanced), just less and never had a problem losing until now. The reason being is that I've done the low carb stuff and I know it works, but I've never thought I could stick with it for the rest of my life. Can you give me a typical menu for you for a day.

I am so sorry to hear about your complications, but WOW, your attitude is amazing. I wish you the best of luck, and with that attitude, your possibilities are endless!!

Does anyone else have any information on this. I am 8 months out and for the last month my port is so painful. They dug around with a needle to see if there is fluid, none. They did a CT scan and said the port is fine. The only thing they can think of is a pulled muscle or scar tissue. I love my band, but I cannot handle this constant pain. Taking out my port is not an option because I plan to get pregnant soon. Anyone else been through this?

Hello fellow January Bandsters. Anyone out there found out they have a leak? I go in tomorrow to get x-rayed to make sure. This has been such an emotional roller coaster. I am still going to be optimistic, but I cannot help feeling if I do have a leak it's because the only people I work with now are nurses and PAs. I appreciate all that they do but I am starting to feel like my Doctors office is wham bam thank you ma'am. They have so many people coming and going it's amazing. Well, I needed to get this off my chest. I've been working out like crazy to make sure I do not gain any weight back. Thanks for your support and any insight.

Hi Diane, I do feel your frustration. The first thing I think of when I see your situation is how much you've lost in comparison to your weight. If you take my situation, I was much heavier than you (260) and have lost 50 lbs. So your 35 lbs is nothing to be ashamed of. It is interesting how the scale has not moved in three months. Although never that long for me, I do lose a bunch at one time and then go weeks without losing a pound. Just do not give up, and try to add some exercise in. It does not look like you need a fill, maybe you actually need to eat more. I've found sometimes if I do not eat enough I stop losing. Be strong and keep going, you can do this.

Thanks for making this thread. I've said it a hundred times, but I'll say it again, this whole thing is the most interesting journey. Just reflecting over the last 6 months brings tears to my eyes, in a happy and sad way. On one hand I cannot believe I am 50 lbs down and how easy it was (compared to rest of my life of trying to lose), but I also can't believe how hard it is. (only a bandster can understand that contradiction) It's interesting how someone else said that they are starting to see themselves again in the mirror, I am too and it's strange. It's also getting strange when people actually look at me in public when I walk in a room, it's feels weird and is hard getting used to it. I also feel naked when I wear clothes that fit now, I feel like showing any skin (an arm) is putting myself out there. Although I know I could not have done it without the band, it has been very difficult. I watch the scale every single morning, and if I am not eating healthy, the scale either goes up or it does not move for a while. The level of accountability with the band is amamzing. I have good days and bad days, I sometimes actually get depressed and mad when I cannot eat the things I want. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. I just try to focus on the positive part of the band and how awesome I feel. I trully do not think I've ever beent his healthy (even though my hair is falling out!!!) As for exercise, I still struggle. I was really into running and injured my leg, so it's been hard getting back into it. I do not know what I would do without fitday, although I think I may be addicted, or this website. Only other bandsters can understand what we are going through. The emotions every day are a rollercoaster. Being able to see others are going through the same things makes you half way feel sane! I know I'm carrying on but the anxiousness to see where we will all be six months from now is almost too much to bare. I take it day by day and never fall into my old problem (giving up entirely when things do not go perfectly). Congratulations to you all and thanks for being such inspirations.

I have not posted in a while but I thought I would give an update. I just got another fill yesterday so I am at 8.5 ccs in a 12cc band. I keep trying to get to the 50lb mark but it keeps going back and forth. I started running a few weeks ago because I was on a plateau and the weight started dropping off. By the way, for me running is about equivelant to hell. I think I did to much too fast because I injured my leg. The typical old me would use that as an excuse, but as soon as the dr says okay, I will begin hell, I mean running, again. It's amazing how well everyone's doing. This is such an interesting journey. Congratulations to all.

I'm five months out and for some reason crab cakes and I do not get along very well, everyone's different, just be careful.

Almost everything I eat now gets stuck, even corn sometimes, but Never have I had a problem with pop corn. I eat it all the time.

I love reading everyone's NSVs!!! Anyone gotten a swimsuit yet for the season? I know, it's dreadful, but his year has been better than the previous years. I do a lot of boating so I had to go ahead and order mine now although I did want to wait. I did all of the measuring and the measurements said I needed a 16. Even though it said 16, I am so used to ordering the biggest size possible, I went to my comfort zone and ordered 18. It came in and guess what.......way too big!!! Just an FYI, Lands End has an awesome custom line with women's sizes and up to DDD bra sizes with underwire. God knows I need something to hold these deflated things up!!!

Wow, it's good to hear how everyone's doing but it's amazing how different everyone is. I did not have any problem getting anything down until my last fill and then only white bread. I can eat steak and chicken without any problems. Can you tell me how many cc's you have in what size band?

I was banded on 01/24 and the scale has not moved in 3.5 weeks. I've been obssesive and tracking everything on fitday. I go to the doctor with all of my reports and ask how on earth can I be taking in an average of 520 calories a day and the scale not move???!!! His infuriating response is that I am not eating enough calories and my body is in starvation mode. The nutritionist was there and was backing him up. I'm now so confused. I thought this was the entire reason for the band to reduce your intake of calories as much as possible. I also do not understand how I lost the 21 lbs when I was on fluids if what he is saying is true. So, they told me to stop tracking everything, to stop getting on the scale and get my calories up to 800-1200. I also was not getting enough Protein and they said that was more important than the calories. Any thoughts or advice would be helpful, I'm really confused and disappointed. I've just been trying to have the best results possible.

Just an FYI, people who do not have PCOS do not understand, but anytime I get off of Metformin I gain weight. My surgeon also told me not to take the Metformin after surgery because it is time release and you cannot crush it. He said I won't need it anyway. Although I did not gain, I did not lose until I put myself back on it. After that, the weight started falling off. If you can handle it, I would get back on Metformin.

I have 4.5 cc's in a 12 cc band. I've had 2 fills and still am able to eat anything. It's so interesting how different doctors are with band types and fill amounts.